Aubrey Anne Finn

Aubrey updates have a new home

2008-08-27T14:54:00.002-04:00

Follow the adventures of Aubrey and her sidekick Owen over at their new web site, www.finnkids.com.

Happy Birthday x 4!

2007-08-26T20:27:00.000-04:00

I think Aubrey's birthday has officially ended. This weekend, we had her fourth and final birthday party. The first being way back in July to celebrate August birthdays with her cousin Aidan, the second being in Ohio with the extended family, the third on her actual birthday with mommy, daddy and cupcakes, and finally... a wild blowout on Saturday with all of her friends and family. Thanks to Dave who just happened to be in town from Africa, we had a fantastic pool party where Aubrey was able to show her dare-devil side (with a little encouragement from daddy).

I'm not sure who wanted to stretch her birthday out more, Aubrey or me. I don't think I really wanted her to turn two... although from talking to her, you just might think she was turning six. My baby is really a toddler and we have to seriously start thinking about potty-training and a big-girl bed... two things that truly seem terrifying. Even though the two's seem a bit scary, they also allow Kevin and I to hear the sweetest words ever spoken... "I love you sooo much!"

Aubrey's Little Bro

2007-07-13T13:09:00.000-04:00

Happy Fourth of July!

2007-07-05T23:08:00.000-04:00

We hope everyone's Fourth of July was full of fun and relaxation... we did what any normal family does on the 4th. We went to the beach (despite the threat of thunderstorms), had a cookout with friends, let Aubrey have chips and cupcakes (at least they were red, white and blue) for dinner and made her stay up way past her bedtime to see daddy put on a truly stunning display of fireworks. And of course, she woke up the next morning wanting cupcakes for breakfast!

The summer is flying by and I can tell this will be Aubrey's favorite season. We can't seem to drag her away from the beach or the pool, where she is turning into a real daredevil. She runs head-first into the waves of the Atlantic and only stops to wonder why everyone isn't running as fast as she is. She throws herself off the side of the pool like Superman and even when she comes up coughing and gagging we hear, "Again, again!"

Her speech is really something to behold. We have full conversations and she still has another month and a half until her second birthday. This past week she likes to end everything she says with, "Ok?" "I go outside, Ok?" "Aubrey no take a nap now, Ok?" "I have the keys to the car and a twenty, Ok?" Well, maybe not that last one... but judging from the pictures, I 'm sure it won't be long!

Taking Summer by Storm

2007-05-05T23:21:00.000-04:00

Thanks to some great friends, we spent the last couple days at a house in Vilano Beach. It is right on the ocean and the sound of waves crashing was the ultimate sound machine for Aubrey. If you keep tabs on Aubrey, you know how much she has LOVED her swimming lessons, so I thought she would run screaming when she saw the water. In fact, just the opposite happened. She ran full-speed towards the waves and would have taken a serious beating if Kevin hadn't caught her. It took her about 15 seconds to get used to the temperature and not much could pull her out of the water all day, except the promise of "goldfishies" for lunch. We hosed sand and shells out of every crevice of her body and she could barely keep her eyes open at 6:45 for a bedtime story. Aubrey had such a good time, I almost didn't mind the piles of sand that we tracked in from the car... ok, I said almost!

Only 23 More to Go!

2007-04-17T01:39:00.000-04:00

Really... we aren't trying to torture her. We are just trying to teach her how to swim! Aubrey completed her first swim lesson today and it definitely could have gone better. The lessons are four days a week for 6 weeks for about 10-15 minutes per lesson. I think her lesson today lasted about 7 minutes. Partly because it was so obviously the worst day she has ever experienced and partly because her first lesson came during an unexpected cold snap. Is it really fair that Aubrey's instructor is wearing a wet suit?? I felt so guilty because I can barely muster the strength to stick my big toe in water that's below 85 degrees. The fun part though is that we get to do it all over again tomorrow! I'm pretty sure Aubrey will lock herself in her room at the first sight of her bathing suit. The instructor ASSURES me that she'll be swimming be the end of the lessons... I'm thinking I should have requested a money-back guarantee.

Happy Easter!

