Our Big Girl

Aubrey is getting cuter by the day. Just wanted to share one of her adorable moments.

First Birthday and First Surgery

Last week we celebrated Aubrey's first birthday! In some ways, I can't believe she is already a year old, but in other ways it seems much longer than a year since she has been with us. The year has been full of changes and challenges. All three of us have grown so much. I've tried to soak up each milestone and moment during this past year, and her birthday was no different. I really didn't know what you do at a first birthday party. It's not like the kids could play games or enjoy some sort of entertainment. So we just shared some snacks with friends, let the kids play, opened presents and ate some cupcakes. It was a lot of fun, and we were so happy to have so many of our family and friends share the special day with us. It was fun to watch all the kids (Aubrey, Will, Cooper, Miller, and Madeline) play. Little Asher and Chloe were too small to play but adorable to look at! Aubrey wasn't a big fan of her cake. She just smashed it up and wanted out of her highchair. She got some great presents: a homemade blanket from Aunt Suzi, a wagon which she LOVES, baby doll, cell phone, purse, books, puzzle, and several ADORABLE outfits. It will be a celebration we will never forget.

Cupcakes

12 months of photos

Andrew and Sarah with the snacks

Birthday Girl

Having some fun

Aubrey loves her Nina

Awww man it's not at iphone!

Aubrey and cousin Will

Not a fan of cake

OK now I'm just mad

Too much party

The Wednesday after her birthday, Aubrey had to get tubes put in her ears. She has been battling ear infections since October. She has been such a trooper through it all. She has continued to sleep well, eat well, and not run a fever. This winter has been awful! We've spent so much time at the doctor, on antibiotics, and getting shots. I was so against the tubes, and we did everything trying to prevent having to get them. Of corse, after the fifth ear infection we didn't have much choice. I have blamed myself thinking that she wouldn't be going through this if she weren't in daycare and I stayed home with her. I don't know if it would really make a difference. I know that kids who stay home have the same problems. Anyway, she did great. She couldn't eat after midnight, so I was really nervous about that, but she did fine, and had no trouble when the nurses took her away. The procedure was so fast! She had a fit coming out of anesthesia. She would not quit screaming until we left the hospital. After she ate at home and took a nap, she was fine. She has been happier and babbling more than ever now! I can tell such a difference in her. Poor thing had just gotten used to the pain and didn't realize how good she could feel! We are so happy we did it, and hope that it helps these infections. We'll do whatever it takes to make her feel good and happy.

Aubrey before surgery in her hospital gown

Presenting Asher Joseph Steele

On Wednesday, my brother and his wife had their first child, Asher Joseph. We went to Louisville to meet the little guy today. He is a perfect, precious little baby. He's strong, healthy, and has a great disposition. Andrew and Sarah are doing a great job as first time parents. When seeing and holding him, it was hard for me to believe that Aubrey was that small. It's so crazy how soon we forget. Aubrey suddenly didn't seem like a baby anymore. I feel like I should still have a newborn-not a toddler! Aubrey always seems so tiny to me, but today she was huge! It was fun to see her so interested in Asher. She was dying to touch him, and she knew that he was something different.

Asher is beautiful, and I can't wait until the next time we get to see him.

I got a new camera for Christmas, and we had fun having a photo shoot with Asher. He was such a trooper! Here are some of the shots I took.

Angel Face

Daddy can't get enough

Mommy and Daddy's bling

Cuddly

So Alert and beautiful

So comfy

What we've been up to

I've enjoyed this past month so much. With my two weeks off for Christmas break, and my snow days I've been off work for a whole month! Aubrey has hit a major milestone. She is walking! She started right after Christmas. She had been taking steps for about a month, but one day at my friend Jennifer's house, she took off. I guess she was following little Madeline's example! Anyway, we have had so much fun with it. She looks too tiny to be walking, and walking so well. She can stand up in the middle of the floor, change directions, and bend to pick things up. We are so proud of our little athlete. She is also into everything now, but it's fun chasing her around. The slideshow above is from me chasing her around one afternoon.

