Dat's Aggieland Mommy!

The whole trip to College Station, I heard my big girl saying, "Dat's Aggieland Mommy!" My heart skipped a beat as she repeated these very precious words, but of course my head knew that she really didn't understand what "Aggieland" was. For all we knew she could be thinking we were going to see my parent's dog, Aggie. But regardless we were all very excited about our family of four's first trip to sweet home College Station. It surely was an adventure!

Our 3.5 hour trip to Aggieland was perfection. Little man slept (praise) and our big girl talked, looked at books, and watched a few of her travel favorites on the ipad (I'll come back to this later). This gave Ray and I a chance to have a few hours of couples conversation, which to be honest has mainly been filled with newborn and princess talk these past 2 months. Upon arrival, it was lunch time. We knew both littles were very ready to be out of the car and Liam was definitely overdue on his next feeding. So of course our first stop was Fazolis. It is our travel favorite. You can't beat fast food italian (that doesn't taste it) with the most delicious breasticks. Yum!

 Liam's face tells it all in this picture! Delicious!

My little girl who was a bit on the grumpy side was not wanting pasta and refused her meatballs. Anyone who knows my child would be shocked as meatballs are her "chicken nuggets." She LOVES pasta and meatballs (insert a funny way of saying meatballs) With a hungry and tired toddler a sudden downpour of rain and loud thunder made our dining experience a bit more interesting. My mind of course already realizing the cute, memorable family portrait under the century tree was not exactly going to happen as planned. While we waited out the rain, we ordered cheesecake, cuddled in the booth while Aubrey then told us that God made the "funder," and chatted about our college days. When we were down to a slight sprinkle, we decided it was time to go to the car and at least drive around campus. We visited some of our old favorites but of course had to make it out to Aggieland Outfitters for some adorable Aggie gear for the babes.

 

If Auby had her way, I'm sure she would have bought out the store. "Dats Aggieland mommy!" I'm so in love with this cute little Aggie LOVE shirt that we found. When did my baby get so big?

 I couldn't resist this adorable piece of A&M monogrammed baby boy gingham. 

Gig 'Em Aggies

Once driving around campus we realized that parking would be tricky as this weekend an Aggie baseball game was being played. We then parked closer to Northside as we made our way past the old dorms, cafeteria and Underground (shout out to my place of work), and then to the campus to my absolute favorite spot, the Century Tree. It was of course soaked with water and mud was caked on the side walk all around, but I wouldn't have missed it for the world. I did; however, feel pretty guilty bringing my 8 week old out in the rain. He was covered by the stroller. Aubrey on the other hand LOVED the rain. She jumped in every puddle and was all smiles.

 Century Tree with Daddy

I am so thankful to have captured these special moments with my two loves. It will be so fun to make these special memories with Liam as he too gets older. It was a wet and wild adventure of a trip but taking it all in as our littles won't be this little forever.

Chuck-E-Cheese

 

Family time is so important as our days and nights tend to be a bit of a blur these days. One Saturday while the rain kept us from any outdoor activity we had planed, we decided to take the kids to Chuck-E-Cheese. While little man slept, we showed our little lady around the different game options. She was a bit nervous as it was a little overwhelming at first. Then she quickly warmed up and had a blast riding the rides, playing games, collecting tickets, and of course giving high fives to Chuck-E-Cheese himself. Enjoy a picture post of our afternoon at Chuck-E Cheese play place. 

 

While Mommy was Away...

While Mommy was away... we welcomed a new little,

 {Liam Owen- 7 weeks old and born March 24, 2016}

traveled to new planets,

 {Outdoor chalk play with family & neighbors}

became one with the earth,

 {Mother's Day Gift- family planting party}

became royalty,

{Princess Auby & Princess pal, Eva Mae}

{Pretty Princesses- Princess Cassidy & Princess Aubrey}

 {Pretty in Pink Princess Polish}

grew wings and learned to fly,

{Aubrey loves her baby brother}

rode magical horses,

{We celebrated Myla's magical 4th birthday party at the carousel}

made our bodies strong,

{Yoga with daddy}

celebrated mommy's special day,

{Mommy's world is truly made whole by the love that is wrapped in her arms.}

visited dear family & friends,

 {Liam and I came to eat lunch with my first grade team and visit my kiddos}

 

{We celebrated my first grade team leader and her nomination for district teacher of the year}

 {We loved our sweet visit. Breakfast with Aunt Becky & Aunt Rachel}

 {Family Photo}

{Aunt Rachel & Aunt Becky visit the BIG D}

 {Klyde Warren Family & Food truck fun}

While mommy was away... we surely made great memories, enjoyed new adventures, and had a lot of trial and error. After 10 weeks at home and 8 weeks with my little man, it is time that I return back to work. I am so thankful for the opportunity to end the year with my team and to say my good-byes to my kiddos. I know that I will truly miss being a teacher and our days will be both joyous and challenging but I am excited to stay home with my babes and start my new journey as a stay at home mama. So while mommy was away... we sure did play.