2007-04-08T20:37:00.000-04:00

Easter has always run neck and neck with Christmas in being my favorite holiday. Cadbury Creme Eggs and Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs are far superior to candy canes and chocolate Santas, and the Easter Bunny has been known to fill a pretty good basket over the years. It looks like Aubrey will share my love of Easter. It was obvious that she was having a great time hunting for eggs and eating, or rather licking cookies and showing off her mad skills at the craft table... but finding pink Dora sunglasses in her Easter basket really sealed the deal.

As fun as it is watching Aubrey enjoy the treats that come with Easter, I realize that she is becoming fully aware of what is associated with each holiday. Stuffed bunnies and "eggies" are cute, but nothing in comparison to the love God showed by sacrificing His perfect Son so that we may live eternally.

Good Times

2007-02-11T20:22:00.000-05:00

There is a picture floating around somewhere in the archives of my family of my older brother, Brandon proudly wearing nothing but his Incredible Hulk Underoos and my Grandpa Lumm's cowboy boots. There is another of my younger brother, Brigham when he was probably 4 or 5 standing down by my uncle's lake looking up at everyone flexing his little muscles as if her were the next Sly Stallone. I love pictures like that... those that make you stop, remember, and laugh out-loud.

As I was taking the latest pictures of Aubrey, I knew they would become some of my favorites. Not because she had on the perfect outfit or because her bow was in the right place, but because she and Kevin were having such a great time. You can probably guess the story. Empty suitcase + one 17 month old = FUN!

Chatterbox

2007-01-29T21:51:00.000-05:00

For this latest update, I've had some trouble narrowing down which accomplishments to write about. Right around Christmas time was when a new Aubrey seemed to take over. I'm not sure when kids officially make the transition from baby to toddler, but I'm going to go ahead and guess that it's about now.

In the past I have whined, cried and wanted to throw tantrums over Aubrey's pickiness when it came to eating. I thought I would be sending her to Kindergarten with the little jars of baby food, but literally in one day everything changed. She just decided that it was time to try some big-girl food and by golly, she liked it! Now she has strong preferences for twice-baked potatoes, taco meat and turkey-sausage, but thankfully has not given up her affinity for broccoli, bananas or green beans.

Sadly, the morning nap (mom's shower time) is quickly becoming a thing of the past. Aubrey still stays in the crib for a while, but instead of napping she prefers to spend her time playing drum solos on the wall, using her mattress as a trampoline and listening to herself recite all her new words. Which brings me to...

...her speech. It's like a little switch went off in her head telling her it was time to talk. She isn't quite ready to join a debate team, but her words are many. Mommy, Daddy, doggy, piggy, milk, nose, eat, and Aubee (among others) actually sound like the real thing. But the funny ones are those that I can decipher no matter how far off they sound. I also have acquired the ability to infer a entire sentence from a single utterance. For example, "Wak!" = "Mommy, hold my hand and walk with me to wherever I want to go." "Rok!" = "I want to rock in mommy's chair and read books." " Wook!" = "I know daddy's working, but I know he wouldn't mind if I go interrupt him for a second!" and "Nack!" = "I never get ANYTHING to eat and I want a snack now!"

Aubrey has also found a new way to spread some love. She has been into giving kisses for a while but for the last two days she has added an, "EEZE" to the mix. Right before bed, she wraps her tiny little arms around our necks and squeezes her heart out. Now this could be a clever tactic to stay out of bed a little longer. And since she gained an extra 5 minutes tonight by "EEZing" me over and over, I'd say her methods seem to be working.

Social Butterfly

2006-11-19T22:48:00.000-05:00

I thought I had a while before Aubrey's social calendar filled up more quickly than ours did. 99% of the "to-do's" in my planner are for a 15 month old who would just as soon climb into a Lego bucket and have her daddy pull her around the house.

This weekend Aubrey had three birthday parties to attend. Since her feet can't quite touch the gas pedal yet and she doesn't seem to have a knack for directions, she had to bring Kevin and me along. She experienced her first ball crawl, bounce-house and Dora pinata. And when it came time for cake, she used her "more" sign with gusto... which led to her first spoiled dinner.

Now we know what happens when her major food group if the day is sugar. "Crazy Aubrey" makes an appearance! Crazy Aubrey loves to throw tantrums in the car, run around the house naked, splash all the water out of the bathtub and sing her repertoire of songs instead of going to sleep (but Crazy Aubrey does make for some cute pictures). We won't be allowing that again anytime soon... at least until next Saturday when Aubrey has another birthday party!

A Happy Birthday Indeed!

