No pain, no gain (or loss)

Okay, so it's Friday. And I'm still hurting. Badly. Wednesday marked Aubrey and my first ever Stroller Strides (a Mommy-and-me style exercise) class. I had seen these ladies zipping around the mall before, and thought, "I can do that!" What fun it would be to get Aubrey a nap and myself some exercise, while meeting some other moms. So when my friend Michelle (who's got a 2 1/2 year old and a newbie herself) suggested we sign up, I was hesitant but willing.

The hesitancy comes not from the fact that I don't need the exercise (which I DO), but from the fact that I'm completely uncoordinated in these types of situations, and obviously so. I can't really fake it very well, and I kind of stick out like a sore thumb.

In any case, we went for the first time on Wednesday, and found out that these mamas aren't foolin' around. Some have been attending this class for a year or longer, while pushing double jogging strollers filled with two children between the ages of 2 and 4. As I huffed and puffed my way through an hour long class, these ladies gracefully zipped past me like I was standing still. And when one of them suggested I bring Camryn along next time, the only thought that went through my mind was , "Not a chance, lady. That's an extra 33 pounds I'd have to push!"

So here I am, two days later, limping along. My quads are still on fire, and the thought of walking up one stair, let alone an entire flight of them is unimaginable. Michelle and I are still heading out for a walk this morning, but we're skipping the class, and letting our wounds heal until next week.

I will go back, and I will be miserable, but it's good for me. Eventually it won't be so difficult, and I'll be glad I pushed my stroller behind that tiny little lady propelling her two giant toddlers effortlessly. For now though, only my tiny ten pounder gets this free ride, as I bring up the rear of the stroller train.

Big and Little

I'm not sure what these two said to each other just before I took their picture, but they appear to have some sort of inside joke between them. Should I be worried yet?

Two months!

Aubrey is officially two months old! Where has the time gone? She is awake much more of the time now, and is happy to smile, coo, and interact with us. At her two month appointment yesterday, she weighed in at a whopping 10 pounds even. She is in the 25th percentile for both height and weight, and the doctor is pleased with her growth. We're pleased too, with both her newly round belly and cheeks, and her budding personality.

Big kid stuff

Camryn loves to show her baby sister how to do "big kid" stuff, like play with play dough, wash her hands, write her ABCs, etc. She is very intentional and very loving about it too, and for now, Aubrey is happy to listen, and coo in agreement.

Someday soon however, I'm afraid little sister might not be so willing to comply. After all, Camryn has been accused of being bossy in the past. (MY child!?!?) I'm not sure yet how Camryn will react to her little sister gaining independence, but if she's anything like my sister and I were, I'd better invest in some earplugs now, as there may be a fair bit of shrieking to be heard. After all, as much as we'd like to, we firstborns cannot always have everything be "just so" forever.


Grandpa got suckered into a game of Candyland. (Definitely a big kid activity. Also one that Mom and Dad can hardly stand to participate in anymore. Feel free to stop by anytime you feel the urge to be beat handedly at a board game by a 3 year old.)

Another big kid activity that Camryn and Mommy love to do together is to bake. Camryn has certain "jobs" throughout the process, including dumping in the chocolate chips, which of course have to be sampled! ;)

Short sleeves

Hooray! Yesterday we had 80 degree "short sleeves" weather! We broke out the shorts and the shades, and we had fun playing outside and working in the yard. It felt so good to get a few rays.

Smiles!

We finally captured a few for you...

Getting so big!

Yesterday, Aubrey turned seven weeks old. (By the way, how did THAT happen?) Just in the last week or two she's really started changing a lot. She looks much less like a spindly newborn, and has rounded out to look more like a "real baby." When we go in for her 2 month appointment soon, I somehow think they won't be so concerned about her weight anymore. What do you think?

Miss Blue Eyes

If Brian had his way, we could somehow ensure that Aubrey would keep her deep blue eyes. I think he is desperate to pass on some semblance of himself in our children. We always get comments about how much Camryn looks like me, and so far Aubrey resembles a bit more of him than myself. She's still got those newborn baby blue eyes, and we're hoping she keeps them. Some days, if the light hits her face just right, they do look like her daddy's true blue peepers. Maybe Daddy will get his wish...

Peter Pan syndrome

Yesterday as I drove Camryn home from school, she shared something with me that must have been weighing heavily on her mind. The conversation went something like this:

"Mama, I don't wanna get growd up."
"You don't? Why?"
"Just cuz. I just wanna be yike a kid."
"Well sweetie, you still get to be a kid for a long time."
"Yeah. Yike for a whole week."

The concept of time is still very abstract to her. Whether something happened yesterday or six months ago, if it's in the past, it happened "last night." So, I think the idea of "a whole week" was reassuring, because in her mind it's a very long time.

She seemed satisfied with my answer, and was pleased to go about her day knowing she could just enjoy being a kid. What I didn't tell her was that I want her to stay a kid for a whole lot longer than "a whole week."

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Yesterday was Daddy's big 3-1. When I told Camryn how old he would be (everyone's age is very important in her world right now), she said, "Whoa! Dats a yot!" (He would love to know I am sharing this with all of you...)

In any case, Camryn and I shopped, wrapped, decorated and baked for Daddy's big day, which in itself was an adventure. Her favorite part was icing the cake (Can you tell?), and although she did share with him the surprise she picked out for him (she just couldn't hold it in!), I think he did indeed have a happy day. As for Aubrey, well, I think she was just mad that she didn't get any cake with her milk. :)

It's springtime!

This week we visited the Woodburn Tulip Festival at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm. Since Camryn was tiny, it's been a bit of a tradition to take her there each year and take her photo in and amongst the tulips. This year we thought we'd include Aubrey, and although she went with us, she decided she wasn't participating in the photo aspect. It was a beautiful day, and although the fields weren't quite in full bloom yet, and a fair few of local crazies were out and about, we had a good time.

We call this Camryn's "yuppie photo."
With her shades and her Starbucks drink of choice (Tall, 1% milk, hold the foam), we were off!

Daddy and Camryn in the "yeyyow" tulips.

The whole fam. (Note Aubrey's pink hat peeking out of the sling. That's as good as her photos get!)

Mommy's favorite pink tulip. :)

Little Peanut

Whatcha doin' Mom?

Hee, hee! I'll play along... "Cheese!"

I don't wanna play this game anymore!

For the love of Pete! Stop with the photos!!!

When you're smilin'...

It's been about a week and a half now that Miss Aubrey has been flashing us some big, gummy grins. This is my best (however feeble) attempt at capturing one on film. It seems that no matter how many I take, I can't quite record one of her smiles in all it's heart-melting glory. When I do though, I'll be sure to share!