The News at Thirteenish Months

I meant to write an update of Audrey's latest milestones around her birthday, then was determined I would do it by 13 months, and am finally forcing myself to sit down and do it before month 14 gets here!  It's a little disjointed, but here is what's up in her world these days:

She is officially walking, in case I haven't mentioned that yet.  She was taking five or six steps between us a few weeks before her birthday and then, the week after her party, she just took off.  One second she was using the furniture to hold onto with one hand, the next she decided she was capable of doing it herself and just kept walking.  It was about a week after the 4th of July that she officially started walking more than she would crawl.  Now there is no stopping her.  She's very proficient and hasn't had too many falls so far, thank goodness.  She really only runs into trouble when she tries to carry too many things or too big of a thing in her arms (her baby doll + her Fisher Price Puppy = trouble).  For the first week we tried to keep her off of our hardwoods because the concrete slab below them isn't very forgiving.  That didn't last long at all, as she is determined to "go, go, go" as she attempts to say and can't be contained.

Another thing that astounds me is her comprehension.  I cannot even count the number of words that she understands now...it's got to be hundreds.  She picks up things even if I only use them a few times a week and locks them away in her memory.  She'll exhibit this by going to the object I name or pointing to it in a book.  Her verbal vocabulary is growing quickly, too, though the pronunciation can be difficult to pick up on unless you're around her enough to know what she means.  She's great at "Ma-ma"(though she calls me "Mi-mi" a lot too), "Da-da", "Bye-Bye", "No-no", "Uh-oh", "Eye", "Nose" and "Baby".  She says "Bu" or "Ba" for a million different things - book, bear, belly, bubbles, butterfly, beads, bow, button, bird, ball, and bracelet to name a few.  Other favorites: "Mo" is more, "Gee" means keys, "Og or Do" is dog, "Du" is duck, "Ee" is ear, and "Mou" is mouth.

She is also getting very good at animal noises.  When you ask her what a sheep says, she'll say "ba", for cow it's "Mmmm", cat is "ME-ow", and dog is a mix between making a "w" shape with her mouth without much sound for woof or a sort of "arf".  The funniest is elephant.  David and I always make the arm motion for the trunk so when you ask her what an elephant says, she'll usually throw her arm up in the air and kind of blow out of her mouth.  It's hilarious!

She can follow two-step directions very well.  If I tell her to go get something and bring it to me or put it somewhere, she usually can without me having to repeat it more than once.  She also has dozens of phrases down and can respond accordingly.  If I tell her we're going to do laundry, we're getting ready to go, it's time to take a bath, etc. she knows exactly what it means.  She also knows exactly what "no-no" means, but still tries to push the limits on occasion.  My computer, for example, is a big-time no.  Still, sometimes when I'm working on it she'll walk up and stick out her index finger and inch towards it.  Then she'll look up at me and say "no-no" as if she's trying to convince herself.  A few weeks ago, she slowly moved her Little People dog towards it and used it to touch the keyboard, as if that was somehow okay.  I quickly informed her that touching it using something else is a no-no too.  Occasionally she'll walk by the TV, stairs, or my camera and just start saying "No-no-no-no".  Great.  That's what Mommy sounds like to her, I guess.

On a more fun note, she seems to be noticing music more and more.  She'll "dance" by bending her knees and bouncing a little or holding her arms out and moving them up and down like she's snapping.  Apparently I do that a lot with her musical toys and never realized it until she began to mimic me.  (I have a feeling that won't be the last time I don't realize something I'm doing until she starts copying it!)

Her favorite toys these days are her baby dolls, stuffed bears, her "See and Say", and her Little People (the bus and blocks they came with are sometimes added bonuses).  She also loves her Fisher Price purse, mainly because of the keys and the bracelet inside.  She'll put the bracelet on and walk around showing David and I over and over again.  Books are a major favorite, too, which I am so thankful for.  I'm pretty sure she would sit in my lap and let me read to her all day long.