2006-10-10T07:45:00.000-04:00

Something dreadful happened three weeks ago, and it explains why I have been neglectful in posting. I thought if I posted then I would inevitably have to talk about it, and I wasn't quite sure I was ready... I celebrated my 30th birthday. In my mind the longer I kept from saying it out loud, the longer I could pretend that I was still 29. Oh, who am I kidding? 25. I started thinking about the other birthdays I've celebrated and I remember actually looking forward to them.

10 years old- fun! You're still at an age when you receive tons of presents.

16- of course fun! You get a driver's license, even though in my case that meant I had to drive a Yugo with a horn that (for a period of time) honked every time I turned left. And no, I'm not kidding.

18- still fun! Even though I was already away at college, I was officially an adult and therefore would surely have all of life's answers.

21- fun!fun!fun! I could finally stop using that fake id to get into bars in college! Of course I'm kidding mom-that was your other two children.

22 through 28-these birthdays are definitley fun because no matter how many of them pass by, you can still cling to the fact that YOU ARE NOT YET 30!

Despite my best efforts to stay in my twenties forever, the big 3-0 caught up with me. And I discovered something. There is a way to turn a dreaded birthday, whether it is 30, 40 or 50 into an event that is tolerable... or dare I say it, fun. You milk your birthday for al it's worth.

Let me explain. My official birthday was September 21st, almost three weeks ago. And this morning I am sitting in an ocean-front room at the Ponte Vedra Inn and Club as part of my birthday gift. Ok, so it hasn't been a non-stop party for three weeks, but with being taken out to lunch the day of by friends, a surprise visit by my brothers the weekend after, followed by a night of divine dessert a few days after that, then the weekend away to look forward to... a girl can get spoiled!

Sadly, once Kevin and I check out of our hotel room and return home (where hopefully Aubrey has been missing us) my birthday will really come to an end. I wish I could stretch it out just a wee bit longer, but I think it has officially run its course. Although I'm not thrilled with the fact that I'm 30, I've been able to make my peace with it... and I can also hold on the the words of encouragment from my beloved husband, "Who cares how old you are as long as you still look good!" With that said, I am going to hit the gym for the fifth day this week.

Not to worry... new pictures will be posted soon!

Miss Picky

2006-09-06T21:36:00.000-04:00

I have been telling my friends my tales of woe about how Aubrey has become a terrible eater. I really thought I had a good six months before I had to deal with her really caring about what goes in her mouth. I mean, practically everything is new to her so every meal should be like Christmas! Something new and tasty to discover... right?? Oh, how wrong I am! I just erased a blog that was trying way too hard to figure out Aubrey's reasons for being so picky and what I could do differently to try and calm the crazy that has taken over mealtime. But who knows why kids do anything? Is her food too hot? Maybe. Is she tired of peas? Could be. Is she still full from the stack of crackers Daddy gave her? Also a possibility. Instead of trying unsuccessfully to analyze the mind of a one year old, I will just give you a quick little glance into Aubrey's new dietary habits.

Things Aubrey refuses to put in her mouth (or tastes and then spits out all over a freshly mopped floor):

1. Oatmeal (even though just yesterday, she couldn't get enough of it)
2. Watermelon (but it makes for swell finger painting)
3. Waffles (with or without syrup)
4. Bread (but she loves the peanut butter inside...can that be considered a meal?)
5. Yogurt (I actually had to taste it, because from the face she made I thought it might be several weeks past the expiration date)

Things Aubrey WILL eat willingly:
1. Cheerios (at least she won't have to worry about her cholesterol)
2. crackers of any kind
3. lima beans (go figure)
4. toilet paper (she prefers Quilted Northern Extra Soft)
5. Purell Hand Sanitizer (Poison Control's # is: 800-222-1222)
6. Anything found on the floor
7. Applesauce (sometimes)
8. Sunscreen (her favorite is Banana Boat Baby SPF 50... it has a deliciously light coconut flavor)

Of course NO food will even be considered unless Aubrey has her own spoon to eat with so she too can share in the fun!

Happy Birthday Aubrey!

2006-08-24T13:58:00.000-04:00

I consider myself a pretty good wife and mother. I'm usually organized, keep the housework under control and only occasionally can you find the laundry spilling out into the hallway from our bedroom. But for some reason, I cannot get this blogging thing together. Aubrey is now one year and four days old and sadly, I haven't written the first word about her special day.

