New slippers are cool!

Aubree got a new pair of white kitty slippers for Christmas and she decided they are great for being very fast in. She took off her jammies and ended up running around in her t-shirt, diaper and slippers. It was a very funny site to see.

Christmas 2006

Christmas is fun with an almost 2 year old. We want to keep the real reason for the season in focus, even now while she is little so I've been doing a small Advent calendar with her this month. Everyday she would get to open the little wooden door and pull out a character of the story of Jesus' birth and also a little candy. She struggled with being content at only doing one door per day, she was starting to get the hang of it by the end.

Christmas morning she got up and cuddled with Daddy on the couch and then we opened her presents before having Christmas brunch.

Aubree is sleeping in her big girl bed!

This is Aubree's first time napping in her bed.

Aubree is now sleeping in her big girl bed! I really wasn't sure if it was going to happen before the baby arrived, but it has. I had decided in my mind on Thursday it was time to switch, expecting a possible time of struggle. Nap time came and I told her she is going to sleep in her big girl bed and she climbed right up in it like "no big deal" and she hasn't given us any problems at all. She doesn't even climb out on her own. She calls to "Mom" like she always has and waits for me to come in before she gets up. Thank you Lord!

Jess has been sick

Wednesday night while I was cooking supper I started to not feel not quite right. I ended up having strong achey pains in my upper abdomin and the sides of my back. After 3 hours of this I called the doctor just to check. The doctor couldn't tell me over the phone what was going on so Scot & I went in to the maternity ward just to be safe(about 10pm). Mom & Dad G came over to sit at the house while Aubree slept.
Thankfully, it was not busy at all on the maternity ward and they hooked me up in triage and began monitoring the baby. The baby was doing fine. I was having some small contractions but not correlating to the pains I was feeling.
Then very suddenly, it struck. I was going to throw up. And I did. A lot. I had one of those little kidney bean shaped dishes that became completely useless to me after the first heave (bummer I had eaten dinner....) Scot & the nurses were so awesome to comfort me and take care of my mess, they cleaned me and themselves up. Yuck!
After this episode, the pains pretty much went away. But now I was having pretty regular contractions, not big ones but consistant. They checked my cervix and was dilated to 1 1/2 and I was 50 % effaced. The doctor wasn't comfortable with the number of contractions I was having (every 2 minutes) and also wanted to monitor if I was progressing. I am only 34 weeks along. They gave me a couple bags of fluid and also a couple of shots of breathine to stop the contractions. Everything finally settled down and we were able to go home about 2 am.
The next morning I found out my mom was sick too (so this was a virus) and I had a follow up appt. with my doctor. He is very confident that the contractions were due to the dehydration and irritation from the virus. I had not progressed any further and so I was able to go and just recover from the bug - but thankfully no bed rest restrictions! Also big blessings - neither Scot nor Aubree came down with anything!
Reality has settled in though - we have a baby coming very soon. Time to get prepared!

Aubree singing

Scot and Aubree were singing songs on the way home one day including "Row, Row, Row your boat". We have a book that lists 3 verses to that song including a "rock, rock, rock your boat" verse. After they were home Scot caught Aubree just singing to herself and was smart enough to catch it on tape. This is one of the first times Aubree has been singing an identifiable song. She is saying "Rock, Rock, a boat, a stream, merrily, merrily".

Aubree on the trampoline at Grandma's

This is my first try with posting video.....let's hope it works!

Where did these cute little kids go?

This is a picture of me and my brother Dustin when we were probably something like 3 and 6. We were at Grandma Sayers' house holding the kitties (one of my favorite things, especially as a child). I love this picture - it takes me back to the carefree days of being a kid and playing outside - being all grubby and blissfully happy.

My big brother was my buddy -especially at Grandma's house, we had a favorite tree we would always climb - until Grandma found out and wouldn't let us anymore!

My due date for the baby is February 1st, which also happens to be my brother's birthday. It would be pretty cool to have my baby on his birthday. So, Dustin this picture is for you! May our kids have fun memories like this one!
-Jess

Oh, how we are all grown up...

It is a special thing to have a group of friends that have been around since preschool days....or before. We don't see each other very often these days (especially all of us together) but whenever we do it is just like it has always been. We were fortunate to all make it to Jeanna's baby shower earlier this month. It was SO great to see everyone.

Jeanna & Jess showing off their pregnant bellies.

