Week 12 - Back to the 'Lou

This week, the family loaded up and headed to St. Louis on Thursday to see Mimi and Papa. The drive to St. Louis was like a scene from a movie. We thought we could get across the state with only making one stop in God's Country (Columbia) for dinner and bathroom stop. Instead, Aubrey started getting fussy from hunger about an hour and a half into the drive. We wanted to try and push her 30 minutes until we got to Columbia, but then Henry started yelling he had to pee! So we pulled off and stopped at a gas station/repair shop/tractor sales place just west of the river. Stopping there threw off the rest of the timing. After stopping in Columbia for dinner and some mild nostalgia, we no longer were going to be able to make it without stopping yet again to feed Aubrey and let Henry go to the bathroom. Parenting, geez!



The kids' future! M-I-Z!

 

On Friday, we took the kids to Grant's farm so that 1) Henry could see some animals, and 2) the adults could get free beverages :) What I was not anticipating is Aubrey 'blowing out' while we were waiting to get into the park! There is nothing like standing in a line of strangers, trying to maneuver cleaning and changing  your baby without getting any of the 'shrapnel' on you. Note that Reggie failed at this. You know who you don't bring a separate change of clothes for on a family outing? Dad..... :)  Henry loved the bird show and elephant, and Aubs loved that we were able to find an air conditioned spot for her to eat!

With Mom outside the bird show (in her second outfit of the day)

Enjoying the free beverages!

Saturday was a bit of a wash out during the day. However, the rain stopped in time for Laura and Reggie to take in the Cardinals-Rangers game. After being VERY hot and humid, the rain brought the temperature down to the upper 60s by first pitch. It was a perfect evening. Big thanks to Mimi and Papa for watching the kids (even though we know that there is no "work" when it comes to watching your grandkids:) ).

Aubs and Papa

On Sunday morning, we took the kids over to our friends Leah and Rashad's house so they could meet our Aubrey. Luckily, both kids were very well behaved, and Henry didn't break anything. However, I do apologize for any rocks in their yard that I was unable to locate and put back into the landscaping!!!

Leah and Aubrey

Later Sunday, Laura took Aubs to a family henfest, aka cousin Amie's baby shower. All the aunts and cousins were happy to see Aubrey again, and all took turns holding our little lady. Later, Reggie brought Henry up to the event to see everyone and run off some energy before we hit the road back to KC.

Aunt Pam and Aubs

Mimi and the Aunts



Cousin Kristi and our girl!

If you are wondering how our drive back to KC went, please refer to the first column. However, you must add in torrential rainstorms!

Week 11 - Father's Day



Summer Fun!

This week brought Reggie's first Father's Day with Aubrey. To celebrate the day, the whole family loaded up and headed down to Carl Junction to visit Papa and Grandma Rosie's house. Our little girl got lots of love, and can't wait to go down when she is a bit bigger so she can ride in the golf cart with her brother!

Ridin' in style!

Henry stayed in Carl Junction through Wednesday, so Laura and I took advantage of the situation and were able to take Aubrey on a tour restaurants that don't serve grilled cheese or macaroni and cheese! It was like turning back the clock to 2010. Laura and I were able to have adult conversations, all while the baby slept!

  

Happy Father's Day!

 Earlier in the week, Henry's daycare held their annual field trip to the zoo. Henry loved the polar bear and lion exhibits. The temperature was around 97 that day, so we decided against putting Aubrey in the Baby Bjorn. Luckily for us and Aubs, we found out that one of the viewing spots for the lions was enclosed and air conditioned. We happened to come up on this location right at Aubrey was getting hungry. Perfect timing! (well, not for the guys that were sitting on the next bench in the back of the exhibit - Laura quickly found that she was alone back there :) ).

What you can't see is Henry off-camera growling like a lion and scaring Aubs!

 Laura must be driving our Bob stroller like she's a Mario Andretti, because while walking back from the 'Africa' exhibit, one of Aubrey's back tires blew on us! As you would guess, this was literally the furthest point from zoo entrance. So, Aubrey had to endure a not-so comfortable ride all the way back to the entrance. Note - A stroller with a blown back right tire pulls significantly to the right as you push it!



Aubrey looks on with jealous eyes...



This week also marked the start of the Bogarts being members at the city pool. It is perfect for us as parents - Henry loves playing in the water, and Aubs loves sitting in the shade outside. We even let her dabble her toes into the water (no response one way or the other).

My new bed!!!



Developmentally, Aubrey continues to grow quickly, and now is having issue fitting into certain 0-3 clothes due to her length. She is also now sleeping full-time in her crib! It was hard at first for Laura to give up knowing her baby was sleeping right next to her, but it has been great overall. In addition, Aubs only wakes up once/night (if that) to eat! In fact, there are mornings that Laura has to wake her up before heading to the gym to force her to eat/"relieve" :)

  



Aubs looked bored; thanks Henry!

Week 10 This Girl can eat

Bath time!!!

This week was filled with lots of visits. In addition to the walks Laura takes Aubrey on with her friends and their kids, Aunt Allison came over on Friday for dinner. While Henry was at a makeup swim lesson, Allison arrived and cared for Aubrey while Reggie cooked for everyone. It is SOOOO nice when you can make a dinner uninterupted by the need to change diapers, rock the baby, etc. :)

On Saturday we hit up brunch with Aunt Jen and her friend Sara (Henry's old flame). Aubrey was very well mannered, especially considering her big brother kept sticking his face in front of hers and singing and messing with her Wub-a-nub! Later that evening, Laura took Aubs to an engagement party at her friend Mary's house. From the reports I received, Aubs was great, and all the hens were able to get their "baby fix" covered off!

