What a horrible night

Christmas Eve was supposed to be so fun, instead it turned out to be one of the worst nights ever. We went to Jon's parent's house for Christmas Eve dinner and gifts. Aiden was starting to get antsy fairly early, so we decided to let him open a gift to play with. He went running to the tree and started to tear into the first gift he saw. It happened to be a gift for Charlie, so I grabbed shand, trying to prevent him from tearing it further. He was not happy about this, and proceeded to stand up and then throw himself backward, in true toddler tantrum style. I didn't let go of his hand because I didn't want him to smash his head into the ground. He ended up landing all twisted and not very happy about it. He has done this several times before, and I didn't feel anything wierd when he fell, so no one was concerned. He laid on the ground and stomped his feet and screamed, just like he always does when he throws a tantrum. Lately, after getting that upset, he just wants to be held and sit quietly with me. So, I took him into a dim bedroom and let him cuddle on my lap for awhile. He calmed down, but I noticed that every time I moved he would start to whimper. At first, I thought he was just tired and not wanting to be social, but then when I tried to hand him off to Daddy, he started screaming. We sat him on the couch and noticed his left arm pretty much hung limp. That's when I called the on-call doctor, and she said to take him into the ER. He was such a little trooper. He didn't cry at all, except for when his elbow was touched. I can't even imagine how much it probably hurt. When they took him in to do an xray, I had to stay out of the room because I am pregnant. I could hear him screaming from the hallway because they had to bend him arm. It is a sound that makes my stomach turn. Not long after, the doctor came in and said that his elbow had been dislocated. She did a quick little move where she held his elbow and bent his arm, bringing his hand up to his shoulder. He cried for a second, but then you could tell he felt immediate relief. The nurses brought in Christmas cookies and juice to entice him to move his arm. He was more than happy after that to snack on his cookies and flirt with the nurses. He spent the rest of the time there waving and "ho ho ho-ing" to everyone in the halls. I was so glad to see him better, but the guilt I felt from the entire thing was so horrible. No one wants to see their baby hurt, especially by their own hand, accident or not.

Too smart for his own good!

This kid amazes me every day, he is so smart! I know we are going to have our hands full as he gets older. Here is just one example. We baked cookies the other day for Aiden to give to his little friends. Every time I opened the oven, I asked him to stand back because it would be hot. I know that he is observing and taking everything in as he is watching me. Later on in the day, he was playing on the kitchen floor and decided to try and open the oven himself. I told him "no", and reminded him that the oven gets hot and he is not to touch it. Well, I watched the light bulb go on in his head. He proceeded to open the drawer next to the oven, put on the oven mitts, and then try again to open the oven!! I was just amazed! Now, tell me, how do you argue with that logic? I was trying not to laugh as I told him yes, mommy uses oven mitts, but the oven is still too hot for Aiden. I don't know many 18 month olds, but I think I have a pretty bright one on my hands!

My little buddy

What a nice day we had. Aiden has been really getting into learning the art of tantrum throwing lately, and needless to say, it has been wearing on me a bit. So today, I had a bunch of errands and last minute Christmas shopping to do. Aiden was a trooper, being so patient as we went from store to store, and of course, wooing all the sales ladies. After I had gotten everything on my list, we went down to the food court in the mall for some lunch. He sat so sweetly and ate his lunch and just babbled to me about everything he saw. He talked about Christmas lights and Santa and neighed at the horses on the carousel in the play area. I just looked at him and was so amazed at how lucky I am. I can't believe this sweet little monster is mine. It is so amazing to watch him grow from a tiny infant to a smart, fuuny, sweet, playful little boy. Sometimes staying at home all day can be very tedious and exhausting, but moments like that are what make it so worth it. I am so lucky to get to be able to spend all day, every day with him, and to never miss a moment of him growing up.

Sick baby

It has been one looooong week. Aiden wasn't acting like himself last Monday and Tuesday, then woke up around midnight Tuesday night absolutely on fire. His fever ranged from 101 to almost 103. The poor kid was so miserable. That lasted for a couple of days, and we decided to take him to the doctor when his chest started to sound rattley. The doctor agreed that his chest sounded bad, and thought he might have pneumonia! She ordered a chest xray!! (Gasp!) I was so nervous because he has never had anything like that done!! We went into the radiology room and saw this crazy looking contraption. They had him sit on what looked like a bicycle seat in a hole in a table, with his legs dangling through. I had to hold his arms up over his head as they strapped this hard, plastic tube around him. I thought he was going to freak! I would have! His arms and body were totally confined in this tube, and all he could move was his fingers. He got really quiet, and I thought something was wrong! The technician swiveled the table so that he was facing me, and he was smiling behind his pacifier!! Then he waved by wiggling his fingers because that was all he could move! We were just hysterical. He is the goofiest kid, and some things just tickle his fancy. Anyway, turns out that he has finally gotten his first ear infection. The xray looked fine, and now we are just waiting for the antibiotics to work so we can all get back to sleeping at night.

Danta! Danta!

With the holiday season fast approaching, Santa has been at the mall for a few weeks now. We go up to the mall a couple times a week to walk around and for Aiden to play in the play area. There is a huge South Pole display with lights and trees and reindeer, and the fat man himself in the middle. Every time we walk by, Aiden waves and yells, "Danta! Danta!". I decided today to beat the rush and get Aiden's picture taken with Santa. I put him in his cute little outfit and we strolled up the the entrance. Walking up, I reminded him that it was Santa and to say hi, and he waved, albeit a little bit hesitantly. When I put him on Santa's lap, he was not a happy camper. It wasn't long before the tears welled up and the "maaaa-maaaa's" began! We snapped a few pics, all of them with arms reaching towards the camera! Oh well, maybe next year. I think everyone needs that classic pic of crying on Santa's lap anyway!

Better late than never

Where has the time gone? I blinked and my baby is now a rambunctious, charming, sneaky, silly toddler, and we have number 2 on the way! Where has the time gone? These days Aiden is learning and doing new things every day, and I don't want to forget any of them! Also, it is so hard to be away from a large chunk of our friends and family, and I hope to keep everyone updated with this blog.

There are a few things that happened this week that inspired me to start writing things down. A few days ago, Aiden and I were reading a book from Jean and Alina, the Dr. Seuss ABC's. I will point out words and pictures and he will say the ones he knows and attempt the ones that he doesn't. Usually, if he can't pronounce it, it will come out, "dada". Well, after saying "bubble" and "turtle", I said, "Aiden, can you say rhinocerous?" He stopped for a second like he was going to try, then just said, "No!". It was so funny! I was proud of him that he actually used the word "no" in context! I have a feeling that will not be the last time!!

Aiden has been learning words daily and the other day he actually strung a few together! I told him that we were going outside, and he ran and got his jacket and said, "Jacket, hat, brrrr!". It is going to be so fun, and I'm sure sometimes exasperating, to hear what he has to say! I can't wait to hear what goes on in that head of his! It will be so exciting to really get to know my little man.