Dancing Machine

Aiden's presence was requested at my friend's son's graduation party. I was reluctant to take him because it started around his bed time. I am glad I took him anyway. Aiden danced song after song. I simply went to mingle with people I hadn't seen in months but AJ had a different agenda. He took me by the hand and led me to the dance floor and he danced all night. Unfortunately I could not record him because my cell phone was malfunctioning. Watching Aiden go down the soul train line was priceless.

2 Year Pictures

Treat Them Like a Lady

I'm training Aiden to be respectful and courteous. They say you have to start early. Well I have my work cut out for me if I'm going to reverse AJ's paternal family's trend of mistreating their women.

AJ has been caught pushing Ariana and his brouzins. I will nip this in the bud. This is what I am doing so far. I distinguish the way he plays with boys and girls. He must be gentler with his brouzinitta and me. I make him say sorry when he hurts someone and he must comfort them with hugs or kisses. I remind him to say please and thank you before and after asking for food or drink. When he gets older I think he should say "Yes Sir and Ma'am".

Potty Training.....continued

Aiden continues to poop and pee in the potty only after I anticipate when he has to poop and pee. He won't initiate it and tell me when he gets the inkling. Pull Up diapers do not work. I've concluded that he won't stop pooping on himself until he begins to wear underwear. Am I ready for the yucky mess involved? Maybe one day but not today.

Who runs the world?.........BABIES

As a mother and day care provider I would like to think that I am in charge. Guess again. The brouzins do what they want.

For example, one day I took AJ downstairs to the basement to use the potty. 2 minutes later, Justin climbed over the gate and came downstairs to watch. 10 minutes later, I came upstairs to find our youngest brouzins Ariana and Nathan in the kitchen sitting in a pile of Cheerios. They knocked down the gate, walked in the kitchen, opened the pantry door, knocked the box of Cheerios on the floor, ripped the bag open, and ate.

I immediately recalled a time in the past when AJ and Justin did the same thing. They eat when they want, what they want, and how they want. As Beyonce put it (my favorite singer) "Who Run The World.....BABIES!

Spray Park

Up North

We haven't been up north to our family cottage in 20 years but I jumped at the chance to take Aiden when recently invited by our grandmother. He enjoyed our trip to nature.

Things That Make Him Go Hmmmmmm

AJ does the cutest thing when he is problem solving. His forehead creases as he tries to figure something out and he puts his finger on his cheek and says hmmmmmm.

Swag

"He's got so much swag like he drippin swagoo" (sung like Beyonce's song Party)

Physical Training

Recently I've had to take Aiden with me when I go to physical train. I don't get to work out much because he demands my attention. Check him out grabbing the ropes even though it was my turn. At 1st glance those ropes don't look like much but this is a serious workout. I hear it was voted best cardio in Men's Health Magazine.

Potty Training 202

I didn't think that AJ was ready to use the potty. Yes he tells me when he poops and squeezes his diaper when wet but he screams and kicks when I put him on the potty seat. I've read that boys take longer and are usually ready by age 3.
Training requires patience and energy. It's beginning to pay off. After weeks of sitting on the potty with no results, today he pooped and peed in the potty. Like I said before, both parents must be consistent to ensure success. I recently got more details from his dad and started to use his technique. It is making a difference.

Potty Training 101

Aiden's dad started potty training him months ago. I found out after the fact. Originally I decided to begin training after he turned 2 and during the summer when I had 1 less brouzin in day care. I reasoned that I needed less distractions in order to focus on AJ. Well I had to start early since his dad was doing it. Aiden will only be successful when both parents commit to consistent and regular training.

Dr Visit Update

AJ went to the doctor for his 24 month well visit on June 3rd. He still has a heart murmur but still in good health.

30 pounds 2 ounces

The doctor confirmed my concern that he drinks way too much milk so it is time to cut back (easier said than done). If this persists, he may become over weight and malnourished.
Dr Hirsch was slightly concerned about his speech because he should be speaking in 3 word sentences. She asked that he return in 6 months instead of 12 months. I, however, am not worried. Anyone who knows AJ, knows that he loves to talk....not in sentences but paragraphs. I will admit that it was hard to understand him in the past but he gets better every day. Lately he asked, "Where did the cat go?" and he told the cat to, "Get out his bed".

Apology

I apologize for not posting to this blog for over 30 days. My life was temporarily consumed with stress, disappointments, and constant schedule changes. Those days are dwindling so stay tuned for upcoming posts.

1st Movie

I took Aiden to the movies Saturday for the first time. We saw Rio in 3D. I've been reluctant to take him for months because I wasn't sure if he was ready. As always, he proved me wrong. He climbed in his chair, sat quietly, and ate his popcorn. I suspect that he has been to the movies before...perhaps with his dad.