(Yes, here I finally am in all my glory. I'm carrying this child WAY out front!)

Heidi, Jeanna, Jill, Abbie, Shannon, Jessica

Sayers Family Thanksgiving / Christmas

Ethan & Aubree

There is something special about family and somehow kids just know who is in theirs. Ethan & Aubree see each other just a few times per year but they know they are cousins and they really like each other. This year we had a Thanksgiving/Christmas Saturday all together. Everyone was there (even Joe & Shannon's dog Vern) and it was nice to have everyone together.

Good times on the trampoline!

Aubree & David - Best Buddies

Starting in December I will be on "maternity leave" from watching David. The rest time is needed but Aubree & I are going to miss having that little bundle of energy at our house every Wednesday.

Elmo shirt from Texas

Daddy brought Aubree a shirt home from his trip to Texas. It was a very cool Elmo shirt. Aubree is enjoying her red shirt and a red fruit roll-up.Aubree likes to crawl through the "tunnel" on the coffee table. Now since I took this picture, everytime Aubree crawls in her tunnel she says "Cheese!"

Message for Daddy - Night 4

Dear Daddy,

Yea! This is our last night without you. Today was another busy day, but very good. Mommy took me uptown and we went to a place that I was very bored at, but Mommy said she had to get her prescription filled. Then we went to see Grandma Lo at her work! Then we went to McDonald's for lunch and I got a toy that had stickers in it, I love stickers! Mommy needed to do a little shopping and I got a sucker from the bank, I love suckers! I really needed a nap so we finally went home and when I saw my bed I have a happy laugh, I was SO tired. But Mommy came in to wake me up about an hour later - I wasn't ready to get up but Mommy gave me Bob & Larry fruit snacks and that made me feel better (I had a lot of treats today). We had to go pick up Nate & Carina from school. That was fun. We came home and had apples & popcorn for a snack and watched my Care Bear movie. Nate & NaNa's grandma came to pick them up and then we went to Aunt Julie's for dinner. I ran around and played with my cousins! I was very tired tonight so Mommy brought me home and put me to bed. I said "Daddy" when we got home hoping you would be inside. Mommy said tomorrow we will pick you up from the airport. It is raining outside, I think I'm going to sleep really good tonight. I REALLY miss you Daddy! It was nice, Mommy let me climb on her today a little like I do you. I can't wait for you to come home so I can tackle you and rough and tumble. I can't wait to show you how I don't like to walk - I hop, skip and jump!
Do-do very much,
Little Lynnie Loo
(Mama's punka pie)

Message for Daddy - Night 3

Dear Daddy,

Tonight the letter is from Mommy. We had a busy day - I worked & Aubree went to Aunt Christine's house (they are leaving for Miami tomorrow by the way). We had a nice evening - the Reinke's came over and brought dinner and we watched Survivor together. It was a fun evening - it went really fast. Aubree went to bed really well, she was pretty tired.
Good news...only 1 more night without you!
I have to give you a little scolding - someone left their work knife in your basket with the blade OPEN even - Aubree found it. Fortunately, I saw her grab it right away so all is well. Please never leave it there again :) Miss me, don't ya?

We miss you very much. Little baby is kicking and moving a lot too.
Hugs & Kisses,
Jess (Mommy) and
Aubree Lynn

Message for Daddy - Night 2

Dear Daddy,

Today was a very normal day. David was at our house and we played all day. We had fun making a big mess with all the toys. Mommy & me got to have dinner with Grandma Lo & Grandpa. It was fun - I love french fries! I hoped when we got home you would be there but Mom keeps saying you won't be home until Saturday (whatever that means). I'm being a very good girl for Mommy, she is giving me lots of extra kisses for you.

