Friday, December 31, 2010

Five Generations

This is my Great Grandma holding Aubrey on Christmas Day. This is Aubrey's Great Great Grandma.
This is five generations of women in our family.
There's Aubrey and then Aubrey's mother (me) and then my mother and then my mother's father (my grandpa) and finally, my grandpa's mother. Five Generations.
Five Generations of Hands.

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Family Photo

You might remember this post from last year. The Bruning Family as a whole has a really hard time posing for family photos. One of us is always too distracted and not paying attention to the camera. This year it only took Three Tries on my camera to come up with this winner.

I'm calling that a success and a half!

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

On Standing

Martin: (holding Aubrey up by her armpits on his lap) Hey look at that. She's practically standing. I think she's sort of supporting her ----- OHHH She just kicked my balls!

Monday, December 27, 2010

My Two Favorites

 These are my two favorite people in the whole world.
 How absolutely adorable are they napping together?

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Wrapping Presents

 I'm not very good at wrapping presents. In fact, I'm terrible. I'm so terrible that I would probably guess Aubrey won't believe in Santa Claus for very long due to the sheer fact that no one would think elves could do such a terrible wrap job.
 But really, I am bad. My wrapping is loose. The corners are crinkly. There just isn't a clean line on the package. And its not that I don't try. Because I do. Well. I think I do. But wrapping is just one area in my life that for the life of me, I am no good.
I mean, let's be honest. It mostly comes down to patience. And anyone who knows me knows I am lacking in patience. And its just really hard to care that much about the appearance of something that is going to get ripped apart and tossed in the garbage in a matter of seconds. Also, I partly blame it on genetics. My mom isn't really all that great at wrapping presents either. This is a fact that I mistakenly pointed out in high school at which point I learned that, even if you are wording a phrase in a manner like oh, I'm really bad at wrapping presents too. You probably shouldn't tell your mom that she is bad at wrapping presents.

Friday, December 24, 2010

So I Went A Little Crazy

 So, Friday night, (I know, my Friday nights are awesome!), I went crazy with powerpoint.
 For some reason, I decided to make Christmas Cards that I knew I would never send.
 But I did realize that I need to start taking more pictures of Aubrey with my camera and less with my phone. The quality of the phone pictures is really just not there and I ended up having a very small group to choose from.
 But anyway, I made this excessive amount of Christmas Cards with no intention of mailing. And decided I should at least share them with you.
 Because I want you all to have a Very Merry Christmas.
 And then I had Martin pick out his favorite card.
 Which I didn't include in this post.
But check back on Christmas Day!

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Let's Hope She Stays That Way.

On Saturday, Martin and I went up to Syracuse to pick up baby/toddler clothes from a friend and collegue. Did I mention that I love hand-me-down clothes and they basically complete my life?

My friend also does some photography on the side and she was insanely excited to take pictures of Aubrey. So, we did a little photoshoot.

I haven't seen any of the pictures yet because Anne refused to let me look at them on her camera and hasn't emailed them to me yet. Therefore, all I really know about how hey turned out is the tiny bit of insight that Anne gave when looking through them on her camera.

Anne: The ones where she is naked look so good, but she didn't like being naked so she's crying in all of them. So the ones where she is in a onsie are a lot cuter.
Martin: Let's just hope she stays that way through college
Anne: What way?
Martin: Not liking to be naked.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Too Many Choices

On Saturday night Martin had his work Christmas Party. I was overly excited because I felt like it was the first time in the last ten months that I had a reason to dress halfway up and that I could actually salvage looking halfway presentable while doing so. We were taking Aubrey with us because she wouldn't be able to go that long without feeding, so I was also just praying that she would be in a congenial mood so we could both enjoy the evening.

When we arrived for dinner at 6:00, I had just fed Aubrey and she was sleeping peacefully. I knew I had a few hours before she would want to nurse again so I figured I would be able to have a drink.

unfortunately, I didn't think about what I was going to have to drink beforehand and the vast amount of alcoholic choices was a lot to handle.

Martin's Boss: What do you want to drink?
Martin: I'll have a Blue Light
Martin's Boss: Ok, what about you , Jenna?
Me: (completely unprepared to answer such an important question) Umm. I'll just have a Blue Light too.

*minutes later at dinner*

Me: Man, I don't know why I wasted my first drink in months on a Blue Light. I should have gotten wine. Or at least a Michelob Ultra. Ugh. This is so depressing.
Martin: Well, you could probably get another drink.
Me: No, I don't even know if I should finish this one. I'll just have to wait until next time.