Speaking of favorites, her love of food is definitely growing as her menu expands.  The most recent new successes are chimichangas, burritos, chicken kabobs, spaghetti, and several other different types of pastas.  She's had a little bit of ice cream a few times and loves it.  Her daily menu is a waffle, pancakes, or oatmeal, a fruit, and either cottage cheese or yogurt for breakfast.  Lunch is a vegetable, a fruit, sometimes leftovers, and cheese.  Snack is milk and fruit, plus cheerios.  Dinner is usually whatever we're eating, but I always try to include a vegetable, a protein, and a carb.  She still does jarred vegetables quite a bit because she'll tolerate them more than the raw form.  I know I need to take lunch up a notch, but that's hard when I usually just do a protein shake or a frozen Healthy Choice for myself.  Maybe we'll start trying sandwiches.  I also haven't done eggs yet, so we'll give that a shot soon too.  She has not eaten fast food, chocolate, or junk food yet, either, but I'm going to try and hold off on those as long as I can.  There will be plenty of time in her life for that.  She definitely needs work on chewing and pacing herself.  We really have to watch her and only put a few pieces of the food on her tray at a time because she crams them in with no self control.  That also sounds like something she got from me.

Her separation anxiety has pretty much disappeared.  For a while, there were a few times a day I could barely leave the room without her crying.  It wasn't all the time, but when it hit, she was serious about needing me to be right there.  I think once she started walking and realized she could get to me easily, it helped a lot.  Now she'll wander out of the room and I'm the one that has to go looking for her!  The only time she fusses when we leave is at church nursery, and I'm sure that the tears are dry as soon as we walk around the corner.

I am really trying to instill a servant/helpful spirit in her but letting her do little things with me and then praising her for her help.  For example, she loves to help put clothes from the washer into the dryer, or carry them from the dryer to Mommy and Daddy's room.  She gets such a huge smile on her face when I say "Thank you, Audrey!  You are such a good helper!"  Sometimes this backfires, though, like when she'll randomly pick up laundry from the hallway piles and bring it to me, or go put stuff I'm trying to fold back into the dryer.  We'll get it the hang of it eventually.  For now, it's well worth the lesson.

We do lots of outings to keep my sanity and expose her to different people and places.  She tolerates her stroller and her car seat very well.  We upgraded to her big girl car seat a few weeks ago, but are still keeping it rear facing as recommended by the "experts". (More on that in an upcoming post on my other blog.)  She loves to people watch and just kicks back, sucks her thumb, and takes it all in.  She is never short on compliments from strangers, which of course make me beam with pride.  Everywhere we go, we have people come up and tell us how cute she is.  I usually let her out of her stroller to walk around a little and that really draws attention, especially of grandmas!

I think that's all I've got for now.  I'm sure I'm forgetting a million little things that I know will be fleeting memories all too soon.  It really does happen quickly and I try to remind myself to soak it up and take mental and real pictures as often as I can.  There are nights when David and I creep in her room and sigh over how huge she looks in her crib.  She's such a beautiful, sweet baby girl and we are so proud to be her parents!

Thankful Thursday

1.  That the no-more-nursing transition has been going so well.  The first night I put her to bed without nursing her first, I thought for sure there would be a fight.  Nothing.  She didn't even act like anything was up.  I never nursed her to sleep for naps, so she did know how to go to sleep without it.  Still, though, I was expecting something.  But alas, the only tears were mine.  I have a feeling that will be the case for most major milestones in her life.


2.  Dinner with friends.  Last Saturday and this Tuesday we were able to sit down and break bread with sweet friends, all of which we've known for at least a decade.  There are few things in life that make me happier.


3.  Hair bows.  Audrey finally has enough hair to pin little bows in and have them actually stay!  She looks adorable in them.


4.  Mommy time-outs.  I try to get a few hours a week to myself to recharge.  I'll go to a coffee shop and write, meet up with a friend, go shopping, or just run errands.  What I do isn't as important as the break itself. Sometimes the stars align and I get several opportunities in one week, which makes for a very well-rested Mommy.


5.  The love of my life, my best friend, the father of my baby, and my husband of six years (as of July 31st).  You are my rock and I cannot thank you enough for all of the support and love you've shown me during our marriage (and long before we said "I do", for that matter).  Happy Anniversary, babe!

