10 & 11 Month Letter

Where does the time go?! The months are flying by. In less than a month we will be celebrating your first birthday. You are doing so much these days that it is hard to keep track of everything. Here are some of the highlights:

*you wave hi and say hi to things. You especially love to say hi to your stuffed animals and then give them giant hugs. 

*you are walking and pushing yourself up to a stand

* you are a great eater. You like to try new things and will even eat things that are spicy. 

*at the beginning of November you were dedicated at church wearing the gown your great grandpa kent and aunt Jenna wore. 

*you love to make funny faces and will crinkle your nose to try to get us to laugh

*you have 6 teeth now, 4 on top and 2 on the bottom

*you blow kisses when you wave bye bye to people, and sometimes just because

* you love reading books. Your favorite is still Are You a Cow? Everyday you have to pull almost all of your books off the shelf

*lately you throw toys over your shoulder until you find what you want. It is funny to watch you dig through your toy box. 

*you don't like it when people leave the room and will cry when they go

*a new favorite activity of yours is knocking over towers, you get so excited that two blocks is enough

*you are trying to repeat words and sometimes make sounds that are close

*we celebrated your first Christmas! You had fun opening presents, especially if it had tissue paper you could crinkle and tear it

Now that you're mobile you love exploring the entire house and are having fun with your magnetic letters. 

Hugging is one of your favorite things. You love to hug Maggie and Mia. 

You love reading everything. I think your favorite part is turning the pages. Sometimes you won't let me finish the page because you have to turn the page. 

The faces and expressions you have been making lately are awesome. They capture your personality. I think that you're going to like being silly as you get bigger. 

Wating patiently for dad to get out your baby doll from Grandma on Christmas morning. 

Finally, you have some Wyoming gear thanks to Megan and Emma. 

You love to play and explore. You're always checking every inch of everything out. 

Sharing a toy with dad. You like to show us what you're playing with. 

All 3 of us on Thanksgiving day

You with your GG Helen and your Bronco gear. 

We're a Bronco loving family! All ready to cheer the Broncos on to another victory over the Chiefs. 

We made a trip out to KY to visit GG Audrey and Grandma. You loved GG and had fun sharing little buddy with her. 

Finally got this pumpkin costume on you a week after Halloween. You were not a fan and this was the best picture I could get. 

Playing with your new lamb from Nana and Papa after your dedication at church. 

Hanging out with Aunt Jenna and Uncle Brady during your dedication service at church. 

Well, that's a for now. Next time I post, you'll be a year old! Love you so much sweet girl. 

9 months

***Disclaimer: this post was written a month ago and never got published. 

I blinked and another month went flying by. I need time to slow down just a little. 

At 9 months old you, Miss Audrey, continue to fill our lives with an abundance of joy. Your little voice warms my heart and brings a smile to my face. These days you are saying things like mama, dada, dad, something that sounds like duck, nana, yaya, the other day I swear you looked and Mia and said dog, something that sounds like all done, and so much more. You are a Chatty-Cathy like your mom. When we are out and about you have started talking with people who return your smile. At Costco the other day a couple was loving your smile and shared with me what a sweet smile and spirit you have. It is so cool to know that others see in you the things your dad and I see. 

You continue to be a busy bee. Weekly and monthly photos have become quite a challenge because you are always on the move, and as soon as I get you settled and pick up my camera you are off and moving again. Any other pictures we snap of you are not as crisp as they used to be, something is a always blurry. 

This past week you started walking with your push cart and love cruising around your room. When dad picked you up from school the other day he said you were cruising under the table holding on to the chairs to walk all the way around so you could crawl to him. One of your new favorite things is walking while you hold our fingers. I love how you take big steps and you stomp your feet as you walk. 

Speaking of pictures, you know when we are taking your picture now. You often flash a smile when you see us pick up our phone. Now we just need to teach  you to say cheese!

You continue to surprise and amaze us. I know there is so much more I could write, but I have to save some things for next week!!

6 Months!

Happy Half Birthday Baby Girl! 6 months, it seems like each month flies by faster than the last.  Our summer days are coming to an end, and I'm having a really hard time with that.  I know you will love cub care and playing with other kids, but the thought of not spending my days with you has made my heart ache.

You are one busy girl.  Just before your 6 month birthday you started scooting/army crawling.  You waited until we arrived at GG's house in Loveland to start, and you haven't slowed down since. Sitting still is not something you're interested in.  When you are awake you love playing with your toys on the playmat, being talked to, tickled, and sitting up munching on the butterflies hanging from your playmat.  

Towards the end of the month you started getting your bottom teeth.  They haven't popped through yet, but they are so close, I can see them just below your gums.  You love sitting at the table with us during dinner time. While we eat you play with your spoon or toys, and even drink from your water cup!  We started you on solid food this week.  So far, you are just playing with it, but that's okay, you'll start eating soon enough!

