Trip to Indy

Ben and I took Aubree up for Riese's 1st b-day party, then we stayed the night at her Aunt Alissa and Uncle Jason's house. I've included a couple pictures of when she was able to get some luvin in with her grammy and cousin Nic. I couldn't resist putting a few other cute pictures from the weekend. Emalyn did a great job with her! Riese was so adorable with cake all over her face, and then there's that naked baby!! She's quite the nudist! It was about a half an hour before bath time, and I didn't want to waste a diapier, so I just let her go nude before her bath. She peed twice on the changing mat you see under her, but she had a BALL!

She's Rolling Over...BUT

She won't do it for the camera!! I still think this is a cute "recent" video of her.

4 Month Photo Shoot

I had Rochelle, my favorite photographer, do another photo shoot of Aubree this weekend while she was down. :-) I've put a few of my favorites together below in a slideshow. Let me know what you think of them! Oh...Sarah, I stole an idea from you from Phoebe's blog! I wanted to try the mirror idea out, but I think they'll turn out better when she can hold her head up a little better.

4 Month Update

4 Month Update on Aubree: Aubree went to the doctor on Tuesday for her 4 months shots and check-up. She new weighs 11.3 pounds and is 23 inches long. For her actual age, she's in the 5th percentile for her weight and 10th percentile for her length. For her adjusted age of 12 weeks old, she's in the 50th percentile for both height and weight. Below are a few random pictures of her this past week!

Too Cute...

Our kids aren't even one yet, and they're already sleeping together! That's just too cute!

My Little Love Bug...and My Little Jail bird

Here's Aubree in her Halloween costume...

Do you think it's appropriate?? :-)

And this one is the very 1st outfit I bought when I found out we were having a girl. I call her my little jail bird when she wears it.

She Thinks She Such A Big Girl Now...

Lately we have to hold on to the bottle very tightly, or she uses her powerful little hands to swat it out of our hands. Of course...here, she decided she wanted to be Little Miss Independent!

It's Official...We Have A THUMBSUCKER!!!

Weekend Visiting Family and Friends

The three of us made a trip up to Marion to visit Grammy and Pop Pop, and to go to the James Dean Festival. Aubree got to meet her cousins Julie and Aliva, (born 4 days before Aubree).

After leaving Marion on Sunday, we stopped off in Camby to visits a few friends. Aubree got to meet Kim, Kevin, and Emalyn.

Then, the Myers came over to meet Aubree while we were at Kim and Kevin's. She got to meet Kim, Marcus, Owen, and Reise! Finally...after our long drive back home, Aubree tested out a few of her new gifts! Grammy got her the fairy wings, Kim Myers made her the Colts quilt and bought her her 1st Vera Bradley purse like Mommy carries! She also got a lot of cute outfits, but they were getting washed so she can wear them soon. It was so nice seeing everyone!! Thank you so much for all her wonderful gifts! We can't wait to see everyone again!

Random Photos from Aubree's 1st 3 Months

Even though they lost...we still support them!!

We found her a Colt's cheerleading uniform at Walmart, and couldn't resist getting it for her. She also has a colts binkie, but we forgot to include it in the pictures!

Daddy being Cruel to Mommy and Aubree

Our Little Ladybug with her 101 year old Great Grandma Birdie!!

Happy 1st Birthday Prince Kelton and Princess Rylyn!!!

Just wanted to wish our neice and nephew a very happy 1st birthday!! We love you Keltie and RyRy :-)

Our Little Ladybug is 3 Months Old Today!!

I can't believe how time flies...but the saying is definitely true. It flies when you're having fun, and I can't even put into words how much "fun" it is to be a mommy to this beautiful little girl! Some milestones Aubree has accomplished by 3 Months: -Cooing/talking -Smiling -Discovered her hands -Discovered her hands can find her mouth! -Rolled over from tummy to back, but hasn't mastered it by any means -Recognizes mommy, daddy and many others -Holds her head up for long periods of time -Sits up when propped up w/ pillow -Discovered she has a LOT of lung power!! :-) She's definitely making up for not fussing at all for the 1st 2 months!! We tried to get 3 month pictures taken on Sunday, but that's when the high storm winds came through and kept us stranded from going anywhere..."see picture" So...we're going to try to just go up to Walmart now for her 3 months sometime this week. Hopefully we'll get the chance, and I'll have the pictures posted soon.

Daddy Caught Aubree Playing On The Changing Table

Can you tell Aubree LOVES her changing table that Papaw Aubrey made for her?? This is her FAVORITE spot!!

Aubree Dancing to Daddy Singing Elvira

Aubree was fussy, so Ben decided to have her dance to Elvira! She loved it...until he stopped that is!

How Is It Possible???

How is it possible that I spend almost every moment with Aubree when we get home from School, yet I managed to miss her rolling over for the 1st time?? I handed her off to Ben while I grabbed my stuff to pump, and told him to lay her down on her Rainforest Playmat. Of course, he did, and she did it...without Mommy in the room to see her do it. :-( Just about an hour earlier, she had rolled up to her side, but I thought it was just a fluke. When she did it for Ben, she continued to roll on over...Poor thing scared herself half to death when she flopped onto her back. Of course, I now try to get it on camera...and she's not cooperating!!

