Post Pregnancy Beach Belly

I love this beautiful baby belly. But now that my sweet baby is three months old, this belly is no longer filled with a baby and will (fingers crossed) transform into a bod ready for the beach. Last year I'll have to admit that I spent not even a single moment in the water. And while I just had a baby, it's time to get motivated. I feel out of breath and just super unhealthy at this point. I am so ready to tighten and tone and eventually want to run around with this little girl. I'm so hoping that this post and those to come as well as the encouragement will keep me motivated. I'm hoping to change more of myself to make myself greater.

My Health Goals 2014: Make healthier eating choices. Lose at least 10 pounds by Spring Break. Drink lots of water. Run a race. Research healthy recipes. Try those healthier recipes. Wear a little black dress. Fit in my pre-pregnancy clothes. Be able to wear my Aggie ring (issue due to swelling). Its not about looking better (as I know that my skinny jeans totally can hide my issues) but about feeling better and feeling more comfortable in my mama skin. It's not truly the number but about having a healthier lifestyle for our little growing family. Tomorrow will be my first day back in the gym. I can't explain how nervous I am. I mean hey, I ran half marathons... but now it's a challenge to walk upstairs. That will soon be no more. Thanks again in advance for the support!

Don't Wake the Baby

I am a strong believer of the concept... don't wake a baby. Of course this is only when a good eating schedule and healthy weight have been established. But oh these words are so true in the Zellner home. While we don't walk on eggshells, I will have to say that it seems to be the strangest noises that wake our sleeping angel. During the day, I can turn on the blender, vacuum, Toby can bark at volume, and our little Miss will be sound asleep. But leave it to receiving the vibration of a text message and Aubrey will be fully awake. So I thought it would be funny and memorable to include a list of those random sounds that wake our sleeping beauty.

1. text messages
2. dropping chapstick
3. floor popping
4. sneezes
5. the bathroom light
6. a door opening/closing
7. laughs
8. television
9. doorbell ring
10. opening a can

These are just a few things that wake our beautiful baby! What about you? What random noises wake your sleeping babe?

Aubrey's Month-iversary Series: Three Months

Sweet Auby

You continue to amaze me sweet girl. I have loved every moment with you. It has been so fun seeing all of your sweet firsts from shaking your rattle, sitting in the bumbo, rolling over as well as your adorable baby smiles, blowing bubbles, and of course baby snuggles. I still find myself having little moments when I'm holding you to thank God for entrusting us with you. We could not be more thankful to be your parents and are excited for our next steps in parenthood.

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: 1/7/14
Age: Three Months
Measurements:We will have to wait until her fourth month appointment.
Clothing: While you can still fit into several of your 0-3 month clothing, 3 month seems to fit you just right. You have even worn a few pieces that are 3-6 months. This month it's all about the flannel onesies and cute little outfits that I can add a fun bow or flower. I never realized I would be this much of a girly mama... but I can't help adorning you in pink with sweet little ruffle socks and a headband of sorts.
Eating: You are officially eating 4 ounces every 2-3 hours and can consume a bottle of 5 or 6 ounces at night. You love your food and without fail will start to fuss the moment your bib is put on and will stop the moment the bottle hits your mouth. We love to make you smile while you are eating. It is a sweet little distraction. You also are fully formula due to lots of little issues. Just know that you are happy and healthy and that's all that matters to us. Since we have a great connection and discount, you eat Similac sensitive. We ran out before our shipment had made it in. We switched your formula until we were able to get your regular formula in and boy was that a mistake. It smells horrible and you spit up all.the.time. You also have been poopy several times a day. We can't wait to switch you back Monday when the shipment comes in.
Sleeping: I would have to say that we are grateful for sleep of sorts, but your schedule this month has been all over the place. With visitors, starting daycare, and a change of our schedule, your sleep has been completely thrown off. We do have some days where you will sleep 6-7 hours but this is not the norm. You typically wake up about 3 times in the middle of the night. The last week it has been only two. Our main issue is that after a fun day at daycare you are exhausted and try to fall asleep at 4. When we get home we immediately enjoy some play and tummy time to stretch out your bedtime. Typically you have been going to bed around 6:30 and wake up before midnight and at 2 and 4. We get up at 5 which makes for a pretty exhausted mommy and daddy. I will have to say I do love those baby smiles when you do get up in the middle of the night. I do have to mention that one night this month you slept through the night. Talk about a happy and rested mommy and daddy:)
New Activities:
Your new activities include blowing bubbles, saying "I love you" to daddy, grasping toys, stronger leg kicks, trying to become a thumb sucker:( rolling over from tummy to back, sitting in the bumbo, sitting independently (for a very brief time), wore shoes, copied us by sticking tongue out, began attending daycare and is going to the church nursery on Sundays, first kiss on 12/27 by Bryson, first baby airplane.
Likes: peek-a-boo, looking out, mirrors, Christmas lights, tv, sucking on fingers and hands, sitting up, giraffe toy, looking at books (Moo Baa La La La), chewing on toys, baby Einstein musical table, putting hands behind head when sleeping, play dates, swing, bouncer.
Dislikes: the carrier, hiccups, pacis, not getting food in a timely manner, changing clothes, washing hair, being wet,
Random Tidbits:
- You mainly use your left hand to play with toys and seem to be stronger on your left. This is merely an observation and of course means nothing.
- You celebrated your first Christmas and New Years
- You slept through the night
- On December 9th you told your daddy "I LOVE YOU!"

