March 2011: Aurora turns 3! Here are the statistics from her annual checkup:
Height = 37.75 inches (70th percentile)
Weight = 34 pounds (80th percentile)
BMI = 16.8 (78th percentile)
BP = 98/64 (using the cuff for the first time)
In other words, Dr. Brown deemed her perfectly healthy and developing appropriately.
March 1, 2011: Aurora loves to eat out at restaurants, so we headed to the neighborhood Bertucci's for dinner. During dinner,
she practiced telling people how old she is and learned how to play with her rigatoni.
She always finishes eating before Mama or Baba, so it is helpful to have a book or quiet activity for her to do. Lately,
she has really gotten into her new "hidden pictures" puzzles.
Back at home, there is just enough time for ice cream cake before starting the bedtime routine.
Video: Happy birthday, Aurora!
March 2, 2011: Due to a late night on her birthday, we put off opening presents until the next night. Even though
she did not have a birthday party this year, Aurora still got lots of gifts from Wai Po and Wai Gong, both Aunt Amys (Greer's
Mama and Mama's sister), Isaac and Elena, Grandma and Cousin Weston.
She is getting good at recognizing her name when it is written out.
Sometime in the past year, Aurora turned into a girly girl. She prefers to wear skirts and dresses that "twirl out"
when she spins around. Here she is immediately checking out her new clothes (all of which she deemed acceptable).
More cards and presents.
Video: Opening gifts 1
Video: Opening gifts 2
Video: Opening gifts 3
March 5, 2011: We went to the aquarium for the first time in several months. Aurora checked out the giant ocean tank,
the electric eels, sea horses, and she even touched things in the touch tank this time.
Checking out the view of the harbor from the aquarium cafeteria.
Aurora finds something to ride.
Checking on the penguins.
More fish and another look inside the giant ocean tank, this time from the top.
Climbing on some coral.
Looking for Nemo. Aurora finds him right away and points him out to us.
Aurora is now at the age where she is aware of "prizes" and is an easy target for marketers. Which means Jon
and Kathy often give in to small "treasures" and souvenirs. Here she is making a penny souvenir.
Video: Penny machine
Outside, the sun is shining. We find a little bit of ice and snow on the docks outside the aquarium. Of
course they need to be kicked into the ocean!
Looking out at the boats on the harbor. We find a (free!) telescope to look at things up close.
Aurora misses being outdoors in a space big enough the run around!
Video: Pushing the stroller!
In front of the aquarium, we see a harbor seal making a painting.
That night, we had another birthday dinner out. This time, Uncle Anthony joined us at Margaritas.
Aurora got freaked out when the wait staff sang happy birthday to her.
Video: Happy birthday to you
Eventually, she relaxed enough to enjoy her ice cream.
Back at home, there were more presents to open. This time, the gifts were from Mama and Baba, Aunt Amy (Mama's sister) and
Uncle Daryl, Uncle Anthony, and Grandma.
Video: Opening gifts 4
Video: Opening gifts 5
Video: Opening gifts 6
The best gift of all, according to Aurora? The paper bag puppets from Aunt Amy and Uncle Daryl. She HAD to make
one that night! What's not to like? The kits came with colorful stickers and a glue stick!
Mama was hoping to save them for projects to do when Aurora was home over the summer, but we think
all 5 puppets will be made before then.
Video: Cow puppet
Video: Cow puppet 2
March 6, 2011: The next day, Aurora chose to go to the Children's Museum instead of Gymboree. She started out
looking at the turtles and then Jon convinced her to try out the 3 story climbing structure with him.
Video: Climbing up
There were lots of Japanese toys and crafts to try out.
Video: Gears
Video: I'm on TV!
Video: Step master
Aurora and Jon both love the mini workshop.
There was a special exhibit about models and comparing things big and small.
The construction zone has lots of cars and trucks to play with.
Video: I like trucks! (vroom, vroom)
Video: Going up!
Into the mini digger, then back to the trucks.
Aurora wanted to help build a house, but the bigger kids (all boys) kept taking the pieces from her
and telling her she was doing it wrong. (to which Mama said humpf)
Video: Balance beam 1
Video: Balance beam 2
Video: Princess song 1
Video: Princess song 2
March 13, 2011: One of Aurora's friends from daycare, James, had his birthday party at Jump Around.
Video: Sliding down
Her favorite spot was the bouncy house.
She prepared a meal in the kitchen. She started the grill, washed dishes, and talked on the phone - maybe
to call for take out?
No party would be complete without some juice and cake! We're not sure if Aurora doesn't
like cake that much, or if she just loves frosting that much more.
A quick round of air hockey before we go. She's getting good at it!
March 15, 2011: It's Restaurant Week in Boston. Just because we have a kid now does not mean we have to
miss out on some good meals at our favorite places. We met Amy, George, and Greer for dinner at
Harvest in Harvard Square. Yum!
March 20, 2011: Yes, we do spend time at home too! Aurora plays with her doggie and practices her letters
with Jon, using the new magnets she got from Isaac and Elena.
Video: Alphabet 1
Video: Alphabet 2
March 26, 2011: Back to the New England Aquarium! Anthony was supposed to meet us last time, but
he overslept, so we came back a second time with him. Aurora basically repeated everything she did
last time, but at a much faster pace.
