Aubrey's, Whoa Whoa, I mean Snow White's play by play

Ahh, that was her first day guys.

No added coaching and no one going before her. Everyone busted out laughing. It was hilarious.

Can't wait for the rest of the ballet season.

Aubrey's Bug Party

Bugtastic fun we had for such a bug-phobic child!

More From the Blessing Day

Some more pictures I got from Amy, my sister-in-law/budding photographer. Thanks Amy!

Aubrey's Birthday

I must relay to you that as of late I have been unmotivated to blog much. For now, I will blame it on being pregnant. But alas, I cannot allow Fall to come without any updating.

We had a wonderful time for Aubrey's 2nd birthday. No major party or theme just a small family gathering and celebration for my 'bubber boo'. Aubrey was ecstatic about receiving a wooden stove top range with baking set. It has been fun to watch her and Nora pretend to cook up some fabulous spreads and eat them up!

All Fairytales End

Nora's ballet classes have come to an end this session and it has been so fun and magical. These are the pictures from Aladdin week, which was one of my favorites. Take note at Nora's perfect form. I can't help but be a proud mama. Now we are getting ready for swim lessons. Wish us luck!
















Aubrey rubbing the magic genie lamp just like her older sister.
















Nora's sweet dance teachers, one who played Aladdin.

Easter Beauties

My girls were decked out in the same attire for Easter, thanks to an amazingly talented Aunt Amy. Thanks Amy!

Honoring Eli

My girls are so excited for thier new baby cousin Eli, who just arrived days ago. I love how beautiful his hair is. Compared to my babies, Eli, is well endowed in the hair department.

Aubrey got all messy with her morning breakfast the other day and ended up with this fauxhawk. Nora and I thought it looked like Eli's. A bit more sparse though, I'd say.

Aubrey's Remedy for All

I think Aubrey has the right idea about how to lessen the pressure of a Thanksgiving meal. My pants myself were feeling a bit snug. Thanksgiving dinner was very generous to me this year and I'll be working it off for the next few weeks. We had a great time with family, friends, food and more family. Hope all of you had a wonderful holiday weekend too.

Love

These beautiful girls have been given to me on loan from Heavenly Father. Lucky me. Sometimes it just hits me hard how blessed I am. In this crazy world - at this crazy time, I feel blessed.

Costumes

Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf, visited Grandma's house on Halloween. Some may find it cruel that I dressed up my baby girl as a wolf but I thought she looked pretty cute, even if people couldn't tell whether she was a girl or a boy. I wish although, I would have made her a snout so others would have been able to guess what she was ("Is she a bear?"), there would have been no way she would have kept that on though.

Before taking these pictures, Nora, had a blue popsicle and stained her mouth and lips. We rubbed all we could but to no avail. So, we ended up putting lipstick on her 3 year-old lips. In her toothy smile you can still see blue. She had such fun since she was finally understanding the concept of Halloween. Now, if only she understood that the holiday was over. I would not feel so bombarded with questions like, "Mom, will you make me a blue Cinderella gown?" or, "Mom, will you make me a blue gown?" and, "Oh, you can't make me one? Well, then can you make me a green and pink gown instead?"

I wanted to show you a picture of Nora's pointed hood and vest. I loved the end result. I felt like she popped right out of the fairy tale's pages.

Magic

I believe that my baby has magical powers. She can easily brighten my mood, melt my heart, make me laugh and then take it all away- like that (snap). She even plays on her ability like a magician plays to the audience. Lately, she hasn't been using her magical powers as much. I'm thinking a bout of illness and cutting teeth are the reasons for this. I'm hoping these reasons are short lived. In the meantime, I'm hoping my mommy magic will do the trick.

Water Fun & Fall Hopes

(Nora and her cousin Caleb a couple of weeks ago)

Although it may be Fall, we still have some nice weather weeks in Vegas before it will be too cold to go to the water parks. I love water parks and summer weather but I look forward to Fall weather or at least visiting places that have Fall weather. It is one of my favorite times of the year. Just thinking about it makes me want to go buy apple cider and bake some pumpkin pie.















(I thought this picture was so funny of cousin Ava, such a cutie)

(my sweet baby Aubrey)

Play by Play

It was fun to watch Aubrey's reaction to the water squirting out of the ground. She didn't think it was very funny when I put her in the middle of the sprinklers (for lack of a better word). Aubrey likes water, but only water that will stand still for her. I can also, announce that she is a walking toddler!

Thank You

At times, it is hard for me to keep in mind that my baby is growing up. Her short, little body might be the reason for that. Aubrey is 14 months as of today. A few days ago, she started taking more than one step and although I probably wouldn't say she is "walking". She is definitely on her way. I am sure in a week or so I will be able to report that she is walking.

Because of how young she looks and feels, I found the following very cool --

Last evening and during the whole day for that matter, Aubrey, was cranky. When Aubrey is this way Nora and I like to say that Aubrey has her cranky pants on. So, Aubrey had the pants hiked up pretty high last night when I was preparing her bottle as I held her in one of my arms. She constantly was whining her baby talk frustrations until I finished the bottle. I headed over to find a pillow to lay her on. As I gave her the bottle and before she started drinking it she looked at me and in a very sincere and relieved voice said, "thank you."

