I remembered!!

Ok, so hilarious story #2 that you probably had to be there for in order to really appreciate it.  I'm really glad I remembered, bc I want to keep this gem with me for years to come.

So a little backstory: when Jared got his motorcycle, a certain Kim Lochner who didn't approve in the least, made sure that he knew that when he kills himself on this death machine, she would find the Ryan Gosling of mormon boys for me to replace him.

And we are back up to speed.  Last week we were sitting on the couch after the kids went to bed.  I was looking at Pinterest...cause that is what I do.  Jared looked over my shoulder to see what in the world Pinterest could be offering that is more amusing that his awesomeness.  I scroll down and he sees one of those "hey girl" things with a picture of a shirtless sweaty Mr Gosling.  At this exact moment, I let out an "mmmmm, that looks so good".  WHAT?!  He immediately called me out on it...

Um. You know one the mobile app of Pinterest you only see 2 columns at a time... WELL. What he didn't know is that I was Mmmm-ing at the picture of homemade chocolate eclairs right next to it that Jennifer Moore had posted.  I was completely oblivious to Ryan (sexy beast) Gosling until he brought it to my attention.  Haha...I honestly couldn't stop laughing for about 10 minutes straight...  still makes me giggle, like, a lot.

The funniest things...

I have to write these 2 things down before I forget all about them.  Both involve Jared, and are something I want to remember.

Audrey has been really into playing with the water outside since the weather turned warm (FINALLY).  The other day Jared took her outside and helped her wash her little play car while he washed his bike.  Since then, there has been this 5 gallon bucket in the yard, since he is so prone to putting things away when he is done with them.  So, instead of leaving the hose on and wasting in-numerous amounts of precious H2O, I fill up the bucket and let her play with that and a cup, only wasting 5 gallons.  Yesterday I sat in a camping chair with rivers beside me in the stroller.  She would fill her cup up and try desperately to "get us," failing horribly every time.  She would sometimes catch my feet, or sprinkles here and there...but we were only a couple feet away from her.  At first I was worried of getting myself and the baby drenched, but soon sat back and checked good ole facebook while she desperately tried to douse us.
Today, she was playing the same game with Jared.  We were sitting on the steps, and she would come up and toss water in our direction.  Before the game ended (which is when she gets bored and dumps the remaining water in the driveway and prances in it), he had to leave for the store to get something.  He averted an attempt by ducking into the car, and quickly rolled up the window.  Audrey stands outside his door with puckered lips...he had failed to give her a goodbye kiss, and couldn't resist such a cute gesture.  The thought crossed my mind of "I wonder if she is going to throw the water (that she still had in hand) at him...maybe that was her ploy the whole time"....nah.  She just loves her daddy.  He opened the window and leaned down for the kiss, sat back, smiled at her, and BAM.  Water right in the face. Perfect aim, by the way.  It was hilarious, and I'm shamed that I failed to capture it on video.  Hopefully this will be enough to jumpstart my memory for years to come.

Bleh. I can't remember the second thing.  I guess I should've done this earlier when I first thought of it.  Let this be a lesson to you.  Hopefully I'll remember it later and come back to finish...

