Beach Baby

This weekend Nate and I took Aubrey to play at the beach for the first time.  I was too paranoid to take her as a newborn last summer. She loved playing in the sand (and of course had to taste test it!) but most of all wanted to take in the sights and sounds.  Between watching the seagulls flying around and a little boy throw a football with his dad she was in baby heaven. We took her down by the water but the roar of the waves was too scary! I can't wait for more beach days this summer!

Queen of the Beach - people watchin

Please don't be frightened by my white skin.  

On this day 1 year ago...

our precious baby girl was born!  

The day started out very busy for Mom and Dad. A few weeks prior Dad returned from a 7 month deployment so we had lots of projects to catch up on before you arrived. We wanted the guest room ready for Grandma and Nana so they could come stay with us after your birth. As Dad finished assembling the guest bed, mom was in the shower when the contractions started at about 11pm on May 13th.  I guess you figured as soon as the room was ready for the grands you would be ready too!  Daddy rushed mom to Portsmouth Naval Hospital and you were born at 8:41am on May 14, 2009 (you were a week early, your due date was May 23). 
Grandma and Nana got on a plane right away and made it to Virginia the same day you were born. Uncle Benny drove down from Washington DC and he was your first visitor.  It was love at first sight and your Dad and I couldn't believe God gave us such a precious gift. I remember waking up in the middle of the night at the hospital to see your dad gazing at his little girl. He said you looked like a baby doll!

We can't believe how much you have grown this year. We love you more each day and feel blessed to be your parents.

You went from this little baby we held in our arms...

 

To this big girl in one year!! Happy Birthday Turtle!

Party Girl

Today Aubrey had some friends over for a play date to celebrate her first birthday, which is Friday, May 14th. I was hoping the kids could play in the kiddie pool but it was too cold for swimming.  Everybody had lots of fun though playing in the backyard with Aub's toys, blowing bubbles, and eating cupcakes.  Here are a few shots to remember it by.

Party in action.

Party Girl flirting with the camera, "I'm One!"

The fam. She always seems to have a finger in her mouth!

Aubrey's first dessert. (At first she was more interested in the candle.)

Yummy!! Why haven't I eaten anything like this before?

Next party stop is Texas so the grandparents can celebrate with her!

Little climber

This is Aubrey's new talent....climbing up on toys, stairs, ladders, people and anything else she can. Typically she climbs with a toy in one hand, food in her mouth, and looking over her shoulder to make sure somebody is watching her show off her new skill!  As you can see in the picture she has her entire body on top of the little front wheel on her train. This baby is a crazy climber!

Walking Girl!

Here are two videos I took of Aubrey walking. The first one is from last week and the second one is from today. You will see how much her walk improved in only a few days. The first one is a little long but I knew her grandparents would want to see the entire video:) We wished we lived closer so they could see Aubrey more! Nate and I are really enjoying the stage Aubrey is in right now. She is so much fun to be around. She loves to be silly and laugh but she also loves to learn, you can see her wheels turning as you read and talk to her.
Here is our baby walking, you go Aubs!

Aubs walking a week ago:

Aubrey Walking from jennifer michael on Vimeo.


Aubs walking today:

Aubrey getting better with her walk!! from jennifer michael on Vimeo.

Walk for Life

While Nate flew today, Aubrey and I participated in a Walk for Life at the Norfolk Zoo with some of our friends from stroller aerobics. The walk benefited the Crisis Pregnancy Center of Tidewater, they are a Christian pro-life group that help pregnant women. It was our first time at the zoo and it was a great way to spend a beautiful Saturday morning! It was hard for Aubrey to see most of the animals but she could definantly see the giraffes and elephants and she thought they were SO funny! She pointed at them and I could tell she recognized them from her books and Baby Einstein videos.
I didn't get many pics but here are a few from our day.

Outside some of the exhibits

Aubrey trying to steal Mason's car

Ready to Walk for Life!

I recently took a few videos of Aubrey working on her walk. She is getting better and is starting to prefer the walk over the crawl. By the time I post a walking video she will be sprinting. This girl is growing fast these days!