Aubrey is ONE!!!!!

I cannot believe it but my sweet baby girl is 1!!! I have a 1 year old!!! to think that 5.5 years ago we started the journey to have her. At that point she was just a dream, a hope, a prayer. I remember wondering if I would ever experience, the fear that I never would. After 5.5 years of having more doctors than I knew what to do with. The endometriosis surgery, the chlomid only trials, first referral to fertility specialist where I was diagnosed with PCOS, first round of IUI which resulted in some of the most painful tests (tube check) and the start to this emotional roller coaster ride. Having to take a break from the treatments and starting hormone therapy to find out I have almost zero vitamin D and way low progesterone. Getting acupuncture when I absolutely hate needles but willing to try anything to help. Let's not forget the crazy diets to loose weight because weight loss is so easy you know...especially when you have PCOS. NOT!!! Dealing with the MANY and I mean MANY "Are you pregnant?" (Thanks PCOS) questions to the point that it just made me laugh because I couldn't cry anymore. The many tears and prayers to God to show me his plan. The first adoption agency who called to say they were closing unexpectibly and then the second adoption agency who put us on their wait list; and who we still to this day have not heard from. Then to the OBGYN who had us spinning our wheels for absolutely nothing because I do not ovulate at all. Finding a different fertility specialist who we really liked. Doing another round of IUI with no results, then another and success....we were pregnant. But then to be told, "you are going to miscarry so just stop taking your medicine" and then battling with the moral side of that. Thankful God handled that decision for us. Waiting until the end of the school year before trying again so I would be stress free. Trying another round of IUI and it being one of the MOST PAINFUL rounds, could barely walk out of the office or drive myself home. But this MOST PAINFUL round worked again and this time it took. After being monitored like crazy, a spotting scare, terrible tailbone pain, referral to Physical Therapy for the pain and then going to PT 2X/wk, massage therapy 1-2x/mo and approximately 27 hours of labor we had this sweet miracle. She gave me the title of "Mommy" and she was my perfect gift from God. His timing was absolutely perfect. This year has been such a blessing and sure we have had some ups and downs but I'll handle anything and be thankful for those difficult times because it wasn't an easy road and so I appreciate every single second of the good and the stressful. She is my sweet miracle, my gift from God; and for that I am honored to be her mommy!! 

Here is what is happening this month:

* On Feb 26 we introduced Aubrey to whole milk and she took to it like a champ!!! There was no hesitation and she finished that bottle down! 

* Walking with one hand support. She loves to walk and just laughs and laughs. 

* She has discovered the game of hide and seek. She loves to play this game with the curtains in the play room and at bathtime with the shower curtain. She cracks up every time. 

* She has really developed a belly laugh and laughs a TON now!!! She sometimes laughs because we are laughing which makes us laugh more thus causing her to laugh more. It is the cutest thing! 

* She has started to dance to music....primarily The Hot Dog Dance from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. She can be asleep in our arms and that song come on and she will start bouncing. If she is playing she will stop, look at the tv and start to wiggle. 

* She is signing "More" to request More during meal time. We are working on finished, food, and milk. 

* She loves to clap now and does it most when she is excited or we are cheering her on for doing something good. 

* She will stand independently in place for approximately 5-9 seconds before dropping to her bottom. 

* She is blowing kisses which is to cute for words!! 

* She enjoys nuzzling and giving loves to us. She will put her forehead to our forehead and just move her head back and forth like a cat does. It is so stinkin cute and sweet!!! 

* She is starting to imitate noises such as clicks and rasberries. 

* She still has NO teeth!!! Our pediatrician says that this is no big concern but that it means she will probably get them all at once. YIPPEE!! ha ha She did say that the lower ones are close to coming in. 

At her 12 month doctor appointment; which just happened to be on March 14 (Her Birthday) she was 19.9lbs (47%), 28" Tall (13%) and 44.5cm head circumference (39%).  

(Please forgive the backwards 1. This cute face has decided sleeping all night is for the birds and it's far more fun to keep mommy up for 2 hours in the middle of the night and then have her up every hour. So mommy was doing good to even make a 1 let alone a 1 that was not backwards) 

Birthday Party Time!!! 