Words are escaping me as I can't possibly describe the feeling I had watching Aubrey sit in her high chair with her birthday cake in front of her. Notice I didn't say eating the birthday cake. You would have thought she was being made to eat liver with a side of brussel sprouts the way she turned her nose up at it! Whose child is this exactly?? Neither of her parents have ever been known to refuse any type of dessert... unless of course it wasn't smothered in enough chocolate.

Aubrey had so much fun at her party and all I kept thinking was how a year ago, Kevin and I were driving from Miami towards Boca Raton completely unaware that about an hour from then, Aubrey would make her grand entrance into the world. There is no way I can adequately express the joy she has brought to our lives over the past year... so instead I'll let the new pictures do the talking!

Aubrey's first steps (and a few spills)

2006-07-21T10:58:00.000-04:00

Click the play button to watch the video.

Story Time!

2006-07-20T20:29:00.000-04:00

One thing Aubrey is definitely NOT lacking is toys... she has blocks (in several different forms), a spider that sings the alphabet, as well as a caterpillar that plays Bach, Beethoven, AND Vivaldi. I'd be willing to bet that I can hum the tune that comes out of any of her toys, from the circus-like music that comes out of her jump-r-oo to the banjo riff that seems to go off anytime someone even steps close to her Leap Frog table. It can be a little overwhelming to hear the constant barrage of noise and sometimes I wonder if I'm setting her up for a serious ADD problem.... or more likely, I'm just getting old and from this point forwatd I'll want to turn the volume on everything down.

Despite the hoopla that has long since taken over our living room, Aubrey has developed a strong attachment to her own bedroom. Oh, she has a few bins full of toys in there too, but she's been bypassing them all to focus on her bookshelves. At first I couldn't believe it... a child more interested in books than bells and whistles?? But honestly, it is one of the sweetest things I have ever seen. Every visit to her bedroom follows the same routine.

Aubrey stands up at her crib, then walks (by herself) over to the bookshelves. Then starting with the smallest books, she'll fling each one off the shelf into a pile behind her. She will stop at certain books... and it is ALWAYS the same books. Let's see... Goodnight Moon, My First Word Book, Pajama Time, the former pop-up Duck Wants to Swim and Who Do You Love? When she comes across one of the above titles, she'll hold it out to me, give a little grunt that I'm sure will turn into, "Mommy, will you please read this to me?" any day now and crawl over to my lap. Then I read the story while Aubrey turns the pages. The "story" can last anywhere from .5-20 seconds depending on her mood. Then she'll choose another of her five favorites and the pattern repeats...

I absolutely love that Aubrey is fascinated with books, even though I do secretly hope her selection choice will expand one day soon. Maybe a little Shel Silverstein or Kevin Henkes (truly enjoyable for both kids AND parents)? Some of my most vivid memories when I was young were being at the library and reading books. I lost count of how many times I read and reread The Little House on the Prairie books and those written by Beverly Cleary and Judy Blume (I just couldn't get enough of Ramona Quimby). It sounds pretty hokey, but I really did get lost in the characters and stories until I practically thought I WAS Laura Ingalls. There was just something magical about reading as a kid that can't really be put into words. However it is described I hope Aubrey experiences it and that her fondness for books continues... long past Good Night Moon.

A Baby No More

2006-06-23T10:17:00.001-04:00

The last time I posted Aubrey was just over nine months old. As I sit and write today, my little six pound newborn has turned into a ten month old, eighteen pound bundle of cruising, babbling energy that I have a hard time keeping up with. We just returned from a little vacation to Tampa/Seminole/Dunedin/St. Pete to celebrate Judy's retirement and our niece Abby's 3rd birthday. We stayed a lot longer than the typical weekend but it still seemed to fly by just as quickly. We hit the beach, Florida Aquarium and spent a lot of time with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

I used to be asked quite often, "How old is your baby?" But I have been noticing that the question is a little different these days. No longer so they ask about my "baby", but simply my daughter. And they're right... she really doesn't look or act much like a baby anymore...sigh! We have entered the world of finger foods and sippy cups, waving and clapping, a little bit of sign language and a general stage of independence where Aubrey thinks she needs me a lot less than she does. I imagine this will last until ... oh, forever?

