Hours after celebrating a ‘milestone’ AJ Allmendinger’s wife Tara shares baby Aero’s Christmas ‘obsession’

AJ Allmendinger's wife, Tara, has shared their son's one-year milestone since his craniosynostosis surgery. The anniversary milestone is followed by a post showing their son enjoying the holiday season obsessing with Christmas lights.

Allmendinger is a NASCAR driver who previously drove in the Xfinity Series. He and Tara Meador welcomed their son, Aero James, on September 7 last year. Aero had surgery at three months old after he was diagnosed with sagittal craniosynostosis.

Per Instagram, Tara Allmendinger posted her son's journey battling the condition. She commended the surgical team for caring for Aero and her son for facing the challenge with courage and joy.

"Today marks a noteworthy milestone in our journey, Aero’s cranioanniversary! It’s been one year since his craniosynostosis surgery, and we are filled with gratitude for how far he has come," Tara wrote.

She added:

"We are forever grateful for the amazing doctors, nurses, and specialists who cared for Aero [...] We are inspired daily by this little warrior who teaches us what it means to face challenges with courage and joy [...] Happy Cranioanniversary, Aero! You are our miracle and joy, we are so proud of you!"

Hours after celebrating the milestone, Tara Allmendinger shared photos of Aero 'obsessing' with Christmas lights.

"Aero is obsessed with the Christmas lights!" Tara wrote.

To deal with sagittal craniosynostosis, Aero James wore a cranial helmet including during race weekends. The helmet helps mold his head, allowing for normal brain growth.

Tara Allmendinger announced earlier this month that her son graduated from using the helmet.

As for his father, AJ Allmendinger will graduate to the NASCAR Cup Series next year. He will drive for Kaulig Racing from the Xfinity Series to the premier series in the No. 16 Chevrolet Camaro alongside teammate Ty Dillon.

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AJ Allmedinger's wife Tara shares thoughts on son's graduation from cranial helmet

AJ Allmendinger's wife Tara made her feelings known about Aero James' graduation from using a cranial helmet. While the couple had sleepless nights last year, they are proud of their son and express gratitude for the support the family received.

Per Instagram, Tara wrote:

"He did it! It’s official: Aero has graduated from his @docband helmet from Cranial Technologies. We are so grateful for all the care and support we’ve received. Last year, AJ and I were scared, sick, and losing sleep over the thought of our three-month-old undergoing surgery. Aero was born with Saggital Craniosynostosis and had to undergo an endoscopic strip craniectomy—basically, surgery to remove a fused suture on the top of his skull."

She added:

"After surgery, he wore three helmets for several months. The helmets molded his head to shape and allowed for normal brain growth. I can report everything turned out fantastic. God’s timing and plan are truly perfect."

Aero James was born days before the Kansas Cup Series playoff race last year when AJ Allmendinger drove a full-time Cup schedule for Kaulig Racing. His son had to wear three helmets for several months to remove a fused suture on the top of his skull.

AJ Allmendinger drove the No. 16 Chevy in the 2024 Xfinity Series season - Source: Imagn

As Aero continued battling the birth defect, Allmendinger raced a full-time schedule for Kaulig Racing in the second-tier series this year. He had a strong season after making the Championship 4 with one win, seven top-5s, and 18 top-10s.