20 Months!

It's so hard to believe we've had our little Audrey Joanne for 20 months! Looking back at pictures from those first few months, it's seriously somewhat difficult to remember that phase of life. People say it 'flies by' and while it doesn't feel fast when you're in the midst of it, it truly does pass so quickly. It's almost sad to realize how much I've already forgotten. Now she's 20 months old and doing something new everyday

Here is a list of things Audrey is up to these days....

She loves to color with her crayons while sitting at her new big girl desk from Grandpa and Grandma Hemmer.


She loves to play with her pretend jewelry.


She also loves to play with her new kitchen (to sum it up, she loves all her new toys!)


She loves playing/wrestling around with her Daddy.


Her handmade sled from Grandpa Gale has been quite a hit!


She loves to listen to her music in the car and in her room. She 'sings' along to Jesus Loves Me and currently loves Zaccheaus and This Little Light of Mine.

She know exactly what she wants to do and she's not afraid to try to figure out how to get it. My Dad calls her the 'master manipulator'. For instance, she says, "Snack...yes!" or "Elmo....yes!" Before anyone gets a chance to say no, she says yes. She's not much for playing alone or getting super absorbed in any one activity. She's constantly on the move and seems to always be thinking of what to do next. I wish she would happily play without me a little more, but I suppose I'll miss that when she's older. It's a challenge to teach her to obey, she's so strong-willed. However, most of the time, she is a very very good and sweet girl.

She is very polite. For some reason, please and thank-you, were very easy to teach.

She LOVES books.

She is saying new words everyday now. Today she said "man" "horse" and "orange" for the first time! She does some signing still, but says much more than she signs. It's getting kind of fun to try to figure out what she's trying to communicate to me. Mostly I know all her words. It took me a few minutes to figure out "ban-ya" She used to say "ba" for banana, now it's apparently a bit more sophisticated.

When I say, "A..." Audrey says, "B.....C!" And when I say, "One..." She says, "Two!"

When I write out her name, she say, "Au-dee!" and points to herself :)

She's growing out of her 24mo clothes and now has some toddler sizes!

She's 29lbs and I think like 33 inches (at 18months)

Well....I think I'll leave it at that!

It's been a joy watching this little person take shape, we love her so much! Here's a few more pictures from December.

Christmas morning

Cookies on the face

The one and only time Audrey actually willingly posed for the camera and was in a very silly mood!

Looking at Grandma's tree.

My pretty girl on Christmas Day

I almost deleted this because the randomness is almost too much to bear....

I never know what to blog about anymore. I used to blog all the time, like daily, when I was in college. Now, it's like I have no clue what to say. Maybe it's because there's so much going on my head, but not a lot of variety going on in the day to day living. And, since I don't to blab about my "feelings" and the day to day is a little uninteresting, I guess that's why I don't blog.

But ok, I'll try anyways. This blog has no theme (everyone's blog entries seem to have themes, so I feel pressured to come up with a good theme).

I just got home from work. I work straight evening shifts (minus the weekends) and I get off around 11:30pm. Chris is working a lot of early early shifts now, so he's in bed by 10p. On a normal night now, I find myself up alone, for hours at night. Usually, this would be fun. However, now all my favorite shows, House, Biggest Loser, TLC shows, are all on a break or done for a season, so there's nothing on TV to watch. I'm too tired to be productive and there's only so much time I can spend on facebook. So, this is the reason I am resorting to blogging, because I'm not ready for bed and there's nothing else to do!

I am beyond excitied for Christmas, yet I almost don't want it to come because as soon as it starts, it's over and regular life (and a 48 work week) begin again and the excitement is over. I thought this way as a kid too (minus the work week, but add in going back to school). I'm excited for myself, but I'm more excited to see Audrey experience Christmas. She was 8 months last year, so she'll be way more into it this year, or so I would imagine. I'm excited to see her open presents and peek in stockings and just interact with her aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. It's a joy to watch other people enjoy Audrey. I love being able to share her with family. She also loves being with her extended family.

