100 years later…

I graduated!! Hallelujah!

This has been the longest road ever, but I finished and that’s all that matters. It did feel good to walk across that stage and know that I’m done- mission accomplished :)

I did not want to make a big ta-do about it all, so just my family and Philip’s parents came. Afterward we went out to eat at TaMolly’s- sooo good!

It was also freezing and cloudy that day, so pics aren’t that great. Darn.

I was also almost 36 weeks pregnant, so I’m looking real good in that big black gown! Ha!

YAY!!!

My First Love

I want to take the time and really focus on my girl. My first born, the one who made me a momma. Some days I just can’t get over how much I love her. I always wondered how I would love a second child as much as I love her, I know, it’ll just be a different love for each of them, but still equal. For 5 years its just been her. She has been such a joy in my life. I am super excited about brother coming, but it does make me a little sad that it won’t just be her anymore. I know it will be great for her to have a sibling, and she will be such an awesome big sister, but now I have to share her ;) As much as I wanted to have a girl, so that she could have a sister, I am really glad to be having a boy. I think it will help ease the transition (for me!) I can love a girl and a boy, which is totally different than loving two girls, I think I would be comparing a lot if I were having a girl now. I guess God knew what he was doing! ;)

This age has been so fun. Sure, she is definitely getting some attitude and sass going on, but most of the time its just humorous! She is really learning how to express her feelings, and is not afraid to say how she feels. Her newest thing is “that’s just rude”. Most of the time she uses it the correct way. She has also began to say when things aren’t fair, which isn’t always the case, sometimes its just her not getting her way and she says its not fair. So, we’re trying to work through that. She is very opinionated. Which, has always been the case! She is also really good on her manners. If I ask her to do something she’ll usually say “OK”, but then right away add “I mean, yes ma’am!” I rarely have to correct her on that. She does great on her please, thank you, and excuse me’s. The other day she was just sooo sweet. That morning I started a meal in the crock pot, when Philip got home that night he finished it off by making some sides to go with it. So, he called us when it was ready, making Aubrey think he had done it all. Well, a few minutes into the meal she got out of her seat, went over to Philip gave him a hug and said “This is the most beautiful dinner and my favorite!” She kept going on and on throughout dinner how much she loved  it. Hello, I did have a part in it! ;) So then, after dinner she said she was going to give Philip something because dinner was so beautiful. So she went in her room and picked out a book for him to “keep”. Books are a big deal to her! So super sweet! She is also very concerned when the baby moves around a lot and makes things uncomfortable for me. She’ll go to my stomach and tell him to stop moving and hurting momma, or to stop moving at night so I can sleep. Love her.

She is still very into coloring/drawing- non stop!, dancing, singing, playing with her babies, princess stuff, jewelry, helping out with laundry or cooking- more so the cooking, I think she’s realizing the “fun” of laundry!, jumping and climbing on anything, she prays anytime she hears a siren, reading and playing games. Favorite colors are still pink and purple. Favorite book is Duck on  a Bike, she can “read” it back to us. She’d eat cereal or peanut butter and jelly for every meal if we’d let her. Though, she does request Red Lobster often! Not sure why, she just gets chicken, haha. She is a pretty good eater though, she will usually try anything without complaining. Naps are a thing of the past, but she definitely needs to be in bed by 8:30. We’ve almost got it to where she can shower by herself, that is my goal before baby gets here! The hair still holds us back some, but we’re really close!! :)

I am so glad that I will be getting to stay home with her now. It will be a big change for sure, but one I think we are both looking forward to! I’ve always pictured myself being more of a stay at home mom, wasn’t sure if that would be able to be a reality, but I am so blessed that it is looking that way! :)

To start off our first week of being home, we went and got our hair did!

 

After hair, we went to Stonebriar to pick out a princess dress for her birthday, and of course ride the carousel :)

Saw Santa. At Bass Pro, as usual :) She looks so big!

Made cinnamon ornaments.

Enjoyed the really cold weather by snuggling up with hot chocolate and watching Elf. Her movie request everyday!

Had to make sure I captured her chalk board. She asked how to spell baby brother, I told her to do the best she could. Not bad! And, so sweet :)

From our family pics. She did all of her own posing. Love her happy spirit!

She told me she was really hot in her jacket. Christmas Story anyone?? ;)

Being silly.

