AJ cut two more teeth the other day. Good times. He’s now up to 11 teeth. I really think we lucked out in the teething department, compared to some other toddlers I know. He only had one night of fussy and bam, new teeth. I mean, there’s three weeks of excessive drooling, but I can handle that. Steve was on top of things this time… last time, we didnt realize his inconsolable behavior was pain related until it was too late. This time, we battened down the hatched, loaded the whole family up on Motrin (what, is that not what you’re supposed to do) and made it through the night successfully.

Also, AJ got new shoes (“newooos!”). I’ve been shopping around for something a bit more sturdy than his Robeezesque shoes, but still majorly flexible and not bulky. I ordered a pair of Preschoolians, and while I like the shoes in theory, I didnt like them in person. I wont dismiss them completely, I think they will make lovely 3 or 4 year old shoes. But for now, too much shoe for my little boy. So, I returned those and went with Pedipeds. And I LOVE them. The bottoms are firm, but very flexible. The shoe is structured but roomy and conforming. Exactly what I was looking for in Stage 2 AJ’s Shoes.  Now I just have to resist buying all the other cute styles.

Maybe this menu posting wasnt such a grand idea…
AJ has entered the lovely stage of refusing anything new and even dismissing his usual favorites. I mean, he’s still eating, though he’s not a fan of any veggie and has started to catch on to my method of hiding stuff in tastier items… clever little boy.
But, I’ve settled on some staples, and his menu is seeming more repetitious over interesting. Its easier for me to prepare it everyday… but not as exciting for you. Should we hit a new culinary milestone, I’ll let you know.

Last week, I found out some very exciting news. The Steve and I had been under the impression that we couldn’t claim AJ (as a dependent) on our 2007 taxes unless we had completed the finalization process (making him a citizen, and therefor obtaining a social security number). Thanks to someone awesome, it was pointed out to me that AJ is eligible for a tax ID number. And so, I’ve filled out the very short and easy form to request such a number and will be mailing it off today. In 4-8 weeks, we’ll have an ID number so that we can claim him on our taxes. Woo hoo!
We still wont be able to claim our Adoption Tax Credit until finalization, but, hey, we’ll take what we can get.

Dear Sweet Sweet AJ,

Please, please stop throwing the food I work so hard to prepare overboard. Its not nice and it hurts Mommy’s feelings. You’ve been eating most of these foods on a daily basis and it is completely illogical (and flakey) to suddenly decide you don’t want them anymore. Putting items in your mouth, chewing them, and then spitting them out is also not appreciated. And lets not even talk about taking a big sip of milk and then letting it dribble out of your mouth, soaking your shirt, and the floor.
I know you don’t realize this… but Mommy sacrifices A LOT of herself to provide you yummy and nutritious meals. All I want in return is for you EAT them. And an occasional “mmm.” Mommy wants our time on the weekend to be spent having fun and loving on each other. She does not want to spend it cleaning noodles and blueberries off the floor or rummaging through the pantry and fridge for something else you might eat. Please just eat the yummy things that I provide and we will both be happy.

I love you more than purple,
Mommy

AJ and I have a morning ritual… he wakes up… sometimes as early as 5:30, sometimes as lovely as 6:30. He cries. I muster ever inch of myself and get out of bed, and futz around with my robe, just trying to get it on during the walk from my room to his. I open his door and say “Good morning, Baby” and kiss him on the forehead and pick him up. He fusses a little and then lays his head down on my shoulder. We go downstairs, in the dark, walk to the fridge, look away from the light while I feel around for his bottle. I grab it, he sees it a gets anxious. We walk to the couch, get settled and he sucks down the milk like he hasn’t had a drink for three days. When he’s finished, he rolls onto his tummy, tucks his hands under him, and falls asleep on my shoulder. And we lay there, as the sun rises. Sometimes (especially if this is happening at 5:30) I fall back asleep. Most times, I just sit there, enjoying my time with him, and eventually thinking about my day, and all there is to do, all I probably wont get done… and at around 6:50 I start thinking that I should really wake him up and start getting ready so I can get to work on time. But I have a very hard time waking my sweet baby that has found sleepy comfort on me.
This morning, I turned on the TV… hoping that Moose & Zee would wake him up. No luck. At 7am I decided since I wasnt waking him, I might as well get an Ellen watched. For this ep, she started off by calling people down from the audience to play musical chairs. I cant remember what music they started playing but as soon as it came on, AJ shot up, and still facing me, started dancing. His eyes werent even open all the way! The music stopped (cause like I said, they were playing musical chairs) and he turned towards the tv and pointed, and then the music started again and he was grooving again. It made me laugh out loud. The way he cant help but jam when the musics plays may be my favorite thing about him right now.