All around town

The past two days have been beautiful! Barely any humidity and bright blue skies. On Tuesday I took Audrey to downtown Fredericksburg. First stop was Hurcamp Park. She loved the fountain!





Then we went to the library. She got her very own library card and checked out some wonderful books...an Olivia counting book, Animal Signs, a shape book, and The Napping House by Audrey Wood. Speaking of Audrey Wood, I so want to get another one of her books, The Kissing Hand. I read it to my class for Family Life because it related well to one of our topics. I got all weepy at the end, and you will too! Definitely check it out if you haven't already!



Today we went with Tina and cousin Skylar to the Children's Museum in Richmond (Short Pump.) What a great place! They had several different play areas, a real train, a HUGE water table, even a designated blocked-in area for children under 2. I really wish we had one that was closer!


Checking out the museum sign



At first Audrey was very bashful...she clung to me for a few minutes. I put her in the sand box, and she really wasn't too thrilled with it at first. Skylar loved it though! I love how she'd pick up the sand in both fists and watch it pour out as she slowly opened her hands. Audrey was more interested in the train. While we were standing in line she kept saying, "Choo, choo!!"





She also, oddly enough, really just enjoyed running around in circles...she honestly didn't even care where I was, she just wanted to run around and explore. I really liked the Under 2 play area. It was plenty big and the girls enjoyed everything in there. Skylar got bored after awhile and peaced out by herself, making a beeline straight back to the sandbox, lol.


*Note to self- buy more wooden puzzles!!

It was really, really fun! The staff was fantastic. They were friendly and helpful, and they were constantly straightening up (and disinfecting!!) the play areas. We walked over to Kona Grill for lunch and then headed home. It was about a 50 minute drive for us, and Audrey slept the whole way. When we got home she slept for another 2 hours in her crib. Definitely a great play date for the two sweet girls.

The rest of the week is supposed to be beautiful, mid 80's. We have a ton of family in town for Stephanie & TJ's wedding weekend. We can't wait, it's going to be a huge, fantastic celebration :)

18 month photo shoot

WOW, is all I can say! As usual, Stephanie did an amazing job. We met her at Chatam Manor last night (she suggested an evening shoot, said the lighting would be fantastic!) It was extremely hot but we'd catch a breeze every once in awhile & most of the place was shaded. She basically just followed Audrey around. Audrey was very intrigued with the buildings, flowers, especially the fish pond (she actually tried to step into the fish pond...eeek!!) She was getting a little restless at one point, so we turned on the iPod and she danced around to "Down." So cute. Eventually it got a little too hot for her because towards the end she got really fussy (plus it was her bed time.) Right before we left, a huge black snake slithered in front of us. Yuck!



I am thrilled with our sneak peek. It will be a couple weeks before our gallery is up. I can hardly wait!

What to do, what to do...

Entertaining Audrey is a lot different this summer as opposed to last. Last year she was pretty stationary, so it was very easy to keep her occupied with toys & books. She also got a lot of use from her excersaucer and doorway jumper. Now it's a whole different story. She's completely mobile and I don't have any kind of cool contraption to put her in! So we tried a couple of new things this weekend: drawing and baby pool!


The crayon holders are for beginners (Target). Audrey preffered spinning them like tops.








Ready to go outside!










At first she wasn't sure about the pool (perhaps it was being inside a giant blowfish's mouth that freaked her out?)


She would bend down to splash the water, but wouldn't actually sit...






Loved the pool toys! Notice she's still not sitting...


Finally! She really loved this cup, she kept turning it over and banging on the bottom. She liked dancing to the sound.


Changed into warm clothes and watching some TV.

It has been so hot this weekend! The water activities and shade are great for Audrey, but I can only stand to be out there for so long. What kinds of indoor activities do you do with your toddler?

18 months!

Audrey is 1 1/2 today! She is a true toddler in every sense of the word. This morning she had her wellness check; she's 31 3/4 in tall, weighs 22 lbs, and is "simply beautiful." As soon as we walked into the doctor's office, she was waving and smiling at everyone, running all over the place, talking up a storm. She got one shot, but didn't cry for very long. She was all smiles again and wanted to walk out of the office herself.

Here's what Audrey is like at 18 months...

Daily Schedule
Wakes up around 7-7:30. Dad changes her and brings her to our bed where we play for a little. Eats breakfast, watches some Disney, playtime, eats a small snack and has juice. Eats lunch around 11:30, drinks some milk, story time. Naps from 12:00-2:00 (sometimes longer!) Small snack and juice, more playtime (usually outside.) Eats dinner around 6:00. If she needs a bath she gets one around 6:30. Her evening routine is my favorite, probably because she's so used to it by now. She gets her PJs on and we go to the bathroom where she brushes her teeth and takes her vitamin (she gets SO excited for her vitamin!) We sit in the rocker with her cup of milk and I read Goodnight Moon to her. She loves to turn the page and when I get to the part that says, "And a quiet old lady who was whispering hush," she says, "Shhhhh!" It's so funny. When we get to the last page I always say, "The End!" and close the book. She's started to mimic me and it sounds like she's trying to say, "The End!" but it usually sounds like, "Ta da!!" which is what she ALWAYS says when something fun or exciting happens.

