My brown eyed baby boy is growing up, so here's an update on him...
GROWTH
Aidan has packed on a few more months since his 3 year old update. He fluctuates between 47 and 48 lbs. He also grew a few inches, and is between 43" and 44" as measured on our growth chart. He loves to stand up against the growth chart and see how tall he is. He does go to the doctor for a yearly check up in a few weeks, so they can confirm (or deny) my measurements.
Depending on the brand, Aidan is wearing 5t/5/XS/S. Some brands I can count on being consistent, so I stick to those, mostly Children's Place and a Belk brand. They seem to run a littler larger, and I can stay in the "toddler" section instead of the "boy" section (like at Target).
Aidan is still in a 10.5 extra wide shoe, still extra wide... He prefers Crocs or Flip Flops, but he is not allowed to wear those to daycare/school. He also still loves his cowboy boots, and will reluctantly put on his tennis shoes.
Aidan has had two dentists visits. The first one didn't go so well, but the following 6 months, he was patient and did everything he was asked. The hygienist counted 20 teeth, 10 top and 10 bottom.
Aidan still loves haircuts, and recently he asked for a mohawk after his appointment. Previously, he would freak out if he had "crazy" hair especially if he could see it in the mirror. Now it seems he loves crazy hair and requests his hair be styled that way at least once a week.
SLEEP
Sleep or resisting sleep has not changed, and this has been the status quo for several years.
Aidan still loves to take toys, books and his loveys to bed. Sometimes he sneaks toys he shouldn't, like those that make noise and could wake him in the middle of the night, like he needs another excuse to get out of bed at 1 am...
Aidan loves bed time stories. He gets to pick a book, Owen gets to pick and book, and I pick a book. Usually they pick two each. I'm sure he loves the book, but I know he is also delaying bed time, but I don't mind reading a few extra books.
The black out curtains we have had up for a year that I hoped would help block the sun and cause Aidan to sleep later - nope, didn't work. It doesn't matter whether it's sunny, dark, cloudy, rainy...Aidan is up usually around 6:00, 6:30 if we are lucky. 7 am feels like we have hit the jackpot!
Aidan would love if we let Owen sleep with him, but we really don't need two sleep deprived toddlers.
At daycare, Aidan still takes a two hour nap. At home, we have given up on naps. We might get Aidan to nap in the car, but that's the only place.
MILESTONES
I believe since turning three Aidan learned to ride his bike, though my memory is a little blurry. I do remember buying the bike before he turned three, but he struggled to learn how to pedal it. Now, he pedals like a pro, and I have to run to keep up with him.
Aidan also rode his first rollercoaster this year and loved it. He also went down a very tall waterslide numerous times.
I like to have fun with the boys when I picked them up after work, and Aidan is great about choosing whether he wants to go to the park, splash park, the pool or go home to play. During the winter, he also chooses Target or Chick Fil La. I wish we had a bounce house nearby to go to during the winter, but I guess our town is too small to support one.
Aidan knows how to write his name, though he regressed over the summer when he wasn't in preschool, where he wrote it on every paper. He now writes his "d" backwards and his "a" has it's tail in the air. Oh well, I'm sure when he starts back preschool next week, he'll regain that skill.
Speaking of preschool, Aidan loved 3K and was sad when it was over for the summer. He'll go into 4K this year, and we chose the 5 day a week option.
FAVORITES
Aidan loves running around and being outside. He remembered how to swim when the pool opened back up, and I briefly considered putting him on swim team - we decided to wait until next year. This year he has learned to go down to the bottom of the pool in the 10.5' section, diving, and practice swimming laps. We're at the pool every week, and if the weather is nice, usually 4 days if we're not out of town.
Aidan loves going to the park. We have several nice parks nearby, and I often let him choose which park he wants to play.
Aidan is still a fan of water fights, and he will ask for water balloons often. Sometimes I find Aidan and Owen sneaking off to go find a hose; Aidan has recruited a helper. Aidan also likes to use water guns, and it's fun on hot summer days to have a water fight.
Aidan also likes playing with shaving cream, whether it's outside or in the shower, he thinks it's an awesome day to end it with a shaving cream party.
Aidan is obsessed with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. He also likes Paw Patrol. Jake the Neverland Pirate and Mickey Mouse are old news. Spiderman is still a favorite. I'll be surprised if he's not a TMNT for Halloween.
Aidan also loves the beach and the mountains. He gets excited when he can see the beach or mountains when we are driving.
THINGS TO DO
Aidan loves to go to the Zoo or Edventures. He also loves trips to go visit friends or his cousin.
Last year, he was afraid to feed the birds nectar, but now he isn't afraid to feed them. He still loves to feed all the other animals, too.
