Process

The last couple of weeks have been exhausting. Just when I think maybe I'll take the time to post an update, I feel like I just can't. The whole process started with flying to my mom's house two weeks ago. Flying with little ones is exhausting in and of itself. Then we began the adventure of staying in one house, then moving to another, back to mom's house, then switching rooms, etc... and quite frankly all that adjustment is hard--on Aubrey and mommy. Our time in Florida wasn't really a "vacation" because we were actually there for my mom's wedding. This meant that the majority of our time was already planned out and, well, kind of exhausting. There were some highlights, like spending time with my mom, driving the golf cart, swimming, enoying the Florida rain, but overall, I came home in need of a vacation from vacation! Of course, my flight was cancelled, my new flight was delayed and I ended up getting home at midnight our time which was actually 3 am Florida time...whew.

Three days later after conquering laundry, etc, Justin's parents graciously offered to take Aubrey for the weekend while we got away to the coast to celebrate our anniversary. It was wonderful! The weather was amazing and it was just so relaxing. While we were gone, Grandma Kim got us started on round 2 of potty training. I was so hopeful that this time would be different, better than last time. I came home rejuvinated and ready for the adventure.

3 days into the process at home, I'm emotionally worn out. I want her to succeed, but more than anything I just want her to GO potty, in her pants, on the ground...especially in the toilet, but I don't really care about the details. She's a holder and I really can't handle seeing her in pain. Hopefully the doctor will have some answers because I don't know what to do. Believe me, if you suggest it, I've tried it. She---just----doesn't----get----it!

Whew...what a process! I'll post some pictures later, but had to get the rambling out for now.

Our little athlete

Not sure if this counts as althletics, but for a two year old I'll say it does. Aubrey learned to bowl on the Wii and then she taught us ;) . Also, here is a little video of her floatie swimming skills.

14 weeks 4 days

My squishy gut from the last year of overeating is finally starting to firm up and resemble a baby bump. Most of my clothes aren't snug, so you can't really tell, but yesterday I actually wore and outfit that revealed my baby bump.

This week has been great. I feel like a new woman! I'm still a little yucky at night, but overall, I have way more energy, an actual desire to socialize with other people, and less nausea. I can't wait till I get to that point in my pregnancy where it's hard to remember how bad those first few weeks actually are. Don't get me wrong, I'm extrememly thankful for this pregnancy and really the sickness too, because it was a great reminder that my baby was growing in me. Like labor though, it's nice to reflect back on without actually having to experience the event. ;)

Who is this big girl?

And what have you done with my baby??

I realize that the growing up process is gradual, but I think every parent experiences a moment when they look at their "baby" and realize they aren't a baby anymore. I took this picture of Aubrey on the 4th of July and when I was looking at it on the camera, I couldn't help but stare at how grown up she looks. Maybe it's the long hair, maybe the long legs, I'm not sure, but suddenly I'm realizing my baby isn't a baby anymore. There are new reminders everyday of my baby's BIG GIRL status.

• She's becoming oh so independent. Seriously, this is the "baby" who was never much of a self-entertainer...and suddenly, she'll play for HOURS by herself with her babies. She feeds them, takes them to the doctor, puts them to bed, and even sometimes has to discipline them when they don't want to share. When they don't obey her, she comes to mommy to let me know that "Emily won't share with Sheepie" and I give them a good talking to.


• She likes to test the limits. This pretty much occurs with everything we do. If I say we have to go, she says, "I'm not ready yet". If I tell her to be careful, she asks, "why?". The pictures below are great examples of her pushing the limits. During fireworks, she was told to stay on her towel. Really, she was a very good girl during them and entertained herself by throwing poppers that daddy bought her, but she slowly was edging herself off of the towel. With each little scoot, she'd look up at me, point to her legs and say, "I'm still on the towel." Seriously, too big for her DIAPER britches! :)

Before scooting

After scooting

• I went to sign her up for preschool starting in August, and there was another harsh reminder that she is no longer my "baby". The lady was discussing her placement in a class and that, "Oh, she's over 30 months...she's no longer a toddler." WHAT, no longer a toddler?! But, but, but....
• AND she can swim with floaties! Yes, I realize to some of you veteran moms this may seem like a normal milestone, but wow, she just seems so grown up to me. She just swims all over the pool, all the while smiling a huge smile because she's so proud of herself. I plan on video taping this in the near future.
  

look at this big girl

• And today she was painting me, "hearts and heads". She's TWO people, TWO! And look at her hearts...they actually resemble hearts. And heads??? Not sure what that's about, but the blue one next to the heart is MY head. Kinda big, huh?
  

I sure love my big girl!

Makin' Out

There are those moments in life where you learn things the hard way. Obviously, parenting is not any different than the rest of life. Today I learned a parenting lesson. I wasn't actually the one who had to learn it the hard way, but my husband assured me that I BETTER have learned it. Thank goodness it was laugh worthy.

Since Aubrey was a wee babe, I would kiss her all over her face and then smooch her lips and say, "let's make out". Obviously, I did this in a mommy smothering kind of way. I never really thought of how others would view this or the events that could transpire when she was two. I still do it in a mommy smothering kind of way and Aubrey giggles as I smother her in kisses. Well today was the day. Justin took his little lady on a special outing to rent a movie of her choice. While in line, she was especially affectionate and leaned over to kiss all over daddy's face and said really loudly, "Daddy, let's make out!". How do you react to that??? Justin said that everyone around him looked at him like, "did she really say what I thought she said?" He tried to change the subject and then made to sure to call me on their way home to tell me NO MORE MAKIN' OUT!

A picture of them makin' out...for old time sake.