Prison Break

2006-05-25T19:54:00.000-04:00

Today was the day Aubrey has been planning for 9 months. I think she has been secretly strategizing how to escape ever since she first saw the inside of her crib... and as of this morning she is one step closer.

It seems like it takes babies forever to achieve their next physical milestone, and it can become downright painful to watch. I can't tell you how many times I wanted to just give Aubrey a block so I didn't have to watch her struggle across the floor to get it, or duct-tape her toys to her hands when she was just learning to hold them on her own. But it seems like this whole "I'm going to pull myself up and stand now" phase came up out of nowhere. It was literally only yesterday that she was finally able to pull herself up without any help. Today Miss Independent decided that she's going to walk around a coffee table and her Leap Frog table like she's been doing it for years. Ok, so maybe occasionally Aubrey will forget that she actually has to hold on to something to stand up and takes a nose dive into the floor, but she does it with grace and style.

Instead of laying down for a nap today, she decided to use take advantage of some time alone in her room to practice her new standing skills (she still hasn't figured out that we have a video monitor). Kevin just lowered the crib last weekend even though we both thought it was a bit premature... once again we got it wrong. If Kevin hadn't lowered it, Aubrey's "grace and style" would seriously have been put to the test. I guess it's a good thing that she is only in the 10th percentile for height because as of today, even on her tip-toes she can barely get her little nose over the railing. But keep an eye out...if any of you see Aubrey strolling around your neighborhood, please check her diaper and remind her to be home before the street lights come on.

-- This post was a joint effort by Kevin and Keena

Mother's Day

2006-05-17T21:45:00.000-04:00

I used to think my mom was crazy for saving our old report cards (I'm sure they were all filled straight A's), Christmas ornaments made from toilet paper tubes and cotton balls, and home-made cards wishing her a happy birthday... but then I received my first Mother's Day card.

Last Sunday, Aubrey drug Kevin out of bed at 7:30 (similar to 4:30 am to the rest of us) and insisted on making me a breakfast of pancakes and fresh fruit. Had she not been 2 1/2 feet too short, I'm sure she wouldn't have needed Kevin's help at all. After breakfast, she gave me new running shoes as her Mother's Day gift. I mean, is there a more intelligent child? She knew the exact style, size and even chose a color I would love! On top of the shoes was a card addressed to "Ma-ma-ma-ma", which she just started saying a couple weeks ago and I can't get enough of. After church, we hung out at home and Kevin made his specialty dinner-pot roast and noodles! Unfortunately, Aubrey will have to try his specialty next year. Until then, she'll get the next best thing... pureed turkey and green beans-Yum! After dinner, we enjoyed something I've been denying myself for far too long, a "love-it" serving of chocolate ice cream with Reese's Peanut Butter Cups from Cold Stone.

The pot roast and ice cream are both gone (although not from my hips), and in about six months my shoes will have to be replaced. But a few years from now, Aubrey will wonder why her crazy mother saved a silly Mother's Day card. Because Aubrey, there is no greater joy than being your mom and anything that reminds me of this, I will cherish forever!

Test Run

2006-05-03T19:32:00.000-04:00

This coming weekend will be the moment I have been dreading since Aubrey's arrival 8 1/2 months ago. My friend Amber has invited me, along with a few other friends up to Amelia Island for a couple of days of girl time... and this means I have to leave Aubrey overnight for the first time. I can already feel my blood pressure rise and my eyes start to water and I am still a couple days away from actually going anywhere. I have never not been there to say good morning or been the last one she sees before she goes to bed. Don't get me wrong, I am TOTALLY looking forward to going... but I know I'll feel like something is missing when I go to the pool with only a towel, instead of the usual load of diapers, stroller, floaty toys and variety of sunscreens.

As to be expected, there are many things to be done to prepare for the weekend. Most importantly, getting Aubrey to go to sleep with Kevin. During the day she is a champ for someone else besides her mom, but at night we have an entirely different situation on our hands. So as we speak, Kevin is giving her a bath (which is arguably more fun for him than for Aubrey) and getting her ready for bedtime. The bottle is made, the pj's are laid out and mommy is hidden in the office typing away trying to tune out the crying... which sounds very much like, "Mommy, why are you abandoning me?"

We have talked about worse-case scenarios which all end up with her crying herself to sleep. It doesn't sound all that terrible, but we haven't had to do the "Cry it Out" thing for a long time... and it seems to be one of the awful phases of parenting that magically get erased from our memories (much like labor) so we'll have more children.