Aubree Showing Love To All Her Family Members! :-)

Sick Girl

It only took one week of Daycare to get Aubree sick. She's been sneezing and coughing for a few days, but last night she started getting congested sounding. I don't want to be overly worried everytime she gets sick, but since she's still under three months, the doctor said to bring her in even if she gets a cough. Of course, it's just a cold, but I didn't want to take any chances. So, we left school and daycare early today to see the doctor and then I took the rest of the day off to snuggle with her. I REALLY miss being able to spend all day with her to be there when she needs me. So, it's nice to have so many days to be able to take of to take care of her, rather than having someone else do it for me. We took her out for a walk to get some fresh air. She loved looking at everything, but when we got back, Ben laid her down on her belly and she conked out.

Yea for POOP!!!

I never thought I'd get sooooo excited about poop, but at 10:15 P.M. on Monday, September 8th...Aubree FINALLY POOPED!!!! She usuall goes at least once a day if not more, and for the last 9 days, she hasn't went. As she was finishing her night bottle, she started passing more gas, as she has been for the last 9 days, but then she did it!! Ben even had to come check it out. Can you believe we're this excited about a stinky diaper???

1st Day at Daycare

Well, my leave is officially over...

Today I started back to work, and Aubree had her 1st day at daycare. I figured she'd give them some troubles because she hasn't had a BM in 3 days, and she's been super gassy. BUT...she didn't give them a peep. I was good and only checked on her twice!! The first time she was sleeping, so I only peeked at her, but then I went in on my lunch to visit and cuddle. I thought I did very well dropping her off with only a few tears, but of course she is only upstairs from my room, so that makes it MUCH easier! As you can tell in the picture, she wasn't too excited about going. I had to wake her up this morning to dress her, then she feel right back to sleep and didn't wake up for them until 9:15. Tomorrow is Picture Day at our school, so her and her cousins Rylyn and Kelton get their first school picture!! They're growing up WAY too fast!

Aubree Being A Ham To The Camera

I've been using the video option on my digital camera a lot lately since Aubree has been cooing and smiling so much. I love this video of her being a little ham right to the camera!

Aubree's Boppy Pillow...$34.99

Aubree's Rainforest Swing...$64.99

Aubree's Mod Lady Bug bedding set...$179.99

Aubree FINALLY sleeping through the night...

PRICELESS

August Update on Aubree

On Sunday the 24th of August, Aubree turned 10 weeks old. I still have everyone doubting me when I tell them she's two and 1/2 months old. I guess according to her adjusted age, she's only 4 weeks old. She's has officially doubled her birth weight, so now she looks like a newborn rather than a preemie. Getting her first immunizations at 2 months about broke my heart. She turned so red in the face that she busted a blood vessel in her right eye. She also broke a bunch of vessels on her forehead above her right eye, but they went right away. It was good to know that as soon as her shots were over, and she was in my arms again...she quit crying immediately. That's what makes being a mommy the best thing in the world...knowing you have someone who completely depends on you, and you can make her happy when she needs comforted. This is my last week home with Aubree before I have to go back to work. I start right after Labor Day, and I'm not looking forward to leaving her at the Daycare. BUT.... I can't complain too much since the Daycare is on the floor right above my room, and only cost $2.00/hr. At least daycare here won't be my entire paycheck like it would have been when we lived up in Noblesville. Daddy and I have our 1st year anniversary on September 1st, so I believe Mamaw DeeDee will be watching Aubree while we have our date night. It wouldn't bother me one bit to bring Aubree right along with us, but I've always said we were still going to make alone time for each other. Well, this will probably be my last post in August, but I know I'll be writing in September to let you know how I'm holding up with going back to work and leaving my little girl with someone else to take care of her. I know me, and I know I'll break down!! :-(

She's growing more and more everyday...

At 10 weeks old, Aubree has doubled her size since birth, grown over 4 inches, met a LOT of new people, started cooing, laughing, and finally my favorite of all...SOCIAL SMILES!!! I've added two to show her smile as of now...we'll see if it changes as she gets older.

My favorite video of Aubree so far...

Caught in the act!!

Daddy caught Mommy snoozing with Aubree, so Mommy decided to catch Daddy in the act as well!

Aubree at 2 months

Forgive me for not posting anything new for a week or two, but my computer isn't working right. So, as for any updates...Aubree found out she's going to have a new baby boy cousin! Congrats to my brother Kyle and his wife Stephanie. My 10 month old neice Rylyn is finally breaking teeth...go RYLYN!! Way to keep ahead of your twin brother! :-) As for Aubree's updates, she had her two month photos taken by her cousin Rochelle while they were in for the Switzerfest. I've made this title a link to the album if you'd like to check them out! She did a great job for photograhpy only being a hobby!! I keep telling her she has missed her calling! She's also starting to smile when her daddy and I play with her. She still smiles all the time when she's asleep and dreaming, but seeing her smile and to know she's doing it means SO much more! I'll have to try to capture it in a photo to post. Well. it's close to her 2 o'clock feed, so I have to go for now. but I will get better at posting more often!!