The End of a Chapter

Last night I nursed Audrey for the very last time.  As I rocked her in her dark room, the tears streamed down my face.  I thought back over the incredible journey of the past thirteen months.  I thought through all of the worry and anxiety that came during the beginning.  I cannot begin to count how many times I asked myself whether she was getting enough milk, whether she was gaining weight, whether my supply was down, and on and on and on.  I remembered the phone calls to the lactation specialists and other nursing moms, begging for advice and guidance.  I remembered the pump and the pump parts and the cleaning of the pump parts.  I remembered being desperate to quit.  Then I remembered how that dislike turned to tolerance...then like...then love.


In my mind, I pictured every place I'd fed her: the hospital, the homes of friends and family, my childhood bedroom, and, of course, the car.  That child has been fed in the parking lots of malls, gas stations, restaurants, stores, and churches all over this state.  I also thought through all of the ways I spent those hundreds of hours.  In the beginning (when she'd make harmonica sounds while she was eating), I read to her and talked to her, trying everything to keep her awake.  As we both got more proficient, I was able to multi-task a little better.  I've checked emails, made phone calls, cooked meals, and eaten meals while simultaneously feeding her.  Of course, there was a lot of staring and hair stroking and praying over her.  Those are the moments I will always cherish.


One of the things I will miss the most is the quiet closeness we were able to steal together every day.  No matter what was going on, I knew that at certain times, she and I would sit down and be able to catch our breath and cling to each other for a little while.  It was just us and no one else mattered.  In those moments, I was her world and she was mine.  It was nutrition and comfort only I could provide.


As I laid her in her crib last night, I was filled with a mix of pride, sadness, and happiness.  We'd made it through literally thousands of nursing sessions.  It was one of the hardest things I've ever accomplished in my life, and certainly the hardest that I've ever had to do for that long.  I'm heartbroken it's over, but I know it was time.  Though the physical pain, sacrifice, and commitment that came with it cannot be fully explained unless you've been there yourself, it was worth it.  Totally, completely, worth it.  Congratulations, Baby Girl.  We made it.

Thankful Thursday

1.  Music.  This week I've been working on importing my CD collection into my new computer and realize how much I love all my music.  I'm looking forward to creating some new playlists!


2.  Children's menus.  Audrey ate her first meal off of a children's menu tonight.  (Grilled chicken with watermelon, bread, and steamed vegetables at Longhorn's).  It was really nice not to have to figure out what to feed her and to get out of cooking and cleaning the floor and highchair afterward.


3.  My dentist.  I know it's weird to like your dentist, but I really do.  He and his whole staff have always done such a great job and I never dread going to see them.  If you live near me and need their info, let me know!


4.  Cricket chirps and summer nights.  Especially if they come with a short thunderstorm.


5.  That my sweet niece, Annelise, is feeling better.  The poor baby has had a tough week, but is on the mend and raring to go!

Thankful Thursday

1.  My new computer!!!  AHHH!  My four year old laptop has been giving me fits lately.  After it took me seven minutes to look up a movie time the other day and then later popped up with a message that there wasn't enough space on my hard drive to save a Word document, I told David something had to be done.  We decided to invest in a new one instead of sinking money into upgrades.  We're counting it as an early joint anniversary gift.  It's a Mac, so the learning curve is a little steep, but so far I'm extremely impressed.  I bet you can tell my writing seems better, huh?!

2.  Ponytail holders.  They keep you cool, cost about 2 cents a piece, and can completely change your look in ten seconds flat.  What's not to like?

3. Window screens.  So I can air out the house without letting bugs in after frying Chimichangas for dinner. 

4.  Fried chimichangas for dinner.  Delicious - and a really easy recipe!  I'll try to remember to share it soon.

5.  The premier of The Closer this week.  I love that show, even if her southern accent is so bad that it's slightly offensive.  

Have a great weekend!  I'm long overdue for an update on our sweet girl and all that she's up to these days, so check back soon for that.

