Auby's Month-iversary Series: 24 months/TWO Years

 

Date: 10/7/2015

Age: 24 months/2 years

Dear Auby,

Happy 2 years sweet babe. You are our walking, talking, sweet and sassy, shy and independent, cuddly, and passionate little girl.You are our cuddle bug that makes our heart smile. Every day you continue to amaze us (as I've said many times). You are the best source of entertainment but also the greatest reminder of God's amazing miracles. I am so thankful He made me your mommy. You are the greatest gift your daddy and I have received.

Measurements:  Weight 26 lbs (59th%); Height 36 inches (94th%); Head Cir 18 1/4 inches (28th%)
Clothing: You wear 24 month/2T shirts and pants. You absolutely love jammies with princesses and animals. Currently we are attempting to potty train as you show great enthusiasm at school. You are successful for most of the day (maybe 1 accident) but are currently refusing at home. We did have one successful tee-tee in the potty and I think I threw a minor parade type celebration. You were not as excited as both your mommy and daddy were. You enjoy washing your hands.
Eating: You are a lover of milk. Some days you are a champ eater and others you are too on the go. Your food favorites still include rice, chicken nuggets, hot dogs, melly melon (watermelon), yogurt, ketchup, anything you can "dip" like soup and crackers, vegetables, fruit, and sweets. Girl you love your cake! At your birthday and another that quickly followed, you would shout, "I eat cake!"
Teeth: Your mouth is full of little teeth. We are currently working on teeth brushing. You are getting better each and every day... even though you may enjoy eating it a bit more than brushing.
Sleeping: You are sleeping quite well this month. We still have a few middle of the night wake ups (maybe due to a small growth spurt and being hungry) but we seem to be back to our typical schedule. I love watching you cuddle in bed with your loveys. When you wake up in the morning, we currently have to take all loveys, pillows, and blankets out to bring downstairs. You name each one, give it a hug, and drop it from your crib. Then it is up to mom and her many hands (as we need more) to carry the materials... and many times my child down the stairs until she sees her daddy. I absolutely adore my morning hugs and snuggles.

New Activities & Random Tidbits:
- Sadly you came down with a terrible tummy bug right before your birthday and then it quickly spread to mommy and daddy. We had to reschedule  your original party for a few weeks later. I am so thankful that you were back to your silly self on your birthday. What would be a better celebration be without smiley face pancakes from IHop. I think your expression says it all!

  

- You love your glitters (silver sparkle shoes).

- You love to be read to and to read to us. Our favorite of your chosen books is Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus as you like to say, "Pease, I be careful!" You absolutely adore your birthday Frozen Books and I love Daddy book.
-  Before meals, you will pray with us. You bow your head and even will "pray" out loud. You mimic our prayers and will say AMEN at the end. It melts my heart each time.

- You continue to learn new words daily and say the funniest of things. You have said, "Excuse me, Aggie and bless you mama." 

- You have learned your colors (thanks to our chalk days outside).
- Our favorite songs are Jesus loves me, Auby song, Row Row, 10 Little Monkeys, The Alligator Song, 

- You love being outside, sliding on your slide, running through our neighborhood field, walking Mattie, crafting, playing with Play Dough,

- You love all things Frozen and can name almost every character in the movie.
- You love kissing mama's belly and will be such a great big sister!
- You love Bubble Guppies and Paw Patrol. You will even say "silly Gilly"
- We are starting to play with more balls, but have a tendency to throw them up in the air and hit your head.
- You love boo-boo kisses and will request them.
- Every little friend at daycare knows your name. I think it's because you are one of the most vocal. You also love to name all of your friends at school. It is quite adorable.
- You think it's funny when I blink my eye lashes and raise my eyebrows
- You love taking care of Mattie and ask for kisses.
- Each afternoon you love to get the mail with daddy.
- One of my favorite phrases is, "Mama, I hold you" meaning you want to be picked up.
- You are starting to leave in bows and like your hair out of your face.
- You are my cuddle bug and mini. I love watching you grow!

Watch our mini grow!

More to come...

Baby Bump #2: Weeks 9-14

 

Let the Bump'n posts for baby #2 begin!
While I can't promise a post for each week, I can promise a ton of pictures, a lot of love, and so much excitement.

Our first appointment at the doctor, we found out we were 6 weeks and a day pregnant. So thankful for this beautiful new blessing and for all the directions our little adventure would take us. At 9 weeks we met our beautiful little jelly bean. Our little bean was already moving and a grooving. Our baby's heartbeat read 179 and perfect.

