for the boy who has everything from valerie soles on Vimeo.

thanks uncle kevin, aunt linda and cousins ben and margaret!
the birthday fun never ends!


though, alden was maybe a little overwhelmed by the july/august baby party on sunday. he had a pretty good time hanging out, eating ice from a tub (which was The thing to do, you know) but it was clear by the end that the day had been way too much for him. i've never seen him go into the stroller with such ease and on the train ride home, he was smiling at absolutely everyone, "i'm going home! they're finally taking me home!"

yesterday we went in for als' one year checkup. he had his blood drawn, got a shot and measured just shy of average in height and weight. to celebrate these accomplishments, we went on a lunch date, just the two of us. we shared a burrito at taco chulo before meeting up with some pals and then ending our adventures with music class in greenpoint. at home, he ate the whole of a good sized yellow squash (sauteed in butter and sprinkled with a little salt and some dulse), then demanded more. we cooked him a scrambled egg with some parmesan and he ate a little of that too. eggs are not alden's favorite food.

some new talents, other than walking, include picking out which books he would like to read and handing them to us, saying "CDs" and demonstratively tossing his food over the edge of his high chair tray when he's had enough. alden is now signing for "more", "water" and "eat," though they're all very loose and wavy, we understand them. "eat" was a surprise, as i didn't think i'd been using it regularly enough for him to have picked it up. he's paying attention! hooray.