Happy 10 Months Baby Girl!!

Well, here we are, another month gone! Aubryn you are just growing wayyyy too quickly! I see you growing everyday and I still cannot believe that your Daddy and I made this beautiful miracle! 




This post to you is a little late because...
WE WENT TO NEW MEXICO!!
Normally this may not be exciting, but we went for a family reunion and a lot of our family had never met you. Mommy and Daddy also fell in love with NM, and I would love to live there someday (but Grandma would not be too happy about that!!) :) 
Something else super exciting happened while we were in New Mexico....
YOU GOT YOUR FIRST TOOTH!! 
I cannot believe that it took 10 months, but you finally got a tooth! It looks like you are popping another one through as well. No wonder you were a cranky pants most of the trip. You did VERY well for being in the car for 10 hours though. You are my awesome angel baby. 


Other things that happened this month (or future!):
~ Your 10 month birthday also fell on Grandma's birthday this month! Happy Birthday Grandma!!
~ We got your SUPER CUTE 9 month photos done, but I just got them back, so I'm going to count them in this month's post :)

~ We have had trouble with babysitters this month... I am still working, and loving my job, but this whole babysitter thing is very frustrating! I just want what is best for you and what will make you happy, I didn't know that was too much to ask! We will find someone that we love soon, I just know it! 
~ I am so excited for Halloween next week! You are going to have 2 costumes! You are going to be Mickey Mouse (a gift from your Great Aunt Lisa!) and a Ladybug (a gift from your Grandma because Mommy fell in love with it!). I am so excited to get to take you trick-or-treating!
~ We are also going to go to the Arizona State Fair and the pumpkin patch right before Halloween, so of course I am excited for that too!!
~ We went to your first Farmer's Market and got some yummy fresh produce. Even though you are getting out of the baby food stage, it is never too early to get you started on different textures of fruits and veggies!


Updates on you-
~ You are talking so much more now! Of course my favorite is Mama! :) You really like to follow me around saying "Mama Mama" and when I answer you, you laugh. It is the cutest!
~ You are still cruising. I think you just don't want to walk. Not that I am complaining, you have just done everything else so early that I am starting to wonder :)
~ You are finally getting into more 3-6 month clothes than 0-3 or 3 month! I am so excited to get to use more clothes from our baby shower! 
~ Still in size 2 diapers
~ Still sucking away at that thumb. You are definitely your Mommy's daughter... 
~ You really love toys that make noise....especially if they resemble a laptop or cell phone!! My little techie :)
~ You have this weird obsession with belly buttons! You HAVE to stick your finger in a belly button any time you see one (especially Mommy's and Daddy's!!)
~  You are starting to grow out of liking baby food. You would much rather have whatever I am eating, than what I give you.
~ You have started really taking interest in your blankie, which I find adorable. You also really like babies, real or toys. Grandma got you this really cute baby is a lamb costume on the way home from NM that you love! 


As it is starting to get COLD! I am getting excited to spend your first Fall with you! It is bittersweet that Christmas is soon (with you turning 1 and all!) but I am so happy and proud and every other word imaginable, to be your Mommy. I just know Fall/Winter will bring new joys and experiences with my beautiful miracle.


I love you more than words can say,


Mommy <3


UPDATE!
Your 10 month old stats:
16 lbs 7 ozs (5th percentile), 28.75 inches (50th percentile)

Where has the time gone??

So, as October begins, it brings me to start thinking about the holidays! Autumn and winter are definitely my favorite times of the year. Autumn is the time where I can start opening up the windows and doors and enjoying the fresh air. I love going on beautiful walks and watching the kids ride their bikes. Even though we live in AZ and we only really have two seasons, HOTT or less hot, but I still like the less hot time :) I am looking forward to the crisp morning air, and the fight to get out of bed because it is cold and you want to stay snuggled under the covers. Christmas has always been my favorite holiday, not for the presents, but for the meaning and family gatherings. Since December 20, 2010, Christmas has a new reason to be special...the birth of my beautiful baby girl Aubryn (which, if you have read any of my other posts, you know her very well lol). So now, the reason for this post...