So far this pregnancy, while a beautiful blessing, was proving to be very different than my first. From exhaustion to full day and night sickness, I will admit I was a hot mess. Adding a new school year and 22 kids plus a vibrant almost 2 year old, I was definitely losing the battle. But with medicine, early bedtimes (sometimes at 4PM), an amazing and helpful husband, and lots of mama guilt for missing time with my little girl, I was somehow making it through.

Each week my little bump got bigger. I am definitely showing more this go round than the first. I felt as though clothes started to get snug within my first few weeks.

At my 12 week appointment, we opted for the genetic testing and gender reveal information. After losing our last baby, it was just a small reassurance for this mama's heart to get the testing done. Plus knowing our little one's gender as early as possible was such an enticing offer. To be honest, I felt from the moment I was pregnant, our little babe was a little lady. I thought about more little hair bows, matching outfits, and two sweet princesses. I even referred to her as "her." But moments before we would hear from the nurse, I immediately began dreaming of a little boy. Wondering how perfect and different our lives would be if Aubrey had a little brother. Both options seemed absolutely perfect and exciting. Within a week, we would soon find out.

This time around, our reveal to family and friends looked very different. I always love dramatic reveals. I like the personal touches and seeing the expressions of faces. This go round, I had to spill the beans super early as I was in constant sick mode. My school team had to know as I was having to leave my classroom each day. My family received the reveal upon their visit for my father's birthday. A Little Critter book read, "Please read to me Opa! Love Aubrey and your new grand baby due March 28, 2016." 

At almost 14 weeks, we had our final reveal to Ray's family as we would be returning home for his mother's birthday. We thought a fun family photo would be the perfect way to reveal our new little blessing. The first picture was "cheese!" and the second was "We're pregnant!"

On Monday, our 14th week, the doctor's office called to reveal that our baby was in good health and it's gender. Ray ended up receiving the doctor's call but waited on the gender reveal. That afternoon after school, we picked up the paper work and made our way out to celebrate for ice cream. It was there that we uncovered our sweet baby and gave it a name. We are so excited to reveal our little one in just another short week. So excited for our sweet little adventure and for all that is to come with our little family of four.

 

Monday night we revealed our little news to our facebook family and friends. This Bump'n post will be based on our most up to date week. (as I write this I'm almost 15 weeks... I better hurry;))

Number of weeks: 14

Measurement: I am assuming I'm right on track.
Baby Size: According to the Bump,
Heartbeat: Heart beat at 12 weeks was 172
Total Weight Gain/Loss: 2 lbs (I was probably around 5 pounds heavier when I got pregnant this go round)
Pregnancy Clothes: I have been in pregnancy pants pretty exclusively for a few weeks now. My regular pants are just a bit too snug on the belly. My shirts are still perfectly fine. But oh how I can't wait for the fall season. Dresses, scarves, and leggings. YES!
Sleep: Well this one has been a bit difficult the past few weeks. Aubrey went through a growth spurt two weeks ago that kept her awake from 1AM-5AM. This mama (and daddy) was exhausted. I have found myself within the first trimester going to sleep at 4PM and sleeping for a few hours, waking up for a snack, then back to bed. I get up 1-2 times in the middle of the night already.
Most Memorable Moment: Having our baby's gender revealed to us this week as well as hearing we have a healthy baby has truly been the most amazing moment this pregnancy. Also I love the way Aubrey hugs and kisses her sweet sibling. I asked her a few weeks ago what does she want to tell the baby. She said, "I love you!" Now she probably has not a clue about this growing little love bug in my belly, it was such a sweet and beautiful little moment in time.
Moving and Grooving: I feel like I have felt some flutters and little thumps as of late but will be feeling more as the baby gets bigger.
Cravings: snacks and sweets
How I feel: From the moment I was pregnant, I was sick from morning, noon, and night. From exhaustion and getting sick, falling asleep, dizziness, high blood pressure, and feelings of fainting, this has definitely been a difficult first trimester. Knock on wood, since I made it to my second trimester, I am feeling so much better. I am back to my old self and haven't gotten sick once. I feel my energy is beginning to return and I'm ready to take on this trimester with a more positive outlook.
Gender Predictions: We will be revealing within the next few weeks what our little babe is.
What I Miss: I would previously say energy and my love for food, but now I'm really not missing a thing
What I look forward to: I am looking forward to watching this baby grow. I am so excited to reveal his/her gender to the world and be able to call the baby by name.

Happy bump'n!