A GREAT weekend in the Hill Country

 

 

This weekend was full of unforgettable, melt your heart moments. From a weekend of anniversary celebration, 5 week (almost 6 week) adventures in parenthood, and also an amazing family trip to the hill country, it sure was a perfect getaway. One of my favorite moments was this sweet melt your heart moment with my great Aunt Alice holding her sweet great great niece. Talk about love!

 

Before Aubrey made her debut, Oma and I had planned a sweet trip to the hill country to visit my great aunt. I couldn't wait to share our little lady with her. This woman sure holds a special place in my heart and I couldn't imagine a more perfect meeting. When looking at our calendar, this weekend was one of a select few available to travel. We knew we would be making the trip with a 5 (almost six) week old as well as celebrating on our fourth anniversary weekend. As a gift, my parents booked us a stay at a sweet little cottage on the river near by. Thanks again for a great gift.

 

To my beautiful family of three (and two furbabes), I couldn't imagine anything better. I am so thankful for this journey that God has given us. I'm thankful for the paths, the twists, the turns, the endless prayers for this little girl, and it brings me to tears. (of joy of course:) From a high school romance, college, our journey to Dallas, marriage, home ownership, and now our adventures in parenthood... it has been a true blessing. I sure want to soak up the sweet moments.

 



 

Days before our trip, I began making a list of items we would need to pack. Traveling with a 5 week old is much more of a difficult task than just the two. As a new mama, I didn't want to forget anything. So once again, for our two day excursion, I probably packed for a week. From pack n play bassinets, play mats, toys, clothes, food, diapers, wipes... the list goes on and on. When the Saturday morning came, we packed the car, took the dogs to doggy daycare, I got up the little lady, dressed, changed, bottles made, picked up breakfast, and made our way to Wimberley. Aubrey did such a good job on her first road trip. For the first hour she was wide awake and full of smiles. I couldn't believe the drive didn't put her to sleep. After we left Dallas, she quickly fell asleep. We did make a stop on the way up but then she was quickly out.

It was a little after 2:00 when we made our arrival. Oma and Opa were over joyed to see the little lady as was Alice. We spent the afternoon catching up, watching the birds, feeding the deer, and of course loving on Miss Aubrey. I sure do love watching my parents with her. They cannot get enough.

Opa and his little lady

 

After dinner, it was time to head to the cottage. Aubrey was a bit fussy. Growth spurt? Once we made our way to the cottage, we unpacked and put the little one to bed. It was great to have a few extra hours just to relax with my husband. The greatest gift came when she gave us another 7 hour stretch of sleep. I know that our days are probably limited and she may go back to her waking every hour or two, but for now, I will take it. The next morning, we got up and made breakfast. Or should I say attempted to make breakfast. Sadly the stove was a bit hotter than I had expected which kind of turned our savory breakfast into a bit of a burnt one. It was the thought that counts right?!? That morning we did enjoy some morning mosas and some sweet pictures on the patio, porch swing, and river. It was such a relaxed morning. I really do love the country.

After our morning together as a family of three, we went back to my Great Aunt's house for some family fun and photography.

 Could this face get any sweeter? Love her!

 

Four generations of woman and my amazing family. I have to say that these are some of the most special pictures I have. I am so thankful we had an opportunity to visit with my Great Aunt Alice and for her to see her great great niece, to spend time with Oma and Opa, and to enjoy some special family time in the hill country. It surely was a GREAT Weekend!

Aubrey & Fantlet Picnic and Play Date

Tuesday afternoon, our sweet Fantlet friends came over for a fun picnic and play date. With an assortment of toys and blankets as well as a delicious Rosas, muffin, and cookie picnic, our afternoon play date was surely a hit. It was so fun to watch the kiddos interact and "play" together. It will be so fun to watch them grow up together and know what fun lifelong friends or boyfriend/girlfriend... wink wink... they will be.

I sure do love our little Fantlet friends. The twins are absolutely adorable and have such fun personalities. Bryson is such a sweet boy with his sisters. I love how he called them by the color of their shirts. He is also so sweet with Aubrey. He uses  his quiet voice and says, "Baby Aubrey, baby Aubrey..." and then gives sweet kisses on her head. I see love in the future for sure. I mean seriously look at these sweet faces. Look how sweetly he is holding her head. Talk about melt this mama's heart!

It is also so fun to catch up with Kristin. She is an absolute super mama! I am truly thankful for this lady and for our friendship... just thankful to call her family. She is of course so good with Aubrey. I had to catch a few of these adorable moments for sure.

Who knew a decade ago when we were in college that our lives would look just as sweet as this. Not only did we enjoy a fun play date, but the kiddos slept so incredibly well. Aubrey slept for 7 hours that night and the girls slept great as well! Our picnic and play date was definitely a success! I can see many more in our future.

Aubrey's Aunties!

 

This weekend we had some very special visitors. Ray's two sisters drove up from Houston to cuddle and love on Miss Aubrey. It was so fun to watch the girls with her. Aubrey is absolutely so incredibly loved by her aunts. This weekend was pretty perfect. We enjoyed some relaxed time at the house, a delicious breakfast, morning mosas (my first since pregnancy:), an Aunt photo session, a movie night, and of course lots of special bonding time with the little lady. Here are some pictures of our time together. 

 

 Morning Mosas with the hubs and sisters

Cheers with Aunt Rachel

 Chef Ray serving an after breakfast coffee 

 Aunt Rachel enjoys special time with the little lady

 Aunt Becky and baby Aubrey 

 

 

 An Aunt Photo Session

 Tummy Time with Mr. Tuppins

Looking at Aunt Becky

I couldn't be more thankful for these two beautiful women in our lives. They are such wonderful aunts and will be such great and positive role models for our little girl. She is truly blessed to have them both.