Christams Eve is the Hemmer Christmas. We go to Grandma Hemmer's house every Xmas Eve (minus a few random 'let's try someone else's house' years) This year will be slightly bitter-sweet, although I'll try to focus on the good, because my cousins won't be there :( They're breaking the mold and traveling to Florida to be with their other side of the family. Also, my brother may not be there due to his wife's grandfather's funeral earlier that day :( Poor Jenny. But we will still have fun!

Christmas morning will be my little family of three. I'm curious to see how Audrey will react to the pile of presents that'll show up in the morning. I bet she'll say, "wooooow" I'm torn between enjoying the moment for all it's worth and/or video taping. Maybe a little of both. I look forward to us all plopping on the floor in our jammies, taking our time, and opening our gifts to each other. I grew up with a special Christmas breakfast, but my husband just wants cereal, everyday, no exceptions, so I guess I get to give myself a break and make nothing cool for xmas morning. Although....maybe Audrey will appreciate that someday, so maybe I'll make something special for her and I, like french toast, my fav.

Later on, we'll go to the Erickson side Christmas. This is at my Grandma Erickson's house. This is one large clan, but not too large. My Grandparents have 4 kids plus spouses and between them there are 10 grandkids plus 3 spouses and a finace, one great grandkid! It's my favorite day of the whole year! We eat, open gifts and then just hang out and eat too many cheese and crackers. Fun fun, I hope it doesn't go too fast!

Then finally, a new tradition has emerged. On Christmas night we go to my parents house to have a little time with my parents, brothers, sis in law, and us. It is what used to be Christmas morning as a child, but now has become Christmas night with 2 spouses and a baby added! This is such a nice time too, just us, I can't wait!!!

Ok, well, that's enough about Christmas I suppose.

What else.....
Audrey is getting smarter and smarter. She's doing new things everyday and finding new ways to make us laugh. She says a few two-word phrases now. For example, she'll put a blanket over my head and say, "Mama go?" or when I ask her where Daddy is she'll say, "at work". She's also a feisty little girl. She loves to say no when we say yes. But to her credit, she does obey quite often too. She's more likely to get in crazy feisty moods when out in public...
We love her so much and it's a joy watching her grow, it's quite amazing watching a human life progress. The mind is so amazing. The things she picks up on and learns without much help from us is incredible. That little 20 month old sure know what she likes and what she wants and doesn't want.

She loves: her family, going to Target to see the babies in the baby aisle, running around the mall, going to see her friend Luke (who's mommy Jen watches Audrey for us several times a month), "playing with the kids", I call it, at church, MOPs, and at the gym, eating snow, taking baths, watching sign videos, watching short Elmo videos on you tube (haha, not sure how that started), wrestling with her daddy, coloring (or rather telling me what to draw for her), having snacks, reading books, looking through photo albums, saying 'bye' and pretending to leave by hiding behind things, bananas, yogurt, drinking from a straw, going to Barnes and Noble, and so on.....

Well, if you're still reading, congratulations. I guess I'll go off to bed now. Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas! I'm beyond grateful that God sent his son to earth as a baby so he could grow up and save my life. I hope you understand that too :)

~Brianna

Fail.

I attempted to update. I got about 4 paragraphs into it and decided to erase it all and quit. I do this quite often. I dunno, I think I'm not a blogger anymore. Just thought I would let you all know that I did attempt to write a new blog, haha. Dah.

Happy Birthday to My Mom!

Happy Birthday to my amazing Mom! I shall not disclose her age in case she wants it to be top secret, but I can only hope to be lots like her when I'm her age :) She is beautiful, loving, thoughtful, sincere, selfless, and my best-est girlfriend :) Thanks for all you are Mom, I hope you know how special and loved you are everyday! And I hope your birthday is extra special for you. Love you!

