Aubrey is 2!!

I can't believe Aubrey is now a little 2 year old! It's amazing how much she has changed over the past year. She is so much more verbal, and mobile then what she was a year ago. She is definitely at the age where you have to watch everything you say and do too! Here are some of my favorites....
1) I have a tendancy to say, "Oh man" when I drop something, forget something, etc..Of course Swiper from Dora says it too, but Aubrey has picked that up. Today she was holding her cup of water in her car seat and spilled it all over herself.  I could hear her say, "Oh man" before the tears started to fall.
 2)When she changes her baby doll's diaper she says, "Stinky." Once she saw that it made me laugh, she said it a few more times .
3)Aubrey will encourage herself when she does something good by saying,"Good job Aubrey."
4) When I kiss Aubrey when she has a boo boo, I say "All better." Now Aubrey will do the same, except it comes out, "All besh."

Aubrey's favorite thing to do is play adult. Here are a couple of examples...

This is typically the only way I can get ready in the mornings!

I like your lip gloss Aubrey

Aubrey, you are too young to drive!

Here are just a few things that Aubrey has been up to lately......

The fact that Aubrey can get in the pantry now is a nightmare! I walked in the kitchen to find her like this a couple of days ago. One chip for her, one for Maggie....

Thanks for the sidewalk chalk Mimi!

This only lasted about 1 minute!

Aubrey loves going to the Splash Park in our neighborhood. We go there about every other day!

This was Aubrey's first popcorn and movie experience. She was not that impressed. After a few minutes she was on to the next thing.

Aubrey loves watching out for her sister. She is constantly looking at her, wanting to hold her, kissing her, you name it. I think it's so adorable.

Aubrey,

  You have been amazing this year with all the transitions you have been through. I know that sometimes it wasn't easy for you, but you handled it all pretty well. I love watching what a great big sister you are to little Ryleigh. You love to help out by bringing her blankets, picking up her paci, patting her back, etc.. It's all very sweet. You have such a sweet nature, and you are so affectionate to the people that you know and love. I love the way you light up when Maggie comes in the room. She is your partner in crime. I think it's great that you love the outdoors so much. I have a feeling that camping trips are going to be a favorite of yours! I could go on and on about how much I love you Aubrey. You have taught me so much about being a parent, and you continue to teach me everyday. I can't imagine what my life would be like without you. You keep me laughing! I can't wait to see what God has in store for your life little "Elf Ruler"!

1 year ago

This year

Aubrey's birthday gift from Rod and I

We had a wonderful family Dora Party for Aubrey at the Frisco Commons. I did learn I need to reserve a table next time! We were so sure there would be plenty of vacant spaces , but we were wrong. We had to create our own space, but it worked out great. We had a lot of shade with all the trees, so it was nice. I think Aubrey really enjoyed herself, which was my goal!

I helped Aubrey warm up to the water by sticking her in it!

A few of my brother-in-laws, Micheal, Chad and Brett

Aubrey holding hands with her Mimi and Uncle Jose

Aubrey's best friend and cousin, Kate

Ryleigh slept through most of it

Lots of cousins for Aubrey to play with!

Zack and Kate

Big smiles from Tam

We were so excited Granny Cox got to make her first trip to Frisco!

Papa with Ellee

Rod, Aubrey and Papi

Aubrey loves anything with chocolate!

Opening gifts!

Family Photo

We had some down time after the party with fam! Candice and Jose finally got to hold Ryleigh!

Granny got to hold her for the first time too!

Aubrey enjoying some of her birthday gifts! Thanks for the hat and chair Aunt Tam!

I can't wait to see what this next year brings with you Aubrey! I love you to pieces!

Lots of celebrations!

Busy, busy, busy!! I've heard from friends and family how crazy things are when you have a toddler and newborn at home, but I didn't fully understand it till now. I can't believe we have been home a month now. Ryleigh still sleeps quite a bit, but things still stay busy around here. I am definitely enjoying having Ryleigh home though. She is getting bigger and bigger each day. At our 4 month checkup she weighed 8 pounds and 2 oz! We are still not on the charts for weight, but I don't expect us to be for quite awhile. I still often look at her, and just can't believe what a miracle she is.
Here are a few recent pics of her...
                                                               4  Month Pic

Don't look at me, I'm innocent!

Sleepy, sleepy Ryleigh

Carly and Ryleigh

  We have had a lot of celebrations here lately. We had a big celebration for Ryleigh on her actual due date. (June 5th) I can't express what a blessing it was. Our friends and family organized the party for Ryleigh.It was very special to us. There were pictures of Ryleigh from her NICU journey, as well as wonderful verses everywhere. All the details of the party were so special, and meant so much to us. The food and cake was amazing! Rod and I were surrounded with so many of the people that we love and adore, and it felt good to have everyone join in our excitement in Ryleigh's homecoming.

Rod and I got to share with everyone how much we appreciate them!

These are the different diapers Ryleigh wore in the NICU. They are in order from smallest to biggest.

Ryleigh's handprints and footprints at a month old

These were pictures of different milestones that Ryleigh had while in the NICU.

I loved the cake, and the cake topper! It was so cute!

