Aiden's Baby Book - 2 Years!

My sweet little Aiden, as hard as it is to accept, you are officially a two-year-old. But even though it might make me a little sad knowing that you're growing up so quickly, you make it easy on Mommy by being such a loving, thoughtful, and hilarious little person! You have yet to display any "terrible twos" signs. While you are mastering the art of a good tantrum, it's nothing that stands out as "Supernanny" worthy. Thank you for that. I just hope you're not saving it up for your teenage years.

We have been having such a great time together this summer. I love that you were born in June. That means that each summer break, Mommy gets to relive the maternity leave days for every one of your birthdays! We get up each day for breakfast and "Yo Gabba Gabba" followed by lots of pool time or playtime. After nap, you help me with chores, play some more, or just cuddle with me for a movie. I am loving these memories we're making. Can you tell?

You have become quite the helper. You put toys back, help me get things out or do laundry, and always do as your told. Even when it is not what you want. It may take a little longer, but you do it, nonetheless. You have yet to disappoint me or your daddy. We are continuously amazed with how quickly you catch onto things. You have a go-with-the-flow personality. I hope that never changes!

You have also become a little lover-boy. You give hugs, requested or out of the blue (those are the best). You always tell me, "g-night, I wah-vu" when I tuck you in. I LOVE IT! You like to go to "Mommy's Beh-ud" to watch the Good Night Show before bed.

Swimming and shopping are popular requests from you. You like to get ready and get out of the house. I'm sorry for the shopping thing. But hopefully you'll grow to enjoy it (or at least get used to it) so that you'll be a better husband. That is, if I approve of her. [wink, wink] As for swimming, you can kick pretty well with your Nemo floaties on. I think next year will be your year for floatie free swimming. Right now, you just like to float around, play with your pool toys, and 1-2-3-jump!

Milestones
You can pull down/up your pants to use your Lightning McQueen potty!
You only wear a pull-up at night and during naptime.
You eat everything! You love dips (even the spicy ones). You have your my taste buds. You're welcome.
You say yes/no ma'am/sir, please, thank you, and you're welcome. My polite little man!
You eat in a booster seat at restaurants. Bye-bye highchair!
Now, you sleep in your toddler bed. You can get up and out of bed, but stay in it when you know it's time for bed.
You request more books from your shelf now. That makes me giddy!
At night, you can now repeat your "Now I Lay Me" prayer.
You have been off of your paci for a month now. That was way easier than I expected. Thanks!

Favorite Toys
"Mack" the truck that hauls all of your CARS 2 cars.
pretty much ALL of your CARS 2 stuff
your new UT football uniform (This makes us all very happy!)
your Harley motorcycle and keys
Buzz and Woody
Captain America
masks and helmets

RAAAAWR!

Funny Stuff
You roar. A lot.
You'll get someone's toes and say "This piggy in mah-ket. Wee wee all-time!"
Your snort and laugh. Totally got that from me. My bad.
When going #2, you whisper in a very serious tone "I gah poopoo"
You call buttons "butts". As in, "I wanna push the butt."
We were snuggled watching E.T. during the scene in the woods, and you looked up at me after seeing E.T.'s hand in the branches and said, "I scaaared."
You have become a human tape recorder.
Cameras and phone calls are not your cup of tea. You bolt as soon as you are put on the spot to talk, smile, or perform.
If Bogey gets anywhere near your food, you point and yell "NOOO Bogey!"
When you are trying really hard to do something, and you do it, you say "Thank you" and "You're welcome" to yourself.

I just can't tell you enough how much I love you! When I look at your precious little face with those sparkling eyes and that precious smile, I just melt. You're just so stinkin' cute. You never cease to amaze your dad and me; we are so proud of you. SO PROUD. You are so loved!

Love,
Mommy

"Not MY kid"

I know this phrase well. I can remember back in the dating days with my husband, sitting across from one another at a fancy restaurant, making googly eyes at one another (where did those days go, right?), when we notice a squirmy, whiny, overly obstinate toddler one table over. We would give a glance at the poor couple, stuffing any shiny object or tasty bit of food in front of the little caveman/woman's face. Then we'd meet each other's eyes with a knowing look and say, "Not my kid...our kids will be different."