 

 

What a wonderful weekend! I sure look forward to the next time with Aubrey's Aunts!

Aubrey's Month-iversary Series: One Month

Aubrey

Mommy and Daddy love you beyond words little girl. You are everything that we have prayed for and are such a blessing to us both. You make us laugh and continue to melt our heart each and every day. We have loved seeing all the newness that you bring to our family. We have loved each and every first. From the first moment your eyes met ours, we were in love. I cannot believe that you are a month old. It is amazing how time truly does fly. I am so excited to capture these sweet month-iversaries and share these special moments with those we love. I cannot wait to see what this next month has in store for us.

 

Date: 11/7/13
Age: One Month
Measurements: Weight: 9 lbs 3 ounces (51%tile); Height: 21 1/2 inches (63%tile); Head Circ: 14 inches (20%tile)
Clothing: Aubrey is still in newborn clothing; however, I can tell that her zip up onesies are getting a little snug in the length.
Eating: She consumes between 2-4 ounces every 2-4 hours with of course the larger meals being eaten after longer hours. As of late it seems to only increase. This may also vary based on the day and time. While we've tried to get little one on a schedule, she is a bit stubborn when it comes to her meal time. She wants food all.the.time. I assumed this was due to a growth spurt, but it looks as though she hasn't exactly hit that time yet.
Sleeping: She takes good naps during the day. At about two weeks, it seemed as though she was getting up every 30 minutes to an hour. Then it would take over an hour to get her to go back to bed. Again growth spurt anyone?!?! This was very hard on mommy and daddy. I am so glad to say that she is getting up only a few times in the middle of the night. We put her down as close to 8 as possible. She will then get up between 12-2AM, between 4-5AM, and again around 7AM. We've learned, we do NOT wake a sleeping baby. While I still for some reason feel exhausted at times, this is so much better than the previous.
New Activities: more play mat fun and reaching for toys, more focus on objects, more vocalizations, can move head from side to side when on tummy, visits from family and friends, and walks
Likes: cuddle time, being held, music, activity mat bird play toy with rattle... We call him Mr. Tuppins, sleep sheep, silly faces, exercising arms and legs, pacis (per her choice), swaddles, car rides
Dislikes: changing her diaper, not being fed immediately upon request, car seats (loves the rides), and hiccups
Random Tidbits:
- You look like your daddy.
- You have your mommy's chin and nose and your daddy's long fingers and toes.
- You make such silly faces when you sleep and can easily move from smiling to crying back to smiling.
- You are so serious when it comes to eating. You even ruffle your brow if you cannot get milk fast enough.
-You prefer breast milk, but do move on as long as you are getting fed.
- You prefer to be held or on your back. You really love to see everything.
- You don't have much interest in the dogs, but the dogs sure love you. Mattie loves to protect and Toby likes that you smell like food.
- When you are tired or sad you sure love to snuggle.
- You do not LOVE bath time, but are learning to like it.
- You have the sweetest little cries... unless you are hungry. Then you let us know you mean business:)
- You are so active during play time. I love to exercise your little arms and legs. You seem to really enjoy it as well as the singing.
- You fall right asleep with daddy at night. It is probably one of the most precious moments of the day.
- You sure can clear a diaper my dear and have a funny face when you do.
- You have two adorable dimples at the bottom of your cheeks.
- You are learning to eat and sleep better, but mommy and daddy are sure hoping to get you on a schedule soon.
- But most importantly, you are loved by so many little one. You are the most precious gift that God has blessed us with. We wish you a happy one month Aubrey Rose.

Look Whoooo's Enjoying Play Time

I absolutely adore this sweet baby girl. I love our super sweet cuddle time as well as our play time. While I can't say that little Miss LOVES being independent on her back or tummy for that matter, she is surely enjoying more play time with mommy and daddy. And I have to say. I am so in love with this little Owl Activity Mat. It has so many cute features. I know she'll love it more and more as she becomes older. For now, I just had to post pictures (way too many of course) of Aubrey exploring during play time. So here she is from 3-4 weeks old. Look Whoooo's enjoying play time!

Play time is sure hard work. Little Miss worked so hard she sure tuckered herself out. It's a hard life being a baby:)

Super Daddy & Our Little Strawberry

I celebrated a very special Halloween at home this year with this amazing super daddy and our adorable little strawberry.

 

 

I was a bit nervous for the many upcoming door bell rings with a newborn. So we decided to forgo the traditional Halloween trick or treating and candy pass out and opted for a less optimal bowl of candy and a sign. Yes we were those people this year. The funny thing was that we totally forgot to turn on the light. Talk about epic fail. Oh well. I'm obviously not too torn up about it as we ended up with a pretty good bowl of goodies and enjoyed a night just with our little fam of three. For dinner we dined on a Papa Murphy's Halloween themed pizza and a redbox movie.

 

It was a perfect and low key night with my sweet Super Daddy and Little Strawberry! I can't wait for next year when we'll have a one year old and will be having our first taste of trick or treating. Happy Halloween to you and yours!



A Halloween Play Date

Aubrey and I enjoyed a wonderful Halloween play date with Daniela and her sweet little man, baby Robert. I love that my roommate has a kiddo that is 5 days older than Aubrey. It is so fun to share these sweet moments together and know that our kids will be such sweet friends. It was an absolutely gorgeous Thursday afternoon. What a perfect day for a walk with the babes. That afternoon, we enjoyed lots of great new mama catch up and conversation, a nice walk, lunch, and of course a Halloween baby photo session. Here are a few photos from our photo session. I love their silly faces. What a fun afternoon with my sweet roommate, new mama friend, and sweet babies. Love these sweet play dates.