Auby Letters: Counting Sheep

To sleep or not to sleep? That is mommy's question dear girl. It seems that your internal clock has fooled you sweet girl. It is telling your brain to wake up every 2-3 hours as if you are hungry each time. It is like you've gone back to being a newborn. Your poor cry and hungry tummy have you resorting to a lot of interesting behaviors from pulling mommy's hair and putting it in your mouth as well as gumming mommy's chin, shoulder, nose and cheek bone. When a bottle is made your eyes are glued to it, as I pour your formula into the bottle. Once shaken you practically pull the bottle from my hands. It is only a  matter of time until you are feeding yourself like a big girl. This month has been really fun as you turn to watch me while you eat. Many times you give us a gummy grin. I love that you hold my fingers or hand. Sometimes you rub my face but really your main love is twirling my hair through your fingers. We love you sweet girl but oh how we can't wait for you to catch some Zzzzz.

February Family Recap

February has been another great month for our little family. I have loved watching this little girl grow. She is such a beautiful baby and oh how she LOVES to smile. I love seeing her explore new things, as they all tend to make it to her mouth including our fingers, hair, and jewelry. Enjoy some pictures of our February Family recap.

Good Morning Mommy

 

Loving on Daddy

 6AM Saturday Play date

 Tummy Time Fun

 

 

 

 Mirror Mirror Family Picture

 

Daddy and Beagle Boy cuddle time

 Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss! We love our Thing 5!

 When Daddy's in Charge:)

 A fussy baby quickly turned into a sleeping one. Melt your heart!

 

Fantlet Play date during baby Haley's shower

 Baby Besties! Let the fun times begin with our baby girls:)

 February Fun is almost done. I can't wait to see what next month will hold.

2.18.14

Our day started off as a bit of a blur. From snoozing twice which really meant, I kept my eyes closed (mostly) trying to figure out how I was going to make it today. My facebook status said it best,"Is this the face of my four month old that woke up every 2-3 hours last night?!? Couldn't be:)" So here it is... a run down of today.

- Our morning began sometime yesterday when I was getting up with little lady every few hours. She wasn't sure if she was hungry, dirty, fussy... or all three. 

- My clock was set to 5:30. I didn't get out of bed until after 6. Somehow we were able to leave before 7.

- My kids were great. We studied measurement with a focus on perimeter and area. We made area portraits on grid paper. One of my kids compared it to the people in Minecraft. 

- In language we reviewed our spelling words, worked on stations, and finished our day learning about careers.

- I worked a 13 hour day (no joke) to catch up on some things as more projects keep coming our way.

- I ordered special treats for a baby shower I am co-hosting this Saturday. The theme is As Cute As A Button. 

- We have a conference scheduled with my little girl's teachers in the next few weeks. Yes, I love that I am having a "conference" for my four month old. It will be fun to discuss what they are working on and how she's growing. I love that we get daily updates but also "conferences" to help us know her progress. I hate to miss her day to day activities during the week but count down the days until summer. I can't wait to have my little mini with me for two months.

- It seems baby girl did not nap at school or at home. When Ray came to pick me up tonight, little girl had NOT slept. What happened to our great sleeper?

- Wednesday and Thursday I am being observed by Kinder. I spent some good time in preparation this afternoon.

- I am getting more and more excited about traveling home for Spring Break. It will be so fun to introduce Auby to some family members and to share all of her new skills with family.

- We picked up Chick-fil-A for dinner.

Looking back I am extremely proud of all that went into today. I'm keeping fingers crossed for good sleep and a productive tomorrow. Only a few more weeks until Spring Break! Wish us luck;)

 

Saying Good-bye

 

{Ray, Michael, Dustin, Mike, Adam}

On Tuesday, February 12th, our college crew met for dinner at Buca di Beppo to say good-bye to our dear friend, Mike. We wish him all the love in the world on his new adventures in North Carolina. The next day, his facebook status read, "Yet again, great times with the second family yesterday." I couldn't agree more. 

It surely was a night of great food...

 great drinks...

 

 and dear friends!

 

 

{Paige and Dustin}

 {Adam, Stephanie, and baby Haley}

 {Our Fantlet friends}

Saying goodbye is always a hard thing to do. We are thankful for this past decade of memories and will always remember... girls plus Mike:)

Sunday Soup: 2.16.14

This week we have had our fair share of exciting opportunities as well as were faced with some difficult challenges as well. So join me for this week's edition of Sunday Soup. May these moments never define me, but help to act as a reminder of what is truly important. In no particular order, they are as follows.

1. We celebrated LOVE day at home and at school.
2. We enjoyed several days at home with the family. We had lots of play and tummy time in our little girl's indoor "playground" upstairs.
3. Monday, I went home sick from school. It seems as though a really nasty tummy bug has gone around at school and work.
4. Our little girl has been congested for what seems like weeks. She isn't contagious but has to just work through it. Even though she's super snotty... she's a happy girl.
5. We said our good-byes at Buca di Beppo to one of our college crew as he welcomed the next steps of his life's journey in North Carolina. We will sure miss you Mike!
6. After some very hard days at school, we enjoyed some lazy days at home with the family for some much needed relaxation.
7. Aubrey wore her very first Valentine's onesie.
8. I'm co-hosting a baby shower this next weekend for a bestie and her little lady that will be born in early April.
9. The cops showed up at our house this week in regards to a noise violation called on Toby. It seems as though if they are called back to our house they can serve us with a citation for every offense. After further review, it seems that the fine can be up to $500 for each citation. The worse part is that a neighbor is so upset at the few times we let him out in the backyard that they called the police instead of letting us know or speaking with us first. Talk about total heartbreak and frustration.
10. Baby girl officially found her toes and is doing everything possible to eat them. It is quite hilarious.
11. The weather was gorgeous this past Saturday. The whole family went for a walk in the park.
12. Aubrey had a horrible night of sleep and is fighting it so very hard today.
13. Mommy of course took way too many pictures of baby girl.
14. We are excited to be visiting our families within the next few weeks. It will be so fun to visit, catch up, and share baby girl with them.

