Audrey's first trim

Audrey had her first haircut over a month ago, and I never got the chance to share the before and after pictures. 

I took my chances and cut her hair by myself... something I probably won't be doing again.  The one thing I was told when I was researching how to cut a little girl's hair was DO NOT CUT HER SIDEBURNS. I was told that if I cut them she would end up looking like a boy. Ok, easy enough, right?  

After cutting the rest of her hair I felt like something was missing... like messy sideburns.  Just a small trim wouldn't be a big deal, right?  Well, my intentions to just even them out failed and I whacked them off.  They were short.  Really short.  Like little boy short. Ugh.

So after a  month, I feel like her hair is getting close to normal again.  And I've learned my lesson.  My daughter deserves a professional haircut.  Or at least deserves for me NOT to be the one to cut it. 

Before 

After

Birthdays 2013

Jacob and I have birthdays less than weeks apart, so there is a lot of celebrating going on in this house for a few weeks.  We are really good at stretching out fun events and we know how to have a good time.  So I'll quickly recap a few highlights from #35 and #32.  (And no - those aren't hashtags.)

Jacob is the.best.husband.ever.  I know that everyone feels that way about their spouse.  And I'll let you go ahead and think it.  But Jacob and I, we're a good match.  I'm so thankful for him.  And I think he's pretty awesome.

He gets the 'best gift ever' award for my birthday this year. I was completely blown away by how thoughtful and creative he was and how he made me feel loved and cared for.

The night started out with drinks at Metropole,  which lead to him revealing the surprise that we were going to be staying at the 21c Hotel that night.  In all honesty, I was a bit panicked.  I didn't pack!  I didn't have a clean pair of underwear, or clothes to wear home in the morning, let alone a toothbrush. Well, surprise #2 was discovered when we went upstairs to see the room and there was a drawer full of everything I needed.  He went out and purchased new clothes, bras, and shoes, and packed everything else that I needed for the next day.  Amazing. And everything fit.  Even the bras.  Because he was clever enough to go to Nordstrom and have them look up my account and he got my size and favorite style.  Serious points here, folks.

We enjoyed dinner at Sotto and a champagne toast at the rooftop bar at Metropole.  The next morning he woke me up with the final surprise:  I was going to have a massage, manicure, and pedicure at the salon upstairs.  Score!

The weekend was relaxing, refreshing, and so much fun. The date night was perfect and I am so thankful for a husband who chooses to be so thoughtful and creative.

those donuts are amazing.  amazing.

For Jacob's birthday we actually headed back to Sotto with his family.  Dinner was just as wonderful, but I didn't get any pictures that night.  I did manage to snap a few pictures of his annual chicken and dumplings dinner at our house. Jacob's mom spends a whole day preparing for this wonderful dinner that holds a lot of history for the family.  She passed down the recipe this year and the kids jumped in on the cooking:

A day at the park

Hopefully I'll get the chance to blog about these busy past few weeks.  But for now, here are a few shots from today and this week.

Today after music class we enjoyed the warm weather at the park with some friends.  This is what happened when Audrey saw the garbage truck across the street.

We were at the same park at the same time last Friday, and saw the garbage truck that day, too.  I may have just found the perfect Friday morning activity for my kids!

Audrey with her buddy Lydia Lyons

As we were returning home from the grocery store on Wednesday, Jack told me "I stay out here, Momma.  I get fresh air."  Where does he come up with this stuff?

Last one for today... Just a little PSA.  If you want to keep my kids entertained for a long time, give them an apple.  It takes forever for them to eat through it, and they are completely entertained while you're trying to get something (like making dinner) accomplished.    Just peel and serve!

Sharing and sacrifice

Audrey, your brother loves you.  He loves you so much, that he was willing to not only share his apple with you, but give it up completely to see you happy.  

Remember that, little one.  You'll be thankful to have him as your big brother when you're all grown up.  

Mine

It's all hers now. 

Sweet Rachel

I've mentioned before that Audrey has had a difficult time in the nursery at church.  She's never really been great at separating in general, but in the nursery she has a whole hour in one location to cry and dwell on the fact that we're not with her.

Occasionally with a few of the nursery leads, she does great.  But then there's Rachel.  Sweet, gentle, kind, patient, Rachel.  Audrey has given her a run for her money this year.  And the thing about it is that Rachel completely desires to make Audrey happy.  She has said that it's her goal to make Audrey like her.  She genuinely desires to make sure that she and Audrey get along.  She's so sweet!

When we see Rachel at church (even when she's not serving in the Children's Ministry), she makes her way over to our family and smiles at Audrey.  She says things like, 'I'd love to be you're friend', or 'We're going to be friends one day.'  She goes out of her way to make Audrey familiar with her outside of the nursery. And just in case you're wondering, she does this in the most gentle and non-intrusive way.  She's patient and watches Audrey's cues to decided whether to walk away or inch closer to reach out an rub her back or give her a pat.

So last week we decided to have Rachel and her husband James over to our house for dinner.  We wanted to thank them for their service in the nursery and get to know them a bit better.  I was also thinking that it would be a good place for Audrey to hang out with Rachel.  Well, it worked! Rachel held Audrey, and Audrey not only didn't cry, but she smiled!  It was wonderful to see!

So now Rachel and Audrey are buddies.... just in time for Audrey to move up into the Toddler 1 Room this weekend.  Bummer!  But we are thankful to have some new friends and I am thrilled that Rachel and James are part of our church family.

Can't you just hear her sweet southern voice?  What's not to love?

Jack's 'camera smile'

I've noticed that Jack has a special smile for the camera. Even when I'm trying to snap a candid shot of him playing, he peaks at the camera and gives this smile:

One year pictures and stats

I completely forgot to post Audrey's final monthly picture!  It was hard to capture a picture this time around.  We tried on two different days and Jack helped out a lot.  He even tried with my phone while I was using the real camera.

Here are her stats:

length: 72.2cm (2' 4")
weight: 18lb 5oz
head circumference:  46cm

Everything above basically just means that she's really tiny!

Nana also treated us again to pictures by the wonderful Leah Robbins.  Here's a link to some of her favorites.  I love that she captured all of Audrey's faces!

Help from Jack

Trying to Escape

Happy 12 months, Audrey!