Auby Month-iversary Series: 2 1/2 Years

When did my first born grow up to be a big girl? Love this spunky monkey. Happy 2 1/2 birthday! To our sweet girl, big sister, and love bug, you make our ❤ smile!

Date: 4/7/16
Age: 2 1/2 years old
Measurements:
Clothing: You wear 3T clothing. You have a love for about 3 shirts. You love your jammies and would wear them every day if I let you. You are in love with your "dolphin tail" shirt as shown in the picture. You love wearing socks and putting them on yourself. Many times we find you with your socks on your hands in the morning. I let you pick your clothes which does at times create some toddler tantrums. If I tell you something is dirty, you will give up and move on to another shirt or piece of clothing. You wear size 7 shoe and are currently in a size 5 pull up (fingers crossed we will be done with those soon!)
Eating: Some of your favorites include meatballs, "basketiti", black beans, fruit- apples, fruit cup (juice), grapes, veggies, bread, tacos, and Chick-i-lay. You of course LOVE your chips and queso, goldfish, cheeze its, candy, cinnamon bread, milk, muffins, donuts, and cupcakes- not that we have these that often but you are very much a fun of your sweets. Yesterday on our way to church you simply moaned, "I want chips and queso mommy!" It was so random but such a reminder that you are MY child for sure. And while sometimes you shovel food into your mouth, other times you are simply not hungry and only want milk. You do love your ice cold water.
Sleeping: You sleep in your big girl bed with your favorite loveys. They include your Memo (Finding Nemo Fish), Fox and Penny, baby blankie, and book- Goodnight Ark. You are a really good sleeper (most days). Putting you to bed is one of my favorite activities. You love story time, music time, and cuddling with us. I love your silly ways and how you call for Mommy. You go to bed between 7 and 7:30 and consistently wake up between 7:30 and 8 in the morning.
Activities & Tidbits: 
- Currently we are attempting potty training. You love being a big girl and will let us know when you need to potty... mainly for the tee-tee candy. You call it your kiss candy now. 
- You love going to the park, sliding, play dough, reading books- you know our current bedtime book almost by heart, playing in your kitchen, carrying bags and purses, 
- You are so interested in what mommy and daddy are doing. Your vocabulary is getting so big. We love talking with you.
- I love hearing you "read"
- You call skunks- stunks and boars- boards
- You know our first and last names. Mine is Alicia Mommy Zellner (love it!)
-  You want to do everything yourself! 
- You eat your toothpaste. It makes teeth brushing interesting!
- You love to sing- ABCs, I'm a little Tea Pot, Twinkle Little Star, Jesus Loves Me, This Little Light of Mine, 
- You began yoga at daycare this month and love your gym time.
- Cuddling in the bed with covers is one of your favorite Saturday morning activities
- You like to run your fingers through your hair when you drink your milk. You will also run your fingers through my hair and point out my eyes, eye brows, nose, and mouth. 
- You love asking questions.
- One of your favorite activities is going to the movie theater and eating popcorn.

Likes:
Color- you tend to chose blue or pink but do not seem to have a consistent favorite
Number- 5. Everything is always 5.
TV shows- Paw Patrol, Guppies, Sophia the First, Mickey Mouse Club House (you love the ipad)
Movies- Frozen, Nemo, Monsters Inc, Up,
Princess- Anna, Elsa, Little Mermaid, You are still not a princess dress up fan but you do love to wear a princess crown, hold a wand, and wear your princess shoes
Big Sister Role- You love feeding your newborn brother his bottle, kissing his head, waving at him when asked to tell him hello, petting his head, and touching his feet. My favorite is when you refer to him as "My Liam."
Animals- dinosaurs- You usually tell us which dinosaur we are. Typically we are velociraptors, pterodactyls, or triceratops. 


Dislikes:
- loud noises
- being told "no"
- not getting your way... toddler tantrums are real! We are seeing such great progress lately. You can have the sweetest manners.

Auby's Month-iversary Series: 24 months/TWO Years

 

Date: 10/7/2015

Age: 24 months/2 years

Dear Auby,

Happy 2 years sweet babe. You are our walking, talking, sweet and sassy, shy and independent, cuddly, and passionate little girl.You are our cuddle bug that makes our heart smile. Every day you continue to amaze us (as I've said many times). You are the best source of entertainment but also the greatest reminder of God's amazing miracles. I am so thankful He made me your mommy. You are the greatest gift your daddy and I have received.

