The Comedic Joys of Motherhood

Yesterday Aubrey and I woke up and got ready to go to my hair appointment. (That ended up getting rescheduled, but that's not the point.)  I put her in a cute outfit.  The onesie was a "newborn" size and when I put it on her, I thought to myself, "This will be the last time you wear this one," as it was a little tight going over her head.  Since my hair appointment was cancelled, we went back to sleep.  Hooray for nap time!   I did need to go to the store, but I figured I could do that after I picked Andrew up from school.  So, nap time over...time to get in the car to go get brother.  Aubrey started screaming after 5 minutes in the car line.  I figured it was just because we were stopped.  She likes to move.  When we got Andrew, she was still screaming like a banshee and I decided I did NOT want to attempt a trip to the grocery store.  Alas, we went home.  When I pulled her out of the car seat, I felt wetness.  (oh no)  I looked and I saw orange!  (Great...a blowout!  Is it on the car seat?  Of course!) And if you're a Mom you know just how difficult it is to take those blasted car seat covers off.  It's like an act of congress to get it all back together.  I digress...back to the blowout at hand....

Andrew was cracking up.  He followed me through the house and "helped" me clean her up.  I unsnapped the onesie to see what it had in store for me.  And YUK!  What a mess!  Remember earlier when I told you that this would be the last time the princess wore this one?  I was trying to figure out how to get it off of her without pulling the poop over her head.  I tried pulling it down over her shoulders.  I managed to get one arm out, but it was just too tight.  She's screaming her head off because 1) She hates to be messed with 2) she doesn't like to change clothes and 3) My finagling had her in somewhat of a straight jacket.   Andrew looked up at me and said, "Mama, how are we gonna get it off of her?  

"Andrew", I said, "Go get Mommy the scissors!"  

That's right folks.  I cut that sucker off of her and thew it away!  Problem solved!  It was way better that getting poop all up her back and in her hair.  

Then I get a text from Drew:

"Hey, let me know when you get home and I'll meet you there."  (He needed my car to pick up some stuff at Lowes.)

Me:  I'm home.

Drew: You didn't go to the store?

Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words:

That was yesterday...today when we went to pick Andrew up, Aubrey started screaming AGAIN!  I mean, literally spitting mad with that vibrato cry.  We got to car line a little early so I had some time to calm her down.  I got out of the driver's seat and walked back to her seat.  I was just going to get her out and calm her down.  When I picked her up....BLOWOUT....AGAIN!  Seriously?!  And it was way bigger than the day before.  (At least that explained the crying.)  So I grabbed the diaper bag and walked to the other side of the car to clean her up.  The lady in the car behind me was smiling and shaking her head.  I could tell...she had been there done that.  I had to very quickly get her all cleaned up and strapped back in before the car line started moving.  As soon as I got back in my seat, we were moving.  Whew....just in time.  

FYI: I think it's time to go up a size in diapers!

Get Your Skate On

Andrew's friend Hunter had his birthday party at the skating rink.  It was Andrew's first time!  Drew and I hadn't been in years.  I did go once at Auburn.  (Freshman year with my peeps at Noble Hall)  I think Drew went once in flight school, but other than that, we're talking middle school! 

Lace Up

 Since I had Aubrey in the Ergo Baby, Drew was nominated to teach Andrew.  Drew gave him a little practice session on the carpet.

Then they hit the rink.  With a little hand holding, he was doing great!

 Before long he was flyin' solo!

 He fell down a few times, but got right back up.  (He did have one spill that had him complaining about his "bottom" hurting.  Pretty sure he bruised his tailbone.)

 Andrew and the birthday boy

Andrew and Zoe enjoying a drink before eating cake.

It was such a fun day.  He skated for 2 1/2 hours and didn't want to go home when the party was over.  I think we'll be going back to the skating rink soon.  Andrew said, "I wish we had a skating rink at our house so I could do this whenever I want."

Goodbye Woods

The housing market is looking up and with that comes new construction.  We've enjoyed living in the woods back here with only a few houses, but it seems that those days are over.  They've cleared the lot directly in front of our house.   We'll have new neighbors soon.

