New 'Do

You've been such a good eater since day one. But, now that you're mostly feeding yourself, a lot of the food winds up in other places besides your mouth. Like mostly on the floor, the dogs' mouths, your lap and, your new favorite food location, your head! (don't worry, you always make sure that enough food ends up in your mouth; you never leave hungry)

I think it might be a custom from your peoples: if someone gives you a food you like, such as peaches, strawberries, raisins, or blackberries, then to show your appreciation you must wear the food on your head.

One particular evening, you really liked the chicken meat, tuna fish and peaches I fed you for dinner (aka a good representation of all of these foods wound up smushed in your hair).

So, what's a good Dad supposed to do?

After dinner, we retired to the washroom where I tried to clean your hair, but noticed instead that the buffet on your head gave your hair some new tenacity.

So, I styled it!

Rock on, baby!

Share and share alike

Look at you, baby! You're so selfless. Sharing definitely is caring.

Not only do you often try to share you own pre-chewed food with your Mommy and Me, you even are willing to share your pacifier with Toby. Even if it means shoving it in his mouth.



Now, if you'd only let other babies, like Brady, keep their pacifiers IN their mouths.

All Better! The (short) road to recovery!

Sorry to keep you in suspense! But, you're all better from your surgery. But, you probably shouldn't have been nervous. You're reading this now, so clearly, you know that you survived the surgery with flying colors.

In fact, by that afternoon you were acting as if nothing had happened.

They said you wouldn't remember this surgery at all, but I didn't know that they meant that you'd be forgiving and forgetting within hours!

Today your Mommy took you in for a follow up and they even took your bandage off.

The surgery couldn't have gone any better. Before you went back to the operation, you were all smiles and giggles, flirting with the nurses and playing (or trying, anyway) to play with all the neat toys in the hospital.

The doctor even let you play with the marker they used to write "YES" on the side of your head where they were going to operate.

Then they took you back and less than an hour later they called us back to see you as you were waking up from anesthesia. You were, understandably, a bit cranky and sleepy- but no major terror or crying.
Once we could hold you, you got very cuddly and lovey. All you wanted at that moment was your Mommy; not even your new Elmo did anything for you.
But, then you napped in the hospital, napped in the car and napped in your crib for about 3 hours. When you woke up from that nap, you were all better- you loved Elmo, you loved Mommy and Daddy and you wanted all bandaids off your body.

Once those were gone, all you wanted to do was eat and play again!


So, we spent the afternoon eating and playing with our happy, healthy little boy.

We are so proud of you Aidan- your strength and resilience is amazing. You made having your head cut open seem easy as pie! You're a little fighter; A little fire...and that's why we love you.

We were so glad when the surgery was over and felt silly for ever worrying to begin with. But, all in all, it was a great day that we all go to spend together. From our 5 am wake up call, all the way through to our very early bed times.

Big Steps

You're 14 months old and you're definitely mobile. You certainly know your way around our house.



As you can see, you're durable, you're brave, you love to laugh and play, you can stand, you can sit, you can crawl, you can even squat (but you can't do the fancy-walkin' that Toby was doing)!



But, there may be a new mode of transportation soon.



We think you're getting the hang of walking...and actually getting frustrated that you can't do it yet.

So, say hello to bruised knees and the inevitable floor-meets-Aidan; you're feeling walk-ish!

Watching these videos and seeing how strong, determined and fearless you are gives me strength. Tomorrow is your surgery. You have a dermoid cyst growing on your skull near your right temple. It's a small day surgery; but it's spooky and scary none-the-less. But, every day you amaze me, Aidan, and I know you're going to just kick this surgery's butt.

Not that it's been holding you back in any way, but once we get this big step of your surgery out of the way, I know you're going to be right back at taking big steps on your own.

Your Second EasterOver or Passter

Your Second Easter and Passover were way more fun for you than your first, I believe. You got to play with chickens, eggs, flowers, matzah and kids. You tried new foods, and hugged your cousins. You tried each color of plastic egg. There were bubbles and uncles and aunts and love, love, love.

Here, in no specific order, is some of the magic of these great family gatherings (and one video!)