Measurements:  Weight 26 lbs (59th%); Height 36 inches (94th%); Head Cir 18 1/4 inches (28th%)
Clothing: You wear 24 month/2T shirts and pants. You absolutely love jammies with princesses and animals. Currently we are attempting to potty train as you show great enthusiasm at school. You are successful for most of the day (maybe 1 accident) but are currently refusing at home. We did have one successful tee-tee in the potty and I think I threw a minor parade type celebration. You were not as excited as both your mommy and daddy were. You enjoy washing your hands.
Eating: You are a lover of milk. Some days you are a champ eater and others you are too on the go. Your food favorites still include rice, chicken nuggets, hot dogs, melly melon (watermelon), yogurt, ketchup, anything you can "dip" like soup and crackers, vegetables, fruit, and sweets. Girl you love your cake! At your birthday and another that quickly followed, you would shout, "I eat cake!"
Teeth: Your mouth is full of little teeth. We are currently working on teeth brushing. You are getting better each and every day... even though you may enjoy eating it a bit more than brushing.
Sleeping: You are sleeping quite well this month. We still have a few middle of the night wake ups (maybe due to a small growth spurt and being hungry) but we seem to be back to our typical schedule. I love watching you cuddle in bed with your loveys. When you wake up in the morning, we currently have to take all loveys, pillows, and blankets out to bring downstairs. You name each one, give it a hug, and drop it from your crib. Then it is up to mom and her many hands (as we need more) to carry the materials... and many times my child down the stairs until she sees her daddy. I absolutely adore my morning hugs and snuggles.

New Activities & Random Tidbits:
- Sadly you came down with a terrible tummy bug right before your birthday and then it quickly spread to mommy and daddy. We had to reschedule  your original party for a few weeks later. I am so thankful that you were back to your silly self on your birthday. What would be a better celebration be without smiley face pancakes from IHop. I think your expression says it all!

  

- You love your glitters (silver sparkle shoes).

- You love to be read to and to read to us. Our favorite of your chosen books is Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus as you like to say, "Pease, I be careful!" You absolutely adore your birthday Frozen Books and I love Daddy book.
-  Before meals, you will pray with us. You bow your head and even will "pray" out loud. You mimic our prayers and will say AMEN at the end. It melts my heart each time.

- You continue to learn new words daily and say the funniest of things. You have said, "Excuse me, Aggie and bless you mama." 

- You have learned your colors (thanks to our chalk days outside).
- Our favorite songs are Jesus loves me, Auby song, Row Row, 10 Little Monkeys, The Alligator Song, 

- You love being outside, sliding on your slide, running through our neighborhood field, walking Mattie, crafting, playing with Play Dough,

- You love all things Frozen and can name almost every character in the movie.
- You love kissing mama's belly and will be such a great big sister!
- You love Bubble Guppies and Paw Patrol. You will even say "silly Gilly"
- We are starting to play with more balls, but have a tendency to throw them up in the air and hit your head.
- You love boo-boo kisses and will request them.
- Every little friend at daycare knows your name. I think it's because you are one of the most vocal. You also love to name all of your friends at school. It is quite adorable.
- You think it's funny when I blink my eye lashes and raise my eyebrows
- You love taking care of Mattie and ask for kisses.
- Each afternoon you love to get the mail with daddy.
- One of my favorite phrases is, "Mama, I hold you" meaning you want to be picked up.
- You are starting to leave in bows and like your hair out of your face.
- You are my cuddle bug and mini. I love watching you grow!

Watch our mini grow!

More to come...

Aubrey's Month-iversary Series: 23 Months

Date: 9/7/2015
Age: 23 months
Dear Aubrey, 
You are my talkative, independent, organized, determined, hysterical, and big girl. You are my heart and my love. I thank God each day for my little mini. You continue to amaze me with all that you learn and all that you can do. While I write this, only two short weeks stand between us before your big two year birthday. I am one proud mama. 


Measurements:  I'll have to update the other measurements soon as all measurements will be taken at your 2 year well visit.
Clothing: You wear 24 month/2T shirts and pants. You absolutely love your jammies and will not here of me getting rid of your super girl or wonder woman jammies. Oh how those are super snug and mommy will be hiding them soon as they are 18 month pieces. You love shoes and socks, pearls, and jammies.
Eating: You have actually been a bit finicky with food these days. You eat almost anything but lately seem to just want your milk and little snacks. We are almost through teething with your upper eye teeth.
Teeth: You have 12 teeth which include your molars and your eye teeth are continuing to come through.
Sleeping: Most days you are a fantastic sleeper, but sweet baby you definitely hit a growth spurt this month. You decided for a whole week to wake up between 1 and 2AM and not go back to sleep until 5AM. You would say, "nigh night all done. Auby downstairs?" While this may have been the cutest of all time, staying up for those long hours surely wore this mommy and daddy out. You love sleeping with all of your loveys, blankie, and pillow. Each morning, you have to take out all of your loveys and bring everything downstairs.

New Activities & Random Tidbits:
- new and expanded vocabulary. You are an amazing talker. While we may not understand everything you say, your words and phrases grow daily
- some of your new favorite words and/or phrases are: excuse me Aggie, make picture... it beautiful, I love you mommy, watch guppies, watch paw patrol
- you learned the word "um" from school and are currently using it with every other word (a must fix)
- you know all of your colors (we are still working on gray), Mattie give kisses, Dees Auby's shoes, leave jammies on Mommy, want clean diaper
- You love Bubble Guppies and Paw Patrol
- Your daycare teachers love you and constantly celebrate all of the wonderful things you learn.
- sort Uno cards by color
- You hold our hands and request to pray. You clothes your eyes and bow your head. It is beyond words adorable.
- You can sing Aubrey song, Jesus loves me, Itsy Bitsy Spider
- attempt at putting on clothes
- walk upstairs and down without hands
- when you feel extra cuddly, you say "hold you."
- You love taking care of Mattie. You love her kisses.
- This month you helped mommy make a cake just because, went to the Children's aquarium, visited our Waldrup and Zellner families in Sugar Land, watched the Cowboys and ate popcorn with daddy, went to the Plano balloon festival

You said, "mommy scared... monkey." I loved the extra cuddles

This month we announced that you will be a big sister!