 Now we can see through the trees to the other street.  And I haven't seen any deer lately.  Another downside to the new construction:  my dog barks CONSTANTLY at the workers.  Don't worry, it'll only last for the next four months?!

Albertville Showers

This past weekend we went to Albertville to visit my family.  Friday was my Mom's birthday, Saturday was a double shower for me and my sis, and Sunday was Annah's shower at church.  We were super busy.  We're always on the go...never a dull moment for the Ladners!

Our first stop upon getting to town: Gracie and Uncle's house.  Gracie is tired and pregnant and threatened to go to bed before we got there, so we had to go there first. :)  These two will be holding their very own baby very soon!  

Here they are 6 years ago when Andrew made his first trip to Albertville:

 Then Raegan got impatient so they came and got us at Annah's.  We went next door to Granny Nita's house to see Sandy, Jason, and Traci.  

Just to fill you in on how rotten this one is.  Her Momma told me that when they were looking at Aubrey's pictures on the computer she said, "Oh, she's so beautiful!  Too bad she's an Auburn fan!"  

I think Raegan needs a sibling! :)

Nandy got her turn with Aubrey

Here she is with Andrew 6 yrs ago:

We met Uncle Adam on the road and he followed us to Albertville so he could meet Aubrey for the first time and celebrate his birthday with his brother.   Aubrey LOVED her Uncle Adam.  As soon as he got her she smiled a really big smile.  I think she thought it was her Daddy.  She would just stare at him and then she heard Drew talking across the room and immediately turned her head.  I think we confused her!  

Uncle Adam in Hawaii with Andrew at 3 weeks old.

We stayed at Granny's well past our bedime before heading to Granna and Paw-Paw's house.  I can't believe I didn't get a picture of Granna and Aubrey on their birthdays!  

Saturday was spent getting ready for the shower.  Mom hosted a joint shower for me and Annah for some of my friends and our extended family.  We had planned on doing this before Christmas, but then I got put on bed rest.  Oh well.  It worked out so that they could meet Aubrey.  

Matching owl bibs and burp cloths from my friend Brandee.

cute outfits all around!

My favorite....a smocked Cinderella outfit from Aunt Sandy.  Aubrey girl will be wearing this one at the Castle next Christmas!

Mom suggested that instead of a card, everyone bring a children's book instead.  Everyone signed the book and/or wrote a personalized message in the cover.  I loved this idea and will cherish those words forever.  Here, Jefforey's Mom gave Annah Jefforey's copy of The Giving Tree.  It was a sweet moment.  

We had a great time catching up with friends and family.  Aubrey was literally passed down the row of people while we opened gifts.  She slept the whole time!

Peyton made a new friend in Greenlee

And the best part of the day for Andrew:  IT SNOWED!  He knew it was going to be cold at Granna's and remembered the big snow we had there two years ago.  He kept asking "Mom, is it going to snow at Granna's?"  And for 10 whole minutes IT DID!  He and Raegan went outside and caught snowflakes on their tongues.  

It only stuck for a few minutes and then it was gone, but the whole time Andre kept screaming "This is the BEST DAY EVER!."  I'm glad he got his wish!

Sunday after church was Anna's shower at her church.  The tea room was decorated nicely and the food was good.  Leave it to me, I only took a picture of the cake.  :)  I was busy writing down gifts for her thank-yous.  

That night we went to her house and helped her put away all her gifts.  It's so fun setting up a nursery.  That reminds me, I should probably finish my own child's room at some point!  So much to do.  We finished out our night watching a movie with Annah and Jefforey. 

Before heading home on Monday we stopped in at Granny Nita's to tell her good-bye and she got to hold sweet Aubrey.  If she had internet and could see this picture, she's probably KILL me for posting it.  But she doesn't :)  Aubrey was giving her grins!

Here she is 6 years ago with Andrew.