Watch Liam Grow- Weeks 4-7

 

Dear Liam,

You continue to grow up right before my eyes sweet boy. I absolutely adore watching your little personality grow. There is nothing cuter than your sweet smiles, our morning coos, and that side dimple. Today I look at you while you are napping and know that within only a few days I will return to work to say my good-byes before I am at home full time with my two love bugs. I'm both excited and anxious as this is a huge step for our little family. I absolutely love teaching but know this is where God is calling me to be. I know days will be challenging but so worth it. Little man we have shared almost 8 weeks together. Our days have been filled with smiles, cuddles and coos, and excitement, but also with tears, pure exhaustion, and moments of complete trial and error. You are my perfect little boy. You are definitely your own little person but I wouldn't want it any other way. It is crazy to think that within a week you'll be two months old. I have loved watching you grow and all the newness you've learned. My prayer for you is that God will continue to grow your body big and strong, that your colicky days will quickly draw to an close, and that you will learn to love sleep during the night. May you never lose that adorable grin. You are my determined little man. You are strong, active, and have an eye for your mama. You do not have a problem to let everyone know exactly what you want. That usually means to be held or fed but it's ok. I know that simply will translate to bigger things in your future. I adore your smiles. You make my heart full and I am so completely in love with you. So while this post will catch us up from weeks 4-7, sorry lack of sleep and not wanting to be put down has not allotted the time to write weekly, but it's ok. I'll continue to enjoy my snuggles as I know babies don't stay babies forever. I'll enjoy it while I can. Happy 4-7 weeks my little Liam love.

Number of weeks: seven weeks & 5 days
Measurements: We will know more at our 2 month appointment
Clothing: You are officially too big for newbie clothes. You are long and lean like your daddy. You fit comfortably in size 0-3 month clothing but can additionally wear 3 month Carters clothes. I cannot believe how quickly you are growing sweet babe.
Diapers: size 1
Eating: You love to eat! (just like your mommy) You are on breast milk but want to eat all.the.time. We are having to supplement a few times throughout the day but are doing well overall. You are showing some signs of reflux but seem to have grown out of your tummy issues that you had a few weeks ago.
Sleeping: As I write this, I do have to celebrate that last night you slept 7 hours straight. I feel like a new mommy! But to be perfectly honest, you are not a sleeper. We learned early on that you had a bad case of colic and your days and nights were switched. When you were a few weeks old, you took pretty good morning naps between 9-11 and then again between 3-5 and not for the full time. Sadly this was only if you were being held and would quickly wake up if you were set down. You have not been the greatest fan of the swing, bouncer, or bassinet. At night you have learned to sleep a 3-4 hour stretch in the bassinet from 8-12 or 10-2AM. Then sadly would wake between 1-2 hours later and would be up for the night. Daddy and mommy have been on survival mode for the past two months but are feeling that we may be turning a corner with your sleep patterns. It has also been challenging as big sister is also going through a phase of sleep refusal.
Activities: coos, more eye contact, opening hands, recognition of our voices, smiles and facial expressions, holding onto toys/fingers 
Likes: being held, fed, cooing with mommy and daddy, pacis, play mat with our fishy friends, riding in the car when it is moving
Dislikes: changing clothing/diapers, being put down, being put into the car carrier, car stops

You truly keep us on our toes sweet boy, but you are an absolute blessing. Parenting a newbie is tough, but we are better parents for it. All our love growing boy!

Our Field of Blue with the Babes

 

I absolutely adored taking family photos in a field of beautiful blue.

 

 Aubrey Rose- 2.5 years old

I have to say my 2.5 year old spunky monkey really enjoyed herself. She may have even picked a flower or two (parent fail) but overall sat pretty well during our little family photo session.

My two week old little man looked so handsome in his bow tie. He may not have been a huge fan of our photos and being put down on the ground, but with paci in hand ready to pull at the right minute, he really did amazing.

 Liam Owen- 2 weeks

Aubrey loves her little Liam. My two little love bugs holding hands. While it may have been a little forced, I am so excited to see their little sibling love flourish.

Our family photo
I love this picture but laugh to myself as I know what the real moment looked like. By this time my two year old was over it and my two week old was shouting at the top of his lungs because he was cold and hungry. Aubrey had also spotted a few ducks in the pond behind the trees and wanted to go feed the "wah-wahs" (her new nickname for ducks as it's the sound ducks make) But in all truth our afternoon was perfectly imperfect. The rain held off and we bribed our two year old with goldfish which later were fed to ducks in the pond. Smiles were had by all and I'm thankful for this sweet moment captured in our field of blue with the babes.