Baby Bloopers & Parenthood

 

Being a mom is truly one of my greatest jobs. This little gummy, two-toothed grin makes everything worth it. But I will say even with all of this adorable perfection, being a mom and a new parent is a guessing game. It's about trial and error, learning as you go, and of course trying to Google or WebMD things you should never look up. So I thought a post would be a fun way to remember even the odd ball moments. The moments that you laugh at now that it is over. So here it is, the good, the bad, and the messy and to letting it all hang out.

- poop is an official dinner time topic
- it's not about being clean, it's about how much is visible to the outside world
- a messy house isn't truly messy if it's filled with toys and books
- showering is optional as long as your hair isn't too greasy
- babytv and little learning shows have helped give me 10 extra minutes so I can clean bottles and get hubby ready for work
- so my daughter has taken food out of her mouth to feed the dogs and then definitely used that hand to eat again (this one I'm not proud to say has happened... or the fact that I have found her with a huge hair ball in her hand about to be eaten before I quickly stop her)
- I used to change her immediately after she spit up. Now I have to consider the amount of difficulty and struggle it will be to change her vs the amount of spit up. Usually leaving her in her current state wins out. She's a mover and groover for sure.
- I have definitely rewashed the laundry several times as I have left it in the wash too long and had to redo it or couldn't remember if had been washed in the first place.
- We have had to throw away our comforter due to some not so fun explosions.
- A baby hand down my shirt, pulling down my top, or face plant in my chest is a normal day here at the Zellner casa. It makes it more fun in public when others get to see:)


Anyway that's just a bit for now. I'm sure many bloopers in parenthood will continue to come. Wishing you a great day from the blog! Happy nap time for baby:)

Summer of ABCs: Letter "E"

Week three is officially in the books. Last week, we enjoyed playing with the letter E. Monday, we had a fun play date with Erin and sweet Eva Mae. I sure do love these ladies and sweet friends. We enjoyed a delicious brunch and baby play time.

Throughout the week, we played with Auby's baby Einstein toy and our foam letter E. We made lots of babble E sounds and played with toy eggs. Happy Summer of ABCs and fun with the letter E!

Out and About in July 2014

{Story time at Pottery Barn Kids and Lunch at the Mall with our Fantlets}

This summer, baby girl and I have been out and about quite a bit. We have enjoyed lunch dates, story times, play dates, parks, shopping trips, and errand runs. We are so thankful for all of the sweet activities with friends and fun little outings with our little family of three. So here's to the photo memories captured during these activities for our out and about trips in the month of July.

 {July 3rd, we wished Aunt Becky a Happy 26th Birthday}

 {We love our little strawberry!}

 {Auby loves to play in the standing position.}

 {So thankful for Kristin, our sweet friend and babysitter for the night}

 {Our date night out to see the Fray!!!! The greatest Mother's Day Gift as Ray knows the way to my heart;)}

 {Daddy/Daughter read alouds.} 

 {A close up of Auby}

 {A target shopping trip}

 {Our sleeping babe on our way to church}

{A grocery shopping trip. You are my sun(flower)shine!}

 {Play dates with my babe}

{Lunch dates with Kathi and our kiddos; We loved hanging with Mrs. Kathi, friend and previous Kinder team leader}

 

Happy July sweet babe and all the memories we have made!

Family Fun at our North Dallas "Beach"

On Saturday, our little family enjoyed a super fun "beach day" in North Dallas. Now this was not just any beach, or really wasn't a true beach at all... but it was absolutely perfect for us. This little getaway was advertised on Facebook and I thought, what a perfect July weekend to get out and go for a fun afternoon adventure. So we gathered some beach things and a picnic and off we went. We loved this fun little treasure. We arrived around noon and stayed for a few hours until baby's nap time. We were a bit under prepared for this July heat. But the water was perfect and the sand was soft. Baby girl seemed to really enjoy her time as well.

I loved these sweet pictures with Auby. What a perfect day for our afternoon adventure. I can't wait for our next little "beach trip."  

