Hello, again!

It may looked as though we had abandoned you, our 5 followers, but no, we are still here. However, we are not promising anything, but for now here is a little recap of life lately.

For Aubrey's 1st birthday, Godmother Kassi brought her to get her ears pierced with cousin, Maddie. Aubrey cried a bit, but settled down as soon as she got a sucker...ah, the wonders of suckers! Unfortunately, one of the backings recently fell out and Aubrey is NOT letting me put in new earrings.

 Cabin time is always such a treasured gift and this summer we were spoiled. Over the summer, we were able to get up to the cabin four times and each time were able to spend 4-6 days. Life is good!

Aubrey's hair got a little wild this summer, warranting her first haircut. She sat pretty nicely, of course, due to the sucker!

As baby 3 is on the horizon, I decided Izzy and mom could use some time to ourselves so we went and got pedicures. Isabel was very excited initially, but didn't know quite what to make of the experience when some lady who she didn't understand was touching her toes! :) If I asked her is she wanted to go again, I am sure she would not hesitate, though!

Just some random pics of the girls over the summer...we really had a lot of fun, but mom definitely had to slow down as August rolled around. We are now just playing the waiting game for Baby Mousel 3 to make his/her arrival! 

38 weeks, 2 days...fingers crossed we meet this little one any day now!

7 Months, 8 Months, er, 8 1/2 Months

So it has almost been 2 months, but what can we say...it was a busy two months. Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year...crazy, hectic, fun!

At 7 months, Aubrey wasn't doing too much. The biggest change in her life was that we were moving her from baby food to mostly table food. Everything was still mashed or "magic bulleted" but her pallet was being introduced to variety of different foods. And, lucky for us, she really enjoyed everything we would give her and continues that trend. She is a fabulous eater and now only eats table food (well, every now and then she may have some baby food as we are trying to use it up). She takes three bottles during the day, but is losing interest. She will only take the full 6 ounces at night and even then it can be hit or miss. She takes the other two bottles in the sippee cup when eating then I move it into the bottle if she wants more. Love, loves, loves the sippee and has started to drink formula or water with it herself.

Shock and surprise, we got a little behind on taking the monthly photos and since Aubrey was in a good mood this night we decided to quick take them; however, she would get made if we changed her again so here she is a little over a week after November 23rd in her pj's (which are 12month, by the way) in front of our Christmas tree.

 On the movement front, she is such a laid-back little one that we thought she would just be super content sitting where she was and never look to move or crawl. Which was the case until she turned 8 months. Almost exactly to the day, Aubrey was fine just sitting with the toy that was given to her and had no interest to move. However, on the 22nd of December, we finally started to see her interest in moving around on her own start. She would go from sitting to her tummy. From then on Aubrey has been looking for ways to move, move, move. She is not a certified crawler yet, but she sure can get around a room.

Aubrey goes in spurts when she "talks." Lots of times it is still just the screaming bit and the goo-goo-gaa-gaa back of the throat sounds, but she has started to make actual sounds using her lips and tongue. No sound-object recognition, but so far I have heard four distinct sounds. Ma-ma-ma was the first sound, then ba-ba-ba, and most recently I have heard da-da-da and pa-pa-pa.

A little over a week ago, Barbie, my mom, and I felt a tooth in her mouth then later when Butter got home it seemed to disappear...darn disappearing teeth! During this week, we could tell she was uncomfortable, wanting to chew more, and drooling more. Only one night, though, was rough for her. And by "rough" for Aubrey I mean up for about 45 minutes to an hour around midnight. Eventually, we gave her some Tylenol and she was sound asleep for the rest of the night. On Friday, January 11th, she officially cut her first tooth and it has stayed. Her upper left tooth has started to come through...I was under the assumption that the bottoms always come in first, but I guess not. It seems though that Aubrey will probably be getting a few more soon. Still just a chewing and drooling machine!

Aubrey's 8 month photo shoot again a little over a week after turning 8 months this time though in a 24month onsie...not sure what I was on, but thought I grabbed a 12month, but didn't realize it until it was on and like I said Aubrey does not like to change so we left it.

