Catching Some Zzz! A New Look!

Today I decided it was time for a new look... for the blog that is. I'm still trying to decide upon a background or even if I want to change my old one. I do; however, LOVE with a lot of capitals my new header I made with pickmonkey. It was super easy and oh so fun. Anyway wishing you a wonderful day and enjoy our little blog. Be sure to be... catching some Zzz!

Day in the Life: February 7, 2014

Happy Friday Blog Friends!
Welcome to a day in the life. Today I celebrated the 100th day of school with my first graders. We were unsure if we'd be at school on this cold Monday as this was our second snow day in a row. The roads were definitely safe enough to drive on. School was a blast!

 

Aubrey turned four months old. Her four month pedi appointment was scheduled for 8:30 this morning. I love that her pediatrician's office always gives the babies these adorable little themed duckies. Too cute! Sadly I was unable to go as it was scheduled after I would be at work. But I do love that the hubs texted me this picture so I could know all of her fun stats.

After school, I came home to take Aubrey's four month photo shoot. I was a bit nervous as these sessions can go many different ways. I was unsure if she'd be up for it as she's usually really hungry and really tired when we get back from daycare. But I have to say that this was the best photo session yet! She was all smiles! I can't believe how big she looks here. Plus I do love that beautiful smile and dimples.

Aubrey enjoyed a play date with her four month baby bestie, baby Robert. I just love these sweet two babies and love that their mama's were roommates in college. I cannot wait until they can really play together. Seriously so adorable!

After our baby play date, I said good-bye to the husband as he was meeting with our college crew gentlemen for a night out. But before our good-byes I had to take a fabulous family photo. I sure do love these two.

Happy Friday to all and to all a goodnight!

Aubrey's Month-iversary Series: Four Months

Aubrey Rose,
 I cannot believe that you are four months old today sweet girl. I have to say that this has been my favorite month so far. You have grown so much in this short time and I don't want to blink in fear that the time will simply pass us by. I love that beautiful smile, adorable giggle, and those dimples are to die for. I love you more than words sweet girl and I am so thankful for each moment that I spend with you. I am counting down the days until Spring Break and to each holiday that will give me an extra day to cuddle with you and daddy. I live for weekends and for each day I come home after work to do some play and tummy time with you. This month has brought us so many firsts from our first bout of illness, huge smiles, finding our feet, rolling over back to tummy, belly laughs, sitting up, babbles, and bubble making. You both are the love of my life and I am so excited for this next month and for all those to come.

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: 2/7/14
Age: Four Months
Measurements: 13 lbs 12 oz, (weight 54%), 25 inches (length 77%), 15 3/5 (head cir 25%)
Clothing: You are officially in 3M or 3-6 month clothing. I have had to sort through your clothing yet again and put many pieces away. It is always a tearful activity, remembering all the special moments and the outfits you wore. I do love that a sweet baby bestie that will be born this April will be getting your clothes. It will be fun to watch her wear some of our favorite outfits.
Eating: You are still eating about four ounces every 3 hours but now will consume more 5-6 ounce bottles more frequently. You will consume a 6 ounce bottle first thing in the morning and before bedtime. You really only fuss when you are about to eat and then when you are sleepy.
Sleeping: Since your RSV, we have been keeping you upright at night with a humidifier. Let me tell you how that has made all the difference. You of course are still trying to fall asleep at 4:00 but we are doing our very best to extend it and throw in an extra play/tummy time session until about 6 and a bedtime about 6:30. You have been sleeping through the night for over a week now and I couldn't be more thankful. You usually slip down in your bouncer and fuss (while sleeping). I just lift you back up. I make a little adjustment and you are out like a light. If you do get up, it is once and it is usually between 4-5. I'll take it. I am so afraid to transition you back. I tried this past week and you were up every 2-3 hours. So definitely we'll be keeping our fingers crossed that you can continue your sleeping through the night when you return to your bed.
New Activities:
Your new activities include making more sounds, began to pet Mattie and notice the puppies, a stronger grip, rolling over from back to tummy, belly laughs, bigger smiles, mimicing our sounds, sticking out tongue, found your feet, siting up by self (for longer periods of time), pulling hair, noming on my chin, took your first big girl bath
Likes: silly faces, sticking tongue out, mirrors (by choice) being on your tummy, rattle ball toy, crinkle toys including Ella and Georgie the Giraffe, swing, bouncer, sucking on fingers,
Dislikes: the carrier, hiccups, pacis, not getting food in a timely manner, changing clothes, washing hair, being wet
Random Tidbits:
- One year ago on January 31st, we found out we were expected our greatest miracle.
- You experienced another snow day at home.
- We spent an afternoon in the park.
- You enjoyed your first super bowl... even though you and mommy had nothing to do with it.
- Mommy and daddy enjoyed their first parent's night out. You stayed at the church for a few hours with your friends.
- You were diagnosed with RSV and spent some much needed rest at home.
- You celebrated several of your baby bestie's birthdays.
- Aubrey you love to try to hold your own bottle. You are not there quite yet, but boy do you love to try.
- You are such a happy baby sweet girl. I love that adorable smile. I love the mornings and when we pick you up from daycare. When you see us, your face lights up.
- Sometimes I think you can be super outgoing but sometimes are going to be shy as you love to smile and then hide your face in my scarf. 
- You also love to eat my scarf these days.
- You have started to reach out for people's faces. Many times you pull on our mouths, cheeks, hair, etc. It does tend to hurt sweet girl as your grip has gotten so strong.
- You love laughing at your daddy and when other babies laugh. 
- You love sleeping with your hands behind your head.
- You loved hearing the story, Sophia the First.
- Mommy loves to dress you in super girly things... even though they were given to us. She loves buying clothes for you and likes to put any type of bow to wear on your head.
- Aubrey, you hoard fuzz in your toes. Daddy jokes that you have his gorilla toes and seriously girl it is always there.
- You have the longest little fingers and still love to chew on all of them.