Pretty Lady


Us girls


Last Mother's Day :)

A Filler-Outer Thingy

Hi, my name is: Brianna Marie Lewis

Never in my life have I been: Dumped or Drunk

The one person who can drive me nuts is: Hmm. Probably Audrey, haha.

High school was: mostly all great when I think about the great group of friends that I had. The best times I think I had were in band, playing at football and b-ball games, and then hanging out afterwards :)

When I'm nervous: I pray over and over and tell Chris about it.

The last time I cried was: Hmm..it must have been a couple days at least by now because I can't remember!

If I were to get married right now my maid of honor would be: The same girl who was when I did get married: Miss Cara Dietzman, my wonderful friend since 1992!

My hair is: Boring, straight, and in my opinion, uncool.

When I was 10: I was officially old enough (according to Dad) to get my ears pierced, but I decided I didn't want to anymore.

Last Christmas: I didn't have to work, so I felt wonderful and free enjoying my family and seeing Audrey experience it for the 1st time.

I should be: Much more than I am.

When I look down I see: My feet.

The happiest recent event was: Lunch with my Mom today.

If I were a character on 'That 's Show' I'd be: Hmm...I have no idea. But I'd like to be as quick-witted as the Gilmore Girls :) Although, that's scripted and I'd probably drive everyone around me nuts.

By this time next year: I would hope to be no heavier, being that I finally achieved my weight watchers goals. I would hope to have grown in my relationship with God and with Chris (because relationships always have room for growth).

My current gripe is: I'm not saying anything.

I have a hard time understanding: How abortion is legal.

There's this girl I know that: seems to excell at everything, can do everything, can cook and sew and make friends and be funny and be passionate about so many things, she's SO many girls I know and because of her I find myself praying each day to rid myself of the envy that tries to sneak in.

You know I like you when: haha, I like you all, but I'm shy, so I probably won't just come up to you and say, "Hey, I like you."

If I won an award, the first person I would tell would be: Chris! Haha, an award, in what?

Take my advice: Remember each day to soak up God's promises, believe them with all your heart, just because He says so, and then live freely and with joy because of it.

Something that I really want to buy is: a house someday, nothin' fancy, just a house.

If you visited the place I was born: you would find yourself at Methodist Hospital in Rochester!

I plan to visit: Hmm..I have absolutely no plans to visit any certian place, other than camp every summer, I hope!

If you spend the night at my house: You could sleep on my super soft quishy couch and watch TV and eat chocolate chips to your heart's content.

I'd stop my wedding if: Hmm..I guess if my husband-to-be was all the sudden not the man I knew him to be. But why discuss this, I'm already married and he's the best.

The world could do without: Cigarettes and rules on how many garnments you can bring in a dressing room (that drives me nuts and I often imagine myself writing a letter of complaint to Target headquarters, haha)

I'd rather lick the belly of a cockroach than: Work my 12 hour overnights. (Haha, lick a cockroach's belly, the person that wrote this survery makes me giggle)

Most recent thing I've bought myself: New clothes last Saturday, whoop whoop.

Most recent thing someone else bought me: My mom bought me lunch today!

My favorite blonde is: Hmm...I think it's Heather Gatz! I think she's the only blonde I really know...I hope I'm not forgetting someone (it's 1:30am cut me some slack)

My favorite brunette is: Ok, this is dumb, everyone has brown hair, I'm not about to pick a favorite and make everyone else feel less than my favorite.

My favorite redhead is: Um.... My Dad and Grandma Joanne were natural red heads, so I'm gonna have to go with them!

My middle name is: Marie, after my great grandma.

This morning I: Felt like 8:30 was so early to be up, I was so tired. But I got outta bed and thus began other busy day!

The animals I would like to see flying besides birds are: Haha, these questions are sumthin' else. Who sits around and ponders what animals they wish could fly. Well, I'm gonna go with ants, but I want them to fly up by the clouds so that they can't get in my house. Wait, that's an insect.