Lesson Number 1: Next time you're pregnant and anxiously awaiting an alcoholic beverage, be prepared to order.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Mirror Mirror On The Wall

Scene: Sunday evening
Time: circa 7:30
I've just finished giving Aubrey a bath and am standing with her bundled up in a towel pressed against my stomach and looking in the mirror.

Me: Who is that? Is that you? Is that you, Aubrey? etc. etc. The conversation goes something along those lines.

Suddenly, there seems to be a lot of water dripping onto the ground.

Hmm. That is weird I wonder why she is dripping so much, I just dried her off.

I pull her away from me.

Me: Oh my god. Martin! Aubrey just peed all over my stomach!
Martin: starts laughing hysterically. Well, water will do that.

Monday, December 20, 2010

Oh Christmas Tree

 The story of our Christmas tree is pretty good. So good, in fact, that I can't believe I've waited this long to share it.
 After much deliberation, I had decided that we should put our tree up in the apartment at the farm. Why? Mostly because I didn't want to bring all our decorations down to Trumansburg when we are moving back sometime soon, and also we've been going home a lot anyway.
 So we picked out a Christmas tree and Martin set it up. I held it while he screwed the pegs in and Aubrey cried in the background. Then Martin hung the lights and we put up ornaments. The whole thing was done from start to finish in about 30 minutes. We were so proud of ourselves.Then we went over to my mom's house to have cake for Martin's birthday. Where we told everyone about how we had already gotten our amazing and beautifully decorated Christmas tree standing serenely in our living room.
 Then at night I took pictures of it in the dark. It was magical.


...Then on Sunday morning Martin got up to go hunting and I was sitting in the bedroom feeding Aubrey when suddenly. Baam! I heard something hit the floor. I headed out to the living room to find out tree laying on the floor in the living room. I immediately called Martin.

Me: Umm. Our tree just fell down.
Martin: I'll be right there
Me: Where are you?
Martin: I'm still at your parent's house getting the truck. I'll be right there.

Minutes later, Martin was lying on the soaking wet floor in pine needles complaining about the tree stand and what a piece of crap it was. Then he said the problem was some spike in the center that made the tree keep falling to the sides. So he tried to cut the spike out with a knife. Then the entire endeavor got frustrating and he shoved the tree in a corner resolving he would be back to fix it this afternoon!

When my father learned of this momentous occasion he was insanely happy. Mostly because my dad is cynical and wants everyone to experience the same contempt for Christmas Trees that he does. You see, growing up, the assembly of the Christmas Tree was always a production in our house. Mostly, I remember my dad yelling and swearing and my mom getting angry at my dad. It was a real exhibit for the season of giving . So when my dad learned that our tree fell over and that we were experiencing the same problems he once did, well, let's just say his feeling were nothing short of utter delight.

So Martin went hunting and came back in the afternoon to fix the tree declaring that "it had consumed his thoughts all day" He also mentioned that it was probably a good thing he didn't finish cutting out the spike in the bottom of the treestand because when he was explaining his dilemna to his stepfather, Carlton, his reply was "Don't the new stands have a spike in the center that keeps the tree straighter??

This time we used building blocks inside the treestand to support it and within minutes it was standing straight and redecorating.  Martin said the building blocks were the cat's ass


And all was right in the world

Sunday, December 19, 2010

How Long

How long do you think I'll be able to sit indian style with this cutie on one leg and a book on the other?

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Girly Girl

I am absolutely in lovewith Aubrey's tendency to prop her face on her hand. It's so cute and makes her look like such a girly girl!

Friday, December 17, 2010

All Day Long

 I could pretty much stare at this cutie all day long.

 Adorable is an understatement.

She's completely stolen my heart.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Totally Worth It.

So. It's 1:00 AM. Everytime I put Aubrey down in bed she starts crying and she won't stop. Seriously. She won't stop. And I'm not just saying she won't stop but actually she would cry herself to sleep if I let her. Because she really won't. It's not a full out wailing, just a quiet crying for a few minutes, then she consoles herself, then she cries. I first put her down at 11:00 and this went on until 12:18. That's how I know it would last forever. I'm actually pretty positive I fell asleep briefly in the mix and when I woke up again at 12:18, she was still crying. But she fed. And doesn't seem to want more. And she's dry. And she's burped. And she doesn't have a fever. And I gave her a bath tonight. So that basically sums up every problem that I know of that a baby could possibly have. Also, she's sleeping on my shoulder now, but its a light sleep and I'm scared to put her to bed until I know for sure it's gonna stick. Anyway, for some reason I had the idea that being up at 1:00 was an I'm 9 months pregnant and extremely uncomfortable thing, but it seems it has morphed into an I'm a mom thing.