 We love our big sister!

Likes: books, "reading," praying, going shopping with your plastic shopping cart, wearing pearls, coloring, talking, watching Guppies and Paw Patrol, sitting on the counter, trying to dress yourself, learning new things, playing Uno (sorting the cards by color),

Dislikes: being told no, car rides, being hot, waking up before you are ready, teething, 

I love my mini! Watch her grow!

 

We love you sweet angel. We are so excited for your upcoming birthday and are continually thankful for you, our happy healthy little lady.

Auby's Month-iversary Series: 22 Months

Date: 8/7/2015
Age: 22 months
Dear Aubrey, 
You are my laugh out loud, talkative, independent, playful, and determined little lady. I absolutely love our "discussions" as you turn your head from side to side and use those cute little hands to talk with. While I may have believed you were my shy little lady, you are more an observer, but give you a few minutes, you are right in the middle of it whatever it may be. You give the best running hugs, sloppy kisses, and I love the way you sing Jesus Loves Me and tell me, "I love you!" I've spent every day with you this summer (minus one for training) and I couldn't be more thankful for our time together. I am so blessed to be your mama and love watching you grow sweet girl. You are my heart and I thank God each day for you! Enjoy your stats. 

Measurements:  I'll have to update the other measurements soon as all measurements will be taken at your 2 year well visit. I can't believe in two short months you'll be a two year old. Mind blown!
Clothing: You wear 24 month/2T shirts and 18-24 mo pants. Your size 5 shoes are getting tight and will quickly be moving to size 6 and you wear a size 4 diaper. You started picking out your shirts and love dressing up in pearls and a purse when you push your stroller or shopping cart around.
Eating: Your current favorites are chicken nuggies, hot dogs, blueberries, watermelon, any type of pasta and sauce, meatballs, bread, carrots, gold fish, and cheese. You still love your milk. You take your water with ice.
Teeth: You have 12 teeth which include your molars and your eye teeth are continuing to come through.You seem to be struggling with your teeth a bit and will wake up at 3AM on your difficult nights.
Sleeping: You are still our good sleeper; however, you went through a phase where naps and bedtimes were shortened. See the section on teeth as they may have been part of the issue.

New Activities & Random Tidbits:
- new and expanded vocabulary. You are an amazing talker. While we may not understand everything you say and many of your sentences are filled with babble in between, your vocabulary has increased so much this month. You add inflection and your hands to speak.
- Favorite phrases are "I do it!" "Counter please."
- Mommy and daddy love your pig tails
- You mimic story reading.
- love putting toothpaste on your toothbrush and attempting to brush own teeth
- have always loved twirling your pig tails
- we have to kiss all the lovies in your crib each morning
- love sitting on the counter and playing with cups/medicine droppers while we cook
- You love to clean up and do a great job at it.
- You complete chores such as feeding Mattie and giving her treats.
- You love dancing to music, shaking your head and arms
- You enjoyed your first circus this summer. You loved the elephants and horses and continued to sign more as you clapped your hands and screamed yay!

Likes: reading, opening and closing snaps/velcrow, the movie Frozen, Mickey, Sesame Street, playing in your stroller, walks, running around, food, dancing

Dislikes: being told no, car rides, being hot, waking up before you are ready, teething, 

I love my mini! Watch her grow!

 

Happy 22 months little girl. Wishing you adventures and love my sweetie.

Aubrey's Month-iversary Series: 21 Months

Dear Aubrey,
21 months have come and gone in the blink of an eye. Each day you are growing and learning so much. We can hardly keep up. It is so crazy to think in the next few months, we'll have a two year old running around. We have had so much fun this summer sweet girl. Our little schedule is jammed pack with fun play with friends, special mommy & daughter dates, and family time together. So here it is sweet Auby, another month of growing, of excitement, learning, and fun exploration. May each day be sweeter, be filled with opportunities to grow and to stumble so that ultimately you will learn great things. "Oh the stuff you will learn, the most wonderful stuff. You'll learn about fishbones, and wishbones, and trombones too. You'll learn about Jake the pillow snake and Foo Foo the Snoo." Dr. Seuss.
May life truly be sweet.

Date: 7/7/2015
Age: 21 months
 
You are my silly, sassy, and sweet little mini that I oh so adore.We have definitely had our fare share of little tantrums and a few time outs (is it time for this) but I have to say after getting back into our little routine, you have been your super sweet little self. I'm so blessed to be your mommy. I'm forever yours!
Here are your stats. 