Happily, the crying seems to be dying down... wait... we have breaking news. Kevin has just reported success! She only drank 1/2 of her bottle, but she is fast asleep and only 15 minutes past her normal bedtime. I think we can declare victory!

Slap Happy!

2006-04-26T09:41:00.000-04:00

Aubrey is a happy little girl and she loves to show it. Until recently, she would clap her feet (yes, I said feet) whenever she got really excited. Her little legs get so worked up that it can be a bit hard to hang on to her. Aubrey still gets the feet going when she's in the swing at the park or in the stroller, but now she has more than one way to show her joy... she slaps!

"I love riding on daddy's shoulders... so I'll slap his head!"

"Swimming is so much fun I just have to slap the water!"

"I love playing with this plastic bowl, I can slap the bottom!"

"Good morning mom! I'm so glad you are taking me out of my crib that I'll slap your cheeks!"

"I'm in such a good mood, I'll just slap the air!"

Aubrey's joy just can't be contained and she seems to have this infectious personality that spreads cheer wherever we go. I'll admit, it helps whens she has a full tummy and dry diaper, but Aubrey is happy just because she is alive and is surrounded by people who love her... a nice lesson to be learned from a baby!

The Latest

2006-04-19T13:26:00.000-04:00

I've been putting off writing a new post until something "major" happens in the Finn family. Since there isn't anything dramatic to report, I'll just catch you up on Aubrey's last few weeks. We've been pretty busy with family visiting and traveling a little out of town, but it looks like we're in Jax for a while and we're actually looking forward to it.

After Kevin's mom, sister and her family left, his dad came for a few days from New York and Kevin put him to work insulating the attic. I have a feeling he may not be back for a while. A few days later Kevin took off to the South Carolina woods for a little turkey hunting (the stories are endless, but I'll let him fill you in). This is the second time he's been and I have yet to see any evidence of them actually hunting. They very well could have been in the cabin all day sleeping and playing X-Box. While Kevin was "hunting", Aubrey and I spent the week a my mom's in Georgia. Grandma and Grandpa Waldorf were so excited to have her that I'm not sure I really needed to be there. Kevin joined us on Saturday for Easter and as you can see from the pictures, my favorite part of the holiday from now on just might be the Easter dress!

My brother Brandon and sister-in-law Renee just returned to the States after living in Germany for three years. We were lucky enough to be on their route as they traveled north to settle in DC. We had a great time taking Aubrey to the park and to the pool for her first swim. After being surrounded by people for the past several weeks, I'll have to work extra hard to keep Aubrey entertained.

She amazes us daily with her fiery personality and adventurous spirit. We love being Aubrey's parents and are enjoying every minute as a family.

Always on His Mind

2006-03-31T20:42:00.000-05:00

This weekend finishes what has been a crazy, yet completely enjoyable week. Kevin's family came to visit and Aubrey got to hang out with Grandma, Aunt Kelly, Uncle Eric, Abby and Aidan. And yes, we fit everyone in our house! Aubrey and Aidan are only 17 days apart in age but given their size difference, you might think it was 17 weeks. I thought Aidan had the upper hand when he started poking Aubrey and pulling her hair, but our girl started to defend herself and do some hair pulling of her own. She also managed to steal a toy or two! The week went by too fast and ended with Kevin going out of town for a couple of days to Chicago with Tom Rossi for a conference.

Only one other time since Aubrey had been born has Kevin been away from her overnight... and I think it is killing him. He wanted to make sure that I gave her enough kisses while he was away and he reminded me that he checks on Aubrey TWO times before he goes to bed and not just one. Then when he got to the airport he called to tell me that a safety pin that was in the cuff of his pants (to keep them from dragging on the ground... and yes he does have clothes that fit) fell out somewhere between home and the airport. He wanted to make sure I examined the carpet before I put Aubrey down to play.

I think about Aubrey every minute of the day, it's just the nature of being a mom. I think about how she is eating, how long she slept, are her teeth (she has two by the way!) bothering her... and sometimes I wonder if dads think about their kids as much and moms do. I don't know about all dads, but I know our little girl is never far from her daddy's mind.

Me! Me! Me!