Her birthday party was on Saturday the 15th. My mom and grandmother came in earlier in the week to help me get everything together and I do not think I would have got it all done without them. I didn't even go get ready until 12:50...the party started at 1pm. So yea needless to say I was a mess! ha ha!! The birthday was to cute for words and that is all that matters!!! She handled all the people so well and even allowed people to hold her without tears. Our house was packed!!! She loved squishing her cupcake and eating it but didn't get any on her outfit (thank you large bib) nor any in her hair or all over her face. We didn't have to worry about bathing her; just wiped her hands and mouth clean. I was very proud of how the party came out and I hope everyone had a blast. Thank you to all that came for her party! Our house has never been that packed...like EVER!!! She's a very popular little girl and she has so many people that love her and care about her; so thank you to everyone who took the time out of their busy schedules to be there. It meant the world to us to have you all there to help us celebrate our miracle. Thank you also to those that could not come but still were so kind to send her a gift.

Below is what happened after everyone left which we can only conclude was sugar high. She was crazy and laughed at EVERYTHING. The dogs, us, the chair; you name it she found it hilarious!! 

11 Months!

Aubrey is 11 Months Old and I am so late on posting this! (She is really now 1 years old)

So this is what is happening this month. 

* At Mimi and Papi's Aubrey got to sit on her first horse and donkey.  To say she loved it would be an understatement. She is such an animal lover!!

* We were involved in our first car accident. A gentleman rearended us on I30 on a slick/cold morning on our way to work. Luckily due to these conditions we were traveling slow because traffic was bumper to bumper. He was extremely nice and cooperative though. 911 was called to mainly check on Aubrey and make sure she was fine. Fortunately this all happened on Dave's side of town so he knew the officer assigned. Since we were both fine we went on into work but the Pediatrician requested we come that afternoon so they could make sure Aubrey was ok. The doctor found she had an ear infection so they started her on medicine (Augmentin) for that. They tried a stronger dosage than she had been on before.

* After 8 days of Augmentin she started geting splotches all over her. The pediatrician said to try cortizone cream and benadryl which did help so we just thought it was an allergy. Well then the next morning after her bottle and medicine she broke back out in red splotches. I took her to daycare though because she was acting fine and called the pediatrician. We scheduled an appointment for that afternoon. Around 9am I got a call from the daycare that her left foot had gotten swollen. I called pediatrician and they were not concerned but said as long as no swelling around face/neck then she was good. Then around 10:15 I get another call from the daycare that now oth hands and feet are swollen and she is acting like she isn't comfortable. Once again I call the pediatrician (they now just immediately forward me to the nurse) and once again they are all cool and collect, no concerns. I head to the daycare and once I arrive the head lady meets me and says her feet and fingers are now blue. So now I am literally freaking out but trying to stay calm I immediately start rubbng her feet and rotating her ankles to try to get her circulation up while I call the pediatrician once again. They still are completely calm but advice I get home so I am closer to them. They say to make sure she is breathing fine and no swelling around neck. If she starts to have breathing difficulties to take her to emergency. Of course in the car it is hard to monitor her and I am still freaking out. I am pretty sure I have NEVER speeded that fast before. Honked at a semi, cut through a few parking lots and ran several yellow/red lights because my main focus was get home Every deap breath was a relief knowing she was breathing ok. Once we got home I checked her feet and hands and she was back to normal color for the most part. She immediately fell asleep on Dave. Once we got to the pediatrician, they stated that she was in fact having a drug allergy to Amoxicillin and Clavulanic acid. They think it is primarily the Amozicillin but we must avoid both "just in case". This was a very scary discovery but after a few days on steroids she was back to normal and feeling good. 

*Aubrey had her first snow!! and First Snow Day from school!

*Aubrey transitioned to a convertible car seat. She isn't sure if she likes it fully or not. 

*She loves to push her puppy push toy.

*She is walking with two hand support and LOVES it!! She laughs. 

10 Months!

Well I am writing this forever late however Aubrey is now 10 months!!! It's been a busy month for sure!

So this is what happened this month...

* On Dec 23 Aubrey got her Ears Pierced!! It was very exciting. We went to Sweet and Sassy in Southlake. They had one lady draw the dots and make sure they were even and then another lady joined her and they had me hold Aubrey in a specific manner so that she would not move. They then counted down from 5 each on either side of her with the peircing guns and when they got to 1 they did it so it was one single shock. Aubrey was as happy as could be and super still because she was just watching them prior to the countdown, and then they pierced, there was a brief pause and then the tears and crying started. Luckily Grandma and Mommy were prepared with her new obsession....puffs! Gave her one and bam tears gone, all was well in the world again. They were so impressed with her throughout the whole process. We've got such a big girl!

