I'm a big girl

Daddy's turn to share some little milestones - nothing huge, but big enough to realize that there really are new steps every day.

For some time now, Ambree has known when she has done something wrong - but suddenly now as soon as the offense has been committed, she will turn to either of us to both sign & say "I'm sorry...". The jury is out as to whether or not she actually means it ;)

During bath time, I've been trying to teach her to blow bubbles in the water. Part fun, and part to teach her that when her face is in the water, inhaling is not the thing to do! She gets quite a kick out of my demonstrations, but hasn't quite got it down just yet. During these bath time games she spends a lot of time on her tummy in the water, and likes to glide around the bath tub. Tell her "lets swim!", and she will give you a big silly grin, and then flip on to her tummy and give little froggy kicks around her tiny pool.

Going to sleep has been harder then normal this week, as she is trying to get over her sickness and still has a lot of congestion. I've discovered that when she wakes up, 99% of the time its not that she wants her nose wiped, or her diaper changed, or a new stuffed animal, its simply that she wants one more hug and kiss before going to sleep. My last trip in to her room tonight ended with a tight squeeze around my neck, a kiss on my cheek, and her informing me that she is now a "big girl" who is ready for "sleepy".

Sweet dreams.

Reading and the Best Poodle Ever

Ambree has started remembering the words for each page in some of her favorite books. She searches the pages to find the pictures that she knows. The clock says "tick, tick, tick," and the clock shouts "ring, ring, ring." Today, though, she put together two pages of words, the longest amount together at once so far: "Now I am awake. I need a drink of water." Granted some of the words were jumbled in there, but they were in order and understandable to Mommy :)

Another first for the day was Ambree being mean to Chloe! Chloe was laying on her back letting Ambree and me rub our feet on her belly like we do often, but then Ambree reached down and with two hands, pinched as much of Chloe's skin as she could. Chloe flipped out, trying to turn herself over quickly and put her mouth on Ambree's hands in case she kept pinching. When Ambree looked up, I was afraid she would be crying if Chloe bit her, but no, she was laughing hysterically. With a strern face, I told her not to be mean to Chloe, but she kept laughing, looking me straight in the eyes. Then she told Chloe, "Again, lay down!" Of course, I stepped in, but Ambree just kept laughing.

Skinned Knees

Ambree spent the morning on her usual long walk, except Daddy got to join us today and then we all went to the park. She has turned into a fearless little girl, going down slides by herself and trying to climb up everything. But on the way home, she tripped over her toes and skinned her right knee. She was shaking it hurt so bad! When we got home, she was a trooper while I rinsed it with saline and gauze, but man! when I put that band aid and neosporin on, you would have thought she was dying! Screams, tears, "owie, owie, HURT! [which, by the way, was a new word for today]." We covered her up with PJ pants and within a few seconds she was okay. Throughout the day, she would kneel on her wound and sign "hurt" and make her little wrinkled face to remind me that she was suffering, and bath time was a no go. We lasted about 1 minute, just long enough to wash her face down. Not one of our favorite firsts.

H-A-double L-O-W-double E-N

This year was Ambree's first year to dress up for Halloween. Last year seemed a little vain since she could barely sit up on her own. But this year did it up right. She went dressed as her "lovey," a pink poodle, and she was adorable! At first she didn't like wearing her costume, mostly because it was itchy and hot, but by Halloween it had cooled off enough to wear clothes underneath without getting overheated.
In the morning, we went to a play date for pictures. Ambree cooperated for most of the shots, except the group pic at the end, but by then it was time for lunch and a nap, so we were impressed.

That night, we walked over to Aunt Linda's house to show off her costume. One neighbor even had a bag of pretzels for her, which she loved. But we did have to try to avoid some scary decorations, which now as a mom, I totally don't understand. How are dead bodies all over your house suppose to be considered festive? I could get off on a long tangent, but I won't... Overall it was a successful Halloween.