Nicole Tasker Woods

Had a great time at the park with Aidan this morning, playing in the sand, just him & me. If I had a 2nd child, I would be tending to the baby, not able to give my full attention to the Big A. I wouldn’t have the relationship I have with him now if he had a sibling. This time in his life right now is so important for his development as a young boy, but it is also important for him to develop a relationship with his parents. Ryan & I both have special things we do with him by ourselves, but also as a family unit. I never envisioned my life turning out like this – or my family members being who they are – but I couldn’t be happier.

Captain In America — as Aidan likes to call it — was the big boy’s costume this year. He was so grown up walking to the houses by himself (with us watching from behind), trying to be brave around the scary decorations. He loved seeing all of the blown up pumpkins and ghosts and skeletons in everyone’s yards. He wanted a picture next to all of them. Aidan really got the hang of ringing the doorbell and saying ‘trick or treat’ loud enough for everyone to hear.

Auntie JenJen came out with us so that she could join in on the trick or treating festivities. Aidan was so excited to have her there as well. I’m surprised how well he listens to her, he obviously cares about what she thinks. Except when she kept telling him to get the good candy–like chocolate–and he persistently picked whoppers, red vines and dots. What’s that about!?

On the long, 33 mile drive from our home in Thousand Oaks to school/work in Burbank…

A: Mommy, does Aidan poop in the woods?

Me: No, only bears poop in the woods.

A: What if bears and Aidan poop in the woods?

Me: Buddy, do you have to poop?

A: Yeah.

Me: Can you hold it?

A: No.

Me: Alright then.

I put on my flashers, pulled to the shoulder of the 5 freeway and helped the little man squat and poop on the side of the road, balancing his butt cheeks in my hands. It was a surprisingly no-mess situation. After squeezing it out, he turned around to pee on his poop (of course). I used the wipes from the glove box to tidy up his toosh and then we were back on the road.

A: Mommy, bears and Aidan poop in the woods.

Me: Yup.

If this isn’t a boo-yeah face, I don’t know what is. He had to go and so far, he hasn’t been able to pinch a loaf without crying and fighting the mommy power to put him on the toilet. But then, all of a sudden, he walked into the bathroom, closed the door, sat down and squeezed this monster nugget out of his little toosh.  I tip-toed to the closed bathroom door just in time to hear him exclaim, “Woah, that’s a big poopy!”

For every great day, you are bound to have a not-so great day. There was no rest for the weary when I got home from a concert at 2am, was woken up at 8am by a boy with a wet diaper, and then that same boy refused to nap in the afternoon. So. Tired.

I sucked it up, loaded up his scooter and headed to the park to burn off some steam. Before giving in to this last resort of an option, I tried to convince him that he needed sleep to get more steam so he could play some more. He immediately took 2 deep breaths and said, “I have enough steam now, let’s go play!” So. Tired.

Aidan loves the tag on his blankie almost as much as he loves his blankie.

He has accidentally scraped his eye with the tag, but he didn’t hold any grudges. He still loves the tag.

Sometimes he can’t find the tag and he’ll search for it frantically saying, “Oh tag! Where are you?”

He struck up a one-sided conversation with the tag the other day. “Who are you talking to big man?” I asked. “I’m talking to the tag.” He replied. Alrighty then.

Had an incredible day with Aidan. He woke up in a spectacular mood, did so good at soccer practice, visited with Grammy & PopPop and he even helped me clean the house. He and I were together the whole day and had so much fun every minute. Even tucking him in bed was fun. Looking forward to another great day tomorrow.

Aidan had a great trip to NH this fall. We ran through the leaves. Took a hay ride to pick apples. Visited my dad on two job sites to see the rig in action. Saw more family members than we could count on all our fingers & toes. I’m so lucky to have such a wonderful family. Even luckier to be able to share my hometown with my son.

I am teaching Aidan how to take pictures with my small, pink camera.

Grammy & PopPop had an End Of The Summer party and Aidan wanted to take pictures of the party. We had to do some practice the day before (of course):

Here are the gems he got while at the party: