Two weeks ago, we headed down to Cates Park with SarahJane Photography for some family portraits. As Sarah noted on her post, Aiden was a trooper for most of the session… until he noticed the playground ;)
Sarah did a great job capturing our family and some really beautiful moments. I love how she framed some of the photos, like the one above. So cute!
I really wanted to capture Aiden pre-big-brother, since I know a lot of attention will be on the baby after he is born and on Aiden as big brother, with baby. This was our last chance to really just showcase Aiden. We took a few belly shots and family shots and it was just the perfect mix.
View the full set of photos here.
Aiden is 2.5 years old today! What a milestone! It’s been a really hard month for me, particularly the last 2 weeks, but it doesn’t stop me from being amazed at how much my little Aiden is changing all the time. He still shows an astounding ability to retain facts & memories; just last week, he told me about the meal he ate on our return trip from Hawaii. Just astonishing. It makes for some very interesting conversations, to be sure!
Not all changes are great – we’ve had some temper issues in the last month or so. Areas where Aiden used to be very co-operative, like brushing his teeth, are suddenly now a major issue. There is usually a lot of screaming involved when it’s time to get him dressed in the morning. He’s being defiant just for the sake of it, and we know it. He’s worse with Daddy, sadly. We do our best to curb the behaviour, but it’s easier at some times than at others.
Some of the changes in the last month include:
- Weighs 29.3 lbs (finally an increase!)
- 88cm / 34.5in tall
- Favourite foods include: Life cereal, oatmeal, grapes, carrots, apples, bananas, cereal bars, hot dogs, sausages, pizza, corn on the cob, seaweed
- Is starting to actively engage in game-type play such as tag, hide & seek and ‘I Spy’
- Loves to take photos (we gave him a digital camera about 1.5 months ago)
- Continues to struggle with nighttime issues (some are behavioural, some are developmental such as night terrors and nightmares). Added new issues such as “I heard a noise” to his stalling tactic list. Was good for a while but a cold brought back all his issues.
- Is loving the return of warmer weather. Enjoys time at the parks, playing with his friends in the alley or even going on photo walks
- Is proficient at many iPad games. Quite astounding. That said, he’s developed some behaviour issues over wanting more device time or more tv time in general, so that’s no fun. Curious George is still his favourite show.
- Aiden likes to say: I smell something, I hear something, Mommy tell it, no like it, that’s funny, what’s Aiden having? [related to food], I need to ____ [do something, have something]
- I love to hear Aiden say: Let’s talk about “____”, that’s my favourite, we go there / do that all the time, please pick me up please Daddy, let’s go inside and check if [Oma or Babby] is there
Every Friday, it’s now a tradition for Aiden to bake with his Babby during their weekly visit. After one cookie baking session, Aiden started to ask to bake cookies again within minutes of her appearance in hour home. Now, he’ll even ask ahead of time to bake something in particular. Last Friday, he wanted to make cupcakes. He was inspired by one of his Hide and Seek books that showed a picture of chocolate cupcakes with pink icing – that was his request.
In the end, he chose to make cupcakes with blue icing, but the result was the same – a very happy Aiden!! He absolutely loves baking with his Babby. Such special memories!
We made a very quick pitstop at the Park Royal Family Carnival yesterday. We had plans to take family portraits that afternoon, so we didn’t have long to spend at the Carnival. We were there long enough for Aiden to win a little dolphins stuffed animal and to have two rides – first on the train, then (sort of) on the helicopter.
Although Aiden talks fondly of the train ride, he looked like he was freaking out for most of it, and he definitely freaked out in the helicopter. After 3 times around, and a little up and down, he was crying to come out. It was “too fast”, he said.
Aiden is a sensitive little guy, easily started or upset by loud noises or things he deems scary. At times, that list seems to grow to include things that he was previously ok with. He’s a tentative little guy in some ways and very brave in others. We had several conversations later that day telling Aiden how brave he was to try the ride, even if he didn’t like it.
We try to re-enforce Aiden’s willingness to try things, even if they do scare him. I’m also personally trying to be more careful in labelling him as cautious or clumsy or anything like that when he’s in listening distance – he does hear everything!!
So, we had fun at the carnival. Even though we were there only a short time, it was probably enough time given that the remainder of the rides were even faster than the 2 he tried. A little exposure is sometimes enough! We’re hoping to head to Playland this year – more options there for things that are “not scary” ;)
I’m 35.5 weeks pregnant at this point, though I’m measuring close to 40 weeks. Yes, we’re having a big baby! We’ve had an ultrasound to confirm that baby is quite large already, though of course that data can be off by quite a bit. Still, I feel as big now as I did at 40 weeks with Aiden, so there’s that.
As I shared previously, it hasn’t been an easy pregnancy. I have pains in my pelvis, my back, and my legs to go along with my regular issues with my neck, shoulder and arm. As I approach my due date, my Braxton Hicks contractions have become quite strong – tricking me sometimes into wondering if labour is near. They are way stronger than they were with Aiden. Since I didn’t go into labour on my own with Aiden, I am always left wondering if “this is it”, even this early on. I spend at least an hour a day in the bath trying to calm down all the parts of me that get sore!
The midwives are currently in disagreement about when to induce me early, if at all. Nobody really wants me going past 40 weeks, but some advocate for an even earlier delivery. It’s likely I’ll be referred to an obstetrician, though I haven’t been called with an appointment yet. My blood pressure is also rising, so we’ll need to keep an eye on that.
I feel pretty useless most of the time, not being able to stand or walk very much at all anymore. It makes it difficult to be a mom to Aiden, which is the hardest part. I know he’s found it frustrating that I can’t play with him on the floor or run after him or actively engage in physical play with him. I miss it too.
I focus on just getting through each day right now. I’m so glad that Ianiv is currently working from home!