*On Dec 23 right after Aubrey got her ears pierced she also got her bangs cut. She only seems to grow hair in the front and her bangs have been getting in her way for a few months but I have been holding off on cutting them because she's not that big girl yet in my eyes and cutting her hair meant she was no longer a baby baby and Mommy is not ready for that!!! However, I finally gave in to everyone's suggesions and went for it while we were there at Sweet and Sassy. They did a great job and Aubrey seems happier since she's not constantly trying to push her hair out of her eyes.

* Aubrey's First Christmas!!! Aubrey is got to have several Christmas celebrations. The first was with Daves family where she got to hang out with her cousins. It was so cute seeing her interact with the kids. She really enjoyed it.

Her second Christmas was on actual Christmas day where she celebrated here with Dave, my parents, my brother and myself. She had a lot of fun opening gifts and trying to eat all the boxes.

Her Third Christmas was with my Mom's side of the family: Great Grandma and Great Grandpa, Aunt Suzie, Aunt Andraya and Mr. Zach, Grandma and Grandpa (my parents), and Uncle Alex. She loved her table and cube that Great Grandma and Great Grandpa got her.

Her Fourth Christmas was with Uncle Milt, Aunt Jeanine, Uncle Ryan and Aunt Coco. She loved being the center of attention. 

* Aubrey had her first minor ear infection. 

* Aubrey decided bottles and sippy cups were for sissy and she wasn't going to drink a single ounce from them any longer. We had to give her liquids by syringe or straw. Once she returned to daycare she decided bottles were cool again thanks to the whole monkey-see-monkey-do. 

*On Jan 10 Aubrey gave me the scare of my life! It was a foggy, rainy morning in the middle of Highway 820. She started coughing and fussing which isn't abnormal for her. I reached back to get her paci and give it to her but she started coughing again so I just held her paci and all of a sudden I felt liquid hit my hand. Then she just more and more liquid. I was trying my hardest to get to an exit until she stopped and I heard nothing. I put my hand back there again and couldn't get a response and it was to dark to see her in the mirror. I flung my car to the shoulder of the highway, calling her name, no response. I knew I couldn't get out of the car because traffic was directly to our left so I just jumped up on the console, fought with the buckle to unbuckle because it was stuck due to what I assume was it being so wet. She was just staring at me but no noise or movement. When I yanked her out she was like a rag doll. Arms were floppy.....I immediately brought her to the front seat with me, yelling her name and squeezing her (all I could think of for some reason). Within seconds she was moving and alert and within a minute or so she was trying to get into everything. I called Dave to make him brainstorm with me what to do because I had a trillion things going through my head. Put her back in the soaked carseat in her soaked clothes so I could drive off the highway, but I didn't know if I was in a safe area to be just hanging out in a parking lot since nothing was open yet? So finally decided to go towards NE Mall and change her in the Chick-Fil-A parking lot since I knew there would be traffic there and lights. I got her there, changed her, attempted to clean carseat, thankful that something told me to grab an extra blanket on my way out the door that morning so I had something dry to put on her and then we headed home. I monitored her all day and she was back to her goofy, happy self so the doctors had us just monitor her. We had no idea what caused this; which worried me. A week later after another throw-up scare we found out that she had had a stomach virus on the 10th and now was battling some after sinus thing. She wanted to share the virus though with daddy so they both were down for the count for a bit. Luckily she did not share with me so I could take care of them both. I pray I never have to go through that scare with her again or at least not for a long LONG time. 

* Aubrey is cruising furniture! She will cruise all our couches to get objects she desires. 

* She will take steps with two hand support. 

* Her new game is to hand you her toys and then take them back. 

* She has discovered the dog bowls and the new game is to attempt to crawl to them as fast as she can before mommy can catch up to her. She just giggles and giggles. 

Goodbye 2013

Well 2013 has come to an end. As I have been reflecting on this past year my heart smiles. 2013 was a fabulous year. 2013 brought an answer to 4.5 years of a bumpy roller coaster ride and many many prayers. After 2 fertility specialist, 3 OBGYN's, hormone specialist, acupunture therapist, diagnosis of endometriosis and PCOS and various diets, juices, and pills; our precious baby girl was born March 14.  Over this year we have been learning how to be parents, praying we are doing everything we are supposed to for her. Aubrey brings so much joy to our lives and we are beyond blessed. Thank you to all that prayed for us in prior years and who have come and visited us since Aubrey has been born. It warms my heart to know just how much she is loved and just how special she is. I cannot wait to share our story with her and for her to know just how much of a miracle and blessing she is.