These were some of verses that were posted around the inside and outside of the house. Thanks for modeling them for us Angie and Liz!

Mimi held Aubrey's hands as they went up and down the steps over and over again. Aubrey loves stairs!

The pool was great enertainment for the kids! Kate and Zack spent alot of time there!

Brent and Micheal with their babies, Lydia and Harper

Tate Clan

Cox Clan

Jenny and I have been great friends ever since we taught together years ago. We also have had our kids close together, which has been fun. Here she is with her husband David, and their two kids.

These are some of Rod's childhood buddies, as well as some of my good friends.

Family of Four!

Proud Daddy!

Thanks for coming everyone!

We also celebrated Father's Day! Rod definitely deserved a little bit of extra lovin' this year! We tried to make the day special for him, however it turns out he had to take Aubrey to Acute Kids for a double ear infection/sinus infection. Sorry Rod! It was a little scary for us, since we are trying so hard to avoid Ryleigh getting sick. She managed to avoid getting the cold though! Praise God! Rod still was able to smile with his baby girls!

We spent the Saturday before Father's Day celebrating in Grapevine. Ryleigh finally got to get a picture with a couple of her cousins. 

Please don't hurt me guys!

Aubrey with some of her cousins

Another important man in Aubrey and Ryleigh's life, Papa

And Aubrey and Ryleigh's Papi

Home At Last!!!!

We finally made it home! It has been quite a week! I am not even sure where to begin with it all. Wednesday was an emotional day for me. I think I cried the whole last hour we were in the NICU.  A couple of the nurses were crying too, so of course that adds to the emotion. One of them was our buddy nurse Chris, and one was one of our favorite Baby Steps nurses, Carolyn. Chris has been a very special nurse to our family since the day he rescued Ryleigh while I was doing Kangaroo Care. He really invested time into not just Ryleigh, but getting to know our family. He was good to me each time I was up there. He made sure I had water, knew where my phone was, (I tend to misplace things) and he always checked up on me. He brought humor into stressful situations. I am going to miss having his eyes and ears on Ryleigh everyday. Carolyn fell in love with Ryleigh one day when she was taking care of her. She is really silly, and full of energy. The emotions came from not just missing people though, but from knowing that we had made it to the finish line. This was the day we had been praying for, and longing for since the day she was born. Ryleigh finally was making it outside of the walls of the NICU. "This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!"Psalms 118:24
One of our last pictures of Ryleigh in her NICU bed

Some of the staff working the day of discharge

We had to get one with our Buddy Nurse, Chris

One last picture of her last room

Carrie wasn't working on the day of discharge, so we got a picture prior. She provided so much encouragement to me when I needed it most.

First Car Ride

Prior to going home, we stopped by to pick up Aubrey at Tami and Zack's house. This was emotional for me too, our girls finally got to meet!

When we got home we had friends and family there to welcome us with balloons, cheers and prayers. It was a great way to come home. We are overwhelmed with how blessed we have been throughout this entire journey. We have had donations given to us from friends, family, and people we don't even know. Our friends have made us months worth of meals, grocery trips, and provided money for a maid, and yard service, as well as daily prayers.  It has been hard for me to accept so much from our loved ones, but it has been so incredibly helpful. I can't imagine what we have done without it all.

Releasing of the ballons!

First Family Picture of the Four of Us

Our first couple of days home  have gone pretty well. We are living off of less sleep now, but I think I still have the adrenaline rush of bringing her home. I don't feel too tired, yet! It has been wonderful not having to plan for hospital trips, phone calls to the NICU, etc. We all got to eat a meal together last night, and it felt really good. It's been nice just enjoying the little things like walks, baths, and playing together. One of my favorite moments was  seeing Aubrey peeking over the bassinet at Ryleigh. She has been really sweet to her so far.

First time for Aubrey to hold Ryleigh

Aubrey reading Ryleigh a story

Our first walk together

Ryleigh after her first home bath

This was one of Aubrey's favorite spots. Ryleigh seems to like it too.

Enoying our first meal together

Ryleigh slept right through it

Although we are home now, I hope I don't ever lose sight of the miracle Ryleigh is. As of now, she seems like a regular newborn. We have yet to use the oxygen, although we do sometimes use the monitor to make sure she is doing okay. She is nursing all but 3 feedings, which has also been nice. I think our biggest concerns come from wanting to make sure she is keeping her weight up. It's always hard to predict how much milk your baby is getting with nursing. It has been great just getting to do the everyday things with Ryleigh and Aubrey both. Walks to the park, putting Aubrey down for a nap in her own bed, seeing Ryleigh in her bassinet and car seat, etc..I just love my girls! I wanted to post one last picture of before and after with the dollar bills!

Beginning Stats
Length 32.5 cm
Head Circ. 20.5 cm
Weight 1 pound 10 oz

Ending Stats

Length 46. 5 cm

Head Cir. 32. 8 cm

Weight 6 pounds 14 oz!!!

Some of you have been following our blog since Ryleigh was born. Thank you for all the love, support, encouragement, emails and prayers we have received. Some of you I have never even met, but we have felt the love and support throughout all of this. You have lifted us up when we didn't have the strength to do it on our own.  "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven..."
 Ecclesiastes 3:1