Nora Versus the Volcano!

I decided to take a quick trip back to Chicago to see my family and to be inducted into my High School's new Fine Arts Hall of Fame. It was great to be back at Nazareth and see some old friends and teachers. It was supposed to be a 4 day trip but it was extended due to the eruption of Mt. Eyiafjallojokull in Iceland. I ended up getting back to London four days late on Thursday the 22nd but managed to make the most of my extra time in Chicago by going to the Comic Book show, the gym and doing some extra shopping! Al was more than amazing back in London taking care of Aidan. Unfortunately for him I now have no worries about leaving him alone with Aidan again! Although after this experience, I think it will be a while before I have any more Aidan-less travel.

Before I left for Chicago, my cousin Katie came to visit on her way to St. Petersburg for a work trip...and yes, she was stuck in Russia because of the volcano!

My two boys stayed very busy while I was away. Here is Aidan helping Al at work. Aidan promises he did not sell any mortgaged backed securities, make any proprietary trades or sell short.

It wasn't all work though...Aidan brought Al to the park with him to hang out with his friends Liam and Mia. Funny that Liam and Mia are in winter coats and hats and Aidan is in a hoodie. Hmmmmm.

Aidan's friend Mia turned 1 while I was away so he brought Al with him to her Birthday party. This is Aidan and Mia at one of their dinner dates while I was gone.

Aidan turned 8 months old while I was away. He is getting SO big and has a lot of personality. He is moving around like crazy and laughs a lot. Here is a video of him on the swings this past weekend. Warning: the videography is a bit wobbly for those of you who get motion sick.

http://gallery.me.com/nora.taylor/100152

Easter and Pat & Bob's Visit

I hope that everyone had a Happy Easter! Our's was made very happy by Pat and Bob who came to visit. They stopped in London on their way back to New York after a two week trip through Jordan and Israel. Here were are at lunch on Easter Sunday.

Thanks to my friend Stephanie, Aidan was appropriately kitted out with a little duck coat...although we think he looked like a Peep! Don't let the stunned look fool you, he loved it!

Here are the boys in the back of the taxi. Aidan is starting to get a little stir crazy in his pram. I'm hoping this is just a phase.

Aidan has also been busy perfecting some new tricks. He can hold his own bottle now and has quite a grip. God forbid you try to stop him halfway through!

Although he has no teeth yet, he likes to brush his "teeth" when I brush mine in the morning. Just because he was born in England doesn't mean he should have English teeth!

Aidan is getting much better at sitting up. This is him sitting at the Starbucks on High Street Ken enjoying a carrot flavored corn puff (it is not a Cheeto)... apparently they are organic and good for little people. He is getting better at finger foods and is developing quite an appetite! I also like this picture because I think he looks like he is sitting in an office smoking a cigar...like he's a big shot newspaper editor!

Viva La France!

Just like every baby, Aidan spent his 7 month Birthday in France. We went with our good friends Brian and Jess O'Hagen and their 11 month old, Mia. We just kind of wandered around the city for the weekend and Aidan got to experience all of the typical Parisian things...

The Drinks...

The Food...

The love!

Other than our trip to Paris, Aidan has been really fun this past month. He laughs a ton and is still loving his weekly swim class. I'm also working very hard to get him to sit up on his own. He's doing OK but has had some face plant moments. Al and I are perfecting our "your fine" facial expression and tone. Here is a picture of one of his more successful attempts.

If you want to see more pictures from our trip to Paris, here is the link:

http://gallery.me.com/nora.taylor/100144

Better Late Than Never!

We've been so busy lately that I haven't had time to post! We took a trip to Berlin two weeks ago--Aidan's second trip to Germany in one month! The trip was my Christmas gift from Aidan and it was perfect! He tested out his new stroller and loved it and we saw so many great sights!

Alexander on his way to his Platz!

Aidan has been eating like a champ these days. Here he is having dinner in the Club Lounge at the hotel...doesn't every baby? :)

I just thought he looks cute in this picture!

If you want to see more photos from February (and some videos too!) click this link:

http://gallery.me.com/nora.taylor/100128

Munich!

This past weekend we went to Munich to visit my cousin Kerry and her husband Chris. Al and I have both been to Munich a couple of times so it was great to go and just hang out with them. Here we are at the Hofbräuhaus...we promised Aidan we'd do the tourist-y things next time.

Aidan and Chris were able to have some quality time at the Hofbräuhaus.

Here is Aidan trying to help Kerry finish her beer at one of Chris and Kerry's favorites, Augustiner-Keller.

We had brunch on Sunday at the Glockenspiel Cafe with an unbeatable view of the Glockenspiel in Marienplatz.

Aidan couldn't believe the view!

Aidan trying to get out of the BA loner stroller because he wanted to stay in Munich!

Thanks again to Chris and Kerry. It was a great weekend. We were very impressed with their German skills and knowledge of the Jersey Shore!

Here is a link to the rest of my pictures: http://gallery.me.com/nora.taylor#100112

Aquababies!

There was a new kid in Aidan's swim class this week...and he fit right in. Al was able to sneak out of work for a couple of hours to join us at swim class. Both Aidan and Al did well. I think Aidan was the only one of us who went under water, but he makes it look easy. Here are some more pictures from our family swim this morning...

I finally found the swimming diapers and Aidan found Nemo! He was much lighter getting out of the pool this week.

I like to let him sit in the baby pool for a couple of minutes before we jump in to the big one. It's not a dream sequence...it's hazy because it's right next to the jacuzzi.

Teething AND swimming...this kid can do it all!

Al was great today. He even sang the songs. But I jumped in for "I'm a little pancake" because that one is my favorite.

I think he looks ready for 2012! (And Aidan looks good too!)

All done.

He is usually asleep in his stroller before I'm finished getting changed!

I love this swim class!

Very Busy

Aidan has been very busy since we've been back in London. I was hit with a 24 hour flu bug and so Aidan headed into work with Al to spend the day at the Goldman creche. I felt so guilty sending him away for the day, but as you can see from the pictures...I think he did ok.

The ladies in the creche were so sweet and would send Al pictures of Aidan and what he was up to. Here he is at the beginning of creating his masterpiece.

Here he is with his masterpiece. We have it hanging in our kitchen. His Grandma is going to see about see about having it hung at the new Modern Wing at the Art Institute.

Aidan and I had our second swim class together and he was definitely more prepared as far as gear goes. Again he seemed to like it and had his first time going under water! He seemed a bit stunned when he came up but didn't cry!

Here he is in his whole outfit. He seemed to like Mia's pink suit better.

This past week we also went to the movies and to Blueberry Play Songs. Aidan is still a little too young for the singing group, but it was fun to try it. We are going to give yoga a try next week. We also had great week because my friend Nicole came back for a visit. She was so sweet to spend LOTS of time with us.