Thankful Thursday

1.  The 4th of July!  I am so grateful to the men and women who serve and have served in the armed forces in order to protect our freedom.  We had a wonderful weekend full of family and food.  What a perfect way to celebrate living in the greatest country in the world.  As Erma Bombeck said:

“You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism.”

2.  Finally getting caught up with this blog (and my other one, too!)  I enjoy writing so much and have missed this creative outlet.

3.  For that matter, getting caught up on everything!  It seems like I've been putting off projects and errands a lot the past couple of months and it's nice to start tackling them again.  In the past two weeks, for example, I've printed and filed 350 pictures and then indexed the seven photo albums (with 300 pictures each) that we've filled since AJ was born.  I've also cleaned up the bonus room closet, completed all of my returns (all 17 of them...yes, really), written 19 thank you notes, and gotten some financial stuff in order.  Plus visits to the dry cleaners, bank, library, and post office.  You don't know how much good that does my to-do-list-driven heart.  Next week, it's Goodwill time!

4.  Shorts, air conditioning, bug spray, cold drinks, deodorant, and everything else that makes southern summers bearable.

5.  TV Series on DVD.  During the summer slump when all of our usual shows are on hiatus, David and I usually pick a show we've been wanting to watch and rent or download past seasons.  In 2008, it was Grey's Anatomy and last year it was Brothers and Sisters.  This year, we've chosen The Office...and yes, we're the only ones left on earth who aren't watching this show!  (Notice how we also cut back to a 30 minute sitcom instead of an hour-long drama!  We need those extra 30 minutes of sleep!) I'll keep you posted on what we think of it!

Have a great Friday, everyone!  

Pictures are Up!

Well, I am finally caught up on uploading photos and there are now FOUR new albums in the gallery for your enjoyment:  Audrey's Twelfth Month, Trip to New Smyrna Beach 2010, Audrey's First Birthday/Father's Day, and 4th of July 2010.  

The pictures from her birthday party are going to be another couple of weeks as Camille has to edit them.  I'll let you know as soon as they're up.

Enjoy!

The Biggest Party of the Year & A First Birthday Letter

Okay, faithful readers, here are the details you've been waiting for about the big day:

We woke Audrey up from her morning nap and got her dressed in her pretty party dress (black with white polka dots and pink butterflies at the bottom).  Everyone began arriving, and we kicked off with a laid-back lunch buffet.  BBQ from Jim N' Nicks (with sweet sauce from Sonny's), Grandma's Famous Cole Slaw, Grandmother's Famous Potato Salad, Pam's Famous Baked Beans, fruit, and chips.  We tried to mingle with everyone as we scarfed down the delicious food.  After lunch, we gathered in the backyard to do some group pictures.  My photographer friend, Camille, was there to capture everything that day so I didn't have to worry about it.  It was so hot and humid, but people indulged me and smiled through their heat strokes.  They probably only complied because I withheld cake until after pictures so they had to stick around.  We went back inside, got Audrey set up in her booster chair, and took several dozen pictures while she wondered what on earth was going on.  She didn't know quite what to think when we set the little cake in front of her.  She kind of dragged her fingers through the icing and gummed it a little.  I put some on my finger and then tried to give her a bite, but she just wasn't sure about the whole thing - not to mention all the people staring at her!  Thankfully, the party guests enjoyed their own slices of delicious cake (that was shaped like a giant #1 with butterflies and a caterpillar on it to match the theme) without hesitation.  We cleaned her up, changed her outfit (a light plaid swing top and white capris with butterflies on them), and began a marathon of gift opening.  She got a ton of wonderful new toys, some cute outfits, and a few gift cards and moolah.  We are so thankful to everyone for their generosity.  Once we cleaned up the aftermath, we took more pictures and passed her around.  She played with her cousins, practiced walking in between her aunts and I, and showed off her new toys.  I finally stole her away for a nap and she recouped while we packed everything up.  

