Trick or Treat!

Aubree's very first adventure in trick or treating! We went to her Uncle Benny's to enjoy the unseasonably warm weather. No need for a jacket!! This is wonderful considering I was worried at how we'd keep our little Bug toasty. Luckily we thought ahead enough to borrow a wagon from Bree's Meme and Papa L in case she got tired. Lord knows carrying this one, as small as she is would surely wear on us.

Fast forward to the cutest kitty you've ever seen! We went with the kitty costume because every time Aubree sees a cat, she squeals with excitement...no joke. Sure, she loves dogs, but cats are elusive...at least to a toddler!

We trekked the neighborhood of Uncle Benny and Aunt Cole and had a good old time. We attempted to let her walk on her own (she's been walking pretty good for the past couple of weeks). Between the uneven grass and slightly sloped driveways, we had a heck of a time. Each time she'd get a goodie in her pumpking basket, she'd dive right in eager to see what she could play with next. Bob and I resorted to dumping it (under a blanket) in her wagon to hide it. Luckily she was too busy watching kids go by. I was surprised at how quickly she got the hang of walking up to a stranger's house, giving that arresting grin and getting candy. Amazing how fast kids can pick up on that sort of thing. She had a good time chewing on a few select (*ahem* hard to open) candy bars and even got her very first sucker, which she quickly got tired of.

At the end of the night our little kitty cat was tuckered. We had a great time with our girl's first go at trick or treating. And after seeing her ride in style, it makes me wonder why they don't have some sort of wagon for adults....

14 Months and Walking!

We have been noticing our girlie's improvements in the walking department. She's been steadily getting stronger, gaining her balance and working hard in general. Well, we're proud to say she is officially walking!!!!! A couple more weeks of practice and she should have it down pretty well. It's amazing to watch this tiny little girl toddling around the house. She's getting faster by the minute and if you blink, she may just be across the room already.

The sad part is this means she's getting bigger. For months now I've begged my girl to stop growing. She won't give in. She is too fascinated by the world around her to listen to her mommy. I suppose this is just the beginning of this problem. In any event, this new trick she's learned means she will soon be heading to the young toddler room at day care. *sigh*

Allergist appt

Bobby and I took Aubree to see the allergist today. The dr took a brief history (along w/ all the paperwork I filled out) and said the fact that both Bob and I had allergies, Aubree has a 2 in 3 chance. So, the inevitable panel was done on her little back. After learning about our lives, he decided on 13 allergens. Typical ragweed, dust mites, dog, cat and several foods including cow's milk. She had a reaction to the dog, cat and cow's milk. The milk didn't surprise us, but the dog and cat did. He asked if our pets were family or pests - of course they're family to us. So, we were given several tips to help keep any reactions she may have down. The only reaction we've ever seen to a dog (apparently she had a stronger reaction to that than the cat) was at Bob's parent's house. We don't know if it was their labradoodles or his sister's pugs that had been over shortly before.

At any rate, the dr believes there is probably something else that Aubree is allergic to and wants to see her in 6 months. We were told if she has 3 episodes of hives or blotches before then to call. During any of those reactions, we have to write down a history of where we were, what we were doing and what she ate in the last 24 hrs. Wow!

Bob was a little miffed at the pet situation, but as I told him, we haven't seen her have any reaction at home. Of course we will keep an eye on Aubree and anything that seems to irritate her skin in some way.

Aubree did have a melt down towards the end of the appointment. She had been playing around the whole time, but after we had to hold her so the panel on her back didn't get anywhere else on her skin, she was mad. Being tired and hungry didn't help either. She screamed and cried for the last 20 minutes. Poor sweet pea!

Glad we got it all done though...at least now we know.

Then there were more

Daddy was golfing this afternoon, so Bree and I decided to take advantage of this unusually warm October day and head to Wildwood Metropark. It was absolutely gorgeous! The leaves are starting to change - my favorite part of autumn. I'll post pictures later....

So, afterwards, we stopped by my parents to visit. Wanting to see Aubree's newly emerged teeth, my mom got a peek in her mouth. Our girlie doesn't just have a new molar and incisor. Nope, this girl of ours has her other top central incisor, what looks to be both of her other top incisors AND a top molar. No wonder our girl has been a little fussier than normal. With all of this activity going on in that mouth of hers, it's a wonder she's not screaming constantly! It looks like this little girl may have a busy couple of months if this continues.

Surprises everyday

This girl of ours always seems to have something up her sleeve. Last night she was practicing her screaming when I spotted something on her lower left gum line. Hhm. I was playing her screaming game with her trying to encourage her to open that mouth so I could get a better peek. Don't you just know, she was on to me? The minute she suspects you want a look in her mouth, she clamps up. She did allow me to stick my finger in there and she has got a molar popping up! It appears our daughter likes to be different!

We thought for sure she was teething last weekend. Cranky and cried a lot. Sunday she developed a fever and Monday we found out she had a double ear infection. She's been on antibiotics since then but still is a little clingy at times. This molar peeking through makes perfect sense. And here we were waiting for the other top central incisor along w/ the side incisors. You can see them right there, just waiting to make their debut, but they haven't broken the surface yet.

So, this morning, I was playing the screaming game again with Bree (her favorite game these days) and saw a bottom incisor on her right - it has broken through. That one sure surprised us!

So, the order of her teeth so far:
8 months - bottom two central incisors
12 months - top right central incisor
13 months 3 wks - bottom right incisor and one bottom back molar on the left

What will this girlie do next??

Better and better

Today I dropped Bree off at day care and was told she took 10 steps yesterday. That is the thing I miss the most about having to take her to a day care and not being home with her. I always wonder what I might miss. I know it is good for her to be with other kids and trust her teachers the way she does. This is the only other place I can leave her at where she won't be upset in the slightest. Still...it makes me sad to have to leave her. I find myself at work staring at her pictures or somehow something will happen that will remind me of a certain face she makes or something she says...and I miss those open-mouthed toddler kisses and all-enveloping hugs even more. I can't wait to get to day care and witness that big grin/half whimper when she sees me or burst through the front door to be greeted with a smile of pure joy. Although each day I swear I could not possibly love her a drop more, every morning the minute I see that cherub face, my heart floods with love.