Busy week

This week was a very busy one for Aidan and Mommy! We flew to San Francisco on Tuesday and have been staying with Uncle Gabe, Aunt Karen, and cousin Miya Ruane this week, while Mommy has had her International Studies Association conference. Mommy managed to put on a professional hat and do a great job at the conference. In the mean time, Aidan had a hord of friends and family to their best to distract him. We had Tuesday afternoon to take a breath, and then things started really going!

Wednesday included a bit of conference and a lot of family. In the morning, Mommy and Aidan hung out with Mommy's friend Julia, Aunt Karen and cousin Miya Ruane, Aunt Frances Ross, and Cinda and Jim Baize (Uncle Chris's in-laws). Then, Julia, Frances and the Baizes took Aidan to a park downtown while Mommy schmoozed with some book publishers at the conference. Afterward, the Baizes checked out downtown San Francisco while the rest of us met up with some of Mommy's family: Aunt Rachel and Tammy, and our cousins Nat, Nell & Limin, and Elwyn. Afterward, the cousins went out for ice cream at Mitchell's - a delicious ice cream store, and Mommy enjoyed "Macapuno" one of the three kinds of coconut ice cream! (yum!)

On Thursday, Mommy co-chaired her panel and presented her paper, and Julia, Aunt Karen, and Miya played with Aidan. Aidan was not thrilled to be left again, but everyone survived, and he was overwhelmed to see Mommy when she came home!

On Friday, Uncle Gabe took the day off, and Grandma and Grandpa Ruane arrived, so there were reinforcements. That was great, because Mommy had conference commitments 8AM-2PM and then again 6PM-9PM. Unfortunately, Aidan went on a bottle strike and hardly ate anything while Mommy was gone. But fortunately, he "adopted" Uncle Gabe and was mostly calm as long as Gabe was holding him. Mommy came home for a few hours to nurse and celebrate a family birthday party for Grandma and Rae, but had to leave again afterward. That evening, she returned to see Aidan asleep on Uncle Gabe's chest - so cute!

On Saturday, mommy had one last conference meeting to attend, and Aidan again was totally happy, as long as he was with Uncle Gabe. Mommy was amazed that morning when Aidan choose to have Uncle Gabe hold him, not her!

On Sunday, things finally calmed down. Aunt Frances joined the Ruane clan for a delicous birthday breakfast. Then we chilled out while Aidan took a nap at home and then went on a walk to a nearby park.

This week has been a whirlwind for Mommy and Aidan! We are looking forward to seeing Daddy when we go home to New York tomorrow. It has been wonderful to see our family and friends, and for Mommy to revisit her professional self. But it is going to be nice to be home!