Sleep Insanity

There are some things that books, people, webpages, (wherever you like to get your info) try to "tame" down. Sleep regression is one of them. I remember Aiden's previous sleep regressions when he was an infant. That was a fair enough name. His schedule shifted a little and it took a few days to adjust. Now that he must be officially classified as a toddler, I'm pretty sure he must also leave behind the word "regression." In our house, we will replace it with the word "insanity." Sleep insanity.

This is what we went through both Friday and Saturday night. Aiden was WIDE awake from 9:30pm to 1:30am on Friday. If we'd had the slightest clue what we happening we would have just let the kid run wild. That's basically how the night ended anyway....with poor Ryan laying on the the floor in Aiden's room while Aiden rearranged all of his stuffed animals, attempted to get piggy back rides from daddy and did laps around his room. 

Saturday wasn't much better. The awakeness was also accompanied by continual very sad cries for someone to join in Aiden's insane little world. We tried to tough it out for a little longer on Saturday, but these cries were literally non-stop and horrible to hear. At one point Aiden finally sat down to cry (he generally stood in the corner of his crib, waiting for his rescuer). He was so tired from this craziness that he fell asleep sitting up. Hilarious and heartbreaking at the same time.

We read that sleep regression insanity generally happens when a child is learning a new skill. Aiden's new skill appears to be his language development. He woke up Saturday morning saying words I'd never heard before - "sharkie," "picture" and "dog". (Up until now, it's been "gog"....No idea why because he says d's just fine in other words.....but Saturday morning it was gog no more!) He was enunciating, and I could understand a lot more of what he was trying to say. It really is insanity....not only the entire sleep situation but the fact that things literally change over night. These are crazy times.....

Since I didn't take any pics at 1am, here are a few from our weekend.

All the animals Aiden decided to play with Friday night.
Did I mention he's never played with these?

Aiden had a very busy Saturday...so busy we thought it
would exhaust him. Crazy us, what were we thinking?

Aiden's first motorcycle ride taught us one important
thing...we are pretty sure he has motion sickness. I think
he was trying to give me the warning look here...

First ride in the "cool" grocery cart during
Sunday's run to the store...

Family Bike Ride

We found a family friendly bike ride and decided to check it out on Saturday morning. Not only could we all get out and do one of our favorite activities, but it was for a great cause (Make A Wish) so we went for it. A few things:

One, there were only three route options - 12 miles, 42 miles, and 60 miles. Um, I haven't ridden my bike more than 12 miles since I've had Aiden. Ryan, the always athletic type, wanted the entire family to ride 42 miles.

Two, Hah. That's what I said about riding 42 miles. Both for my sake, and because Aiden hasn't ridden in the carrier for much more than an hour. The 42 mile option would mean about 3 hours at my pace. Pretty sure we would have no happy campers at the end of that ride.

Three, by family bike ride I mean we all showed up together. Aiden and I did the 12 mile route, and Ryan did the 42 52 mile route. What's that? I didn't mention there was a 52 mile option? There wasn't. The entire ride was poorly marked and Ryan added an extra 10 miles because he missed a turn. (And I'm even happier Aiden and I stuck with the wimpy 12 miles.....Ryan wasn't even a happy camper by the time he pulled in. At least Aiden or I...maybe both of us...would have been crying if we'd ridden 52 miles.)

It was a good time overall. I wasn't sure how little man would do but he was great. The weather took a turn for the nasty so the time (read 2 hours) we spent waiting at the finish line for Ryan was very chilly and misty and uncomfortable but we survived....and in good spirits. I think we'll do it again sometime.

Ready to roll out!

Aiden was a little confused about where he was riding....

I love my bike, but I wouldn't be opposed to someone towing me every now and again.

Baby Be Gone

The title. Not the kid. Don't worry, we still have our baby Aiden. But, per the state, Aiden will no longer be able to claim the title of 'baby' in the AM...he will officially be a toddler. Isn't that crazy? I'm pretty sure it's crazy. I can't believe it's been 18 months since this sweet, sweet boy became a part of our world. There has not been a day of his existence that I haven't smiled. He brings us so much joy, even when he's being crazy, destructive, take the house from spotless to disaster in zero to sixty. Even though he's making a mess, it's funny to watch his mannerisms when he does it.