Measurements: You currently weigh 24.4 lbs. I'll have to update the other measurements soon as all measurements will be taken at your 2 year well visit.
Clothing: You wear 24 month/2T shirts and 18-24 month pants. You are long and lean like your daddy. I do have to currently squeeze you into 18 month onesies as you have just recently picked up the new skill of taking off your diaper and pants.  So Mommy will be going shopping soon to find longer jammies. You wear size 4 diaper and I love the way you distinguish between a "keen diaper" and a "seepy diaper"
Eating: Your eating habits change daily. Some days you eat like a bird and others you stuff until your little mouth is completely full. Foods that are guaranteed to be eaten this month are Chick-fil-a meals, carrots, rice, spaghetti or any pasta, ritz crackers, cubed cheese, queso, SALSA (you like spicy), and sweets like cookies or cake.
Teeth: You have 12 teeth which include your molars and your eye teeth are peeking through.Teething has not been a problem this month. You do like to talk about biting and have even told us that "you wanna bite." Thank goodness you haven't acted upon it with friends. We have had maybe a handful of minor incidents on mommy, but is a playful act as compared to an upset one. It is a work in progress.
Sleeping: You are a good sleeper. Your bedtime is 7:30PM and will wake up between 7:00 and 7:30AM. You play well in your crib with your stuffed animals and blanket. You sleep with Dotty (giraffe), puppy, Penny the penguin, Maaa (lamb), and a pillow and blankie. Your nap time has been moved between 12 and 1. You'll rest for about 2-3 hours. Some days you may even sleep longer as you are so worn out by our morning activities. You may even ask to go to sleep if you are really tired. I love our bedtime routine and finishing with our two favorite songs before bedtime, Jesus Loves me and Auby Song. You will help sing both. It is one of my favorite things about our time together.

 New Activities & Random Tidbits:
- YOU LOVE FROZEN. Multiple times a day you will sign "more" and beg for Fozen and happy snowman or Olaf.
- We have found our screaming voice. You love hearing it.
- You continue to gain new words, small sentences, and vocabulary. My new favorites are: asolutely, dokie dokie, get out (when referring to your car seat), yes mam, seepy diper (you have differentiated between your night and day time diapers as well as dirty and clean diapers), 
- You help sing to some of your favorite songs including Row Row, Jesus Loves Me, ABCs, Auby song.
- Practicing our numbers 1-10. You can repeat with me but skip #4 many times and #7 always. It's really cute.
- Practicing our color names with chalk
- Attending Monday's Gym Dandies class with our Ogles friends
- Tots & Tunes at church
- our first trip to Chick-fil-a playground with our Fantlets
- Trip to Destin, Florida, Gulf World Marine Park
- Getting naked at nap and bedtime
- mall play with church friends
- a trip to Scallywags for our summer snow cones
- Fourth of July fun at the downtown McKinney hometown Parade & backyard BBQ at the Ogles
- You are mommy's little helper: You love to go to the grocery store and put items in the basket, clean up, "cook", close doors, wipe tables, and wipe your mouth and hands, put away your clothes.
- Skills include "brushing" teeth, cleaning hands and face, putting away clothes, throwing away trash, washing hands, taking off pants and helping with clothes, feeding the dog and giving her treats, watering the plant, helping "cook", etc.
- You want to try new things yourself. You are such a big girl.

Likes: FROZEN, Olaf- happy snowman, Mickey, Donald- where is he hiding, Elmo, Chick-fil-a indoor play area, story times, books, dancing, musical instruments: shakers and bells, singing, baby strollers, playgrounds, being outdoors, "painting" with water, bracelets (mommy's hair ties), shoes, sleeping naked, Disney princesses, summer time activities with mama, chalk, trampolines, water play toys, and color color (coloring).

 

Dislikes: car rides, being hot as we are still rear facing, waiting on anything ha, strange sounds, thunder

 I love my mini! Watch her grow!

 {1-12 months}

 {12-19 months}

{20-21 months}

Auby Month-iversary Series: 20 months

Dear Auby,
Each day you grow bigger and bigger sweet girl. You continue to make me smile with all of the new things you learn. I love the moments that make you smile... the silly kind of smile that shows full teeth and dimples. I love the "ah ha moments" when you do something yourself. And while I'm still working on the super power to stop time or maybe just slow it down a bit, it seems that I haven't uncovered the secret just yet. So until that time sweet girl, continue to grow, to learn, to play, and to explore. Always remember that you will forever be mommy's baby (and big girl). But forgive me for the pictures, for documenting of those moments in time for I want to hold them with me forever and have a place that when 5 years pass, 10 years pass, that I may look upon them and share them with you as this mommy will forever be proud of you for all of your growth over time. 

Now for this month we have had a hard time with teething, with biting, and with fussing. But what this shows me is that you are growing, learning, communicating, and working through the growing pains such is life. But these are small moments of time (and hopefully not an indication of the terrible 2s around the corner), but I have loved our cuddles and our songs and family dance times. You my sweet lady made me a mommy and you will forever be mine!

