Aubrey Update

Aubrey and I visited the doctor this morning for her 15 month appointment.  All continues to look good, minus her not being able to eat dairy.  The doctor was very unconcerned about it, saying that lots of kids can't eat dairy right away, but that she might be able to eat cheese when she's two, then gradually be able to tolerate milk and other dairy products.  Easy for him to say.  He's not cleaning up nasty diapers multiple times a day because something Aubrey ate doesn't agree with her stomach.  I still plan to take her to an allergist to make sure it's just dairy and not some other food allergy also.  That appointment is on Tuesday morning.  Aubrey handled her two shots (HiB and Hep A) like a champ.  Minimal screaming and then she took a nap when we got home.  Gotta love the return of a morning nap!

Stats:
Weight: 21 lbs (20th %-ile)
Height: 30.5 in (51st %-ile)

Happy 4th of July!

15 Months Old

Up close and personal with Aubrey

Ohhhh! She can walk!

(usually with her mouth wide open, must help with balance)

And play in the grass...

And be a little wild!

Check out my curls!

We go to the doctor this Thursday for Aubrey's 15 month check-up, but I'm guessing she's catching up in the percentiles. Now that she's walking, and I've pretty much figured out what she can/cannot eat (basically anything without dairy), she is getting stronger, taller, and filling out. I'll update later in the week with height/weight.

The Best Dads Around

Happy Father's Day to all the Dads/Poppas/Grandpas in our lives. We love you!

Pics from Madison Trip

Sum, Sum, Summertime!!!

School's Out For The Summer! Woot Woot! Summer has officially begun, and to kick it off, I'm doing....nothing. Kyle is going to the Twins game tonight with his dad while I stay at home with the kids. Not to be left home alone too much, I do get to go out with my girlfriends tomorrow night for some dinner and drinks. Always much needed by the time we can all coordinate schedules.

Plans for the summer? Oh yes. Kyle's aunt e-mailed us to check on free weekends, and I could give her two. The first and second weekend in July. Seriously??? Our summer is already that booked??? Looks like it. No major trips planned, just random things here and there that fill up the calendar. Kyle has two bachelor parties. Little Miss Reese (or Baby Reese as I like to call her) will be turning 1 at the end of July. Can't miss that little peanut's birthday party. Plus some time spent in IL lounging in Nana and Poppa's pool. Add the zoo, splash park, library, and preschool, and you've successfully created a busy summer! Bring on the FUN!

Movin' and Groovin'

Finally!!! Aubrey is FINALLY walking! Yes, she is 14 months old and just taking her first steps. I would have been excited if she had done it two months ago, but now I am ecstatic. Well worth the wait to see her smiling face and hear her giggles as she toddles around.

Road Trip

The kids and I are headed down to Madison this weekend to visit my sister and her family. Aidan has been talking about it for days, so I know he can't wait to get there. Bonus: My mom and dad are coming up Saturday late afternoon to join us for dinner and some quality time with the kids. It's going to be a short trip, but packed with fun!

Life in Finnland

Living creatures far and wide have decided that Finnland is the place to be. Two ticks hitched a ride home on Aidan a week and a half ago (still dealing with that drama) and now some furry little mammals that squeak and chatter have set up residence. Yes, mammals, plural. I was greeted by a mouse in the laundry room on Tuesday evening and a chipmunk who appears to be living in our garage ceiling. What in the world could be so appealing about our house?!?! We have a dog for goodness sakes! Aren't predatory animals supposed to scare away unwanted riff-raff?

Other than extra inhabitants, the Finn household is operating as usual. Kyle is busy increasing our portfolio by trading options and watching the kids. I'm busy wrapping up the school year. (countdown: 9 school days left) As I finish school, Aidan will be starting a one-morning a week preschool program through our local school district. Open house is next Wednesday, so Kyle gets the honor of meeting Aidan's first teacher since I am still in school. He's really excited about that. (note sarcasm) Aubrey is Aubrey. Is she walking yet? No. Is she talking yet? Not really. She says "mama" and Kyle swears that she says "duck" all day long, but she has yet to say it around me. However, she can woof and whine like a dog, thanks to Roxie. I think she also tries to quack and moo, but I doubt any other person would know what she was doing.

So there you have it. Life in Finnland.

Sassy Pants

Someone in the Finn household has decided she's the queen bee and wants to let everyone know it. Nope, it's not me, (I think we all know that I run the show) it's Aubrey. When I picked her up from the YMCA the other day, the staff described her as a "Sassafras". I took that to mean "bossy", and I was not offended in the slightest. The teacher had Aubrey pegged. She knows what she wants. In the case of the YMCA, Aubrey has decided that the play kitchen is her domain and no one else is allowed to come near it when she is in there. Apparently she was screeching and hollering every time another child so much as put a toe in the doorway. We're going to have to work on sharing.

In Aidan's world, he's into exaggerating his comments. Here are a few that made me smile this week:

"Thank you, Mama. Thank you VERY much."

"You are VERY welcome, Daddy."

"Auuuubbbbrrey, STOP WHINING. You are going to have to go to your crib if you don't stop." (perhaps he should take his own advice)

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, Roxie" (this phrase is heard multiple times an hour, every day)

"I'm SO SAD, Mama." (me: Why are you sad?) "Because I didn't get to eat dessert"

Battle Royale

As I type this, I am listening to Aidan whine and cry in his crib. Nothing makes me angrier than when he won't take a nap, he's loud, and he keeps Aubrey from sleeping. Grrr. Why do I engage in this battle? Because he's an absolute monster by 4:30pm if he doesn't take a nap. I realize we're probably winding down on naps, but we're not there yet. Any suggestions? Kyle uses incentives during the week, like watching Clifford or Super Readers. I try that on the weekends, to no avail. Last resort is spiking his milk with some Valium at lunch time. (kidding)