Audrey's 1st FACE FORWARD drive

It was so FUN to see her reactions as we drove around town. And from the looks and sounds of it, Audrey loved it too!!

I'm ONE

One year check up:
19 lbs 15 oz (27%) + 29" (47%) = One haPPy heAlthy little TODDLER :)

Newest Trick - WALKING and bending down to pick up items!! She has it mastered!

All of this walking leads to a tired little girl! Between playing with G&G, running around the house, and Grandpa taking AJ for a sled ride she was tuckered out!!

*It also leads to bumps, bruises, and cuts - you'll notice in these pictures she has a pretty bad owie on her nose.

AJ's first BIRTHDAY party with the Hochgraber family.

What Audrey & Josh are learning while Amy is away...

Amy is visiting family in Alabama this weekend. Here's what we're learning so far:
1. We had fun @ Breck's birthday party on Friday
2. We make a mean looking snowman
3. Audrey can fit a really big pear inside her mouth
4. So can Josh
5. Our house really doesn't clean itself
6. Doing laundry is a lot more fun when you don't have to fold it
7. There is no sound like that of a sleeping child (quiet, that is)
8. Secrets kept from Mommy are not necessarily lies
9. Audrey is probably a better cook than Josh
10. We miss Mommy!!!

The phrase that changed our lives. . .

"You are having your baby - TOMORROW!"
One year ago today Josh and I went in for our usual appointment at 10:00 am for a 36 week check up. Due to circumstances with the baby's health Dr Deraney decided the best thing to do was have the baby tomorrow at 7:00am.

We were not expecting this to occur, we had 4 weeks left to prepare, plus I thought I would go past my due date!

So Josh and I both went back to work, I tried to pull myself together and get ready to be gone for the next 6 weeks.

A few great memories of the night before AJ came:

1. Working after I got home trying to finish a work project.

2. Calling Meagan and telling her the news. We talked about how prepared or unprepared we were. I told her I didn't even have a hat to bring the baby home in.

That night the Barkers surprised us and came over with a great little gift; a pink and blue hat. Little did we know she wouldn't fit into it for another month. :)

3. Josh yelling at me at 10:30pm telling me to close the laptop and come to bed.

4. Josh and I giving each other a hug in bed listening to the peace and quiet that we know would not be there when we returned with the baby.

5. G & G Hoch beating us to the hospital. Remember they live 1.5 hours away. Grandma did not sleep that night.

Blizzard

We are still on the farm due to the blizzard, maybe tomorrow we'll be able to go home. Josh and I don't know what we would do without Great Grandma Audrey and G&G Hooch. Audrey has had lot of entertainment from them. Here are a few pictures of all of the fun we are having.

Grandpa Hooch had to get AJ some John Deere toys. A tractor and combine that when you open them up there is a book inside. Audrey likes to roll them back and forth on the table.


Great Grandma Audrey showing Audrey the ornaments.


One of Audrey's first Christmas presents - a book "The wheels on the bus". Great Grandma Audrey gave AJ a little baby doll.


Out in the blizzard yesterday - we had to adventure outside. Audrey is sitting on top of a snow drift.

This morning AJ received a Radio Flyer Wagon from G&G Hooch.

Playing side of the box.

Merry Christmas Eve

This morning we went out to enjoy the snow before the BIG storm comes. We are suppose to get 12 - 18 inches of snow in the next couple of days, right now we only have 5.

just a few pics from this weekend

A little walk on pearl. . .
It was super cute to see her crawling on the snow.

Josh being goofy with Audrey.

Eating lots of grown up foods. . .

pineapple, pear, pancakes,

green beans & banana

Sunday at the farm

Today Josh left for Vegas so AJ and I went up to the farm.

Picture #1 - We had a melt down because I waited too long to feed AJ!

Picture #2 - Minutes later after the food kicked in - just like Mommy, crabby when she goes too long without food in the belly :)

AJ playing for Katie on Skye.

Grandma, AJ and I went for a walk - it was a little brisk, but AJ loves being outside.

SNOW ANGELS

AJ's new game. . .

Dumping the newspapers off the coffee table

and then playing with them.

AGAIN - with Josh's encouragement. He said Amy "get the camera out for this". . . meaning they have done this before.

Festival of Trees

This morning we went on a little road trip to Frazee to their Festival of Trees. It's fundraiser for the town and we thought Audrey would enjoy looking at all of the lights.

This tree is for all of the girls that used to bowl together, it was made out of bowling pins, shoes and a bowling ball. . .

Here are Josh and my favorite trees. I chose the tree with chips and gummies and Josh chose the red, white and blue one in honor of Katie and Jeremy!

Thanksgiving Weekend

Audrey was really busy entertaining for Thanksgiving!

First, Grandma Debbie (center in photo below) & Auntie Cindy visited from Alabama & North Branch, MN.
Then we played with Grandma & Grandpa H after eating too much.
On Friday we went to the Perham Parade of lights with the Barkers to get into the Christmas spirit. We had to dress warm so Audrey tried on Mommy's moon boots.
Had Breck Blilie & friends over for Saturday night pizza.

On Sunday, Audrey & Josh went on a play date.

We got into the car...
We went into a building...
Audrey got pretty tired.
And that's all you need to know for right now, b/c it's Christmas time!! :)