Date: 6/7/2015
Age: 20 months
Measurements: I will have to update at her next appointment.
Clothing: You typically wear 18-24 month clothing with a few 2T pieces. You wear a size 4 diaper and a size 5 shoe. We are loving our little sun dresses, shorts, and skirts these days. 
Eating: Your favorites this month are MILK, cereal, meatballs (which is any type of meat), veggies (bean beans and carrots), fruit (gapes, strawlillies, and bluelillies), chips and salsa, and queso/cheese. You absolutely love Chinese food as you will eat your weight in chicken fried rice.  
Teeth: You have 8 teeth, 4 top and 4 bottom.You have your top and bottom molars and seem to be getting your two year molars and bottom eye teeth. Teething was a big issue this month. Sadly it has lead to many days of daycare biting. Mommy and daddy are not pleased.
Sleeping: You continue to be a great sleeper (minus your nap today which was non existent). Your bedtime has been around 7-7:30PM. The sun going down later was thought to be an issue, but not seeming to bother you too badly at night. You go down for a nap anytime between 11 and 1 depending on the activity of the day. You tend to take longer naps if you go down closer to 11 as compared to 1. You will usually take a 2.5-3.5 hour nap.

 New Activities & Random Tidbits:
- You are learning colors through coloring with crayons and chalk.
- You are giving multiple word responses like want it, fix it, and I would do (I love you).
- You love music and will try to sing, dance, and spin.
- Being upside down or flying like a bird always makes you smile.
- Your favorite color seems to be yellow as is everything including us.
- Your favorite number is #2 as we have been practicing for her next birthday. 
- Sadly biting has become a new activity for you at daycare. We are in the process of working on this issue. I say, no bite. Mouths are for blowing kisses and eating food. I ask you why did you bite and you say, "toy, Auby's." Oh we are in trouble. But you started doing a lot better when your teeth didn't hurt. We work on being gentle and you will rub our arm and say sorry, mama. gentle.
- You want ALL.THE.THINGS. We are working on taking turns.
- You love your independence but are still our cautious and shy little lady.
- We bought you a backpack this month. You absolutely love wearing it.
- We had our first swim of the summer season. It will be an acquired taste. Plus it was a bit on the cold side. You have warmed up to splash pads and enjoy it with sweet friends. 
- You are learning to jump.
- This month you started holding the shopping cart basket. You are such a big helper.
- We visited our Zellner and Waldrup families in Sugar Land this Memorial Day weekend.

Likes: Books, books, and more books! You have even named of all of them. It is also the source of many of your meltdowns as of late. Your favorite books are Bed Book, Moon, Opposites, La La, Puppies, Noah, Bilabo, and Owl. You love to color color, drawing with chalk outside, making rings and bracelets out of play dough, putting things into and out of bags, putting shoes on mommy and daddy, puzzles, splash pads with friends, cooking with mommy, pancake Saturdays, cookies.

Dislikes: Not having the book you want, being told no, having a toy taken away, not having a snack when you request it.

 I love my mini! Watch her grow!

Auby's Month-iversary Series: 19 Months

 
Dear Auby, 
Our sweet girl. You are funny, sweet, loving, cautious, shy, observant, and absolutely loved. This month as Mother's Day draws near, I am reminded just how truly lucky and thankful I am for you. Being a wife and your mommy are both the greatest things that God has blessed me with. You two are my heart. I would do anything for you sweet child and oh believe me I have. We've been through it all little love. These 19 months have been an amazing ride. I can't wait to see what's in store for us next month.

Date: 5/7/2015
Age: Our 19 month old and beautiful babe
Measurements: 24 lbs (per a doctor's visit this month)
Clothing: You wear 18-24 month clothing and wear a size 4 diaper. You arent the run around in your diaper sort of girl even though mommy may prefer that as it would make for easier clean up when you eat. You seem to get cold rather quickly. You are in a size 5 shoe but many size 4 shoe hand me downs fit just fine. A big thanks goes out to our Fantlet twins for our adorable clothing and shoes. You wore your first pair of adorable heels on Easter. I have to say, I'm in love with your baby feet.

 {Kicking up our baby heels}

You love your socks and shoes. While you love taking off your shoes, you also demand wearing them outside. If mommy and daddy have our shoes off, you will question, "mommy shoe" and "daddy shoe?" You love trying to put our shoes on our feet and will even attempt to put on our friend's shoes too. It is super cute. You need a bit of work, but you are definitely getting better with every attempt.

