Aidan is O N E!

Aidan turned one on September 25, 2015. Yes, I know I'm a little bit behind on the blogging, but you know. Life happens.

Birthday: 
For his birthday, we had a simple cake smash with family from both sides (cousins and siblings). Despite Aidan not taking a nap the entire day, the party was a success!

We decided to go with a sports theme because Aidan loves balls. He also loves music, books, and cars, but I figured I had to narrow it down to one. Plus, the dollar store had a good selection of sports stuff, so it was a winner theme.

(Sorry in advance for the awful quality of pictures. The lighting was terrible.)

I'm not very good at decorating cakes, so I went with one that looked simple but cute - a baseball! Aidan's middle name is Nelson, which in a roundabout way means "Champ." I felt this was also a great connection to the sports theme.

He got some great presents (thanks Nanas and Grandpas and cousins). I was really excited he liked the Lego car Jayze and I gave him with the mega Lego blocks (love yard sales).

I'm glad his first birthday went so well and was so fun.

Stats & Check-Up: 

• Weight: 22.5 lbs. (68%)
• Height: 30.5 in. (73%)
• Head: 18.75 in. (88%) 

Aidan's 12-month check-up went really well...for me. I felt like a great mom afterwards (thank you nice doctor), but Aidan was a crying mess. He had to get his finger pricked, and he was so happy before that. The nurse walked in, got everything set up, and told me I could hold him and that babies usually do great with the finger prick. In my mind I was thinking, "Um, I don't think Aidan will do great with it..."

Background: Aidan HATES anyone touching or holding his hands - even Jayze and me. So when the nurse grabbed his hand and pricked it, it was the end of the world for Aidan.

The nurse didn't let go for a couple of minutes because she had to get the blood in the tube thing, and Aidan was making it really difficult for her. He kept pulling with all his might to get his hand back. She finally got a band-aid on Aidan, but he still didn't stop crying. He picked at the band-aid trying to get it off, while I persisted in keeping it on. He would stop crying for a little bit until he saw the band-aid and then the water works would start up again. Poor little guy! It was funny and sad at the same time.

He was still in a traumatic state when two more nurses walked in to give him his shots. And who do you think had to hold him down? Me. So I put my wriggling, sobbing baby on the table and held him down while the two nurses stuck him with the needles. Let's just say, he wasn't the happiest baby after that check-up. 

Milestones:

• Aidan isn't walking yet, but getting close! He officially took his very first step on October 7. Jayze and I are encouraging him as much as we can. He loves cruising and is getting better and better at it. Crossing my fingers he walks soon!
• Can say mama and dada. He also said ba the other day for ball. He loves imitating sounds, so when I read to him he'll imitate me when I say "Wee-ooo-wee-ooo" for the fire engine or "E-i-e-i-o" for "Old MacDonald". And today he recognized dog and tried to say "Woof."
• Eats pretty much anything. We have been super blessed with a great eater. 
• He ate a whole apple the other day. It was sitting in a bag on the couch (non-plastic bag), and he started gnawing on it all the way to the core. 

• Switched to whole milk. He seems to like it.
• Aidan has 7 teeth - four on top and three on bottom. He drools like crazy and still sticks things in his mouth, but I haven't seen anymore teeth come in lately.
• He likes taking baths now. Hurray! Before it was a war zone. He would cry the moment I put him in the tub, so it was a nightmare for both of us. He even whimpered and whined when Jayze took him in the shower with him. But then after receiving some advice and praying about it, he loves it now. Some things that worked were: putting him in an empty tub and filling it up with water so it wouldn't scare him, washing his hair and body at the very beginning and then just letting him play the rest of the time, and not rushing. It has been so much better. Now he cries when I take him out. :)

• Jayze gave him his first haircut! I was out shopping after the General Women's Conference, and Aidan needed to go to bed soon, so Jayze decided to start cutting it. It was pretty much done by the time I got back. I was so sad to see Aidan's long hair go because I think it aged him at least 6 months, but Jayze did such a good job on it. He looks like a little boy now. I have to say, though, that it is a lot easier to manage now. 

 

Personality:

• For some reason, Aidan loves stuffing his toys under the couch. I should have taken a picture, because I was looking for his Legos, and they were seriously all under the couch. Along with a spoon, mirror, toy guitar, a couple of books, and a few other toys. We have a little scavenger on our hands.
• Has begun the mini-tantrums...but they actually aren't too bad. He'll just scrunch up his face, put his mouth in an "o" shape, and start whining. It's actually hilarious, and I have to try not to laugh every time he does it.
• Loves receiving praise. After he sneezes, he'll grin and look around to see if anyone noticed. He also started clapping for himself, especially when he's eating food.
• Hates bibs. No matter what I do, he'll take off his bib and throw it on the ground after a couple of minutes of wearing it. I should probably start making bibs with buttons instead of velcro now...
• Aidan loves dropping things. When he's in his booster chair and he's done eating, he'll start dropping his cheerios or other finger foods on the floor. After he drops them, he'll lean over and see where they went. So, so funny. Later, he'll eat the cheerios off the floor if I haven't swept yet. He'll also drop his spoon, bowl, and sippy cup on the ground. If he's not in his booster chair, he'll cruise on over to the couch, pick up whatever is on it, and throw it behind him on the floor. Folded laundry on the couch is a favorite for him to attack. That kid is fast.

• Loves socializing with people, but has a shy streak, too. Lately he's turned into Mr. Cuddlebug if he's tired and feeling shy and people are trying to say hi to him. But if he's energized and fed, he's grinning all over the place at anyone and everyone. He is the best at breaking the ice in awkward or dull situations. 
• Does not like wearing socks. I've found socks in our car, behind his crib, buried in his blankets, and under the couch while Aidan just runs around barefoot and free. Not sure what I'm going to do when colder weather hits.
• Doesn't like getting dressed, undressed, or diaper changes.
• Loves sticking out his tongue and playing with it. Or when he's concentrating really hard, he'll sometimes stick out his tongue. It's so cute.

BFF'S:
Aidan really has become my best friend. Below are some of my favorite memories or things to do with him.

• Sitting on the kitchen floor giggling and sharing a chocolate chip cookie.
• Reading time.
• Park dates.

• Building and destroying Lego creations.
• Helping me brush my teeth.
• Splashing the water during bathtime.
• Dancing along to Pandora or the radio.
• After getting his 12-month shots, he wouldn't take the rest of his nap unless I was holding him. So I rocked him and held him for an hour and also fell asleep. It was such a special moment. 

• Grocery shopping - people think I'm talking to myself when I talk to Aidan. :)
• Going on walks.

• Pulling up a chair to the counter and showing him our goldfish.
• Selfies

I love our little boy so much.