Aubrey's Month-iversary Series: 9 Months

Dear Auby, 
Each day I am reminded just how special it is to be your mommy. Your little personality continues to shine. We are in love with your smiles, squeals, new words, squishy faces, and all the special things that make you our little girl. I have loved watching you explore, learn, and grow. It has been extra special to be a summer stay at home mommy and love on you all day every day. I love your heart for your daddy. It is so fun to watch the two of you together. You love to love on our puppies, even if they don't have the same sentiment. We have had lots of fun play dates this summer and activities to keep us busy. But just as much as I love to spend time out, I do love our times in together. I wish I could stop time or just slow it down a bit, but you are growing right before our eyes. I am definitely enjoying each and every little stage and can't wait to see what this next month has in store for us. So here's to the smiles, to the tears and even fussiness, the constant on the go, to new adventures, to fun play dates, to longer cuddles... if you let us, and to time spent with you dear girl. Happy Nine Months!

Date: 7/7/2014
Age: Nine Months
Measurements: Weight 18 lbs. and 10 oz. (47th percentile); Height 28 1/4 in. (74th percentile); Head Cir. 16 7/8 in. (19th percentile)
Clothing: You are wearing 9 month clothing exclusively. I love dressing you each day as you are looking more and more like a little girl as compared to a newborn. Mommy loves putting you in dresses but has to be careful because in this full on mobile crawling, standing, pulling up phase, you don't want to be caught up in too much material. You have also decided that you aren't really a fan of being dressed these days and would much rather go around in your diaper or a onesie. I am so excited to say that you will at this time leave on your bows. Mommy loves bows on you sweet girl.
Eating:  For most of this month you have been an absolute champ. You are eating new foods again this month as we are trying to move you more to table food. We have been feeding you fruits, veggies, pasta, meat, and of course your sippy cup with water and formula. As we celebrated Fourth of July this month, mommy made you a fun red, white, and blue lunch. You dined on strawberries, blueberries, pasta, and turkey. Your current favorite are blueberries. This month we also had a really hard week due to teething. You were sick at every feeding with a fever. It broke mommy and daddy's heart. We had to call the nurse a few times as I was so afraid you would get dehydrated. Thankfully it did pass as the nurse said. We had to decrease your formula feedings of 6 ounces to almost 2 per her request and add oatmeal. We did have to increase the amount of feedings each day, but hey it all worked and you were able to keep it down. She explained that because you were teething/drooling it was adding a lot of liquid to your poor tummy. During feedings we would add more liquid to your tummy which made you sick. So it was definitely a week a don't want to repeat. I am so thankful you are back to your normal and healthy eating self. If  we could just get these teeth to pop through as I know your poor little mouth doesn't feel too good. You have definitely limited those gorgeous little smiles lately but today are totally back to yourself. You definitely love to hold your own bottle. You like to be so independent these days. From time to time your arms will become tired and do expect mommy to help (which sadly she does a bit of that) when that time comes, both hands quickly position behind your head. It reminds me when you were a newborn.
Sleeping: You are a great sleeper. Now that we are home for the summer, you take two really great naps... most of the time. I tried to make them at 10 and 2, but you are sometimes so tired you go down earlier. Your naps take place from 9-11 (usually) and then from 2-4. This gives mommy time to clean and or finish up some daily to dos on those nap days. Due to the holiday, our little lady had not napped for a few days. You even have a great no nap scream.

Yesterday I was determined that you would take a nap. So getting you down has been tricky and provided a lot of tears, but in the end, you slept well.