As October begins and I think about the holidays, I cannot help but thinking that my daughter will be ONE YEAR OLD soon. I cannot believe it! I remember the day I found out I was pregnant, I remember the first time I heard her heartbeat, I remember the first time I felt her kick inside my belly, I remember the day I found out that she was a girl, I remember the day I went into labor and very quickly after that, the first time I held her in my arms. The first smile, laugh, sit up, crawl, words, I remember everything. And to think, soon, she will be 1. 


I have been looking at themes for her birthday, and it is VERY bittersweet. I am so happy to see her growing up from a beautiful baby to a sweet little girl. But on the other hand, my beautiful baby is growing up to a be a sweet little girl...


So for all who have little babies, and even big babies, remember that they grow way too quickly. Don't rush anything, and take time to notice the small things. Before you know it, they won't do those things anymore. 


It is hard to believe that not only will my little one will be a year old, but also, in January, my step-daughter Chloe will be 5!! I have enjoyed every minute of watching her grow. Her dad and I have been together since she was 5 months old, and she has turned into a beautiful little girl. Her latest achievement is riding her bike with no training wheels, and now, NO PUSH START! I am SO proud to watch her and help teach her things that she will use in her life! Next year, she will be starting school...and I will cry :) Bittersweet...my favorite word in this post. She wants a Tangled birthday party, and I have already found all of the decorations, so I am super excited about that! Gotta start stocking up on gifts now! 


Tomorrow, we are going to the portrait studio to get photos of the girls together, and Aubryn's 9 month photos. These are the last ones we have, from 3 months ago:

Sniff sniff...ok. I'm done. :)


Here are some of my ideas for Aubryn's birthday! I'm sure this has been thought of, but I haven't seen anything, so I not going to take too much credit other than that I thought of it :)


Winter ONEderland! :)
or  (since her nursery is ladybugs and so was my baby shower)
Ladybugs!!


Either way, I am sure that it will be a fantastic and bittersweet bash! 


Both of my girls have grown way too quickly, but I am relishing every second...
Thanks for listening to my sappyness :)

ASU BABY!!

My little ASU cheerleader! Just had to share :)

Cheering, GO DEVILS!

This is my future Sun Devil right here!

Sleeping Through the Night!

I am so proud to announce that...


AUBRYN IS SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT!!


We moved her into her own room, a very bittersweet moment. It was much later than I anticipated moving her, but due to space (even though we live in a 2 story, 3 bedroom with a loft house...lol), she was with us in our room. I figured that her being in our room was hindering her sleeping, since she would wake up shortly after we came to bed. I decided to do a "technique" that I put together from hearing other parent's sleepytime stories. I found out later that it is actually a technique called the VRT (verbal reassurance technique). She now sleeps from 8:30pm to 6:00am!!!


So...here is to a full night's sleep!!


It has been 9 months of waking multiple times throughout the night. I have not gotten a good night's sleep since December 19, 2010. And you know what? I would not trade a SECOND of those wake ups, late night feedings, pacing back and forth with an inconsolable baby, Tylenol and teething tablets, diaper changes (and sometimes clothing/bedding changes), and endless snuggles for ANYTHING! 


I love you baby girl!


<3 K

Happy 9 Months, Baby Aubryn!

Hi Blogiverse!


Well, I didn't intend for this to only be a once-a-month blog, but things have been very busy this month! Now, not only am I mommy to my beautiful girl, but I am now a working woman again! Other than that, I am just loving watching my little one grow.

Your color coded schedule and food, ready for the first day of daycare! 


Speaking of that...

My dear baby girl,

   I cannot believe it has been a whole month!! I cannot believe that you are 9 months old!! 9 months!! Ahh! I know I keep saying this, but I feel like I just found out yesterday that I was pregnant, and now you are a beautiful 9 month old. It makes me smile and want to cry, all at the same time, to see you grow every day. 


