Happy Valentine's Day

Aubrey is quite our little love bug...and ham! She loves the camera, to dance, birdies and bubbles; and she sees the latter two everywhere. If she's not pointing at birdies and exclaiming her excitement over them, it's bubbles. And not the soapy circle wand kind. She sees bubbles in circle forms, balls, water, dip-dips (another favorite), just about anything you can imagine. She is a climber too and her newest and not so greatest trick is to slip her shoulders out of her car seat. Many stops later to get her back in and three Ikea clips later, I think we have a solution, much to Aubrey's dismay.

She loves birds so much, we taught her to flap her arms like bird wings. Video to follow shortly-it's too cute not to share. She makes us laugh every day.

Happy Valentine's Day to all and to all a good night!

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First Tooth!

Aubrey is getting so big and has so many little "tricks" as we like to call them. She claps and waves and gives high fives. She loves to dance and sing. She is a crawling fool and loves to pull herself up to standing. If there is something she wants, she will cruise for it a little bit. She is approaching 10 months old here in the next week or so...and we couldn't be having more fun with her. Even with her teething, she is such a joy to be around. She cut her first little tooth the day after Bart's birthday... the 16th of June.

We (really it was me that delayed it) finally had to cave and do a little sleep training with her, which despite all the tears in the beginning, has been a huge blessing. She is definitely benefiting from all the sleep (as are Bart and I) and she goes down in her crib, rolls over and doesn't make a peep at night (except for tonight, but I blame that on the teething...) It took about two weeks of perfecting, but I can hardly believe that she doesn't fight going to sleep. Now naps are a totally different story...lol. But, we are slowly working on those too. 


Bree LOVES the pool, thank goodness. We are going to have one of our friends give her swimming lessons, so I am excited about that. We were skeptical about getting a pool, but honestly, I don't think I would survive the Arizona summers without one. It is supposed to be 117 degrees tomorrow. We are headed up to Pine to escape the heat. It will still be in the 90s up there, but  at least it cools down at nighttime. 

 Uncle Moose, aka Uncle Tony, came in for a surprise birthday visit for Bart's 40th birthday...I will have to post the video if Bart hasn't deleted it...it was quite comical!

Father's Day...hanging out with Grandpa up at the cabin... 

Daddy and daughter moment...my two loves!

I hope everyone has a safe and happy Fourth of July!

Wow...Time Flies!

Wow...time sure does have a way of getting away from you. I can't believe our little girl is eight months old already! She is crawling, and pulling herself up to standing...dancing, clapping, waving and pointing. Can't forget hi-fiving! She is such a happy baby and a joy to be around. I'm sure it won't be too much longer before she is walking now. We are having so much fun with her right now. 

Just a few pictures and a short post today...my allergies are acting up, boo! But wanted to show pictures of our sweet angel!

Morning rinse off!

At the Ostrich Festival, 2011

Just playing

Our Easter eggs

Bree's first Easter Basket!

Daddy stealing Bree's ears...give 'em up Dad!

Too cute!

...and we're done with the ears...lasted longer than I thought they would!

Reading a book with Daddy

It's Been a While...A Quick Recap

I had this image of Aubrey going to bed by 7:30-8 and then afterward being able to get prepared for the following day, including catching up on the blog, laundry, prepping the cloth diapers, etc...then reality set in...lol. Not that she's fussy or a bad sleeper; quite the opposite actually. She just power eats most of the evening and goes to bed between 9:30-10:30pm. So, that means I do the same thing shortly thereafter...(not the power eating, but most definitely the sleeping).

The good thing is, she is an excellent sleeper still. It just means, whatever poor Bart gets done, is about all that gets done. And he's been doing a LOT...thank goodness! He couldn't be more wonderful and supportive. And it's simply amazing watching him interact with Aubrey. I had no doubt that he would be a good father; but he has stepped up to his role of father and partner in a way that I could have never imagined. I feel so blessed to have the most amazing husband to raise this perfect little girl...there are no words to describe the bliss I am living. 