Big sissy Isabel does so well with Aubrey. We will see how long that lasts because Aubrey has now discovered Isabel's hair and loves to reach for it and pull on it. So far Isabel nicely tells her, "No, no, no Aubrey," in a gentle teaching voice. We are enjoying the sisterly-love, but Isabel is deciding to give mom and dad, and Barbie a run. Stubborn, mischievous Isabel has reared her head! She pooped her pants twice this week at Barbie's because she wanted to wear "her" pull-ups (mind you she has been potty trained for over 10 months), she is back in the height chair at Barbie's because she wants to run around during eating time, and has to use a sippee because when she is done pours her milk out on the tray or floor. At home, dinner is a constant battle, and when she has to sit in a time-out, she sings, laughs, and tries to tell knock-knock jokes. Oh goodness, she can be challenge...albeit, often a hilarious challenge!  We had a good weekend so here's hoping for more of that in the coming weeks.

Some of the girls favorites right now are:
Activities
Isabel: dance, being a helper, tubby-time
Aubrey: snuggling and trying to crawl, tubby-time, playing "so big"...just today she started mimicking the hands in the air and then did it on her own! So fun!

Food
Isabel: cottage cheese, yogurt, toast, mini corn dogs and pizza
Aubrey: toast, peas, blueberries, and pizza (as long as she can eat it herself, she loves it)

Snacks
Isabel: Cuties, fishies, and anything she deems as a nummy
Aubrey: baby mum-mums (rice-based wafers)

Toys
Isabel: kitchen toys, make-up (hers and mine!), blocks (I think she just likes to dump them out), and balls
Aubrey: balls, stacking rings

Books
Isabel: Ten Apples Up on Top; Night, Night Little Pookie, Dora Books, and Elmo Books
Aubrey: any book we allow her to hold and chew...so right books don't really get to be on her radar that often

Entertainment
Isabel: books, coloring, Boots (as in Dora's best friend), Team Umizoomi, her tablet, and our iPad
Aubrey: walker, remote, iPad/phone, Dora (yes, she will watch it with Isabel)

Top (l to r): Aubs and Izzy watching Dora and Isabel playing in the bathtub; Second Row: At the pumpkin patch; Third Row (l to r): Aubs on Halloween wearing Elias' Waldo glasses and Isabel excited to be baking with frosting on her nose; Fourth Row: Christmas Eve 2012

A Very Helpful Big Sissy!

"Ahhh Aubee laugh!"

VIDEO0016 from Butter on Vimeo.

Izzy Hop

Back in April my assistant brewer helped me plant some hop rhizomes.  Expectations were low, as first year hop plants usually do not produce a lot of hop cones.  The goal this year was to develop a good root base in hopes the next year we would be able to harvest a small crop.

Well Isabel must have a green thumb because we had great luck with the hops.  We planted two varieties, Willamette and Cascade and both produced a very good first year crop.

A few weeks ago I harvested the Willamette for a fresh hop batch where the hops go right from the vine and into the kettle.  My assistant was as stoked as I was about our first hop pick. "Dada, hops, hops, hops!"

Two ounces were added to the beginning of the 60 minute boil for bittering.

What gives hops their magical super power?  The yellow dust in the picture below is called Lupulin and that is the secret sauce of hops.  Mmmm, Lupulin!  (It helps if you say that in a Homer Simpson voice)

 
After the 60 minute boil another four and a half ounces were added to hopefully give the beer a powerful hop aroma.  Without the prolonged affect of boiling, this hop addition should not impart any more bitterness to the beer.

The beer spent two and half weeks in primary and then was cold crashed in the fridge to end all fermentation and drop most of the sediment to the bottom of the fermenter.

Izzy Hop was bottled last week and should be ready to drink in another week or so.  It should resemble Fat Tire with more of a hop kick and hopefully a little resinny characteristic from the fresh hops.  I should probably save one for Isabel when she is old enough, but since it only weighs in at about 4.5% abv I don't think it will cellar that well.

Cheers!

4 Months...and Change

August 23rd has come and gone, yeah, yeah, it has been a couple weeks, but who is counting!  Our little Aubrey continues to be an unbelievably good baby, although our daycare provider may argue with that.  Apparently, Aubrey is testing Barb a bit to say the least.  She has been nothing but an angel for us and continues to be the happy go lucky, sleeping champ that she has been since she came home with us.

