The Countdown to Baby

We are now officially on a countdown until the baby is born. We have two weeks from Thursday before my official due date, but it could theoretically be any time now. We have almost everything ready. The crib is set up in our room, the swing and bouncy seat are cleaned, and some clothes have been washed up. Aubrey is in heaven using all of the baby things for her babies. She loves to put her baby in the swing and bouncy seat and has even figured out how to turn the music and vibration on. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. We'll see how well she wants to share her new "toys" with the new baby. She still loves to rub my belly and talk to the baby. Her latest thing is to give the baby hugs and kisses and tell him/her that she loves him/her. It's priceless! Calvin and I are getting excited and nervous at the same time. We are trying to figure out exactly what to do with Aubrey while I'm in the hospital - it's definitely different when you have another child to think about also. I'm hoping that she does well with the baby. She loves the baby at the babysitter's and she loves her cousin Clare. Granted, those babies leave and ours will stay at home with us always, but I'm hoping that she adjusts well and wants to help take care of the baby. Time will tell.

Aubrey is officially in her big girl bed and room. Her room has turned out very cute and she loves her new kitchen that she got for Christmas. She loves to make food and set the table. Each person, including her baby, gets a plate, silverware, and a cup to drink from. She loves to make soup for everyone. She has also become very independent. I hear the word "myself" all the time. She wants to do everything herself - take off her clothes, put things away, put on her coat, etc. These are all great sometimes, except when you're in a hurry or she is putting her coat on backwards and doesn't want help. It is nice that she can take off her hat, gloves, coat, and shoes by herself though. She loves to talk on the phone and does a pretty good job of holding a conversation, although she tends to shake her head instead of saying yes. She continues to make life interesting and fun!

Aubrey and Mommy

My belly as of Sunday - I don't feel like it can possibly get any bigger!

A Happy Holiday

We had a wonderful Christmas celebrating with family. Aubrey loved spending time with her aunts and cousins. She and Max did much better together this time. They actually played together some, although she is on a big "mine" kick, especially when it comes to her toys. She isn't so great at sharing. We are working on it. She also loved opening presents and was great at waiting her turn. We got her a kitchen for Christmas, and she got lots of dishes, food, and things to go in her new kitchen. She also got some baby stuff that she can use to change the baby's diaper. She loves it all!
My parents came last weekend and we painted the spare bedroom purple so that it could be Aubrey's big girl room. We bought her a new purple butterfly comforter to also go in her room. I wanted to move her over to her new room before the baby is born. Tonight is her third night sleeping in her big girl bed (a full sized bed). She looks so little and sweet sleeping in it. She isn't doing too bad. The first night she woke up and I had to go up there with her. The past two nights, she has woken up and made a little bit of noise, but has fallen back asleep on her own. She has been waking up earlier than normal though. The worst part about it is that she has cried hysterically when I leave every nightt so far. Calvin goes up after a few minutes and gets her to go right to sleep. I don't know what he does, but it works!
Aubrey's vocabulary continues to grow every day. She says so many things I couldn't even begin to list them all. She loves to play baby and with her kitchen. She also loves to play ball with her daddy and asks about him all day long.

I am looking forward to the baby being born. We are on a countdown of less than six weeks now. I am going to wash up some baby clothes tomorrow and put them in the nursery drawers. In the next few weeks, I need to get the small crib set up in our room and then get some of the other baby things down also. We are getting anxious!

Here are some pictures from the past few weeks that I thought you might enjoy!

Posing in front of the Christmas tree at Grandpa and Grandma Timm's house

Helping mommy make sugar cookie dough

Family picture before opening presents Christmas Eve night

Aubrey did NOT want to get her picture taken with Max in front of the Christmas tree. Max was oblivious to her crying.

Snacking with Grandpa and Maximus before opening presents

Aubrey was such a great helper passing out presents. She took her job very seriously and loved handing out presents.

Opening presents with mommy and daddy

Making sugar cookies

Aubrey did very well pressing the cookie cutter into the dough to cut out the cookies. She loved it!

Playing piano and singing songs with Aunt Jenna

Cheese! Aubrey loves to smile for the camera.

Like my new hat and outfit?

Clare and Aubrey showing off their matching hats from Aunt Kathy

The Wagner girls