So Ready!
Posted by Mari Jo on August 12, 2010 about Aubrey Ann, 1 commentIt is all done. The clothes are washed and hanging, the crib is adorned with all things cute and baby-like, the house is clean, the laundry is done, the bags are packed and ready to go. So what exactly is Landon waiting for? I have officially reached the point of pregnancy where I can honestly say, “I am D-O-N-E, DONE!” I know that patience is a virtue that I often lack (and then wonder why my three year old struggles with this very thing!), but doesn’t there come a point where you can simply reason with the baby about making his arrival a tad more prompt?
I imagine my conversation going something like this:
Me: Now Landon, give me your eyes and listen to my words, it is not nice to dilly-dally. Mommy has told you that it is time to come, and you are choosing not to listen. I would like you to please come with a quickness. Say ‘yes Mommy’.
Landon: Huh? (Silently thinking, “you are crazy lady, I am snug as a bug in a rug in here!”)
Me: Landon, I know you are not even born yet, but I promise, if you come now, I will lace my breast milk with all kinds of candy and sweets. Also, while we are talking, can you please stop kicking me under the ribs, it hurts Mommy.
Landon: Mmmm. Candy. Tempting, but no. And the rib thing? Yeah, I am a boy, so you just better get use to it.
Me: (Sigh. Long pause.) Landon, have I ever told you what a time out is?
In all reality, I am trying to enjoy these last few days of pregnancy. I know our world is going to be turning upside down very shortly. But being 9 months pregnant in August certainly earns me the right to do my share of complaining, yes?
In the meantime, I am trying to keep myself busy with Aubrey Ann. I find that the more I get out of the house and do things, the better I feel. It is the days where I stay at home, not ready to meet all the stares and hear all of the sympathy comments that seem to make me much more antsy.
On a side note, I had an interesting comment from a checker in Walmart today. I had seen her before, but never spoken to her. Since there is exactly one place to shop in our little town, I am sure she was my checker at one point or another. Well anyway, as I was checking out, I had Aubrey Ann sitting in the cart. The checker asked when I was due, and I told her. Then she said, “Is your daughter ready to be a big sister?” Aubrey Ann said, “Yes”. Then the checker said, “It is going to be a huge adjustment, because you two are so close.” I said, “How do you know that?” She said, “I see you in here all the time, and you can just tell that you two are best friends.”
Made my day. She is right, Aubrey Ann and I are so close. In fact on two separate occasions today I heard. “Mommy, I will ALWAYS love you”. And also, “Mommy, you are the best Mommy ever.” I wish I could save some of the comments for the teen years!
I am confident that even though my heart feels like it could burst from all the love I have for this little girl, that it can grow to accommodate all the love I have for Landon. That’s just what Mommy’s hearts do.
So in the meantime, I am going to try and exercise a bit of patience and wait for this little guy to come, if for no other reason than to show my daughter how it is done!
And since SOMEBODY needs to use that crib…
Wizard of Oz is Finally Finished!
Posted by Mari Jo on August 9, 2010 about Aubrey Ann, Comments are offToday before nap, Aubrey Ann and I finally finished reading The Wizard of Oz. I cannot tell you how long it has taken us to get through it, but it feels like it has been at least 2-3 months. Everyday before nap we read a few pages, depending on how tired AA is feeling that day. Today was our very last page, and I must say *sniff *sniff, I am not ready for it to be over. Her first novel is completely done, and that is just another “first” to pass us by.
But on to bigger and better things! Our next chapter book is going to be Charlotte’s Web. AA saw the movie a couple of months back and has been asking about the book ever since, so I am off to amazon to buy our next great literary adventure!
Showing us the very last page. Doesn't she look so proud?
Happy girl!
The book, in its final resting spot next to all of her special Wizard of Oz figurines!
Our Last Vacation as The Three Amigos
Posted by Mari Jo on August 7, 2010 about Aubrey Ann, Comments are offSanta Cruz, here we come!
The three of us made a trip to Santa Cruz for some fun in the sun. We knew this would be our last vacation as just the three of us because of Landon’s soon arrival, so we were very excited to get away and live it up a bit.
The first day we spent at the beach. Aubrey Ann loved playing with all of her princesses in the sand, and especially enjoyed hanging out in the big hole Daddy dug for her. She liked playing in the water, and really like chasing the waves in and out. We had a great day on the beach!
