Switching it up

This past weekend was full of excitement. We went out and did things we don't usually do. It was really nice to switch it up a little.

Travis made plans for us to go visit our friends Zach and Linsey Friday night. Zach was having some electrical issues with a light in their kitchen and Travis said he could help him out if they bought us pizza. Basically we are forcing our friendship on them at their cost. Zach was great about it and even threw in beer at no cost to us.

Before we got there, Travis had picked up the part he thought he would need to repair the light. Unfortunately, it was the wrong one. Fortunately, they only live 5 minutes from Home Depot. Linsey and I stayed home with our boys - Aiden, and their son Luke who is five weeks younger than Aiden. It constantly amazes me how different babies are from each other. I mean, the all learn the same things within a decent amount of time from each other, but they each have their own personality.

Since Aiden is older and faster than Luke, he chased him around the living room taking his toys from him. I was constantly chasing after him to tell him that was not nice and that he could get another toy. I'm sure he doesn't understand me at this point, but the way I see it, it's never too young to teach sharing! Then towards the end of the night we tried to get Aiden to go to sleep, or at least relax and lay back. When he wouldn't, we let him crawl around with his pacifier. I thought it was HILARIOUS when Luke took the pacifier right out of his mouth and put it in his own. I said, 'See! It's no fun to have things taken away from you." Although he truly didn't seem to mind. Ugh, we'll have to try teaching that lesson again later.

We have only given Aiden a pacifier when he lays down to go to sleep. I know it will be hard enough to wean him from that. I didn't want to mess with him using it during the day too.

Saturday, Travis had to work, but I had made plans to go with Alexa to another friend's house for a Mom's Potluck Brunch. No kids were allowed so we could all converse in peace - and it was SO worth it. Chris agreed to watch Aiden for me while we were gone. It worked out great that Blair and Aiden have opposite sleeping schedules so Chris could have one-on-one time with each of them. Chris was great and sent photos and a video the whole time. When we got back, Chris even told me that Aiden had laughed at the movie they were watching (Robots). He has never done that before!

Back to the potluck... This was the first Moms' get-together, but the hostess is hoping to make it a monthly event. The goal is whoever can make it each month can come and if they can't come one month, then maybe they'll be able to come the next. It was so great to get together with a bunch of women who you know want to do the same thing as you - talk about their kids. There were a total of five women at this one, which I thought was a nice start. We had an intimate little group so that we all could fit at the kitchen table together.

I met two of the women for the first time and it was nice to hear their stories. Just like kids with their different personalities, it seemed that each of us moms had a different parenting technique. Some of us have one child, some have two, and one has a little girl on the way! It's so funny - I feel like I have all this pressure to have a girl next time around. All my friends and I had a boy the first time around. The second time they all had, or are having, girls. Ironic. Something in the water maybe?

The food at the brunch was great. Even though we only had five people, there was plenty to choose from. I think we stayed for about three hours before we headed back to relieve Chris of his charges. Aiden seemed to have had a great time with Chris. He was finishing up lunch when we walked in the door. I stuck around for a little bit so Blair could spend a little time with Aiden before we left. Then we headed out with more gear from Shoppe Ramby. Aiden was getting bored with his toys, so they offered up some goodies to entertain the boy. My favorite? A little car that Aiden can sit in while I push him during our walks. We've already taken it out for a test drive, but more about that later.

Aiden was full of firsts this weekend. He laughed at the TV, Daddy taught him how to high-five, he started walking by himself while holding onto a toy... more to come (this post is getting lengthy)!