Similarly Good in Every Way

Today it hit me how different my kids are.  They really are SO different.  Even though Rivers is only 6 months old, his little budding personality is so unique from Audrey.  She has always been a great sleeper.  She slept through the night at 2 months old and diligently took her naps without fail.  She would fall asleep in our arms until she was almost a year old.  It takes everything I've got to get Rivers to fall asleep while I'm holding him. And he hates naps.  Has hated them since the day he was born.  Since days old, he has willed himself awake till he passed out from exhaustion, only to wake up 30 min later. He is just now finally getting into a "normal" nap schedule...and it is quite far from any normal I've ever seen in a baby.
Audrey could have sat in a dirty diaper all day long.  Rivers can't stand to be wet, much less dirty.  He demands to keep a clean diaper. No exceptions.
Audrey has been a social girl since infancy.  She hates being alone.  As a baby she would wake up anytime anyone came over (i'm talking, in the hospital, here) and then would resume sleeping the moment they left.  Even now, she wakes up every morning crying out for us.  If she isn't going to sleep, she does not want to be alone.  Rivers loves his alone time.  He will be awake for an hour just playing and cooing to himself before he is ready for me to come get him.  At least once a day he acts fussy and irritable (like he is sleepy) so I'll lay him down in his bed...only to find that 10/15 min later...he is just playing all by himself.  It's like he just wanted to be alone for a little bit.  Not tired in the least, but he knows what to do to tell me to put him in bed.
Audrey lives to learn new things.  She bored easily after trying something more than a few times.  She ate rice cereal for about a week before she refused to touch it ever again.  She had no problem with changes (from bottle to cup, from crib to bed).  The moment she learned to crawl, she wanted to walk, the second she took a step, she tried running.  She takes a really long time to do anything well, bc she is so concerned with moving on to the next thing.  Rivers seems a lot more careful and purposeful.  He takes his time when learning something, and doesn't move on to the next task until he is good and ready.
They are even different with their ticklish-ness.  Audrey really isn't.  She has a spot or two that are very specific.  Sure, she giggles when you tickle her when she is in a good mood...but only b/c it's fun...not really b/c it tickles.  Rivers's tickle spot...is everywhere. He is like me in that...knees, arms, belly, neck, feet...everywhere.  No matter his mood, if you tickle him, he can't help but laugh (and sometimes fuss at the same time.)

I was afraid of this...of my kids being so different.  Audrey was such a good baby.  So well tempered and sweet.  She never cried and really was the best baby a girl could ever ask for (if wanting to keep sane, anyway).  In my mind, I just knew Rivers would make up for that.  I braced myself for a little hellion.  Isn't that how it works?  A good friend of ours was blessed with a second child who made him extremely grateful for his first.  When Rivers came, I just figured, different meant bad news.  But he is also an amazing baby.  He is happy and loving.  He never fusses (without reason).  He loves everyone.

My kids are different in almost every way....That is, except in the ones that count.  It makes me think of how it is with everyone; good doesn't mean the same.  We are all made differently and we should celebrate that.  I remember as a youth, I felt like I was being pushed into this mormon mold.  That my religion wanted me to be exactly like every other mormon girl in the world...  NOT TRUE.  Yes, we should all be GOOD, but that is so far from being the SAME.  I love my children.  I love that they are good, and I LOVE that they are different!  I want to help them discover who they are and flourish in that.  I'm sure God feels the same way.  I don't see how he couldn't.

Audrey

                              

Audrey 2yrs, Rivers 3 mo

Audrey 3 mo

Rivers 5 mo

Audrey 5 mo.

September

Wow, can I use the excuse that I've been a little busy?  I don't think that really works for September or October, but... I will not give up this, my last effort to journal my life! So...I'll just sum up month by month.

September was full of potty training successes (and failures).  Audrey did amazing.  She did try my patience with her attitude though!  I try to be patient, but firm and consistent...but sometimes she really does make me crazy.  The defiant streak definitely started to show itself.  However, she is still So beautiful and sweet, for sure.  It's a little crazy to think of how far we have come.  Just one year ago we were looking for a house, and closing on it.  I can't believe how much our circumstances and ourselves have changed in so little time.  Audrey is SO different!  We were watching a video of her from last year when we had just moved in, and the house was in shambles, ugly everywhere; Audrey was so small, and just starting to talk.  CRAZINESS.  I can't really remember what else went on this month...one of the reasons why I started this blog...backfired. That will teach me to let things slip.  I know things were busy.  Jared was doing his classes, so I was mommying it up every minute of the day, then helping him with Geology...or taking quizes that he forgot were due before he came home from work.

I did take pictures though!

She is so freaking adorable!

I bought a pie plate!  Recently, I discovered my talent, and therefore, love of baking.
Top is Apple, and bottom is Lemon Meringue.  I also make a mean Coconut creme.

Mind you, this is Sep.  She got this shirt in March of this year
and it was so big she only used it as a sleep shirt.  How did she grow so big!?

Men who cook are sexy.  I couldn't resist.

