JoJo

Sorry this post is sideways....

JoJo is what Audrey calls her grandpa (Ryan's Dad)

Birthday Wishes

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRAMMA CATHY

Today is Ryan's Grandmother's Birthday
Gramma Cathy has played a huge role in Ryan's life & our daughter, Audrey Catherine, is named after her! She gave Ryan a place to live his first year of college (& fed him-not an easy task).

When we moved to PA, Gramma Cathy offered to come up & help us get settled in. She rode the 17 hours to PA with Ryan & saw our "temporary home" before even me. She stayed two weeks & kept me company while Ryan worked 12 hour days. The day after Audrey was born, she came to the hospital & spent the WHOLE day holding Audrey ( I think she only let me hold her to feed her :)

I was trying to think about the first time I met Gramma Cathy & I truly could not remember. I think bc as soon as we met it was like we had known each other for years.

I hope you know how special you are to us & how much we love you! -HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

One more video....listen to that laugh!

October 5th

I've been thinking about this day for over a year now. When I was pregnant & trying to prepare (if there is such a thing) everyone told me the first year would be the toughest. So true to form, I tried to plan (if you know me, I try to plan for EVERYTHING so this is not unusual). I read books about what to expect at delivery, taking baby home & all about the first year. I also talked to other mothers that had gone before me (Jenn-the other woman raising my child:) & mothers who were going along the same time as me (Courtney)....Both of you, Thanks SOOOO much for your wisdom & encouragement this past year. It really does take a village to raise a child (if you are trying to do it alone...good luck & God be with you!

Anyway, I don't think that there is ANYTHING, & I really mean that, ANYTHING that could have prepared me for this past year..... how many emotions can you go through in one year?!

Excitement, scared, joy, exhaustion, overwhelmed, more joy, grace, patience & the list goes on.

Audrey, I remember when we brought you home from the hospital. I mean the nurse just gave you to us & sent us on our way.... I'm thinking "yeah right lady, you want ME to raise this kid?...aren't you coming home with us to make sure we don't screw it up?" "don't you have a book or manual to send home with us?"

I also remember this overwhelming sense of joy & happiness!

Then we just kinda fell into a rhythm, you, me & daddy. We started working on your feeding schedule & getting you to sleep through the night (this is a BIG one) we tackled naps & your sleeping schedule then on to solid foods & you just continued to grow, crawl, walk & turn into the toddler you are now. And throughout each stage, you continued to change...your looks changed...your personality started to shine through & we all kinda got to know each other. Daddy & I learned to work together, disagree & love each other & you more & more each day!

God has also revealed Himself to us daily through you.

I think about how much I love you & I know that is how God loves us (yet He does it perfectly when we never could). I also know that He loves you more than I ever could (which doesn't seem possible) & that fills my heart with joy that I never knew possible. Your daddy & I pray for you daily & wait to see what God has in store for you. I pray everyday for the wisdom & grace to raise you for HIS purpose & can't wait to see what that will be.

Audrey you are such an amazing little person. You are smart beyond belief (I don't want to say advanced...but :). You have learned to communicate with us through sign language & it is such a relief to be able to know what you want & are trying to say.

You LOVE Elmo & will clap & point whenever he comes on. You're friendly & love to give any friend, toy, book etc kisses! Oh how you love bath time with daddy. Daddy will say, "let's go take a bath" & you will start trying to get your clothes off & say "uck, uck, uck (duck)" all the way down the hallway.

You love to read & turn the pages! A few of your favorites are It's time for Bed, First Steps in the Bible, & any book that has a dog in it. You can say dog but it comes out for like "og" with your pronunciation on the "G". You say Mumma, DaDa, Yaya, Duck, Dog, "ook" for Book & trying to say so many other words that we haven't figured out yet.
You are a Momma's girl when you don't feel good, fall down or are tired but its all Daddy when you want to play! & I love watching you & daddy play together....you will follow him to the ends of the earth (So would I:) & even though I think you look just like me ...your personality & mannerism are all him.

You are drinking regular milk & eat pretty much anything we eat....you LOVE to eat!!! You are walking wherever you go & you go, go, go ALL day long.

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY AUDREY

You are an amazing & happy little girl & I am so happy, proud, scared, honored, excited to be your mommy! Can't wait to see what this next year holds & I love you to pieces Big Girl!!!!!

Below is a few videos from this year...thought you would enjoy seeing what we've been up to!



Her boyfriend Noah & their 1st Kiss

Dancing! This girl doesn't stand a chance!