4 weeks – Getting Used to Bath Time!

Last night, Daddy gave Aubrey a bath.  Although it wasn’t her first bath, we are finally getting a good routine down and one that doesn’t leave Aubrey a screaming mess.  Since she was pretty calm during this bath, I was able to snap a few pictures.

This week has been a pretty quiet one, and we have really enjoyed all of this extra time that we have gotten to spend with family since Aubrey came along.  I love getting together for family dinners and just hanging out in general with the people I care about.  Just to get some mommy time, I snuck out on Saturday to get a pedicure, and my grandmother watched Aubrey.  I think everyone greatly benefited from the arrangement, especially my grandmother.   The big events this coming week are Aubrey’s one month birthday on Friday and her baptism on Sunday.  It’s going to be a great weekend!  I will definitely be posting pictures!

Someone to Lean On

During this adventure, I have been amazed and blessed by the large amount of support and love that has been coming our way, and has continued into these first weeks of Aubrey's life.  Now, I have become a part of a new group at church that I'm so positive and happy about. 


In these first weeks, we have been receiving several meals through a ministry at our church.  My mother in law and I noticed that several of the meals were coming from new moms, just like me.  She then got the idea to get a group started that would bring together these new moms to talk about our experiences and to also have some devotional time with God a couple of times a month.  We had the first meeting this morning, and it was great!  We decided on some basics for the group and also decided on a daily devotional book that we could discuss at each meeting.  We are also making plans to get together for a cookout later this summer to get the dads involved as well.  It was so amazing to get to talk with these amazing ladies about our views on parenting and faith and to nurse our children and just have a great time in general.


I just can't wait to see where God takes this group and it's so great to meet and socialize with ladies that are right where I am in life that are there for me and are allowing me to be there for them.  I'm so excited!


On another note, Aubrey is 3 weeks old today!  She is already filling out quite a bit and she is just a wonderful, happy, mellow baby at this point.  I swear I have even gotten a few of those wonderful baby smiles that just make my heart almost burst with love for this amazing little girl.  Here's a 3 week birthday picture!  It was actually taken yesterday, but it's too cute not to post!

2 Weeks and Growing Like A Weed!

This week was a pretty big week for Aubrey and me.  I was finally able to be able to drive again and lift the car seat, so we were able to get out and about, which was a nice change of pace for me, maybe not so much the baby. 

Last Sunday, Joey’s dad’s parents came up from Sarasota to visit Aubrey.  It was so great to see them and for Aubrey to get to share some time with her great-grandparents.  We also went on our first church trip, which was very successful.  We know that our church family is as much in love with our little girl as we are.  We can’t wait to share her christening with them on June 12^th. 

On Tuesday, we had Baby Girl’s 2 week checkup, in which the goal was to be back at our birth weight of 7lbs 4oz.  Aubrey tipped the scales at 7lbs 7ozs, and she had grown ¼ of an inch!  It was so great to see that breastfeeding is successful so far, and that she’s thriving with what we have been doing. 

On Thursday, we went to hang out with Joey’s mom, Grandmommy Helen.  We helped out with some VBS projects and just got to hang out a little bit out of house.  Since Aubrey has been going through a little growth spurt, we spent more time nursing than actually helping.  Friday, we went and met Daddy for lunch and then went to Granny’s house to hang out with cousins Ashley and Mason.  That night, we went to a party in Aubrey’s honor at our friends’ house.  Alan and Meghan threw a wonderful party and we had a great time.  We are so lucky to have such wonderful friends and family, and we always have a great time together.

Here are a few pictures from our week:

10 Things Loving Fathers Do For Their Children

Totally stealing this from my dear friend Sarah's blog! Here's the link: http://www.allprodad.com/top10/parenting/10-things-loving-fathers-do-for-their-children.

1. Loving fathers… love their children’s mother: This is huge – possibly the most beneficial intervention dads can do on behalf of their children. Love your wife without reservation - you can’t do much more for your kids than that.
2. Love them unconditionally: Make sure that your children know you love them “no matter what.” Don’t confuse this with permissiveness - unconditional love does nothing to encourage the wrong kind of behavior. In fact, kids who are secure in their father’s love tend to act out less, not more.
3. Grow up: We’re talking about the dads here, not the kids! Children don’t want another buddy - they want a dad. They want someone who thinks things through, makes tough decisions and engages life with responsibility – someone they can count on.
4. Be there: “Quality time” is all well and good… but it has nothing on quantity time. Make the time. Everyone has the same 24 hours available. Make yours count.
5. Provide: Just do it.
   - A stable home
   - Love and affection
   - Material needs
   - Presence
6. Discipline: Children appreciate an even hand, balance, accountability and love-drenched discipline. It’s called consistency, and without clearly defined boundaries, it is very difficult to grow up.
7. Value education: Don’t just read to them – read with them. Don’t just fuss about grades – get involved with their homework. Don’t just talk about learning – be a hands-on advocate
8. Raise them to leave: The simple goal of being a family, of parenting our children, doesn’t look any more complicated than this: raise them well equipped to leave home and to establish faithful lives.
9. Teach them to take responsibility: Kids who learn how to duck responsibility and avoid cost will – sooner or later – fall flat on their faces. Loving fathers make sure their children know how to own up, clean up, and move forward.
10. Teach them to love this life: The best predictor of happiness in children is happiness in their parents. If we learn how to love this life, and then give that blessing to our kids, then they will be well prepared for satisfaction.

The First Week Home…Missing Daddy Already

This week was the first week that we had Aubrey home and the first week that I was finally doing this motherhood thing on my own, and I was terrified.  Luckily, both Aubrey and I survived and although I am more tired than normal, I am managing to be somewhat alert most of the time.  We had two doctors’ appointments and managed to go to the grocery store and my favorite Chinese restaurant.

We knew a few weeks ago that this week Joey would have to go out of town.  Since Aubrey took her time getting here, Joey didn’t get to spend a ton of time with our baby girl before a 3 day trip to Pennsylvania.  Luckily my mom volunteered to come and stay with me at night and was able to stay with me and work from home on Thursday.  It was a great comfort to have someone with me during the night feedings, even if she was just sleeping in the other room.  It was also nice to have someone to take over one morning feeding so I could get a little more sleep. 

As far as the doctors’ appointments, on Monday we had our first check-up with Dr. Burroughs, who checked Aubrey over when she was in the special care nursery.  We got to ask a few questions that we had about any reasons that we would need to bring her in, when to take her out, when to use lotions, etc.  She had gained 3ozs , which was right on target, and we needed to come back Friday to an additional weight check.  The goal is to get back to her birth weight of 7lbs 4ozs by two weeks.  On Friday, we saw Dr. Brannon, who will be her regular pediatrician.  We just went over a few basics and found that Aubrey had gained 4 more pounds, only 2 more ounces to go until we hit birth weight!  I’m so glad that breastfeeding is working out and really helping her to thrive.  We have her 2 week appointment on Tuesday to find out the results.

On Friday (today), Joey came home, and he has been holding her since she walked in the door.  Since he got home I have only gotten her for a feeding.  It’s so great to know that I’m married to a man who loves his family and especially loves his baby girl.  I’m so content right now!

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A Big Thank You!

I just wanted to take a few minutes to let everyone know how grateful we all are for your thoughts, prayers, food, gifts, company and love.  We are so fortunate to have the most amazing family and friends in our lives.  Aubrey is such a lucky little girl to have such a loving and amazing group of people that support her no matter what.  We love you all!