Handy Man

I went to Ikea this weekend to buy two replacement chairs. Aiden enjoyed playing with the toys on display while I shopped so I bought two of them. By my surprise, he wanted to help me assemble it. He instinctively knew to read the instructions first and also knew what to do with screws. My little handy man never ceases to amaze me.

3 Years Old

Wednesday Ritual

Aiden is becoming a creature of habit just like his mommy. He expects to eat at Subway every Wednesday after we leave the meeting at the kingdom hall just because we did it a couple of times in a row. He places his own order....no I mean he shouts his own order. He repeatedly asks for cheese & pickles as if I forgot his favorite toppings. Unfortunately I had to break this habit due to dieting, saving money, & because it gets dark earlier and it is no longer safe to hang out at 9pm. Needless to say, he still insists on getting a sandwich every Wednesday.

We Are Back

Sorry for being MIA for about a year. This Blogger app on my new IPhone makes it much easier to post so I will be posting more often.

Update: Aiden has his own bedroom now but he still sneaks in my bed in the middle of the night. He is still sweet and polite but also bossy & protective. AJ is obsessed with super heroes, especially Spider Man. I am always laughing at the funny things he says but the cutest thing so far is how he asks for a doctor anytime he hurts himself. I guess mommy's kisses don't make it "all better" anymore.

Stay tuned for more details and pictures.

Convention 2012

Still Bananas over Bananas

Face Painting

Zoo Trip summer of 2012

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".