100 Years Age Difference

Aubree had a BUSY week!! She got to meet her Uncle Kyle and Aunt Steph on Monday the 21st, then she met her Great Grandma Birdie on Thursday, on Friday she met her 2nd cousins Ian and Katie, and on Sunday she got to meet her Great Great Aunt Maudlene along with her Great Grandma Minnis. She had her 1st long trip, and did very well with traveling. We (Me, Mom, and Aunt Maudlene) went to visit her Great Grandma Minnis up in Crawfordsville. It took us a little longer to do the drive with having to stop to feed her, but over all it went really well. This was her trial run for her first vacation as we will be leaving on Thursday to stay at North Webster for 3 nights. Ben's mom and dad rented a cottage for 2 weeks, so she'll get to see her Grammy and Pop Pop for the first time since she's been home from the hospital.

Aubree's 1st Week Home

So far so good! I've said it before, and I'll say it again...How do you stop looking at something so beautiful?? Aubree's first week at home with mommy and daddy has went really well. She has met her two furry friends Bing and Cash, as well as a few human friends too! I can't help it, but I love dressing her each day with something new. She looks so pretty in all the wonderful outfits that were given to her! She also got to meet her Uncle Kyle and Aunt Steph from California! Of course, she gave them some practice on bottle feeding and stinky diapers for when their little one is born!! :-) The whole sleeping arrangement works out great. Ben and I have now switched our times of getting up. I do the 2 a.m. and he does the 5 a.m., which works out much better. In fact, this morning after her 8 a.m. feeding, she fell right back to sleep, so mommy and daddy got to sleep in a little longer!! I guess I said everything has went well so far, but I forgot about her snotty nose. I believe she's got a bit of a cold. Her nose is snotty and her eye is runny. So, I got to be the mean one to drop saline drops up her nose and use the nasal aspirator on her, but I do believe we got a lot of the yucky stuff out. Hopefully it won't turn into anything major. I really don't think I could handle anything happening to her to where she'd end up back in the hospital. The doctor did warn us ahead of time though...with all she went through before coming home, ending up back in the hospital wouldn't take much.

Our 1st Night With Our Daugther At Home

It was just as I had imagined it to be!! Being a mommy is the best feeling in the world! Do you know how hard it is to take your eyes off of something so beautiful?? I couldn't quit watching her and believing that she is actually home with her mommy and daddy. Our first night went really well. We both stayed up until her 11 o'clock feeding then put her to bed. Ben took the 2 o'clock feeding and I took the 5 o'clock feeding...that way we could both get some sleep. I do have to say one good thing about her being in the NICU for so long is that she's on a schedule already. She eats every 3 hours, and starts to wake up about 10-20 minutes before hand to let us know it's time to feed her. We'll see how long this actually last though!

We FINALLY get to bring our daughter home!

July 15th, one month after Aubree was born, she finally decided to take to her bottle. We went from having her in level 3 of the NICU, which is where the sickest babies are kept, to level 2 in a matter of a week. She stayed in level 2 for about a week as well, before graduating to an open crib, rather than an isolet. We thought we were within days of taking her home, but she proved us wrong. She still wasn't strong enough to take her bottle every feeding, so they were still putting her food down her tube every other time. BUT...today is the day! She decided she had been in the NICU for too long. She started taking every bottle with no troubles at all. Seeing her do that made me the happiest mommy in the world because it meant she's come home soon. Dr. Vincent came around to see her and said if she keeps it up, she could be discharged on Thursday!! Two more days?? Are you kidding me...two more days and I get to bring my daughter home where she should be?? I was overwhelmed with excitement, but still nervous something would change and she'd have to stay longer. So, Ben and I stayed the next night in the parent care room with her as our "Trial Run", and at 9:00 Thursday morning, Dr. Vincent said she's going home!!! YEA!!!!!!!!!

What our daughter has been going through

When Aubree was first born, she was breathing like a puppy, at least that's how the nurse described it to me. She was actually panting really hard, which made her lungs work too hard. So, they had to give her oxygen to help slow her breathing down until she could do it on her own. It took her 4 days before they removed her CPAP (oxygen tube up her nose). Even though they removed her CPAP, she's still considered a "Touch-Me-Not" baby because it stimulates her too much. Not being able to hold your daughter is hard enough, but we can't even touch her with our finger. She also has an IV in to give her calories since she's not strong enough to take a bottle yet. She has her little shades on because she's jaundice, and the wires hooked up to her show her heartrate and O2 levels. We've been with her everyday hoping and praying she gets stronger and bigger so we can take her home. Thank you to all of you who have been keeping our little girl in your prayers. Having so many people who care about us and Aubree means the world to us!

Best Father's Day present ever!

Here she is, Aubree Kaylin Napier, 6 weeks early, and weighing only 4 lbs 0.3 ounces and is 17 1/4" long. I don't think I could have given Ben a better father's day gift. Aubree is our first baby, so beware if you find lots of pictures and videos of her. I'm a very camera happy person, so I like to document EVERYTHING! I hope you enjoy reading about and watching our little ladybug grow day by day! (Click on Title to view album)