Aubrey Says

At Aubrey's 12 month well check up, she had no words.  She babbled a lot, and even alternated sounds in her babble, just no words.  I was told to keep an eye on her speech and if she did not develop any real words soon she would need to be evaluated.  YIKES!

Luckily for me I have a few good friends who are speech pathologists so I called one of them to ask for advice.  I was aware that Aubrey did not have any words, but I didn't realize it was a concern.  My friend calmed me down, she wouldn't evaluate a child until at least 18 months so we had time.

Aubrey made some progress by her 15 month appointment, speaking 3 unusual words; shoe, jump, and doggy.  We were on the right track and I began keeping a list.  Any spontaneous word she spoke was written down.

When I was asked about her speech at her 18 month appointment, imagine the look I got when I told the doctor Aubrey has 75 words not including names and characters...  Wait, you mean everyone doesn't keep a list?

I have stopped keeping a list, but its been so much fun watching her language develop.  Now with stringing words and phrases together.  Aubrey began putting words together by saying a name and a demand.  Phrases have just begun now at 21 months.  Miss Independent told me while I was trying to brush her teeth the other morning "I do it".
And her cutest phrase she says with an evil face and wiggling her fingers "I get you" and chases you to catch and tickle.

This is the best age :)

Spring Break Fun

Growing up we never took vacations over spring break, it probably wasn't until I met Brian that we started taking a trip while I was off work for the week.  I guess since I haven't been working it has occurred to us to take a trip the past few years.

Liam is off school this week and with lack of plans and my new babysitting gig we also have J's sister here with us.  She is the same age as Liam so he was excited to play with her this week.

A necessity of surviving the day with multiple children is to have a plan.  My children will beg for television if they get bored, and with spotty weather forecasted for the week I made a list of things we could do.  But turns out it wasn't necessary because the rain has held out until night time.

Are you sure?

A few months ago I was approached by a friend, asking if I would be interested in providing an in-home childcare for her son.  YES!  There was no hesitation with my answer. 

When we began discussing the logistics of how it would work, Brian asked me "Are you sure you can handle this?"  Yeah, it'll be great!

When sharing this upcoming experience with my neighbor, she asked "Are you sure you want to do that?  When will you sew?"  Yeah! I'll sew at naptime, it'll all work out.

My thought process during this time was, Jude (the boy I'm watching) is the same age as Aubrey, she will be able to socialize with someone her age.  I will be able to bring in some extra money, lets face it- Liam's bills don't pay themselves.  And of course I was really excited to do all this without going back to teaching.

So here I am 4 weeks into our new routine.  THIS IS GREAT!!!

I am very much as excited today as I was the day I said YES.  We have had some ups and downs.  Aubrey has struggled to adjust to sharing attention, but its okay.  This will be good for her.  Jude is an absolute joy to have around.  He is ALWAYS smiling.  These two will learn to love each other!

Big Brother Duties

If there is one thing I know, its Aubrey LOVES attention!  When be drop Liam off at preschool she know just who to walk up to, arms out to be picked up.  If someone else decides to love on her along the way, she wont argue.  So when we went to see Santa this week, I knew we were going to have a successful trip.

 

Brian decided I was going to take the kids during the week instead of fighting the weekend crowds.  The mall parking lot did not look promising when we drove up, so I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the line to see Santa was super short.  We waited maybe 10 minutes, the whole time in line, Liam was peeking around the set, Aubrey was chanting "Sen-ta"... we were ready!

When our turn came, Liam walked right up and climbed onto Santa's lap.  Aubrey turned around and ran out.  As I carried Aubrey over to Santa, she help on so tight (girl can pinch with her grip!). 

Liam was so ready to help his sister out, taking those big brother responsibilities seriously.  He patted a spot on Santa's lap where Aubrey was to sit.  He continued to have a great time with Santa, laughing, smiling and giving high fives.  Liam was encouraging Aubrey to give Santa high fives and loving the squeak Santa had in his glove.

Aubrey still was not eager or willing to sit on Santa's lap, but I left her there and hoped for the best. 

Thank you Santa Max, this is the best picture we could have asked for!

Aubrey {17 months}

As I was sitting in the car rider line to pick up Liam last week, it hit me; Aubrey is 17 months old. For some reason I was waiting for December 16th for her to turn 17 months, probably because she was 16 months the 16th was on my mind.

This is the part I miss about blogging regularly- I haven't kept updates on Aubs in months.