Your love for your dogs grows every day.  When they are in the room it is hard for you to take your eyes off them. These days you are easier to make giggle and you are starting to get a belly laugh. This month  you started reaching out for me, and let's just say it gets me every time. You talk a lot, but not all day every day. You like to take things in and observe and ponder a lot, then once you think you've got it figured out you chat up a storm.  You're especially chatty in your carseat.  I think you like that the car noise adds extra noise and you like to try out the different levels of your volume.  This month you have added lots of new sounds to your babble.

Every day is so much better because you're in it.  Your smile makes everyone around you happy, although sometimes you really make us work for them.  At your 6 month pictures, we had to use every trick in the book to get you to smile. I'm sure that everyone driving by thought we were crazy, but we got some great shots of you. Of course as soon as we got home and you had a nap you were full of smiles!

Nana and Papa came to visit this month.  Nana watched you while I had my summer science institute.  You two had a lot of fun, and you discovered your love for patty cake. Papa came for a long weekend. It always amazes me how well you recognize people from facetime.

Oh, there are so many things that you are doing these days, but I should probably wrap it up.  Your dad and I love you so much.  We are soaking up every minute we have with you and are amazed by your strength, beauty, and intelligence.  I'll be posting in no time.  We have your 6 month appointment and shots on Friday, I'm looking forward to seeing your stats!

Baby smiles

Baby smiles melt my heart, especially Audrey's. I don't know how I'm going to be able to say no to her, but I'm sure I'll learn. My favorite is when she gives me a big smile I am not  expecting it, often it's when I just take a glance at her. Here's to babies bringing a lot of joy to this world!

4 Months

I missed three months-- went back to work and never had time to blog about the three month milestones. Oops.

I've been back to work for about 6 weeks and have a little over 1 left to go. And now that I am finishing this post, I am done with school for the ear, so I'm all yours!

What a month has it been. You are rolling from your back to your tummy all the time. You LOVE sleeping on your stomach. Recently, you have really started showing interest in little buddy. You love to talk to her before you fall  asleep, and sometimes you'll talk for 20 minutes, it's the cutest thing ever. You are getting better at putting yourself to sleep, and rarely fuss more than a minute or two.

You smile and talk all the time. You started laughing for Aunt Bailey. You don't do it too often, but Uncle Ryan and I have gotten a couple out of you. You've had lots of family in and out of the house helping take care of you. You're one lucky girl to have so many people that love you. Everyone has developed their own special bond with you and each seem to have something special with you. Aunt Julie started doing exercises with you and you love them. 

You continue to amaze us with your strength. You love standing and are much sturdier these days. You support your head so well. You love your exersaucer and have mastered turning the pages in the book and moving the tiger beads back and forth. You have started the beginning stages of sitting up. 

Dad seems to be the one who gets the most smiles out of you. You love talking to him and telling him your stories. You always look for him when you hear his voice. 

I think that covers most of it. You're up to so much it is hard to get it all down in words. You are such a joy and I love seeing your personality emerge. I can't wait to spend all summer with you!

Oh yea, you found your toes! You are really starting to love them!

2 Month Letter

Dearest little Audrey,
You are now entering into your 3rd month of life (how is that even possible?). The second month flew by as fast as the first one did. You are changing so much every day and I am loving each new milestone, big or small.

The biggest highlight of this month was when your rolled from your tummy to your back. I had just picked up the phone to FaceTime grandpa when you rolled over. We quickly put you back on your stomach and you did it again for grandpa to see. I told him we'd call him back so we could catch the big event on camera. You didn't disappoint, and we caught it on film. Of course, you haven't done it again, but I know you can, and that you will do it again when you're ready.

You like going for walks when the weather cooperates!

You still love your baths. One of our favorite parts is the face you make when we first put you in the water. It's like you're bracing yourself for what's to come and then 30 seconds later you're loving life.

Your strength continues to impress us. Standing has become one of your new favorite things. During tummy time you like looking all around and sucking on your fist. Just last week you figured out how to get your fist your mouth. You like to take little "tastes" of it at a time. You are starting to figure out how to keep it up there longer and you make the most adorable noise while you suck on it.

My favorite thing is our chats on the changing table. You give the most coos and smiles while I'm changing your diaper, I guess you love feeling fresh and clean. It has been fun to listen to all of your new noises and to watch you learn how to use your voice. You are starting to recognize your grandpa, grandmas, aunts and uncles' voice when we FaceTime with them. You look for your dad or I when we walk in the room and it warms my heart to see you turn and look for me. The dogs leave you alone for the most part. Jake gets concerned when you cry and always makes sure I check on you. They like to give you a quick sniff when we return from being out.

Hanging out with Uncle Brady after Aunt Jenna and I had you try on your swimsuit!