I could go on, but I will spare you all the sap...lol. 

I can't believe we are already in 2011...we had a fantastic Halloween...Aubrey was a ladybug at our work party (ladybug compliments of Aunt Jimmie) and bumble bee (compliments of Esty.com and my mom for her crocheted hat and leggings) for our other Halloween parties in which Bart was a beekeeper and I was a potted flower. The first time we ever followed a theme for Halloween and it happened kind of on accident, but it turned out so cute...and we had so much fun!!

Then of course, Thanksgiving...and my mom came out to meet miss Aubrey Skye. We had dinner at Great Grandma Helen and Great Grandpa Don's. Yummy food and good times with the family. Grandma Mo got to stay for a week with us and whisper revenge into her granddaughter's ear. Neither Bart nor I had any time available to take off, so we just hung out at the house after work mostly and had some good quality time together. 

Christmas came all too soon. Each year, I say I am going to start my holiday shopping early...and I am still out the week before trying to get it all done and inevitably pull an all nighter wrapping presents and scrambling to get everyone's gifts out on time to reach them before Christmas. Surprisingly enough, they made it on time this year! 

Aubrey was spoiled for her first Christmas by everyone! I know, I know...they say you can't spoil a newborn, but she did get a lot of stuff...lol. Not that I had anything to do with that.

 

Then we got to bring in the new year with Aunt Sally and Uncle Tony who came out to visit us from Michigan! So many visitors and so much fun! 

May 2011 bring you all as much happiness, love and laughter as Aubrey brings us...Happy New Year!

Back to Work...Already

So,Thursday, it was back to work for me. Bart didn't have to go back, but since the baby has to come with me, he decided to head back too. A little backwards that he had more time off than me, but then that's just how it goes. The great thing about going back to work is that I get to take Aubrey with me! We have on-site childcare available up to age two. And my first month back, I get to stay with Aubrey in my own private office to get readjusted and try to work out a nursing schedule. I am soo thankful for this HUGE work benefit because, for one thing, I don't know if I could leave Aubrey...lol. Seriously, both Bart and I have so much fun with her. She is starting to smile for real and she just makes so many cute faces and little noises. We call her our "Little Dinosaur." 


The five weeks we had off just flew by...it seriously felt like only days off. Aubrey, thankfully, is a good sleeper. She is on average sleeping 6-8 hours a night...and if we hadn't had to wake her up to nurse, she probably would have slept that good from week two...lol. Our pediatrician didn't want us to go more than four hours without nursing because she dropped a pound at the hospital. But she is back up to over 10 pounds now, so we let her wake up when she is hungry. Since we are both Virgos, I am guessing she really likes her sleep, just like I do...thank goodness!!


At two and a half weeks old, we had some professional pictures taken. We just ordered the cd and will be posting them as soon as I receive the cd. They turned out better than I could have ever imagined! I am so excited about them! I am taking a photography class though so I can hopefully learn some neat tricks and save some money without sacrificing cute pictures. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

She's Here! Meet Aubrey Skye

So much for that "boy" feeling we had during the majority of my pregnancy...lol! Miss Aubrey Skye joined us on 9/11/2010. As most of you know, we had planned for a homebirth and although it may not have happened as planned, Aubrey is here and safe, and in the end, that was all that mattered. And hey, I got an appendectomy out of the whole deal too! Beats having to have an emergency one done later in life. 

So basically, after 36 hours of laboring at home, I was 5 1/2 cm dilated and she had come down what we thought was far enough into the canal, so we broke my water. Instead of the contractions getting stronger, they weakened and started spacing out further. And Aubrey floated back up...so, it was off to the hospital.   

And a few hours later, we got to meet our perfect baby girl...she weighed 8 lbs 14 oz and was 21 inches long. She came out with almost a full head of blond hair (which totally explained the heartburn) and blue eyes to melt our hearts. She got to stay in the room with us and Bart simply amazed me with his natural paternal instincts and all the help he provided with the late night diaper changes and waking up just to help me get up out of bed. He was a stickler on making sure I got up and walked and was my rock through the many hours of labor. 

