Sneak Peek: Aubrey's Newborn Photos

 

This past week, the husband and I traveled to Wylie to get newborn photos of Auby. While I was pregnant, I received a flyer from the Bump for Photography by Kelli. I loved the beautiful, quality pictures she provided and it was exactly what I wanted for our little girl. On Tuesday, we had our scheduled appointment, drove out to downtown Wylie, and made our way to her amazing studio. But even with our great intentions, it just wasn't our day. With an upcoming storm, two blowouts, potty, and spit up, poor girl was also wide awake which made taking sleeping baby pictures pretty impossible. So we gladly rescheduled for Friday with hopes of a better shoot. Well I couldn't be more thankful that we did because little Miss did an amazing job. She was fast asleep and actually didn't potty at all during her entire photo shoot. We loved Kelli, the photographer. She is absolutely amazing with babies, super patient, and is so talented. If anyone is interested, I would totally recommend. I'm already excited about our next shoot with her! Here are a few sneak peeks of Miss Aubrey. Talk about melt your heart moments that will fill the walls of our home!

 

 



2 Weeks Old

Name: Aubrey
Nickname: Auby or Awbaby. Sometimes I call her squiggles becomes she can squirm and wiggle. It typically is a 2AM pet name.
Age: Two Weeks old
Weight: 7 pounds 8 ounces at our 2 week appointment (10 days). We are officially back up to birth weight
Clothing: We are still in newborn clothing. 0-3 month clothing seems to swallow her.
Sleep: Our second week has been a difficult week in regards to sleep. She still wants to be held and nights are pretty difficult. It may take an hour or two to put her to bed. During the day, she does a great job napping. We do continue to change her sleeping arrangements from the swing, bassinet, and pack n play. We are still trying to get her more acclimated to the pack n play as her days until daycare draw more near.
Feeding: I think feeding and sleeping are my two largest concerns. I know we are doing everything we can, just as a mother sometimes it makes me sad that I cannot breastfeed my baby. I do miss that bonding time with her. To keep things less TMI, let's just say that my baby is lazy with the breast shield and now I have developed some issues that make it impossible for her to feed on the right side. I'm hoping this may change, but am afraid she just won't go back to the breast. Now please know I have talked to lactation specialist and have read blogs and websites. I have gotten countless advice which I am so very thankful for... I think this is more of a small venting section for me. But hey she is still getting breast milk on most occasions with minimal supplementing and we will continue this for as long as possible. If the day comes that I am no longer able, I will be fine. I have no problem with formula... my main concern is her tummy as she has also developed some not so fun gassy issues. This of course makes the poor girl have difficulty sleeping. It's a vicious cycle for sure. All I have to say is thank you Oma for some extra naps during the day.
What She's Doing: Hilarious facial expressions, following voice with eyes, lots of smiles (even if uncontrolled), helps mommy and daddy when burping (you just have to hear her little goat/monkey sounds she makes), attempting to grasp on to things.
Activities This Week: Visit from Oma, trip to the Arboretum, pediatrician visit, visit from friends, newborn photo shoot, and first Aggie party with friends.
Likes: Swaddles, pacis, singing, cuddles, eating, soft blankets, car rides, and music
Dislikes: bath time, being naked, changing her diaper, not being fed on demand
Visitors: Anna, The Ogles, The Hanks, Goodings, Zoutendams,
Mommy's Favorite Moments: sweet smiles, umbilical cord fell off, Arboretum trip and family pictures with Oma
Daddy's Favorites Moments: snuggling when he gets home from work

My Daughter, My Teacher

As a teacher, I was so excited (and still am) about all the wonderful things that I teach my students. But the other night or really the morning (as my days and nights are easily confused due to pumping and naps), I realized that already my daughter in her seven days of life so far has taught me more than I could have imagined. So this post (as it is written at 4 in the morning, is a recount of some of the things that I have learned this week. My daughter is my teacher.

  



1. I learned a new sense of love that I had never experienced before... Love for my daughter and while I absolutely loved my husband, I have found a stronger love connection for him as a father as well. 

2. My life takes place in 3 hour segments.

3. I have cried tears of joy for beautiful baby smiles.

4. There is nothing sweeter than baby toes and fingers.

5. I've learned to become a night owl or shall I say I'm learning.

6. I have mixed up my AM and PMs wondering why it is dark at 9AM? I have not sense of time.

7. Taking 6 pills at a time is my new normal.

8. I am really good at accomplishing goals/tasks one-handed.

9. Pumping leads to lots of bloggable updates.

10. It is absolutely normal in our house for a sheep to make whale noises. It is our daughter's favorite.

11. Mattie thinks Aubrey is her baby and wants to be everywhere that she is.

12. Laundry is not just a daily to do, but a multiple times a day to do.

13. Baby snuggles couldn't be more sweet.

14 Wipes are good for everything.

15. It is amazing what you can fit in a diaper bag. I still find myself forgetting things.

16. While my poor daughter hates bath time, it is one of my favorite activities... book, bath, and bed.

17. Aubrey loves her swing and it is currently the only place she sleeps away from us.

18. Mattie has gotten more use of Aubrey's boppy than she has.

19. I will not apologize for being the mother I want to be.
20. I love my daughter's squishy and poop faces. I could just look at her all day.

