Month 14

This has been an unbelievable month for Aidan. He started walking right after New year's and has been on the go ever since. Just this past week he's managed to stand up on his own without pulling up on anything. Considering a month ago he couldn't walk at all with out help this is a huge achievement!

This past month we also made our very first family trip. Aidan's very first flight, and his very first passport stamps. Oh yes, my one year old has already been to Scotland, and Ireland. I'd say Amsterdam too, but you can't count the airport as actually having been in a country. Otherwise I'd have about 8 more in my own list.

Aidan handled the trip incredibly well, except for the last two days when he got sick for the very first time. With a fever of 102. And we were in Falcarragh, Ireland. I didn't handle it with quite so much calm. But, we got him to a doctor, turns out it was an ear infection, got some antibiotics and some Motrin and by the time we were on the flight home from Amsterdam a day and a half later, the fever broke and he was starting to feel much better.

By the way, antibiotics tend upset babies stomachs. And changing tables in airplane bathrooms are not particularly easy to maneuver with. I think I can truly handle anything at this point.

The latest in Aidan news is his shift in nap schedules. He seems to have overnight switched to a one-nap-a-day kind of guy. This nap has been 3 to 3.5 hours long so I'm not complaining! Just need to readjust my own schedule to accomodate. I used to shower once I got him down for his morning nap around 9. I simply cannot wait until 12 to shower. So once we all figure out the new patterns it'll be a lot easier.

And the very last bit of news for this month (I told you it was a big month) is that Aidan now has two molars. This is great, but a little weird, since he hasn't cut his canines yet. But now he can chew food a little easier, and once the other two come in he'll sleep a little easier at night too I think.

My little man is quickly becoming a big one, I can't get over the fact that this time last year we were happy if he held his head up for a while and didn't cry to much when we put him on his belly.

Month 13 - No I didn't forget

With all the Christmas-ing and the New Year-ing, and the packing for the trip I did let the update slide. And what an update! Aidan is officially walking. On his own, without holding on to anything.

This is as thrilling as it is terrifying.

He's also been babbling up a storm, but unfortunately no words yet. He's been able to say "Arrow" and "Uh Oh" for months, but beyond that nothing. I'm sure he'll manage it like he's done everything else and will spout out about 5 new words in one day.

Aidan also had his first haircut, shortly after his birthday. He looked so much better without that extra shag it really made me wish I'd let Andy cut it before. Ah well.

Otherwise, not much has been happening. We'll be making our first major trip as a family at the end of this week, I'll be sure to let you all know how that went once we're back. Fingers crossed!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas
Originally uploaded by apg

My apologies to those of you who didn't receive cards, that would be everyone. We weren't with it this year. Instead, please to enjoy this online greeting card from me and my family. Love to all and I hope you have a Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, and Wonderful New Year!

Trying to get out the door...

Aidan and I went to visit one of Andy's cousins with a new baby on Tuesday. Here's how getting out the door on time to make an 11 AM visit in Annapolis went.

9:40 - Woke Aidan up early from his nap, picked him up. Hurray! Happy baby! Oh no...he spewed. Hurray only onto his crib sheets, I'll change those later.

9:45 - Time to change the diaper. Oh no...super poop machine. Hurray! He didn't try to roll around and smear it on everything. Clean diaper ready, oh no...he's peeing everywhere. Hurray! It didn't get on his clothes or mine, I'll change the cover on the changing table later.

10:00 - I'm supposed to be at Mom's house picking her up right now...Hurray put on Aidan's coat! Now into the pack and play while I put on my coat. Oh no...he's pulled his hat and shoes off. Hurray! They're back on. Oh no...they're off again.

10:15 - At Mom's, everyone loading in the car...oh no...we have to stop and pick up bagels.

We actually made it to Annapolis about 11:15 so not late, just sort of fashionable. We all had a lovely time too. Aidan played really well with some of the older boys, and was only a little jealous while I held the new baby. Hurray!

Countdown: T-Minus...

16 Days until Christmas

• Presents remaining to be bought: 8


• Presents ready to be wrapped: 2
  

23 Days until New Year's

• Preparation to be done: None! Woohoo!

31 Days until Scotland wedding/Ireland vacation

• Bags to pack: 3
  


• Car Seat to buy: 1
  


• Skirt to have altered: 1


• Baby boots to find/buy: 1 pair


• Laundry to do: Squajilllions

12 Months Old, that's ONE YEAR people!

This past month with Aidan has been amazing, I can't get over how much he's grown. We have our last Waterbabies lesson this Saturday, he obviously can't swim just yet, but we've had a really good time.

Thinking back it's so hard to believe that one year ago today I had gone into labor, early of course, and that in just a little while I'd get to hold my son. Now I can barely hold on to him he's moving so fast! So looking forward to the next year together, I know it'll will be even better than this one has been!

Happy Birthday sweet boy!

Aidan, what day in December is your birthday?
Originally uploaded by apg

Leaps and Bounds

It's seemed like over the last several months Aidan has picked things up with alarming speed, and always several things at once.

Take this morning, for example. Upon waking up, he decided to begin babbling incessantly, and then showed me his two new teeth, and how he could stand up on his own.

I felt as if any second he would turn to me and say "Oh, and by the way Mother, have I mentioned I picked up my doctorate in Astro-Physics?"

Wheee!

My Dad bought Aidan a new toy and we broke it out yesterday to everyone's delight. I brought it out again this morning and Aidan again loved playing with it. UNTIL, I broke out the camera. The minute I tried filming his interest disappeared. In between times he played with it happily.

Here's the video I wound up with. Enjoy!

3 Years Old

I was cleaning out some old receipts the other day and found some from Target from a few days after Stuart was born. Looking through the items we bought still made me catch my breath. Receiving blankets to use as sheets for his incubator, a larger blanket to cover it with to block out the light, milk storage bags since he was too tiny to nurse. The 45 days Stuart was with us were some of the best and distinctly the worst of my life. I wouldn't trade a single one of them.

Some days the fact that he's gone is completely unfathomable to me.

Happy Birthday little man.

11 Months Old

Only a few weeks left, and then I'll have a year-old toddler on my hands instead of an infant! Aidan's accomplished a lot this past month. First assisted steps, water babies, a few signs and almost words. Most notably he can sign 'light' and points to things he wants. He also says "Aaahhrooo" any time he sees Arrow. Actually anytime he sees a dog. The connection is definitely there.

Aidan's also moved almost entirely onto people food instead of baby food. Since he seems to have a distinct dairy allergy this has been a little challenging, especially since what he wants to eat is whatever is on my plate. I don't suppose cutting back on my dairy consumption would kill me, but to have a kid that can't eat mac and cheese?? It's been every dairy product we've tested too, yogurt, cheese, and we even put a little milk directly on his arm to see if he still developed the hives...yup, same effect. From what I've read most kids outgrow it by the time they're two. Here's hoping.

The next month and a half are going to be pretty swamped with Thanksgiving being at our house this year, then Aidan's first birthday, then Christmas, and New Year's...

Next thing you know it'll be Valentine's Day and I'll be coming to saying "What happened?"