Fear

Fear can be so consuming sometimes, can't it? Last Wed. I started bleeding and had no idea what the cause of it could be. It still had not stopped Sunday, so I made an appointment yesterday and got to have a sono to see the baby. The doctor found I had a blood clot inside the sac where the baby is growing 2 1/2 inches wide. Of course the sono made it appear enormous! I am supposed to take it easy for awhile until the clot goes away. The good news is, I get to have lots of sonograms, and I may even find out what I am having a week from Friday!
Fear still creeps in though, and I know it's not from God. I often look at the internet hoping to find comfort in things like this; and I never do! I looked on Baby Center and found a few moms who said they lost their baby with a similiar condition. Not the news I want to hear! I know their story is not mine, and the chances are this baby is going to be fine, but fear is still there.
Yesterday when we got to see the baby, I had a little voice in my head saying, "Don't get too attached to the baby." I know that thought was from Satan, but I still hate that I had that thought at all. In Isaiah 41:10, I am reminded that God is with me. "So do not fear, for I am with you;do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous hand." God has a life planned out for this baby, and my fear is not going to change anything. God is with me, and he is with this baby, and there is nothing more comforting than that! However, if you are reading this, please say a little prayer for Baby Cox!

My Little Bee

 It seems all I want to do in my spare time is sleep, so I have gotten very behind on the blogging! I apologize to my readers! I have gotten my appetite back though, and I do love Taco Bueno again! I really think I could eat there everyday. Is it sad that I lay in bed at night thinking about Combination Burritos, and Nacho Salads?

 Anyways, enough about that. I have told myself that I will get caught up on blogging this week! I still have not posted about Rod and I's trip to Cayman Islands, and I just can't skip that.

 Below are the pics from Halloween this year. I was so proud of Aubrey, she actually kept her costume on without a fight! Tami and I decided to keep with the insect theme, since last year our girls were Ladybugs.  I thought they looked adorable!

  I love the picture with Little Harper Hughes too! Some of the other pictures you see are from the music class that we used to be in, and our small group party.  We had a lot of  opportunities to wear the costume this year, which I loved!

 

Big Sister!

That's right folks, Aubrey is going to be a Big Sister! The big due date is June, 5th! (I am 9 weeks along this Saturday.) We are very excited! I have been trying to figure out the perfect way to tell people, and I figured this was the easiest way to get the news out fast! They say every pregnancy is different, and this one has definitely been a different experience. Let's just say, I don't know that I will be making frequent stops to Taco Bueno just yet. UGH! It's such a blessing though, so I don't want to complain! I had Aubrey walk in wearing the Big Sister shirt to let Rod know we were pregnant. She has worn the shirt often, as this is how we have shared the news with family as well. It's been fun!

August/September

I have to say, I love the Fall! I love the cooler temperatures, and the holidays that come with the Fall too! I am known to pull out the Christmas music much earlier than the average person. However, I am sad to say goodbye to Summer. Aubrey and I had a lot of fun swimming this summer, going to the Splash Parks, and walks at night!
Aubrey is going to be turning 15 months old this week, which is CRAZY! She has just started saying, "What is that?" when she reads. I love it! She goes straight for her books every morning right after I pull her out of her crib. We go through her books quickly. Her books also keep her company when I am getting ready, or on the phone. Here is a peek at her reading.....Watch and enjoy!


Mimi and Papi came to visit us a little over a week ago. Papi enjoyed chasing Aubrey around the dining room. Maggie joined in too!

We also discoverd during their visit that Aubrey loves the IPhone. I couldn't believe she let Mimi file down her nails!

Here she is enjoying the IPhone with Papi. She likes to jam it out too!


Mimi and Aubrey having a good time together!

Aubrey has learned a new way to sit in her grocery cart. This way doesn't quite work, although she tries hard to fit.

14 Month Pic

Rod and I got to enjoy a night out at the Rough Riders game. I highly suggest going if you have not yet been. The games are a ton of fun! It's great entertainment the whole family can enjoy. We enjoyed some great game food too!

Celebrating my Mom's B-Day! We had one HUGE cookie cake!

Oh, I am going to miss the Splash Park!

Aubrey warming up after some swim time.

We had a Roommate Reunion weekend August 7-8. It was fun getting caught up with what everyone is up to these days.