New Activities and Random Tidbits:
- You are constantly on the move (unless you are tired). You can crawl, pull up, stand independently (for seconds at a time and no steps yet), walk with assistance
- Your new love is your bouncer. You have rekindled that relationship and love playing, laying, rolling, bouncing, and occasionally flipping over your set. What a problem solver;)

- You love to wave hi and bye (sometimes on command but usually if modeled).
- Because you raise your hands quite a bit, you will give what we call high-fives. You have no clue that's what it is... but it is so adorable.
- I love our morning hugs. I love how you wrap your arms around my neck and hug my legs.
- You have learned how to say the word "up", and are currently working on "uh oh". It is so funny as you are not exactly there yet. You also mix the two words up. I love that you will say up when you drop something or flip a toy over.
- Georgie the g-fraff is your favorite toy. You two are inseparable for the most part.

- You make adorable little mouth noises. We want to teach you how to blow kisses.
- You can transfer from object to object. In the standing position, you can bend down and pick up something and go back to standing.
- You can hold an object in each hand and clap them together.
- You definitely want to hold your own bottle 90% of the time. When your arms get tired, you let it sit on your chest, but keep drinking.
- You raise both hands when we say yay! (you learned this from Miss Eva Mae when she raises her arms for touchdown!)
- You had two babysitting dates this month so mommy and daddy could go to a reception and a date to see the Fray. We are so thankful to the Ogles and Kristin for watching our girl and giving us a few nights out!
- You can shake your head yes.
- We have enjoyed lots of fun Skype dates with Oma this month and some facetime dates with Papa Z. Boy do you LOVE computers. You want to touch everything.
- We have definitely seen your fussy side. You have learned to fuss when you don't get what you want. It's so funny to see all of your sides as it means you are growing and learning to communicate with us for sure.
- You eat with your little pinky up. Sometimes I still catch you tuck your thumb underneath your other fingers.
- We celebrated a fabulous Fourth of July! Sadly we missed our Waldrup family but look forward to a visit soon.

{Our Red, White, & Blue Baby}

(McKinney Hometown Parade)

 

- You are definitely dedicated. If you see something you want, you go for it. It typically is something that mommy and daddy don't want you to have like our dinner, my camera, an electrical chord, a pair of scissors, or dog toy.
- You love chewing on the Orajel tube, Desitin tube, wipes box, water bottles, lotion tubes, and everything you probably shouldn't. Mama of the year right?
- You love flipping over your baby Einstein and walking toys.
- Everything and I mean everything goes in your mouth.
- We found babytv this month. You enjoy watching this little penguin show.
- You have found your voice. We have heard lots of fun new sounds this month. You will mimic sounds if it is in the moment, but definitely won't on command if it is days later. We are still working on that.
- You enjoy watching the vacuum. Thank goodness. This absolutely helps mommy during cleaning time.
- We can put you in the bouncer for about 5 minutes before you get tired of it. The morning is your favorite time to play in it as we may get a good 15. This helps while I get the hubby up and out the door.
- Over the past few months you have located the monitor. You now like to throw it off of your crib.
- You chew your crib and are currently having a crib teething rail put on so you don't hurt yourself or the crib.
- We have enjoyed lots of water dates including pool time and our picnic at the "beach." This was in North Dallas at a park at Lake Lewisville. I absolutely LOVED our afternoon together.

{Little Elm "Beach"} 

 {Summer Pool Days}

 

- We still are not sure if you are in LOVE with water. You definitely love to splish splash but are not all smiles. Time will tell:)

Likes: Georgie g-raff toy, bouncing in your bouncer, playing peek-a-boo, mommy's phone, camera drinking from water bottles, pulling up and moving around objects, blinds, waving, blowing raspberries and making mouth noises, table food, blueberries, flipping toys over, Jesus loves me teddy bear, shaking head yes, music, walks, puppies, stealing pacis from friends, drumming on objects, funny mouth noises from mommy and daddy.

Dislikes: diaper and changing clothes, waiting for food, being held when you want to be put down, nap time when you aren't ready, car carriers- it's hot, Nose-Frieda or anything to do with your nose.

We are so in love sweet baby and love watching you grow! (but please slow down a bit...)

Watch Aubrey grow!

{1-8 months)

{9 month baby}

Hometown Family Fourth Fun!