I couldn't have asked for a better day.  At every personal event that I do, I always try to take a minute and soak it in.  It's so easy for me to get wrapped up in playing hostess or looking after Audrey or taking pictures (though thankfully I didn't have to worry about that this time).  But I've learned, after many events/parties that I felt like I "missed", that it's important to stop and reflect on what the event means...what all the hard work was for...what and who we're celebrating.  That moment came for me as I was holding Audrey's smash cake and everyone began to sing to her.  Behind me I heard the voices of so many friends and family that love her and I was overjoyed.  There were people in that room that stood by our side the day her Daddy and I were married, long before she was even a dream.  There were people there that paced the waiting room as she was born and held her minutes later, amazed at how gorgeous our little alien was.  So many of them worried when we worried, cheered her on as she reached each little milestone, and have lifted her and us up in prayer over and over again.  In that moment, time graciously slowed down and I was overcome with gratitude.  I joined them in singing for my precious baby girl and wished her all of God's best as I blew out her candle. 

The day was perfect and went by way too fast, just as her first year did.  I can't wait to see what this next year holds.  Pictures will take longer than usual since Camille has to edit them.  They'll be worth the wait, though, so be patient!

In closing, here is a letter I wrote for her that I hope she will one day read and treasure:

My Sweet Audrey (a.k.a. Sugar, Baby, Pumpkin, Baby Girl, Love, Honey, Sweet Girl),

I am overwhelmed with emotions on this, the eve of your first birthday.  I have thought about writing this letter many times over the past year, knowing that it was something that I wanted to do for you.  Of course, now that I’m doing it, I'm not sure what I want to say.  (One day, you’ll probably laugh at how unusual that is for me.)

Everyone keeps asking whether I can believe it’s been a year already.  For the most part, I can…though certainly not in a dreadful way.  Yes, we’ve had our long days (and nights), especially when your Daddy was away on one of his international business trips.  But really, it’s just felt like time has marched on at the same pace it always has.  I’m sure I’ll blink and you’ll be 5…then driving…then graduating…then getting married.  But for right now, you’re still my baby girl.  Even if you don’t fit in my arms like you used to.  Even if you are eating finger foods and drinking from a sippy cup.  Even if you can say “Mama” and “Da-da” and “Baby”. Even if you know where your eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and toes are.  Even if you are just weeks away from walking on your own.  On second thought, maybe it has gone by far too quickly.

When we brought you home from the hospital, I think we were in a bit of shock.  We’d done all that we knew to do to prepare for you: read books, taken classes, bought everything we could think of that you’d need and then organized it.  But we walked out the door on the afternoon of the 20^th as a family of two and walked back in on the afternoon of the 22^nd as a family of three.  We were exhausted and overwhelmed, but mostly we were head over heels in love.  We made you.  God gave you to us. And you were finally home.

One thing that stands out in my mind about those first few weeks was how much your Daddy and I laughed.  (I did a good bit of crying too, but I'll explain hormones to you later.)  Even during one of your many middle of the night feedings, we’d be cracking jokes and giggling in the dark.  Before you ever smiled your first smile or laughed your precious laugh, you brought us happiness like we’d never known. 

In the weeks and months that followed, we had our ups and downs.  I worried a lot about whether you were eating enough, sleeping enough, and, yes, even pooping enough.  Then, slowly, things started to shift.  You became a little less fragile, and I became a little less OCD.  I remember thinking on the 20^th of each month how much more confident I was becoming.  By your fifth and sixth months, you really started showing personality, eating solids, and sleeping through the night (again).  We’d settled into a groove and were having fun.  I did, and still do, run a tight ship with regard to your schedule, but I also decided to live life a little more.  There is hardly a corner of our county you haven’t seen or a parking lot you haven’t been nursed in. 

Even though I’m sad your Daddy had to travel so much this year, I think it bonded you and I in a way that wouldn’t have otherwise happened.  You knew you were stuck with me, and I knew I had to step up.  During those times, we proved to be the strong women we are.

