What a difference a year makes!

Check out this video...the first part is Audrey exactly one year ago. She was just starting to crawl. The second part was taken this week as she danced around the living room (something we like to do every day!)



I can't believe it's been a whole year since she started to crawl...and look how much her hair has grown! Audrey is so much fun to be around. She's loud and crazy one minute, quiet and focused the next. I am amazed at how she can sit and play with a toy or read a book for long periods of time. But I especially love how chatty she can be and how she gets up and dances around while singing, even when there's no music.

She's currently cutting her canines. Her diapers have been pretty runny and she wouldn't eat any solid foods for a few days. She's been very clingy as well. Luckily her sleep hasn't been interrupted (except last night, she was crying on and off between 10:30-11:00.) Hopefully they come thru soon...I know in just a few short months the 2 year molars will be here. She started saying "stuck" this week. As in her Mickey and Minnie were stuck in the shopping cart, or when she's belted in and wants to get out she says, "I stuck!" We have a new game where I'll sit in front of her crib and kiss her through one of the slats. Then I'll move to another slat and she'll meet me for another kiss...I do this over and over until she gets tired of it (because I could do that all night!) Random- I've noticed that when she wants something, she'll point to it and say, "Doe doe?" I have NO IDEA WHAT SHE'S SAYING. All I know is that she wants it (this ranges from my drink, to her paci, to a toy that fell on the floor.)

Since Audrey's b-day is right before Christmas, I put most of her presents away and bring them out periodically throughout the year. Yesterday I put together her baby stroller and I also opened a baby doll. I was not surprised to see that she was more interested in the stroller than the baby.


Yeah, she took the baby out of the stroller (by the head, mind you) and actually maneuvered herself into it (which was NOT easy!) Does this look like a child who needs another sibling anytime soon? Methinks no.


She did show concern when the baby cried...


...aw, that's much better!

Some other pictures of our week:


A beautiful rainbow, right in our front yard!


SQUEAL!! Cutest pigtails ever, unfortunately her hair is so thin they slide right out...




Teething like a mofo



I've been trying to relax and enjoy the last few weeks of summer, which means staying home as much as possible! During the school year we are gone all the time! I just want to hang out at home with my sweet girl. Starting next week I have a gazillion things to do for school. Teacher workweek isn't until the 30th, but I have a few classes I need to take each week before then. Here's to 3 more weeks of sweet summer!

Our Vacation (part three, final installment!)

We spent the rest of our trip visiting old, favorite sites...

LL Bean and the outlets













Rick's Cafe in Naples (right on Long Lake & Sebago Lake) Scott and I took out the Craigcat a couple of times. Scott also went with dad, then they took a jet ski...which tipped over and they had to be rescued!


Me and Scott :)









At DiMillos (a restaurant aboard a docked ship in downtown Portland)


Last night in Maine, stopping at our favorite ice cream place in Norway

Our Vacation (part two)

We couldn't wait to go to the lake! It brings back years of wonderful memories and at the same time it's kind of sad how much has changed. My grandfather's camp is gone...there's a long tarp blocking his old view of the lake (construction requirement), and his beach is overgrown. But by this time next year a beautiful log cabin will be in it's place and it will undoubtedly be the most beautiful spot on the lake once again. We spent time next door with long-time friends Bob and Ann. I was so excited to bring Audrey to the lake and I got so many beautiful pictures...


















Grandpa's old dock

Just being at camp with my daughter made the whole trip worth it. As much as it has changed, I can still see it the way it was when I was her age.

Our First Vacation (part one)

Our bags were packed and my dad quickly found out that there's no such thing as packing lightly when you're traveling with a toddler! I had my suitcase (with mine and Audrey's clothes), the stroller, the pack and play, Audrey's large tote, a small diaper bag (toiletries), and a small tote bag. Chris came along to see us off and help load up the car.


Good-bye hug!

Audrey was so good in the car. She read books, listened to music, napped, watched MMCH, and played with toys. We stopped in NY and stayed the night. We left early the next morning for Brunswick and the car ride, although longer, was very easy. As soon as we were unpacked we headed for Cook's, which is a popular restaurant right on the ocean. It was gorgeous so we snapped some pictures before dinner.


Rock climbing


First time seeing the ocean







Since it was so nice, we decided to eat on the deck




The lobster bib lasted a bout 2 seconds.


We were sitting right by the stairs. She greeted each and every person as they walked up. Everyone just loved her..,


...and she apparently loves herself! She kept turning around to see her reflection.




Pop and uncle Scott thought it was a wonderful idea to give her ice cream...


...which she loved...


...a little too much!

It was still light out when we left, so we headed for Bailey's Island. We go every year and love checking out the gift shop. But I spent more time taking pictures of Audrey than shopping (crazy, right?!)






