Happy Valentine's Day!!

"We love because God first loved us" John 4:19

I never knew how special a day Valentine's Day could be until Aubrey came into our lives. I was always my dad's Valentine and I am still each year, but until now I had no idea what the twinkle in his eye was when he gave me a gift and card each year. I had no idea until I glimpsed it this Valentine's Day. How sweet it is to overflow with love for another, how wonderful it is to overflow with love for your own flesh; for one that was "knit together" just for you.

We had a great Valentine's Day! Her daddy was her #1 Valentine. He surprised her with very festive pants in the morning and she surprised him with kisses ALL DAY LONG! We had Evan's parents and Grandmother over for lunch and Aubrey and I visited my parents in the evening. Here are a few pics from our day:

Aubrey in her dad's special outfit for the day. The bow in her hair was made of a ribbon that was around one of her baby shower gifts. I saved about 7 ribbons and a friend of ours made them into bows for Aubrey. ISN'T SHE BEAUTIFUL!! :D

Aubrey reading with Nana

Aubrey loves bubbles! Grandpa was blowing them for her to catch and then she tried to blow them also. It is really incredible to see how much wonder and joy a few bubbles create.

We had pork, ribs, rice, mashed potatoes, green beans, and asparagus

For dessert we had chocolate and MANY items to dip

Aubrey thought the strawberries in chocolate were the best!

At my mom's there is a large bookcase that has "figurines" inside of it. Aubrey, since she could crawl, has "ooohhhed and aahhhhed" while looking inside.

"enjoying" dinner, she got sick about an hour later :(

She puked a few times and was then put on a 24 hour cracker and juice diet.

PRETTY bow

Practicing blowing kisses with MiMi. I must say she is somewhat of a pro at this now.

BOOKS! BOOKS! and more BOOKS!

Just Being Aubrey ...

Aubrey is CONSTANTLY seen with a book in hand! She really likes the parenting magazines I get with pictures of babies and their moms and dads. If someone comes in and sits on the floor Aubrey will 9 times out of ten toddle over and hand them a book and then proceed to sit in their lap. I am so happy she seems to find joy in books and in looking through pictures!

The next picture is of Aubrey... being Aubrey. If there is a hat in the room,

she asks to wear it. :) She really has such a little hearted and just silly disposition. I LOVE laughing and discovering things right along side of her.

It has been snowing a lot by us and one day Aubrey brought her coat, hat, and scarf over to me. So Evan and I took her out for a stroll.

Aubrey has discovered a new game... she hides behind every nook and cranny in our home that her head fits in. She hides her face and waits till you call her name and then pops out and says hi. She breaks into fits of laughter most of the time. It is amazing to see all of the developmental stages she goes through.

Evan thought Aubrey would just love to wear our fleece blanket...

Some Fun Times At Home

It is incredibly hard to believe our baby girls first year has gone by in such a flash!

She has truly brought many moments of intense love into our home and hearts. Evan and I went through all of the pictures we took of her this last year in order to make a photo album and we just can not believe the changes and the ways God has been molding and shaping her in just the first year of her life. We often sit and talk about the plans He has for her life and our true calling as her parents to lead her to Him. May she know the love we have for her and our thankfulness to Our Lord and Savior for blessing us with such an amazing and wonderful baby girl! We are reminded on a regular basis, with her silliness to her sleepless nights, what a true blessing it is to be called upon to be parents.

Aubrey and Olivia trying to share her chair.

Aubrey is always looking for the perfect chair.

She likes to find anything she can around the house ... her Duplo bin.

Daddy trying to get Aubrey to play with him.

She LOVES her red purse.

She can always be won over with a good book. Aubrey often pulls out books rather than any toy we own. If someone sits on the floor she will immediately get a book and sit in their lap. It is great to see her turning the pages, pointing at the pictures, and "talking".

Aubrey's First Time Sledding

Some close friends of ours gave us a sled for Aubrey. They use to take their kids sledding on it and thought Aubrey would love it. I think Aubrey's dad loved the ride slightly more.

All bundled up and ready to go

When we started she was sitting up.

She then began to tip backwards and that is how she stayed. Every now and then she would put a hand down to feel the snow, but it would cause snow to hit her in the face and she DID NOT like that.

We eventually got some smiles... We had just arrived back home though.

Christmas!

Our holidays were filled this year! We celebrated Evan's Birthday, went downtown to see the lights and ice skaters, and we celebrated our first christmas together. Aubrey seemed to have a great time opening gifts and seeing family, she received MANY wonderful things. Her sleep schedule was a little trying because Aubrey had her first ear infection during the holidays. Evan's sister and brother came to visit from New York and Aubrey really seemed to enjoy her time with them. Her Aunt Bethany is just about the only person Aubrey will sit with; she is normally a girl who always has somewhere to be.

At Daily Plaza enjoying the lights.

The closest Aubrey will get to Santa; Macy's windows.

Helping dad blow out his candles.

Having fun with her Great Grandma's chair.

A tired Aubrey opening her Christmas sock.

trying to help daddy open her Band-In-The-Box

Checking out what toy her Uncle Brennan is getting.

Wanting to help MiMi pass out gifts.

"Where is my gift?"

She purchased a cozy Red Chair with her Christmas and Birthday money!

The best gift if Christmas!

Aubrey and her Aunt Bethany

Aubrey loved seeing herself in the photo calendar we gave out.