I tried to make every holiday and major “first” this year a special one.  As your Daddy says, I love having you because it gives me something else to decorate.  The truth is, though, you were the one that made those times special for us.  The traditions we started – opening your own ornament and pajamas on Christmas Eve, eating green food on a green plate for St. Patrick’s Day, getting a Berenstain Bear book for almost every occasion – will only become more special in the coming years.  (Tomorrow we'll start a new tradition of singing to you at 7:29pm on your birthday.)  Even our nightly routine of bath time, playtime in the tub, pajamas, brushing your teeth, reading a story, doing a devotion, saying prayers, and nursing you to sleep has become a comforting ritual that I’ll remember long after it turns into me waiting up for you to make curfew. 

In addition to wanting to create new traditions and happy memories, I have so many hopes and dreams and prayers for you.  Above them all, I want you to know Jesus.  You see, Audrey, knowing Him is the only way you can ever have true joy and peace in your life.  He already knows you and loves you more than you can imagine.  He loves you even more than your Daddy and I do, which seems impossible. 

As much as I hope the absolute best for you, there will be times in your life that people will let you down (even your Daddy and I), but Jesus will always, always be there.  You are going to experience tough times and failure in your life.  You will be sick, lonely, hurt, angry, and sad.  Your heart will break, and mine will break right along with it.  You will make mistakes, and your response to them will determine who you become.  Occasionally, there will be times in your life that you don’t feel Jesus’ presence.  Times when you feel deserted and may even question whether He exists.  But He does.  And He loves you.  

I want you to learn the lessons you are meant to learn.  I hope you become strong in mind, body, and spirit, and that you gain and utilize the tools you need to make it through both the rough patches and the good times.  And, Audrey, I pray there are many, many good times.

The second prayer I have for you is that you meet a man who loves Jesus too.  Someone who loves Him, then you, like no one else and can lead you and your family down the path that God has in mind for you.  I can’t tell you how much it means to be married to your Daddy, who is my best friend in the world and reflects Jesus' love to me like no one else.  That foundation of friendship and faith has brought us through more than one storm.  I want you to find someone you can talk to, laugh with, cry on, and be a true partner with.

Beyond those prayers, I hope so many other things for you.  Here are just a few of those wishes and pieces of advice:  That you grow up to be considerate, kind, and gracious.  That you listen more than you speak, but when you do speak, that you speak with confidence, wisdom, and intelligence.  I want you to treat others the way you want to be treated, but when they don’t treat you with the same consideration, forgive them the way you’d want to be forgiven.  Don’t give your heart or your body away to every boy who flatters you.  Wait for the one God intends for you to spend your whole life with.  And even then, wait until you’re 30.  Maybe 40.  Be nice.  Remember the manners I will teach you.  Believe people when they tell you not to be in a hurry to grow up.  Respect your elders.  Be good to your body - not because you need to worry about how you look, but because it is the Holy Temple of God and it’s the only one you’ve got.  Manage your finances well and be smart about your spending.  When it’s appropriate, be satisfied with where you are…when it’s not, strive for more.  Set goals, reach them, and set more.  Laugh.  Don’t let fear, worry, or selfishness dictate your actions.  Instead, trust your instincts and let the Holy Spirit guide you.  Buy a good mattress...you'll spend 1/3 to 1/4 of your life on it.  From ages 13-25, you’ll probably need to apply less make-up and put on more clothing than you think you need.  (I’m sure your Daddy and I will help you with this.)  Always wash your face before you go to bed.  Think about the worst case scenario only long enough to have a back-up plan for it, then pray for the best possible outcome.  Choose optimism.  Don’t smoke or do drugs.  Invest in a good camera.  Work hard and be professional, no matter how menial the job may seem.  Spend lots of time with family and take care of them…they’ll be there for you when you need a kidney or bail money and you can’t say that about just anybody.  Travel and document your journeys.  Learn how to shoot a gun and protect yourself.  Work hard, play hard.  Get a good education, because no one can ever take that away from you.  Have a servant spirit and exercise it often.  Drive defensively and focused.  Don’t expect people to read your mind – tell them what you need.  Show up early…and remember that if you’re not ten minutes early, you’re late.  Don’t wait for a special occasion to use “the good stuff.”  Be a loyal friend to those that you can trust and let the others go.  Wear comfortable shoes, unless the uncomfortable ones are really amazing, then be sure to have a back-up close by.  Celebrate the milestones and victories in your life, both the big ones and the small ones.  Find something you love to do and then figure out a way to get paid for it.  That way, you'll never have to "work".  Remember that honesty is always the best policy, except when it’s not…I’ll teach you the difference.  Never underestimate the power of prayer, hugs, and good music.  Smile a lot. Cry when you need to.  But mostly smile.  You’ve got an amazing smile.

