Letters for Liam: Until We Meet

To my handsome little man,
It amazes me how quickly time has gone by this pregnancy and within a few days/weeks we will see your sweet face. While we have yet to meet our little Liam, we know that God has such an amazing plan for you sweet boy. This pregnancy while a bit difficult I know has grown you into the little cuddle bug that you are. God has has made you absolutely perfect and I cannot wait to hold your sweet little fingers, to see those sweet little toes.

 

I am so excited to watch our little family grow from three to four and all of the adventures our life's journey will take from the moment our eyes meet yours. Our God is a good, good father.

I am also so excited to see the relationship you have with your big sister.

I don't think she knows exactly what she's in for. But...she knows your name. She tries talking to you through mommy's belly button as if it were a communication tool directly to her baby brother. We pray for you each night. She points to your room and to baby toys and will call them yours. I'm sure we will have our fair share of toddler tantrums but I know she will adore her baby brother as you will adore her. It's been amazing being a girl mommy, with princess dresses, tutus, purses, and bows, but I am so looking forward to being a boy mommy too.


So bring on the bow ties, suspenders, derbies, and more, our little boy will make us a family of four!

From the moment we heard your heart beat, we were in love. Sweet boy thank you for your nightly baby parties, belly rolls, your rib kicks, hiccups, and for allowing me to be your mommy. So until that day we meet our sweet boy (and please may it come soon), I want you to grow, sleep, kick (not too hard), and stay safe as we cannot wait to cuddle you, snuggle you, and show you how deeply you are loved. 

Auby Letters: 2.5 Years of Auby Love'n

To our dearest love bug, 

You have continued to amaze us, challenge us, grow us as parents, show us more love than we could ever have imagined, and teach us about grace. You and your daddy absolutely complete my heart. You keep us on our toes, bring smiles to our faces, challenge us through the tantrums, but snuggle us every moment in between. Through the ups, the downs, and the in betweens of parenthood, you are my world sweet angel and I am beyond blessed to call you mine. 

And with time quickly ticking away you have grown up into mommy's big girl right before my eyes. You are 2.5 years old (in April) and I don't want to forget a moment of this. I hope that someday you will have an opportunity to read these words, these letters. Our prayer for you is that you will always know that you are deeply loved. That before we knew you and called you our own, that the Lord knew your name. He has a plan more great than we can ever imagine. It took us 14 months before you came into our lives and another 9 before we could take you home. Each and every month that passed was like a dagger in the heart, but God knew. He continued to challenge us to be patient. I'm so thankful I don't have all the answers, because He knew. And then He brought us you. So know you are loved, not for what is on the outside but for what's on the inside. I pray for your beautiful heart. I pray for you to love others as God loves others... those like you and those unlike you. May your life be an adventure and may you find your way in it. May you make mistakes but grow from them. Please know your dad and I love you so very much and will always be your foundation.

 

And as our time as a family of three grows to a close, I am so thankful for these last 2.5 years. You have my heart and have taught me so much as a mama. I'm so excited to see you take on the role as a big sister. While I don't think you know exactly what's coming, I know that you will absolutely adore your baby brother as he will adore you.

So now I want to take time to celebrate my big girl for all that our 2.5 years have been. Our life of excitement and adventure is about to get a little crazier, but all worth the wait.

Weight: About 30 pounds. You are tall and lean.
Clothing: While you still have a few 2T pieces, we have moved you into almost all 3T clothes. You wear a size 7 shoe. You LOVE your jammies and would spend all day in them. You like picking out your own clothes and want to wear the same boots (given to us by the Fantlets) and/or your tennis shoes every day. You love putting on your own socks, even if that means wearing them on your hands. You absolutely love dress up when it comes to wearing necklaces-your favorite is your Fia necklace that glows purple, bracelets, and purses.  You love your princess high heel slippers as well as wearing mommy and daddy's shoes.

Eating: You are a champ eater when you want to be. You love eating chicken, pork sliders, rice and beans, queso and chips, crackers, goldfish, apples and peanut butter, and a variety of fruits and vegetables. You do love your sweets. Currently you love cinnamon bread, donuts, and cupcakes. While we try to limit these sweets, it does not stop you from asking for them. You do love going to "Chick-a-lay" for the chicken and ketchup as well as playing in the play yard.