Grocery shopping has become increasingly difficult with her now that
she doesn't like sitting in the cart, but would much rather run around.
When the baby is born..I will no longer go with children in tow.

Jared put up a swing in the garage...a good rainy day "outside" activity.

This was visiting Amy Burton's family, but it's the closest thing to a belly shot
I've gotten.  I really need to take a good one.
(side note: NEVER happened...we took one in the hospital while checking in)

Falling in love with the tricycle at Mom and Dad's.  I guess I know what to get for her bday.

While this looks like nothing...Jared balanced this penny one day...
It stayed just like this for WEEKS.  I thought that was pretty awesome.

I finally found the key to getting her hair up:  Curious George.

my project.  This is my great grandfather's old desk.  I plan on sanding it, and repainting it.

twins!

This is what happens when she doesn't get a nap before church.
I can not wait until the new year begins and we start back at 9am.
12.30p is NOT my favorite.

Freedom regained!

I'm free!!...kind of.  It was a rough 2 (.5) weeks, but TOTALLY worth it!! We are officially on day 2 of no accidents!  There is no longer a small version of a toilet in the middle of my living room, and we don't have to plan around potty breaks to go anywhere.  AND...no diapers!  I'm pretty excited.  The kicker was her first public accident.  2 days ago we went to Lowes.  Jared and I always lose track of time in there and end up spending $200 when we just went for a pack of screws.  I should have checked with her on the bathroom issue, but I just didn't...then walking down aisle 11 and suddenly my feet get wet.  I was a little grossed out from having pee all over my feet, but Audrey was purely mortified.  We, of course, had a change of clothes and everything, so we changed her right there in the middle of the deserted aisle (shamefully leaving the puddle behind...I know...I'm still haunted by the fact that I made someone else clean up my kid's urine).  But she spent the rest of the time until we got home sucking her thumb and holding her foot with downcast eyes.  Apparently, fear of shame is a remarkable incentive - for her anyway.  My sister was a little jealous when I told her.  Her kids couldn't have cared less in their potty training days.  I was especially proud of her today.  We went out and ended up playing in the water hose.  I recognized the fact that I should probably check with her on whether or not she had to go...but instead I figured "eh, we are playing in water...if she goes, big whoop."  After we had moved on from playing in the water to just playing in our wet clothes, she starts saying Uh Oh (that's the potty cue).  So I stripped her down, carried her upstairs (none of this went quickly since I'm painfully slow these days) and plopped her on the pot.  She is amazing.  Hands down, the best kid ever!  Ie: After exclaiming that I was tired and ready to go to bed at 7p, Jared was just kidding and said "ok Audrey, lets go to bed!"  What does she do?  She says OK, goes around the living room picking up her blanket, doll, and giraffe that she always sleeps with and then heads towards her bedroom.  Who does that?!  MY KID!  I am the luckiest mom in the entire world!!

The other day I was changing and she kept opening the

blinds to see outside.  I told her we needed to keep them

shut so that no one saw momma naked...this was her solution.

The night before, Jared said he'd have a surprise for me

the next day.  Silly me thought there would be chocolate

involved.

We found a turtle crossing our driveway.  Ever since 

having to get used to Robbie and Kristy's giant dog in

FL, she loves animals..and thinks they are all "puppies"

Us girls were on the deck one day when Audrey yelled

"Puppy!" I looked up to find a deer in our fenced in 

back yard.  She pushed open the gate and after panicking

for a minute and rushing around the yard, she pushed her

way back out.  Good times, though.

The other night she kept waking up and Jared

suggested we just let her cry for a minute, since

going in a comforting her wasn't working.  She stopped,

but when we went to do the usual check-in before

we headed to bed, this is what we found.

Bless it...

She went a solid 2.5 weeks with no pants on.  (a week 

of that was completely naked)

Not the best pic of myself, but you can see my bump.

Only 3 months to go!

The classic holding foot and sucking thumb pose.

Life doesn't stop.

