17 months

It is amazing the changes Aubrey has made since turning one. 

Aubrey has mastered climbing. He will hike a leg when he comes up to anything he may get a toe or leg up on. This has kept momma on her toes and making sure I know where and what he is doing at all times!

 This summer while BSF was on break, we went to a pray-and-play group that some ladies from church host. One week when the weather was nice, we took a field trip to an alligator farm and zoo. This was Aubrey's first time to the zoo! We walked out to the cages to see the animals and I attempted to feed (it was more like throw food at) the animals. (I'm working on this whole "boy mom" thing.) Aubrey took a handful of feed as I did and once I tossed the food, I looked back at Aubs who was now chomping on something.....the feed! UGH! What was I thinking? I wasn't. I was freaking out that I was at the zoo trying to make sure he didn't touch any of the animals so he wouldn't get sick. (Yeah, I'm the paranoid mama) 

Despite our little mishap at the beginning of our trip, we had a great time. I even touched held an alligator! Look at that face. He was SO excited. You can't see it on my face but I was freaking out on the inside. I felt like I earned a badge or something that day.

Aubrey has also been talking a lot more lately. As in, actual words. Big double syllable words! He will repeat almost anything you ask him to say. Marble, Bible, Jesus are just some I can think of right now.

Aubrey has come to have a shoe fetish. He will bring me a pair of shoes and turn around and sit in my lap for me to put them on him or just stick his foot on top of the shoe. He will change shoes multiple times a day. 

Shelby and Aubrey have become better buds. They will actually chase each other in the house. It's mostly Aubrey pestering Shelby and her trying to run away but she will get playful with him. He loves her and just giggles with a great big smile. 

Aubrey is still teething! Poor baby will cry out in pain. He has two top, front teeth with several on the top trying to come in while the bottom is just swollen. His eating has not been that great because of all that. We brushed his teeth for the first time this month too. He thought it was hilarious. He is not always cooperative but since he only has two, we make it a quick brushing.

Aubrey has always enjoyed going to the grocery store, saying hi to people and flashing his charming smile. Now that he is all over the place older, his enjoyment runs out quick! Thankfully, someone had the genius idea to put racecars on the front of the shopping carts. Aubrey thought it was brilliant too. He loved riding in it for the first time and would not stop squeaking/honking he horn. This will allow us to continue our grocery shopping together for a little while longer.

This is my FAVORITE time of year. Football begins, the weather cools off, the leaves start changing, and everything I can make with pumpkin is on my mind. One event I look forward to every fall is the Red River Revel in Shreveport.  It is an arts, music and food festival that also has fun activities for kids.

I have been coming to the Revel for longer than I can remember. I would come with my family and on school field trips. I have so many good memories linked with the Revel. I took Aubrey last year but he was not able to really do anything since he was just a few months old. But this year, I was excited to take him to do some of my favorite things I did as a child each year at the Revel.

First stop was the grocery store! Brookshire's sponsors a tent where they set up a grocery store experience. Eva (our neighbor and friend) and Aubrey were running around trying to eat all the imitation food. They really enjoyed picking out what they wanted. I think they thought it was like an Easter egg hunt.

Next, was the archaeological dig. It is a big sand pit and they let kids dig, sift and search for all kinds of things. They really enjoyed this. Both of them had sand on them from head to toe! Toddlers love to play in the dirt!

We had a lot of fun listening to a show and watching a clown too.  I can't wait for next year when he can do the crafts and enjoy even more of the activities!

I failed to note that Aubrey has been using utensils! He would start to get frustrated with us while eating so I finally surrendered and let him have at it. He does pretty well but makes a big mess!

You will notice that he is using his left hand. Yep, he's a lefty! Some say it's to soon to tell but Seth and I  are convinced that he is because most everything he does is with his left hand. I let him grab or use whichever hand he wants to use and most often it is his left (he's definitely got better coordination with his left too). He gets it from his Mama!