Weening Weekend

Do you know what got helped me through sleepless nights, crying fits and leaky boobs? (Sorry for you men reading this....which will probably only be Milton and Joel).  Weening Weekend.  Every time I slept by Audrey's crib because of teething and etc...I would count down in my head.  Only 4 more months until weaning weekend. 

Emily, graciously joined me at a fabulous resort in NJ and made the trip so much more memorable!  I'm sure she truly looked forward to weening weekend as she couldn't consume milk (and many other yummy foods) for at least 6 months.  She's a rock star!!  You know what else?  There wasn't ONE single lull in conversation the entire weekend (I kept track).  It was amazing.  

AND kudos to our hubbies for watching the kiddos overnight by themselves!!  We married some amazing guys!  I think I'm gonna have another baby, JUST so I can go on another wine weaning weekend. J/K...but seriously, you should think about it, emily:)

Here we are with Santa!  I'm pretty sure he was WAY younger than me.  

Selfies before dinner (or is it supper?)  Ain't Emily PURDY!!

One of the many "hot springs"  You can see the human doggy door we swam through to the outdoor pool.  AMAZING.

A Day In the Life of Audrey

First, I wake up.

Then I eat.

I dig, dig, dig for toys

I walk, walk, walk and wear, wear, wear mommy out (I'm not walking w/o help, yet)

 Then I sleep...zzzZZZzzz  (hopefully!!) and eat some more.  

I dump ALL my toys on the floor.

Then, Maddie and I take turns waiting for daddy at the front windows.


Then I eat AGAIN!!!

After supper I try to push all the buttons on the remote...

Bath Time!!  Then it's nighty-night!

Oh Christmas Tree!

Our Christmas decorations were all about child-proofing this year......

A Little People nativity set from Oma and Opa!

Our tree which is out of reach from tiny, exploring hands.....

and the view of the tree in the dark.

I must say that this tree was SO much easier to decorate than the huge one we usually haul up to our living room.  Maybe this guy will become our yearly tradition???? I'm sure I'll appreciate how small it is when it's time to stow it away for the year.  Can you believe there are only 3 weeks left till Christmas?  We are counting down the days, here!

My First Year of Mothering-What I've Learned

I've thought a lot about this post that past week, but I don't have a lot of time to compose it.  Take it with a grain of salt!

Sleep:

1) Be sure to put a nice fluffy rug by your baby's crib.  You'll likely sleep there many a night....No matter how many "expert baby sleeping" books you read.

2)  Never ask a mom how her newborn is sleeping.  I realized this AFTER I asked many a mom this exact question.  If baby is sleeping well...it's a great question.  If not...well, the mom may feel a bit judged and totally annoyed with you if your baby is sleeping well and hers is not.

3)  It's easy to become VERY angry with someone who is innocently snoozing while dealing with a screaming infant in the middle of the night  (i.e.-hubby)

Cuteness:

1)  You really will believe that your baby is the cutest ever.  You may even look up contests to enter their image in while they are sleeping (oops...my secret is out).

2)  Seriously, there is nothing cuter than a baby in footie pajamas.  Okay...well, maybe a baby taking a bath....wait, a baby bundled up in winter gear with chubby cheeks.....no...a baby snuggling with a puppy...and the list goes on forever.

LOVE:

1)  Nothing will make you angrier with your spouse than child rearing....and nothing will make you fall more in love with them....I recently learned that my husband sings "Jesus Loves You" to my daughter every night before bed.  Melt my beating heart...although, I'm pretty sure the same organ turns to ice EVERY time he asks me where her shirts are stored.  REALLY?  I've showed him a million times (I love you, Joel!).

2)  I fall a little more in love with my daughter every morning when she wakes up.  Her hair is disheveled, her diaper stinky and her hugs...AMAZING.


Facebook:

1) It's impossible NOT to go crazy posting photos of your little bundle of joy.

2) Try not to post too many status updates regarding your lack of sleep.

That's it for now...anyone have anything to add to the list?

Grandpa and Audrey

Who's that funny man wearing two pairs of glasses?

Grandpa!

This is our life:

1) Mom came to visit.  It felt like we had a mini-vacation.  We were able to go on 3 dates and run errands sans baby!  Come back, mom!

2) While mom was visiting we went to "Les Miserables" which was showing in our town.  I was pleasantly surprised at how well it was preformed.

3) Audrey is trying to walk.  Yippee! and Here comes trouble!!

4) I'm trying to do CrossFit Workouts at home.  It's not the same, but still challenging.

5) Audrey points to the camera every time I try to snap a photo of her.  This is partly why I haven't been writing.

6)  LabCorp successfully drew Audrey's blood yesterday.  It only took four people...

7)  Audrey's turning into a little pistol.  Yesterday, I put her in her crib and she started screaming and banging her fists on the mattress.  Whooaaa.  I'm not ready for this!

8)  I'm ready for Christmas vacation.

Crickets Chirping

Do you here those crickets in the background of this blog?  Me too.  I'm hoping to update, soon!

Scaredy Cat

Do ya like my outfit?

Oma and Opa gave it to me.

I look cute, right?  Yeah, yeah.  I've heard it all.  I'm done smiling for the camera now that I'm ONE.

Thank you Oma and Opa!  I wore this outfit EVERY day until it became a little too dirty to wear.  It was OHH so comfy and I loved the sparkly cat!  Thank you!!