Get the @£$% to sleep

At the moment, I can see why this book was written. Aidan's been pretty good at going upstairs and going to sleep.  We have a routine. We brush his teeth, (maybe run around the living room and the dining room for a little bit), run upstairs, read two books, make up two stories and then he puts himself to sleep after around 5- 10 minutes or so.

But recently, after we've said goodnight and gone downstairs, he's been getting out of bed and caling for mummy, daddy or mummydaddy.

He stands at the top of the stars and usually says a one liner. Here are a few:

"I need more milk."

"Where's Peti and Jacob?" (His stuffed dogs - they are usually next to his pillow when we go back to his bed)

"Is it really bedtime?"

"It's not dark yet.  It's nearly dark but not dark, yet."

Playing with his fingers, "I can't do a heart shape."

"Is everybody asleep?"

"Where's my London friend Evan?"

"Have you got big feet and I've got little feet?"

"Where's the moon tonight?"

"I'm not going to sleep, yet. Going to wait to see my baby sister." (She's not due for 8 weeks).

Easter morning

Erin and Aidan spent Easter weekend visiting Roby, Pat, Amelia and their new addition, Frankie.

The bunny has delivered

What's at the door?

Can't contain the excitement

Splish-splash

Here's Aidan during the last weekend we visited grandma Jane.  It was halfway between Winter and Spring in Amery.

Your first glance

Meet our little girl.  Here she is at 20 weeks. Life seems to have passed us by since then. We went for the 30 week scan today and saw her long legs.  We were told which part of the baby's body is where inside Erin.  Seeing how contorted she was - the baby not Erin - maybe she'll be a gymnast. She seems very flexible. At one point she was, very easily, holding and seemingly tickling her own toes.

Anyway, here she it at 20 weeks:

Her profile

Her feet

Anyone?

Aidan asked me the first question I couldn't give him the answer to the other day.

"Daddy, what does M&Ms stand for?"

Swimming

Aidan took his first kicks towards independence in the water the other day. We've been to swimming classes - or singing and splashing classes - for a while now and even though he loves the experience he's always been pretty happy clinging to me while we float around and sing Grand old Duke of York.

But last Monday he happily put the waistband floats on and didn't shake off the spaghetti noodle float when I put it under his arms. He even started kicking away from me when he sensed he wouldn't sink.

He's always loved hooks and when he found one at the side of the pool he swam to it. I told him that there was probably on at the other side. Without hesitation he kicked off from the side and swam to the other. I asked him if he wanted my help but the reply was indignant, "I do it on my own, by self, daddy."

A few thoughts from mum

The other day, Aidan found the baby doll I bought for him a long time ago when I was concerned about the number of 'boy toys' he had.  He has never been interested until last night when he wanted to hold the baby in the rocking chair, he cuddled her in his blankies and put her in a basket to sleep. He held her and said in a sing songy voice, "I love you for-ever, I love you for-ever" He then woke up this morning shouting for me saying that baby was crying.  Will this be practice for the future? I hope so...

At music class Aidan was very excited to be in a big school. When the other kids arrived he asked 'what your names?' and 'what your color?' He was particularly excited to have the same favorite colors as the music teacher, blue and green. Pop goes the weasel was a popular one for him. 

'stakes. Lots of Mistakes are being made by mummy and daddy lately. Aidan will remind us. Mommy, you made a 'stake!' can be heard frequently. Sometimes I read only 2 books instead of 3 or didn't get him the 'right' pair of socks.  Perhaps I didn't put his scarf on just right.  He also likes to tell Mommy when Daddy makes 'stakes.  When does this shift to when Mommy and Daddy get lots of praise and encouragement? 

Ice skating - At first he just wanted to go on the ice with boots. When he realized it wasn't very 'sllippy' with boots on and he saw Daddy's ice skates he wanted them too. There was nothing but smiles and laughter then after. He did need a lot of support to keep vertical but didn't cry or get discouraged when he would fall.  Daddy did great too, no falls for him. Even with a little 3 year old was floppy around him! We saw a couple skating with their stroller on the ice. That will be us next year!! I can't wait to finally use my skates again! It has been since 2007 that I have been skating. And that was for my birthday at the Tower of London. The rink was a third of the size of Tenney Park. 

Super Kids!

I made super hero capes last weekend. I started with one for Aidan but then got carried away and made 5 others for other kids and a spare for Aidan. Bedtime stories have made a change from puppies, froggies and castles to SUPER KIDS! the stories all involve his friends from afar as well as his loyal cousins. His favorite story is one where there is an evil cape that Bella finds and everyone has to save Bella from the evil cape. 

'pew, pew' is the sound of Aidan's play shooting. He doesn't call it shooting though. He calls it 'pewing'.  'Mommy, can you play pewing wif me?'