Dear Audrey,

You have gone through a lot over the past two months! 

Some notable events over the past 2 months:
-You started preschool and went there everyday - we decided a month ago to stop since it looked like you were stressed about going.  We wanted you to have fun, and sending a 2 year old everyday seemed more like a chore. 
-You still love music and sing all the time
-You still have a cough for the past three months.  You got checked out for this but have no ear infection, no bronchitis, no infections.  Maybe it's allergies?  Reflux?  Or nothing?
-Mommy didn't think it would be happening so soon, but you have been fighting her already about what clothes you would like to wear.  One day, it was all about wearing purple!  Another time, you wanted to wear your brown shoes, and you particularly like your pink poncho.  Most of the time mommy wins, but something tells us that you're going to be picking your own clothes soon.

Interesting achievements in the past two months:
-We're working on getting you to recognize your letters and simple words.  You said to daddy yesterday, as we were coming home from church, pointing to the STOP sign, "STOP, S-T-O-P."  Okay, maybe it was because of the LeapFrog videos we make you watch, but that is great!  You are starting to read!
-You know now all the sounds that the letters make.
-You have memorized the code to our iphones/ipad and can turn them on to watch your precious YouTube videos.  That means that you have memorized a 4 digit number - good for you!  (And bad for us, we have to change the code now).

Your personality:
-In new environments, you tend to be very quiet and take in everything.  After you get used to people, you open up more.
-Stubborn, very stubborn.  You throw tantrums still if you don't get your way.  Luckily for you, mommy is just as stubborn and ignore you all the time. 
-No more binky - you haven't asked for it in a while.
-You seem to be so smart in some ways, but delayed in others.  We still haven't gotten you to be potty trained no matter how hard we try.  We have even gotten you to walk around with your panties for several days, but you just soil them and never tell us that you have to go before you do.  These days though, you have mentioned a few times about going to the potty before actually going - this is only in the past week though. 
-Problem solver - we can almost see the wheels turning in your head.  If we don't give you what you want, you try to get it another way.  You have figured out not only the codes to our phones, but also where we hide your music CDs.  You can now grab them out of the drawer.  Mommy was so surprised to see you trying to get the CD back into the player after she had put it away! 
-You have regressed in your independence in that you like to be held and spoon-fed - maybe because your younger sister is around??
-You don't like having pins in your hair, and pull them out all the time.  In fact, you tilt your head because the bangs are in your eyes, like a teenager.  Only, you are two years old and not thirteen (haha!).

Keep on growing and causing more trouble!  We love it (not really, but we love that you're getting bigger)!

Love,
Mommy and Daddy

 
Yesterday, I was getting my drumsticks ready for dinner, which was basically scoring the sides of it before I put it in the pot.  I didn't realize that the skins were still on the drumsticks and was skinning them off when Katie started to cry.  Since I had my hands on uncooked meat, I ignored her thinking I was going to be done and could wash my hands completely before holding her.  BUT, that nasty skin was really stuck on the chicken and my hands were all slimy and sliding all over the place.  Before I knew it, Katie was screaming at the top of her lungs and looking like she was about to choke on her saliva.  So, I quickly washed my hands with dishwashing liquid, really scrubbed it, before paying attention to Katie.  She stopped crying immediately and looked at me as if nothing had happened.  And after 5 minutes of holding her and giving her extra smothering attention (and changing her diaper, which wasn't very soiled), I put her down on the rocker and she was fine for the next 20 minutes.  Why was she crying, I have no idea.  I swear, she just wanted me to notice her or something.  But dang, the next time I buy drumsticks, I am going to check there is no skin to take off - that was annoying!!

Dear Katie,

We can't believe how fast the time has gone over the last 4 weeks.  It seemed just yesterday that we brought you home.  You've been such a good girl over the past month.

Your stats:
Weight: 9lbs 14.5oz (75%) - last time 7lbs 14ozs
Height: 21.75 inches (85%) - last time 20.5inches
Head Circumference: 36.5cm (37%) - last time 34cm


Some notes on the well visit:
-You have developed baby acne and seborrhea (cradle cap).  Your sister had the acne too, but you have a worse case.  Your doctor recommended that we use aquafor on a daily basis on the most severe spots, and to use mineral oil on the cradle cap in the front (rub it into the scalp for an hour).  We'll see how it goes before we subject you to your first lotion treatment.

Milestones:
-There is not much that a 1 month can do, except sleep/poop/cry/feed.  You seem to have gained the normal pound/week, so things look pretty healthy.
-Some things to work on - tummy time, drinking from a bottle (with breast milk)
-Some things to look forward to - social smile (6 wks); correction of day/night cycle by the next appt; more neck strength

Personality:
-Yes, we can see the differences in your temperament and your sister, even at this stage.  You are definitely more laid back, don't cry as much, and can be easily soothed when you start crying. 
-You don't poop/pee as much - in fact your bowel movements have only been 1-3 times daily.  Your sister had to be changed every time she fed, and that translated to about 20 diaper changes a day.  We do have to consider that we don't change you as often (after learning from the first time), but still - you seem easier to take care of than your sister.
-You have a habit of sleeping with your mouth open.  No matter how many times we close your mouth, it drifts back open.
-You have a habit of scrunching up your face in a semi-scowling expression.  Now why such a laid back baby would have such a sour expression is something we will have to find out more about in the future.
-You love your baths and don't cry when you're in the water.  Audrey would howl the entire time we gave her a bath.
-You are already lifting your head and love doing it, especially when we burp you.  Audrey hated tummy time and would cry after a few seconds. 

We are so happy that you are growing and thriving!

Love,
Mommy and Daddy