I'm not much of a sap about his official toddler status because I feel like the change actually happened about two months ago. A few days before he turned 16 months, if you want to get specific. One day in the car on the way home from daycare, I looked at my little man in the rear view mirror and knew he was different, more grown up. He didn't act like a baby anymore, he was saying actual words, he understood things we were telling him. It was enough of a switch that I may have shed a few tears that night when I put him to sleep.

I've decided that parenting is the very definition of bittersweet. It is so fun and sweet to watch them grow up....so far every stage has been more fun than the last. But, it's sad for it to be the end of a stage because you never get to go back there and the stage you just left had things you loved about it too. It's also bitter because you know they are just working their way toward being a big person with every new stage, and I don't even want to think about the things that happen when big person happens (girlfriends, college, moving out). That's just a scary place to me right now so I'm going to end this post. Luckily, I get to keep him as a little person for awhile longer.....and enjoy him doing things like chilling in the lounge chair and cuddling in my lap.

Visitors!

September brought lots of visitors, both family and friends. Mr. A loves anyone who loves on him so I'd say we were a happy bunch overall.

Early in the month my family came to Dallas a few days. It was kinda like family vacation gone crazy from a planning perspective so instead of venturing out to the great unknown, everyone else came to us (no complaints about not having to travel!) and had a Dallas vacation so we had a bit of a staycation. During our Dallas time we went down to the Perot Museum, which I've been to once before....and loved. The place is awesome. When Aiden gets a little older and can appreciate it more, I think we'll become members. Still, I'm pretty sure his 17 month old self is already a fan. There's tons of room for him to run, lots of things to touch, and even a children's play area. Did I mention that it's awesome?!?

His absolute very most favorite display was seeing the different states of water. He loved feeling the big ice block, splashing in the melted down water, and trying to catch the vapors. He may have also attempted to drink from the display....

I forgot to mention that Mal, Elijah and I also performed an experiment while we were there (so fun!) to determine what cleaners actually clean. Let's just say that we were relieved to find out dish soap and hand soap seem to be doing their parts, but I might as well throw away the hand sanitizer that I use, um, all the time. Seriously, after the results we got, I'm not actually sure why I continue to use it.....

Did you think this post was done because I've already posted 12 pictures? That's silly. I have so much more. (Side note, I've got to get back to shorter, more frequent posts. I think all of our schedules benefit.)

Aiden's gal pal Miss Lylah brought her family in town last weekend. I don't intend to pressure their future together....all I'm going to say is that we already have some pretty good slideshow material. Aiden doesn't say many names (Mama, Daddy, Mimi, Dado...maybe a Mal)....but he does say Lylah. And in this cute, sweet little voice. Aiden needs to work on his boundaries so he spent some time crowding Lylah's space, but she was very generous and didn't get upset with our little 'I-want-to-be-wherever-you-are' guy.

We went to the Plano Balloon Festival, spent some time relaxing at the house and park, and went out for Thai food. What's that? You were wondering if Aiden likes Thai? You shouldn't ask such funny questions.

Guess Who's Coming To Town?!?

Power It Up

We bought a big metal Texas star a few weeks ago when we went to Canton, and last weekend Ryan and Aiden brought out the power tools and hung the star on the front of the house. And really what I mean by that is Ryan put the star on the house while I chased Aiden up and down the sidewalk and tried to keep him from eating acorns...and leaves...and whatever else he saw. The kid still puts everything in his mouth. Everything. We were at our friends' one-year-old's birthday party the other week, and I noticed that Aiden puts more things in his mouth than the kiddo who is 5 months younger than him. Who wants to bet Aiden is going to be the kid who ends up in the doctor's office/emergency room for swallowing something strange?
Back to the original point of this post....Ryan took a break to show Aiden how to use a few power tools. It was fun to watch, and now, if you are ever in search of our house, just look for the one with the big star. We are feeling like true Texans these days.....

Happy Birthday Daddy!

I may be a few days late posting this (Ryan's bday was two days ago), but a picture this cute (taken on Ryan's actual birthday) is too cute not to post. Happy (belated) birthday to the most fabulous husband and father I know!