Aubrey's Aunt Kerri

Aubrey met his Aunt Kerri over Thanksgiving! He loves her and looks forward to seeing her again over the Christmas holidays!

Making some good progress.....

On Tuesday of this week, Aubrey had his 3rd set of casts put on. Autumn at the clinic said he's making good progress and hopes for only six weeks of the initial casting. They always give a range of 6-8 weeks. After she sees enough progress we make an appointment for the minor surgery to make an incision at the achilles tendon....YIKES! He'll only need a local ansethia and Autumn reassures us that the surgery is harder on parents than on these little babies.....try telling that to a new mom, who manages to tear up when he gets the casts on.....but we'll make it through. :-) The next set of pictures are of his progress.....

PIC 1 - No Casts....

PIC 2 - After first set of casts

PIC 3 - After second set of casts
We are excited because we are definitely seeing a good change in his tiny little feet. Other than our weekly trips to TCH, we are doing good. Aubrey has been fussier during and after his feedings lately so we are trying new formula starting today....and hoping it helps with his colic and reflux. He's changed alot in just the past four weeks and has definite times of quiet, alert play time now. He enjoys his new play mat, looking at the colors and is tolerating some tummy time. He can sometimes hold up his head and turn it to both sides while on his tummy. We also continue to see more smiles....especially when I play patty cake with him. He seems to always show me one smile with that game.

Happy Thanksgiving 2008!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We are most thankful this year for our happy, healthy little newborn!

Welcome to the world Aubrey!

Aubrey's First Photo Shoot!

Before the first set of casts I managed to get some adorable pictures of Aubrey. ENJOY!

Our 1st Trip to Texas Children's Hospital

We had our first trip to Texas Children's Hospital on Tuesday, Nov. 18th, 2008. As some of you know, Aubrey was born with bilateral club feet. This occurs in about 1 out of 1,000 births and is fairly common. In fact several famous athletes had it also including Troy Aikman, Mia Hamm and Krisit Yamaguchi. We visited with Autumn, the PA, who runs the club foot clinic and got Aubrey's first set of casts yesterday. It was all very overwhelming for the family but we are trying to remember that after six months of casts and braces, Aubrey should be able to meet all his development gross motor milestones just like other kids. Our next appointment is next Tuesday and this continues for about 6-8 weeks. Each week they stretch the foot and put it in a more appropriate position. The morning of the appointment we get to take the cast off and prepare for a new cast that afternoon. Although, I think Aubrey's feet were just as cute and perfect as can be, I know that if we want him to be the next quarterback for the Texas Longhorns - Hook 'em Horns, this is the path that is set for us for the next several months. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we begin this journey. I will continue to update his progress and I know he will do great!! He's a strong little man already!!

"Once in a young lifetime one should be allowed to have as much sweetness as one can possibly want and hold. "

Baby Aubrey is Here!!!!

Aubrey Michael Draper

Born: 11/7/08

8lbs, 3 oz

19 1/4 inches long

Daddy and Aubrey

Mom and Aubrey - Tired but in love already!

What a pair!