What a week...or two.

This post is so late that it is a week later...whoops.

Last weekend we attempted to go to the San Diego Zoo. Yes, I said attempted. We were all really excited but it didn't quite work out. Poor Aubrie got sick on the car ride but we thought she may have just eaten too much so we continued on to the zoo. We made it through the monkey's and tigers and decided to stop for lunch when Aubrie got sick again. We decided to cut our loses and just head home. Once home we realized that our little girl had a fever. She was so cuddly which is very abnormal. Her fever was gone by the next day but she was still very lazy and cuddly and not her usual active self. We aren't sure if it was due to teething or just a 24 hour bug but hopefully our next trip to the zoo goes a little better. We basically spent the next week relaxing and recovering.

This week we have had all sorts of fun. We have done lots of cooking and crafts. We made blueberry muffins, created our first painted masterpiece and started and almost finished a rag quilt. We also went to the park several times. The first trip was very short due to crazy wind but at least we still went and got some fresh air. We also introduced the potty this week, mostly for her to just get use to it but she actually used it the first day but hasn't since. I know it will take time. We will get there sooner or later.

We haven't seen much of daddy this week due to day and night ranges so we met up for lunch to catch up. On days that Gil does day and night ranges he doesn't see Aubrie so it was nice to meet for lunch and for them to spend a little time together.

Due to my blogging fail last week here are 2 photo dumps. Enjoy!

This Weeks Photo Dump:

Last Weeks Photo Dump:

We have a walker!

The most exciting thing this week: We have a walker! I have known Aubrie was able to walk for the longest time but she likes to do things at her own pace. This week she finally decided she was ready to walk and walk she did. She now walks everywhere. What I was even more impressed by was her standing back up on her own. She always used furniture before so I didn't know if she was able to. She was just keeping that little trick in her back pocket for just the right moment. I sure did love the surprise. She seems even more like a toddler now. I think it is just the cutest thing ever! I know I am such a proud, gushing mom right now but she is just too cute! Here is a little video to share our big accomplishment.

Also this week we headed to Palm Springs and tried Cheeky's for breakfast. I learned about it from A Cup of Jo and I am so glad she wrote about it. I think it will officially be our new breakfast spot. The food was amazing and jam packed with flavor. I love that their menu changes weekly as well to allow us to try different things. I can't wait for our next time.

This weekend we are going to the San Diego Zoo for the first time. I am SO excited! I have always wanted to go and I can't wait to share it with Aubrie. She is so aware of things now I think she will really enjoy it. Then on Sunday we have a friend/Aubrie's godfather coming to visit for the day. We are excited to get to catch up since we haven't seen him since August.

I hope you all have some exciting activities planned as well.

Today's Friday Photo Dump:

15 Months

Aubrie turned 15 months in December. I can't believe how fast the time flies. Everyday she seems even more like a toddler.

Here are a few things about our silly Aubrie:

~She is goofy and curious and has found a little temper as well

~She gets frustrated easily but still wants to try to do everything on her own

~We have moved to one nap a day

~We learned over the holidays that she LOVES sausage

~She loves eating with her fork and spoon and she is getting really good at it

~She is always on the go

~We are still working on walking (no pressure.) Every day she chooses to do it more on her own and takes more and more steps. She is so proud of herself once she reaches her destination.

~She loves going to the playground

~She will give a kiss or hug when asked or sometimes just plants one on you (which are the best.)

~If she hears music she just has to dance

We had our 15 month check-up and she is a whopping 19 lbs! What she doesn't have in weight though she makes up in height. She is 29 ins. long. Her length more than anything makes her seem like a little toddler.

Our Curious Girl

Our Silly Girl

Aubrie's first self-portrait

And lastly, Friday Photo Dump:

Christmas & New Years

We have enjoyed every minute of Gil's time off from work. Aubrie was such a joy to watch during all the holiday festivities. Not only was it fun for us but my parents got to join in on the holiday fun. They flew in on the 18th and Aubrie sure did love having back seat companions. It seemed like we spent a lot of time in the car driving from place to place so it was nice for her to have people entertain her.

Thanks to my parents I was able to surprise Gil for his birthday with a trip to Vegas. Since my parents were in town they watched Aubrie and we spent one night, seeing a show, having an amazing dinner and playing blackjack till the wee hours of the morning.

This was our first time leaving Aubrie over night. On Aubrie's side it went really well. She seemed to finally find her appetite while we were gone and she ate really well from Grandma and Grandpa. I feel like I did really well too. I definitely thought of her and wanted to check in but Gil kept me from calling. I was rewarded though when I arrived back at the hotel with an e-mail that consisted of this adorable photo and update from my mom.

The day we arrived home we made a village of gingerbread houses. It was really fun to watch the different 'creative' processes. We definitely have the right and the wrong side of the tracks in our little gingerbread village.

Christmas morning was so much fun. Aubrie was so involved this year. She loved ripping open the presents and pulling out the goodies. She got a lot of great clothes, toys and books from all of our family. I think I was just as excited, if not more excited than Aubrie was.

For New Years we kept it simple. We made a really nice dinner of beef braised short ribs with cherries, mashed potatoes, salad and smoked salmon and goat cheese crostinies as an appetizer.

Don't' ask how this happened!

(but I had to get a picture of it)

Happy New Year!

After we put Aubrie to bed we watched a movie and had double chocolate souffle's for dessert. They looked really good when they came out of the oven but then they fell. For my first attempt I think it was pretty good and either way they still tasted amazing.

Last but not least, Aubrie walking. She still isn't doing it totally on her own but each day she does it a little more on her own without us coaxing her. I know when she is ready she will do it. Here is a little sneak peak of our future walker.