What have you been up to this week?

Saturday Morning Fun!

I love Saturday mornings. While I have long said good-bye to sleeping in, I have to say that my Saturday mornings could not be more fun. Aubrey, you have been sleeping so well these past few weeks. Even though we still have you elevated due to some congestion, you do such a good job at night. Our Saturday mornings usually start around 7AM and take us upstairs to your little indoor playground. You love toys that make noise and ones that you can chew on. Everything... and I mean EVERYTHING goes into your mouth these days. From your crinkle toys, rattles, see and say, baby Einstein table, telephone, and blanket lovey, you enjoy your play time. Even your fingers, toes, and mommy and daddy's fingers have become some of your favorite play things these days. I just loved these sweet pictures of you this morning.  Here's to more Saturday morning fun in our futures:)

Auby Letters: 2.14.14 Happy Heart Day!

Happy Valentine's Day sweet girl!
I could not have asked for a more perfect day with you and your daddy. From your sweet smiles, squishy faces, and fun little squeals as of late, my heart absolutely melts. Valentine's fell on a Friday this year. We got up a little earlier than usual. I went through one other outfit until I found this little number. You took some extra time this morning cuddling with mommy and daddy. You really are such a happy baby. Even though you are still a bit congested, you sure do cheese for the camera.

It's one of mommy and daddy's favorite things. I will say though that you have perfected the lower lip pout if you don't get exactly what you want... but again you typically are a happy girl:) Valentine's morning, after a quick bottle and cuddle sesh, we put you in your bouncer, gave you your little nonster crinkle book, and had a mini photo session. As we spent most of our time together at home this morning, you and daddy took mommy to school since I was running a bit late. All worth it. I said my good-byes but was so excited to see you that afternoon. I was so ready for play time with baby and all the lovely smiles to follow. I will have to say my first graders absolutely adore you. I even had a little girl buy you an adorable pink and brown puppy stuffed animal and a little boy bought you a friendship stick (pencil). I love how he signed it. He signed it, to Obery. I have to say they love you! It was so fun sharing this picture of you with my kids at school. I loved seeing your beautiful face even when I'm away from you. The kids loved it too.  After a fun heart day with my first graders, I was back home with you and daddy. I just can't get enough baby cuddles and kisses. We have loved these past four months and loved celebrating our first heart day together!

XOXO

I have to say this Valentine's Day was extra special. There is something so wonderful about a day of love when you have two very special ones to celebrate it with. Oh how I love these two faces.

This morning I took some extra time cuddling and loving on these two. And what would be a first Valentine's Day celebration without some XOXOs and a mini photo session.

 

This year, Valentine's fell on a Friday. This is absolutely perfect when you are a first grade teacher. We partied all day long. From Valentine's crafts, decorating cookies, and Valentine's Bingo, we surely had a blast and a ton of sugar! The night before, mommy put together these little gift bags for Aubrey's teachers. We just love her school and her sweet teachers that love her and care for her each day. They are sure a BURST of sunshine to us.

After school, we picked up sweet Aubs and headed home. Mommy had a few treats for daddy and Daddy too had a few plans up his sleeve.

First we played with baby girl. We enjoyed her loud squeals and even got in a few little laughs.I have to say that her morning smiles and afternoon squeals and exploration are some of my favorite moments spent with her and her daddy. After little Miss was put to bed, the husband and I spoke of our past 12 Heart Days spent together. One of our favorite we discussed was in college. It was a picnic at Research Park. The weather was windy and absolutely sunny but cold. We tried our first sips of wine... ok really it was Arbor Mist. ha. We ate fruit and cheese, chocolate covered strawberries, and of course viola. Well after a few minutes of discussion, we went upstairs and he told me that tonight his surprise was just that. He recreated one of our favorite Valentine's Days together. This time with candles, the same picnic basket, Arbor Mist, chocolate covered strawberries, and heart shaped sandwiches. After an exceptionally hard week, I would have to say that it is so nice to be reminded what truly matters. Happy Valentine's Day from our house to yours!

iphone Photo Collection

 

{3 details of my Sunday: My baby love, Starbucks on a frozen Sunday, and Church material to help guide and grow our children in God}

 

Life seems to be on fast forward at this point. I have definitely loved these amazing moments, but it has been so difficult to keep up. I'm so thankful for my phone to help me. Here is an iphone photo collection post of those little tidbits.

 

 {Here are ways to BLESS our babes}

 

 {Super Bowl Sunday with our ABF}

 {Baby girl at her first Super Bowl Party}

 

Gals and Giggles: {Audrey 4 months, Aubrey 3 months, and Clara 2 months}

 

{Happy 3rd birthday Jacob}

 

  

{Date night with my love and first PNO}

 

 {Play time. Baby girl chooses both toys}

 Snow Day with Daddy
 

{February Snow Day: Aubrey is not impressed:)}

 {Tummy time with the whole family}

 {Z Party in Mrs. Zellner's classroom plus stuffed animal friends}

 {Pedi birthday dinner date celebration with my bestie}

 {Big Baby Bath time}

 {Swollen ring finger:(}

 {Squishy Baby Faces}

 Happy iphone photo collection.