Once, at a bar: I played pool with my brother. Haha, I think that was the only time I've been in a real bar. He wanted to take me somewhere to play pool, when we got there I realized it was a bar, and I felt strange, but whatever, it was fun. I had Diet Coke :)

Last night I was: In my glory watching TV on the couch after a busy night at work.

There's this guy I know who: eats Life cereal, 2 handfulls of animal crackers, and one Diet Coke every single morning of his life and would rather do so than go to Perkins or McDonalds. His name is Chris Lewis and I love him :) Even though I'll never get to make him breakfast in bed because he'd wish he was out on the couch eating animal crackers.

I don't know: Why I feel like such an outsider most of the time, always have, probably always will, I seem to be missing the thing that makes people fit in easily with others, I do try though, it just comes so unnaturally.

A better name for me would be: Bertha (Kelsey, I stole this from you) JK.

Tomorrow I am: Not sure what I'll be doing, no plans!

Tonight I am: Probably about to go to bed, well, I'll go to bed, but I'll watch at least one episode of Gilmore Girls before I fall asleep.

My birthday is: January 31st, 1984 3:38 pm.

What I really wanted for Valentine's Day was: Um, I'll go with what I'd like for V-Days in the future: Just to be shown that I am thought of, this can be done with little to no money (just an FYI)

I can sing: Nothing well, but I sing a lot anyway, mostly in my car or to Audrey. Today I sang Zaccheus was a Wee Little Man to Audrey a billion times in-a-row because she gets a kick outta my enthusiastic hand gestures and actions to go along with the words, haha.

I like a guy named: Christopher Adam Lewis, shhh, don't tell!

My best friend's name: It's the same name of the guy I like. And the rest of you besties know who you are :)

Garlic cloves, Lime Juice, and Sirloin steak

In my previous blog I talked about my lack of kitchen skillz and my ability to see beyond the realm of meatloaf. So, I finally just made myself sit down with a cookbook my mom got me for my birthday (last Jan) called Eat Well, Lose Weight (I've been doing Weight Watchers this year). I know what food is good for you and what isn't, but it's nice to have a cook book that has already chosen things that aren't too fatnin' for ya. I chose 3 recipes that use some of the same ingredients so I didn't end up wasting anything!

I made Grilled Steak Fajitas, Chipotle Chicken Quesadillas, and Spicy Sirloin Steaks. Now if you've ever cooked anything in your life, you're probably gonna say, "big whoop" to any of this so-called cooking that I have done. However, for me, it's pretty big!

I made my list and I got all my new ingredients in one trip. You should have seen the perplexed look on my face as I tried to locate 'beef top sirloin steaks' who knew there were so many types? You would not believe how proud I was of myself this week that I made steak, haha. (Big whoop)

I learned a thing or two about garlic. Did you know the whole thingy-ma-jigger is called a garlic bulb and it's those little itty bitties inside that are called the garlic cloves? Wow, good thing I realized that before I chopped up two whole bulbs when all I needed were two cloves. Common sense kicked in for me there as I held up the whole bulb and thought, "Really, this whole thing?" So I googled 'garlic clove' and that's where I learned some fun garlic facts. I do know that you can buy garlic in the bottle, but I really wanted to try out buying the cloves and smooshing them up myself.

When shopping for tortillas, I am seriously bringing a ruler next time! Recipes always say you need 7" or 8" or whatever sized tortillas, but the bags never ever say the size, and there are a lot of sizes. So, there I am trying to inch my fingers across the bagged tortilla to see if I can figure out how many inches it is. And, it seems to matter, in one recipe, I'm pretty sure my tortillas where way too big. Is it so hard to put the inches on the bag or am I just really clueless.

I also used a few other things that were new to me such as lime juice, ginger, and peppers (I cut up peppers and I felt so chef-like!)

So, here are some pictures from the past two weeks of my 3 new recipes.

Chicken and peppers about to go in the frying pan!

I love the way green onions (Aka: scallions-I learned that too) look when they are cut up, the colors are so pretty.

