Happy 1st Birthday Aubrey

1 Year Ago Today

One year ago today at 3:44pm, our hearts grew even more at the sight of you. You came into this world with wide eyes and chunky rolls. You were 8lbs, 13oz (my big baby), 21 inches long and full of spunk already with your mo-hawk hairdo!

You were chunky, loud, and bright red (so healthy). You were alert, hungry, and knew how to nurse from the beginning. What an amazing feeling it was to have you in my arms. I cried as they handed you to me. I am so thankful that I was able to feel and understand a lot more of my emotions. You cried too, as all babies are supposed to. You calmed down when Daddy held your finger while they took all of your stats. You already had him wrapped around your finger.

Your first introduction to Cooper was amazing. He was so excited to play with you and share his “Diego” toys and trucks with you. He wasn’t quit sure why you just laid there with your eyes closed though! He soon found out that it was great to have a sleeping, happy baby rather than the alternative!

Being the second child is great, lucky duck! We (Mom and Dad) were (and are) much more relaxed this time around since we know that we have done an awesome job already with raising Cooper. He survived and so would you. This new relaxed state helped to relax the whole house as well. You were a happy baby who rarely cried….except to eat! When you were 6 weeks old we realized that you were tongue tied. Since we didn’t know much about this subject, we found a great pediatric dentist to help us through it. 5 seconds later you were nursing again and this time you meant business. At first I was worried that you would not be as attached to nursing as I had hoped for. Now, as we near your first birthday, I see that the end is still a ways away….and I am SUPER happy about that! I know that once the nursings are gone, my snuggle time with you will be less and less as you are already ready to be on the move.

You were and are such a laid back baby. You roll with the flow, sleep when you can, eat when you want, and enjoy experiencing new things. What a blessing you have been to the family. You started rolling over super early. This was good and bad, but it was nice to see your excitement when you would roll. I was amazed to see how aware of your motions you were. We knew early on that you are a fast learner.

When you were 3 months old, I found myself back at the hospital with you. You had a high fever and no ear infection. I was almost certain what the outcome would be, and wouldn’t you know that I was correct! Stage 2 double bladder reflux. God was and continues to watch over you though. You have yet to have another infection, even though all medical books say that you should. Your blood counts are great as well; what a wonderful relief.

I remember people telling me that the first 3-4 months of two kiddos would be tough. “Relay naps”, multiple nursings, juggling two crying kiddos at once….they weren’t kidding! I’m sure most people looked at me with a look of sympathy. Some probably even understood the crazy life that I was living….but it is all worth it! The day that you took a nap at the same time as Brother was a turning point! I knew that we would survive….some how!

Many of the “trials” that we went through with Brother, we decided to not even venture near this time around.

• Sleeping in bed? Yes, in fact it still happens on a nightly basis and that’s okay!
• Nursing? Absolutely, and will keep on nursing until you decide that it’s time to stop!
• Eating solid foods? Sure, if you want, but I know that you are still receiving great nutritional value from my milk, and that’s all that matters!

I am so thankful that you are who you are. Our life is full of joy and fun.

You are a FAST crawler! I am sure that if we entered you into a competition for crawlers, you could be one of the top contenders. You are attempting to take steps on your own. In fact, you are walking a lot these days. We have now entered a new stage where I get to chase two walking/running kiddos! You say plenty of words these days as well. (Dada, Mama, Bubba, Ball, Book, Up) You even blow the best kisses as you say “night night” or bye. You are our trash finder too. Now if we can only work on showing you how to throw it in the trashcan rather than putting it in your mouth! You make great car sounds as you play with Brother and his cars. You are so sweet when holding and hugging your baby. You love the water. I’m sure that you could live in the water. You dance for bath time and love to “read” your books; one day hopefully we can finish a book…or at least make it past the first page!