Not even when you are potty training!  Can you believe it?  I put my life on hold for 2 weeks to dedicate the entire 14 days to nothing but that...but life around me kept going on...what's up with that?  Haha...I was amazed at how many things decided to happen during the time that I had so explicitly decided to be a hermit.  Luckily, I'm not a single mother. (another thing I've been very thankful for during this endeavor).

So...for those who weren't already aware, we bought our house in Oct.  It needed VARIOUS repairs, including a new front door due to water damage in the frame.  There were more pressing improvements that we concentrated on, since we do have a garage that we can use as the sole entrance.  Finally, we are ready to rectify the entryway fiasco (b/c really the entire entry including the stairs, landing, and door need to be replaced) It's ready for it's make-over...and so is our bank account.  Doors are expensive!...well, doors with the frame and 2 sidelights.  The door, itself is only around $200...the sidelights are about $800....am I the only one who finds that crazy?  Anyway, so I'm pretty darn excited.  We found a door we love that is "inexpensive" and should be here any day.  So the plan is to: day 1-take the door out (all of the following activities will be accompanied by a professional), fix the entry subfloor and put down slate, put the new door in. Day 2- put the baseboards back and either carpet the stair treads OR ...something else that we haven't fully decided, but we would rather have another option since we aren't crazy about the carpet idea.  I really can't wait to have a usable front door again!

This is the pic in the magazine, but isn't it darling?

In other, less labor intensive news: Michelle came to visit Thurs night!...and killed me at phase 10 while we both got some nice, much needed grown up socializing done.  Dad crashed until about 9p, then Audrey crashed our party until 10.30p, but it was girls only for those 2 hours before Jared got home...and it was awesome.  Jared even made us an amazing breakfast Fri morning (he takes such good care of me), which was the day we got Ben's work done at the temple.  If you know Mormon culture and beliefs, then you understand the awesomeness that I mean.  I've been to the temple every month since he passed away, and every single time I go, I miss him...more there than anywhere else.  Maybe it's because I feel like I'm closer to him there than anywhere else...I really don't know.  But I miss him more the second I enter that special place that any other time (this becomes a point, I promise).  Now, if you aren't familiar with the Mormon beliefs/lingo...then I'm sorry.  B/c my story is full of terms you probably won't get.  

Friday, we were told to be ready and in the temple at 11.30a so that we can go in the 12 noon session.  Mom and Dad went early, and I rolled up at 11.20a and was pretty excited that I got a close parking spot.  We are required to have a paper, called a recommend, to enter.  I never take mine out of my wallet. Ever.  I get my stuff, get out of the car, grab my wallet, and walk up to the front.  On my way I casually open my wallet to get my recommend out....not there.  So I frantically search every nook and cranny in the rest of the wallet and then the entire bag I was carrying.  I can't enter, thus be there with my family, if I don't have this recommend!  I tear the car apart and then call Jared (who was at home...40 min away).  I break down and blubber about what's going on, then realizing that he really can't help me, I release him from my hysterical call and just cry.  I'm going to miss it.  I am completely at a loss of what to do, or where my recommend could even be or why I would have ever taken it out of my wallet at all.  So, I muster up enough sanity to walk inside and tell the front desk my dilemma...maybe there is something they can do.  11.35a...I have 25 min to get the situation rectified and change clothes...there's still time, no need to panic.  The man had me fill out my info and the names of my Bishop and Stake President, who he could call, verify my status as a recommend holder and let me in.  I just had to sit and wait, and he would be back asap.  Time kept passing...11.40a...11.45a...I started losing hope.  If 11.50a gets here...I'll just prepare myself to accept the fact that I'm just not going to be there.  It will still get done, I don't HAVE to be there...I just really wanted to be.  11.50a...there, I'm not making it, there's no way I'll have time to change and everything in time.  Then at 5 till noon, he comes in and says I'm clear, but I had better hurry.  So, I walk as reverently and quickly as possible to the dressing room and tell the first lady that I saw with a name tag that I desperately wanted in the Noon session for my brother.  She said she would ask them to wait for me, but I should move quickly.  I tore into the first open dressing locker, and just lost it.  I threw my clothes in the locker and without even checking to make sure I had everything, I threw the dress clothes on, all the while crying my eyes out (half out of panic, and half out of relief, with a dash of pregnant hormones thrown in for good measure).  I get out and make it JUST in time.  Once I calmed down and began breathing normally, it was a wonderful experience! Haha...  The thing was: I didn't miss him.  I was happy, and felt more like he was there with us, rather than the previous experiences of having the overwhelming need to tell him that I missed him desperately.  

