She's Growing Up So Fast

Our little girl is getting older. Now, almost 11 months, eating most foods, communicating more everyday, and now WALKING!!! (sometimes). Sarah and I were able to catch her take 11 steps on camera. You can view it below.

This year has flown by and I am always reminded to step outside myself and look at how blessed I am every day. I have an incredible wife who is smokin hot, a baby who steals my heart with every kiss, a job in a bad economy, family and friends. I challenge everyone to step outside and try not to get caught up in the daily grind. We all have much to be thankful for.

Driving into work last week I heard a letter to a young girl who was just going off to school for the first time. It made me think about watching Audrey get older and experiencing things in her lifetime. Here is the link to a podcast by Kidd Kraddick with the letter and then a song that follows. The letter starts at the 5:40 mark and the song ends at 13:15

http://www.kiddlive.com/Article.asp?id=1469281&spid=24432

Beach Bums

While Ryan had to go to West Monroe last week for a work trip...Audy & I decided we didn't want to stay in the house alone & headed off to the beach to meet one of my best friend's, Racheal, & her WHOLE family. When I say "whole" I mean WHHHOOOLLEEE!!! We had her parents, her husbands parents, her 5 kids, her sister & friends, her cousin & friends & me & Audrey.
Surprisingly, with all those people, things ran smoothly & we had a relatively relaxing trip (except the first night when we got in late & Audrey wouldn't go back to sleep......looooong nite)

The condo was right outside the pool & I would put Audrey down for her nap & sunbath (checking on her every few minutes). After lunch we would head out to the beach to enjoy the BEAUTIFUL clear water, white sands & sunshine.

Audrey LOVED the beach, water, pool ...even the sand. I was so proud of her for hanging out despite the fact that there was sand EVERYWHERE!!! The only downfall was poor Ryan missed out on the fun in the sun.

We had a great time, THANKS AUNTIE RACHAEL & UNCLE JEFF!!!!! Can't wait to see you again.

PS Ryan says no more naked bath time with Jax & definitely no more climbing in bed/packnplay with her:)

Mum's the Word

I thought I was going to be "Mommy" or "Ma Ma" but Audrey has other plans (which I am fine with).
She has expanded her vocabulary from "Da Da" & "Yaya" to what I think sounds like "Daddy" "hey" "BaBa" (bottle) & "Mum"
Praise the Lord! I love hearing her say it!! !(Although she has only said it a total of 3 times:) It melts my heart everytime.

She also can show you where your nose is. She knows the song "Head, shoulders, knees & toes" & she is learning all the animal sounds....she can do the snake, "tsssss" monkey "ahahah" the cow comes out like "mmmm".
She has also learned how to pet Bruiser gently....pat, pat, pat.

Another thing we are thankful for, She has been going to school with me everyday & she has not gotten sick again!!!! I think she has begun to build up her immune system.

I almost forgot!

I forgot to include a few things last post. First of all, Audrey's dancing-poor child- she got her moves from me :( & her father's rhythm ....she is in big trouble. I am going to try to get a video of her dancing bc regardless of how bad the moves are......it is still the cutest thing I've EVER seen. She bounces her little knees & butt & claps off beat, but it's ADORABLE!!!

She likes to give you "high 5" (Against my wishes, Ryan taught her this).....it just not cool, Ryan.

Oh & we have added a new sign to the list-PLEASE (We actually added please & took away more-not by choice...she is boycotting more)

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With all the "Audrey's turning 10 months, yea!!!" confusion, I forgot to tell ya'll about my birthday. (I did post the pics in the last post but here they are again...just in case you missed them. Birthday shots at the end of album)

Friday night we decided to have a little happy hour for a few friends & we invited the fam too... we thought we might have 5 people....not so (guess we are more loved than we thought!!!)

It was fun!!! All the original happy hour girls (it's not like an actual club or anything, just a bunch of girls who have WAY to much going on in there lives & make it a point to meet at least every other month to have a drink & catch up-sorry for the way to long explanation) were there PLUS husbands & kids (usually NOT invited). So instead of a total of 5 people in our tiny little cottage, we had 5 kids, 16 adults, 1 dog(who was not allowed to make an appearance-sorry Bruiser)



Brenda (the ridiculous one-who I love the most), Charlotte(the ring leader-we are all actually connected by her & would not know each other if it weren't for her) Me (I think I'd be labeled the ballsy one(out of these)) Jess (aka Supermom)




Ryan & I tried to get a family pic but you know how that goes... so here is the best we got (minus the top of Ryan's head)!!!