Anyway, looking at this cutie makes it totally worth it.



Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Martin's Birthday

On Saturday Martin and I basically did nothing for his birthday, but he did get a good three hours of cable tv watching in at my parents house on Saturday night and a day spent running errands and decorating with his ladies. Still, I was really surprised when he called the day A Really Good Birthday since we really didn't do anything special at all.

For lunch we went to the Southside Deli in Batavia. We had just stopped in at Harrington's where I used to work to show off Aubrey and get a Christmas tree. The Southside Deli seemed like an obvious lunch choice for a couple of reasons. 1. They have absolutely amazing subs. 2. We could easily eat in the car without having to deal with taking Aubrey into a restaurant. 3. I am in love with their subs and 4. They have the best assorted sub ever!

Ok, looking back on it, it really seems like Martin's birthday was a day more about fulfilling my needs than Martin's. Ooops! But he did still call it a really good birthday.

Anyway, after we both ate, Martin started to put the car into drive to continue on our day. Aubrey continued to wail in the background.

Me: Wait. We can't go yet. I have to change her diaper and feed her.
Martin: Oh, do you just want to go in the backseat.
Me: Well, I can't feed her when we're driving. I don't want to take her out of the carseat. And I really don't think it's going to work if I just lean my boob over the seat and try to get her to drink out of it that way.
Martin: It would probably be pretty hot to watch you try though.
Me: I don't know if hot is the word you are looking for.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Happy Birthday!!

Today is the birthday of two of my favorite people!


My dear darling husband.

Who always makes me laugh hysterically

Is turning 26!

And also....

His twin sister, Ingrid

Who also makes me laugh hysterically

Is also turning 26!


I just wish they were both here to celebrate together with me.

Instead I'll have to celebrate with Martin and pretend that Ingrid is there too.

Because I love them both!

Happy Birthday Martin and Ingrid!!!

Friday, December 10, 2010

A Day In The Life

So, I've realized that I need to do something everyday. I need to see people everyday that are not Aubrey or Martin. Not that I don't love Aubrey and Martin, because I love them both very much, but I seriously get into a funk if I do not see and communicate with other people.

Being at home and not working has been a huge learning curve for me. I was used to communicating with lots of perfect strangers on a daily basis. My days were filled with conversations, phone calls, running around like a chicken with my head cut off - I loved it! And then suddenly, I can go days without charging my phone. No one needs my opinion on anything. I could go days without seeing anyone other than Aubrey or Martin.

So I have to force myself to do something everyday. Sometimes its a pain, because its cold out and I have to get Aubrey all dressed up. But honestly, on the days when I don't go anywhere. When we don't go for a walk. Or go to the grocery store. Or go visit someone. By the end of the day I feel terrible. And then I usually cry.

So here's a picture of Aubrey Elaine all bundled up just before we went for a walk yesterday.

And here's a picture of the chai tea and paper I read in the coffee shop. I know its not nearly as cute as Aubrey, but I decided to include it anyway.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Hmm

I posting because I feel like I have to. Because the other day Gabe told me that he loves reading my blog and that he expects me to post everyday now, especially since I'm not working. Because Gabe also told me that sometimes he goes a few days without reading my blog just so he can read a few stories at once. Because it makes me happy that people want to read about the ridiculous things that I write even when they are really not that interesting.

But, it is sort of difficult to come up with a story to write about everyday. I mean, I could probably tell some sort of diaper story everyday that would probably make you laugh, but would also get old. So I've decided to kick those stories to to curb (even though I can think of at least two other good ones).

I could post a new picture of Aubrey every day, but I could do that on facebook and that just wouldn't be as fun as a story or anecdote.

I could post some book reviews, but Gabe strictly requested that I do not do that. (even though I am about 12 books behind and I just finished The Perks of Being a Wallflower which was a very quick and easy read and therefore I also just started it yesterday. I would definitely recommend it).

Anyway... I'm making this amazing (I hope) birthday dessert for Martin, whose 26th birthday is on Saturday! I'm making it today because I have hopes of making him a new treat everyday between now and then. Keep your fingers crossed that it turns out delicious and I'll post a recipe tomorrow! Or maybe the next day.

In the meantime here's a picture of Aubrey being super cute and hanging out in the laundry basket over the weekend when I brought 5 loads of laundry home and still have another load of sheets to wash from when I decided to do a massive cleaning in the farm apartment to prepare for our temporary move there until we find a house! Once we actually start looking for a house. Once Martin isn't hunting and has time to look for a house when he's not working. So far none of those things have happened.