Wow...so that was long.  Sorry about that.  

Adventures in Potty Training

We are on day 5 of the great event that is potty training, and well...I'm just ready for it to be over.  I know Audrey is only 20 months old and it isn't going to greatly benefit her life to potty train this early, but we do cloth diapers.  We are expecting a baby in November...which would mean 2 sets of diapers to, not only change, but wash.  I really don't want to have to change that many diapers, but I desperately don't want to wash that many!  So that's why it's SO important to me that Audrey be potty trained (in full) by before the baby is born.

And...it's going....well, it's going.  Day 1 was unexpectedly uneventful.  We have taught her not to potty while she's naked (like after a bath)..so I kind of got the feeling that she was trying to hold it until we got a diaper on her for nap and bedtime.  But surprisingly successful.  At some point during the day, she went, sat, and peed on the pot all on her own.  I was beside myself with joy.  Could it be?  Could I have a genius child who  is going to be potty trained in no time?...NOPE.   Days 2 and 3: nightmares.  I became SO grateful for a few things during those days.  1- that Jared insisted on hard floors in the living room, when I was so sure that I wanted carpet in the living and bedrooms (i do still stand by the bedroom decision though). 2- that I don't have twins!  I can not in my life imagine having to potty train 2 at one time.  I was cleaning one mess while she simultaneously made another...and that Xs 2?  I know a few ppl who have or are expecting twins...and my heart just goes out to them when those darlings have to learn to control their own bladders.

Since those days of indescribable insanity, it's been good, bad, and in between.  Just the other day she had 6 successes and only 2 mishaps.  The next day was just about the opposite.  Then today (day 9), she had a perfect day...until 5p...then in a short span of 3 hours, she almost matched her number of hits from the entire day with misses.

I just really don't want to deal with double diaper duty in Nov.  That's all...  and when the day comes that I don't have to...this 2 weeks on lockdown will be worth it.

Being a Kersey has perks!

I figure at the rate I'm going, if I can get something documented at least once a month then I'm doing pretty good.  Like visiting teaching...which I also need to do.

Well, July is a very eventful month for the Kersey family.  Every 3rd Sat in July all Kerseys from far and wide gather in Ocala, FL for the family reunion (this year was the 52nd year in a row, so it's a pretty important calendar event.) Jared's mother's side of the family lives further south in Pt Saint Lucie too, so every year we try to make a whole week of it and visit his Uncle and Nanny for a few days either before or after the reunion.  Then, last year Jared found out that a mission buddy he knew in Mexico lives in Ocala.  So now added to the itinerary is taking an evening or day to hang with him.  So, this year the journey was as follows:

Monday drive the 10 hrs down to Pt Saint Lucie to visit with the Conways, go to the beach, and Jared to go deep see fishing.  The drive was a little more complicated this year since Audrey is old enough to get really bored and need breaks and loads of entertainment.  But she did super good...until the last 3 hr stretch.  That was a little rough since we were banking on her sleeping during that time.  Tues, wake up whenever, and go to Robbie and Kristy's house and pretty much just hang and catch up.  Wed, head to the beach (after Jared takes his online summer class exam).  Have a sufficient amount of fun, then go back to the hotel, shower, nap, and then head out to visit with Nanny.  Thurs, Jared left to go fishing with Robbie at 6.30a while Audrey and I got up at a decent hour, packed up the car, and checked out of the hotel.  Then we went to his uncle's house to wait for the boys.  After they got home and we ate, we headed out for Orlando.