Please excuse me while I double over with laughter.

Okay. Where was I? Oh yeah...we were wrong. Well, somewhat. I mean, he is still the most precious human I've ever met, and I am sure it could be much worse, but this week I met Caveman Aiden.

We got out and about on Friday morning to bring Jamie back after selling his car. When we took him home, I decided to do a little shopping. So we walked into Old Navy, headed to the bathing suit section where my bathing suit was not. They were out of my size. Figures. So that meant that my quick trip turned into a trying on trip. As I would browse and pick one up, Aiden would say, "Uuuu hold it." EVERYTIME. That was fine, but when we walked, he would trip on the strings and get a little more impatient. I knew the bomb was ticking, so I hurried up. Alas, nothing struck my fancy the way the original had so I asked the clerk to check other stores.

Um, Aiden didn't like that idea.

Clerk: They have one in Cool Springs. Do you want to put it on hold?
Me: Sure, that's great!
Aiden: Uuuu hold-joo!
Clerk: What's your name?
Me: [picking up Aiden] Britney
Aiden: Uuuu walk!
I put him down and he straight up BOLTS! I grab him. He whines.
Me: Aiden, DO NOT RUN!
Aiden: Raaaaawr! (wow, that's new)
Me: If you don't want Mommy to hold you, you have to stay right here, okay?
Aiden: Okay. [drops to the floor on his belly]
Clerk: They'll have it up front for you. [glances down at Aiden]
Me: [laughing to myself because I remember the phrase "Not my kid"] Okay, thanks!

I scooped up my caveman kid, and we walked out the doors.

We're working on the growling thing.

Aiden's Baby Book - 21 and 22 Months

Well, little man, you continue to grow and grow and grow! I have noticed over the past couple of months that you are getting very tall. I put some pajama pants on you just yesterday that you were wearing just this Christmas, but they looked like shorts on you! That made me sad, but excited at the same time because you are growing from my sweet little baby into my sweet little boy.

You're really beginning to enjoy clothes. You react to new outfits with a big smile and a "WOW". You like to look like Daddy. Most everything you put on is in your own words, "like Daddy's". Especially your new Under Armour shirts and cool shoes! This month you got a big boy haircut. You just love standing on your stool while I fix your hair-You're kind of a ham!

You still like to request movies in the car, but have added controlling the living room TV as well. Now, the number one request is "Buzz and Woody!" (aka Toy Story 1, 2, and 3) We have them all on DVR. Luckily for Mommy and Daddy, it's a pretty awesome selection for you to like. The Easter Bunny brought you a Buzz Lightyear this year! You were so excited! You have gotten so attached to him, that you even like him to watch the "Goodnight Show" lullaby in the bed with you and Mommy (tucked in too). You're such a good friend to Buzz!

So far, all foods are enjoyed by you. That comes from your Mommy. You have always been and excellent eater! I just hope you keep it up and don't get picky later on. Lately, you've been helping me cook. We have lots of fun adding ingredients, and you are such a good helper with throwing away trash and even starting the dishwasher!

Milestones
You can use the fork and spoon without me hovering over you now. You even clean up and say "Uh oh" if you spill something. Sorry for making you a clean freak like me. But your future wife will appreciate it. You can hold on when we play horsey or ride our shoulders or back. These are a few of your favorite activities now. Books are holding your attention longer and you even know some lines of your favorites, especially Good Night Moon. You are learning how to say your prayers, bowing your head, putting your hands together, and saying the sweetest little "Amen". You ask to use the potty, and I am convinced that once you're home with me for summer, you'll be 100%!

Favorite Toys
Buzz Lightyear
Puzzles
Motorcycle and the keys
Blocks
Dirt

Funny Things You've Done
If you notice something you've forgotten or overlooked, you'll so "Oh".
When you play talk on the phone, you'll ramble on and randomly say "Umm".
One day you opened the drawer to the coffee table, saw my coupon binder and said "Coupons". You can even notice individual coupons. Mommy is so proud!
You like to line things up to where they are all facing the same direction. Again, I'm sorry.
You call your training pants "Buzz and Woody".
If you get hurt, you say, "Ow-ow-ow-ow". You got that from me. Oops.
If I get hurt, you'll hug me and say "It's okay". So sweet.
You'll love on your glow worm baby and even feed it and rock it to sleep. You'll make a great big brother one day.

