Doesn't get any better than this

Look at my wonderful family! Awwwwwww!

Bumble Bee Meltdown

I had high expectations for our little ones' first Halloween. And, well, we all know how that usually ends up. Year after year, I watched my sister take her babies around to each grandparents house on a Halloween parade. It seemed easy enough. And she had FOUR of them! Six month olds love trick-or-treating, right? If you've been following my blog, you are laughing, thinking I should know better with my spirited daughter.

Alas, I present you with a chronological photo account of the first hour of Aubrey's first Halloween.

Um...okay, maybe this bumble bee dress-up thing is not so bad.

Well, actually, I am not so sure

Nope, definitely not for me. Can't you see how ridiculous these feet are?

Omigosh, get me outta this thing! I can't take it anymore!

Needless to say, we went straight home. No trick-or-treating this year. We'll let you know how next year goes.

Aubrey at the Park

I think the caption of this gallery should be, "My lame parents took me to the park and made me pose on stupid stuff made for babies. I'm so above that."

5 month Pics

Look at our little Cyclone! If only the game would have been a little bit better this year.

Independent Aubrey

Aubrey turned six months old this weekend! I can't believe how fast it has gone and how much has happened in such a short time. She amazes me more every day as she shows me all of the things she can do on her own. Kyle and I have joked about how she has big things on her mind and a little body holding her back...she has never acted like a baby. Even as a newborn, she did not want to be cradled or rocked very often. It made her happiest to see the world, so we held her on her side often and let her look out the window or go outside when she was fussy.

In fact, I blame her lack of mobility for her fussiness. She always seemed frustrated and only began to calm when she was old enough to move on her own and communicate.

Proud as I am when I think of what a strong girl she will grow up to be, as a mother, this personality can be challenging. This is especially true for me because I want to cuddle, kiss and shower her with affection as much as I can. The truth is, she doesn't need it or want it sometimes and when your deepest instincts are to nurture, it can be difficult to strike a balance. I am confident, however, that my instinct to keep her close will not get in the way of my common sense which tells me to let her be her own person. And if it does...I'm pretty sure she'll steer me in the right direction.

I found this mother/baby horoscope and thought it was all-too appropriate:

Nurturing by nature, you fit the parenting role like a hand fits a glove, but your fearless, independent Aries child may not need the close-knit, stable home life you try so hard to provide. Your little one is all energy and spontaneity, while you're more sensitive and tenderhearted.

Your instinct is to keep your loved ones close, but your little Aries wants to strike out and challenge the world on his own terms. Hot-tempered from an early age, his anger flares up fast, which will hurt your feelings sometimes, even though his fury also extinguishes itself quickly. Even when your little one isn't upset, his assertive communication style could rub you the wrong way, but he can also inspire you to have more fun with life. Above all, lighten up with this child. You want to protect him, but he wants to blaze his own trail in life.

Mom and Dad take a trip

For the last two years, Kyle and I have been planning a trip to Vegas for our 5th anniversary. Finally, the time came and we had to leave the little one and go for a long weekend with just the two of us...and 40 of our friends from college. So, it might not have been a quiet and romantic getaway, but it was just the way we liked it: fun, friends and Vegas. Who doesn't love Vegas?

I thought leaving Aubrey would be much harder than it actually turned out to be. Once I was on the plane, I was excited to have some time to spend with my husband that didn't involve a conversation about what color the latest poop was or whether we should buy the thicker wipes, even if they are a little more expensive.

Aubrey meets Uncle Dan

We were very blessed to be able to welcome Kyle's brother, Daniel back from his second tour of duty in Iraq last Saturday. The pride and excitement were overwhelming! Smiles and tears were on everyone's face as he met his niece for the first time. Life doesn't get much better than that!