Do-do,
Auber Lynnie Loo

PS - Note from Mommy: I forgot the garbage but I did finally think to get the mail tonight. I'm lost without you (at least with the garbage & mail....) LOVE YOU TONS, Miss you tons!
-Jess

Message for Daddy - Night 1

Dear Daddy,

Today was a fun day. After we took you to the airport Mommy & me had lunch with Aunt Julie at Burger King. I ate all my burger and fries and I got a toy penguin. When we came home I played for a while and then I took a nap. I didn't want a nap at first, Mommy had to come in a few times and tell me to lay down and go to sleep. After dinner Aunt Julie came over with the boys and we had ice cream together. Mommy let me eat it all by myself out of a bowl like a big girl. I did really good. I ran around and had lots of fun with my cousins. After they left I took a bath (my diaper rash is still pretty bad). I realized you weren't home when I came running out of the bathroom after bathtime and I went looking for you (like I always do after bath) saying, "Daddy, Daddy" and Mommy said you weren't home. (Mommy felt a little sad) After I got my jammies on Mommy read some books and put me to bed. I asked for you again when Mommy was saying prayers. We prayed for you.
I love you, I miss you, I can't wait to see you on Saturday. Have fun in Dallas.
Love,
Your girls
Aubree Lynnie
and Mommy too

Where can you take a nap?

In your bed....

On the couch...

On the kitchen floor?...

I was cooking dinner and I turned around to find Aubree laying on the floor. She had brought out her pillow, blanket and teddy and was saying "Night, night." She is such a crazy girl.

A morning with David & Aubree

On Wednesday's I get to watch little David Dana while his Mommy goes to work. David & Aubree are best buddies. They LOVE to play together (most of the time) and are always excited to see each other. They will be hugging & kissing one moment and the next they are pushing & yelling at each other. Every Wednesday is full of fun and excitement and they ALWAYS make me laugh with the funny things they come up with together.

Breakfast time!

Watching a little Disney Channel.

Having fun with crackers and crayons.

Aha! The culprit is an ear infection...

Just a little update...I took Aubree to the doctor today and she has an ear infection. We will be giving her an antibiotic and I'm sure things will turn a corner. I'm starting to feel a little better myself (thank you Sudafed) and now it is hitting Scot the worst. Hopefully, all will be mostly cleared up before this weekend - Scot & I are going on an overnight retreat with our Small Church group (and we are going to be leading worship). We would certainly appreciate any prayers for that.

We've been sick this weekend....

Starting Thursday afternoon Aubree woke up from her nap with a fever. From then on it's been yucky cold symptoms and mild fever. Her nose is running like a faucet, she's totally plugged up and she has a nasty cough. Her eyes are so red & glassy. We are praying it won't end up in her lungs - but if it does we have a nebulizer and can give her breathing treatments.

She just got up from her nap and was caring for her baby, I had to snap a picture. Even though she is feeling cruddy she still gave me a "cheese" for the pictures. A couple minutes later she was laying on the floor with her face down....no apparent reason. Poor lil girl. I've been able to get her to eat some fruit today and drink a little Pedialite. I'm praying she will turn the corner and perk up soon - I don't like it when she is sick.

Go Lions!

Last Sunday we headed down to Detroit for the Lion's Game. It was a last minute surprise and ended up being a really fun day!
had lunch at Johnny Rockets just outside the Tiger's Stadium before the game.

That was the best hamburger I have ever had - and the onion rings were really yummy too!

Troy & Christine enjoyed their burger and onion rings too...

Here is Ford Field, it was a very cool experience. My first time at a NFL game.

Troy, Christine, & Jess hangin' out at Ford Field - Troy is in shock that the Lion's pulled off a win!! It was their first victory this season - they must have done it just for us.

Go Tigers!! It was a great weekend for Detriot...the Tiger's won the American League penant (qualifying for the World Series) the day before.

It was such a beautiful sunny day, just a blast. One of the highlights of my day was finding the cinnamon roasted almond vendor at Ford Field (I only saw one small booth). I got my almonds and enjoyed the rest of the game (they were gone before we got home).

A Visit to the Pumpkin Patch

We had a lot of fun picking out pumpkins this year. Aubree loved running around the pumpkin patch. At one point (after she had touched every single pumpkin there) she decided that rocks were more fun than pumpkins and occupied herself by picking up rocks and playing in dirt. It was such a beautiful morning - just ideal for being outside in the fall. We decided to pick out a pumpkin for everyone in our family (including baby) and Aubree ended up with two....although we could say that one is for Ernie the dog. Of course, Scot picked out the biggest pumpkin there - it has got to be close to 50 pounds of pumpkin. I just enjoyed the family fun and tried to take a lot of pictures. We owe a big thank you to Dan for letting us come get pumpkins (and corn stalks) for our fall decorations. They are currently making our front porch very festive.

Where is summer going?...

Gettin' Ready for Bed

This is a great time of year, the weather is cooling down and snuggly footy pajamas are the best end-of-day remedy.