This mind you is the fourth time she has said this to me. The first time she said thank you I brushed it off as a fluke thing. When she did again I thought, is she for real? This now is the fourth and how my baby learned how to say thank you and understand when to say it is beyond me. This must be something she was born with.

As a mother, all I have and want to say is . . . thank you.

Aubrey's First

Here are the many pictures of the much anticipated "water" themed party we threw in honor of Aubrey. It turned out really cute. For dinner we had ham and cheese sandwiches, fruit in a whale watermelon, and veggies for the kids. The adults had homemade fish sticks and Cuban sandwiches. Spencer, made his famous lemonade slushy drink for all. Dessert was homemade cake and homemade ice cream. One cake was for Lauren, Aubrey's cousin, who also is celebrating a birthday soon. She requested a strawberry cake with white frosting. Aubrey's cake was a small sand bucket cake. Both tasted yummy. I didn't do any major decorations because of time but the kids still had fun.

After dinner the kids got into swimsuits and played in Grandma's alligator wading pool and danced around our new octopus sprinkler. Some of the kids participated in the potato sack races which were so funny to watch.

We had a great time. Here are the pictures.















The yummy food and whale watermelon my mother carved for the party.















Cuban sandwiches and homemade fish sticks. Both, were scrumptious.















The gelatin fish bowl. I won't be trying this one again. The gummy fish got really gross after absorbing the moisture from the gelatin.















The real goldfish the kids got to take home with fish food.















The birthday girl livin' it up in the water.






















Lauren, Nora, and Annie with the strawberry cake which might be my best tasting cake yet.

Aubrey with her birthday cake eating it like a champ.

Aubrey

It was only a year ago that she came into my life but it feels like Aubrey has always been a member of my family. They may resemble each other yet Aubrey and her older sister Nora are different in so many ways. Aubrey, stands out in her own way, a good way. Here are some traits and things that set her apart:

• She is small. She is in the 25th percentile for weight and 10th for height.
• She will point to herself and try to say her name. It comes out more like, "Bahbry".
• A few months ago she learned and has mastered going up and down the stairs.
• She prefers adult foods other than baby food. I think it is a texture thing.
• She will obey me when I ask her certain tasks like, "go get your binky," or "throw the ball".
• Like I have mentioned, she loves water. Bathtime, showers, swimming, drinking,etc.
• She will give me loves and will make a cute, "ahhhhh" sound when doing it.
• Yet, she dislikes giving kisses. Spencer and I are working with her on that one.

Spencer, Nora and I, love having Aubrey in our family. Happy birthday baby. I love you.

{pics taken by red rock studios}

Be Satisfied

As many mothers know, getting ready in the morning can be a hassle. Especially with more than one child. The other morning both Spencer and I were having a tough time getting ready with the girls. While finishing my face, Nora, was never ceasing with questions of, "What's this Mom," or "What are you doing Mom." as Aubrey was getting anxious for Mama and starting to cry and tug at my leg.

Because we were rushing I could not attend to every request of my children so while answering some of Nora's questions I grabbed the closest safe looking thing and handed it to Aubrey.

Ten minutes later Spencer informed me that I needed to check on what baby was up to. Lo and behold there she was, content as can be with what I had given her. Sucking on it like it had been her binky.

I guess the top of a Mylicon bottle can be mistaken for a binky yet the thought came to me how cool it was that she was happy and content with what I had given her. My child, without knowing, was teaching me a lesson on life.

We are each given talents, traits, blessings, many things and at times we wish we had others and are not satisfied with what we have or with what we are given. I think Alma in the Book of Mormon said it best, "O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart...But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish; for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me."

Funny looking as it was, Aubrey, left me feeling happy for what I have been given and wanting to make the best of what I have.

My Young Super Reader

I really will be better about updating my blog after our family reunion, promise. We plan on leaving this weekend and we will be gone all next week so this may be my last post till I get back.

Well I've realized over the past few weeks that Aubrey at such a tender age of 10 almost eleven months old has a favorite TV show. Aubrey like her older sister has taken a liking to Super Why. She even likes it more than her Baby Einstein videos or Signing Times. I'm hoping this means that she will become a "super reader" at a young age. Only time will tell.

What a cute hiney.

Easter Pictures

Mindy Miller of Red Rock Studios just posted some of the pictures she took of my girls this past Monday. I can't wait to make an order. Mindy just opened the doors to Red Rock Studios after working for a company shooting weddings and now is focusing on families and children. I'm so excited to use her in the future. Thanks Mindy. You can check out more of my girls photos here.

{via redrockstudios}

Look Alikes?

Spencer's mom just showed me this picture of Spencer's grandfather. We are thinking there might be a resemblence to our Aubrey. What do you think? Can you tell which is which?