Gingerbread Houses

A couple weeks ago the kids and I headed over to Grandma's to make gingerbread houses. Unfortunately, I was so engrossed in house building that I didn't get any pictures of the process :-) Thankfully, I did get the finished product (and the proud workers).

Audrey slept in her swing the entire time - allowing me to do much more than I expected! Yeah!

She woke up in a good mood - ready to practice her rolling skills. Although she didn't quite conquer the roll she had fun trying.

Hello sweet baby!

Merry Christmas

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God,
Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6 (ESV)

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas! What a blessed gift we have already received in Jesus Christ. May He be a reality to you all this new year and always!

3 Months

Audrey has changed so much this month. She has gained 4 lbs since she was born. She "talks" like crazy, tries to roll over, chews on anything she can and is almost laughing.

She is still so smiley and happy most of the time.

She is doing a bit better with eating since I stopped dairy. Unfortunately, it takes 3-5 weeks to leave her system so she still hasn't been eating that great. She has at least a couple major crying fits per day when she should be eating. It is really hard for me because I know she should be eating and there is NOTHING I can do to make her eat. Poor little lady.

She's a little drooler!

She is such a fun little baby. We are all loving every moment with her!

Two Little Cuties

Audrey has always been fussy when she eats (doesn't eat long before crying, twisting/turning and stiffening up). There are also times when she refuses to eat and cries like crazy. She has also been congested for a large portion of her life (starting at 2 weeks). I have taken her to the midwife as well as the doctor. Neither one could find anything wrong with her (except real stuffy nose) but otherwise she was happy and content. At her 2 month checkup the midwife suggested it could be an allergy but said we should wait a bit before testing her. For the past 2 1/2 weeks I have been not eating dairy and she has been doing quite a bit better. There are times when I totally forget and eat something and then she has a rough couple hours. I have tried just tiny amounts of something (1 slice of cheese that I have been dying to try) and that still bothers her. I now realize I can't even do that. It has been crazy to see each "reaction" for her has been about 4 hours after eating it! I am missing dairy but it doesn't even compare to how nice it is to nurse her and have her just lay there happily and even fall asleep sometime!!! Also, to not see her squirming, grunting and crying so often! Too bad I didn't figure it out sooner!

Thanksgiving

We were going to go to ND for Thanksgiving to see my family but bad weather prevented it. We were disappointed but had a nice day with Matt & Donna instead (and a delicious meal).

No "photo shoot" is complete without some silly faces

A Birthday Visitor

My friend Rachel had her 40th birthday and her husband gave her a trip to visit me as a present! How fun to benefit from her birthday present!! We had a great time. The kids LOVED the extra attention they received from her and the house echoed with, "Rachel, come see this" "Rachel, look" "Rachel, are you coming" etc etc. It was funny and a nice break from "mom . . . . ". Audrey loved the extra holding she received and I loved having someone around all day to talk to, shop with, scrapbook with, have a latte with etc. etc.

While she was here we hit the thrift store and a couple consignment stores, went out to eat at McKenzie River Pizza, visited a really cool pottery store and had dessert and coffee and scrapbooked. We had big plans to try digital scrapbooking for the first time. It was much more involved that we realized, more expensive that we thought and took a bit of getting used to. Thankfully, we found some free software as well as free downloads (backgrounds, letters and embelishments) so we only had to pay to print each page. Rachel did several pages and I spent most of my time downloading free stuff because I didn't have the pics I wanted on my computer. I am anxious to actually do a page because Rachel's turned out great and I have LOTS of well organized free stuff :-) That is so ME - lots of preparing, organizing and sorting and little action :-) Brock came into the family room late one night and found us busy scrapbooking. He laughed at how serious and intent we both looked, how we were working in the midst of such a mess, how BRIGHT Rachel's screen was and how Audrey was there sleeping through it all! Seeing what he saw (through the pics) makes me laugh too - he was right about it all :-)

Catching Up

I have been busy with a growing little baby, a sweet (and stubborn) three year old, two smart students and of course a hard working handsome hubby. Naturally, blogging has been pushed to the side so I have some catching up to do.

