13 m o n t h s

I am not a fan of typing 13 months. When people ask me how old Aubree is I so badly want to say she is 12 months, but time has gone on and she has continued to grow. Her growing has been such a bittersweet thing. I love watching her learn new things and become independent but at the same time I miss the newborn smell, and the way she look to me for everything. She is now becoming more independent and knows more of what she wants and doesn't want. Now that her birthday is over it was on to Ben's birthday. I wanted to make him feel special so I decided I was going to decorate the house for him while he was at work but he was able to get his birthday off so I had to stay up super late the night before to decorate. It was all worth it when he opened the door the next morning. I can't wait to do that for Aubree when she is old enough to understand a surprise. All Ben wanted for his birthday was golf stuff. His parents spoiled him by getting him a set of golf clubs and Aubree and I got everything else. It was a blast shopping for him and spoiling him. He was happy and so was I, he had been working so hard and deserved it all. We celebrated all day and ended the night by going to dinner with family.
Aurbee and I took a trip to Safford for the girls dance recital. It was fun to watch their recital and spend time with them. They are growing up and becoming these beautiful young women. What happen to all three of us girls being kids. I miss those day when I would make a little dance and teach Brooklyn and Ashlynn and we would preform it for mom and dad. It is amazing to me how much time has passed and how grown up everyone is. The day I came home from Safford Ben hurt his knee and it locked up so he had to go to a specialist. I wasn't able to attend the appointment because Aubree had a photoshoot for Royal Roe. I was so excited for it and couldn't wait but was also anxious for Ben. Aubree ended up being scared and grouchy for the photo shoot so we had to reschedule. Ben's doctors appointment went well and they scheduled him for surgery the next week. I was stressed out and worried for him. But it was nice having him home and pampering him before the surgery. We learned that his knee had a growth that would need to be removed in order for it to not cause him pain. The surgery went well and he was able to stay home for a week to recover. Having Ben work for his dad has been such a blessing in this situation being that he was able to stay  home and heal. It was so nice having him and Aubree home all day with me. He was able to see what we do everyday and watch her play.
As soon as he was back to work my sweet baby brother came to stay a few days with us while my mom and dad took a little trip to Vegas. It was fun watching him and Aubree interact. She had a blast with him and I am pretty sure he was tired of her by the end of it. I moved out of the house when Hayden was just a toddler so he doesn't have much memory of me living with him. Sometimes he even asks who my parents are. I think it is hard for him to wrap his head around us being brother and sister since I don't live with them and I have my own family now. It was so fun being able to spend one on one time with him since we don't get that very often.
All in all my feelings towards this month have been that life doesn't seem to slow down even when you want it to. All we can do is enjoy the little moments as they pass and take lots of pictures. I am so grateful for my little family. I have such a hard working husband and am incredible daughter. Aubree brings so much happiness into our lives and we are forever grateful for her little thirteen month old self. I love you Ben and Aubree. You two have my heart. <3