Bumblebee!

I *finally* decided on a Halloween costume for Audrey. No, not a swing, but it does meet her approval. Whew!

How should I break the news to Fris that there's a matching dog costume?

Broccoli

Audrey and I were sitting on the front porch sharing some 'ice' (popcicles) this weekend. She gets to choose her color/flavor, and I chose mine, but somehow, she always convinces me to switch halfway between. We were outside enjoying her 'prise but were really monitoring Eric up on the ladder, trimming the tree out front. As he started dragging some big branches across the yard, I hear Audrey mumble something into her ice. Never looking up, just continuing to concentrate on her ice.

A: Broccoli.

Me: What did you say?

A: Broccoli.

Me: Broccoli? What are you talking about?

A: Yeah, daddy broccoli.

Well, I do call broccoli 'little trees' to get her to eat this vegetable!

21 months!

Audrey and I went for ice cream to celebrate her 21st! Let's see, she knew as soon as we were heading in the direction of her 'prise' (how often does daddy take her for ice cream on their days at home????), chose her own ice cream, helped carry the napkins, suggested we 'eat outside on the bench', and ate her entire bowl of ice cream on her own, bib free. I just sat next to her and enjoyed our conversation. What a neat little girl we have on our hands.

And the winner is...

Audrey and Grandma S entered a contest this past weekend - Reddest Hair - at the annual Irish Fest, and Audrey won! Oh how she loved to be on stage, taking center stage, crying if denied time on the stage. She wanted to take dance lessons with the older kids on stage but instead agreed to imitate their moves from her seat in the audience (we were later told to enroll her in dance classes!). The judges had to bend over to even get a look at Audrey since she was moving all over -crawling, kneeling, running. After all this activity, Audrey was of course asleep when the winners were announced. I got a few stares when I went up front to claim Audrey's prize. How perfect that she got a stuffed lion and a purse that coordinated with her outfit. She likes to put her purse on her shoulder and tell me "Good-bye" and try to head out the door.

Grandma S was part of the "tough competition" for a different age category. What a trendsetter - so many late entries for the contest after Grandma S took the stage - of course, with the little ham!!

Prayers

We have included nightly prayers as part of Audrey's bedtime routine since her first birthday. I can hear Eric's prayers with Audrey over the monitor, and though he and I do these differently, the basic idea is the same. (He does include the president and 'members of Congress' which cracks me up every time I hear it, imagining Audrey thinking who the heck is Congress?). Anyway, we name each member of the family, friends, Audrey's teachers and friends, and all the animals in the world, asking God to bless each, and add any special requests that we know of. While she has been doing well identifying family in pictures, the idea of listing people during prayers has been difficult to do on her own (understandably so!).

Last night, I talked with Audrey about praying extra hard for Uncle Brian. She folded her hands and turned to me, wanting confirmation Uncle Brian was at the top of our list that night.

A: Uncle B-ian?

Me: Yes, Uncle Brian.

A: And Ivan?

I was shocked that she knew who Uncle Brian is connected to. I don't know why she still surprises me, but she does.

Me: Yes, and we should pray extra hard for Ivan.

A: And 'Tasha?

Me: Yes, and Natasha.

A: Nanc-eeee?

Yes, she included them all. The ones that needed prayers the most last night.

God clearly loves this little girl. She's had many prayers answered. A couple involving babies that have been wanted for so, so long. One we got to meet a couple weeks ago, one we get to meet in the Spring. I'm confident that God will continue to hear Audrey's prayers, with B, N, N, and I at the top of her prayer list for as long as is needed.

Play Date!

Audrey got to catch up with her long-lost friend, Liam, today. They clearly didn't remember each other, but still had a blast at the park.

I had decided a while back that Liam was meant for Audrey. This became particularly evident one day when I saw that Liam was sporting a Bears shirt at daycare. How unusual given we are in Colts country. Liam's mom and I thought today would be a good day to meet up given that the Bears were playing a night game this week. So, I dressed Audrey in her Bears shirt, and we hopped in the car to meet up at the park.

I couldn't wait to see how much Liam had grown. Matured. This boy that seemed meant for my little girl.

And then I saw him. Oh dear lord. What is he wearing but a CUBS outfit???!!!!

It turns out that Liam is in a similar, though reversed situation - dad is a Cardinals fan, mom is a Cubs fan. Poor, poor kid. Particularly sad since the one who dresses him is the Cubs fan.

And I really liked this boy... :)

Dinner conversation

We were eating dinner tonight, and Eric was giving Audrey a hard time about her friend, Lucas.

E: "Does this Lucas have a job?"

A: "Yes."

E: "What does he do for a living?"

A: "Opens."

E: "He opens things for you?"

A: "Yes."

E: "What did you do with Lucas today?"

A: "Play."

E: "You played with Lucas today?"

A: "Yes, and kiss."

E: "Did you KISS Lucas?

A: "Yes!"

Poor Eric.

Labor Day weekend

Audrey had a great weekend in So IL this weekend, despite several missed naps and not feeling so great. She got to see Grandma and Grandpa S and her uncles, aunts, and cousins, as well as her great-grandma and extended family. We got fantastic news from Uncle P and Aunt D, and with this news, Audrey is now (happily!) being referred to as "the old cousin"!! Audrey helped sing Happy Birthday to Uncle B (even sang to him again on our drive back today!) and helped to wish him well on his upcoming journey overseas. We hope Uncle B can check Audrey's blog often to watch her grow and view messages we will send him over the next few months.

The new boy

Audrey has yet another boyfriend at school, a little boy named Lucas who started her daycare a couple weeks ago. Her teachers all agree that Audrey and Lucas seem meant to be. Very similar demeanors. Cute. Good natured. They play together all day. One will go up the slide stairs, announcing to the other to go "Up" and the other will oblige, then instruct the other to go "Down", with the other following in tow. They typically sit by each other at lunch but didn't the other day. During this lunchtime, Audrey yelled across the table to Lucas, "Bib!" (I've taught her well), and so he got one to try to put on. He then yelled back, "Chicken". They both then started giggling. A lot. This banter continues all day apparently.

It's so hard to keep up with this little girl's social network!

We plan to see Audrey's first love, Liam, next weekend. I'm sure he'll be having a talk with her once he finds out what she's been up to!

What to be for Halloween?

I asked Audrey the other night during our nightly just-before-bed talks what she would like to be for Halloween. I went thru some of the usual suspects - puppy, bear, etc. - and what I thought she would be excited about given her great impression - a lion - but she wasn't agreeing to any of those options. I asked again for her thoughts. She turned to me after much thought and said:

"A swing!!!"

I'll see what I can do!

Fun with the grandparents

Audrey loved spending time with Grandma and Grandpa P and fell in love with her new stroller. She even asked to take it with her to the store the other day. Don't I look like I had fun reading with grandma? :)

So far behind!

And now begins my marathon blog updates for the past week...

20 month stats

Audrey had her 20 month appt on Friday, and she weighed in at 22.65 lbs (14th percentile) and was 31 inches tall (21st percentile). We had a great appt overall - no shots! - and Audrey got to show off her knowledge of colors. The pedi said she was the youngest patient she had known to know her colors, and we got to hear how great she is doing and how great we are doing as parents. We paid her extra for the last comment...