February was a busy, exciting month for us. Although I missed some of the snow that we got last year in 2011, I loved all the days we were able to enjoy the milder temperatures. It seemed like this winter went so much faster than last year! I am so grateful for that!
This was a day that I was craving something sweet! I usually just make brownies with Aubrey, but I decided to let Ryleigh enjoy the fun this time too. She loved getting to help (and taste) make the brownie batter.
Yummy!
I was so blessed to have the opportunity to go on the Hope Mommies Retreat this year. It's a retreat for mommies who have lost a child. My friend Chelsea Jacobs invited me, which I was so grateful for! Thank you Chelsea! I felt so encouraged from other women who have been through what I have been through. Many of them have had years now to recover from their loss, and see the blessings from it. There are many stages of grief, and we aren't all at the same place, but it was neat to see how God works with us through each step of the way.
Kim Watson is a friend of mine from ACU that was also on the retreat. She has been so encouraging to me this year! Love you friend!
These were my buddies all weekend! Although it wasn't always easy to think or talk about certain things, we had a great time getting to know each other. The food was so yummy!
We were so secluded, and it was beautiful!
The retreat ended with us letting a balloon go in our baby's honor. I thought it was a great way to end an amazing weekend. I love you Marabeth!
Chelsea, thank you for being such a strong support system for me this entire year. You are such an incredible person, and I don't know what I would of done without you!
Aubrey and Ryleigh look so much alike in this picture! I love it!
I wanted to have a fun cake for Valentine's Day, and I also wanted to practice making Ryleigh's cookie cake for her birthday. So, Aubrey helped me with the practice!
After years of saving up for a tv, Rod finally took the plunge! He and Zack (my brother-in-law) were enjoying the 3D glasses!
In February, we also did our first service project using some of the money from Marabeth's Memorial Fund. We made goody bags for each of the children at the Children's Hospital in Plano. It was great way to help those children have something fun to enjoy on Valentine's Day. Unfortunately, I had to take off all the Bible verses, but we tried! It was nice having the support of the Frisco Small Groups. Thanks friends! A little treat goes a long way when you are in the hospital! I hope we made their day better with a little something special!
Aubrey was a great helper, and made sure each bag had what it needed before we delivered them!
It was a lot of fun!
Valentine's Day!!
I also let them get a sweetheart blizzard at Dairy Queen. We all shared one. It was yummy!
Aubrey put on some of her new lip gloss, and then the girls started getting so silly. Aubrey kept tickling Ryleigh, and she loved it. I couldn't stop taking pictures of them!
Rod also brought home cupcakes from work, so they had their fill of sweets!
After the girls went to bed, Rod made me an awesome dinner in honor of Valentine's Day! It was so yummy! I am convinced he makes the best steaks of anyone around. Thank you Rod. I love you so much!
Ryleigh's Birthday
For Ryleigh's birthday, I got her a fun new chair that both she and Aubrey can sit on together. They loved it!
It's a tradition for us to pick out donuts on their birthday. Ryleigh enjoyed getting to pick one out!
I can't believe my Dollar Bill Baby is 2!
Ryleigh also got to enjoy chips and queso for lunch! It's her favorite!
Aubrey didn't seem to mind either!
The night of Ryleigh's birthday was the Princess Ball at church. I felt so guilty not letting Ryleigh go, especially since it was her birthday. I knew that it wasn't smart to put her in that environment though, with lots of germs!Hopefully, she will get to go next year. The Princess Ball is one of Aubrey's favorite events of the year. She was counting down the hours till she got to go. Check out this Dancing Queen move!
I loved helping Aubrey get ready for her big night! I thought she looked beautiful in her yellow dress.
She was so excited that I painted her nails!
Pretty, pretty girl!
Ryleigh, you will get to go next year!
My sweet 2 year old!
I wanted to get a few outside pics too!
Aubrey was a giddy girl!
It doesn't get cuter than this!
Ryleigh was looking at a bird, she wasn't interested in taking a picture!
We are so blessed to have such an incredible group of friends to experience life with! I loved seeing all the Dads and Daughters together!
The girls and I!
Aubrey looks like such a big girl in this picture!
Family Pic
Aubrey had so much fun with Harper!
They danced the night away!
Lydia is in the background getting down too!
I am so glad you had such a great time Aubrey! You will always be a princess to me!
Ryleigh's Birthday Party
The second cookie cake was a success! I had fun making and decorating it!
Papa Johns had a deal where you could order your pizza in the shape of a heart the week of Valentine's Day. It was perfect for Ryleigh's heart themed party.
Some of Ryleigh's favorite foods!
Ryleigh wasn't sure what to do when it came time to blow out the candle...
So, Aubrey helped out!
Aubrey and Kate always enjoy a chance to play together. They had a great time playing dress up while the party was going. Kate was the only other kid at the party!
Ryleigh enjoyed her cookie cake, but was falling asleep while she ate it!
Aubrey had fun helping Ryleigh open presents.
The Tate Fam!
The Cox Clan
The sisters and I decided to take a cheesy picture together. Silly girls!
After the party, I got some sweet pics of Aubrey and Ryleigh hugging.
Ryleigh,
You are one of the strongest people I have ever met. You have handled every obstacle you have encountered with such grace. I still remember the NICU days when the nurses would talk about what a good baby you were. I don't think I will ever forget walking in to see that you had a mask on your face, and they were trying to get you to breathe again, or the day you were born, the day you had heart surgery, and the list goes on. I also remember the day that I came to visit you and the night nurse said, "She has found her voice." I didn't truly realize what that meant until we brought you home, and I heard how loud your voice could be when you were crying. There is no doubt the determination that got you to where you are today, is still apart of you. This year came as I surprise as we had much more to overcome than we had expected. Even on your sickest days, you still found a way to smile. You have such a sweet way about you. I could watch you suck your thumb, and hold your lovies all day long. I love seeing your vocabulary grow, and your love for music develop. You are our little diva! You are always singing songs! I am impressed with your ability to sing the ABCs, Twinkle Twinkle, Wheels on the Bus, and the list goes on. You love playing with your babies, and pretending to put them to bed. You will come in the room and say, "Shh quiet." It's so adorable!
You will always be to me, the miracle that I thought I might lose, but God had a different plan in mind. I know that God has big plans for you Ryleigh Grace. You are a one of a kind dollar bill baby!
Taking a look back....
When you opened your eyes
You weren't much bigger than a dollar bill!
This was when you weighed the same as I did at birth
3 pounds 11 oz
Race for Ryleigh Grace!
Another favorite!
I cherished the times I got to hold you!
Finally we got to take you home from the NICU!
Aubrey's first time to hold you! The start of a very sweet relationship! I love you girls so very much!
-Love Mom
Even on the days that we actually did get cold weather, we still would find a way to go to the park!
Ryleigh sliding while she eats her fruit snack!
I found Ryleigh this way one afternoon. I thought it was funny that she thought putting the chair on the trampoline was an awesome idea. Our classic Ryleigh face with her lovie and thumb!
This is a picture I took one afternoon while we were enjoying the nice weather. I love this picture of Aubrey!
That wraps up February!
