My Feet

In late June, I discovered my feet. They are my new favorite toy.






Can I eat them, mommy?

The Barn

Thoughts on Fisher Price's Little People Barn...

I discovered this toy at Lili's house, then Aunt Kaki got out a BIG barn set with lots of animals and tractors for me to play with at her house! It was the coolest! Mommy has promised to buy one next week at Toys R Us.

Someday, Pierce and I will play with the barn together at Kaki's house (on the floor with Stoli, her dog, my canine nanny).

Baby Boys

Last week, I met my new cousin, Peter and his sister, Sophia. She had the coolest toys- I loved playing with her barn.

Check out the studs in the photo. We will cause some serious trouble someday (and blame Pierce, of course, since he will be the youngest).

I wish I were in...

... Houston!

Although we just back in town, I wish we were in Houston to see the Red Sox play the Astros.

Can we go next year, Mommy? G-dad can drive.

Future Hampshire Alum

This is Aiden's favorite shirt.

Could it be the black and white images? Perhaps the football or the college...




I think we may have a future Hampshire student on our hands.

Mommy is so proud.

Goodbye, Uncle Nelson

Nelson: What?! I have to babysit?










Aiden: No, Uncle Spanky- I mean, Uncle Nelson- but I sure will miss you while you are gone!

Thanks for asking to hold me before you left. Boy, it sure meant a lot!

Can you send me a postcard from LA? Make Nick promise to come visit when he gets back. He can tell me all about your adventures in California...

Love you, Uncle Nelson.

Jester?

In order to prevent any further premature hair loss, mom is making me wear this hat sometimes... so I do not pull out my hair!

Yes, I began playing with my chair around two months, and by the time I turned four months old, I was pulling at the remaining tufts of hair when upset. Oops. Mom says I have lost a lot. But it will grow back (I hope).

Milestones

Last Thursday, I held a bottle all by myself! I have been guiding the bottle to and from my mouth for several months, but last week I decided that I wanted control (you have very little control over the boob, so this is where I assert myself). Check out my strong arms!











I held the bottle this afternoon, then later on that evening (propped up on the couch and then in my crib) and I have continued to hold my own bottle ever since.

Today, I was annoyed that Mommy tried to help. I still love her, though (even the boob).

In one month... I get to try something called solids!

Flying Baby

Hanging with G-dad.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy G-dad day!

My onesie says, "Grandpa's little sidekick." It is one of my favorite outfits- aside from my Red Sox gear and onesie from Aunt Miranda. (Thank you, Miranda.)

You see this chew toy- er, teething ring? I can put two out of the three gel rings in my mouth! It has become one of my favorite toys, lately. They feel so good on my gums- which hurt. Well, got to go have breakfast. I have to rest up for my lunch with G-dad and Howie, my great-grandfather. Happy Father's Day!

Thumb

About a month ago, Aiden discovered his thumb.

Gradually, the thumb has become his #1 self-soothing tool. When Aiden cries, has teeth pain or is just plain tired and needs a snooze, he takes his left thumb- always the left- and nuzzles into my shoulder. Within minutes, his whole body is relaxed and sometimes he coos softly, thumb securely in his month.

When lying down, it is not uncommon to find him sucking on his left thumb and using his right hand to play with hair (see above). It is precious; although I have to admit, I miss my Aiden's hair. He lost about 60-70 % of his hair... not because he is 'just a baby' but the dear boy pulls it out (when distressed) and twirls it (when contemplating). He is nearly bald!

As a mother, I am so thankful that Aiden rejected the binkie at an early age- not even four months- and discovered his thumb soon after. If we are lucky, the left thumb makes bedtime a little bit easier. This precious boy is the light of my life- he brings me joy every day. Thank you, sweet boy, for what you have done for our family!

Hello?

Hello? Hello, G-Dad?

I just wanted to call and say: Please buy me that house. I love it (so does mommy). Just think: I would be very close by. I could ride my bike over anytime... and Gram would be out of your hair some, too. She and mommy are going to be all about the screened-in-porch.

When I get bigger, we can play upstairs and grill on the patio. Mommy will even get a pool- won't that be fun?