Happy Fourth of July! Our little family of three had a fabulous Fourth celebrating America's Independence Day in North Dallas. That morning, after an early play time with the babe, we enjoyed a red, white, and blue inspired breakfast.

We packed all the necessities... which for me means anything that may be necessary for the day. So after over packing to say the least, we got ourselves ready for the parade. After breakfast, we adorned our red, white, and blue and made our way to McKinney's hometown parade. This would be our first time to attend as well as to take little Miss. I have to say, it was so well organized and pretty amazing to see all the families. Crowds and lawn chairs lined the streets, children and parents dressed in their themed finest, and flags were being distributed to all. I loved it and baby did great! As we made our way to find a spot, we had to stop for some real lemonade. It was absolutely delicious and a perfect way to beat the morning heat.

 

{Can't beat fresh lemonade}

Ray found us a perfect little spot. Now I will use this disclaimer and say that this was during baby girl's morning nap and she was a bit hungry as we gave her a morning bottle before all the excitement began, but she really did great! I just loved her sweet July 4th themed outfit and shoes. Thanks Grammy and Papa Z. We definitely got our fair share of friendly comments from passers by.

 

 

Then it was time for the parade to start. From veterans, the mayor, the town beauty queen, old timey cars, girl and boy scouts, local businesses, horse riding, fitness clubs, and the like, we enjoyed seeing all that this sweet little downtown parade had to offer. Enjoy a few pictures of our little family watching the parade.

 



After the parade, it was definitely time for lunch. But what is more American than a burger? So we ventured over to Square Burger for lunch and dined with our friends, The Ogles. It seemed many had the same idea as we did. But boy is Square Burger delicious... absolutely worth the wait in my and my husband's opinion. So while we waited, the adults chatted and the little ladies played.

 {Erin, Eva Mae, Richard, and Aubrey}

{Richard and Aubrey fun}

{Eva Mae-12 months & Aubrey-8 months} 

 

The food was delicious and our lunch bunch was a lot of fun as well. We are truly thankful for such dear friends.

After we finished lunch and said our good-byes, we headed home to put our little one to bed, but she wasn't having it. Instead she learned that she loved her new toy... her baby bouncer. We also have been working on a few new words like "up" and "uh oh." I love how she mixes the two up from time to time. If we drop something we may get an "up." Baby language is all too cute. I did have to include this as it was just so darn precious and totally worth the eventually fussy no napping baby that we had on our hands that evening.

I could watch that sweet video over and over. I just love her little voice. Melt my heart for sure.

Well once we figured out that no nap would be had, we decided that we would continue our day of fun in the sun on this fourth and set up her baby pool.

The water felt absolutely great. We added a few of her little bath toys which she loved. She definitely does NOT want to be on her back and would so love to lay face first, if it didn't get wet. But once she gets going with splashing, she definitely enjoys herself. While I wasn't exactly a fan of the bugs, and we decided to watch our fireworks on the tv this year to not disturb baby girl's sleep, I have to say it was an absolutely fantastic Fourth with our little fam. Here is a fun picture of last year with little girl still inside my tummy compared to our fun family fourth with Aubrey. It's amazing how the years move on.

Red, White, and Blue Baby

I just love our Red, White, and Blue Baby!

I have been waiting for this day for Auby to wear this sweet little outfit for over 9 months. After receiving clothes from sweet friends, I came upon this adorable little number and just knew it would be a perfect fit for this upcoming July. July is definitely a favorite summer month of mine. A day to celebrate America's independence and the men and women who have served, the hot summer days of eating watermelon and jumping in pools, watching fireworks, celebrating special family birthdays, summer vacations, and our engage-iversary (yes I cannot believe it has been 5 years since my husband "officially" asked me to be his). Today is a truly special day and I wanted to celebrate by dressing up little miss in a sweet little Red, White, and Blue baby outfit to prepare us for upcoming July 4th celebrations. So here's to the fun that the fourth will bring and to all the fun our little Red, White, and Blue baby has given. Happy 3rd of July!