Big A & Little A: Pacifier

Big A @ 4 Weeks

Little A @ 6 Weeks

Happy Half Birthday, Austin!

A few weeks ago this little boy, who is less that thrilled with mom's camera these days, had a very special day at school...

It was his half birthday! He was responsible for bringing snacks to celebrate the halfway point to his birthday in July. Of course he wouldn't let me take a picture of him wearing his crown. Thankfully the cake-pops he shared with his friends were a little more cooperative. 

People often ask how Austin is handling the addition of his baby sister. We really don't know how to answer because he's 3 1/2...don't all 3 1/2-year-olds have bad days? (they do, right?) We don't know if he's acting out or not listening because of his sister, or he's just doing what kids his age do. Regardless of those bumps in the road, he's still so very sweet and makes us laugh every single day...

Like when he wants to use the "mouse trap" to control the computer.

Or the fact that he still calls cupcakes, pupcakes

Or when he's constantly talking to us about "his friend." His devious friend that lives in Baldwin and is getting ready to have a baby brother. This special friend is always coming up with wild ideas. If I had a dollar for every time I hear "my friend said..."

Or when he tell us he's going to Waldi's (Aldi) with Nana

Or maybe when he makes me "cotton soup" and tells me it was "my pleasure" to serve me.

Or the day he ran into the kitchen and announced that Nana's Mom's name was Chester (Esther)


Or when the Turbo Tax commercial came on and he told me that Nana does "Taxis" too!

Or maybe when he knows more about Dad's iphone than he does...

Or maybe when he likes to entertain his sister with his latest favorite toy...

the can opener... 

He is still a farmer at heart. Although, a few days ago he asked me if I thought it would be okay to be a hair cutter AND a farmer.

Being outside "working" is best thing in the world right now. Especially when he gets to wear his work boots and "dairy coat."

School is still going well. He can now spell and write his name when he wants to. We still have a few "blue square" days (time out) but I think the good days definitely outweigh the bad.

He loves his baby sister so much and has a VERY hard time keeping his hands off her. She's the first thing he asks about when getting up each morning or when he comes home from school. Hearing him tell her good night and I love you at the end of the day is the sweetest thing ever.

Happy 1/2 Birthday, Austin Jay! Mom, Dad and Aubrey (JP, Little Sissy, Little Sis, Baby Girl, etc...) love you so much!

Bottoms Up!

Dad? Dad!? What is going on here?!?

Everyone knows I nursed Austin for an entire year. And everyone that knows me well knows I wasn't shy when it came to talking about how much work it is. Down right full-time-job work. Don't even get me started on the joys of pumping. After I stopped pumping for Austin, I'd get the shakes when I saw "the milker" staring at me from the corners of the basement. I'd have to run quickly or it would taunt me with that all to familiar sound - Winnipeg,  Winnipeg , Winnipeg  - over and over again. (In case you wanted to know, it now says Wonder Pets, Wonder Pets, Wonder Pets in the early hours of each morning. All pumps talk, right?) All of that being said, Austin was an excellent baby with very little illness so I knew I'd be nursing #2 as long as I could. And I can't help but puff with pride at each weight gain my baby has. Anyway, nursing has been going really well (aside from a small blister - OUCH - issue we had a few weeks ago and the never ending puking - YUCK) but I knew we had to try Aubrey with the bottle just to make sure she could do it.

Hey wait, this is good!

Dad got the honors of serving Aubrey her first bottle, just like he did with Austin. It took us awhile to get her to understand what was going on but she eventually started drinking from the bottle. It's good to know I can leave her for more than 2 1/2 hours if need be.

Still a little confused, but I'll take it!

At almost seven weeks, she's nursing 6 times a day starting around 5:30 am and ending around 9:30 pm. Call me crazy, but I get up to pump every night/morning about four hours after her last feeding. I'm just a nervous ninny when it comes to milk supply! We currently have 32 4 - 6 oz feedings ready and waiting for mama to find a job. Hey, maybe I could sell milk for a living!

Wordless Wednesday: First Self Portrait w/ Two Kids

Wordless Wednesday: Don't Ever Let Her Do My Hair Like This Again

Aubrey: 1 Month Old (1.11.12)

The first month of Aubrey's little life has definitely flown by. On one hand I can't believe she's already a month, but on the other hand I can't even remember what our lives were like without her! I remembered being worried that she'd be a little spit fire due to the the pregnancy I had, and that could STILL happen, but so far she has been the best baby. She's sleeping from around 10:30 to 5:30 -- We really have nothing to complain about if we're getting that much sleep at just the one month mark. Our biggest "issue" at this point is that she pukes A. LOT. The doctor said it's probably reflux and we'll know for sure if it gets worse around her 4 month birthday.  She moved out of newborn diapers and clothes right at four weeks.

Her one-month wellness visit with Dr. Kellow went well. Her stats:
Length: 23 inches (95%)
Weight: 11lbs 1oz (90%)
Head: 15 inches (50%)
(Compared to Big A at one month: 11lbs 5oz and 24 3/4 inches long)
We go back the third week in February for her first round of shots. :(

Here are a few more pictures from her first month....

Her first manicure from Dad:

Some belly time that always ends in nap time.

Her first wagon ride! This poor girl is going to one day wake up and sock her brother in the nose!

She loves her seat as much as her brother did!

Big A giving Little A her first farming lesson. I think she looks a little confused. Don't worry, baby girl, you'll catch on in no time!

Aunt B was at it again...

Austin just loves her so much! He often tells us that she's just "so darn cute!" He still calls her JP, but fills in with Aubrey, Little Sis, Little Sissy and Baby Girl.

Pigtails!

Austin rarely sat in his swing but she loves it!

I think her hair has grown at least two inches on the top!

 

Such a sweet baby girl!

Wordless Wednesday: Monkey PJs

Big A & Little A

Two peas in a pod...

Big Blue Eyes...

  

...and CRAZY Hair!

Stellhorn Christmas

Twice a year we get together with my Grandma Salger's extended family. We rarely go to the summer reunion (because it's in August and outside!) but we rarely miss the Stellhorn Christmas. The Christmas gathering consists of all my Grandma's sibilings and their kids. There are 40 cousins in my Dad's generation, so you can kind imagine how many second and third cousins there are! Not everyone comes but there is usually a good showing from each different family.

This year Aubrey was the youngest attendee. We took the opportunity to snap a quick picture with the oldest attendee, her Great-Great Aunt Bernice. My Grandma and Bernice look so much a like. My Grandma has been gone for 16 years this coming April but seeing Aubrey with Bernice kind of gave us an idea of how things would have been if she were still here.

“Like branches on a tree we grow in different directions, yet our roots remain as one. Each of our lives will always be a special part of the other.” —Anonymous

Welcome, 2012!

I didn't get a single picture of our new year's eve celebration with Ryan, Julia, Brad, Tracie, Sofia and Sutton...but we sure had a good time and tasty meal! The next day we headed over to LoLo and John-John's for a fish fry. We kicked off the new year with good food, lots of fun and awesome family!

Welcome, 2012! We can only hope your half as good to us as 2011 was!