I am truly blessed...

Less than week!! (give or take...lol)

We are quickly approaching our due date! My last appointment was just on Wednesday....Dippin' Dot had dropped the week before, but decided to float back up! So, the midwives think that Dippin' Dot won't debut until Labor Day weekend, which is quite fitting. I feel pretty good about the house and nursery. We have everything ready for the DD's B-day! The birthing pool is blown up, the birthing kit is packed in the corner with everything else that we had to gather. Bart is putting the glider together tomorrow and that should just about finalize the nursery. I need to take some pictures and post them....hmmm, maybe tomorrow! After the glider is assembled!


I am ready to find out the sex of the baby now! Didn't get too anxious until the last week or so. We have a tentative appointment with a photographer on the 8th...she likes to come out 4-6 days after the birth, so it all depends on DD! I am really excited about that. I got a great deal on Livingsocial.com! It is much like Groupon.com...

Bart is getting ready to finish school soon! Again, depending on DD, he will walk at his graduation ceremony on the 11th of September. This coming week is his last for Herbal clinic and then only five more weeks of his last class. He should be a licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist by the end of this year...after he takes all four of his board exams! It has been a long five years, but it will all be worth it! I couldn't be more proud of him! And just in time to be able to share all the special moments together of our precious newborn. Life is definitely good...

8 lbs! What?!

So, we met with the midwives today. Blood pressure was all good. I was only a little swollen in relation to how bad my feet are now...lol. I did get in trouble for my shoes, but my pants are too long to wear flats and it's casual Friday...can't pass up comfy pants...lol.


I measured big, 39-40. Apparently you are supposed to measure the same length as the number of weeks along you are. So, since I am 34 weeks, I should have measured 34...ha ha ha. The midwives are guessing I am going to have an 8 pound baby. They politely retracted it when my eyes popped out of my head and changed it to maybe 7 lbs 14 oz...lol.


We go again in another two weeks and then start weekly visits from then on. Getting close!! We can safely deliver at home as early as 36 weeks...that is only two weeks away! (Insert "Yikes" here!) So much to do!! 

Another Big One...

Another preg-o picture...getting huge now...lol. Off to the mid-wives tomorrow. I am 34 weeks now and getting more swollen because of all the lovely humidity that comes with monsoon season. Can't it rain already? Seriously? 

Hoping to get up to the cabin soon to cool off and shrink back down...ha ha ha...it started in my hands today and boy did they hurt all day. Had to soak them in ice water a little bit...

Well, Sugar (my cat) must be out of food...she is going to wake the neighbors up with her crying. Off to bed too, but not before I post another preggers pic...

6 Month Preg-o Pic...

This one is for Gina...she wanted to see pics. Haven't taken any recent ones lately. This is from about a month ago, I think...I get asked a lot if I am having twins.  I think I look so big because I am short. At least, that's my story and I'm stickin' to it! And trust me, I am even bigger now...

The Finished Product...

I am so happy with the way it turned out! It is even a little shorter in height for me, so I won't have as much trouble picking up and putting baby down...

Bart's "Ah, S*#@!" Moment...

 

I managed to walk in right as Bart realized that he had mixed up his right and left...perfect timing...really I couldn't have planned it any better! Luckily it was an easy fix. =)

2 More Months!

Wow, I can't believe it! It's going by so fast. The heat is starting to get to me...tried to run some errands yesterday in the morning. Left at 9am and it was already 105 degrees....we are up in Pine now, and left the 113 degree weather behind, thank goodness. Currently 79, with a "real feel" of 78 degrees. That is more like it. 

But man, by the time I got home yesterday at 11:30am, I thought I was going to have heat stroke. I was sweating from head to toe...I don't think I am leaving the house anymore until 7 or 8 at night, when the sun is going down. It's still hot out, but at the least the car won't heat up to 130 degrees while I am inside...lol. 