She got one of Philip’s books, and flashlight- she loves them, and started reading. She kept pointing out all of her site words, such a smarty!

Her and those babies!

On her last day of school they were supposed to have their Christmas program, but since the weather was still bad and kinda icy, they moved it to the following week. She probably wouldn’t have gone, but a couple of their songs they were partnered up, so she needed to be there. And, I am so glad! It was the cutest thing! The best one she’s been in yet- loved it!

Her last day. Singing. Her with Zachary- they’ve been in class together from the start! My Christmas girl :)

The video is a little long, but so worth it! They sang at least 5 songs, but this was my favorite :) (wait for the second song to start)

It wouldn’t be right if I didn’t end with a sleeping picture. Holding her little puppy :)

She is turning into a young girl, not such a little girl anymore. I really am impressed and so proud of her. Love her!!

lovin’ for baby boy

November 17th, Natalie hosted a super cute baby shower for baby boy. It was unseasonably hot (in the 80’s that day- lame!) and there was a major accident on the highway- closing the highway, causing several people to be late, or not even able to come. Such a bummer! :( But, I am very thankful for all of those that did come :)

My photographer didn’t get any pictures of the people that were there, sorry. :(

 

Crazy girls. Aubrey was so excited for the baby shower and was asking about it daily, but, as soon as we get there and she sees Lola, baby shower? What baby shower? Figures.

Gifts time.

Sarah got him so pj’s, size 12 months- I can’t imagine having a 1 year old boy!!

Not sure what’s going on here, but we have the same face!

Thanks for hosting, my crazy friend! ;)

Can’t believe she’s not going to be my only baby anymore! Can’t wait to love on both of my kiddos! I can already tell she’s going to be a great big sis :)

Us, and baby boy, were sure blessed by this shower and everyone who came and gave! Thank you to all! –We love y’all! :)

One Year Down… Many More To Go!

November 3rd, we celebrated our first year anniversary. I can’t believe it’s already been a year! Fastest year ever. And what a year it has been!

It’s been fun, most of the time ;), learning how to live with someone, figuring out what works and what doesn’t day-to-day, who’s going to do what around the house, figuring out expectations, becoming parentS- instead of just parent (me), getting ready for a new baby(!)… my favorite though, is just knowing at the end of the day I get to curl up in bed with the one I love and that I am meant to be with. There is just such a nice security in knowing you have someone and they have you.

Is marriage all that I thought it would be? Yes and no. Insert a big “DUH” here —> it’s been a little harder than I thought it would be. haha. Just all of the adjusting, in every sense. But, it has also been great! I think our situation is a little different than most of our friends, starting off with having an almost 4 year old and then throwing in a pregnancy about 6 months later! It’s definitely been challenging at times, but I wouldn’t trade it! Philip has done an amazing job with Aubrey, and I know he will do amazing with our little boy :)

He has also been a wonderful husband. He’s very thoughtful and always willing to help out around the house when asked, or even without being asked. He works very hard to provide for our family, which is so appreciated. He’s been amazing during this pregnancy!! And, its really evident how much he strives to be a good husband- I got a good one! :)

Due to me being in school, I couldn’t take off time for us to really get away (major bummer!) so, we did a little mini getaway in Dallas. We left Saturday and stayed at a hotel in the West End (I’ve gone totally blank on the name, darn it). When we got there we just lounged around for a bit and then went to Daddy Jacks on Greenville Ave. It was very reminiscent of our honeymoon in Boston :) Afterward, we went back to the hotel, but first walking to a little restaurant for some hot chocolate. Yummy. Sunday- we slept in!! I this point I was just about 30 weeks pregnant, so sleep was good ;) We ate a really good breakfast at the hotel, then lounged around some more, looked through all of our wedding pics (via FB), then ate the traditional top of the cake. Um, I’ll just say, the cake tasted much better a year ago ;) After that, we headed out for lunch and then that night went to Studio Movie Grill and saw Captain Phillips- so good!!

It was nice to get away, even if it wasn’t far or for long. The one-on-one, good conversation and relaxation time is all that was needed, and that’s what we got :)

 

About to go out for dinner.

Eating the cake. We kept hoping it would be better if we dug a little deeper ;)

Love you babe. So blessed to have been lucky enough to get to marry you and start a wonderful life together! XOXO!