I truly do love this baby girl beyond belief. And while there will be challenges that we will face, I am very excited about being a mama and thankful for a husband that does so much. 

ONE Week Old

Name: Aubrey Rose
Age: One Week old
Weight: 7 pounds 4 ounces
Clothing: Newborn for sure. We had to buy a few more newborn onesies as 0-3 months is just a little too big for our petite lady. Since the weather has been cooler, we have put her in newborn gowns.
Sleep: Aubrey does a fantastic job of sleeping during the day. There are times that she over sleeps at night but typically she's our night owl. If she wakes up,  you can almost guarantee that it'll take an hour to put her back to sleep. While she's adorable, she's definitely got a set of lungs on her and it makes for some really late nights/early mornings.
Feeding: Sadly little Miss has had latch issues from birth. We've tried the shield and that gave limited feeding. We've talked to several consultants, but am not having too much luck. At our first pediatrician appointment, she was under weight and had lost more than 10% of her body weight. I hated that she always acted like she was starving. So until my milk came in, I had to supplement. Now I am giving breast milk but am having to pump and bottle feed at this point. I do supplement a feeding or two based on need but she is doing fantastic. She's surely a champ eater but it is a bit more difficult. I'm hoping this will be easier and not as challenging once we find out a better schedule.
What She's Doing: She has great head control and neck muscles for a one week old. She seems like she can army crawl up our chest when she's hungry and determined:) While she has no control of this, gives sweet smiles to mom and dad. Talk about melt your heart.
Activities This Week: Lots of visitors, first pediatrician appointment, lunch out to Jason's deli and target trip at 4 days old.
Firsts: Everything:)
Likes: Swaddles, cuddles, eating, sleeping, soft blankets, and music
Dislikes: bath time, being naked, changing her diaper, not being fed,
Visitors: Oma and Opa, Uncle Chris, Grammy and Papa Z, Aunt Becky, The Dukes, The Fants, Mike, Dustin and Paige, The Kennedys, Kathi,
Mommy's Favorite Moments: cuddling, Aubrey's squishy faces, watching my husband with his baby girl
Daddy's Favorites Moments: snuggling, seeing her little smiles even though she doesn't know she's doing it, and her sleeping on his chest.

Links for Blog Posts of Aubrey

A lot of sleepless nights has allowed for lots of sweet baby snuggles and blog posts. This blog is an effort to keep our family and friends updated on our little miss and all that we've been up to. You may click on the links to read all about her.

Happy Birthday Aubrey Rose Zellner

Aubrey's Family Visitors

Day Two: Hospital Stay

Baby Bath Time

Our Second Family

Bryson Loves Aubrey

More coming soon!

Our Second Family

I think my husband said it best...

 

"The Lord is continuously pouring out blessings on Alicia, Aubrey, and I through our wonderful friends who have gifted us with their time, gifts and food! Aubrey will grow up to see what Alicia and I believe to be our second family..." We cannot express the gratitude we have for our friends that truly are a second family to us. Enjoy some sweet pictures of our friends meeting our little lady.

 

 {Duckee and baby Aubrey}
{Sadly I missed a photo opt with Adam and Mike}

{Kristin and Bryson}

 

           Bryson (age 3) and Aubrey (3 days old)

  
Sweet friends

 {Miss Madelynn and Emily- 7 1/2 months old}

 {Michael, Ray, and Aubrey}

 Thank you Michael for our sweet Welcome Home Aubrey sign.

 {Dustin, Paige, and Aubrey}

  {Kathi and Aubrey}

{Erin and I with our baby girls} 

{Richard and Ray with their baby girls, Eva Mae and Aubrey} 

 {The Kennedy's with Aubrey and Mr. Jack- 13 months}

 {Anna and Aubrey}

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to the sweet friends and family for the love and blessings you have poured out to us. We are truly honored to call you a second family.

Bryson Loves Aubrey!

Talk about a melt your heart moment that I couldn't pass up on writing about. On Wednesday, our Fantlet friends came to visit Miss Aubrey. I couldn't have been more excited to share her with our sweet friends and of course the three Fantlet kiddos. I'd love to say that little miss was on her best behavior but sadly was not having a great afternoon. Poor girl really was exhausted and sadly hadn't gotten much food due to latching issues. I myself was a bit of a hot mess. When our friends came in, Bryson had the most adorable handmade picture for Aubrey. It was a picture of a swaddled baby and had her name written on it. He couldn't wait to give it to her and give her a big hug and kiss. In the sweetest and quietest voice, he would say, "baby Aubrey... baby Aubrey." Then bend down and give her kisses. Seriously melt your heart. Here is the conversation that followed.

Bryson: Where is your kid?
Me: She's right here sweetheart.
Bryson: No her big brother.
Me: Sorry sweety. She doesn't have a big brother. If we do have a big brother later, will you be good friends with him?
Bryson: Yes!
Me: Are you going to be friends with Aubrey?
Bryson: Yes. I love Aubrey.
Then he sat down, put his head on my shoulder, and asked if we could look at pictures on my phone of her. I definitely cried like a baby about it. I see a marriage in the making:)