Pictures from the week

Bathtime

Aubrey just loooves her bath.

on the lighter side...

I came home to find this posted on the bathroom door, thanks to Tyler.

remembering

Maybe it's the fact that the anniversary of Olive's death was last Saturday, January 22. Maybe it's the fact that yesterday my Parents, Aunt and Cousin all left on a flight to Thailand to visit Lynette and Rusty. (And I was happy to learn that they arrived safely). Maybe it's the fact that I went through the photo book of Olive's life last night.

Whatever the "reason," I've been thinking a lot about Olive's life...from the moment I learned Lynette was in labor with Olive to her funeral.
From the day Olive was born, I found myself at a loss. I worried. I prayed. I called. I wanted to help, but didn't know how. I marveled at pictures of the precious little sweetheart who amazed me with her feisty spirit, day after day. And my heart ached when I heard how many difficult decisions Lynette and Rusty were forced to make along the way.

When we arrived in Indiana for Olive's funeral, I didn't know how to handle bringing a baby in to the space where I knew Rusty and Lynette's hearts were breaking. I couldn't imagine the depth of their pain. In the midst of my fumbling and awkwardness, Lynette and Rusty were loving and forgiving.
I am thankful for Lynette's ability to express herself and share her experience. I'm thankful for the many who have surrounded Lynette and Rusty with love - for those who have had the right words, as I so often fail, and have been there for them in so many ways.

I'm thankful for the love of friends and family near and far. For those who have listened to me too. Who have given hugs and words of love.

I am so happy that Mom, Dad, Anna and Katrina are with Lynette and will soon also be with Rusty. It makes my heart happy.

A lesson on the Amish

Yesterday, Tyler and Wayne were watching a show about Alaskan bush pilots, Flying Wild: Alaska. (Grandpa Norm might want to check this one out).

Anyway, while watching some of the harsh conditions that a village faces in the winter, Wayne asked if Tyler would want to live in a place that was so cold so much of the year.

Tyler said, "No way. Especially if I was Amish."

Wayne replied, "Yeah, because they couldn't drive in heated cars to get around..."

Tyler quickly chimed in, "And their feet with be so cold with NO SHOES!"

So we had a little lesson on what the Amish do without (and the fact that they do, in fact, wear shoes). :)

Owl Birthday Cake

A side note before the cake...yesterday Wayne jokingly said (repeatedly), "Now that Aubrey is 1, she will sleep through the night...right?" Well, what do you know, she did! Maybe we'll have to try that encouragement more often! So here is the babe this morning.

Anyway, on to the cake. You may remember that Aubrey's room has an owl theme.

So, I wanted to make an owl cake.

I took inspiration from Sara.

However, I wanted to keep it as simple as possible, and I think this went the fastest of any birthday cake I've made so far.  I started with my go-to birthday cake recipe these days, America's Test Kitchen Old Fashioned Chocolate Layer Cake with Chocolate Frosting. Yum!

Then (for what I thought was going to be a shortcut that I've only used once before) I bought the pink frosting in a squeeze tube. I didn't realize until I was ready to use it that it was supposed to be used with special Cake Mate decorating tips. Boo. So, I manually held on my Wilton decorating tips. Ha! Anyway, add some Oreos and Junior Mints for the eyes, Bugles for the ears (covered in frosting) and beak, and voila!

An Owl!

(And I almost forgot the edible glitter sprinkled on top...it doesn't show up in pictures, but I think it's fun)!

She's 1!

Yesterday, we celebrated Aubrey's 1st birthday. Ted and Sue came to spend the afternoon and evening with us. We enjoyed playing games, putting together a puzzle, and the KU then Steeler's games too. :)

Aubrey ready to "blow" out her candle.

Eating her cake and ice cream. But mostly smearing frosting on her tray.  

Ready to open presents. Or play with ribbon. Or both.

Playing with a new Pkolino stacking toy from us.

And reading a new book from/with Grandma.

We really enjoyed our day celebrating together. It's hard to believe it's been a year. Aubrey has changed so much in a year, as all babies do. Within the last week, she has started to give high 5's and scoot backwards to sit into your lap. She continues to love bopping to music, "talking," squatting down, and sometimes turning in circles getting dizzy while clapping and shrieking when she's reeeallly excited. Silly baby that we love so much.

Snow Day!

And finally, after this blog post binge, I have caught up to the present...

Today was a snow day for Tyler and I. Today, we actually got a lot done. Dentist appointment for Tyler, shopping trip for birthday and later for groceries and...snow play!

OK, so Aubrey was basically outside for a few pictures, then we scurried back in...because though she is wearing several layers, today's snow day was for extremely cold temperatures and It.Was.Cold. Thanks to Trina for the cute coat, and to Melissa for the warm hat (which is a Tyler hand-me-down - I know it's too small, but it is so warm and soft)!

Since this was our first Kansas snow of the season, Wayne and Tyler wanted to take advantage of it and braved the cold to go sledding for awhile with our neighbor kids. They had a great time but others they were with were not so impressed with the cold weather. Tyler said the only part of him that got cold was his eyes. I don't think we're going to invest in a pair of ski goggles yet though. :)

my insomniac

Aubrey inconsistently wakes in the middle of the night...for several hours at a time. My theory is that when she gets a second nap (which is rare), she never does this...but I don't seem to be able to force her to take that second naps so I don't have a solution. Any suggestions are welcome. I digress.

Last night we were up from about 3-5:30ish am. I decided to take some pictures of her loving on her KU bear from Ted and Sue.

Twisting her tongue