You are so much more independent this month! You definitely want to feed yourself. Since we got our Baby Bullet, I have been making all of your food. But recently, I have been able to make my own recipes and play with foods and textures for you. We recently found a favorite, Chicken, Carrot & Brown Rice with a little Mango. You still really like sweet potatoes, apples, bananas, pears, squash/pear, and apple/carrot. You do like the BB food, however, you would MUCH rather eat anything and everything that is toddler/adult food (some of which I probably shouldn't have given you yet lol). 

This month, you:


~ have started going to daycare recently because I went back to work. Normally, Daddy, Grandma Teri, or your babysitter Brittany, watches you. But this week, Grandma Becky got to watch you and Chloe for a whole day! 


~are starting to develop a temper, and starting to be very picky (I wonder where you get that from?) ;) 


~are still trying so hard to walk! You seem to think that you can walk, even though you are not quite there yet...you LOVE your walker that daddy and grandma got you, and the push walker (above photo)


~are still in size 2 diapers and mostly 0-3 or 3 month clothes. 


~STILL HAVE NO TEETH! AHH! It drives me crazy! You bite everything (to the point where you leave the little bite circle) but you have no teeth! I am not quite sure how you do it, because I give you the hard crackers that don't dissolve, and you still bite them right away anyway. 


~finally fit into a couple of 3-6 month outfits! We will soon get to use those cute ones that I have waited so long to see on you :) 


~have finally learned to crawl like a normal baby lol. You have been crawling for a long time (since about 4 months) but you did this crazy worm crawl...now it is all fours :)


~LOVE your sister and aunts and uncles. You seem to understand that these people are family and you should think that they are awesome :) Your sister can make you laugh like no other, and it is so cute to watch. I am so blessed and happy that I get to watch you two beautiful girls grow up together.


Many interesting things happened this month, but the two biggest of them all was:


You went to your first ASU game!! Since I am a HUGE ASU fan, and a former student, it was a proud day when Daddy, Grandpa, Aunt Caitee, and I took you to your first ASU football game (Sept 9). You actually seemed interested, and would cheer when we did (until you got tired, then you cried lol). It rained, dust stormed, and was super loud, but we had fun, and I cannot wait to take you again!

We went on your first cruise! Labor day weekend, you and I (unfortunately, Chloe could not come, so daddy stayed home) went with Grandma and all of the kids, our friends Ninnah and Josh and their kids, and 3 nannies (a total of 23 people!) on a 3 day cruise to Mexico. I believe you were the youngest cruiser on the ship! Everyone was so enthralled with everything you did, including all of the strangers (who quickly became cruise friends) who loved to play with you and show you off :) We all had so much fun, and I so proud to have taken you on your first cruise!

Sadly, I am starting to think about your first birthday already :( I cannot believe you are 9 months, and it feels like tomorrow you will be 1. I cannot even express to you how much I love you, and what joy you have brought to my life. I thank God every day for the amazing gift that he has given me. Daddy, Chloe and I love you very much (along with MANY other people)!


Don't grow up too fast baby girl, I love you.


With all of the love in my heart,


Mommy

Happy 8 months, Aubryn Grace!

Aubryn Grace,


   As I write this, you are watching TV, fully engaged in your favorite character, Chica, from the Sprout channel. You are so funny when she comes on the TV. You drop everything you are doing, and stare at this squeaking chicken. Most of the time, you giggle and bounce as Chica "sings" her songs, but sometimes, you just stare in amazement. You are growing so fast! It seems like just yesterday, you were in my belly, and I was yearning to meet you. Now, you are a beautiful bouncing little girl, full of personality and joy. You are definitely a mommy's girl, although when I am not around, Daddy and Grandma will do ;) I just bought the Baby Bullet for you, so I am now starting to make your food from scratch. I hope you will like it!


At 8 months old, you:


   ~ Know your name and respond to it. You know who Mama, Dada, and Grandma are. If someone says, "Where's Mama?" you will look around. You DEFINITELY recognize voices. I could be in another room or just come home, and you hear my voice and get very excited! You recognize the cats' meows and the dog's bark and look for them. You also know what "uh uh" means when you are getting into something you shouldn't ;)


   ~ Laugh all of the time! Your laugh is the best sound I have ever heard :)


   ~ Make the CUTEST face we call "Squishy Face" that always makes us laugh...and you know it!


