Baby Toes and Nose..

Look at Audrey's sweet feet, 

and chubby legs

and adorable nose.

Notes from the author of this blog.
1)  Many ask me, "What I've been up to?"  Hmm...good question.  I've been taking care of a baby.

2)  Someone at church stated "As a mother, you will feel bad if you work or if you stay home."  What a true statement.

3)  I'm afraid I was infected with"comparitis" last month.  Comparitis is a word I made up that describes the syndrome that causes you to compare your child with book statistics. Whew...that can make any mother a hot mess REALLY quickly.  What cured my comparitis, you ask?  Audrey passed her 7 month exam with flying colors yesterday.  Whew...good thing I worried for a month (j/k).

4)  Tis the season of many, many, many evening events at Joel's school.

5)  This year Joel and I decided to try a different diet every month..  So, in January we had no dessert.  In February it was no cheese.  May is no wheat month.  Next month we are only going to eat REAL food.  I read this blog and was therefore intrigued.  We won't be eating all organic food, but we will be eating NO processed food.  That means no canned beans, crackers, cheese.... Does anyone want to join us in this challenge?  Or check up on how we are doing?

6)  Lately, I've been wondering why God placed a small town girl like me in this metropolitan area  (okay, maybe I've been wondering since we moved here).  I'm still not really sure, although  my appreciation for the Midwest has skyrocketed since our relocation.

7)  That being said, there are things I would miss about this NJ if we left.

8)  I've been checking Craigslist for a double BOB stroller.  (No, this is not some kind of pregnancy announcement.  I just don't see the point in buying a single as we HOPE to have another child one day).  Whew.  I really want one, but they are sooooo expensive!

9)  Today, my girlfriend brought flowers and made me an authentic Chinese lunch.  She needs to teach me how to cook.

10)  I've been dreaming of traveling lately.  I have an itch to go to Africa...

Swing Time...

Mommy finally decided I was ready to try out the swing at our park...

Sheesh, mom.  It took you long enough.

Whew!! This is so much fun!

Hip, hip, hooray!!  Even mom is having a blast.  

Aren't I the cutest in my little sun hat?

Daddy slid with me down the slide.

Ehhh, I wasn't impressed...but I sure loved hanging out with momma and daddy at the park.

A few thoughts from the adult writing the above captions:

1.  Am I the only mom that does not take pictures with my baby holding numbered signs each month?  I felt bad at first, then decided that it was probably good I didn't start that tradition.  I'd probably let our next child down:)  (if God decides to bless us with another child, that is).

2.  Audrey developed a h-e- double hockey stick-ish sleep pattern during the last couple of months.   Unfortunately, it coincided with our visit to VA Beach and Milt and Linda's stay. Things are settling down, thanks to the Sleep Lady. I love this book because it gives you a detailed plan on how to help your child sleep from infancy to five years old.

3.  Sometimes I see my sister, Paige, in Audrey.  This makes me miss my sister and wish we lived closer together!

4.  The other day, Joel asked me "How do single people ever do this [raise children] on their own?"  To that I said, "I have no idea...and I really think this is a job for an entire FAMILY!" Oh, how I wish Audrey could live next to her cousins and grandparents.  Maybe someday.

5.  I've started reading Mr. Money Mustache.  This blogger really intrigues me. He and his wife RETIRED at the age of thirty.  THIRTY.  His blog really makes me question the ways I spend money on food, clothes, electricity, cars etc.  He's a witty writer and has entertained me for countless hours.  Warning...he does cuss a bit.

6.  It's now 8:46 pm and Joel is already in bed.   I should probably join him.  I used to wonder HOW my mom fell asleep so early at night.  Now I know.  Toodles!



 

Action Shot

I'm embarrassed to say that these are the last pictures I've taken of Audrey.  I snapped these almost 2 weeks ago.  I didn't take any photos while Oma and Opa were here.  Nor any of her doing the cute baby things she does!!  Ya see, our little Audrey has been WEARING us out.  She's decided she does NOT like to sleep.  We are hoping this is a phase, because mommy and daddy DO like to get some shut-eye every once in a while :) Anyway, enjoy some more bath pictures!

Hey there!

You don't mind if I splash around a bit, do ya?

Bath Time!!

Audrey has a great time splashin' in the tub.  She makes us both laugh!  This video is only about 12 seconds long...so watch it!!

Little Miss Mismatch

Do you like my outfit?  Daddy picked it out.

So,  I'm now one of those people who only posts about kids.  Life is pretty much ALL about Audrey right now.  Here's a list of what is new in our life besides Audrey:

1)  We bought a new vacuum.  I love it!  If only I could find time to use it more often.  (oh, the exciting life I lead!)

2)  Joel finally got a recliner.  I've been poo-pooing the idea for some time now.  I'm not a fan of how they look or how much they cost.  In the end I decided Joel needed a place besides the floor to relax:)  I let him pick it out all by himself!

3)  I've started running again and am enjoying my short jaunts outside.  

4)  Whenever I see pictures of my hands, they remind me of my mothers.  As a child, I used to wonder why her veins were so visible.  Mine are now the same way.  Hmmm...must be something about having children.

5)  I'm in awe of people who breastfeed for more than a year.  I'm counting down the months until I'm done with the process.  I'm glad I'm doing it but I don't think I will be sad when I'm done.

6)  Joel's school now has male and female lacrosse teams.  All three of us enjoyed our first lacrosse game the other week.  

7)  I need a new hairdo.  Maybe I should just buy a wig.  That would be much easier to fix every day.

8)  I miss MN even though there are snowstorms in the the middle of spring.

9)  I feel like I don't know my way around NJ any better than I did when I moved here....hmmm.  I wonder how long it takes to KNOW your way around.  I'm guessing a lifetime.

10) I better go save Joel from bed-time duties.  I think Audrey is giving him a hard time.  

Morning Hair..

Mommy tries to fix my hair...

Ha ha. It doesn't work.

Just call me Miss Mohawk!!

These Boots are Made for Walking...

It's SPRING!

Yippee!!

Momma walks all over town and wears me out (not in her new cowboy boots...but she does own a pair of cowgirl boots now)....zzzzZZZzzzz