a milestone for mommy

During my lunch hour I went to Target and bought pantyhose.

And that is all I bought.

Yea for me!

paying it forward

Today, we McJannets met our friends the Lees to help them register at Babies R Us. They are expecting their first child this summer. A year ago or so, our friend Shari did the same for us, helping us maneuver around the aisles and extolling the virtues of the Diaper Champ over the Diaper Genie. If you've never been to a Babies R Us before, it can be pretty intimidating. To have someone take you around to show you what you really need isn't only a time saver-- it is a sanity saver.

We were there for about two hours. Paul and I took turns pointing out things for Jae to scan. Aidan was a trooper, needing only to be picked up and held every once in a while. It felt a little strange (but oddly comforting) being the "experts" in recommending car seats, bottles, pack-n-plays and diapers when it wasn't all that long ago that we didn't have a clue.

We noticed that it didn't take long for products we have now to get better. Like, the pack-n-play and strollers that now have wipes dispensers built onto them. Or the new ways they package newborn starter kits with bottles and warmers-- we coulda used that! Oh well. Maybe for the next baby. (Ha, ha.)

It was a fun time and it felt good to lend our friends a hand. They are so excited and happy; it made me recall those pre-baby parent feelings again-- that "can't wait-I can't believe we're really going to be parents-are we really ready for this" anticipation.

We've got a walker, people

Aidan took his first unassisted steps on Valentine's Day! He took four steps towards Mommy and six steps towards Daddy. He did this in front of an audience of his Nana, Papa, Great Grandma and Great Aunt. We clapped. We cheered. He looked at us like, "What's the big deal?"

I'm sure other parents felt the same pride when their babies began to walk. Paul mentioned that he felt a little emotional and I got a tear in my eye-- pride, seeing the look of realization and surprise on Aidan's face, and realizing that my baby is growing up.

Walking toddler. Life has changed as we know it.

I wonder what Aidan has up his sleeve for St. Patrick's Day...

happy valentines day, aidan

Dear Aidan,

Today is your first Valentine's Day! You are only 11 months old, so you don't understand the hoopla surrounding this day. This morning, while we were opening each other's Valentines day cards and gifts (thanks for my card, by the way!) you were content crumpling up the red envelopes strewn all over the dining room table.

Valentines Day is a special day in our household. Not because of the flowers, the candy and the gift-giving (ignore those commercials, Aidan, no one really wants the Journey Diamond Necklace or the stuffed animals-- but girls want flowers. Remember that.)

It is a special because Valentines Day 2000 is when I realized your daddy was someone I wanted to get to know better (months before, your daddy asked me out and I said "No" because I was wary about dating someone I worked with.) Remind me to show you the valentine card he gave to me. A week later, we went on our first date (February 23rd-- now you know where Daddy's hockey jersey number came from.) Eighteen months later, your Daddy asked me to marry him and less than three years later, you were born!

Someday too soon, you are going to get caught up in trading valentines with your schoolmates. You will share your heart with your first crush, your first love-- and you'll experience your first heartbreak. While I don't look forward to your feeling the sting and ache that love can sometimes bring, I can't wait for you to experience the kindness, friendship, passion and comfort of real love. I am fortunate to say that I have this with your Daddy not just on Valentines Day, but every day. That is my Valentines wish for you today and always.

Love, Mommy

P.S. When you're ready for wooing tips, ask your Daddy. He's good at it. ;)

Aidan? Where are you?

This is one of Aidan's favorite games:


"Aidan? Where ARE you?" [You call out for him in a sing-song voice and pretend you don't know where he is. He could be sitting right in front of you or several feet away out of sight.]

"Where's Aidan? Where did Aidan go?" [At this point, Aidan is looking at you and smiling. He may watch you looking for him. You are pretending to look under the sofa, toys, pillows, etc.]

"I can't find Aidan! Aidan, where ARE you?" [By this point, Aidan lets out a squeal and cruises over to you. He will climb up on you (have your back to him and be on the floor looking around) and he will pat your back or grab your shirt.]

"Oh, THERE he is!" [Aidan laughs and snuggles up to you.]

I have found this game to be a great tool to get him away from an area he shouldn't be in (like the kitchen or near my plants).

Moved by music

When I was about 4-5 months pregnant with Aidan, I was driving home from work and changing the radio stations in the car. Marvin Gaye's song, "Let's Get It On" was playing. Less than a minute later, Aidan moved in my belly. It was his first dance move.

Fast forward to Aidan's baptism. He was five months old. During the service, he sat in awe as he watched the musicians sing. He didn't move a muscle until they stopped singing.

I love that Aidan likes music so much, from the playtunes that come out of his toys to the jingles on t.v. He loves the Kia commercial where the salespeople on the floor sing "So Long, Farewell" from the Sound of Music. No matter what he is doing-- playing, crawling, tossing his shoes, drinking from his bottle-- he will stop and watch this commerical. Sometimes we will sing the song to him, but he doesn't give us the same attention as he does the professionals on t.v.

Lately, Aidan will sing while he plays. You can't make out any words, but he definitely hits high and low pitches, oohs and ahhs-, ba-ba-bas, da-da-das, ma-ma-mas-- and a raspberry or two thrown in for good measure. Sometimes, he will dance and bounce in place. Or, wave his hand and turn his head from side to side in time with his music.

Is this a hint of musicianship to come or just a phase? Only time will tell.