Num num.

The quesadillas turned out so good!

Bulb vs Cloves...ahhh...now I get it!

I don't have an outside grill, but my Georgie has never let me down!

Ok, I'm not a huge meat person, but this steak was soooo good, in my opinion :)

Oofdah, all that work and we eat it in like 5 mintues :) Maybe I'll get faster as time goes on?

I felt a little weary after the quesadillas. I continued to drop things and make tiny mistakes over and over, it was a wonder those ever got done!

PS: Chris said he really liked all three (however, the steaks were a bit salty, ok, less salt next time :)

There's got to be more out there than meatloaf.

I wish I knew how to do more things, but when it comes time to acutally learning how to do them I feel lazy about it. I have a desire to learn, yet no desire to learn! What's up with that? It makes no sense.

I think I would like to learn to sew. I'm wondering if this would save money or not really, in terms of clothes for Audrey throughout her young life. The idea seems fun, making Audrey's clothes! How cool would that be. I know very little. I made a bag in 7th grade and that's it. I have no knowledge on sewing machines, fabrics, etc. Where to even start? And I hate the thought of wasting money on buying the wrong this or that in the process of learning.

Also, I need to learn to cook more things. It doesn't seem like this should be so hard, but for some reason, it is. I can make hambergers and kabobs on my George Foreman and then chicken, meatloaf, and lasagne in the oven. Pretty sure that's it. Chris isn't a big pasta person, so that eliminates an easy one: spaghetti, bummer! Haha. But it's not his fault, there are things I dont' like either, so I must find new things to make. One challenge with this is that I need to cook heathily, not a huge problem, but something to make sure of. Which means I don't just want to go buy a random cook book that isn't low-fat. When I search for cook books or look online I feel so discouraged. I instantly see ingredients I've never heard of and I lose all motivation and just give up. Maybe I just need to go buy the random, unfamiliar ingredient and give it a try.
It's not that I want to make strange-ingredient kind of meals, I just want to know how to cook things.

Someday, I'm gonna be the mom or grandma who's house everyone gathers at, I need to be able to make ham, pototoes, turkey, whatever, in the proper timing and order to serve everyone! I think I take it for granted how perfect all our family events are. Gran has everything all in order and we eat hot, perfect meals. I bet a lot of time and effort went into all of that preparation over the years. She has to think through what she will serve, all the ingredients she needs, where to buy them, when to buy them, how much to buy, when to put what in the oven. When I see her sitting on her stool Christmas after Christmas pulling apart the turkey, I don't even realize all that went into the process to get her there. Jeesh, I ordered pizza and bought a cake for Audrey's 1st birthday party and a lot of thought went into that seemingly lame meal.

I'm sure Gran doesn't think this is a big deal, she's probably got it down to an art form (right Gran?), but for me, I don't even know how to cook a turkey. Maybe it's not as hard as I think.

Anyways, now I think I'm a little bit inspired to google recipees. I MUST learn to cook more! (and maybe learn to sew?)

PS: It doesn't help that Chris and I are perfectly thrilled to eat out at Beetles every night of the week :) (not that we do, ok maybe once....or twice....dah!)

My Pathetic Attempt to Keep My Blog Alive

My blog is so pathetic! Sometimes I start a blog and then just say, "nevermind" and delete it. I feel like I have nothing to say! I looked back and it's been 2 months since I blogged. I'm sure most of you will do a double-take when you see I updated.

Well, what's there to say.......

Not a whole lot has changed in two months. I'm enjoying Chris being home everyday. We wake up, hang out a bit, then go on a long walk. Audrey stays pretty relaxed and it's a fun way to start the day. Then Chris usually goes off to basketball and I either hang out with just Audrey or we find a buddy to do something with.

Today, Kelsey and her two boys, and us girls went for a walk around Silver Lake and then ate at the mall. It's nice to share the time with another adult and a great friend at that! Then around 1p it's nap time. Audrey sleeps until aroudn 4:30!