3 Brouzins and a Brouzinita

Random Pictures

3 Brouzins and a Brouzinita

Sneaking downstairs in the basement wasn't enough. The brouzins get upstairs too. Justin has been squeezing through the broken rail of the staircase banister for months. I thought Aiden was too big to do the same but he proved me wrong this week. The two escape artists are back at it again. Our toddler-partners in crime are breaking and entering all day long.

3 Brouzins and A Brouzinita

Justin has been an escape artist as long as I can remember. He climbs out of his crib, up the stairs through the banister, and over gates regulary. Recently Aiden was recruited to his team. It drives me crazy but I must admit that they make a good team. Justin loosens the gate's latch and then Aiden knocks the gate down. They do this every time I go downstairs to use the bathroom, which is often due to the 101 ounces of water I drink. After bypassing the gate they sneak into the kitchen, then down the stairs, into the basement, then BOOM - they open my bathroom door. Can I get some privacy?
"Oh no! Are the youngest brouzins safe upstairs by themselves?", I wonder. I immediately finish my business and run up the stairs to make sure that Nathan and Ariana don't fall down the stairs, since their older brouzins left the door wide open.

Cruising

Aiden loves to get out of his car seat and climb into the front seat when we park the car. He pushes every button and turns every knob he can reach. Picture the windshield wipers going at top speed, the headlights and dome lights on, AM radio turned on as loud as possible, the sunroof opening back and forth, and the windows rolling up and down. Did I miss anything?

Cool and Breezy

Next Words

Newest Words

cake

cookie

move

stop

door

eat

clean up

he moos like a cow

meows like a cat

choo choo like a train

he yells "I boo boo" when he poops

says Amen after prayer

says hello and bye while talking on phone

counts to 5

Memorail 2011

AJ would have sat through the entire service if he had not pooped near the end. I rushed him out for a diaper change before anyone else could smell it too. Any chance of leaving the room without disrupting the meeting was thrown out the window when he yelled,"I pooped" as we approached the exit.

Feeding the Cats

Aiden is very helpful around the house. Check him out feeding the cats. The story begins at 6AM when he pops up, jumps out of bed, and runs to the closet door. Meanwhile I reach for the camera to catch him in action.

Rubber Room

I've been joking around for a while about this idea but its time to get serious. I need someone to build an 800 square foot rubber room for my day care. It must meet the following requirements:

• 100% stain proof


• built in vacuum (for easy cleaning)


• built in shower (for blow-out diapers)


• training potty chair


• several safety features (IE: an automatic "No Gravity Switch" for when the brouzins are dare devils)


• floating shelves and cabinets hung above the brouzin's reach

Reading

Aiden is reading the Toys R Us mailer intently.

Stomach Virus

Aiden caught a stomach virus last week. It started with vomiting then diarrhea. He stopped throwing up after day 2 but his diarrhea is still an issue... a nasty issue. DISGUSTING! I've tried putting water proof training pants over his diaper to keep it from oozing down his leg and onto the floor or my lap. That only works a fraction of the time. When will it end?
This virus is highly contagious Everyone that enters our home caught this same bug within less than a week. Stay away if you can.

3 Brouzins and a Brouzinita

Lunchtime

Sign Language

Aiden is at an impressionable age. His desire to learn and imitate others amazes me. Thanks again to BabyEinstein DVD's. AJ is learning sign language. He and his brouzin Justin follow along and sign the basic words around the home like door and chair. Elmo also teaches sign language. So far they know how to sign a few zoo animals like giraffe and lion.

Discovering Shapes and Numbers

Thanks to Disnety'sBabyEinstein DVD's AJ is learning his shapes and numbers. So far his favorites are circle, star, and numbers 2 and 3.

WOW

AJ's vocabulary is constantly growing. The words that impress me the most are the ones that show excitement and personality. Aiden's newest word is "WOW". He is now conscious of baby-wonders of life and his reaction to them is saying wow. He gets excited anytime he sees a colorful picture, or reads a pop up book, or opens a DVD case to find a....DVD inside. I can't wait to see his reaction to the zoo this summer.

Master of the Stairs

After several months of climbing up the stairs AJ learned to scoot down the stairs by himself. I'm not sure how he learned it because I've been too nervous to allow it. I carried him or held his hand while he walked down beside me. Perhaps his Dad taught him or maybe he was imitating his older brouzin Justin. Nonetheless, I am glad that he has mastered the stairs. No more worry about him falling. Life in a home with multiple toddlers is stressful but it gets a little less nerve racking as they become more independent and self sufficient.

Am I The New Waitress?