As I said before, and I'm sure I will continue to say, you are growing quickly! You make my day, baby boy! I love you sooooooo much! In just a few weeks, we'll be on summer break; I cannot wait!

Love, Mommy

Aiden's Baby Book - 19 and 20 months

Well, Aiden, you have become a little man of opinion. This month, you began saying “uh-uh” and “uh-huh”. When we would ask you if you wanted to go night-night, you could answer with a yes or a no. My favorite is when you say, “uh-uh…no”. That is one of the cutest things you have done in a while! You also will hug and give kisses…they’re awesome too. When Mommy gets hurt, you say “Ya-okay?” and give me a kiss. Also, when you get in trouble, you lean your head toward mine and give kisses. Slick little booger.

We played in the snow during one of Mommy's many snow days this year, and you helped make a snowman (which you called a "punkin"). I thoroughly enjoyed all of the extra time I got to spend with you. We would wake up, eat oatmeal or "metmeals", watch Sprout, play, nap, cuddle, and play some more. It is truly my idea of the perfect day.

Milestones

You also started using the potty! In fact, on your first try, you went number one and number two. Again, you impress us with your ability to go above and beyond expectations. Whenever we ask if you need to potty, you can answer, but sometimes you don’t want anything to do with it—at all! You still use your diaper, but whenever you sit on the potty, you do it! It’s just getting you to go there first. Mommy is going to work with you next week (my Spring Break), and I bet you will figure it out. You always do.

You can work a wooden puzzle. On your first try, you did three simultaneously. I think you’re a genius, but I may be a little biased. You can feed yourself a lot more neatly with a fork or spoon, but when all else fails, you’ll result back to using the hands.

Your Favorite Toys

You love playing with your Little People cars. Even though you have plenty of toys downstairs, your favorite thing to do is go upstairs to play in your room. When we are downstairs, though, you ride around on you Harley Motorcycle that Gi-Gi and Ga-Ga got you for Christmas—a.k.a. “mo-mo”. You have shown your likeness to your mom by lining up your cars. They all must face the same direction, and the have to be in a straight line. You also like putting things in a designated place, then taking them out to do it again. This makes me smile. You like to bring your Magna Doodle over to me or Daddy and request different drawings. Usually a dog or a basketball are at the top of your list, until recently when you threw us off with a “Nemo!” Mommy tried her best. You like chasing Bogey (always have), although, sometimes we have to remind you to be nice to him. You like to hide from Mommy in your tent. You think you’re so funny when you scurry inside and say, “hidin”. I laugh every time. Bath time is another favorite of yours. While having your hair rinsed is not at the top of your list, you love to play with the toys and splash around. The other day, you even laid yourself down in the water and loved it! When riding in the car, you absolutely must have a DVD playing (a battle I lost to your dad long ago). As soon as you are strapped in, we here either “Viggles” (The Wiggles), “Memo” (Finding Nemo), or “Cars”. You even like to change your mind mid-movie—just exercising your opinion, of course.

Funny Things You’ve Done

Your mean face

Your happy face—You smile and clap and say “Happy! Happy!”

You run around and shoot your tiny fists in the air with excitement.

When you fall or drop something, you grunt like Mommy and G-Daddy.

Your made up gibberish sentences—I really think YOU know what you’re saying.

When you see things that look like baby toys, you say “babies.”

When you take big bites, you make a chomp noise.

“uh-uh…no”

Animal noises: pig, cat, dog, tiger

Instead of “coffee” you say “fah-kee”

You can get a dish detergent packet out of the bag, and put it in the dishwasher.

Your dance moves are improving. You still do your elbows up/old man jig, but with more swagger.

I can’t wait until next week when I can be with you all day, everyday.

I love you, baby boy.

Love, Mommy