A GREAT HOLIDAY SEASON...

The girls had a great X-Mas. Brenna couldn't wait for X-Mas to come...it was hard keeping her away from those presents! It was Aubree's first X-Mas ever but she had no trouble diving into her presents and ripping off the wrapping paper! I think her favorite present is a baby doll and doll stroller that my mom got her. She feeds her baby the little bottle and takes such good care of it. And she could push that stroller around all day long. The girls went to see Santa and Aubree was fine once we gave her a cookie to nibble on while she sat in his lap for the picture. That girl will do anything for food.

Aubree is doing good. She still can't get enough food as far as she is concerned. We don't let her get overstuffed though. She is starting to get a little more picky about food which I think is a good thing. Up until just a few weeks ago she would eat absolutely anything. She just wanted food and she would eat it so fast and swallow it whole and she still does this at times. But, for the most part, she is eating more slowly and starting to figure out what she actually likes and doesn't like.

There are some other issues we are working on with her but, mostly, she is doing great and seems really happy. She is exploring more than ever and is quick to smile and giggle. And she is really starting to talk. She says "no Sissy", "no dog", "juice please", "eat please". She will pretty much try out any word we say.

She was just in for another round of vaccinations. Oh my, did she have a fit! Poor little thing. Brenna turned to me and said, "Mama, I can't watch this". She has to go back in a month for more shots and then again 6 months after that. Then I think she will almost be up to date with all her shots.

Brenna is still loving her little sister but, my oh my, is she a bossy big sister. All I here all day is "no Aubree!", "stop Aubree!", "come over here Aubree", "don't touch Aubree". So, we are trying to work on this even though I know it's totally normal. But she has to learn that she is not the Mama!

Oh, and I just have to share that my favorite X-Mas gift was from my dad. He gave us this picture frame/plaque. On one side is Aubree's picture and on the other side it reads:
"To our new little girl. You're the newest shining star on our family tree." Oh, I just teared up. I thought it was so wonderful and touching that my dad thought to get it. Thanks, Dad, I love you.

I've posted some new pictures at: www.damicofamily.photosite.com

A few of the pictures are of a birthday party we had for Aubree. It's wasn't her actual 1st birthday, obviously, but we knew she didn't have a birthday party when she turned one and we wanted her to have one. She had lots of fun!

Happy New Year!

Shannon and Dave