Book Worm

After I got Aubriella dressed the other day I decided to snap a picture.

She smiled for one picture, but decided I wasn't too interesting!


Off she crawled for her books! During nap time she will try to lunge out of my arms for her books if I forget to read to her.

Aubriella LOVES to be read to... as long as she gets to turn the pages and you read her one of her 6 favorite books. She can be a little picky.

She pulled them off the shelf one by one ( I helped put them around her), and picked her favorite book Snuggle Puppy.

I love this picture because it looks like she is really reading!

But really, the best part about books is the way they taste!

Avila Valley Barn

Instead of sorting through the hundreds of pictures we took in August, I'm starting with our most recent of September!

My dad has been working so hard fixing up his backyard. Every chance he gets he is working on the huge project that is coming along nicely! I was pleasantly surprised he and my mom took us up on the offer to go to Avila Valley Barn- he actually took Labor Day weekend seriously! I love Avila Valley Barn and was so happy to take Aubriella with her Nana and Papa (and Uncle Jasen!). Of course this is just the first of many times I plan on going these next few months. We will have to go back in October for pumpkins and hayrides, and probably again in December for Christmas tree pictures!

The day was perfect. It was sunny, only moderately crowded, and I enjoyed eating the roasted corn on the cob, drinking the fresh apple cider, and trying Oatmeal chocolate chip homemade ice cream....yum!

Aubriella couldn't have been in a happier mood. She was so silly all day making funny noises and faces to make us laugh. Most of the time we would sit her for a picture and she would start fake laughing and smiling to show off. This girl already loves the camera (good thing since we shove it in her face everyday!). Aubriella loves to stand all the time now. Her little legs are so strong, and any chance she gets she wants to be showing off her skills! She loved the attention she was

getting!

A rare moment of seriousness!

Look at this goofy smile in between fake laughs and blowing raspberries!

She is Papa's little girl! She knows how to work him too! He was about to fork over some serious dough for overpriced toys in the gift shop, until we convinced him otherwise.
See... She knows just how to do it. Who can resist her after a sweet, slobbery kiss??

She loved staring at the animals- she isn't quite sure what to think of them!

Aubri isn't looking, but I love this picture of her with my parents!

And finally, an adorable series of wagon pictures. I can't get over how beautiful my little girl is!

437

pictures I just uploaded to the computer! Once I go through them, there will be plenty of blog posts!

Family Swim Day

A month ago (a little behind on blogging!) I planned a church Family Swim Day at Avila Hot Springs. I was so excited by the feedback I had received before the event and I had my hopes up for a huge turn out. Sadly there was only about 15 who showed up. It was tempting to be disapointed and discouraged (I'll admit I was a bit), but we had a great time and were able to hang out with great friends. That really is all that should matter!

Aubriella and Kai had a good time together in the playpen!

Jake loved the water!

Great daddies

Content

Ahhh...I'm sipping a root beer float watching my baby sleep peacefully in the video monitor, working on Children's ministry teaching schedules and typing up notes from a my very part time CWS job. I just did a quick clean up of baby toys, washed the dishes and scrubbed the sink. I slept in this morning and feel rested, and am anticipating a family date night (hopefully including a very special friend!) to Avila farmers market tonight. I have a smile on my face. I am content. I'm happy. I'm filled with joy!

I am living the life I dreamed, and couldn't feel more blessed. I am married to the man of my dreams, have the sweetest baby on earth, live in a house that feels like home...what more could I want?!

Recently someone asked me if I think I will live on the Central Coast forever... like it was a bad thing. They asked "don't you ever feel the need for change? for something new?" For a little bit, I actually thought I was boring for thinking no. I even felt a little embarrassed. I thought about this conversation for a couple of days. I wondered if I was dull for not craving change. Instead I came to a conclusion and a realization that I'm not dull, boring, or adventureless...I feel fulfilled! I have no need to desire something different or new when I feel everyday that I am walking in God's will for my life. Who knows what the future will hold for us, and if we did someday feel God telling us to go somewhere I have no doubt that we would. But for now, for today, this feels great.

"Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight" Psalm 43:3-4

Going way too fast!

Aubriella is 6 1/2 months now. She just got shots on Friday, and weighed in at 17 lbs 15 oz (75th percentile!) and was 95th percentile for height! She's a chubby, tall girl but it is funny that almost everyone tells me she is petite!

Aubriella s such a joy! She smiles freely and often, and loves to giggle and squeal. She loves to give and get kisses, and is generally a very, very happy baby. She makes me laugh, and my heart melts into a puddle a few times a day.

This little girl of ours is always on the move! If I dare brag a bit, she is quite advanced! She waves hi and bye, crawls, pulls herself up anytime she can-- we had to lower the crib mattress because she was trying to dive out of the crib, and today I had to stop her from trying to climb the stairs!--blows raspberries, and when I tell her to say mama she always whispers and says "ma ma ma" or "pa pa pa" or "ba ba ba." That might not seem very verbal to you, but because she does this every time I ask her to say it, it is obvious she is attempting to communicate and understands what I am asking. She also sometimes copies clapping.

Since the introduction to solids, she has had homemade rice cereal, oatmeal, bananas, avocado, and peaches! She tolerates everything well, though usually only takes a few bites unless it is oatmeal or peaches! I'm excited for her to try the applesauce I made today.

She is napping even more consistently which is great, and even improving at night. We've had a few recent nights that she has slept 7 hours straight, and only woke up once through the night. Everyday she seems to get a little better at putting herself back to sleep.

Aubriella loves to be read to! She is so good at turning the pages, and will sit still while we read. Lately she doesn't want to stop reading at nap time. She keeps trying to get up and reach for her books! Today, she started whining when I closed the book, and didn't stop until I read one more!

Lastly, Aubriella is quite strong willed. There is no getting her to do anything she doesn't want to, and once she has her mind fixed on something there is no redirecting her! She can display quite a temper when she doesn't get her way. The prime example is the daily struggle with her wanting whatever cup we are using to bathe her. She can have have her hands full with another cup, but she wants the one we have...every.single.time.

I love Aubriella so much, and am so thankful to have her!

Photos by Moments Captured photography

Just like the Nester

Last month I shared a little bit about my obsession with The Nester... she was the one who taught "It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful", yard sale finds, and thrift store. Remember?

Well anyway...today she wrote about her kitchen and I happened to see MY COOKIE JAR! Except hers is a flour jar.

Nesters:

Mine:

I knew it! She wants to be just like me. ;-)