   ~ Love to dance! When music comes on, no matter if you are sitting or standing, you start dancing!


    ~Are eating Stage 2 foods, sometimes two jars per meal! (Soon to be Bullet servings) ;)


   ~ LOVE being in the ExerSaucer, especially when I give you fruit puffs to munch on!


   ~ Have found your new favorite food, we call them Baby Cheetos. You are loving being able to feed yourself! If you can, you rather feed yourself than have anyone feed you. You are becoming very independent...I am not ready for that!


   ~ Love to eat table food. So far, you have eaten Kix cereal, cheese, bread, pizza crust, eggs, ice cream, french fries, and anything anyone will let you try!
  
   ~ Can crawl up the entire flight of stairs (although I make sure that I am RIGHT behind you the whole time!). If you are at the first through third stairs, you can also turn around and come down.


   ~ Are still in 0-3 month/ 3 month clothes, and size 2 diapers. You are starting to get bigger, but not quite big enough for 3- 6 months yet!


   ~ Have put the fire under me to baby proof the house! You crawl everywhere, and when I am not looking, love to chew on flip flops, play in the cat water, eat cat food, and find any little tiny piece of anything on the floor and put it in your mouth (with that being said, you put EVERYTHING in your mouth! lol)!


   ~ Really like to pull yourself up to standing on any piece of furniture that you can. You especially love Grandma's bar stools. You could stand there and squeak the second rung forever if I let you! 


   ~ Are almost walking already! You can pull yourself up to standing at any long piece of furniture (ex. couch, coffee table, chair, etc.) and walk along it with your hands on the couch. You will be walking in no time!!


   ~ Can say "Mama" "Dada" "Cat" and are starting to say "What's that" but it comes out more like "S'dat" :) You don't always use your words, and definitely only say them when you feel like it, but you know what they mean!


   ~ Don't quite sleep through the night yet, but we are down to mostly one feeding per night. 


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


I have finally packed up your Newborn clothes, put away your newborn gear (bassinet, cradle, baby rocker, etc). Although it was hard, you don't use them anymore :(


Daddy and Grandma bought you a walker last week, and you have learned to walk around the house in it. 

I am doing daycare right now so that I can stay home with you. Since I am still breastfeeding you, it is easier to be home. I have never left you for more than 4 hours at a time (and I LOVE that). I am currently contemplating going back to work, and actually had an interview yesterday for a new job! It will be hard to leave you, but it will only be part time for now. 


We have a routine. 8pm is bathtime. Followed by lotion massage, getting dressed, reading a book, bedtime feeding, and in bed by 8:30pm. You then (normally) sleep from 8:30pm to (you used to sleep until 4:30am, but it has changed to) about 1:30am when you eat again. Then, for the most part, you sleep until 6am when you eat again. Lately though, you have been waking up at 3am to play! You especially love climbing all over the bed... and Daddy! After 6am, we lay there and feed for a while, and sometimes you fall back asleep, sometimes you don't. We are up for the day by 7:30am!


I think that about sums you up for now. I hope you will like to go back and read this when you are older. Now that I have this way to write these letters to you, I hope you will enjoy seeing how much you have changed every month (as I have decided to write an update every month) :)




    Aubryn, you definitely have a distinct personality, and you are becoming more and more like your parents every day. I see your dad's quirks in you, as well as mine. You look like your dad when you sleep, and more like me when you are awake. I am amazed that I had a part in creating this wonderful little human mini-me, as everyone calls you. You are beautiful and perfect in every way. I cannot wait to see who you become and what you will accomplish. I look forward to every day, just so I can see what you will amaze me with next. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I love you Aubryn Grace!
Happy 8 month Birthday baby girl!


     With more love than you could ever imagine,


                    Mommy <3

First Post

Hi everyone! I decided that it was time to join the Blogging world! This blog is all about my family, our crazy fun time, and my experiences as a first time (real) mommy and a wife. Please enjoy!