I think I missed posting about an appointment (or two...) with the midwives. Everything it going well. I measured a little big last time, but they think its because I am short...34...whatever that means...lol. My hemoglobin test came back a little low, so I have to supplement iron most likely until I give birth. I can remember the morning dose okay because I have to take it before meals, but the evening dose is harder b/c I am usually so hungry I am more focused on food. Gotta get some post-it notes up...lol. But other than that, doing good. My blood sugar is normal, so no gestational diabetes. Getting a little heartburn everyone now and again, but the Papaya enzymes take care of that for me. Getting big, so it is getting a little harder to get around, bend down, roll over in bed, etc. But that is normal and to be expected.

Lots of activity from Dippin' Dot! We have little "play sessions." Did you know they have learning tools for the baby while in the womb...crazy?! One person said that they would tap on their belly once and wait for the baby to do the same...and then twice; up to three times. Supposedly the baby could count up to three at birth...who knows. I don't want to traumatize the kid either. The movie Parenthood anyone?


The nursery furniture is all put together...just not organized yet. That is my goal this coming week and next. I have so much baby "stuff" already! Plus, I have to get all my clothes out of Dippin' Dots closet. Our closets are very small, the only major downside to our home. But, we'll make it work, with a little creativity anyways.


Well, I think I might follow Bart's lead and take a nap! Pictures coming soon...I promise!

Getting closer!

We met with the midwives last Friday with our laundry list of questions. Can't believe how close we are getting! 3 more months...we have the crib put together...the mattress just arrived today. One dresser is put together and one more to go. I cleaned out part of the garage...need to wake up early this weekend and finish it before it gets too hot. It's supposed to be 105 degrees over the weekend. Summer is here in AZ, that's for sure.


So, we went up to Pine this weekend and my ankles were back to normal...only to puff back up as soon as we got back to Phoenix...so, it's either the heat that makes it worse or the elevation that makes them better.  Can't I just move up there until we have the baby? It's like 75-80 degrees during the day and 45 at night! Ahhh, I miss it already.


I will post the pics of the crib and dresser shortly...and of course, the nursery once it is complete! Which is hopefully soon!! 

Dippin' Dot's first photo shoot!

I think Dippin' Dot has my head shape...lol. That is about all we could tell from the ultrasound. Measurements pushed the date back to September 4th...argghh...I don't want to have to endure summertime in AZ pregnant for longer than I have too! Oh well, it will be worth it in the end!

Ultrasound day!! 22 Weeks

As you know, we aren't going to find out the sex of the baby and there were no oopsies today at the ultrasound center! Dippin' Dot was very active during the photo shoot today, even giving the ultrasound device a hefty kick. Dippin' Dot was tucking the chin in and head was down, so we weren't able to get a very good profile picture, but good enough. I will post them as soon as I can. Our scanner needs a check-up...the technician said we are on target for a 9/4/10 birthday. How mean, she pushed the date back...I don't think I will be able to handle any more summer being pregnant...lol.


Tomorrow is our monthly check-up with the midwives. They said since I haven't heard back from them about my blood work, no news is good news. My ankles are doing better. They come and go...but mostly are staying down, thankfully. I don't think that being sedentary at work helps, so, I am trying to walk some more. My allergies are finally quieting down, so being outside isn't unbearable anymore. At least until the heat kicks in.


That's it for today...more updates tomorrow!

So, haven't heard back yet, but my midwives think the swelling is just due to the sodium. They have been better when I watch what I eat....so the question becomes, is that going to be worth the cankles tomorrow? lol

Dippin' Dot Update

So my appointment with the midwives is switched from next Monday to this Friday. I have been experiencing frequent headaches and swelling in my ankles (already-yikes!). I am 17 weeks along today. Not looking forward to the summer if I have to hide my cankles...lol.


We are going to do all the labs and blood work on Friday. I thought I felt a quick a little flutter the other day, but not entirely sure if it was Dippin' Dot or not...


I will let you know how the appt goes and if my blood work comes back okay....fingers crossed!

We have exciting news!

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