Chris usually gets home around 2ish and then I go work out (I'll miss that when he goes back to work!) Then I usually do my bible study and try to relax a bit.

Suppertime then whatever, probably go over to my parents and sit outside while Audrey runs all over the place!

Bedtime is anywhere from 8:30-9:30 and then it's like 3 or 4 ish hours of aloneness! Audrey wakes up 12 hours later!

I dunno why I just gave you a synopsis of my day, see, this is why I delete my blogs, they're sooooo dull!

Recently, Chris and I went to The A-Team and Toy Story 3. Then Casey, Kelsey, and I went to Twilight. All were very good! It was nice to see Casey too! The 3 of us had lunch that day with Heather as well. It was fun to all be together again! Casey is hanging in there, she's close to done with her IV chemo doses. They usually make her sick and tired :( Then hopefully sometime this year she can get back to teaching in Kansas. We were so glad she was well enough to come out with us!!!

Chris is playing lots of softball and basketball, trying to fill up his free time. However, he did accept a job at Mayo starting in August! It's nothing he's really interested in or went to school for, but jobs are few and it was something that came along. It's in patient appointment coordination. I think it'll be nice for him to have some kind of routine again. He'll be great at it and who knows what'll come of it, hopefully good things :)

I feel like I'm writing a Christmas letter.....

I am working 24 hrs a week on average, although it turns out to be more like 48 hrs one week and then a week off and then repeat. It's nice to have all those days off in a row, but it is not nice to work 48 the next. Oh well. My job is OK, it pays the bills, haha. I'm not passionate about it like my co-workers. I do my best, but mostly I just wanna go home, all the time. I never want to be there in any shape or form. If someone said, hey, you can quit tomorrow, I would. I'm glad I have a job, benefits, confidence that I won't get laid off, but yeh, it's not my thing, not even close.

4th of July was fun as usual at my lovely Grandmother's home! It rained, but we will had fun all being together :) We've also done some outside stuff: Julie and Brad's place on Lake Zumbro, sprinkler in Mom's yard, and Soldier's Fields kiddie pool, fun stuff man.

Well, this is boring beyond all measure, so I'm gonna go. See ya in 2 months most likely.

And now for a bright spot in a dull blog, my tiny princess: Audrey Joanne 14 months old!

Audrey and Chris playing in the sprinkler!

Audrey at a park by the lake.

Audrey's face after she went under water! She loves to swim :)

PS: Another reason I don't blog is because I get my blog all set how I want it, in several, easy-to-read paragraphs, and then when I publish it, it all gets mushed together (like this one did) It drives me nuts!

It's Already Been 4 Years?!

Last night at work things got a little slow so I started reading my blog from the beginning, which was August of 2004. I realized that I used to be really funny. Maybe I just think I was funny, but I was laughing my head off reading it all. I'm not funny like that anymore, not so silly and cheerful, hmm, wish I was. Life was so different in 2004. I was just starting nursing school and living in Winona. As I read I remembered how hard it was to study all the time! Not a lot of sleep, lots of hours alone in the study lounge, getting up at 5am for clinicals. Ugh I wouldn't do that part again. However, looking back, college is such a fond memory. I mostly remember all the good stuff, like being with my roomates. Here's a few pics from the early 00's for your viewing pleasure.

Kelsey and I one very late night at Walmart, we were a special.
My nursing friends at clinical in Wabasha.

I set this up to take a pic of myself, this was like 4am studying

I remember it getting so cold in the middle of the night, like your body knows it's supposed to be under covers, not studying.

The best girls a girl could ever know! I miss this!

So, there's a little flashback to my life in college. This is finals week for Winona, so, 4 years ago, now, I was studying my booty off! In many ways it really was a simpler time, although I wouldn't have believed that back then. Life is great now, but once in a while, I miss that 3 year stretch in Winona!