I can't believe she is nearly 3 months!!! It seems she changes daily. One thing remains the same - she is still CUTE AS CAN BE (okay maybe I am biased) :-)
Our little dolly is getting so BIG. She is so smiley and happy and growing right out of her NB clothes. I am sure she will be laughing any day now.
Madison loves to talk to Audrey, get her to smile and especially loves to take videos and pictures of her. It is so cute to see how she (and all the kids) love her!

She seems to sprout new hairs daily and her fuzzy little head is too cute! She is starting to wear 3-6 month clothes - so fun to see her in "big girl" clothes :-)

Brock watching (or sleeping through) a movie with all the kids :-)

Hannah usually does a good job of dressing herself. However, every once in a while she is quite a site!

Madison and her friend Gabi (who lives next door and is 2 weeks older than her) have such fun playing together. They looked so nice in their fancy dresses I had to take a picture!

Unfortunately, this is no longer our view. Thankfully, our view is still beautiful despite being blanketed in white. We have quite a bit of snow and the kids have enjoyed sledding, skiing and playing in it. It has also been VERY cold - which I haven't enjoyed at all :-)

My SUPER kids are getting ready to FLY!

The kids were pretty excited to all have SUPERMAN shirts! My friend Rachel hands down her son and daughter's clothes to Isaac and Hannah so they got their shirts from her. I found Madison's at the thrift store. Now, if I could only find one for Audrey :-)

Even without her SUPERMAN shirt - we still think she is SUPER!!

2 Months

Our little princess is growing so fast. Look how much she has changed!

Her cute little belly is growing bigger and bigger (as are her cheeks)

She has now sailed over the 10 lb mark!

She entertains us with her expressions (look how she and Hannah are staring at each other - so funny) and all her "talking". She carries on a "conversation" with anyone who will listen :-)

I LOVE watching the kids interact with Audrey. Watching them pour out there love on her is the sweetest thing! I always knew siblings were the greatest gift my parents gave to me but it is so fun to watch it and see it from another perspective.

She smiles so big her whole body gets involved! I am sure it won't be long before her voice joins in and she will be laughing like crazy.

Love Love Love . . . . I couldn't say it enough. We are so in love with her. I can't believe we wondered if our family was complete at 3 kids!!!! I am so glad that God knew otherwise!

I NEED . . . . .

To kiss these cute little lips

To rub this fuzzy little head

To hold this sweet little hand

To gaze into these intense little eyes

What else do I NEED?
All this to care for the little cutie each night.

As I prepared to change the sheets the other day, this is what I found. It cracked me up so I had to take a picture. It is such a perfect representation of what is required to make it through the night with an infant:

1. A HUGE assortment of pacifiers - you know just in case you lose one in the night
2. A stack of burp rags - not just to contain the spit up Audrey loses but for all the milk I lose during each feeding
3. Vicks to spread on her clothes because she is continually stuffed up
4. A good Amish book to read when she is wide awake
5. A diaper for the inevitable half asleep diaper change
6. Pillow to prop up the little lady
7. Water for the ever parched throat
8. Lamp to turn on and annoy hubby who is trying to sleep in the midst of it all

By the way - this picture is not staged, it is truly what I had at the top of my bed (and have nightly except the million pacifiers - not sure why there were so many this particular night)

The Girls

Hannah got some roller skates at the thrift store and was anxious to try them out. Despite much effort from Madison and myself she couldn't get the hang of it. I thought because there were four wheels and a front stop it would be easy for her. Boy was I wrong. Hello, did I forget they still roll like crazy and need to be controlled at all times :-) Oh well - maybe next summer :-)

Hannah still had lots of fun. She also thinks her skates are pretty cool - whether she uses them or not :-)

What a cutie!!

Audrey and her chubby little cheeks crack me up.

My mom made her hat & blanket and they are perfect for her. So cute!She is a little talker now. She loves to be talked to and loves to respond with her own two cents :-)

Madison is so sweet with her littlest sister. She adores her & is still thrilled to hold her & take care of her

Madison wanted to "weigh" Audrey on this old scale. She was so cute talking to her and trying to get her to smile. Audrey, however, wasn't going for it :-)