I know the most frequent requests I get regarding what to write here is "Tell us what Aidan is doing"....So here are a few tidbits....He stands on his own, then gets so excited that he's doing it that he then falls back on his rump and laughs. He takes standing dives from the coffee table to the couch or to mommy. I think walking is in the very near future.
He's starting to fall asleep on his own, which I love!
Words are still alluding us. He says "bye", and "ba" for ball, but most of his utterances are "mmm" while pointing to each different object. I think he'll probably start talking like my brother...he'll start with full sentences!
He loves to tickle me after I showed him how. He lifts my shirt and puts his little finger in my belly button, and I laugh and laugh, and he laughs. He's a very sweet and loving little boy. I left the house yesterday while he was asleep in the care of our Nanny, Michelle. We didn't get home until after his bedtime. Michelle told me that he kept pointing and looking for me to come down the stairs (when Michelle is here with him, I'm often in our bedroom on the computer and they are playing downstairs). She said he missed me. And my meeting involved talking to the USAID Director about some potential work opportunities. So, the fact that Michelle told me that he missed me for those few short hours...does that tell me to work or not? We could probably save the bulk of whatever salary I make for a nice down payment on a house, and I think I do need the outlet, but it's also fun hanging out with that little man. We will see what opportunities arise - there may be some that are too difficult to pass up. And I do feel very good about our nanny. She is very loving and always telling me what new thing Aidan does each day. She is also very open to reading about child development, so I'm pleased.
So my boy is growing up. I know Richard's excited to take him running or on hikes, and to roughhouse...but I just love the hugs and how he already understands so much. How he loves to read books and really pays attention now. How he gets so excited to go outside or chase after Maggie.
And soon he'll realize what else we see from the car. Besides my daily reminders to myself to "drive on the left side"...I also have to navigate the many people walking on the side of the road on the small streets (sidewalks are almost nonexistent), the potholes, the crazy minibus drivers, all drivers who seem to beep at you just to tell you they are there, and the animals....Today we encountered horses just meandering along...they are not wild, as they have branded numbers on them, but they were just standing in the middle of the road. We've also had to wait for cows, and little herds of goats (with babies too). The farm animals are not on the farm...there is no farm. They just graze wherever there happens to be grass....in contrast to the nice little farmhouse that Aidan currently plays with on a daily basis (a gift from Grammie and Pops).
We also see the stray dogs that are on the side of the road every few feet it seems. This is why we can't take Maggie for a walk except for in the park or on the sea wall. Seeing the stray dogs as well as owned animals that are not healthy is difficult to see, but also a true indicator of a country without many resources.
The boy is growing up and will learn about these things...and he'll always be my baby.
