Rock'n Around the Christmas Tree

 Rocking Around the Christmas Tree

You will get a sentimental feeling when you hear

 

Voices singing, "Let's be jolly; Deck the halls with boughs of holly."

 Rocking around the Christmas tree

 Have a happy holiday

 Everyone's dancing merrily

 In a new old fashioned way!

 

While Rocking Around the Christmas Tree... I realized the most perfect gift to be given this year. I am truly thankful for this blessing and pray for her that she will know the true reason for the season and what the greatest gift to man truly is.

 

 Every good and perfect gift is from above.
James 1:17

Aubrey's Month-iversary Series: Two Months

Aubrey

What a fun and exciting month sweet girl. It has been so fun to see your sweet little personality grow. We love your sweet smiles. Oh how they melt your mommy and daddy's heart. We both make pretty silly faces just to make you smile and see those two gorgeous little dimples in your cheeks.We love your sweet coos and enjoy getting to "talk" with you. Sweet girl we love you more than words. This month was bittersweet as it was my last few weeks spent with you before going back to work. Being a mommy is the most rewarding gift that God has granted me. I am truly thankful for the time that we had and of course for all the moments we will share and the memories we will make in our future.

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: 12/7/13
Age: Two Months
Measurements:Aubrey weighs 11 pounds and 7.5 ounces (63%); Her height is 23 inches long (69%); Her head circumference is 14 3/4 inches (18%).
Clothing: 0-3 month clothing. It was a super sad moment when I had to pack up her newborn attire as it was just to small to fit our beautiful growing baby
Eating: She consumes between 3-4 ounces every 2-4 hours. She has definitely gone through a growth spurt this month as she wants to eat all.the.time. She is definitely a happy girl when she has her food. I get some of the biggest smiles after her tummy is full.
Sleeping: Knock on wood... but our baby has really done such a good job with sleeping this month. Now please don't get me wrong. We do have our wake up every few hours sort of nights. Also at the beginning of this month, we were still having to rock her to sleep. This process would take hours and was a bit exhausting. Over the past few weeks, we've been able to put her to bed almost almost fully awake after her bottle and she would put herself to sleep. Now this typically happens during naps during the day and during the middle of the night. We are still working on our bedtime at 8. I also feel like we are getting more of a "schedule." Ok I honestly used to laugh when people said their babies were on a schedule. I didn't think it was possible, but they do figure it out. Her "schedule" is to wake up around 6:00. Change. Eat. Then somehow she stays awake on her own for the next two hours. She's usually so happy. We play. We talk. Then from 8-9 we play on her play mat and do tummy time. At 9:00 we eat and take our first nap. Usually we get a good couple of hours but lately she's taken next to no nap. On these days... there is no schedule ha. But on good days we get a few daily naps and try to stay on a 6, 9, 12, 3 schedule. We aren't exactly there but hey we are trying.
New Activities:
More coos (oh, uga, ah), social smiles, "playing" with toys, continued head lifts and turning head from side to side. She also visited Santa this month and enjoyed several ice days at home with mommy and daddy.
Likes: cuddle time, being held, sitting up right to see everything, music, activity mat, sleep sheep, exercising arms and legs, swaddles, car rides, rolling tongue and making silly faces, singing head, shoulders, knees, and toes, wheels on the bus, copying her coos, peek-a-boo, swing, bouncer, mobiles, mirrors
Dislikes: changing her clothes, not being fed immediately upon request, car seats, hiccups,
Random Tidbits:
- She is now looking more like a combination of mommy and daddy.
- She is staring to really "talk" and coo. Your favorite sounds are "ah, uga, and oh." She smiles when we copy her coos.
- Aubrey loves peek-a-boo and silly faces.
- We love to sing to her.
- She is a huge fan of mirrors and gives herself big smiles that show her dimples.
- She is really trying to suck her thumb but hasn't exactly figured out how to get her thumb inside her mouth. It is so cute watching her try.
- It is not a sure thing that Aubrey will sleep in the car. It totally depends on her schedule and what's going on.
- She loves being held or resting in her bouncer or swing.
- She is starting to enjoy bath time more and we have rarely seen tears
- Aubrey is still in our room. We are looking to transition her soon. We really aren't in any rush due to the location of her room and our current schedule.
- She sleeps with both hands behind her head. She loves having her hands out when swaddled as she loves to play with them.

As I write this post, she's sleeping so sweetly. Today is my final day (an extra day) at home with my little girl. I am so thankful to only have 9 days before the Christmas holiday as I will have two weeks then with her again before making the transition back to school in January and her to daycare. It will be a hard day tomorrow. I can't say I haven't cried a thousand times already at the thought of not being with her. But I know so many moms that have done it. I thought I was prepared, but really is any mama when they go back? Anyway, I know she will be in great hands and could not be more thankful that she doesn't have to go to daycare just yet as she will be spending the next 9 days with daddy. He is so amazing and I couldn't be happier that he's able to work from home. I just miss not being with them. So wish me luck. Say a small prayer. I love you sweet girl!
Watch her grow and change!

Auby's First Ice Days

For days, we had heard and slightly been preparing for the upcoming cold front. The weather was reported to get down in the low teens and days of ice and snow were ahead of us. Thursday afternoon, after our trip to see Santa, we decided to pick up a few necessary items we were missing. While Ray was inside, and I watched over Miss Aubrey and it started to sleet. I will say it sure was cold. All night I heard the sleet/snow mixture hit against the deck. I couldn't wait to wake up to a snow covered morning. Ray would be working from home, and our sweet family of three (and two furbabes) would enjoy a snow day at home.

