Betsy's Blog

So I went to a company picnic with my friend Iris, her mother, and Aidan. It was on the Santa Monica peir and was so nice. Free food, stuff for the kids to do, and well it was great. I was all excited for Aidan to go on the kiddy rides. There was a ride with various cars on a track that go around in a circle. He loves cars, and he wanted to go on it. We waited, I was told that he had to sit alone in the back, and me in the front. Aidan would have none of it, and cried when I tried it out. No car ride for him. Neurotic thought: Is he ALWAYS going to be afraid of rides? OH NO!

A walking octopus (person dressed as an octopus) stopped and waved at Aidan as it towered over the stroller. Aidan initially seemed okay then started to act afraid and began to cry. He has been having fears lately. I thought it was just dinosours, but I guess we will add octopusses(sp?) to the list. Neurotic thought: OMG! Is he too young for fears?

After the party was over, we took a walk towards the water. We skimmed the waves with our clothes still on, and Aidan was loving every minute of it. I let go of his hand and as a small wave came crashing, Aidan fell face first in the water...laughing the entire time. We had a ball. No neurotic thoughts.

At school I have been noticing that Aidan tends to talk more to the teachers and less to the kids. He knows their names, but when I come to pick him up and check on him while he is playing he seems always to be looking at the kids and not interacting with them. The teacher told me that I should not worry, as toddlers do not begin to interact with other children until they are closer to 2 1/2. The fact that I teach college students this nifty little tidbit did not seem to matter as I felt this wave of relief upon hearing her unconcern. I had been imagining that my little happy content boy was going to have problems from him being an only child. The teacher was so cute as she said "But all the other (older)children constantly invite him into what they are doing. (so sweet) No need to reveal neurotic thought, as it is obvious.

I have not been sleeping. Aidan is still sick, despite his surgery. He is onery as hell, given he is nearing 2 1/2. I lathered the sunscreen on Aidan when we got to the beach today. Ever the diligent mother, and forgot to put some on myself. I am fried, tired, listening to Sound of Music again for the umpteenth time and I still have this overwhelming feeling of happiness. There is something about the first burn of the summer, the late nighttimes and the first shoe-ful of sand that pours into the car, that is so warm and inviting. Summer is here. Nothing neurotic about that.