- You love looking at books and being read to. You enjoy voices and give the biggest smile to Moo Baa La La La.
- You will find a tv no matter where we are. You really enjoy the light and sounds.
-12/28 You sat up by yourself. We are constantly told how strong you are.
- You enjoy three great naps at home. 
- This was your first month to wear shoes. You do not fuss about them but will try to kick them off immediately.
- You have been mimicking us  a bit. You copied your daddy when he stuck his tongue out at you.
- You love looking into mirrors. You like it when mommy bounces you in front of the mirror and says "Hey! Hey! Hey!"
- You rolled over, sat in your Bumbo, and shook your rattle for the first time on 1/5/14.
- You got your first kiss from Bryson on 12/27.
- You rang in the New Year with several of your besties including Madelynn and Emily (the Twins), Bryson, The Fants, The Dukes, and Mommy and Daddy.
- You became too heavy for the changing pad on the pack n play.
- You enjoyed your first baby airplane.
- You received your first baby boo boos. You scratched your face twice. It broke mommy's heart. We had to put hand sockies on your hands in order to let those scratches heal.
- You may also have your first tooth coming in. You are very drooly and suck on your fingers/hands constantly.
- You love your cell phone.
- We enjoyed a lot of facetime with family this month. Your family sure does love you!
- You started daycare this month sweet girl. You are in the whales group. You seem to love your teachers (lots of big smiles). We are told that you typically don't nap much but it is because you are awake and taking it all in. You love watching the bigger kids as you are the youngest in the classroom.
- It was hard not staying home with you sweet girl, but just know that everything we do sweet Auby is for you. I am already counting down the days until Summer. I see a lot of cuddle time and play dates in your future my little girl. So here's to the next month and all of the excitement in between.

  Watch her grow and change!

 

Our New Year of Firsts

I love the "newness" that any New Year brings. This is definitely a year of firsts for our growing family. Seriously how adorable is this little cutie? I know as her mommy I am a little biased, but I just love this gorgeous little girl. I cannot believe how quickly she's growing and wouldn't want to miss a moment. So enjoy a picture and video post of our New Year of Firsts.

Aubrey started going to the nursery at church.

Aubrey rolled over from tummy to back 1.5.14

She sat in her bumbo.

 She shook and "played" with her rattle.

 

 We always enjoy fun phone calls with family and friends.

 You LOVE "reading" books

We love sitting up like a big girl in our Bumbo.

 Aubrey really wants to roll over from her back to tummy.

 We enjoyed fun play and tummy time. We may have found a paci?!? and may have gotten a little stuck in our nose:)

 Aubrey playing with her sweet besties.

Baby Bath Time

Special Holiday Visitors

Before the holidays, we had two very special visitors. Sally, my previous co-worker and sweet friend as well as Jennifer, my oldest best friend from high school, came over to meet our sweet girl. I loved our time together. The journey we have had has been amazing and I look forward to the adventures we will have in our futures. From friends old and new... we look forward to many sweet visits in our future.