Well it sure wasn't snow that covered our home, but a thick ice. Now since this was Auby's first ice days, I had to get a few pictures in the beautiful powdery white... even if it was merely a few seconds outside. Here are a few adorable family photos to remember our first ice days with Auby.

 

Friday afternoon when it was time to decorate the house, Ray called me outside. This is what I saw. I have to say I was so disappointed. It was such a good looking tree and I just hated that it had broken. More importantly I hated that we were officially blocked in and had to find a way to have it removed so we could leave. But then I remembered what a blessing it was that it hadn't hit the house or our car. It could have been so much worse. So many people were without power and having larger challenges. Thank you Lord for reminding me of that we were so lucky. So for now, we are staying inside. We've called a tree removal service who if you can believe it or not is super busy but will hopefully be removing it this weekend. Wishing you all a safe and warm few ice days in Dallas.

Santa Baby

Over the highways and through the mall

To Santa's house we did go.

With fun festive wearing and everyone staring

At our eight week old and our excitement of upcoming snow.

At North Park we stood with a ticket to see Santa in hand,

We ventured the mall and saw a magical land. 

Of reindeer and Santa Clause in his seat
A town made of sugar and candy, a delicious treat.

Where stories were told by the big man in red
Our little lady was festively dressed with an adorable bow on her head.

She was excited to meet Mr. Clause and sit on his lap
She did so good but did miss a few naps.

 What a fun new tradition had by us.

We came and we conquered without any fuss.

For our little girl... how blessed are we

Our reason for the season will be

To God for his continuous love

The son he gave was sent from above

Merry Christmas from mommy, daddy, and little Miss

sending our love 

with a big hug and kiss

My Special Week With Auby

 

This week is bittersweet for me as a "stay at home" mom. I have had the opportunity to spend eight amazing weeks with this beautiful baby and I couldn't be more thankful for that time. But as time usually does... it flies by. Starting next Monday, I'll be going back to work while daddy will be working from home. The good news is, I will have two additional weeks for Christmas break and she won't begin daycare until January. I am so thankful that Ray will have an opportunity to stay at home with her. He is an amazing daddy and will do a great job with her. I of course will miss our morning cuddle and play time as well as all of her beautiful smiles and snuggles throughout the day. So I wanted to make a post of our sweet week together. Enjoy some of our sweet moments together.

Bouncer Morning Fun

 

Play time with her favorite toys 

 

 Peek-a-Boo Baby!

 

 Lunch date with mommy

 Sweet photo fun

 

 Night time baby snuggles

 Good morning smiles

Morning adventures with mommy

To my beautiful baby girl,

Mommy has loved spending every moment with you. You have changed our lives forever and we couldn't be more thankful for you and blessed by each moment we share. From our morning cuddles and play time, singing songs, exploring with mommy, time with daddy, and all the new adventures together, we love you! Here's to more exciting moments this week including our visit to see Santa, day with daddy, and fun friends play date with some besties. What a wonderful week with Auby.

THANKS for our Alabama Zellners

 

The day after Thanksgiving we were given a very special treat as our Alabama Zellners came up to share the weekend with us and to meet Miss Aubrey. I have to say, she is one lucky little lady. From the moment we opened the door, Ryan (Ray's brother) was on a mission to be the first one to hold and touch that sweet baby. And talk about love...

 

It was so fun seeing my brother-in-law and sister-in-law plus the nieces and nephew just love all over our little girl. I mean seriously, she's a keeper for sure. 

 

{Tassie, Jake, and Kendall}

As each family member had a turn holding and cuddling with the baby, we enjoyed showing off the house and caching up... as well as taking a few silly pictures. I do love my nephew, Jake and niece, Olivia. Talk about adorable as always but goodness they are getting so big.



{Jake-11, Me-29, Olivia-6}

That night we dined at Buca di Beppo, a Zellner household favorite. We enjoyed family style portions of fettuccini alfredo and prosciutto stuffed chicken with warm garlic bread. Talk about happy faces and full tummies.



{Uncle Ray with Jake and Olivia}



When we returned, it was time to enjoy a pj party and a movie. Well we sure had the PJ part down just right but couldn't decide on a Christmas movie of choice as they all sounded pretty great, so instead we left the tv on Cool Runnings, and spent our night catching up. It was surely much more fun. Man I love this picture but talk about feeling old. This body doesn't lay too well on the hard floor.

The next morning we enjoyed a lazy Saturday. Uncle Ray and his sous chef, Jake, made delicious biscuits and gravy, fruit, and morning mosas for the adults. After we ate, we sat around in preparation for the Iron Bowl and Aggie games. Who knew that our alphabet letter foam boards for the floor would be such a hit? Olivia loved using them to spell and the boys of course built a human held box container to scare poor Olivia. This definitely gave hours of entertainment... even for Uncle Ray!



 

 {ABC is easy as 123}

We then decided that us ladies would enjoy an afternoon dessert date while the men stayed home to watch Auburn take on Alabama in the Iron Bowl. Before we left, I had to get a picture of the boys as Auburn scored. Now of course I wish I had caught it in action, but I'll settle for a reenactment of the previous touchdown.



So of course while the men were away... the ladies did play. We made our way to BJ's for some delicious dessert options.  It was fun chatting it up with the girls. So glad I had this special time with my sister and nieces.

After an amazing Auburn Victory, our chefs made a homemade Mexican food dinner including Texas style queso and we enjoyed our last night with our fam. It as always is so special to spend time with them. Living 12 hours and several states away makes it difficult when apart, but always so special when we are able to get together for a visit. To our sweet family, Thank you for your visit. We are so very blessed by your visit and are truly THANKFUL for the memories made this weekend. We can't wait for another very soon.