Sleeping: You have always been a great sleeper unless you've been sick. Then it takes us a bit to recover. Currently you are recovering from a fever which has kept you up some nights. It may also be because you want to watch Monsters, Inc right before bed. Yes mommy fail for sure as I'm sure it gave you bad dreams. You are fully in your big girl bed, which you LOVE! We transitioned you a few months ago and I'm so glad we did. You stay in bed and talk to your animals. It has been the absolute cutest  thing that you sing your months of the year and ABCs to Fox and Penny (your stuffed animal loveys). You have also given up most of your Saturday naps. We keep you in bed for a few hours of rest on those days. Sunday you make up for it and may even sleep 3-4 hours.

Favorites: It is so fun to watch your little personality shine. I love that you are old enough to make choices, to show us what you enjoy, and all that you are up to these days.
Movies: Finding Nemo, Monsters, Inc, Frozen, Up
TV shows: Mickey, Paw Patrol- You can sing the theme song and know all the pups names and their sayings, Guppies
Fairy Tale Fun: You love the characters from Frozen including Anna and the Grumpy Snowman, You can retell the story of the Little Mermaid... with a few changes of course
Activities: playing with playdough (or building towers and knocking them down), going to the park, carrying purses/bags and filling them with toys, wearing jammies all day, watching movies/shows,  putting on princess slippers and walking around
Sports/Outdoor Fun: You love throwing balls, running outdoors, and playing at the park. You love kicking around soccer and beach ball.

Favorite Phrases:
- I speak whale... (attempts to make her version of whale noises)
- I go in da bedroom and get under the cobers.
- I do it.
- It's ok mommy. (as she pats my head)
- Its good!
- I wear dis.
- No Mattie poo poo on da floor.
- Let's cuddle in da bed.

New Activities and Random Tidbits:
- You know mommy and daddy's name.
- You love sun glasses, speaking whale, your doggy t-shirts (2) and will demand to wear them every day regardless if they are dirty, watching your favorite tv shows and or movies, your Memo stuffed animal, paper trees (clovers), baby blankie, wearing tennis shoes and boots (except for the bed), and big girl covers and pillows.
- We pray for each member of our family including baby Liam.
- You like to chose your own clothes and sometimes get a bit upset if those are not options. You love the idea of wearing "jammies" at all times and will even be very particular about which shoes you want for that day.
- You love wearing your sunglasses. Your favorites are your red heart glasses.
- When you eat/drink, you twirl your hair.
- Purses, necklaces, and bracelets are perfect accessories to any outfit. You love wearing all of them at once.
- You are becoming better at throwing and kicking balls.
- You sing the ABC and month of the year song to your loveys at night.
- You love books and request three favorites at bedtime including Pip, Hugaboo, and Goodnight God.
- You love sliding down slides and are learning to climb rock/rope walls at the park.
- You are still cautious but given a few minutes you will run around like crazy.
- You love stroking my hair and pointing out the features of my face including my eyebrows. You will tell me when my hair is wet and give the sweetest little kisses
- You love your big girl bed and talk about your covers and pillows. You have become a great helper when making your bed.
- When you get excited you like to two foot jump.
- Your loveys include baby blankey, Fox, Penny, Dotty the Giraffe.
- You love watching videos of yourself and refer to yourself as baby Aubrey or Aubrey depending on your age in the video.
- The weather has been gorgeous and you enjoy going to the park and playing with chalk.
- You really want to do almost everything yourself. You like your independence.

Easter Party Box Decorating

 

"Dats a holiday box rite der. Open it mommy!" 

From the moment Ray brought down our St. Patty's Day and Easter decoration box, Aubrey was fascinated with what she thought might be inside. I think the smile surely says it all. She pulled out the baskets, Easter grass, eggs, rubber duckie with bunny ears, and even a n Easter dying kit. She would open the eggs and put them back in her basket. Closing is still a bit difficult but she did enjoy trying. She even found some Mickey Mouse Easter stickers from last year and quickly decorated her legs and shoes. 