We've also had some SNOW! Not much, but it was enough that we were out of school for six days! I got a little cabin fever, and so did Aubrey. She does much better when she is out and about. We had to capture some pics of her first snow.

Love this pic!

After all the snow, and freezing weather, we were so happy to have a sunny, warm day. We got out and played with our camera yesterday and took some outdoor pics. Aubrey loved being outside and looking at the cows. We couldn't hardly keep her from climbing the fence.

I want the cows!

Look at the camera!

Aubrey and her sweet daddy

Christmas Blessings

I wish that I could feel the Christmas spirit all year. I don't know what it is about Christmastime that makes you feel so blessed. We had a wonderful first Christmas with Aubrey. We had our Richardson family Christmas on Sunday the 20th with Adam's dad's family, and had a great day of food and fun. It will be so fun to see the babies grow up together!

Big Changes since last Christmas!

Adam, Aubrey and I had our Christmas Wednesday morning here at our house. Aubrey got a busy zoo, cabbage patch, books, and some clothes. I was thrilled with my new camera!

Aubrey's first stocking

Aubrey's first baby

Then, it was off to Nina and Poppy's. It was so nice to have everyone at Mom and Dad's. We didn't do much, just spent time together making cookies, playing games, and eating and talking. We did our traditional Christmas Eve at Granny's, Christmas morning at home, Christmas dinner at Grandmommy's, and Christmas night at Granny's. It is a whirlwind day, but I wouldn't want it any other way. I know that these traditions are probably going to begin diminishing as we all have our own families and traditions. While I know that's how it should be, it still is a little sad that things have to change. It makes me want to establish those same traditions with our family so Aubrey can have the same excitement and happiness that I've been so fortunate to experience every Christmas.

The whole fam

Our traditional Christmas cookies

Four Generations!

Sweet moment from Christmas morning

I am truly blessed. I have such a wonderful, loving family who I love spending time with. I have a wonderful husband and a happy marriage, and a beautiful baby girl. I'm also thankful for our home, and our jobs, and being fortunate enough to have all our needs met. I can't wait to see what's next.

Turkey Day

We had a very busy and fun-filled Thanksgiving Break. On Thursday we went to Muhlenberg County to have Thanksgiving dinner with Dad's side of the family. I love it the fact that I've been able to be with my extended family for every Thanksgiving of my life. Our family has grown so much that we had to rent a place to have dinner! I feel so fortunate that I was able to grow up around all of my cousins. We were such great playmates and friends, and although we aren't as close as we once were the memories we've shared will always stay with us. It saddens me to think that my kids won't share those same experiences. Memories with my cousins are some of the fondest memories of my childhood. It makes me so happy to see them have beautiful families of their own.
Aubrey had her first tastes of turkey, sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes, rolls, and pumpkin pie! She also enjoyed playing with her second cousins. She did not, however, enjoy her first Santa experience. Aubrey can be very shy, and Santa scared her a bit. After dinner we went and had a light meal at my Mom's side of the family. We had good food and played our traditional game. This year is was "The game of things" and we had a blast.
Friday isn't a traditional shopping day for us, but we did venture to Nashville to see the lights at Opry Mills. They had a light and water show and Aubrey was mesmerized. She loved looking at the lights and watching all the people. We are continually amazed at what a great baby she is! She is just so sweet, content, and fun! We did some shopping on Saturday then it was back home for Thanksgiving Sunday with Grandpa Gene and Mia. What a different Thanksgiving we had there this year! We went from no babies to three! It was so much fun watching Will, Blaine, and Aubrey play. It's so funny how our priorities have changed so drastically in a year. Life will certainly never be the same. The holidays are going to be so fun this year!

Beautiful Angel

I just wanted to share some of the professional pictures that we recently had taken of Aubrey. It was the first we have done since she was a newborn. We had the photographer come to our home , and I think she did a fantastic job capturing her sweet face and personality. These are just a few of the many beautiful pics.