Wordless Wednesday

Silence!!!

Silence?! That's right folks. I am sitting here in my warm sweats, and the only sound I hear is the hum of my computer. Corey is at work tonight and Audrey is spending the night with her grandparents.

I'm not accustomed to being alone anymore and I certainly miss my little one...but I've made good use of my free time. Doing what?? well...shopping of course. I hit the thrift store in Alabaster, then purchased some jeans from Old Navy (had to find some that would fit...hitting 30 does bad things to the hips/thighs), dropped by Books-a-Million for the latest Karen Kingsbury book (hooray!), browsed through Hobby Lobby and racked up on some things for AK's birthday party- 1/2 price (just couldn't pass that up), and now I am back home for a little R and R. That hot bubble bath and book are calling my name...and if I am lucky I'll catch up on a little sleep. ;) Ahhhhh.....silence!

Family Fun Day

Last Saturday it was freezing cold(well you know--cold for us here in Alabama), we had been holed up in the house with an 'almost 2 year old' all week and we had to find something to do for fun. Welllll, I came up with this FABULOUS idea....go to the McWane Science center. After mentioning it to Corey, he (I think reluctantly) agrees that it indeed is a SUPERB plan. See, I am thinking a warm, fun place for AK to get her energy out and heck, we can even stop and have a delicious lunch together. YAY!

So, we load the car and off we go to Birmingham. Stopping by Applebee's for a great lunch....CHECK! Find the McWane center without getting too lost....CHECK! Get tickets once inside the nice warm building....CHECK! OH NO!!!! Only 5,000,000 other folks decided this was a GREAT idea too. But, we will make the best of it.

First stop, any activity that doesn't have 50 people huddled around it (oh and did I mention I don't like big crowds???) . Corey takes Audrey up to the activity that we find hidden in the corner...and out of the jungle of other folks, come 2 barbarian kids. You know the kind...not just the excited, energetic kind that are having fun...but the kind that are obnoxious, rude and down right mean as they attempt to push a little 1 1/2 year old girl out of the way so that can play while there oblivious mother looks on from a distance. Yeah---the kind of kid you just want to punch out??!! You know that kind! (note: I love, love, love kids...and can deal with a lot from them---but not being rude and mean!) In order to keep Corey from throwing them across the room (or so I wouldn't deck them in the nose---by the way---I did have my say to those heathens) we went to another level to see if there were possibly less people.

By now Audrey was quite intimidated by the crowd so she wanted to be carried most of the time. When we got to the floor with all the aquariums it was wonderful. Not many people and Audrey was thrilled!!! She loves fish so she just ran from one aquarium to another pointing out all the fish and laughing. That made it worth the trip.

She did enjoy a few other activities, but I did learn two important lessons...don't go on a Saturday--and don't go when everyone else thinks it is a GRAND idea, too.

Now of course some photos...

Wordless Wednesday

When I happened upon this photo contest...I couldn't refuse entering this photo of Audrey in it. Please go check out their site and see all the other adorable faces on there.

Calling All Moms...

...and Dad's too if you have some suggestions.

It's about that time...you know, potty training time. Audrey is 20 months old and I figure it is time to start trying. A while back she started showing limited interest, so I purchased her a "pretty pink throne" (aka-potty). She likes to sit on it- with clothes on- for VERY short periods of time. She really hasn't been showing any desire and she is such a busy-body that she doesn't want to sit still long.

I've read 5,328 books and articles (ok, maybe I'm exaggerating a little...but it feels like that many) and each one says something different. So, I am calling out to all of you experienced parents in this area. Do any of you have some helpful hints/tips for me to consider when we take on this task full speed? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Sweet Slumber

Is there anything sweeter than a baby sleeping? Really! Ok. well maybe when that baby comes up to me just to give a big hug or kiss. And maybe when she so innocently says "uv yew" (translation- "love you"). All those things melt my heart. But just to watch her sleep. (*sigh*) Now a days, the "sweet slumber" means something a little different from when she was a newborn. Yes, those sweet, slow puffs of breath and the warmth still bring me peace and gratitude, but you know...back in the day when sleep deprivation was a common term around this house.

She was so sickly all the time, so we spent many, many, MANY nights (basically the first 6 months of her life) sleeping each night in the recliner with her on my chest. Sleep for mommy??? I think not- at least without a crick in my neck and an aching back when it was time for work. But each night I made myself appreciate those snuggle moments- the warmth and sweet breaths- because I knew that the time was fleeting.

Now, she isn't all that interested in snoozing in my arms. So full of energy, she is always wanting to play. However, at night when she is tucked so snug in her crib, I creep in her room and lean into her crib just so I can gently stroke her soft hair, listen to those sweet puffs of breath and soak in that warmth and beauty. Because I know those moments are fleeting too. All the while, giving thanks for a wonderful, healthy miracle.

So were those sleepless nights worth it? YOU BET! And now that she doesn't sleep past 5:00 in the morning...is it worth it? YOU BET! I take advantage of those early mornings by putting her in my bed and spending a little while loving on her before work. (yes, i know, i know- I am spoiling her and conditioning her to wake up early---but you know what, that is okay because I am savoring every moment)

Is this not the sweetest, most peaceful thing you have seen in a long time??

(Note: No baby was disturbed during the taking of these photos. I'm not that cruel!! No, really I just learned from experience!)

Just for You...

In all seriousness, this post is for Aunt Shirley :). Not much has been going on around the Houston household. Just trying to recoup from the holidays and get back into the swing of things at work. Since Aunt Shirley is always anxious for me to post pictures of Audrey....this ones for you Aunt Shirley...and of course for the rest of you out there that just love to see pictures of this adorable little girl!

And yes, Grammy...I think she was talking to you!

Happy New Year!

Hope 2009 brings you great health and happiness!