We have been to a bounce house several times, and I think it will be a winter favorite. Last year, the bounce house scared Owen, so we only made one visit.
At the parks, we like to hunt for squirrels and birds. The boys also like to pick up nuts off the ground and crack them open for the squirrels. They also love to run after the squirrels and chase them up the trees.
Aidan likes to help me bake and cook. If I make pancakes, he cracks the eggs and stirs the batter. He also flips the pancakes with my help. Aidan also likes to make pizza, he does well spreading the sauce and sprinkling the cheese.
We continue to go to Lowe's and Home Depot to participate in their free build program. Aidan has improved on using a hammer, I have had less smashed fingers. He also applies the stickers and the glue.
FOOD
Aidan eats very well. He loves crab meat, turkey, and ham. He'll usually try something new. He generally doesn't waste food, and he's pretty vocal about what he wants to eat. Sometimes he eats more than I do...not sometimes, most of the time! He still doesn't like corn, and he doesn't want to eat shrimp - but he will eat fish.
Aidan will eat a sandwich at the park, then ask for turkey and grapes at home. I don't know where he stores it all!
Aidan still LOVES birthday cake. He still eats most of the icing and a little bit of the cake, but I can't blame him, I am the same way.
Aidan still loves milk. He mostly drinks milk and water, but will occasionally have Apple Juice, but it's rare
FRIENDS AND FAMILY
Aidan sees a lot of his family often. Typically, Aidan will see my parents every week and usually sees his Aunts and Uncles at least once a month. Last August, my brother and his wife moved back to Aiken, so we see them more often. Aidan did call Aunt Amanda "Uncle Amanda" but he has learned to call her "aunt". Though Uncle Chris sometimes encourages the "Aunt" Amanda.
Aidan will ask to see pictures of his cousin, Rosalind, and he talks about her often. He has another cousin on Anthony's side (second cousin, I think), who is about six years older than Aidan, but he loves seeing her and playing with her when he gets the chance. He tells people at daycare that he has a sister, but he really means his cousin Autumn.
Aidan loves to see his friends on the weekend. He often asks if I have spoke to
insert friend's name's mom to ask what the friend is doing. We have friends come visit us to play in the mud or on the pool slide, or we'll meet at the park, the pool, or their house.
Aidan says he has a lot of best friends, I swear he lists all of his friends. He gets excited when we unexpectedly run into friends while out and about running errands or having fun. He also doesn't mind road trips if it means seeing his friend, Charley.
Here's a yearly birthday interview with Aidan. Some questions required prompting, like giving him choices (like naming holidays off so he knew what he was choosing from)
- How old are you? Holds up 4 fingers
- What are your nicknames? Bowers
- What is your favorite color? Orange and Red
- What is your favorite toy? His new teenage mutant ninja turtle shell racer and spiderman toy
- What is your favorite fruit? Grapes and bananas
- What is your favorite tv show? Teenage mutant ninja turtles
- What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Chicken, ham, turkey, cheese and grapes. Milk to wash it down
- What is your favorite outfit? For pajamas, teenage mutant ninja turtles. Otherwise, he said sharks
- What is your favorite game? throwing the football, soccer ball
- What is your favorite snack? chocolate bars (I think he means these chocolate brownie protein bars because we haven't given him chocolate bars for snacks)
- What is your favorite animal? Giraffe
- What is your favorite song? I had a baby turtle
- What is your favorite book? Chica Chica Boom Boom
- Who is your best friend? Ray, Maddox, Gus, Chase, Tenley and her mom, Kash, Charley...and mohawk.
- What is your favorite cereal? Fruit loops
- What is your favorite thing to do outside? Jump so high in the sky
- What is your favorite drink? Milk...and water
- What is your favorite holiday? St. Patrick's Day and Halloween
- What do you like to take to bed with you at night? My monkey from Monkey Joe's (he also likes to take his loveys and other toys to bed)
- What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Toasties
- What is your favorite movie? Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
- What do you want to be when you grow up? Police officer like my daddy
- What’s your favorite thing you did this year? When Santa and Rudolph came to our house
- What’s your favorite place to eat? Fermata (further prompting), Papa John's because I like to watch then make stuff
- Where is your favorite place to go? Sonic....I think he had food on his mind but he stuck with this answer.
- What makes you feel happy? Fruit loops and milk.
- What makes you feel sad? When mom is mad at me (insert mom's sad face upon hearing this answer)
- What’s your favorite thing to do with Mom? Jumping off the diving ball, playing soccer ball
- What’s your favorite thing to do with dad? Ride on his shoulders
- What did you do today? We had a birthday party for me (I took off work and we spent the day together celebrating Aidan's birthday...more on that in another post)