Isn't my huney cute!

And for my birthday present.....it was a surprise....& it really was. Let me 'splain!!! Ryan has NEVER succeeded in surprising me....no never....no Ryan...never......no Ryan, not even our engagement......never :)

Well that streak is over! Good job Ry! So all week he is talking about my birthday present & surprising me (the excitement builds). Friday night he "helps" me pack by telling what kind of things I will need, "bring a party dress, bathing suit, coat..." yeah he said coat(that was to throw me off) "lingerie" (do I NEED this or is this for you, Ryan). Anyway, we got in the car & I knew that when it came time for the interstate, I would finally get a clue-left to New Orleans, right-to Mississippi, straight to Alabama...............(and the excitement builds)


Which way did we go??????

LEFT-To New Orleans to experience it a different way-at a Bed & Breakfast Uptown! Above is a picture of the pool in the courtyard. When you were in the pool-you did not know you were in a city or even so close to home! We shopped Magazine St. (Ryan was a doll, letting me go in clothing stores, baby stores, consignment stores etc). We rode the streetcar (Ryan's first time-can you believe that). We had dinner at Delmonico's where we had our first date & the best part....I didn't have to plan a single thing-you rock Ryan!!!

Ryan, I had such a good time on our little get-a-way! You are an amazingly, thoughtful & wonderful husband. I watch you with Audrey or even your patience with me & I know that God has truly blessed me with you! You are an example of love to/for me & hope that I am even half as good a wife/mother to you & Audrey that you are to us. I love you baby! Thanks for a great birthday!!!

Double Digits

Our girl is 10 months old today! Gosh, how time flies!!!! I think she gets prettier everyday (not like I'm biased or anything:). Here is a link to all the pics but keep reading for updates!

There is so much to catch you up on....lets see....
Well, first of all, Bruiser has lost his place in front of the window bc Audrey has taken over! She loves looking out the window & "talking" to herself (or maybe Bruiser)

She is learning how to share though see her & Bruiser in the window (I always wonder what they are both thinking?...any ideas???)

She can now stand on her own & will clap for herself everytime she does it (don't know where she picked that up:)

Mommy & Nana both have one drawer that Audrey is allowed to play in ....TUPPERWARE..... her new thing is to take EVERYTHING out of the drawer (or basket, purse etc) & then I put it all back in and she does it again!!! Let's just say it's way more fun for Audrey than it is for Mommy & Nana

She has baskets in her room with her bibs & pj's in it & she will sit & take it all out (mommy puts it back in) take it all out, (mommy puts it back in)....this will go on for most of the morning! Don't forget how we love to play peek-a-boo too!!!!!!

At least she has good taste (is that YOUR coach bag, Audrey?)

She has just started giving "kisses". We discovered this trick when she went to give her baby cousin a kiss on the head (Ryan & I's heart stopped for a sec bc we thought she was trying to bite him.....gotta give her a little more credit huh-see Ryan about to yank her away:)

I just wanted to kiss the baby dad-sheesh



She LOVES to read & is content reading in her bed by herself or in your lap with you reading to her (just so long as SHE gets to turn the pages).

She also has started to wear shoes....not alot but they make some stinkin cute baby shoes so I can't help but put them on her for show...they really do get in the way of her trying to stand/walk/pretty much everything (but they look cute)

She's finally gotten the clapping down to so that you can actually hear her clap & she LOVES to clap!!!

Audrey you are such a sweet little girl with an amazing personality. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for you & know that it is a great plan. You get more & more beautiful everyday. I love your determination...you try so hard at everything you do. You are very perceptive & will watch someone do something over & over until you are ready to try it. You love going to school with me & watch all the "big kids" & fit right in with them.

You go to sleep on your own so well & everynight we pray that the angels will watch over you while you sleep & keep you company, keep you safe & comforted. You sleep with the dolly that your Aunt Daph gave you---we call her Layla. I love being your mommy & love the time that we spend together. You are growing up so fast & am so proud of all the accomplishments you've already achieved. Keep up the good work big girl-Daddy & I love you sooooooooooooooooooooooo much!