Aubrey's New "Tricks"

Aubrey has really been learning new things lately! I mentioned before that she has learned to reach for a toy that is near her and even roll over to get to it. Well, her favorite thing to do recently is reach out with both hands and grab my face, then pull it to her with her mouth open wide. It's like she's trying to eat my face and it's hilarious! She just smiles and laughs. She's also becoming very good at grabbing my hair, even when it's pulled up, and the girl has a good grip. Anyway, tonight Chad was holding her on the couch and Maggie jumped up and sat beside them. All of a sudden, Aubrey reaches out both her arms and tries to grab Maggie by the face! She's really started to notice the pugs over the last couple of weeks and she'll watch them a lot. Sometimes they'll be close enough that she can touch them with a hand or foot and feel the different texture. I guess tonight she decided she would like to get to know Maggie a little better. To Maggie's credit, she was very good and didn't react negatively. She tried to lick Aubrey, which I stopped, and then she just tried to stay out of her grasp. Surprising since Maggie is not the best behaved dog. Both dogs have been very good around her since she was born, thank goodness.

Another milestone we reached tonight was real food! I decided that since she has done so well with her cereal we could try some other things. I started with applesauce because she's had apple juice before and I figured the taste wouldn't be so foreign to her. She loved it! I gave her a little cereal after her bottle to follow the routine we've established and then switched to applesauce. She made a little face, but I think just because it was a little surprising. She kept opening her mouth and wanting more. I gave her almost half the jar. I'll try a vegetable in a couple of days and see what her reaction is. I can't believe she's growing up so fast!

Here's some pictures from tonight . . .

Halloween 2008

Aubrey was a Pumpkin for Halloween this year. Mostly because there wasn't a lot to choose from at the store. October 18th we took her to the "Pumpkin Patch", which is really just a place that sells pumpkins and the proceeds go to charity. We picked out a big pumpkin to carve and we got a little pumpkin for her. I know she really has no clue what's going on, but I wanted to make sure we still did something for her first Halloween. And, I want to start traditions for us to continue through her childhood. We also took her to Target to pick out her costume. I must say, those costumes are very hot for such little ones in Texas. And we even had a cold front this year! Normally, it's nearly 90 on Halloween.

Anyway, the next weekend I took her outside in her high chair so she could watch me carve the pumpkin. I'm not particulary good at carving pumpkins, but it's the thought that counts. When Halloween arrived, she wasn't having a very good day. She was pretty fussy, so we decided just to take her to some relatives houses for trick or treating. We took a few pics and came home. It'll be better next year!

--Amy

Aubrey at 4 Months

I am sooooo behind! Aubrey turned 4 months on Oct. 24th! She is growing so fast and learning so much. She's really keeping us on our toes and keeping me really busy.

I guess I should just start at the beginning of October. We took her on her first trip to Arkansas so she could meet the rest of my family and friends. It is a long car ride (8 hours!) for such a little one, but she really did pretty well. We figured out that she does not like to be in the back seat by herself for long periods or in the back seat in the dark AT ALL. We had a really good visit with everyone and I'm so glad we were finally able to make it up there. Luckily, she slept most of the ride back.

Aubrey has learned so many things! On our trip to Arkansas, she discovered her feet and has barely left them alone since. Most mornings I find her with one foot in each hand, trying to get them (and her hands) in her mouth all at the same time. She's usually cooing as well. It's really a sight, but such a great way to wake up each day. She is not a quiet child (I can't imagine where she got that from!). She will coo at you and then yell at you and then back to cooing. We try to play on the floor with her at least once a day. She learned to roll over from front to back pretty early in the month. Last week (I think), she started rolling from back to front. Now, she is rolling back to front and front to back, but only in one direction. She is pushing herself up on her forearms and has recently been trying to scoot over to get a toy. She will roll over to reach a toy that is behind her but just out of reach.

We went to her 4 month well-baby check-up. She is 25 1/2 inches and 14 lbs., 15 oz. He said her spitting up is fine as long as it doesn't bother her and that she's healthy and developing well. She also got 4 shots. She did really well. She cried initally, but stopped before the nurse left the room. He also said we could start her on solids as soon as we felt she was ready. Since I've been feeding her cereal in her bottle almost since she was born, I decided to start her on some cereal mixed with formula using a spoon. It is a work in progress, but she seems to enjoy it and is doing pretty well. I have a hard time trying to keep her hands out of her mouth and she loves to smile at me with a mouthful of cereal.

We have been very blessed to have such a good baby. Until recently, she was sleeping in until about 10 am. Now, she gets up about 8 or 9, but takes a nap about 11 am. She is generally pretty happy. She does have her bad days, which can be very trying. The time change really threw her off, but she slept a lot on Monday and has been pretty well adjusted since. Usually, I can figure out her issue and take care of it without many tears. Thankfully, she loves her high chair (I think that was the best purchase ever!), so that helps me get more done. I can just wheel her in the kitchen to watch me or to the living room to watch tv.

Here are some recent pictures of her . . .

Aubrey's 3 Month Pictures