(pre)Walking and Talking… (and squalking…) oh my!!!

As Aidan approaches his first birthday (still 3 weeks to go), he’s decided the past couple of weeks that it’s time to unveil some new tricks.  Lest you be decieved by the title, he’s is not yet walking but is certainly doing his devoted share of cruising- cruising along furniture, cupboards, even on one grown-up finger!  He’s even pushing around one of the little chairs to his table around the kitchen/dining room floor- much to his own amusement and excitement.  The big grins on his face just tell the story of how very excited he is to do more things.

He’s also in a crazy climbing phase.  Climbing back and forth over Muma or Papa, Alex or even Tatou if they’d let him.  The boys in this pic are climbing ‘Jacob’s ladder’ in undies before bathtime after Muma changes the bedsheets.  Aidan was so excited to be able to finally get to the top like Alexander does.  He’s always making a bee-line for the gate any time it’s open, and escaping the basement play room, slap-slap-slap across the classroom floor to the stairs… up… and, well, partially down, then back up again…

He can stand pretty indefinitely on his own if you help him get there.  Or sometimes he’ll let go of something and then find himself standing- hands free.  Then he gets so excited he has to clap for himself, and when he finally does land on his bum, oh what tears ensue.

AND we can officially announce Aidan’s first word… “duh” (done)- intentional, situation appropriate, and complete with hand signs.  He does say Ma-ma and Pa-pa though he doesn’t consistently call for us.  He can also say ‘meur’ (more), but doesn’t always sign it (hey, that’s okay!)  He says a little sound that sounds like ‘up”, and another one “clo” that seems to be ‘closed.’  He calls out “aaaa, aaaa” (for Alexander?), and the newest favorite… ‘uh-oh’ followed sometimes by something that might be ‘boom’?  Muma really likes the uh-oh, that way we know to look for something dropped.  (Though sometimes, I think he just likes to practice it for fun.)  And of course, he has a very adorable ‘hieee.’  We’ll definitely have to work on getting some video for you :)!

A few other little tidbits:  points to some objects in a book- “where’s the baby”… kitty, etc…); tries (so funny) to put on his socks and shoes;  seems to know nose and mouth, though sometimes inconsistent on interest in ‘playing the game’; and oh still loves peekaboo

Aidan is such a little joy– he’s got a smile for everyone, though it seems as though he’s more of a snuggler and a Muma’s boy than his brother was at this (any) age.  He loves to be held, and sometimes has very strong, and loud opinions about being set down.  (Though the cup drawer generally works as a decent soother– it looks like they’ve been at it for a while in this pic.)  How much fun we’re having with two little boys in the house.