A Series of First

It's like turning one year old was a green light that said "full speed ahead!" Aaron is learning, trying, developing in so many ways! With regards to foods, he is trying SO much, pretty much everything we eat except the usual "no-no's" like hard things, strawberries, honey, nuts. See the fun shots of him trying spaghetti for the first time. :) We've also started weening him from formula to whole milk and he's doing very well. Once he's fully on whole milk, we're going to start substituting sippy cups for bottles until he's weened fully from the bottle.

Aaron got his first bug bites this past week and POOR KID! He looked like someone painted his little legs with red dots! They got so swollen I took him to the doctor (their suggestion) and they said it was probably mosquitos and suggested hydrocortizone (sp?) cream. I hadn't used it before due to his young age, and wouldn't you know, it not only helped with the bug bites but has pretty much cleared up his eczema. SO cool!

We took a trip to Lancaster, PA with Nanna and Grampa from Thursday, 6/25 to Tuesday, 6/30, while Kevin was away on a youth choir mission with our church. He gets back Thursday, we cannot WAIT! We miss him so much! While we were in Lancaster, Aaron had quite a few firsts (sorry Daddy, we didn't mean to leave you out!). He had his first taste of vanilla ice cream (soft serve custard at Rita's) and his first taste of Wendy's and McDonald's chicken nuggets. He really liked it all!! Nanna heard him trying to say "please" and "balloon" Mommy didn't quite hear it, but that doesn't mean it didn't happen! What we all did see for sure, no doubt, was Aaron taking his FIRST STEPS!!!! It was amazing! He took one tiny step on Saturday, then by today, Tuesday, he took 5 or 6 in the kitchen in the Lancaster house, then in the living room here at home. We all cheered of course. I tried catching a little on video along with him "dancing" to the singing magnet toy on the frig, but the file's too big for me to upload. :( I have to learn to do short little clips until I can learn the edit program on Kevin's computer. I'll try to capture more "walking" footage later. He also tried his first spaghetti and played the piano. What a week!

A little less exciting, Aaron also seems to be developing a deeper sense of fear and hesitation over things. For example, rather than squeeling for glee when Grampa flies him throught the air or up over his head, Aaron has a concerned look on his face and sometimes reaches for Grampa to lower him down again. He was also suddenly really scared of the bath. I put a towel down for padding since we didn't have his little seat, and I think the texture freaked him out, but he would NOT get in that bath until I got in with him, and even then, he was still afraid. So wierd, this is a kid who normally lunges to get into the bath! Must be the new location or something.

The LEAST fun, is that he is suddenly scared of his bed/bedtime. It started a little in VA before we left, but really magnified when we were in Lancaster. The town was shooting off fireworks and we stood on the balcony outside his bedroom to see them. He got scared after a few minutes and we went in. That night, he screamed relentlessly every time I put him in his pac-n-play, even after I had rocked him fast asleep. It was a long night and he ended up in bed with mommy. Next days and nights to follow, I had to start letting him scream it out. This was so tough, b/c it was unlike other times when we've had to let him "cry it out." This was full-out screaming like he was terrified. But he was SO tired and we weren't sleeping well together in mommy's bed. His cry sessions got shorter and shorter, and though he still did it tonight when we arrived back in VA, it only lasted 30 seconds or so. Praise the Lord! Hopefully, when Daddy gets home, all will be right with the world again! :) (At least, Aaron's little world!)