Aiden's First Word

About a week and a half or two weeks ago, I heard Aiden say, "Dad?" And then he said it again. And then a few minutes later, he said it again. I was laying in bed trying to tell Russ that Aiden called for him. Russ never heard anything. I kept telling him that he really did, and that it wasn't in between all his gibberish. Well, the time arrived this morning....

Aiden was in the dining room, and he heard his daddy coming down the steps. Aiden said, "Dad." I hollered to Russ, "Russ did you hear that!? He said your name!" He didn't hear him. Well, Aiden did it again, and this time Russ heard! It was great! He doesn't say Dada...he says Dad with a high pitch! Very, very cute! I can't wait to see what he says next! (Although I do think he says hi---he will hit the window when Russ is out with the dogs and say," I, I, I."

Time Tables are Rubbish

When we found out we were pregnant, we spent a lot of time reading books about parenting and what to expect. Even after Aiden was born- for probably the first 6 months, I spent a lot of time reading those kinds of books. Now he is a year old, and I never read those books---just a few pages out of our Parenting magazine (which I am not sure how we acquired). Actually, I can't seem the find the time to just read. The point is, I spent all this time worrying about what Aiden could or couldn't do. Now I just worry without having the books---I just have other kids to compare him to.

I KNOW YOU SHOULDN'T DO THAT. I know! I know! I know! But- when you hear one parent say that they think their kid is behind and this kid can do way more than your own kid or you see another kid that is only a month older doing way more...it makes you wonder---well, it does for me anyway. Example: why can't my kid sign milk? I show him the movies, I make the sign every day, I even have him do it. Why can't he do it? What did that mother or father do to get him or her to do it? Is something wrong with Aiden? Is something wrong with me? Is daycare not teaching him anything?

I know it is just power of the course...and I know it is (in a sense) all rubbish...I know I shouldn't worry until he is really old enough to know better...but I am human, and I want to make sure I give him everything I can. I know that this kind of worrying is a lot better than the worrying I will have when he takes a car out for a drive on his own. But man---parenting is hard. I know in my heart I am doing the best I can, but I guess you only stay accountable and responsible if you evaluate yourself.

Puddle Jumping

At Aiden's daycare, they like to play outside! Well, it is officially mud season, and Aiden owns three pairs of shoes- his soft leather booties, his Stride Rite sneakers, and his Reebok sneakers. I didn't feel any of those would be sufficent for him to play in outside since it is so muddy out. I could just see him taking a step into a big puddle in his little stride rite sneakers---what a mess! Aiden is only wearing a size 4 and to find boots was easy---at $30 bucks a pair. I think that is silly for itty bitty feet, so I went to EBay and found the cutest pair of size 5...yeah, a little big, but nothing heavy socks can't help fix! These are what we got for him:

They are just so adorable! They arrived in the mail yesterday. I wish our video camera was working. I put them on Aiden's feet, and he didn't know what to think of them. They are a tad heavy on his feet, so walking was a bit difficult for him. He ended up just sitting on the floor and playing with the big zippers. After a while, he did get up and walk around with them. At least now, it will be okay when he wants to walk through a puddle---I mean, hey, the kid is only one! I can't take away puddle jumping yet! :)

Florida

Last week Russ, Aiden, and I went to Florida to see Aiden's Grammy, Carolyn. It was Aiden's first flying experience. He did a wonderful job on the way down. We went to the aquarium on our first full day (Friday). Aiden had a great time looking at all the fish. At times, he appeared to not be interested, and than at other times, he really was. We also spent a lot of time just being with the family which was nice. On our last full day (Monday), we went to Busch Gardens! Aiden was thrilled to be in the stroller and just look all around. It was chilly that day---around 56 or so with a breeze in the morning. Grammy would watch Aiden while we went on a few roller coasters. Those were a blast---scary, but really, really fun! Aiden was so nosy that he didn't crash until we were just about to leave Busch, so we let him sleep, which only lasted about 20 minutes. With no nap, our return flight was hard. He was overtired. He sounded like a wounded cat for 3 hours or so on the first leg of the trip. All in all- he was a good boy!