{Easter party box fun}

Let the Easter grass decorating party begin! She loved throwing the colored grass up in the air until she found out she could put it on Mattie. I have to say, Mattie was very patient with her two year old friend for sure. We were all giggles as it was put on mommy, daddy, Mattie, and Aubrey. Yes, I huge clean up job in the making, but all worth the fun!

She would jump in the grass and run back in forth throughout the room as she would squeal about Easter grass and eggs. I cannot wait to celebrate with her and baby brother. I'm so excited to continue our story and tell her all that Jesus has done for her this Easter!

Family Fun on the Playstreet Farm

Our Tuesday was filled with On the Farm Family Fun at Playstreet.

We were so lucky for daddy to take off a half day so that we could enjoy some good family of three time with our sweet lady before her little brother arrives. From fake cow milking, horse petting, pig wrangling, grocery store shopping, light board creations, and family photo taking, our morning at Playstreet was a success! Oh how I love those Auby smiles! Enjoy a picture post of our morning together.

 Welcome to the "parm" as Auby calls it.

 She loved brushing her favorite horsey.

 Tractor Love

 "Dats a cow mommy!"

 The coolest light board ever!

 "Dats a big pig!"

"Dat's a chick! Dat's a mouse!" 

Thankful for this little family play date with my two loves. Can't wait to see how life will change with baby brother but so thankful for these great little dates.

Life's Adventures January-March 2016

 {Park & Play Time with Auby}

I have to say our days have been filled with lots of laughs, many to dos, some tears and unexpected happenings, a bit of apprehension, but a whole lot of love. When I became pregnant, people continued to tell me that my ability and time spent blogging would quickly be cut in half. As a blog enthusiast, I couldn't believe this to be true, but of course, life happens. I still love putting my thoughts and words on paper. Whether I fail in grammar or time, it is such a fun reminder of our life together and all the memories made. So enjoy a long picture post from January-March of 2016 as I prepare for baby Liam.

January 2016

Grammy & Papa Z's Visit to Dallas
January 16-18, 2016

This January, Grammy and Papa Z came up to Dallas for the weekend. We enjoyed our time with grandparents. We ventured to the Perot Museum, played with playdough, watched lots of Disney & Pixar options, enjoyed a special church service listening to daddy teach, and had a delicious meal at Cafe Brazil. It was surely a special time with family.

Segway Tours & Fantlet Hangout 

January 23, 2016

 

Ray and Michael went on a Segway Tour experience in Dallas. This may have been the "coolest" present ever. No seriously. Poor guys completed there segway tour in 30 degree weather but boy did they have a blast. 

While the boys were out, Aubrey and I joined Kristin and our Fantlet friends at Chick-fil-a for a fun lunch and play date. I have to say, anytime chicken, ketchup, a play yard, our favorite cow, and this crew is together, it is surely a success. The kiddos were definitely all smiles. When the boys returned, K and I enjoyed a soothing outing of pedicures.

 

Aubrey's Big Girl Bed
January 29, 2016

This month we switched Aubrey over to her big girl bed and said "bye bye to the crib." Yes it is a queen bed that takes up a good amount of space in her room.  We already had it as an extra bed and thought it would make a great addition in her space and would allow Liam a crib for his room. She is so in love. We even celebrated with cupcakes and new decor.

I think this face says it all! Yay for our big girl bed!

Jacob's 5th Birthday
January 30, 2016

We absolutely enjoyed celebrating our sweet friend, Jacob, for his 5th birthday party at Main Event for bowling and arcade fun. I love watching our college crew of littles grow up together.

Warm January Park Days
It's crazy that our "winter" has been pretty nonexistent this year. We have enjoyed many days in the park with our munchkin. Many of these little outings take place between daddy and Auby while mommy is resting with Liam.

Potty Training
Aubrey has been off and on with potty training. We aren't "there" yet but absolutely love celebrating the little moments when she chooses the potty. We celebrate with what Auby has called "tee-tee candy." I'm ready to be full into potty training once this summer hits. With Disney's Frozen movie panties ready, I'm ready for a successful summer of potty training.