2006-03-26T09:55:00.000-05:00

Aubrey's repertoire of sounds seems to be increasing pretty rapidly lately, and it isn't hard to tell which sounds signal joy and which signal pain. But the past few days, she's added something new... coughing. Not coughing because of a cold, or coughing because of a dry throat, but coughing to get attention! How do I know? Because it sounds exactly like a cough that an adult would make if they wanted those around them to stop everything and take notice.

We were in the car and I was listening to an actual radio station and NOT singing Veggie Tales and... cough, cough!

Kit and I were talking at the park with our backs to Aubrey and... cough, cough!

She was in her exersaucer while I was busy cleaning yesterday and... cough, cough!

I think we might have a bit of a Drama Queen on our hands!

That Sticky Stuff

2006-03-10T13:06:00.000-05:00

Aubrey's fascination can be captured very easily these days and there's no telling what will hold her attention. It could be the cell phone she's not supposed to have, how someone's appearance changes when they put on their sunglasses, or the single loose strand of mommy's hair that she will do anything to grab (and pull). But what she seems to be really interested in lately is Velcro!

Parents like Velcro for it's ease when holding things together. Aubrey loves the stuff because she figured out how to tear it apart! I can't quite figure out why she enjoys it so much. It could be the awesome rrrrrrip! it makes, or maybe just the fact that she can make that rrrrrip! sound all be herself. But what I think she really loves about Velcro is the reaction she gets from us when whatever she was ripping, comes apart. To understand, you have to looks at the common uses of Velcro in an infant's world.

1) Bibs. These have been a must for Aubrey since day one. The sweet little thing has quite a spit up problem, and the bibs have managed to contain SOME of the nastiness. Kevin said yesterday that if she doesn't get her problem under control, she'll be wearing one to the prom. But if she is still spitting up peas, she won't have a choice. Aubrey first learned to tear off the bibs that connected at the side where she could reach. Easily solved... just use the ones that connect at the back, right? Now she just pulls harder until the whole thing comes off. I guess she doesn't care about how sweet potatoes don't come out of her cute little outfits!

2) Pants. I've mentioned before how Aubrey's midsection seems to be disproportionately large to the rest of her body, so elastic waists or something that gives easily (like Velcro) are needed for her pants. That way after a big meal of cereal and green beans, she can "loosen her belt" to be more comfortable. Actually, she enjoys tugging on the Velcro all the time. This would be ok until she wants to roll around on the carpet. Exposed Velcro + carpet = stuck child. These are the moments we have to capture on video!

3) Diapers. There are a lot of things that I can't wait for Aubrey to accomplish, but taking off her own diaper is definitely not one of them. I guess it's when she can take off her own clothes that cover the diaper that we'll be in serious trouble. Of course when she tears off the tab on her diaper, I give her my sternest, "No, no, no!" And in baby language this means, "Again, again, again!"

I guess I could complain, but truly anything that provides Aubrey with endless... well, minutes of entertainment is welcome!

We're Back!

2006-03-07T12:16:00.000-05:00

I feel as if I start off most of my posts with an excuse as to why it has been so long since my last one. I have a good one this time... actually, two! Since last week, Aubrey and Kevin have had terrible colds and it seems as if life has come to a standstill around our house. I feel like a good portion of my week has been either glued to a rocking chair or pacing the floor trying to put a stuffy-nosed baby to sleep (Aubrey, not Kevin). They are finally beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. We are so fortunate that this is only Aubrey's second real cold, because it is tough!

The second is, I started back to work this week. Not full-time by any means, but I am back at Culver Elementary teaching writing to third graders two hours a day. Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned the "writing" portion of my job, because the flaws in my own will stand out even more. Since Kevin is fortunate enough to work from home, he is now in charge of Aubrey for a couple hours every day. She loves her time with her daddy and sleeps longer than ever in the morning so he can get some work accomplished.

Even though Aubrey is asleep and dreaming about all the new food to try during most of my time away from her, I still can't get home fast enough. Just the little time away every morning makes me so thankful that I didn't have to go back to work when she was first born. Just thinking of all the things I would miss makes my heart ache. Like the smile that greets me when she wakes up from a nap, afternoons walks around the neighborhood, changing countless poopy diapers... oh wait, there are a FEW joys of parenting that I could do without!

All this to say, the Finn's are back to the blogging world and I'm sure the posts will be coming on a daily basis from now on! And for the majority of you who probably frequent Aubrey's site only for the updated photos, more will be posted soon!