My Tiny Girl

~Do I really see what's in her mind? Each time I think I'm close to knowing, she keeps on growing. Slipping through my fingers all the time~

This song from Mamma Mia always brings tears to my eyes thinking of Audrey growing, and she's only a year! (Can't imagine how my mom feels!) Here's some recent favorites of my tiniest one

At MOPS this past week we were challened to picture our hopes for what our children might be like someday. I have so many hopes for Audrey, but this is my attempt to sum it up.

My prayer for Audrey is for her to give her life to God when she's old enough to understand she's in need of a Savior. To become compassionate, generous, and humble. To have a quiet and gentle spirit. And to have the ability to put others before herself because of the confidence and contentment gained from understanding her inherent worth.

Luv you baby.

Happy 1st Birthday Audrey!

My baby girl is one years old today! It's a little bittersweet looking back on the year and remembering the day she was born because it means she's growing up! It's been a wonderful year and I truly can't believe how fast it has gone. It's such a joy to watch her grow and learn and to share her with all of our wonderful family member and friends. I'll do a blog soon of her party, but here is just one picture from Saturday.

I love you baby girl! You make Mommy and Daddy so proud!

Almost a Year Old!

It's almost April 19th and Audrey will be a year old! I cannot believe how fast a year has gone. It's been crazy! Mostly fun, but hard work too. All worth it of course. It's so much fun to watch her grow and learn. It's amazing how much you love your own child and how exciting it is to see them do new things. Lately, in her 11th month, Audrey has discovered humor. She is getting quite silly. She has started rolling around on the floor, like all over the room. Then she'll crawl and fall on her belly on purpose and then throw her head back and roll around some more. You can tell she's being goofy and she looks for us to see if we're watching her. She is also getting into dancing. If I turn music on she'll bop up and down and bob her head to the music. We also have this Elmo video that Audrey loves. At one point Elmo is playing peek-a-boo with someone and as Audrey watches it, she seems to get the joke and she laughs out loud at Elmo and points to him, then looks back to see if I thought it was funny too! She points at everything and has such a fun personality. She's always on a mission and always has some door or cupboard to open and shut.

Here is Audrey every month of her life. Watch her grow!!!

April 19th, 2009, her birthday!

1mo old

2mo old

3mo old

4mo old

5mo old

6mo old

7mo old

8mo old

9mo old

10mo old

Just last week, still 11months.

Audrey Jo, you are the most beautiful thing I've ever seen, I love you so much and I can't believe you're almost one year old! Mommy and Daddy will love you forever sweet girl. You are our precious little blessing! xoxoxo.

I Can't Keep Up With Her!

Look at this sweet face. This tiny princess would never disobey Mama or dig in cupboards or play with outlets would she?.............

Or maybe she does look a little sneaky. I see mischief in her eyes.......

Yep, she's trouble. Well, more like just incredibly curious.

(PS: don't judge my lacy curtains, they're 80s, but hey they came with the place)

I turned my back for one second and there go my pajamas.
Oh fun, dish towels!

Plastic bags are the best!

"Pans are ok right Mom?"

"Look what I figured out!"

So, it's busy around this house, trying to keep up with Audrey. I have really loved watching her this month, her 11th month, she's grown into a little explorer. Now that she's an expert walker she's moved on to discovering everything around her. She opens every drawer, shuts doors, leaves the room for another room without us with her, and she loves to point. She points at pictures, trees, toys, everything she sees she points at. It's so neat to see her mind grow and change. There are some No-Nos though. The cd holder thingy, the TV, and the stereo are NO! I wish they were up off the groud so she wasn't tempted by them, but it's the best we can do. Generally she listens, but not always. Sigh, it's hard work, but I love her so much.

She also started her version of dancing this week. When music comes on and we prompt her to do it, she bend her knees up and down and smiles :) She loves to play peek-a-boo and "I'm gonna get you" games! She laughs or screams and tries to run away. She's also eating more finger foods. Yesterday she had noodles, oranges, cheese, and beans! So, there's a little update on my busy girl!