Things I don't want to forget, part 3

Here are a few more Audrey-isms to share and keep record of:

• She REALLY wants me to know what she is saying at all times. Which is fine most of the time because through context I can usually get the gist of what she wants, plus I know what words she typically uses. But sometimes she just brings out a brand new word and is insistent that I figure it out and provide it for her, whatever it is. Sometimes, I'm brilliant and do just that. Other times, I give up and try to distract her.
• Which brings me to her one track mind. Once she's decided on something, there is no going back. And the MEMORY of this kid!  Nearly every mealtime she sits in her booster, points outside and says "owl". I tell her that yes, owls live outside. She says "see?" and I tell her that no, we can't see the owl because owl sleeps in the daytime. Then she tells the owl "night night" a lot. This happens at nearly every mealtime and I have no idea how it got started. 
• She is also a creature of habit. Anytime we do something that reminds her of something we typically do at that time (bath time, for instance), she asks about it. After dinner when we go up to change her into pjs, she asks for a bath (we only do baths 2-3 times a week but she wants it daily). We occasionally watch a show after breakfast in the mornings. So she asks about it EVERY SINGLE DAY.
• She loves to be naked and sings "naked naked naked" and dances around whenever we are changing her for her bath or bed.
• She now says "love you" (it's hard to understand), but when she wants to tell us she loves us, she just looks up and says (OH so sweetly), "hi Mommy", "hi Daddy." Melts my heart every time.
• She picks up purses, bags, hairbands, anything that she can put on her arm, and then says "bye" and walks out of the room. I have no idea what that's about, but it's cute.
• Audrey loves family hugs and anytime Nick hugs me, she runs over to get in on the action. We each get a kiss and a hug.
• She calls Scout "kitty" and Boo "Boo". She can say Scout, but says "Hi Kitty!" "Hi Boo!" and won't change it when we tell her the cat's name.

Date night

Nick and I went out with our friends David and Renae to dinner and then bowling. Using one of the dates that I gave Nick for our anniversary last year, we followed instructions to go to Goodwill and pick out tacky bowling shirts for each other before heading to the bowling alley. We truly looked ridiculous, but it was fun. And then we played an M&M bowling game where if you get a strike, you get 10 M&Ms, a spare is 8, a gutter ball is 3 for the other players, etc. It was fun. I completely lost the first game (Nick won), but came in second the second game. I just needed time to warm up. Forgive the iPhone pics - I forgot my camera.
 

Coming back from my one and only spare of the first game (no strikes):

 We created nicknames for each other; Nick was Twinkletoes and I, of course, was Unsinkable. :-)

W

Easter Egg Hunt

 This past Saturday we went to an Easter Egg Hunt held at my parents' church. First they had games and crafts, then a puppet show and songs, and finally an egg hunt. It was pouring down rain so everything was inside, and it was a bit chaotic, but well organized and Audrey enjoyed herself.

 And fun fact, this room is where Nick's and my wedding reception was nearly 11 years ago. Ah, memories.

Audrey was TOTALLY mesmerized by the games the older kids were playing (they did relay races, Simon Says, and other dancing games):

 Best seats in the house:

 Time for the hunt (which was not a lot of looking; they were just out on the floor:

Ooh, a sink. I must play with that!

Happy (belated) St. Patrick's Day!

Here's my St. Patty's Day beauty, who was sick and couldn't show off her cute shamrock dress at church. So, sick or not, I put her in it and snapped a few pictures. She's cute even when she has a fever and messy nap hair.

 Getting ready for Easter already!

Created for Care

I'm behind in my blogging, but last weekend my friend Renae and I went again to the Created for Care conference. It's held twice yearly for adoptive moms (and friends of adoptive moms) and we eagerly signed up for it last August. I waited up until midnight to get spots for us, and good thing, because by morning they were sold out. We enjoyed the music, the speakers, the food, the comfy lodging, and the views from the lodge. I really think it's a good conference for any mom, adoptive or not, but it has some helpful insights for those of us who do have children by adoption. Unfortunately, I took very few photos and those only on my phone. Here are two of us - the rest weren't even good enough to post.

Gigi Love

Cheese

 Saying "cheese" in her baby doll cradle, such a ham:

The ABCs

It's mostly me singing (sorry), but it's still cute. :)

Snow!

Sorta

Probably I should watch her more closely

Wow

While I was folding laundry, this happened:

Then while I was writing an email, this happened:



I have a...busy...girl.