I have so much else to write, but it’s late and my typing is probably disturbing your sleeping Daddy.  There are countless other lessons I have to teach you…so much I want to share with you.  You have a lot to teach me, too, no doubt.  I hope we’ll both be open to learning from each other in the precious years to come. 

Both then and now, come what may, know that you are the love of my life.  Happy Birthday, Audrey.

Your Mommy
xoxoxo

Thankful Thursday...Finally!

I am so sorry to have been MIA for TWO Thankful Thursday posts!  It's a first!  I know you've been worried.  I'm actually surprised that I didn't have any police officers show up at my door to follow up on a missing persons report.  I'm sure you were just about to pick up the phone and call them.  

Well, rest assured.  I'm here.  We're alive and well.  We've just been crazy busy.  I feel embarrassed and am kicking myself for not being able to keep this ball in the air (and my other blog, which is actually farther behind than this one), but something had to give!  I'm a little amazed that I was able to stay on top of writing with a newborn, but yet somehow the events of the past month kept me from it.  Regardless, I'm back.  And long overdue for an update, so here goes:

The weekend after my grandmother's funeral, we left for New Smyrna Beach with David's family.  Usually about 40+ people go, but this year it was just his grandmother's family branch (as opposed to his grandmother's brothers' and sisters' branches) so there were about 15 of us.  We flew down and Audrey began running a fever the afternoon of our arrival.  It lasted the first three days, cleared up for two days, and then she had a runny nose and cough for the last two days.  She didn't sleep great every night, but she acted and ate relatively normal.  Even still, we did take it easy and didn't venture out as much for fear of her getting overheated or dehydrated. 

I spent almost every one of her nap times working on a slide show for her birthday party.  I had planned to finish on Monday and spend the rest of the week writing, reading, and relaxing, but it just didn't work out that way.  I'll spare you the boring details, but let's just say that it's almost impossible to make a DVD of pictures that can be played on a DVD player (without compressing the pictures and with music) using a PC.  I tried everything.  I literally spent hours upon hours working on the thing and by the end of the week, there was still no slide show.  Incredibly frustrating.  David's parents ended up taking the files home on an SD card and using their nephew's Mac to put it together for us.  Next year, we'll start with that or send it to Uncle B to do. 

Aside from that infuriating project, it was a good trip.  David and I got in two date nights, I read a whole book, and he played three games of golf with his grandfather, uncle, and cousin. Audrey spent some wonderful time getting better acquainted with some of her extended family, and we enjoyed seeing them interact with her.  Of course, there were also card games, good food (Grandma's flitters for breakfast THREE times!) and evening walks on the beach.  We even had a chance to visit my great aunt and uncle who live nearby and introduce them to Audrey, which meant the world to me.  Next time, though, we'll aim for going after AJ's birthday party projects are finished and I'll instate a "nobody gets sick" policy.  Clearly she didn't know the rules.  At least it wasn't as bad as the year I broke my ankle down there!