Food and Drink:

Breakfast- oatmeal with fruit, Yo Baby yogurt (fruit/cereal/yogurt), toast, pancakes, Cheerios

Lunch- PB&J, grilled cheese, Yo Baby fruit & veggie yogurt, any Stage 2 fruit or veggie

Dinner- chicken, any Stage 2 dinner, (has tried and liked other foods but not on a consistent basis)

Fruits- bananas, grapes, strawberries

Veggies- none

Snacks- no shortage of variety here; puffs, crunchies, goldfish, cereal bars, Mums, Ritz, yogurt melts, popsicles

Drink- whole milk (about 15 oz per day), 100% fruit & veggie juice mixed with water


Milestones:

*uses appropriate terms (stop, no, don't, up, down, uh-oh, oh no, yeah, ball, all done, ta da!)

*follows instructions (brings an object to you, sits down, gives hugs and kisses)

*mimics words (milk, snack, "cheese" for the camera, "please" which sounds like "cheese", other familiar one-syllable words)

*mimics animals sounds (cat, dog, monkey, cow, Zoe)

*mimics actions (puts finger to lips and says "shhhh", scolds the dogs, brushes her teeth, uses the phone)

*babbles most of the time with great expression.

*completes wooden puzzles, stacks blocks, plays peek-a-boo, rolls a ball back and forth, scribbles, sits and reads books on her own

*points to your nose, eyes, mouth. Points to her head/hair, chest, feet. Gives high-fives

*walks and runs everywhere, loves to be chased, walks backwards, climbs, dances to music

*helps take her clothes off

That's all I can think of for now. She's come a long way in her 18 months. It seems like everyday she learns something new. I'm so thankful to be home now with her everyday.


Thrilled to be at the doctor's office!


This is what a toddler temper tantrum looks like. What does it sound like? High-pitched screams (baby) mixed with snickering (mom.)


Cure for the temper tantrum: distraction! Audrey is helping make her lunch. Bout time the kid pitched in.


"Oh yeah, gonna get me somma dat!"


Ok, definitely Audrey's jar.




Guess it was good!




RAWR!




Sometimes she just smiles the biggest, cheesiest smile. No reason!

Audrey was supposed to have her 18 month photo shoot this week but the photographer had to reschedule. Good thing b/c on Tuesday morning, Audrey fell and hit her head, causing a big bruise on her forehead. We've rescheduled for Monday, hopefully it will be gone by then (and no more injuries occur before then!!) I tell ya (and most of you already know) having a toddler is rough! They're a ball of raw energy and pretty fearless. I'm just hoping to get through the summer without any serious injury...wishful thinking?

Happy 18 months Audrey! You are the light of our lives and you bring such joy to everyone who knows you. We love you more and more with each passing day.

Summer has officially begun!

I have a really good reason for not blogging lately...the end of the school year gets so crazy hectic that by the time Audrey goes to bed I'm too lazy to do anything! Our last day of school was Friday. It was an emotional day. I cried as each bus was called, as each one of my kids walked out my door. I probably would have been a hot mess for hours afterwards, but luckily I had one of my former students there to help me pack up my room. My last day was yesterday. Cumulative files done. Lesson plans, anecdotal records & grade books turned in. Evaluation complete. Classroom packed. Before I left I just stood in my room remembering what it sounded like with 20 of the greatest kids I've had the pleasure of spending so much time with. I'm trying to stay positive and think great thoughts about next year's group. Truth is, I envy the 3rd grade teachers!!

With that said, today was my first official day of summer break. It's hard to be too sad when you get to spend your days with Audrey!


At Bonefish, celebrating Aunt Kelly's birthday (of course she's looking away!!)




Happy Father's Day!


Her hair has grown so much. A year ago she was bald, now she's sporting the cutest blonde curls!!!




I handed her goldfish crackers as she played. She put them in the water, let them float around a little, then "catch" them and eat them. Ha!




Every night Chris and I go in together after she's been asleep for awhile. It's so funny to see how she's fallen asleep. Usually she's on her tummy, butt high in the air, arms tucked underneath. When she's really tired, she passes out on her back, sprawled out, mouth wide open. Tonight she managed to pull down all of her stuffed animals and get comfortable. Adorable!

Tomorrow Audrey will be 18 months old. She has her wellness check in the morning. I absolutely love the freedom that summer brings. I can schedule things as I wish and Audrey is my only alarm clock. Cheers to summertime!

So smart!

It was another hot and busy weekend for us! Mostly busy around the house. Christopher built a picnic table for the beck deck and it is beautiful! He did such a great job. I can't wait to have many, many meals outside this summer! Audrey also got her very own picnic table this weekend. While I was researching water tables, I found a bundle pack at Walmart.com. It included a sand & water table, picnic table, and an umbrella that can be moved between the two. Needless to say, Audrey Cate loved her new toys!














Eating her very first lunch at her new table.



After her nap we played dress up:









In other news, my sister Kelly got engaged this weekend to her boyfriend Jeremy! We are so excited :) There is so much to do and plan, I can't wait!