Eating:You love milk. You will tell us you're hungry (hungee) or you want food. You are a hot mess when it comes to eating. More food potentially lands on the floor or in your hair. You are a champ eater most days. From fruits, veggies, pasta, sushi, and sweets, you pretty much will sample anything. Lately you've been telling me no when it comes to eating food. Your current loves are milk, rice, meatball, waffle, fishies, blueberries, strawberries, carrots, beans, cheese, and cookies. You are so cute when you say new words like taco, burrito, queso, pancake, and so forth. You are not always the best at restaurants. There is a good window for us, but we are learning your cues and when we need to pick up the check. Lunch is our best out to eat option.
Teeth: You have 8 teeth, 4 top and 4 bottom.You have your top and bottom molars. Teething was a bit of an issue at the beginning of the month. Your nights were a bit restless and Orajel became our good friend again. We are also struggling with teeth brushing. You find it more fun to try to eat the toothbrush at this point and will quickly do the sign for all done within seconds of me putting the brush to your mouth. The only interest you have is in taking it from me and trying to brush my teeth. Fingers are crossed for you ever liking this whole brushing our teeth concept.
Sleeping:You really are a great sleeper. Your bedtime is between 6:30 and 7:00 but lately it's been more on the 7:30 time frame since work has kept us away and has rearranged our nightly schedule a bit. On weekends you have found that 7AM is your official wake up time. You enjoy sleeping with pillow, two blankies, Fox and Penny, Dotty the giraffee, and Owl. In the morning when you wake up, you request that all the things are removed from your crib and set on the floor before we may even attempt at getting ready. You are still a lover of books. You ensure that a book is read first thing out of bed and right before bed. It still makes this teacher's heart happy; however, I never realized how hard it would be to say "no" to reading one of your book favorites (after the 5th or 6th we are done stalling for the night)

New Activities and Random Tidbits:
- New & Favorite Words: fox, taco, queso, opposites, fork, spoon, love,bilibo (polar bear), efficent (elephant), huggies (hugs), read it, book, tant u (thank you), Fox (questionable ending sounds), mess, dirty, color color,
- Favorite Animal: Fox and Penny
- Favorite Color: you always call any color either yellow or blue
- You love coloring (still switching hands)
- We love going outside to look at bunny hop hops as well as standing on the window sill to look out front
- You like to stroke mama's hair and use it to tickle our faces
- You love to point at things and say "dis" (this)
- You love to say "pane" (plane) when you hear the planes outside. You've now started making airplane arms and will even flap your arms when you see a birdie. 
- You love attempting to put on shoes.
- You can be such a shy little girl, but give you 5 minutes you come out of your shell.
- You are very observant, cautious, and a lot of fun.  
- You love to dance and will shake it to almost any tune.  
- You love to color color. 

 - We are really working on teeth brushing. You love to pretend to brush mommy's teeth.

- You have been closing doors and the microwave for some time now. You truly enjoy helping. 
- When we count, you will mimic 1, 2, and then babble the next few sounds.  
- You will "sing" with us. When we sing, we ask if you want Row Row, ABC (Auby says:), and Jesus Loves Me (as of late you have been requesting Jesus)
- We celebrated Cinco de Mayo with our Fantlet friends.

- Putting hands together to pray and will say Amen
- You have several little jobs at home. You feed Mattie, clean up your toys and books, put dirty clothing in your hamper, wipe your tray and table, clean your face and hands, 
- Mommy is trying to teach you the hand motions to Jesus Loves Me
- We went to our first soccer game as a little family and celebrated Jacob's big goal.

- Our little family traveled to College Station to visit our Zellner family for an afternoon of family fun. 
- Our Waldrup family came for the weekend for some good ole family fun. 
- I love your big wrap around hugs, kisses, 
- You can label your eyes (finally), nose, mouth, tongue, teeth, hair, head, fingers, hand, elbow (our newest), belly, tummy, belly button (you are so going to be an outty or so mommy thinks), toes, and feet. 
- We went to our church's Engage Gloabal Experience where you enjoyed a Boston Creme Pie Donut

- We loved sharing with you all that God is doing in our church.
- You love that you are such a good communicator with us. We are working on not whining at this point and using your words.
- We get good feedback from daycare. You seem to really like your friends and talk about them all the time. We have had a few random biting issues but they are usually tied to teething. I hate that so much :(

Likes: loves her daddy (and mama of course;), twirling your hair when you eat or drink milk, you giggle when mommy takes her hair and tickles your face, Eskimo kisses, Mickey, Elmo, Sophia the First, visiting with friends,
Dislikes: being told no, bare feet outside, taking things away, car seats without the requested book, snack, or lovey, turning off Mickey in the morning, stranger danger,

Our Little Lady

Auby Month-iversary Series: 18 Months +2 Days

Dear Auby, 
To our spunky monkey and my mini. As I say almost every month, this is by far my most favorite. From your running huggies, blowing kisses, baby play, daily snuggles, daily reads, to all of your newness, cautiousness, and exploration, mommy and daddy have surely been on our toes this month. We cannot believe our little girl is a year and a half. You continue to amaze us. I'm so excited what this month has in store for us. All our love big girl!