Lessons Learned

Yesterday, Mommy learned an important lesson. If I take a late nap (ie after 5 pm) chances are, I will not go to bed early.

This is a picture of me, the last time I took an early evening nap. Guess what- I did not go to bed until nine that night as well! Ha ha! I sure look cute when I nap, though. Golly. You know who else looks cute when they nap?

Uncle Spanky (er, I mean Nelson).

Sundays at Starbucks

Mommy and I started a new Sunday tradition. I woke (us) up around 6:15 am and decided- what the heck? Why go back to sleep when Mommy could take me to Starbucks to read the Sunday New York Times?

Sure enough, that is just what she did (while gritting her teeth). I was so cute in my green hat and stroller that she melted as we walked through those doors. I was the most handsome fella in there (and there were all men, no kidding). Mommy ordered a mocha and grabbed a paper. Guess what- we had the WHOLE patio to ourselves. It was breezy and warm- perfect for sipping milk and mochas. Everything was going just swell until a train came by and WAAAHHHH I really had a meltdown. It only lasted a few minutes, though, because the train was cool to watch!

Unfortunately, our trip was cut short by my (this is so embarrassing) runny poop that leaked onto mommy's new pants. She had just opened the Styles section and there it was: poop is very in this season. Alas, without much sleep or any coffee, mommy forgot to put the wipes in her purse so we went home. (I asked her, "where is the diaper bag, mommy?" and she just shook her head).

I hung with G-dad and gram and watched tennis while mommy attempted a nap. Nadal beat Federer in three straight sets in the French Open- it was a puzzling, yet good game to watch. Tennis, like baseball, is near and dear to my heart as I remember the sounds from deep within mommy's womb.

Come to think of it, I really want to go to Paris. Roland Garros looked so cool. Mommy mentioned she knew someone there... when can we go, Mommy? I want to see the Louvre! But first, Fenway. And Aunt Miranda's apartment in Brooklyn... and the Zoo... or the ocean at Aunt Stephanie's... ah, the possibilities are endless. Oh, the places we'll go!

Thankful for Thursdays

I love play dates. Sometimes we go to Tiffany and Ian's- and we even went down to Aunt Kaki's one time- but we also go to Maki's house!!! Today, Mommy and I had lunch with Maki and I was a peach. I felt the need to make up for my increased fussiness yesterday (your welcome, mommy).

We talked, played outside, napped and even chatted with Mr. Bill. He has a cool camera. Gram asked me what I was thinking in this picture and I said: "Are you ready to pick me up yet, Mr. Bill?" I mean, I only drool some- no wait- most of the time!

Pretty Lady

On Saturday, we read the whale book and sang songs. I stayed up late with mommy, Gram and Aunt Miranda watching baseball while G-Dad went to the Italian fest.








On Sunday, we all ate brunch together and drank coffee (well, I had milk). The girls and I watched baseball (day game!) and we played outside. Mommy and Aunt Miranda saw a movie and went to Boscos for dinner while I hung with G-Dad and Gram and listened to Pink Floyd.




And on Miranda's last full day in Memphis, we ate Chick Filet, shopped at Target, played outside and enjoyed a delicious Mexican dinner with Uncle Spanky and his friend Nic. I heard they all ate Ben and Jerry's after I went to bed, and it made me sort of jealous. More importantly, Boston beat Baltimore!

This cute photo was taken Tuesday morning right before we went to the airport. Poor mommy did not even put on make-up or do her hair. Sorry I had to post this girls- it was all I had! (And boy does Miranda look pretty!)

Sunday Baseball

Today, I watched baseball with Aunt Miranda (oh, and mommy was there, I think). I have eyes only for Miranda. She is my new crush.

Later this afternoon, mommy and Miranda will go to a movie and leave me here with... G-DAD and Gram. There is even discussion of Boscos beer on the patio and fried artichoke hearts for the girls night out.

Oh, before I forget: last night, we all saw Manny hit is 500th home run. Hurrah! I was still awake (to mommy's annoyance). He he.

So far so good. I hope the Red Sox sweep the series in Baltimore!