The next day we spent at the boardwalk. Aubrey Ann had a great time riding all the rides, and even rode a couple of big ones! She went on The Log Ride, and had a great time, until the drop that is! She immediately started crying when the ride was over, but then she told me she liked it! Silly girl! She is a little dare devil like her Mommy I guess!
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- Summer girl!
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- Standing over her cave!
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- With her Daddy!
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- Run from the waves!
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- Where did she go?
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- Daddy and Aubrey Ann on the Log Ride!
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- Up so high!
We had such a good time, and Aubrey Ann enjoyed every second of our day. It was nice to get away just the three of us and reflect on where the last three years has taken us, and where the next three might be headed! We are so looking forward to our addition, but we are also savoring every last moment as ‘the three of us’. We couldn’t be more blessed!
Maternity pictures
Posted by Mari Jo on August 7, 2010 about Aubrey Ann, 1 commentThese were taken by our very talented brother-in-law Derek. He is fantastic, and we absolutely LOVE how they came out! Thank you Uncle Derek for taking such awesome pictures.
I was 34 weeks pregnant when these pictures were taken.
Fourth of July- 2010
Posted by Mari Jo on August 7, 2010 about Aubrey Ann, Comments are offWe were very fortunate to get to spend our Fourth of July this year with our Cousin Micah. They both enjoyed being together and having fun with all of our little projects and crafts. In the afternoon, they both spent the day at Mamaw’s house and had a blast on the waterslide bounce house. Aubrey Ann LOVED the sparklers as usual and had a great time with all of her cousins. Here are a few pictures from our fun day!
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- Helping make our patriotic pancakes!
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- Mommy cookin’ them up!
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- I think they liked them!
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- Making their flag t-shirts. They both loved this!
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- All ready for church, don’t they look cute?
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- Mommy lighting the sparklers for everyone
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- Watching the fireworks
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- AA doing her sparklers
Aubrey Ann’s Messy Art Party!
Posted by Mari Jo on August 7, 2010 about Aubrey Ann, Comments are offThis year for Aubrey Ann’s birthday party, we chose to throw her a “Messy Art Party.” During the party, the kids got to make birthday hats and aprons, play with play doh, paint all along our back wall, and even decorate their own birthday cupcakes. The party was a blast, and Aubrey Ann enjoyed running from station to station and playing with all of her friends.
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- Some of the decorations
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- Doing her part to beautify our fence
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- AA’s cake, artwork courtesy of AA herself
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- Mommy helping put on the finishing touches
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- Our back fence, beautified!
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- Getting ready to decorate the cupcakes
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- Enjoying her cupcake
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- Our happy family
Tonight Is Movie Night!
Posted by Mari Jo on August 7, 2010 about Aubrey Ann, Comments are offThe link below is a video of Aubrey Ann getting ready for our weekly movie night. Just click on the link to watch it!
Swim lessons
Posted by Mari Jo on August 7, 2010 about Aubrey Ann, Comments are offAubrey Ann had her first year of ‘serious’ swim lessons. We went to Jan Thomas School of Swim and they don’t mess around. I spent the first lesson crying behind a fence, fighting my every instinct to run over and yell, “GIVE ME MY CHILD.” Thank goodness, God had worked it out to where Brandon got to come to the first lesson with me because without his loving guidance and reassurance I can assure you, I would have been THAT mother.
After just a couple of practices, Aubrey Ann was swimming like a fish! She could swim underwater for 6 feet or so, jump in off the diving board, pull herself out of the pool, and even go down the slide into the pool and swim to her instructor all by herself! She was quite the little fishy!
We have a video of her swimming underwater, but unfortunately we don’t have a copy that will run on our computer, so you will just have to take my word for it!
Floating on her back. She hated this!
Swimming to the bottom of the pool.
Getting her gold medal. She was SO proud of herself!
With her favorite teacher
Aubrey Ann had a blast, and I am so glad that we made the sacrifices to make sure she got to go. Now she swims constantly, and has to be watched like a hawk every time she is near the water!
Aubrey Ann dressed herself…
Posted by Brandon on June 24, 2010 about Aubrey Ann, 1 commentThis is what happens when Aubrey Ann dresses herself, a silly hat, green boots and a backwards dress without panties.
What’s this word?
Posted by Brandon on June 13, 2010 about Aubrey Ann, Comments are offAubrey Ann was standing at the fridge trying to sound out the word she just created. The sounds were perfect, the word, not so much.
