A short story

Once upon the time there was this really lucky mommy who had a beautiful baby girl and a handsome husband. The lucky mommy was convinced to get a pedicure by the handsome husband. Not one to argue with that, the lucky mommy indulged herself. Turns out the beautiful baby girl was lucky too. The Handsome husband/daddy took her to the park while the lucky mommy was enjoying her treat.

The silly Handsome Husband had so much fun with the beautiful baby girl. He told the lucky mommy "We must take her to the park much more!" to which the lucky mommy replied, "I don't think so. Not when we have two huge boxes containing lumber and parts for a gorgeous swingset for our own backyard sitting in the garage waiting to be assembled!" Turns out the only one not lucky is the handsome husband...because he has some work cut out for him!
The End

Long Legged Lady

January has been very unseasonably warm around here (that is until the day of Aubri's party....grrrrr). A few weeks back it was pushing 80 degrees and when Aubri put up a fight during a clothes change I decide to not fight back. Jose and I were cracking up that she was walking around in her diaper and shoes (lately if she finds a pair of her sparkly shoes she HAS to have them on!).

Things got even funnier when she took a break for a snack! We could not get over how long she looks! She's really been thinning out lately, and obviously getting taller!

Setting the tone

I'm a big advocate for invites setting the tone for a party/wedding/event. The invites hint at the theme, colors, and tone of the festivity to come.


With that said, you can imagine the pressure I felt after the holidays were over when I realized that I had 2 weeks to find invites and mail them for Aubriella's party! I didn't even have a concrete theme! I found invites I looooved but they were about $1.25 a piece and needing 45 of them didn't go over to well. Believe it or not I "settled" for some 44 cent ones from Walmart. At the time I didn't think they were the right style, but after the party came together I realized they were perfect.

Ok, hard part done, card picked...now we just need a picture. Wow! I forgot how hard it is to stage a picture of a very active girl. I've been singing since then my made up song "How do you take a picture of Aubriella?" (to the Sound of Music tune How do You Solve a Problem like Maria). It is like trying to catch a wave upon the sand, holding a moonbeam in your hand, catching a cloud and pinning it down...



Thought you might want to laugh with me some of the outtakes. I'm sure Aubriella will love these someday. Keep in mind these were taken over the course of a couple of days.

Clearly outside was too distracting. All she wanted to do was run around! We tried her chair outside and that didn't last.

So we moved inside.


I actually got this cute one inside, but her diaper was a little distracting. I tried to fix her skirt, but she took off....and hid inside her tent!

Not happy to come out of her tent!

Very not happy!


Ok lets call it a day!
Day 2

I had to chase her down after every shot! Looks like she is dancing, but just trying to run away I think.




Trying to get her to smile. I was singing to her and she's doing the "mark it with a B"

She's off again!

Not her fault in this one, camera setting too dark.

Can you see how messy her hair is getting from all the chasing and wrangling her back in the chair?



Believe it or not, this is the winner!

Not posed, taken as a joke over the stair banister, distracting tile and carpet... but that is 100% my little girl!

I just had the best year of my life!

Happy birthday Aubriella Joy! You have brought us so much joy. I love everything about you (except can we please try working on that food throwing thing? thanks), and I thank God everyday for allowing us to be entrusted with your little life. I can't wait to see the big things you were created for, and look forward to 17 more years of helping mold you and guide you closer to Christ.

Baby girl Mama and Dada love you so much!

Jose

Jose celebrated his 29th birthday this month! I may be a bit... ok a lot...behind in blogging but he deserves his post nonetheless!

Where do I even start to praise Jose? Aubri and I are SO lucky to have Jose in our lives. As he likes to point out, he is different then most guys. He loves everything about being a husband and dad. He helps out around the house, changes diapers, puts his clothes in the hamper, always puts the toilet seat down, and wipes up his splashes around the sink! WHOA! On top of that, he is handsome, sweet, writes me silly poems, reads his Bible every morning, and does a devotion or lesson with me at night! He works hard for his kids at work, comes home, and before even getting a chance to sit down gets ready for whatever committment we seem to have every.single.night. He watches most football games in fast forward (thanks DVR!) and gave up fantasy football to spend more time with us.

Jose you are the greatest husband and father there is! We love you so much and are so thankful for all that you do for us!

1st picture

Sorry friends for the lack of updates! Just wanted to share with you the first picture of the new year.

Taken New Years Day morning:

I think it is going to be a great year!

Happy 11 Months Aubriella!

I can't believe Aubri is 11 months today! It is going by so fast, yet I can't remember what our lives were like without her. We love our sweet girl so much and we are so thankful for the little fiesty person she is.

Everyone thinks they have the smartest baby in the whole world, but I'm sure I really do! ;-) Aubriella learns something new everyday and her vocabulary is over 20 words (though only the trained ear can distinguish between puppy and baby sometimes). She knows animal sounds and hums certain tunes. She mimics any sound we make from coughing to whistling, and loves to fake blow her nose. She pretend chews when she tells me she is hungry and pretends to swallow and say "ahhh" when she is thirsty. She can point to her nose, mouth, eyes, and hair, and understands instructions like getting a certain object or picking up a toy. I know I'm very very biased, but even when she is around other kids her age she stands out and other parents tell us they can't believe her age. Her social skills and verbal skills are impressive, but her motor skills excel too! At 11 months of age she has been walking for over 2 months, and now tries to run away from us when she doesn't want to be caught! She keeps us on our toes and chasing her around has helped me manage to not gain any weight this holiday season.

Aubriella used to be very shy and only want her mama, but now is the friendliest little thing. She knows no stranger and will wave at everyone she passes. She demonstrates a strong will and can be downright stubborn. She knows what she likes and there is no convincing her otherwise. She makes me laugh- and at times pull out my hair- when she gets an idea and won't get over it. She believes Mama's dish towel belongs on the floor (not the oven door), the measuring cups belong with her toys, the real remote is hers (not the old one we took the batteries out of), nap time is negotiable, and Mommy's milk should be available when she wants it and where she wants it.

Aubri is a little dare devil who will dive off of couches, loves to be thrown in the air, hang upside down, and climb anything she can. Sometimes I think she is a little tom boy hidden in tutus (but I relax knowing she loves shoes, brushes and bows). She laughs when she burps and farts (and says "Papa!" when she hears a fart much to my dad's embarrassment!). No one makes her laugh like daddy, and she loves to rough house with him.



She LOVES to give slobbery kisses and I've given up touching up the make-up she smears off of me. She gives hugs, but doesn't like to cuddle long. Don't try to hold Ms. Independent's hand when she is walking, but feel free to pick her up to take outside.

Even when I start to get mad that she throws all her food on the floor, I can't help but get over it when she mischievously says "uh oh" or tries to say "bom" (for bombs away- thanks Daddy!). With those big, dark eyes she'll turn you into putty, and the two-toothy grin will melt your heart.

Aubriella you've completely captured our hearts and we love you more than we thought possible. You are beautiful inside and out and we love everything about you!

Pictures from her 9 month photo shoot byMoments Caputred