Your food groups amaze me. In no particular order, they are paper, crayons, rocks, dirt, and chalk. I have been tempted to fill a plate with those items for dinner or better yet, put your real food on the floor to make you think they are similar to your favorite items to eat. A lot of things are now a game. You put a piece of paper in your mouth, open it to show me, and then take it out before I get to you. You then follow this with great laughter that again makes me smile and laugh as well!

You rush to the door every day when Daddy gets home from work. You reach up and are ready for him to hug and love on you. You are feisty. This is both good and challenging, but either way, we will always be thankful for who God has made you. That being said, I have not figured out how we will correct you. You laugh every time I tell you to not bite, hit, or touch that. Your laughter brings me back to smiles even in the most trying times. God is good. I’m sure that you will soon find me with my nose in a new book on dealing with wonderful kiddos like you!

Your smile can brighten anyone’s day. From very early on, any time we went anywhere, people would comment on how beautiful you are (and it’s so true!). You smile at anyone. You’ve even made a few older men break into a smile at your sweet grin and “high five” wave.

You love anything and everything that Brother has, plays with, or eats. I’ve decided that as a second child, it is your responsibility to keep me on my toes with redirecting you to another part of the room away from Cooper’s awesome block tower. It’s almost more of a race to see who can get there faster….and sometimes you win! Playtime with Cooper is awesome. I love to hear both of you laugh and giggle while tickling each other or giving each other raspberries! You have now begun the wrestling stage. This should be very interesting!

You are Daddy’s power wheels girl! Anytime you see one, you want to get on and go. Your smile is as wide as your face when you are zooming on an ATV with me. You have no fear and are always ready to take a chance. I pray that you always have these characteristics! You are full of energy; some days I wish you would share some energy with me!

You love your friends. It is so amazing to see the excitement in your face when you recognize your friends. I love that even at your young age, you enjoy spending time with friends.

As this next year begins, you will experience many great, new adventures. You will be starting Mother’s Day Out soon! I know that you will love it and thrive there just as Cooper did (after the initial separation anxiety of course). You will begin to walk and run at all times. This should be a fun stage for all of us. I know that your curiosity will expand beyond anyone’s measures and this excites me. Seeing the expressions on your face makes it all worth while.

You, our wonderful daughter, have brought smiles to many faces, especially ours. I pray that you will continue to have a happy heart, a loving spirit, and a feisty spunk throughout this next year of life.

So here’s to you, Aubrey Elaine Smith, Happy 1^st Birthday!

To Save A Life Trailer

To Save A Life

Last night we was movie night. Randell did good with picking out a a good movie this time. (last time he picked Valentine's Day, I think to score points with me for watching a "girly movie", but it was just awful!) Anywho, this time he picked "To Save A Life" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvXktDeAEmU (trailer video also in previous post).

The movie was produced by the same producers of "Fireproof". We really didn't have much clue about what the movie was about, but it turned out to be a great movie. It's a movie that I think we will buy and save for when our kids are teens to use as a teaching tool.

The main jest of the movie is talking about how we can be in a few different categories:

* Those that don't care about church, have a bad taste in their mouth from going to church, was hurt one time or another by someone from the church, etc.

* Those that go to church because it "looks good" or they are made to go, but they are not really listening, growing, and challenging themselves to take what is taught back to "every day life" (school).

* Those that come from the first group and then learn about church, and help to start a movement.

The movie also shows a good description of what high school life can be with the different groups, people picking on others who are different, and just the roughness of being a teen.

I strongly think that this movie in every form (even the party scenes, cursing, and "real life" moments) SHOULD be shown to all teens. I am disturbed by the fact that most Youth Group Leaders though will never show this to their youth. Why? Because it shows what really goes on in the lives of teens today? Is it too real for you? Are you afraid that some of the youth might then take to partying, cursing, or living a life away from God? How sad that those insecurities could keep such a valuable lesson from the next generation. And how sad that you would/could not trust that God's will would be done and that he could speak into the life's of the youth.