Along with her 4 month birthday Aubrey also had a checkup with the Dr.  Her current stats are as follows: weight: 15 lbs 9 oz (84%), length 26 1/4" (97%!), and her head is dwarfing Isabel's at 16 1/2" (72%).

Some new changes for Aubrey include moving to her crib in her own room, rolling over from back to front, giggling audibly, and spending more time in her "car" and exersaucer.  It is amazing that she is four months old already, but she is getting to that really fun age when babies are more mobile and expressive.

 

Isabel/Aubrey

First full day at Barbie's

Dance, Dance, Dance

Everyone wants to find their "thing," well dance is mine. From the time I was three, dance has been a part of my life. It has been a constant whether I was a student, competitor, performer, assistant, team member, captain, teacher, or coach. Because of dance, I became closer with my family, met my best friend, and connected me with people I never would have otherwise. It helped shape me and opened doors and opportunities beyond what I thought possible. Dance taught me determination, perseverance, and inner-strength. Dance gave me success, but it also gave me the chance to fail. Dance gave me passion. I was never the best or the brightest, but I loved it and when I had an opportunity I wanted to pass it on.

God gave me two little girls. I get to give them dance.

 Isabel started her first dance class last week! I was very nervous as it could have been disastrous. Refusal to go in the classroom, tears, peeling limbs off. You get the picture. Fortunately, it went much better than that. I did have to start the class with her, which I did not want to do, but she was not going to let go of my fingers and there were a couple other moms in the room as well. After she just sat there doing nothing while I very clumsily attempted to stretch with "Ms. Puffy", I asked her if she wanted mom to leave and she gave me a look that very clearly stated, "Get out mom, you are embarrassing me!" Once I left, she started doing what the teacher told her to do and really enjoying herself like I knew she would. At the end of class, she got a stamp and sticker, which solidified her fun and decided she would go back again.

Radio Silence

Someday we will get back to updating this blog on a regular basis.  I guess I should take most of the blame on that one, since Kati has been the primary contributor as of late.

In case you blinked and missed it, our Aubrey has turned 2 months old already.  How can that possibly be?  We continue to be blessed with the most content, easy going baby in the world.  She eats, sleeps and plays like a champ.  We couldn't ask for anything better!

At her 2 month doctor's appointment, Aubrey tipped the scales at 11 lbs, 14 oz (76%), 23 3/4" long (92%) and her head is far outpacing big sister Isabel's checking in the 67 percentile.

A few of the other milestones that 2 months has brought include rolling over from tummy to back and sitting up in her bumbo chair.

And now for the pictures:

Rolling, Rolling, Rolling

What up!

I'm done now!

This new chair is killer!

Think we are sisters?

A Lifetime of Catching Up...

Oh my goodness, where does the time go?! Aubrey is already 7 weeks old! It does not seem like yesterday we were in the hospital, but it is hard to believe how big she already is and how much she has changed our family. I have a lifetime of catching up to do...

Aubrey is a fabulous eater and sleeper. Almost instantly she was on a pretty predicable schedule of eat, play, sleep then repeat three hours later. She has slept through the night basically since the day we brought her home. Granted we have had a few nights when she wanted to eat every three hours or her tummy was bothering her, but no absolutely sleepness nights have happened, yet. Laid back and very much unlike her older sister, Aubrey rarely cries and when she does cry it is for one of four reasons: she is hungry, has a dirty pants, tired, or just wants to be picked up and cuddled. Crying is not Aubrey's only form of communication, though. She is a grunter. I never thought some grunting throughout the night would keep me up or wake me up, but her little grunts can do it.

Just like Isabel, Aubrey loves to smile especially in the morning. Smiles and giggles from my children have to be one my greatest joys as a parent. No matter how tired, exhausted, or frustrated I may be a smile and giggle can turn my mood or melt my heart...which is fabulous unless you are trying to discipline a certain two year old who refuses to listen and do what has been asked!