You've had a busy month getting out and about with me to meet friends and to go to mothers together. I always enjoy introducing you to new people. They all love your hair! You got to finally meet Aunt Sara, Uncle Kennedy, cousin Campbell, and Uncle Brantley.  They all loved giving you cuddles, except Campbell of course!  But he did help me burp you on his way up for a nap, and he loves seeing you.  He even started saying your name, it sounds more like Au-do than Audrey, but that's okay because he is only 14 months old. ;)

Meeting Aunt Sara, Uncle Kennedy & Campbell

These days you smile more and more. Your smile melts my heart, and I wonder how I am going to resist it in the future.  All of your smiles show us that you are one happy girl.  You smile especially big for your dad.  I swear your face lights up when he walks in the room.  I know that you two will share a special bond forever!

You had your 2 month check up and shots.  You did not care for the shots and you were not shy about letting us know about it.  Of course the Dr. confirmed what we already knew, you're growing like a weed! You've grown 4 inches since you were born, putting you in the 94 percentile for height.  I love that you're going to be a tall girl like your mommy!

I forgot to add that you still love your sleep.  You are sleeping 7-8 hour stretches at night and you are sure to let us know when it is nap time!  You are keeping yourself on a fairly consistent schedule, which makes life for us just a tad easier, so keep it up! :)

I love you baby girl.  I pray that God is shaping your heart to be one filled with compassion, love, and kindness.

Until next month,
Mom

1 Month Letter

Dear Little Miss Audrey-

My how times fly! You are a month old and changing every day. I am going to borrow my friend Krysta's idea of writing you a monthly letter because I think it is something that I can actually keep up with!

There is so much to write about, I don't know where to begin.  The past month has been one of the best I've ever experienced.  Motherhood has been so much more than I ever dreamed it would be, and there are not enough words to adequately express all of the joy it has filled my heart with.  Being your mom has been one of God's greatest blessings to me. Being your mom has given me a greater understanding of His unconditional love for us and why it is that in spite of ourselves He continues to love us and show us grace.  I know that throughout your life there will be times that I am disappointed, but I will always love you and the things that you do can never change that.

All swaddled up on the blanket that all of the Kennedy babies have been brought home in.

I feel so blessed to be able to stay home for your first 12 weeks of life. Our days right now are spent, sleeping, eating, diaper changes, baths, cuddling, playing on the play mat, doing tummy time, reading stories, and some dancing here and there.  You LOVE baths! If you are fussy before a bath, the moment you are placed in the water you instantly calm.  I think your favorite part of bath time is getting your hair washed. Last night I noticed you couldn't take your eyes off yourself in the mirror. Your first bath you did not love as much as you love your baths now. Your dad went with you to the hospital nursery and Grandma watched from the window, when they came back they said you screamed the whole time!  I am so glad that you love them now.

Nice and clean after your first bath 1/27! 

You are one strong girl and have been holding up your head for short periods of time since your first few days of life.  Now you can lift it nice and high and hold it there for several seconds.  While you are on your tummy you love to turn your head to find the voice that is talking to you and enjoy sucking on your fists! Also, while you lie on your tummy, you love to push against our hands with your feet and scoot across the blanket. We are constantly amazed by your strength! Of course we think that you are going to do everything early and accomplish all kinds of amazing things, and it will be fun to watch you accomplish all of these milestones and so much more!!! When we put you on your back you love to stretch out your arms and legs.

Stretching out on your Noah's ark quilt from GG Helen

You have been a great sleeper from the start.  Your first night home from the hospital you slept 7.5 hours.  I tried waking you up to eat, but you just wanted to sleep.  I learned from the nurse that followed up with us, that I needed to be waking you up to eat, and so the great battle to wake up commenced. In order to wake you up I had to completely undress you, change your diaper, clean your chord, and often resort to a cool wash cloth on your face and hair. Occasionally, even these strategies did not work and I would have to wait you out 10-15 minutes.  Thankfully, after about a week of this you began waking up quicker and the Dr. gave us the okay to let you sleep longer stretches since you were back to your birth weight. You have been kind to us and slept long stretches through the night, often waking only once to eat before 6 am.

It has been so fun to watch you grown and change.  In the last week you have started cooing, and today   swear you are so close to smiling in response to me! You work so hard to get your coos out and we all love starting at you while you attempt to get them out.  I know they will start coming out easier very soon, but it is so entertaining watching you try.

Last week you made your first airplane trip.  We headed to Colorado for your Great Grandpa Foster's memorial. You got to meet all of your great aunts and uncles on the Foster side as well as your great grandma Foster.  You are so loved by all of your family members on both sides of the family.

It has been a super busy first month of you life, filled with lots of visitors, hugs, and kisses.  I can't wait to see all of the new milestones you reach in the next month.  I love you so much baby girl!

Love,
Mom

5 Weeks Old!!!