We love you so much little lady. Continue to grow, to laugh, and to snuggle. We love every moment and are so thankful for each of them. Happy four months sweet angel.

Enjoy a few pictures from her photoshoot.

Sunday Soup: Febrauary 2, 2014

 Wow! The weeks sure fly by and it seems like it's time for another Sunday Soup! Well this one will just be straight and to the point with this week's creations.

1. Sunday we enjoyed a night of Super Bowl and ABF fun.
2. I spent a few "extra" hours at school attempting to catch up. As if that would be possible.
3. Ray and I celebrated our first Parent's Night Out. I sure do love our church for hosting and taking care of our sweet baby. Ray and I enjoyed dinner at Breadwinners and an after dinner coffee at Starbucks.
4. We attended our sweet little baby bestie's 3rd birthday party.
5. I enjoyed a ladies night out with my bestie. Pedis and Mexican food are two of my favorites.
6. We remembered a year ago this week when we discovered we were blessed with our sweet bundle.
7. Aubrey learned a new trick this week as she began to pet and love on her puppy friend.
8. Toby turned 7 years old on Groundhog Day.
9. Phil predicted another 6 more weeks of winter. I am very much hoping for a few frozen days indoors. Fingers crossed another day off with the husband and lady.

That's about it for this week's addition of Sunday Soup.

One Year Ago Today...

On January 31, 2013, we discovered that we had finally received our miracle. For over a year we had prayed, struggled, and really lost hope. I was unsure if it would be possible for us to have a baby as it seemed that so many issues stood in our way. But God knows all and wrote a pretty amazing story for us. It was in His perfect timing that we'd have this beautiful baby. And we couldn't be more thankful for it. This year has truly changed our lives, and we couldn't imagine it any other way. It will be so crazy to think what this next year will hold. So here's to the next 365 days and all the twists and turns along the way.

Splish Splash... Aubrey in Her Big Girl Bath

Splish Splash, Aubrey's in the bath. Last Saturday there was surely a party going on. We decided to pull out baby girl's big bath tub. Since she was born, we used the bathing "nest" method that was discussed in our baby basics class. We were so curious as to how little girl would do in her big girl bath. She was such a happy girl, with her big and beautiful smile. As soon as she got in the water she was so indifferent to this bath... very low key. We are absolutely hoping that one day she'll love splishing and splashing with her sweet duckie friend.

Sunday Soup: January 26, 2014

This Sunday's soup is seasoned with a sick baby, a day off, some tummy time, space travel, a date night, and a trip to the park. This week was filled with its ups and downs and everything in between. So sit back and take in this week's Sunday Soup: January 26, 2014.

1. The Thursday before, our baby was diagnosed with RSV. Daddy stayed home Thursday and Friday. With Monday being a day off with MLK day, mommy stayed home Monday as well.
2. With a sick baby, we made sure she had lots of rest.

 

3. Baby says she's only a little bit sick as she plays with her new dolly, baby Lucy. 

4. As our baby got a bit healthier, she enjoyed some good play and tummy time. Aubrey says, "Hey, I think this thing is supposed to play music. I'm a little bit confused.

5. Daddy enjoyed a day off and tried a water deprivation chamber. Daddy's "space ship travel" was amazingly fun, but as he said was basically an expensive nap. The night before was a bad sleep night with baby and instead of enjoying the dark pod filled with salt water, he fell asleep instead. 

6. Friday night, I enjoyed a night with my two greatest loves. I couldn't be a happier mama and wife! I love these two more than words.

7. After days of frozen temperatures, Sunday provided a gorgeous day of playtime at the park.

8. Sunday night, we met with our ABF for a leadership and planning meeting.

 After much prayer, we are excited about our new Engage Initiative, The GROW Initiative: Giving Riches in Other Ways. It will be a wonderful way to serve others and show God's love to all people.

This week has surely been a week of ups and downs. Our sweet girl being sick, sleepless nights, the craziness of school and going back to work, trying to fit in a new work out schedule, and being mommy.wifey.andteacher has been a true challenge. While I have been met by many days of exhaustion and tears, I am thankful for the privilege of being all three and know that a balance will soon find me. So here's to next week and to the smiles, the snuggles, and the blessings in between.