Aubrey definitely knows voices and has started to react to familiar sounds whether that is looking or smiling or scowling. She definitely favors looking to her left so I have been trying to turn her head when she is lying on her back...don't want a flat head baby! Speaking of flat head, I have to continue to build more and more tummy time in to our day; on the whole she does not mind being on her tummy and it is fun to watch her look up and try to roll over. She is getting stronger every day by holding her head up when she is on her tummy or being held, and she scoots with her legs if she is on her tummy on a smooth surface. Another little fun change: I am even starting to hear some quiet, little coos come from her every so often. Just today my mom stopped by and she asked Aubrey if she was going to talk to her then sure enough out came some coos...baby talk is so precious! 

Aubrey has been very busy in her first 7 weeks of life. Here are some highlights:

At 11 days, Aubrey had her first wellness check. I might have bit off more than I could chew on that day as I scheduled both Aubrey's newborn and Isabel's two year check at the same time. Almost an hour and half later, we emerged out of the exam room...luckily my mom was able to rearrange her schedule to come help out.

Aubrey's Stats:

Weight: 8lbs, 1oz (47%)

Length: 21in (80%)

Head: 14 1/4in (61%)

At two weeks, Aubrey made her first trip to the cabin. It was one of the ickiest weekends up there as far as I can remember so we hung out inside most of the time. She traveled up and back fabulously so hopefully that travel demeanor lasts.

At three weeks, Aubrey was Baptized at St. Mary's Catholic Church after the 5:15pm Mass with Fr. Wittman presiding. Aubrey slept throughout the entire Mass, but when it came to the actual baptism she woke up and cried through most of it. It was very nice, though, as everyone was able to get close. Father invited everyone around so they did not just stand in the pews. Just like birthday parties, it was an exhausting day as everyone came over for dinner before mass and then again after for cake. But what a wonderful day it was to celebrate Aubrey's welcome into God's family.

At one month, we had her monthly photo shoot. However, we timed it horribly as the pictures below will show. She was was ready for her last feeding of the day so not just hungry, but tired too. Such an amateur parenting move on our part...we will try to do better!

At five weeks, Aubrey went on her first boat cruise. Our friends, Theresa and Scott, along with Theresa's parents hosted a fabulous gathering of our college friends on their boat. We cruised the St. Crouix all day and had an awesome time with amazing people. Aubrey loved being on the water and hardly made a peep...thanks to Theresa's mom for keeping Aubrey company so Butter and I could visit with our friends!

At seven weeks, Aubrey made her first trip down to Iowa to see where her daddy grew up. It is a little longer drive than up to the cabin, but Aubrey again traveled like a champ. I did have to pull out the bottle about 20 minutes out from Nana and Papa Mousel's as she was getting hungry, but it worked perfectly to feed her in the car seat then burp her when we got there. Aubrey got to meet Great Grandma and Grandpa Roder, Nana and Papa's friends, Jerry and Linda, and Uncle Tag and Aunt Joanie during her trip. Aubrey was her laid back self the whole trip and slept incredibly well as she enjoyed her time in Iowa.

Aubrey has also made a few trips to mommy's school (the first at 9 days old for Maddie's birthday Mass), and then to her first birthday party, which was Maddie's 10th birthday. She has been to Turtle's for lunch and dinner (a few times), many trips to Target and Sam's Club, visited Nana at her school twice, had two play dates with Simon, went on a walk with cousin Jojo, met Barbie (on the way home from the hospital) and many of the kids at daycare, and has received so many hugs and kisses from everyone (especially Isabel and cousin Ethan).

Aubrey has been very busy and she doesn't seem to be ready to slow down any time soon as the next trip to the cabin is this week and then we have to hit up Valleyfair soon...ah, summer is here and Aubrey is ready!!

Aubrey Claire

On Monday, April 23rd we were introduced to our new bundle of joy, Aubrey Claire.  It was a surreal whirlwind day that won't be forgotten!  I will leave the details for Kati to tell in a later post.  For now here are a few, okay more than a few, pictures of Aubrey's first few days.

Isabel stayed up late to meet her little sister.

Bonding over a good thumb sucking.

Just like my big sister taught me.

First family photo.

Chilling under the warmer after my first bath.

We didn't see Aubrey's eyes until later Tues afternoon

Lounging with mom.

Lounging with dad.

Going home outfit that my big sister picked out.

Papa and Nana Mousel

Papa and Nana Hoen

Aaargh!

Cheese!

 

 

Welcome to the world Aubrey Claire!  We are very happy that you are here with us!