Aubrey Video

We're home!

My dad put together this wonderful little video for us. Enjoy!

Aubrey's official arrival

7 lbs 15 1/2 oz

19 in

I remembered the camera tonight. We had another good day at the hospital. Maybe Aubrey will be our quiet, easy going child. Kari and Joel have made a few stops a day, and really have had a good time (for about 20 minutes before one of them announces that they are ready to go).

Andrea is doing about as good as expected, and I was encouraged to see her all ready for the day when I made it in this morning.

We have decided today that she is definitely a mix of the siblings, and I am hoping for Auburn hair when all is said and done.

Us with Baby Aubrey

Joel-boy with baby sister (once he finally warmed up to the idea)

Kari has been loving Aubs from the minute she met her ( some folks would think of Bree for a nickname, I prefer Aubs. Andrea is in the former category).

Aubrey getting printed. She has her daddy's freaky toes, a Miller family (my mom) trait that Eric, Ryan and I all have been blessed with. Is it common to have a second toe longer than the first one? It's either that, or else Uncle Brian's huge feet.

We have already had so much support from Grandmas, Grandpas, Aunts, Uncles, cousins, other family, friends and other well wishers. Thanks to all for making this a wonderful experience. We can't wait for you to meet her. I am planning on bringing Andrea and Aubrey home tomorrow sometime.

Should have thought this one through

The box of beans has stayed up in the closet for many months, and today Kari asked if she and Joel could play with them. I agreed, thinking it would entertain the kids for a while while I got a couple things done around the house, and then it would take them a while to pick them up, too. Well, it did entertain them. They played beautifully with the beans on the sheet, using the measuring cups and funnels appropriately. Then phone rang. While I was on the phone, things got a little out of control. The "swimming" began, sheet and cups abandoned, and soon beans were strewn about our entire living room. I got out the camera because both kids were having so much fun, but then I (9 months pregnant) spent the next half hour on my hands and knees picking up beans with my children, who it turns out are not capable of picking them all up by themselves. Not such a brilliant idea after all. I'll be smarter next time.

"Free" Money

I just received a check for $5.84 today in the mail and decided I had to pass on this gem of information. In the past three years I've gotten $41.57 of "free" money just from shopping online through Ebates. If you haven't heard of it, it's great! It's a site that gives you a percentage of cash back, anywhere between 1% and 25%, of what you spend. Any time we order anything online, I go to Ebates and see if the store/site is affiliated with them, and if they are, I click on the store through the Ebates page, and I get "free" money! We don't do a ton of online shopping, but getting money back when we do sure is nice. Try it. It works.

Baby News

I've kept most of the pregnancy/baby related info to our Baby Moffat blog, but this is family blog-worthy news. We have an induction date (for a variety of reasons which you can read more about on the other blog if you're curious)--February 25th. So, unless Aubrey decides to come sooner, we will be a family of five next Monday!

Zoo Day

The sunny weather prompted a trip to the zoo this morning. Joel has always been fascinated with the fake bears near the entrance. They're one of his favorite attractions--ironic, isn't it?

The orangutangs are one of my favorite exhibits, but the last several times we've gone, they have been asleep in the corners and all covered up. Today they were actually awake and playing. This one was looking at us (very interested in the pretzels we were eating) until I brought out the camera. Then he (or she?) lost interest.

Snack time

Unfortunately, I didn't get a photo of the highlight of this zoo trip. I sat on a bench and waited (too much walking for this pregnant mommy) while Greg took the kids through Lorekeet Landing. They were in there a long time, so I figured they must have been having fun. They fed the birds a cup of nectar, and at one point there were eight birds sitting on Joel and Kari. They loved it!

Towers

The blocks provided a solid 45 minutes of fun this Valentine's Day morning. Separate towers are always a good idea when you have a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old.

Down a week

Well, it's not often I go a whole week without blogging. I have been sick this whole last week, and I'm finally starting to feel alive again. It was a doosy! Put me totally out of commission. Greg has been Super Dad/Husband once again. Joel was sick with a high fever for three days in the midst of it all, too, so things haven't been so great around here. Nothing like sickness to make you thankful for wellness! I'll try to take/post some pictures of the kids again soon once everyone is recovered and life gets back to "normal."

(Only 2-3 more weeks until Aubrey comes!)

Home again

Well, I got back Sunday afternoon from my weekend away at the beach. It really was a good time with all the other ladies. I'm glad I went. We had good company, good conversation, good food, and just a good time doing whatever we wanted. That said, I'm not sure I would go on another retreat/get-away at 8 months pregnant. I was soooooo tired by the end of the weekend!

Greg and the kids had a great weekend here at home. They went and played in the snow up in Sandy, visited other family, ate pizza, and watched some movies. I did hear Kari had a rather unique look on at church on Sunday--polka-dot dress, striped tights, pigtails + headbands, and sparkle shoes--but I'm sure she was thrilled at being allowed to choose her whole outfit.

I'm happy to be home.