Oops, I made a mess

Meet 'donkey dog'

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?

 

Oh the humanity!

Trips to the park are a bit challenging. Aidan loves the slides and swings (wasn't really that into the kid swinging next to him, but that was okay). Yeah!

But hates sand. Boo!

Mommy's little monster, er, helper

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!

Look who's walking

After months of waiting and speculation, Aidan finally took his first real steps April 25, one day shy of his 16-month birthday. As his proud parents, Brian and I say, "It's about time!"

Just a little off the top

First haircut

before 

and after.

Faking it in New York

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.