7 weeks and counting

Over the past couple of weeks, we've enjoyed seeing the subtle changes in Brielle. She's starting to smile every once in a while(Aubyn thinks only at her). She's sleeping better most of the time anyway. There have been a few times where she's slept from 11:00 at night until around 5:00. Of course Aubyn woke up and checked on her every half hour after 3:00 so her sleep is still limited but we're making progress. The next night she slept 2 and a half hours at at time. It's been a continued challenge finding time for our normal life activities such as cleaning the house, working out, talking with each other and just relaxing. We're surviving but sometimes it feels like just barely. It's an adventure that's for sure. Luckily we like adventures.
Over this past weekend, our friends Nick and Amy came to visit with their girls Kate and Brooke. It was a fun weekend seeing them. They are very good friends of ours and we basically consider them family.
Tomorrow we have to take Brielle in to get her shots. That might be interesting.

Missouri trip

Are we crazy? Probably. Do we care? No. After nearly 5 weeks of only heading at furthest 12 miles away to Walmart, we decided to take a trip to southern Missouri to see my cousin Robby coach in the final 8 of his class. Only minutes into the game I could see that his basketball experience, and overall care for the kids makes him an outstanding coach. He coached a very good game, the kids played a good game and they ended up losing a heartbreaker when the other team scored with less than 2 seconds left to put them up 2. Afterwards we spent time with Robby and Erin in Springfield, as well as the next day in Bolivar. Those two are quite a pair and enjoy spending time with them. Sunday we drove to Des Moines where we stayed at Curt and Nancy's home. On Monday we watched Nick Harthoorn(college roommate) coach his team to a victory at the state tournament. After that we stopped in Elk Horn to stay at my parents' place. It was a very long and challenging learning experience traveling with the little one. We stayed in Kansas City the first night, Springfield the second, Des Moines the third, Elk Horn the 4th. Through it all, it was very much worth it to see everyone that we did including Robby, Erin, Susan, Rod, Curt, Nancy, Jake, Nick, Amy, Joel, Kurt, Arloa, Reggie, Daira, Mom, Dad, Jerome and Jacey.