We returned on Saturday and David started coming down with her virus that night.  Originally we thought her issue might have been teething because she cut four teeth while we were down there, but then when David got sick we deemed it a virus.  It may have been a combo of both. Regardless, he mustered up enough energy to celebrate her actual birthday and Father's Day the next day.  We kept it relatively low key, which was nice.  I got him breakfast from McDonald's and we made pancakes for Audrey.  I/AJ gave him a new outfit (clothes are a Father's Day requirement, I think) and an order receipt for a new iPhone (it was a joint Father's Day/Anniversary present.)  When she went down for her morning nap, I took off to the grocery store and David put together the Cozy Coupe car we'd gotten her.  After she woke up and ate lunch, we surprised her with it and took it out for a spin around the neighborhood.  She loved it!  We spent the afternoon playing and then when she took her second nap, David watched golf while I fixed him a big dinner and baked a homemade cake for Audrey.  After dinner, at her official birth time of 7:29pm, we sang Happy Birthday to our baby girl and let her dive in it.  She wasn't a huge fan, which I think was partly my baking and partly the unfamiliar texture of the icing.  We cleaned her up and then went out for another car ride around the cul-de-sac.  We came in and began our nightly ritual of bath, story, and devotion/prayers then I nursed her and tucked her in.  All day we'd been reminiscing over the way we spent the day a year prior.  We congratulated ourselves for surviving and thanked God for our healthy, happy one year old.  


I'll fast forward through the next week with a quick recap of events: Audrey had her one year check-up (healthy at 20lbs 6oz and 29 3/4" long) and shots, I did some major errand running for the party including FIVE trips JoAnn's and three trips to Wolf Camera, she had her first haircut (she did great and didn't cry at all!  It took me a few days, but I like it and am glad we got rid of the mullet) and first Stride Rite shoe fitting, I got a haircut and shopped for party outfits for both me and David, and made 40 chocolate butterfly pretzel molds.  Then more party prep.  And unpacking.  And assembling centerpieces and favors.  And spray painting various things.  And 18 loads of laundry.  (From the trip, not the spray painting.)  Etc.

On Friday we packed up the car (to the point where I had to sit cross-legged it was so full) and drove to David's parents' house where the party was going to be the next day.  We got there late afternoon and began setting up.  On top of opening up their home for this event, they had put in countless hours to make sure everything looked great and that their home was ready for our guests and guest of honor.  Then, they kept Audrey occupied while I completely took over the place!  They sure do love us. 

Now I know I've got you on the edge of your seat waiting to hear how the biggest party of the year went, but it's getting late and I'm going to have to leave that cliff hanger unanswered a little longer.  I should be able to write about it tomorrow, but if not, I do promise it won't be another two weeks until you hear from me.  Good Lord willing and the creek don't rise, that is.


Until then, my thankfulness this Thursday will mostly be a summary of the events previously detailed in this post plus a couple extra (what can I say?  I have a lot to be thankful for!):


1.  Our healthy ONE YEAR OLD precious daughter and all that she, her Daddy, and I have survived and thrived under since her arrival.


2.  New milestones that help me cope with Audrey's growing up.  When you're excited about first haircuts and shoe fittings and teaching her how to blow kisses, there's hardly any time to be sad over how quickly it's all happening!

3.  David.  Who is not only an amazing husband, but a wonderful Daddy.  He's never once had a "that's a mom's job" attitude about anything when it comes to Audrey and he's always so willing to step up.  Plus, he wasn't even upset that I couldn't top last year's Father's Day gift (of a daughter).


4.  A safe, fun trip with family.  It may not have gone exactly as I would have liked, but the time spent with family and the beautiful scenery change was much appreciated.


5.  An amazing birthday party for Audrey that went as perfectly as I had planned.  That's all you're getting for now - You'll just have to check back soon for the details! 



6.  Sweet friends of ours who are relocating to a new state next week.  I have shared so much with this fellow first-time Mom, who has patiently answered my never-ending questions about nursing, schedules, naps, and countless other things.  We have logged miles and miles around the mall since Audrey was just a month old and laughed over every possible rookie Mom mishap you can have.  She was the one who introduced me to the Thursday morning Bible Study group, which came at a time when I couldn't have needed it more.  I will forever treasure your friendship, SR, and am praying for you and your precious family!

7.  My sister-in-law, Kim, whose birthday is tomorrow.  She is another first-time Mom all-star in my life and I'm so grateful to have her to empathize with and share "is that normal?" stories.  Better yet, it's great to have her to laugh with over the "we're not normal" stories.  No one could be better suited for my brother and I'm glad she's so willing to put up with  love him.  Happy Birthday, Kimmy!  Love you!