Wouldn't it be wiser to show the film and then TALK ABOUT IT? Pointing out how the lifestyle that was being lived is not of God and is not desirable. Then going on to point out that it is just as much of a sin to proclaim that you are a Christian while continuing to talk about others behind their backs, judge others, make fun of others, etc. Because that is real life. I would rather know that my children are being taught these types of lessons etc also at church rather than going and playing the "silly games" to just pass the time.

Games are great, they are fun, and they help to draw people in. But where is the meat to your teachings if you are avoiding what is really of this world and is really hurting today's generations?

I HIGHLY encourage ALL to watch this movie. I would have to say that it is not appropriate for those under 15ish, and I really think that the parents should watch it with their teen so that conversations can blossom when the movie ends.

Life is Good, God is Great!

One Frightening Moment

We pull up to a parking spot at our regular HEB. Not too many cars are out in the lot since it's only about 8:30 in the morning. I get out, get Cooper out and while he is standing next to me, an older man (I would say gentleman, but he proved otherwise very quickly....he does not deserve that title) walked by commenting on how cute Cooper was. At that moment I was lifting Aubrey out of her seat and he said "Oh, two cute children." I politely say "Thank You" and turn back to my business of preparing to enter the store.

Just as I was closing the door, the man began talking to me again. He was apparently parked in front of us in the older, 70 model light green Ford work truck. You know, the ones with tool boxes on the sides. I look in his direction as he begins talking to me and see that he has a bicycle helmet out and is saying something to me to the effect of asking for my help with mechanical stuff because his truck....blah blah blah. That is honestly what I heard, because I could not believe what was happening.

Here I am, holding two young children dressed in mom shorts and an old t-shirt, hair pulled up in a pony tail, no makeup on, and he's attempting to lure me to his truck to ask some mechanical advice! I'm pretty sure I did NOT give off the vibe that I knew anything about cars or how they work.

On a side note, let me just say that I have saved the day in our house before by my random thoughts of how something might get fixed on the vehicle...Randell will probably never admit that, but it's true. ALTHOUGH...I know nothing "technically" about vehicles....period!

So, I again politely, but firmly now say "I won't be able to help you, although there are plenty of HEB employees inside that are men that would be able to help you." I then grab Cooper's hand, turn around and begin walking into the store. I hear him behind me say "I'm sorry to inconvenience you" in a sarcastic tone. At this point I figure that I've blown this guy off and to not worry with him anymore, other than to tell the HEB manager that this guy needs to be watched.

Fast forward to me checking out. The manager that I told about this guy begins bagging my groceries. When she is finished, she says that she will have a bagger walk out with me. I look at her amazed that this guy is still outside and that he's still acting odd. At first I started to decline the bagger....after her insistence though, I agreed and I am glad that I did.

We walk out to see two guys at the this truck, both looking very shady. Appearance is everything in this....these guys screamed CREEPS from the get-go. I load the kids up all the while these guys truck miraculously begins working again (surprise!). The HEB employee and I then look over to the other door to the store and see that 4 managers are watching, even glaring at these guys along with 2 managers at the other door, the one that we had just walked out of. I have to admit that I feel very blessed that this is our regular store because, well, yes.....they knew me! And most of them know that I am a former HEB employee, not that that makes any difference other than that I feel comfortable trusting them in a moment like this.

As I start the vehicle, the managers confront the two men. As I am backing up, the first man who had spoken to me walks over to his side of the truck, glares at me and STARES at the license plate. I'm guessing that the managers made it clear that they were not welcome on their property anymore. I am waiting in the right turn lane to leave the HEB area and head home while the truck pulls into the left lane. After I turn and begin driving, I glance in the mirror to see them abruptly change their direction to follow me. I was able to lose the truck for a bit so I decided to pull into a firestation and see if these guys were coming my way. As I saw them pass in the opposite direction of where I was, I felt myself begin to shake. Thankfully I had lost them. I'm not sure what their intentions were, but I am glad that I never had to find out.