 It was busy, yet fun weekend.  I love getting to go "home."  The next time we're there, we'll have one more baby to add to the mix!  Hurry up Trace Parker, your Aunt Sissy can't wait to meet you!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Our Valentine's Day started with a trip to the doctor's office.  {Ok, not entirely true.  My day started out with a present from Drew; sweetheart aviator wings!  Yay!} ...and then a trip to the Dr.   Aubrey's face had been breaking out for about a week, getting worse each day.  At first I thought it was just baby acne since it started around 3 weeks, but I wasn't so sure.  It was literally ALL OVER her face: in her scalp, on her forehead, around her eyes, in her ears, on her neck...you get the point.  Andrew had baby acne, but only on his cheeks and a little on his chin.  Since she had that eye infection last week, I wanted to make sure it wasn't anything else.  The trip to the Dr. put my mind at ease.  It was just a bad case of baby acne.  Doc says that just means her liver is working properly and I make really good milk.  I've read that kids with really bad cases of baby acne don't get really bad teenage acne.  Maybe that's true and baby girl will have a few easy teenage years.  The good thing about a trip to the doctor...a weight check.  Aubrey weighs 8 lbs. and 6 oz!  She's gained over 2 lbs in a month!  Way to go baby girl!

Here she's sporting her Valentine's onesie from Heather! (thanks Auntie Heather!)

 Baby Girl with her Valentine Pup.  (The acne looks way better in the pics than in person)

 When Brother got home from school, he opened his Valentine present.  This is "Monkey."  He has joined the ranks of animals that travel with us wherever we go and sleep in his bed.

 dumping out the goods

 He's very excited about a new Skylanders character.

 "Mom, take a picture of my Drill Sergeant face."  (That's the name of the character)

I hope you all had a happy heart day with the ones you love!

Weekend in Mississippi

This weekend we drove over to Mississippi to introduce Aubrey to some of Drew's extended family, watch our nephew play basketball, and take in the Diamondhead Mardi Gras parade.  Aubrey and I stayed behind.  Since she had an eye infection earlier in the week, (I'll spare you that photo) I decided to keep her "in" as much as possible.  Not to mention lil girl and I didn't get much sleep the night before, so we took advantage of the quiet house and took a nap while the boys were gone.  Drew took my camera and got a few shots at the parade.   They had a really good spot.

Nana and Carly rode on a float and threw out some very special things for the boys.

catch!

Even Grammy got in on the action.

 They had a really good time and came home with lots of loot. 

 That afternoon Aubrey got to meet a few of her cousins and great Aunts and Uncles.  Claire loved holding her and Aubrey even gave her a few grins!

 Sweet baby.

 Carly liked trying to make Aubrey smile.  She and Andrew were big buddies this weekend!

 And I didn't get any pictures of Nana or Gina holding her.  (Sorry, Nana)  I don't know what I was doing when the adults had the baby.  Anyway, it was a busy weekend spent with family.  We had a good time and thanks again Nana and E.J. for letting us crash at your place this trip!

Upward Celebration

Basketball season has come to a close.  Drew did an excellent job coaching Andrew's team.  I was very proud of him.  The "Volunteers" had the best record, only losing 1 game.  It was great watching the kids progress during the season.  At the end, they were really working well as a team and things were "clicking."  They really seemed to get it.   To end the season, they have an "Upward Celebration" at the church.  It was a loud party with silly songs, games, and even an appearance by Upward Man (guy in an orange body suit...the kids loved him.)  At the end, each team walked across the stage and got their trophies.  Aubrey and I were in the way way back, so it's hard to see, but this is Andrew getting his trophy.

 Andrew and "Coach" Dad

I was so proud of Andrew playing basketball.  I really think this will be his sport.  There were several games where he was the high scorer! *Those were the times I didn't take my camera or I missed due to bed rest.  Seriously, every time I took my camera he either didn't score or only scored once and I missed it!*   He enjoyed it though!  Registration for Tee Ball has already begun.  We'll be starting that soon!  Busy busy!

Future Mouseketeer ?

My Mother-In-Law gave the kids their Valentine's presents when they were in town last weekend.  She outfitted Aubrey with her first stuffed Minnie, some Minnie PJ's for next fall, Minnie sunglasses, and a Minnie headband.  She requested a photo of the Princess in all her gear.  Here's the adorableness....

Things started out ok...

...until we put the sunglasses on. (Is this considered torture in some parts of the world?)

 "No, thank you.  I'd rather hold them."

 Things are ok as long as she gets those fingers in her mouth!

How cute is she?!