As I reflect on the last few months, I remember a conversation I had with one of Liam's doctors when he was this age. She was telling me about her children, she would come to work each month, talking with the other doctors and nurses, announcing "this is the BEST age". It truly does keep getting better and better!

At Aubrey's 12 month appointment, she was babbling but had no real words. I was aware of this but didn't think it was a concern. So when the pediatrician recommended getting her evaluated, I was quite surprised. But luckily I have a few speech pathologist friends who told me to wait. By her 15 month appointment she had 3 words {doggy, shoe, jump}. They were odd words, no mama or dada, but they were words! By 16 months Aubrey had over 20 words! Little girl just needed some time. She continues to surprise me each day with new words.

Personality is no big shock, she was born with personality to the extreme! It's still fun to see the little quirks develop. Aubrey has never been my cuddly child- sure she will sit on your lap to read a book and wants to be picked up for attention, but she doesn't just cuddle and hug, there is no rocking her to sleep at night. This month she had began hugging. Not just laying her head into you, but wraps her arms around you and pulls you into her for a hug! The feeling really does warm my heart!

Even if it isn't on command.

Her enthusiasm is contagious.  When you say something she wants and she nods her head uncontrollably I can't help but smile.

 

 

This is the best age!!!

Being Thankful During Difficult Times

Our journey with this blog began over Thanksgiving 4 years ago, so I thought this week would be a great time to try again.

Every November people begin making lists of everything they are thankful for.  It occupies your Facebook newsfeed, it inspires self-awareness and discovery. 

I have had some many great, life-changing events happen in the month of November. 
November 13, 2004- Met Brian
November 26, 2004- First Date with Brian
November 24, 2005- Met Brian's family during Thanksgiving dinner
November 20, 2007- Closed on our first house
November 22, 2012- Found out we were being blessed with an Aubrey (Thanksgiving Day)

Even with all the great things that have happened to us in November, it is still a month I struggle through.  The one date that takes the most significance in my life is November 19, 2010; the day we heard "your child has cancer".  The year Liam spent his first Thanksgiving in the hospital. 

So through all this I work to tell myself- I am thankful for my home.  I am thankful for my family.  I am thankful for all the experiences this life has offered me.

WE'RE BACK!

So after a much needed break from the pressures of keeping up with this blog WE'RE BACK!
I can't say it was an easy decision either.  I went back and forth "Would anybody still be reading it?" I decided I didn't care!

Then when I heard 5 on Friday was coming back from break and I love writing in lists, I had my own deadline to get back online.  So here is my 5 on Friday to introduce (or reintroduce) us.

1.  The New Blog

Sorry family and friends, you will have to save a new blog address.  A virus or something took ahold of a post.  A very personal and life changing post.  The post I shared Liam's diagnosis, the post that started this whole blog.  And in an irrational, unexplainable way I was hurt.  But by changing the address, the spam comments have stopped!

So take note.  The design is still a work in progress, please bear with me.

And onto the family introductions

2.  Brian



Brian is the sane one in this family.  Just keep him away from golf carts.  Brian is a runner, training for his 5th marathon.  He loves all sports, there is not a season where sports don't grace our television.  A Super-Dad, always up for a game of crush with Liam. 

3. Dawn

I am the voice here.  I chase Liam and Aubrey around everyday, counting down the minutes til Daddy gets home.  During naptimes I keep myself busy creating, crafting and sewing at my home business LCF Threadz.  I have a love/hate relationship with running.  Training for my 4th marathon and hating every minute of it, I just can't quit this addiction!   

4. Liam

Liam is our superhero.  inquisitive.  entertaining.  Loves monster trucks, garbage trucks and rock n roll..  Liam is a big ham, with plenty of experience having his picture taken.  And he loves a good selfie. 

 

An excellent big brother

5. Aubrey

Aubrey is Aubrey :)  I call her difficult from conception.  She loves food, climbing and shoes.  Until recently she was our toothless wonder, only sporting 4 teeth currently (1 on top, 3 on bottom)

Welcome to our wild crazy family. 

 



Aubrey 9 months

Well we survived another month!  Honestly not much has changed, we have just loved on this little one and enjoyed each day with her.


At Aubrey's 9 month appointment she weighed in at 18 pounds 7 oz (42%).  28 inches (63%)  it looks like one of our children will get Dad's height. 

She has still been waking up once at night, but luckily its around 5am so we are getting up for work around that time anyway.