Date: 4/7/2015 (plus two days)
Age: 18 months: A year and a half.
Measurements: 23.8 lbs (38%); height 32.5 in (75%); head circum 17.75 (14%)
Clothing: You wear 18-24 month clothing and wear a size 4 diaper. You are in size 5 shoe. You love playing with your socks and really try to "put on" your own shoes. You are far from it, but it is cute that you attempt as well as try to put on your mommy and daddy's shoes. Mommy loves bows but you are very indifferent and really don't like to wear them. Headbands are currently a no go. You are such a great changer these days. The previous few months, you would run from me and were not a fan of being changed. Now you are trying to be my big helper and it makes this mommy so much happier.
Eating: You love food. Your favorite is broccoli, strawberries, blueberries, cheese, fishies, veggie straws, cookies (limited of course), black beans, bread, and milk of course.
*This month you are officially off ALL bottles. Yep, it took us until 18 months. You did it on your own. While we tried to take you off at 16 months, you lost almost 2 lbs and refused to drink milk. Slowly you became more accustomed to taking an ounce or two and mommy just couldn't stomach you crying for food in your sleep. I mean seriously. What baby wakes up at 3AM crying for broccoli? It broke my heart. So we used one bottle in the morning and one before bed. Then one day, after taking a little friend's milk cup at daycare, you began to drink more milk. So we went and purchased that same cup in about three different colors and you drank milk from a cup like a big girl from that moment forward.
Teeth: You have 8 teeth, 4 top and 4 bottom.You have your molars. Teething has not been a problem at all this month.
Sleeping:You are a champ sleeper. I hate to ever mention that as I feel like I'm going to jinx it; but you really are. You are one of the best nappers at daycare. You typically take a two plus hour nap at school as well as at home on weekends. Please know this was NOT always the case. We are in a great season of sleeping, so I shall enjoy it until our next season. During the week, you wake up at 6AM and go down at 7PM. During the weekends, you wake up around 7 or 7:30AM and go down at 7PM. Some days you will surprise us and sleep in until 8AM. You love sleeping with loveys and your blanky. You sleep with Owl, Dotty the giraffe, puppy, and pillow. When you wake up, you have to take about half of your loveys out of your bed with you, read a book and then we may change in the morning.
New Activities and Random Tidbits:
- new words: animal and food names: adigator (alligator), peacock, bufferfy, (butterfly), nana (banana), yogurt, side (slide), read-it, Noah, airpane (airplane), backe (back), bow, tickle toes, 
- say cheese and smile before I take a picture
- sneezed and said, "achoo"
- enjoyed first confetti egg play with Fantlet friends. Asked for more.
- school egg hunt and spring fling 3.27.15
- said good-bye to teacher Ms. Tisha  
- love your new plastic slide 
- climbed up the Fants jungle gym all by yourself
- You are our little miss shy and independent lady.
- Your favorite books are Peekaboo Baby, The Wheels on the Bus (music book), Prayer Book, Noah's Big Boat, Moo Baa La La La. You LOVE books!
- enjoy looking at the large fish tank at church outside of the nursery
- enjoyed an Easter service and egg hunt
- We took a family trip to the zoo earlier this April. We saw the giants of the jurasic. You were not a fan of animatronic dinosaurs but loved the choo choo train.
- You like to pat pat Mattie as well as tell her no and to sit down.
- You are very territorial of our stuffed animals and make sure Mattie knows they are not hers. 
You are better able to communicate your wants with us. We ask you to use your words. This usually works, but then other times we just gotta keep asking until you find equal happiness with something else.
- You will organize your books at school and put away your toys. Oh this makes my teacher's heart so incredibly happy.
- can clasp the buckles on your car seat (the easy snap across your chest)

 
Likes: mommy and daddy, books, fishies, slides, horsey, going outside, strawberries, blueberries, tickling your toes at dinner, your Little Tikes garden, kitchen, baby and stroller, Elmo, Mickey, the hot dog dance, your night time loveys, buckles
Dislikes: riding in cars, being told no, not getting what you want immediately, closed gates and doors,

Watch Auby Grow!

{12-18 months}

 We love you dear babe! 

Auby's Month-iversary Series: 17 Months

Dear Auby, 

Happy 17 months sweet girl. Mommy and daddy absolutely adore you. While I can tell you how we love each little newness or how you make our hearts melt each day as you totally do, I kind of am drawn to write you a different little letter this month. You have changed me sweet baby. You have changed us really. You have taught us confidence, patience, and of more joy and love than we could ever have imagined. We have laughed together, cried, and celebrated together. You have opened our eyes to so many different things as parents and as a family. We've learned. We've grown. And somehow each day we are still learning. But I couldn't imagine our lives without you and without all of the joy and amazement you bring. You have become this big girl this month and I don't even know when that started. I found myself this week even saying what a big girl you are. It's so strange in conversation how both your daddy and I somehow came to this decision together without even talking about it. We say, "What a big girl and drink from our big girl cup" or refer to baby toys as just that, "baby" toys. It was so odd as we've never discussed that somehow this month that you are a big girl and while you will always be our baby have moved to a different label or category. I am honestly so excited about what this means baby. I'm excited for you moving up in rooms next month at daycare and for knowing that within the month you will be a year and a half. I think I'm still in shock that time has flown by this quickly. Cliche I know as everyone tells you it does, but I guess you don't realize it until you are actually in the moment and it's happening to you. While there is a sadness and gladness to it all, I am so eager for those moments still to come. So happy month ahead sweet angel.

