Aidan almost understands the concept of gifts. Almost. Maybe next year he'll understand that the big boxes have toys in them.
Aidan "helped" decorate the tree. It took two weeks and at the end of it all, the bottom quarter looked like it got hit by a cyclone.
"Mom and dad keep talking about Christmas and how I don't need anymore stuff. They're so funny! I totally need some new sweatpants (size 2T/3T). I'm really over my baby toys, too. I've started a list to give you some ideas, but don't tell my folks. We'll keep it our little secret."
What was Aidan for Halloween? Um, he was Aidan. The pirate costume that was purchased for him lasted all of five seconds. (Toddler costumes should not have Velcro closures. He ripped that sucker off Incredible Hulk-style.) We did make a lame attempt to dress him as Tim Lincecum, but the one day we wanted him to wear his baseball cap, he wanted nothing to do with it. Instead of cute costume pictures, we give you this: Aidan going down a big slide by himself for the first time.
He kept yelling "BALL!" and trying to punt them into the ground. We came home with three of the non-smashed variety.
You know a trip the zoo is a success when your toddler comes home tired and dirty and spends the next week playing with farm toys. Aidan flirted with every girl on the nature trail and then spent 10 minutes trying to get in the pen with the miniature horse (which he proudly called "dog"). Trying to convince him it was a donkey was futile. But it's really about whatever makes him happy, right?
Sleeping in, flowers, orange juice in bed—ah, there’s just nothing like Mother’s Day. But no matter how hard a spouse tries mom always ends up doing some work. It comes with the territory. And when you have a one-year old, that work involves a very messy little “helper.” This year “helping” meant pulling out a wide selection of jars, baking sheets, and Tupperware to assist in making New Orleans style grilled shrimp (which requires shrimp, a grill pan, a bowl, and skewers). In the end it all worked out. The shrimp was delicious, nothing broke, and the temper tantrums were kept to a minimum. Success!
Jill and mom lend Aidan a hand at the Central Park Zoo. He's still not walking, but that's not going to keep the boy down. So put that in your pipe and smoke it.
Look who finally decided you can't keep a good baby down.
Once again, Aidan proves he will never starve. The lowdown: boy decides he's hungry, boy finds can of snack crackers, boy opens canister and devours snacks. Could he look any more proud of himself?
Here we are at the park in the middle of January. It's 3 p.m. and 74 degrees outside in the lovely Parkside district (which is by the beach and typically VERY chilly). If you don't believe in global warming, doesn't this make you rethink things, even just a little?
