Taking Steps

Randall Oaks Zoo Again

Hello sheep.

Audrey and I stopped by the Randall Oaks Zoo this afternoon. We've been there once before in the spring. Even though it was hot, we had a great time checking out all the animals. It was fun to see Audrey make the connection from the animals we show her in her books and the real life animals in front of her.


Checking out the huge pig.


Audrey preferred to push the stroller herself.

Feeling more confident in her walking skills.

More interested in the other kids at the zoo than the ducks.

Walking on Sunshine

As promised, here are a couple videos of Audrey walking.




Besides walking, Audrey is picking up new things left and right. For instance, I have rhinitis of pregnancy, which basically means being pregnant makes me congested. So, I have been blowing my nose a lot. This has not gone unnoticed by Audrey.


What else is going on? Hair!

It's growing. Another year and we may be ready for a barette.

15 Weeks

Hard to believe, but I am 15 weeks along now, although I feel like I look like I'm further along than that! I had my monthly dr. appt. today, and so far so good. The baby's heartbeat was strong, my blood pressure and weight gain are good and in four weeks we'll have our first ultrasound--woohoo! Assuming the baby cooperates, we'll find out if Audrey is going to have a little bro or sis.

My doctor also brought up the possibility of inducing me 10 days or so early after he learned that I broke my tailbone delivering Audrey. I'm not so concerned about breaking my tailbone again (although I would prefer not to!), but I would like to avoid three hours of pushing only to have an emergency C-section, which I was 15 minutes away from with Audrey. Thanks to a smart nurse and some awesome bottom of the ninth coaching from Mike, we were able to avoid the operating room :-)

We have several weeks and months to consider that decision, however. In the meantime, I'll be thinking about getting started on the nursery!

And because it doesn't feel right to have a post without a picture, here's Audrey enjoying a couple of books while relaxing in her armchair. It kind of looks like she's reading to her dolls and stuffed animals.

Headband!

Audrey saw that I was wearing a headband today, so for once, she was happy to wear a headband too. And it stayed on her head for the whole day! Normally she rips them off before I can even finish putting 'em on.


Also, Audrey is a WALKER now! She still prefers crawling to walking, but she is becoming more confident and walking more every day. I no longer have to coax her to let go of my hands, and she doesn't cry when she falls. She is starting to explore on her own while walking, although she still loses her balance before she can get very far. I've been trying to get it on video, but I haven't been on top of this milestone like I have with some of the others. Hopefully I will have something to post in the next couple of days.

Tea and Gardens

Today Audrey and I met my mom, sister, grandmother and aunt at the Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford and then had lunch at Crumpets, a tea house in Genoa. For the most part, we try to keep Audrey to a routine--morning nap, lunch at 11:30, fun for a few hours, then afternoon nap. But some days don't fit into that routine, and that's good for Audrey, too. But I have to admit that I start these days with a little nervousness about how she will handle it. So far she has always dealt with the change in routine without any trouble, and today was no exception. No morning nap, lunch an hour and a half later than normal, and she handled it like a champ. I was so proud!

At 14 weeks, I'm already sporting a pretty obvious baby bump. Audrey loved seeing the fish swimming in the koi ponds. I think she wanted to jump into the pond with them.

Happy eating a pumpkin muffin at the end of a long lunch.

Wet 'N' Wild at Festival Park

Mike and I both had today off, so we decided to have lunch at a small cafe in downtown Elgin and then check out the Festival Park on the river. We remembered from walks on the river before Audrey was born that there was a playground and water fountain/park.

Lunch was great. The food was delicious, and Audrey was at her best--happy and content. We figured we'd walk to the park, check out the playground and maybe have Audrey splash a little in the water. We were unprepared for how into it she would be. Next time we'll dress her appropriately in swimsuit and swim diaper.

Surprise!

We surprised my best friend Kristy on Saturday for her 30th birthday. Her family threw a great party at their cottage on the Fox River in Wisconsin--tons of food, wonderful friends and family, and a party barge. What could be better? Happy Birthday KP!


Forehead kisses for Kristy.


Partners in crime. I was bummed I couldn't have a beer with Kristy on the boat.


Audrey loved being outside all day. We were generous with the sunscreen and adamant about the hat. Her skin today is pale and burn-free. Her mother, on the other hand, is a little red. I wasn't as thorough applying the sunscreen to myself.


Checking out the scene with Daddy.

Daddy's Home!

This is Audrey's typical reaction to Mike coming home in the evenings.