Date: 3/7/2015
Age: 17 months
Measurements: Measurements will be updated.
Clothing: You are in 18-24 month clothing. At the end of 16 months you started to dislike undressing in the morning. You would say "no" and play a bit of a hide and seek game with me. It may have been because our days have been cold. In the last few days, you are so good. You enjoy playing with your "Elmo" (that's what you call your diapers as it has a picture of Sesame Street characters on them). You also enjoy pretending to put on your socks and shoes.
Eating: You are an amazing eater. You will eat almost anything. Your favorites are broccoli, beans, carrots, corn, waffles, yogurt, tacos, apples, blueberries, goldfish, and cookies. You want anything that mommy or daddy has and will demand your fair share. We are still working on food staying on the plate as you enjoy dumping it, throwing it on the floor, and completely full on wiping it with both hands off your tray.
Teeth: You have 8 teeth, 4 top and 4 bottom. You have your left bottom molar and your right bottom is making an appearance. We haven't seen too bad of teething this month which I am so thankful for. Teeth are the worst I've decided.
Sleeping: You love your sleep and you are so good at it. I am always afraid to write this as I'm internally terrified that maybe it will jinx everything. But so far so great! Your new bedtime is 6:30 so that waking you up in the mornings will be a bit easier. You go down for a nap around 11 and will sleep about 1 hr and a half at daycare and 2 or 3 at home on weekends. My assumption is that you are making up for your long days on the weekends. Regardless sleep is something we do well in this house. I do hope this doesn't change for a while please.

New Activities and Random Tidbits:

You are my spunky monkey and your attitude can be larger than life and at times shy and quiet. It may take you a few minutes in a new situation and then you can rule the room. You love your words and I think you love hearing yourself talk. You enjoy pointing to pictures in your books (mainly animals) and making the sounds on your own. You love waving and saying hi to anyone that's around you, but at times will become shy when they say it back. You give the best hugs and kisses. You know what you want and go for it. You are determined and you are devoted (usually this is to food, a toy, or something you really shouldn't have). I hope this passion never changes. Here is a list of your new activities and random tidbits. Enjoy!

- You will repeat anything. Your new words this month: yellow, taco, stuck (you forget the t), papa, school (cool), snow, Elmo, Ocars (Oscar from Sesame Street)
- You recognize yourself and call yourself by name. You can identify yourself in a mirror. You can point to mommy, daddy, and Auby in a mirror and call us by name.
- say I stuck (when referring to your hands or feet getting caught in your clothes)
- We like to practice our friends' names. This month we added Elliott (Eteot) and Luis (wees) to our name list. 
- You will blow on things that are too hot. It is adorable.
- We are still working on naming our body parts, colors, and counting to 3 
- You love Mickey Mouse and Elmo and friends. Elmo was a new thing that you started on your own. There is a little Elmo book at school that you love. 
- You enjoy when we sing Row Row Row Your Boat, ABCs, Twinkle Twinkle, Wheels on the Bus, and your Aubrey name song. 
- We traveled over 2100 miles round trip in the car to Tucson, AZ to celebrate with friends and their two kiddos this past week. You were a fantastic travel buddy. You absolutely rocked it. We played games, watched Mickey and Elmo, and sang songs. You rarely fussed and were easily calmed. 
- You saw your first cactus, mountain range, and desert zoo on our trip.
- We enjoyed fun snow/ice days at home this month.
- You are all about our pup, Mattie. You give her big hugs, feed her breakfast and dinner, and cry for her when you are sad. You are learning to be gentle and will even attempt to throw her toys to play with. We will occasionally catch you giving her directions. You will tell her to sit down, or even tell her Mattie no.
- One of my favorite activities with you over the past two months is "cooking" in the kitchen. We love telling you all about the cooking process. What utensils we are using, the food, and the steps we take to cook. You are a fabulous cooking cutie in the kitchen. You love to stir and to throw the wooden spoon as well. Pancake Saturdays are definitely a family favorite.
- Oh how you love to go through every drawer. You love pulling out the glass pot covers. I will say that you are really good at cleaning up and putting things back-ee. 
- You are really good at following directions when you chose to of course. You can also be a little defiant as your new favorite word is "no."
- You have also gotten a little sneaky side. You like to climb up on kitchen chairs and watch us to tell  you to sit down. You will listen and then stand right back up with the biggest smile.
- We are still working on you not hitting mommy. You will smile at me when you do it. I think my new words will be gentle hands as no hit tends to getting a hitting reaction.
- I love watching you interact with other children. 
- You must have all of your loveys out of your bed with you as we get ready in the morning.
- You love splashing in the tub and playing with toys. 
 

Likes: Elmo, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, waffles and snacks in general, playing at park, friends, mommy, daddy hugs,
Dislikes: being changed, waiting on food, wanting down when you are being held, being told no.

Watch Auby Grow!