Oh, Christmas Tree

We started a new family tradition this year by going to a Christmas tree farm and selecting and cutting our own live tree.  Aubrey slept through the majority of the experience, but mommy and daddy had a good time thoroughly inspecting way too many trees until settling on the right one (note to the live tree selection virgins: we liked one, proceeded to look around for another hour, only to circle back to our original choice so our advice is to take the first one that speaks to you - you won't find a better tree).  Our only disappointment was the fact that the live trees don't give off that fresh pine scent until you saw them down, meaning that we didn't get to peruse the trees while sniffing that familiar christmas-y smell . . . otherwise, it was a lot of fun and we hope our family will enjoy this as a tradition from now on.

missing: snow

who gave this guy sharp tools?

trying to start a family tradition

aubrey is riveted 

sleepy and cute

standing by our first favorite tree, which would be the one we ultimately chose

cut it down!

there's that pine scent we've been missing

ready for the journey home for decorations

the finished product

the first 30 days are the hardest

ONE MONTH OLD!
(theory: if you can't get a photo without crying, then it's best to document what really happened)

"The first 30 days are the hardest..."  At least that's what everyone tells you.  Having had Aubrey in our lives for just over 30 days, it seems like this could be somewhat accurate, but it's hard to say whether they are really the "hardest," or whether that's precisely how long it takes to get accustomed to sleep deprivation and inconsolable crying.  It seems to me that maybe the first 30 days is just the breaking down process, wherein the new bundle of joy breaks down the parental figures through a rigorous process of laundry, diaper changes, bottle washings, nighttime feedings, post-spit up baths, and such, that after 30 days it's so routine, it just feels easier.  Or maybe it's a combination of that and the fact that once you've been in the trenches for 30 days, any silent, restful time is precious and if the parents can sleep more than 3-4 hours in a stretch, they feel like they've just been given the best Christmas gift ever.  Either way, we've made it through those first 30 days, and we've decided that we'd like to keep Aubrey around so I'd like to think we're doing a pretty good job.

This month has been full of "firsts" and exciting adventures for the little one, including: baths; walks; doctor visits; grandparents babysitting so parents can have date night; Target runs; coffee dates with mommy and daddy; Thanksgiving; visits from friends (including Erin and Alicia all the way from San Diego and Orange County!); tummy time; and starting a new family tradition of choosing and cutting a live Christmas tree.

Aubrey likes baths a lot more now than she did at first, and enjoys being held whenever possible.  The Moby wrap is great for this, because she can be held while mommy can still get stuff done around the house or running errands.  She is entertained for quite awhile on her play mat, and enjoys tummy time for 5-10 minute stretches (her neck is quite strong!).  She's a messy eater - even when hungry she's just a little lazy when it comes to eating and ends up with at least part of the bottle on her clothes.  She takes after her mommy and fights sleep because she doesn't want to miss out on anything exciting going on around her.  At almost five weeks old, she only has another week or two in newborn clothes, and will be graduating to 0-3 month sizes very soon - what a big girl!

Here are some photos from various activities throughout Aubrey's first month:

boo! tiny baby hanging out with daddy

first bath

first post-bath towel drying 

cuddle time with mommy

first walk

touchdown! Aubrey likes to sleep with her hands up here, or by her face so swaddling isn't her favorite

first time swinging

caught cat-napping

first time in the boppy! (she likes this because she feels like a big girl)

first tummy time!