Aubrey's First Day of Daycare!

Thursday was Aubrey's first day at daycare. It was definitely a day I was dreading. I had cried my eyes out an unthinkable amount of times. My wish would be that the days would just stretch out so that I could spend as much time at home with my little one. But as time did, it flew by and it was time to drop little Miss off at school. On a side note, please know that I absolutely love the daycare that we chose for Aubrey. I have not only heard wonderful things, but the staff is great, and I have a sweet co-worker and friend who's child attends there. I had heard so many times how difficult it was to send your child to daycare. So I had asked my husband to take some time off so that 1. It wouldn't be so hard to do it alone 2. I could keep my mind on other things 3. We could enjoy date days just the two of us. Well with all that being said, it was still pretty darn difficult. I have to give myself credit. I did extremely well that morning. I got us up and enjoyed a bit of play time with her. I dressed Auby in a cute little outfit. I only stalled a few times to take a couple of "first day of school" photos. Aren't they adorable?!?

When we arrived, I assessed the room for the billionth time. All the children were so happy and the teachers so sweet. I knew she would be in great hands... I only wish those hands were mine or my husbands but understand that this is the next best thing. No tears until we left and I got into the car. Later after brunch I saw her blanket and about lost it. My co-worker friend sent me a picture about 30 minutes after drop off and just explained what a happy little girl she was, alert, and just looking at everything. Talk about melts this mama's heart. Later that afternoon, we couldn't get there fast enough. Did these cars not understand that I needed to get to my baby? Seriously:) When we came to pick her up, we received a great report... minus a nap, but was happy as could be. I absolutely know that this is normal and am just so happy that she's happy. I couldn't wait to just hold my baby. A few tears were shed... by mommy and daddy.

Sadly she was a bit fussy and went to bed about 5PM. I can't get over these sweet cuddles and these adorable little hands. It's all for you baby girl. I know that the days will get easier. You are such a sweet, laid back little lady. We are so thankful for such a great place and excited to see how our little baby will change and grow from these experiences.

Happy New Year! Welcoming 2014

 

This year, we celebrated our New Years Eve in true friend fashion and rang in the New Year with two of our favorite couples.  It was a relaxed night with old friends and super cute little ones, delicious eats, party treats, and New Year fortunes. Welcome 2014! May these next 365 days be filled with wonderful adventures.

When looking back, I could not have imagined all that we would experience this year. As a new mama, it was super special to ring in the New Year with our family of three and of course love on this little cutie. I was also super proud that she was out by 8PM which allowed mommy and daddy some extra adult time with our friends. But before our littles or the adults for that matter made it to bed, we sure made some fun memories. So here are some pictures of our evening together saying good-bye to 2013 and welcoming 2014.

Mama Stephanie spent some time loving on little Miss Aubrey. I can't wait for Aubrey to meet sweet Haley who is due to arrive in mid to early April of this year! What a fun little friendship they will have!

Bryson is so sweet with Aubrey. From little kisses, hugs, and baby talk, it melts this mama's heart. I especially love when he talks with her and she smiles as well as puts his hand behind her little head. I mean come on. How adorable is this? He will then say excitedly, "She really likes me!" Then whole-heartedly I say, "She sure does!" What he doesn't know is that we are secretly planning their wedding. You have to start early right?!?

 {Sweet Bryson and Auby Hugs}

 

{Kristin, me, Stephanie}

We sure do love these ladies and gents. Sadly several of our college crew besties were unable to spend the night with us, but we are so thankful for their friendship and know a celebration is soon to come in the new year!

 {Adam, Ray, Michael}

 

 {Couples Photo Opt}

 {Baby Haley}

 {My Baby Daddy... sorry I always wanted to say that;}

A big thanks goes out to our sweet Fant friends and hosts of this New Years Eve extravaganza. We are so grateful for this fun little outing where the men enjoyed cheering on our Aggies and the ladies
some conversation and catch up.

As the clock counted down, I thought about all the fun we had in 2013. I am so excited and eager for this next upcoming year! To our friends and family, we extend our greatest wishes and blessings. Here's to the next 365!

Small side note... this beautiful baby was all smiles at 3AM. She is such a champ. I sure do love these two and cannot wait to see what we have in store this next year!