February 2016
Friday Night House Leak

As Ray and I prepared for Parents Night Out at our church, we came home to a huge leak from the upstairs bathroom. It leaked through the floor into the laundry room, parts of the kitchen, and through the carpet. While it was a three week stressful ordeal while I was 31 weeks pregnant, we now have new paint in the kitchen, our holes in our ceiling have been redone, and we were given brand new carpet, all with a paid deductible.

If Gathering
February 6-7, 2016

I am reminded that the Lord never promised us the ram but He did promise the Lamb. I am so thankful for this time away to remember that Christ never promises us triumphs. We will suffer trials; however, it is through this beautiful chaos that we can turn to Him.

Liam Loving
This little man has constantly been on the move. I'm so thankful for this cute little travel partner. I cannot express my excitement enough to see him in the next few weeks.

Chick-fil-A Wednesdays
ABF Bible Study Nights

Our weekly favorite has been taking this little munchkin to "Chick-a-lay" for some chicken and good play time. Can you see her excitement?

 

{Playdough Fun}

Valentine's Love'n

February 2016

On February 13th, the husband and I took Aubrey for a Valentine's breakfast treat. She surely loved her chocolate donut with sprinkles. 

 After our time at The Donut Kitchen. We ventured over to Lowe's for a late morning of build and grow.

 {Aubrey's first Lowe's Build & Grow Experience- Valentine Frame}

 {Aubrey's church Valentine}

 {"Doh" you want to be my Valentine?}

 {Dinner with the Dukes- Eating chips & salsa with my girl}

Outdoor Park Play
February 2016

 {Auby loves her some sunglasses and soccer}

 {Painting with Daddy}

Hope Park Play
Unexpected Play Date with pals

After being under the weather, the family enjoyed a fabulous outing to Hope Park.  We unexpected ran into our Cox friends.  The weather was a bit cool and a bit overcast which meant we would have the park to ourselves. What a sweet unexpected outing with friends. 

{Park Play Family Selfie}

Guest Reader
February 26, 2016

Mr. Zellner was a guest reader in my classroom during Dr. Seuss Week. The students LOVED the opportunity for him to come and to visit with Aubrey. From Fox in Socks, Theres a Wocket in my Pocket, and Are you My Mother were some of our classroom favorites this morning.

Baby Ava & Liam's Diaper Shower
February 27, 2016

On Saturday our sweet ABF hosted a double diaper shower for my friend Julie and I in honor of our babes that are expected to arrive in early March. What a beautiful brunch at Breadwinners for our joint diaper shower with sweet church friends.

 

 {Julie & I with our beautiful hostesses}

 

{Julie & baby Ava with myself & Liam}

Fantlet Twins Turn Three
Playstreet Museum

Happy 3rd birthday to our beautiful fantlet twins. We absolutely adore you both and are so excited to celebrate three amazing years!

 {Ray gives the best bear hugs}

  {Auby loves her some chocolate cake!}

March 2016

Dr. SeUsS WeEk
March 2016

 

{My Firstie Team: Tanya, me, Diana, & Keri}

Read Across America Day was a perfect celebration of all the wonderful work our firsties had done for Open House. I am so incredibly proud of these kiddos and my fantastic First Grade team!

 

Open House- March 3rd

 

First Grade Baby Shower
March 4, 2016

 

On Friday, my first grade team hosted a sweet baby shower and luncheon for myself and for baby Liam. With a delicious meal, thoughtful gifts, and sweet comments, I am so thankful for their love and support this school year. They are truly a group of fantastic women and it has been an absolute pleasure to work alongside them. 

Georgia's 1st Birthday
Saturday, March 6, 2016

We loved celebrating sweet Georgia Ruth this past weekend. What a gorgeous Saturday for friends and fun in the sun! Plus I'm dying over this adorable little mop and broom combination set.

This little cheeser never ceases to make me laugh. While we are still experiencing the fabulous two year old phase where everything is no and we do tend to walk a fine line with timeouts, I have to say, this little munchkin and her daddy are the light of my life. So here's to the beauty that all life has in store. The good, the bad, the unexpected... it all makes this crazy thing we call life so much of an adventure!