She gets around so fast!  Usually she is darting for something to pull herself up on to walk around.  She is able to stand independently as long as she doesn't know she is going it.  When she figures out that she is standing alone she immediately sits down.

Aubrey also crawls after her brother as fast as she can!  We are in so much trouble with those two!

8 months

Wow! A bit late in this one aren't we?!

Aubrey is growing so fast. I fully expect her to start walking anytime I am not looking.

She is so much happier now that she can go anywhere she wants, and she goes fast!

Aubrey loves all things Liam. Liam's toys- yum. Watches his every move.

She continues to eat everything. It's going to cost us a fortune to feed this child!

As soon as she started sleeping through the entire night she stopped.  Nights are so miserable.

Aubrey: 7 months

Sleep: naps have been horrid! She is tired, we rock, I puts her down in her crib, she lays, I walk out and get the monitor only to see her sitting up in her crib. great trick Houdini now lay back down and go to sleep.  nights have gotten better, Aubrey wakes up only once or sleeps through the night.  HALLELUJAH!

Activity:  So many new tricks this month.  She can go from laying down to sitting up on her own.  She is crawling, like hands and knees belly off the floor.  She is pulling herself up on all the furniture.  GIRL IS INTO EVERYTHING!

Eating:  I am becoming more and more convinced each day this child is not mine!  She will eat anything you give her, she does not turn down food.  One day I was making her black beans (a suggestion from a friend)  the smell in the house made me nauseous, but she devoured them!

We are in awe of this little girl, watching her grow and play each day.  She is a joy!

Date Night

Brian and I don't go out that often and most of the time I am okay with that.  We really do enjoy and take advantage of the times we do get to go out.  The other weekend our friends had their annual Christmas party.  Really genius if you ask me, having a party after the holidays means they don't have to compete with any other parties.

This gave me a great excuse to get out of my sweat pants for the night.  Brian wasn't too thrilled about taking pictures of us, but it is a goal of mine to get more pictures of myself with my children.

 

Now that Aubrey is crawling, most of the time if we are just hanging out around the house, she is jut in onesies.  We have wood floors and it is still too difficult for her to crawl without slipping on the floors with pants on.  And when her little gets get cold, we just slip a pair of Liam Legs on her.

Liam, however, gets to choose his own clothes and in the process is a lot like me choosing comfort over fashion and often ends up in sweats.

Celebrate Date Night with us.  Get $1 off your Liam Legs in the month of February by using coupon code datenight

2014: New Year New You

As a public school teacher I have often encountered parents dressed inappropriately for bringing their children to school.  I always told myself, because conversations with yourself are the best, I would not take my children to school in my pajamas. 

This was very difficult with Liam starting school right after I had just had a baby.  Although I have never went in my pajamas, I am not sure my yoga pants and sweats are that much better. 

It might seem small, but one of my goals for this year is to get dressed.  Staying at home, it has been far too easy to spend the day in workout clothes or sweats.  But there is something about putting on clothes, maybe a little bit of makeup, that makes one feel human.

 

And, really, it doesn't take that much effort.  Most days my children are better dressed than I am, which probably won't change, but at least I can look like I belong with them!

 

Thank you Katie at For Lauren and Lauren for motivating me to get dressed.

 

Aubrey: 6 months

Stats
At her appointment last week she weighed in at 14 pounds 11 ounces  and 25.75 inches long.  She is thankfully gaining weight, just on the small side, but hey, someone has to be in the 10th percentile.

Eat
Not exactly what I had planned, but we switched to formula this week.  Its been about 4 days now and I already see a huge change.  At her 6 month appointment last week I spoke with her doctor about her not sleeping, we had been trying to give her a bottle before bed but I was having trouble keeping up with how much she wanted to drink.  This lead to another concern; was she eating enough throughout the day?
I am finding more peace with the decision to switch to formula than I had expected.  It is obvious how much more hydrated she is now, and her sleep has been better the last few nights.  Andplusalso she loves it, the girl is crazy!

Sleep

Yup, that's all I have to say on the topic

Play
We have been on crawl watch in the Fudge house.  She has figured out how to move, just not crawling yet.  On New Years Eve she began pulling herself across the floor.  This is definitely when I start to enjoy having a baby, yes they are cute and cuddly when they are little, but I LOVE when they can sit up on their own and start to explore things.

I know we need to rethink childproofing for a baby, however childproofing with an almost 4 year old is an oxymoron.  I am continuously yelling at Liam to pick up his legos.