While I drove to switch vehicles with Randell, since we didn't want them to see me in the Tahoo anymore today, just in case, I had a flood of emotions.

HOW DARE someone feel that they have a right to place fear into someone just so they can feel powerful. HOW DARE they come to where I feel safe, comfortable, and secure and take that away just because they are CREEPS! HOW DARE they mess with anyone, let alone a mother of two small children that would die for her child's safety.

I've worked through a lot of emotions today, a big one being FEAR. I know these guys have no clue where I live, but tonight might just be a hard night for me get some sleep because my security has been shaken today.

Please pray for me.

Life is Good and God is Great.

To Tag or Not To Tag

It has happened....the annoying teenage (or tweenage) taggers have made it back into our neighborhood. While this normally wouldn't bother me before having children, now I look at tagging on a whole new level. I think it's trashy, disrespectful and when left up can make a neighborhood look and feel unsafe. It's amazing how a little bit of spray paint can bring up all of these feelings.

So, this morning I was on a walk with the kids when we saw a lady on the main street of our neighborhood scrubbing her fence. Apparently last night a 13ish yr old boy tagged her fence and her neighbors fence. She was irate! Swearing that WHEN this "punk" gets caught, he will be going to jail for all of the damage he has done. Now, in my mind I thought....really, must we use our tax dollars to pay for yet ANOTHER punk kid to be in juvy just because his parents have no desire to know where he is or what he is doing? Instead let's find a better punishment.

I am seriously contemplating printing up this flier and putting it on everyone's door in our neighborhood.

To the Disrespectful Taggers and his Ignorant Parents:

It seems as though your child's artistic ability has been ignored and over looked. While you, the parent, are doing who knows what, your child has decided to take his "art" to the streets. This would not bother the general public as much if it was done in a tactful manner such as in an art studio, for charity, etc. Since it seems as though your child has no concern for the amount of money a new fence costs or the amount of time and labor it takes to repaint, scrub, or pressure wash a fence, I have come up with a sensible conclusion to this matter.

First and foremost, we the neighbors who live in this neighborhood will now be on the look out for YOUR child. WHEN (not if, but when) your child is caught we will of course make sure to have this issue documented. At that point, we will then take matters into our own hands. There will be no "juvy" time for your teen (or tween), instead you will be able to watch as we destroy YOUR fence, house, grass, or whatever else your child has managed to damage while on his "tagging episode." Then, both you and your teen will be supervised in cleaning not only the damage to your residence BUT also the damage to everyone's house, fence, etc that is from the hands of your child. If it wasn't your child who tagged a particular fence, that's okay, they can still clean it.

Let this be a lesson to those out there....if it's not your property then LEAVE IT ALONE!

What do you think? Too harsh? I mean it's got to be better than the slap on the hand the cops seem to do with the taggers these days.

Life is Good, God is Great.

Fun in the Sun

Fun in the Sun.....and water.....and SAND! Sand everywhere! That's right, we went down to the beach earlier this month and had a blast.

Cooper enjoyed playing in the sand and swimming in the "pool" area of the bay. He was not a fan of the waves and would NOT even put a toe where they would come up to. While we were swimming in the "pool" area of the bay, Cooper was jumping off the wall into my arms. At one point I was putting him back on the wall, and a crab swam up between me and the wall. Now, this was not one of those little crabs that scurries along the sand. No, no....this was a BIG crab! It was technically not "scary", although I had a reaction of shock which sent Cooper into hysterics! He had no desire to jump back into that area.

On top of this incident, he was the target of a seagull's poo....we tried to not make a big deal of it, but it was pretty darn funny. Soon after this, Randell found some baby shrimps and went to put them into the mote that they had built in the sand. Cooper, who had already been through an eventful day, was not too excited about seeing shrimp.

All in all though, Cooper enjoyed his time at the beach. Even Aubrey loved the sand, water, and sun. I hope you enjoy the pictures , check them out by clicking on the link to your right.

Life is Good, God is Great