Normally we eat together in the dining room (AJ sits in his high chair). Recently AJ prefers to eat his meals at the new kiddie table in the living room. In the past he ran to the refrigerator and pointed to what he wanted and stood there until I gave it to him. Then he took it to the kiddie table, sat down, and ate. Now he tells me what he wants, cheese for example, but he no longer follows me into the kitchen to get it. Instead he takes a seat at the kiddie table and waits for me to bring it to him. Did he just place an order? Am I his new waitress? When he wants more cheese he brings the bowl into the kitchen, screams cheese and returns to his table and again he waits. Did he just order a refill? He tickles me.

3 Brouzins and a Brouzinita

Day care life is much easier now that our new brouzinitta Ariana is not so new anymore. Nathan's first reaction of intrigue has dwindled so he no longer tries to squeeze or trample her. Aiden's constant desire to pet her head has ended. Whew....it is safe to leave her alone in the swing or on the floor for tummy time without perpetually hovering over her.

The brouzins still, however, travel in a pack. I can not sit or lie down alone without every brouzin flocking to me. They treat me like a human jungle gym...climbing on me, flipping over me, doing handstands on my back or belly. I am always being kicked, or elbowed, or something else painful. Who knew daycare would be so brutal.

Picky Eater

Aiden has become quite the picky eater but he always lets me know when he enjoys a particular food by saying MmmmmmmGoodMmmmmm. (FYI: Good is one of his new words along with milk & Momo(Elmo))

Skin Fetish

AJ loves the feel of bare skin. Currently we share a bedroom but I need my own ASAP. Why? He runs...I mean charges toward me when I begin to undress so that he can pinch and rub my skin. Unfortunately, because of his height, he reaches and touches my lower (inappropriate) areas. It doesn't stop once I am fully dressed. Throughout the day, he pulls my shirt up or my pants down to pinch my skin. Needless to say, he is heavy handed.

Terrible Twos... 4 Months Early

Dr Hirsh warned me that Terrible Twos actually begin at 18 months. Let the record show that Aiden's began at 20 months. His tantrums don't last long but they are dramatic. When will he get sick of hitting his head on the floor from falling out backwards? He gets mad when I turn the cartoons off TV for a few hours or when he can't have GoldFish crackers for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Sesame Street Live

Coincidentally, Aiden learned to say Elmo a few moments before entering the Fox theater to see Sesame Street Live. While in the parking lot across the street I pointed to the Fox and told him that we were going to see Elmo and he said,"MoMo?" Cool timing.

He enjoyed the show...dancing, singing along, and eating popcorn.

Mickey Mouse

Milk Mustache

Sleeping with Mommy

Aiden no longer sleeps through the night. He wakes up around 2AM crying.
A first I thought he was having nightmares or teething. He calmed down as soon as I picked him up. I tried to return him to his crib but he refused so I laid him in my bed.
This has happened every night since then. Each night Aiden cuddles beside me, face to face, positions both of his hands on opposite sides of my face and then and only then, he falls asleep. After two weeks of this I began to think that AJ is not teething or having nightmares. He simply wants to sleep in my bed. On one particular night I decided not to allow this to continue. I reasoned that I was ruining his sleep training by giving in to his demands. I figured that I was doing more harm than good so I put him back in his crib to self soothe himself. 2 minutes later he jumped out of his crib (for the first time) and put himself in my bed. I guess he told me.

Mine-Itis

Does anyone know the cure for Mine-itis? Justin and Aiden caught it first months ago. It is begining to spread. Nathan caught it last week. He can't say the word mine but he snatches and steal toys while screaming....sounds like Mine-itis to me. The fighting and screaming is too much. They have plenty to play with but that is not good enough for them. Buying two or three of every toy does not work either. They still fight over the exact same toy because the other brouzin has it, in there hand, at the time. I've read that kids don't learn the concept of sharing until age 4 or 5. I can't wait that long. Any ideas?

Learning to Skate with Elmo

AJ had a blast skating. Check out his 2nd time.

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Spinach Balls

AJ is continuing our family tradition..........family gathering, fun, and enjoying spinach balls. Normally our mother makes them but shout out to Grandpa Smitty for making them this year. Yum yum.

Snow Day

This is AJ's 1st winter experience. He was less than 9 months old last winter so he doesn't remember his first snowfall. He loves snow.

At Home Photo Shoot

Dr Visit Update

Goodnews from Aiden's cardiology appointment. AJ's heart murmur is normal. An EKG and ultra sound confirms this. The doctor compared his condition to a noisy pipe in the home that you hear at night. A plumber checks it out and assures you that your pipes function properly and normally...just a little noisy.

Whew, what a relief!

The doctor and his staff were friendly. The room where the ultra sound was performed had a TV placed directly in his face. He laid on the exam table for 15 minutes and was distracted by watching his favorite Disney shows. He was so brave.