Aubrey with her buddy Colton at the park.

Jenny and I had hoped our toddlers would be content on our walk, but it didn't turn out that way.

I have been letting Aubrey attempt to feed herself yogurt. This is what the end result typically is.

Oh, sweet baby! Aubrey loves to swing!

That's all for now!

Saying Goodbye to Nursing and July

I've been meaning to write this post for weeks now, and I'm finally getting around to it! Where has the time gone? August is about over, and I'm just now getting to July. Oh well! July 27th I said goodbye to nursing. WOW, was that tough! It would of been easier if Aubrey had been ready, but it was more of my decision than hers. Saying goodbye to nursing made me feel like I was saying goodbye to her being a baby. It was a special bond between us that I knew I would never have again, and it made me sad. If you had told me when I first started nursing that I would cry the night I stopped, I would not of believed you! I truly loved it though! I also loved the increased appetite and burning those extra calories!

I never got around to posting about Broken Bow either, so I might as well include that in this post! We went right after Aubrey turned 1. Tam, Zack and Kate went with us. It was the first time the four of us went on the trip with our girls. It truly was an incredible trip. It was nice getting to hang out so long at night, without one of us having to make the drive back home. We had a great cabin with a hot tub on the deck. It was awesome! We were able to relax and spend a lot of time on the lake. Our girls didn't like spending time in their Pack N Plays, but the rough nights were worth it. I know I will forever look back on the trip with fond memories. Having time outside of the house and out of the city was just what I needed!

Aubrey also turned 13 months. She will be turning 14 months tomorrow, which is crazy to me! It seems like every month goes faster and faster. She says Apple, Uh Oh, Hi, Da Da, Ma Ma, Oh, and she waves Bye! It's so cute! There is a video of her doing it below!

Now that Aubrey has more teeth, she looks more like a big girl. The lack of hair does allow her to keep the baby look though! Her laugh even sounds different now. Well, it sounds like she is waking up, so I will post about August next week!

Ball Game video! SO FUNNY!

Aubrey waving "Bye"

13 Month Pics

Aubrey's first time in the big car seat! I think she likes it!

Time with Mimi and Papi

Tami and I spent some time with high school friends April and Abbey

Here are all our kids playing together

The 4th of July a year ago

The 4th of July this year


My nephew Ian did not like the fireworks!

Puppet show by Will, Jaydan and Tate

Aubrey with Nana and Papa

Tam and I

There are always lots of kids at Nana and Papa's house

Aubrey and I love going to the pool

These pics were actually taken at the end of June at Broken Bow. When can I go back?

We loved the hot tub!

Poor Kate!

Sweet Babies!

5 Year Annivesary

Rod and I celebrated our 5 year annivesary over the weekend! Here are some pictures of some of the many special memories over the last 5 years.

2004

Rehearsal Dinner

Honeymoon in Maui



First Christmas together as a married couple

2005

One of many weekends together at the Ranch

5 Year Reunion at ACU

Rod surprised me with a nice hotel in Dallas Fair Weekend

We brought Tami and Zack with us to Longview for the first time

Went camping together for the First Time at Lake Ray Roberts

Ski trip to Red River with the Pruetts, Clarks and Hughes

Rod and I went to Jamaica with Tami and Zack, and Chris and Merry

2006

The Day we brought home our Goldendoodle Maggie

Moved into our First House

spring 2007
Trip to Mexico

Visit to Clark's Lake House with friends Chris and Merry, Brent and Erika, and Tami and Zack.

Fall 2007

Visit to Washington D.C to see Matt and Carolyn Tapie

New York

Visit to Philly to see Chris and Merry

I'm Pregnant! (October)

2008

Our first family pic together! Aubrey's B-Day

First Vacation as a Family to Broken Bow

Celebrating 5 years at Salt Grass


I feel so blessed to be married to such a wonderful guy! Looking back on these pictures brings back so many happy times! I can't imagine going through life with anyone else! Rod is the perfect balance for me! I remember before dating Rod, my sister Tami said something like, "You need to be with someone who not only makes you a better person; but who also challenges you to be a better person and Christian." Rod definitely does all that for me! He truly appreciates me for who I am, the good and the bad! I love you Rod! Happy 5 years!