While Laura was at the party, Papa Rick came up to attend a Royals game with Reggie on Sunday afternoon. Unfortunately, he didn't get a lot of time with the little lady due to the party, but he definitely got in some quality time Sunday before the game (when Henry wasn't forcing him to race or swing).

 



Those shots hurt so bad she made a dirty diaper!

 This week also brought Aubrey's 2-month checkup. As expected, our little girl is certainly growing. Her 2-month stats are: length- 23 inches,  weight- 10lbs 15oz.  That's a 3 pound weight gain since her last appointment at 2-weeks. Keep it up!!! Of course, the 2-month appointment means a round of shots for our little girl. Henry didn't seem to mind them too much. His sister was not the same. We definitely heard a type of cry out of Aubrey that we have never heard before! Poor girl, it took her about 5 minutes after the shot to calm down. You know, it is funny how much baby-related stuff you just forget after your first kid. I found myself asking some of the same questions that we did back in 2010 after Henry was born. For instance, we couldn't remember when it is appropriate to start using sunscreen on her, how frequently a 2-month old should be bathed, or how long it should take for her to lose her "Uncle Sal" shoulder hair!

Can we ever say 'no' to this face?



Henry loves holding "his baby"





Week 9 - Getting 'cultured'

Deep down, Aubrey really does like this!






Friday morning selfie!



This week we started Henry in a 2-week swimming lesson program, so Aubrey was able to soak up a lot of rays by the pool for 30 minutes each night this week (kidding-she was shaded the whole time!). As expected, she was an angel each day. This kid just loves being outside! What she does not love (along with her parents) is her brother messing his swim diaper and then coming up and giving kisses!



Over the weekend, the whole family hit up the Prairie Village art fair and for lunch. Much like with Henry, we want to ensure that Aubrey grows up able to appreciate the finer things in life :) One cool thing we were able to do at the fair is make a painted tile of Aubrey's foot. And best of all, it was free!!!




Developmentally, Aubrey is starting to really take to the mobile in her crib, and ceiling fans in general. If it calms that little girl for 20 minutes so we can get stuff done, I am all for it! We have her two month checkup next week, so updated stats to follow. She seems to be growing at a very good pace. How else can you explain her 'trucker belches'?

Baby Balboa

Week 8 - Memorial Day weekend

This week ushered in the ceremonial beginning to summer, with Memorial Day over the weekend. It has become an annual tradition that we all pack up and head up to St. Joseph to Scott and Ashley Albers' house for their annual pool party. The water was much too cold for anyone who was either 1) older than 3, or 2) sober. :) Aubs was relegated to sitting in a bouncy seat in the shade, but didn't seem to mind one bit. The conditions were perfect for a long infant nap!

Pool party!

On Monday, Laura and Reggie went to the Cards-Royals game with the grandpas and a number of friends. Due to weather, our house became the impromptu spot for our tailgate, which allowed some of our friends who hadn't met Aubrey yet to hold her. For the game itself, Mimi and Grandma Rosie were kind enough to stay back and take 'baby bullets' for the remainder of the afternoon from Henry and Aubrey.

Tailgating!

The Andersons



Mimi and Papa forced that Cards shirt on Henry. It has since been burned....





Seeing who has the bigger roar!



We (along with Aunt Jen) also took the kids to the Deanna Rose Farm during the week so that Henry could see all the animals. Aubrey, obviously, could care less about where we were. She just loved being outdoors!



Our little family



 



How can I get some of that milk that Henry is feeding to those goats? I'm hungry!





All clean!!!



Developmentally, Aubrey continues to smile a lot now, or at least when she isn't hungry, tired, or about to dirty a diaper. :) She really takes to bathtime now, just like her brother!

  

Week 7 First Smile & Mother's Day

The week kicked off with Mother's Day. Since Mom and Dad didn't really plan out the month of the birth real well, there was no birthstone gift as with Henry (I mean, just poor planning to have a baby in the 'diamond month!') :) Laura did, however, wake up to a new Keurig and gift Henry had made at school that week. We all hit up brunch with Mimi and Papa on the Plaza, before heading home to go on a long family walk. Aubrey (and Henry) is so lucky to have who she has as her mom!

Mimi, Laura, and our little lady

The weather has finally started to turn to being more spring-like. No one could be happier about this than Laura and Aubrey. The girls are finally getting to go on extended walks through the neighborhood or around Franklin park with friends. As an added bonus, we have found that the outdoors really will calm Aubs down. As such, her an Laura are starting spend extended time out on the deck. Aubrey hangs in her bouncy seat while Laura shops online.

Out for a walk with Mom!

Over the weekend, Grandma Janith came and visited the kids. It was her first time seeing Aubrey since her birth, so needless to say she was excited! On Friday, her and Aunt Allison watched Henry while we took Aubrey to a graduation/going-away party for our friend and ex-neighbor Corey. On Saturday, we were all off to the park, primarily to run some energy out of HBo!

Grandma Janith and Aubs

Saturday afternoon we all went to a birthday party for our friends' son, Reece Lorei. The party was a blast, complete with a pinata. And you know, it isn't a party unless you have a bunch of 2-4yr. olds swinging a metal bat at something! :) Aubrey looked cute, as always, and luckily was very well behaved. Of course, the party was outside so that probably really helped!

Two big brothers out on patrol to keep baby sisters safe!

Laura continues to work with Aubrey on 'tummy time' at home. She is getting better about being on the mat for longer periods of time, and this week started to actually grab for some of the items hanging off the activity mat. Also, she is now sleeping in her swing for up to 40 minutes at a time. This is indirectly making our house a much cleaner place to live :)