Famous fisherman statue












This bird tried to take our stuff! The seagulls are not shy :)

Audrey had a hard time getting to sleep that night. It was probably because she's not used to sleeping right next to me in her PNP. But of course I told my dad it was because of all the sugar she'd had at dinner :)

Next up, lake pictures!

Maine

My mom's family is from Maine, which is where I was born. Every year we'd vacation there. My grandfather had a small camp on Norway Lake. Our living arrangements for those 2 weeks changed (ahem, progressed) throughout the years...tents, pop-up camper, massive RV. It was something we all looked forward to each summer. We lived in our bathing suits; my favorite things to do were lay out, read books, swim, take naps on the boat. It was the ultimate relaxing vacation. There is just nothing like Maine in the summer. Getting away from Virginia's heat and humidity was the half of it; it was so fun to go tubing, water skiing, eating out every night. Our neighbors at camp were a blast and my Grandpa hung up swings from the trees just for us. We loved playing in the A-frame, climbing the rocks, and we'd rush to the shore with our tubes and boogie boards when a boat sped by (wicked waves!) We'd visit our favorite places; Bailey's Island, Naples, Freeport, Portland. I always loved going to Maine and appreciated it more and more each year.

As we all got older and started working, we'd try to make it up there for at least one week. I'd fly up to meet my family and drive back with them, or vice-versa. It got more difficult to get everyone together but it always seemed to work out. Chris came with us one year and proposed to me on the lake and a few short years later I was 20 weeks pregnant, laying on the boat, feeling Audrey move for the first time.

Needles to say, Maine is incredibly special to me. I was so happy to share it with Audrey. Even though she's too young to remember any of it, she'll have so many pictures to look back on. And I'll definitely cherish our first mother-daughter trip. Photos to come soon!

I miss

Christopher. Home. Routine. Naps. Everything. We'll be home tomorrow and I can't wait! We had an awesome vaca but like Dorothy said, "There's no place like home!" I have tons of great pictures to post and stories to tell. I am so glad we went. It was a teriffic adventure!

Blogging on the road!

Oooooh, this is new! Praise the iPod Touch and WiFi :) Chris dropped Audrey and me off at my dad's bright and early but we didn't get on the road until 10:00. The car trip was great! Scott is wonderful- he downloaded an episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on his iPod (once again- praise iPod!) She napped for about an hour and a half. We arrived in NY around 4:00 and had delicious pizza waiting for us. Audrey loved exploring and even got in the hot tub! Don't worry moms! It was turned way low, cooler than her bath water! She was a little restless at bedtime and so after our routine I let her read in her pack and play until she fell asleep. Tomorrow the plan is to leave bright and early and head to Maine. I'm hoping for another great trip, although it will be much longer. Hope the hotel has WiFi!

Impromptu Vacation

For those who know me IRL, I am a PLANNER. I love to plan. So when my little brother Scott called me on Tuesday night, asking us to go to Maine on THURSDAY, I was in frenzy mode. Of course I wanted to go! But such short notice!! As soon as we got off the phone I typed up my packing list (2 pages for Audrey and myself.) Then I tossed and turned all night debating whether we should go or not. I would convince myself that the long car ride and being away from our cozy home and convenient schedule was CRAZY TALK, especially for an 18-month old. Then I'd turn around and decide that we should just go for it...the pictures of her in one of my most favorite places in the world would be reason enough to go. Not to mention the "wicked good food" (lobstah!) It took some heavy convincing from my dad and Scott, but I finally decided to go. I spent most of today packing and cleaning. We're stopping in NY to visit family tomorrow (and spending the night.) Then it's off to Maine for the rest of the week. I'm hoping for great weather.

Since I'll be gone for the next week, here are some super cute photos of Audrey Cate to tie everyone over:







She will be 19 months on Saturday and she is just so darn cute I could SQUUUEEEEEEZE her!!! Her new favorite word is "bubbles" and it melts our hearts every time she says it. She is uh-mazing at following directions ("Go get mama's shoes!" "Put that in your toy box!") She is absolutely fearless and kills with her smile. At Target an older couple refused to move to another check-out line just so they could talk to her. She's definitely a people-person. Her personality shines through more and more each day...when we dropped Zoe off at the groomer's she got all teary and upset (a quick trip to the bird aisle helped cheer her right up!) She's counting to 3, mimicking the ABCs, and will show you her teeth if you ask. She likes to tickle you to get your attention. She loves to dance so much that if there's no music she'll pick up some kind of noise making toy and shake it while she dances. Her current favorite song is "California Girls." She ONLY says "Mama" when she wants me to pick her up or if she's hurt/upset. I love everything about that girl (ok, EXCEPT her eating habits...I'm over it!) I look at her and feel like my heart could explode.

Ask me if I feel the same after our vacation :) Wish me luck!