Aurora, age 2

Aurora is a lively girl. She doesn't spend much time in one place. She loves to go to play in her new sandbox and go to the park. She loves to have one of her parents hold her while the other chases her. She calls this game "Getchu" (get you). Aurora loves robots. Her favorite shows are Wall E and Team Umizoomi. She especially likes the Umizoomi episode called "Cuckoo" which has characters called cuckoo bears in it. Many times when I ask her a question about what she sees when we are outside or who did something she will reply "cuckoo bears". She likes to tell me what she loves. "I love a cake. I love a candy. I love a robot." We play a game in the car where I say "I love Aurora" and she replies "I love a Momma." She loves to eat noodles and drink "juice" pop. She and the cat Cabello get along well. When he is laying out in the sun, she likes to go lay by him. Normally he avoids staying to close to her since she isn't too gentle with him, but the other day she called to him outside and he came. Aurora still uses her binky and loves her little yellow ducky blanket. She likes to sing twinkle twinkle little star when she is supposed to be napping. She sings the alphabet song and counts to 12. Not perfectly, but still I think shes a genius for even trying. She loves her "pa pa" (Brady's dad) and tells me she misses him all the time. She got so used to getting presents last month that she is disappointed when she wakes up and there isn't any presents and often tells Brady to bring her one home when he leaves for work. Aurora is still very sensitive to sound and has a hard time playing with other kids who make a lot of noise. She cries when kids scream or cry. She is also very sensitive about having her teeth brushed or her hair washed or combed. She seems to show all the signs that she is ready to be potty trained except for the actual desire. She told me yesterday "I am NOT going in the potty" and refuses to sit on her potty without her diaper on.Aurora is a very good communicator and I am enjoying hearing the things that are on her mind. She is very concerned about her things and will point out to me that what she is holding is "Aurora's. Not for Lola." Lola is a friend about her age. I am starting to see her play pretend with me. She will try to get me to pretend that something is happening just for fun. It is so fun!  This is my favorite age so far.
She is a smart, sassy, beautiful little girl whom I love so very much!

Me and My Lovey

Aurora's fever got to 103.9 degrees on Thursday. She just wanted to be held and rocked. She is not a snuggler so I was in heaven. I hated to know that she wasn't feeling well but was truly thankful that I got the opportunity to spend all day hugging this precious beautiful girl that was mine.
 I think that has been one of the most beautiful things about being a parent for me. I am someone's main person. She trusts me more than anyone else and I make everything all better for her. I have felt special bonds with kids, especially my nephews, but I knew that I could never compare to the bond they had with their mothers. And that's a beautiful thing.
I try to make Aurora feel special and important, but really I think she does a better job for me.
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Now that you've had a second for that to digest, I just need to say how incredibly sick I am of the whiny sick baby routine. Its been 4 days!! Snap out of it. And when will the vomit smell disapear from the carpet?!

Momster Vs. Todzilla

Today's showdown begins with a dual between the opponents at the end of the church mom's club play date. Todzilla is adamant that, although she seemed completely disinterested in interacting with the rest of the kids moments earlier, it is not time to go. As Momster gets the car seat straps ready for the capture, off goes Todzilla and in a flash she's at the top of the steps knocking on the house door. In sweeps Momster, grabbing Todzilla horizontally and with much wailing and thrashing she's buckled in.

Score Momster: 1 Todzilla: 0

For lunch, Momster brings out the soup. She gets a couple good spoonfuls in but ultimately Todzilla has the upper hand. Momster should have known better than to use soup as her weapon. She and the carpet are doused with defeat.

Score Momster: 1 Todzilla: 1

Next arena, the bedroom. To nap or not to nap. Momster uses her special bounce power to lull Todzilla close to sleep and confines the beast to her cage. All she can do and wait and see if the spell will hold. After 20 minutes she sees that it won't and gives it another go. This time it takes and Todzilla is out.

But 30 minutes in, a sneaky cough awakens the beast and Momster is forced to bring out her rocking attack. The attack seems iffy and the sleeper isn't solid but we will count it as a win for Momster.

Score Momster: 2 Todzilla: 1

For the next dual we will take the opponents out of their usual environments. From previous showdowns, Momzilla is in need of repairs so the two head of to a chiropractor. As Momzilla, lays down icing her damaged spine in preparation for repair Todzilla is practicing her combat moves and battle cries. She climbs stools and steals equipment. Then its time. She is ready to make her next move. She executes Project: Stinker! "I poop!," she cries. Momster is forced to abandon her repair efforts to save all humankind confined in the clinic. Away she goes, skeleton bathroom key in hand, Todzilla in toe. A double circle around the building later they enter the restroom only to discover it was a trick! The "poop" was only a toot. Good thinking little Todzilla.

Score Momster: 2 Todzilla: 2

On the way out, the two peaceably pick up some Ala Carte hot food from Whole Foods to take home and some cookies to keep Todzilla occupied for the drive. The drive goes without incident.

At home, the feasting begins. Todzilla takes a big bite of mashed potatoes, but in mid swallow decides they are the nastiest thing she's ever tasted. Up come the potatoes followed by the digesting cookies which land right in Momster's lap. With the smell of vomit permeating the room Momster gives up the feast. Everyone loses in this dual.

Score Momster: 1 Todzilla: 1

To make things quick I'll give a quick overview of the rest of the night.

Bath time: Score Momster: 2 Todzilla: 1

Toenail Hygiene : Score Momster: 2 Todzilla: 2

Teeth Hygiene: Score Momster: 3 Todzilla: 2

Bedtime Routine: Score Momster: 3 Todzilla: 7 (1 for every book she got me to read.)

So with the results tallied it looks like Todzilla came out on top today. But that's okay because Momster needs less sleep than Todzilla and can spend the next hour before she collapses scheming how she will be Numero Uno tomorrow.

Hope you all won your battles today!

I never want to forget...

How many times we've seen Snow White and Dora's Pirate Adventure.

How adorable and involved you are at Gymboree.

The way you call Cabello's name when you want to give him a treat.

How much you love cheese.

How well you take care of your babies; feeding them, patting their backs, getting them in bed with their pillow and blanket.

The way you smile or giggle when you see something funny.

How fun you think it is to snuggle with your blankets in your bed.

The way you can get your daddy to do anything you want.

How you manage to have your socks and shoes off every time I go to get you out of your car seat.

How excited you get over the mail.

The way you pretend to read your books.

How you grab my hand and tell me "Come on".

The way it feels to snuggle with your head against my chest.

The way you don't like me out of your sight.

You are such a sweet little momma's girl!

Happy Half Birthday Aurora!