This year David and I also celebrated our 5 year anniversary! I love him with all my heart and I cannot wait to continue celebrating anniversaries with him for many many more years.

David also celebrated his 30th Birthday and for the first time surprised him with a surprise party!! Keeping anything from my husband is nearly impossible because my face gives me away every time. However this time I was able to wrangle his closest friends together to surprise him at one of his favorite restaurants for dinner. It was fantastic to see how happy it made him.

We also refinanced our home this year and were able to go from a 30 year loan to a 15 year loan by only increasing our payment about $100. It took a lot of persistence and keeping people on their toes to do their job but we finally closed and couldn't be happier.

2013 goes down as one of the BEST years for us and I cannot wait to see what 2014 brings!!

Wishing you and yours a very blessed 2014!!

9 Months!

Baby Girl has been on this earth the same amount of time as she was in my belly. She is getting so big! At her 9 month appointment she was 18lbs (47%), 27" tall (24%) 43 3/4 head circum (46%) = absolutely perfect!

They found that she had some fluid in her ears and has had a cough for awhile so they put her on medicine for this. She handled the shots like a champ. Dave reported that she only cried with the initial shot and as soon as he picked her up she was happy again. 

So this is what has been happening this month: 

* We have started finger foods. I was kind of late one this (bad mommy) because I assumed since she still has no teeth that she wasn't ready for finger foods. OOPS! So tried yogart bites which she did not care for. Then I tried just cutting up a cooked sweet potato and giving her small bits which she LOVED!!! She created a huge mess which was so much fun but she got the concept of picking it up and bringing it to her mouth. Now getting it into her mouth was a completely different story but so fun to watch. ha ha Stressed OCD daddy out to no ends. 

* Aubrey had her first Ice Day! No school! Got to love TX, 70's one day and then just a few days later we're below freezing and experiencing a huge ice storm! She was extremely curious about that hard white stuff and we discussed how it was cold. 

* We were reminded just how good our Lord is. The night the ice storm hit Dave had just got done giving Aubrey her bath and I was cooking dinner. I went in to start her bedtime routine of PJs, Meds, and nose cleaning when we heard an alarm go off. We had a fire going so we just figured it was our smoke detector. Dave went to check it out as I finished up with Aubrey. I took her out to say night night to him when I saw him holding our carbon monoxide detector; which was going off. As he went towards our backdoor it stopped going off but as soon as he got close tot he kitchen it would go off again. We decided to call the 911 for the fire department to come out and see if they could figure out where it was coming from. They were there pretty quickly and determined that it was our water heater. They turned it off and told us we could stay in the house but we had to get someone out there ASAP. So Dave had to call in to work and then attempt to find someone that would come out to our house in the middle of this huge ice storm that was coming in that same night. I am thankful every single day that the year prior my coworker and I had had a conversation about her Carbon Monoxide Detector and that she got me thinking we needed one. I hate to think what could have happened that night, what my husband would have come home to that next morning. God and our gaurdian angels were watching over us for sure. 

*Thanksgiving 1: My mom, dad, and brother all came in the 2 weeks before Thanksgiving to do our family Thanksgiving with my brother. It was great seeing him and spending the holiday with all of them.

*Aubrey's Thanksgiving outfit! 

* On Thanksgiving Dave was scheduled to work that night and worked the night prior. I was off that entire week so Dave suggested I go visit my parents earlier in the week with Aubrey. As most of our blue family understands holidays are great but they do not have to be celebrated on the actual day. You celebrate them whenever you can and when it is best for your popo spouse. One thing that is hard is that he works nights aka most active time; so he NEEDS his sleep. Little sleep=not 100% alert=safety risk. I will never be ok with putting his safety on the line because we "have" to celebrate a holiday on the actual holiday. I'd rather him get sleep and be at his best for the "just in case". Luckily my family understands this since he is the only one in our family that works on the holidays so everyone is more than willing to accomodate to his schedule. They offered to push back our traditional Thursday Thanksgiving Lunch to Friday Thanksgiving Dinner so that Dave could attend which meant they would get to see Aubrey....which we all know was the most important thing.  ha ha So Aubrey got to spend her First Thanksgiving with our Rosel Side of the family.

* Pictures with Santa!! We went to Cabellas to have Aubrey's pictures with Santa done. She did SOOOO good. She wasn't to sure about these odd looking individuals but no tears were shed.

*She is also pulling herself up from a sitting position on pretty much anything and everything she can. This meant the crib had to be dropped. 

*Aubrey's playroom is 90% done!!! I LOVE how it came out!