Audrey playing at Robbie and Kristy's

Jared's sister, Jessie was going through the temple for the first time (kind of a big mormon deal) and then immediately after did the same for Jennifer, so she planned it for the weekend that the family would already be in the area.  It worked out perfectly, until I realized that we had no babysitter! So, Jared and I would have to decide who went in when, while the other stayed with Audrey.  Jared couldn't decide and Jessie didn't want to, so I went in with Jessie and Jared went in for Jennifer.  It was wonderful!  I love going to the temple anyway, but it was really special to be there with my family-in-law.  To spare Audrey and I a 2-3 hr wait, Audrey and I went ahead to Ocala to set up the cabin and Jared rode with his dad when they were done.

The reunion was fun.  I am always amazed at how a part of the family I feel.  I really hit the jackpot when it comes to in-laws!  The entire family is so awesome and has welcomed me with open arms from day 1 (or before day 1 really).  I always thought that it would be sad not to be a Burton (name wise) anymore, but it's pretty awesome being a Kersey too.  And the fact that we are "forced" to go to FL once a year doesn't hurt either.

At Robbie and Kristy's she got used to being around a dog.

At our cabin, there was this little stone puppy on our porch...which

she loved, and would sit and pet him.  She insisted on petting him and 

talking to him every single time we went in/out/and before bed.

I was pretty anti-pet...until this little gem...maybe a stone pet wouldn't

be so bad...

Slacker that I am...

Wow, so I realized that I have really been slacking on this whole blog thing lately.  What will posterity think of me?  Anyway, I suppose I'll use the excuse of us being busy...just to.  We really have been busy though!  My baby belly is growing and I can feel those awesome kicks that make my heart flutter every single time.  We went to the Dr just this past Fri. and got to see the little beansprout...and the sex has been discovered - by the Sonogram lady (who is awesome).  Craziest thing, the subject of where we are from came up, and I said I was from Eastman, followed by the quick "you've probably never heard of it, b/c it's in the middle of nowhere, so don't feel obligated to act like you think you've passed through"...but much to my surprise she responded with "Eastman?! really?...we have a Dr that is from there!  On our way to (somewhere I don't remember) we passed the exit to go there and he told me all about it." Then she preceded to write down my dad and grandfather's name to ask him if they knew either one.  What are the odds?  Anyway, the baby is beautiful!! I can tell, even in black and white fuzz.  (S)He was just perfect and very nicely posed for the camera, face up.  Long legs and just perfect! I definitely have my suspicions that it's a boy just due to the heartbeat being so SLOW!  I read somewhere when I was pregnant with Audrey that girls tend to have faster heartbeats that boys, and every single time we heard hers, I always thought "wow that's really fast" but with this one it just sounds/feels sooo slow.  Plus, since it's somewhat medically sound...(haha...i know it's not, but it feels like it kind of is).  Yes, that was a fragment...but I forget what I was finishing with.  

Ok so this is a picture of his/her perfect little feet.  

(S)He pressed them right up against the little paddle thing 

and this was the first shot we got. We can basically

count the little toes, it's so clear (in person).

Inside that envelope are the gender results!! 

I'm going a little backwards, but the weekend before was father's day weekend.  And my dad's family's very first reunion.  Growing up we never really had one.  Most of my Granny's kids lived somewhat nearby and everyone came over on Sunday afternoon.  The grownups talked inside and the kids played outside, which allowed us to become great friends.  To this day my best friends are some of my family members.  Since we all saw each other all the time, there was never a real need for a formal gathering.  Since that time, we've all gone our separate ways.  The cousins didn't stay as close to the "homestead" as the siblings did.  BUT it happened that most of my cousins that live the farthest away were all going to be visiting and overlapping those visits for a couple days.  So planning commenced.  It was really great seeing everyone again!  Turns out that 72 people showed. I think we counted 17 ppl missing?  My cousin David didn't have leave that was flexible schedule wise, so he and his siblings visited my aunt the weeks before. I really hope Audrey has the opportunity to be close to her cousins like I did.  Granted, it was a little easier for me since there were 34 of us...so everyone had about 3-5 cousins within 6 months-2 years in age.  I just want her to have someone who is family to be close to her...just in case I'm not her best friend...though I will be. (Too much?) 

Steve Burton Family! -it was our first family pic w/o Ben so 

it was a little bittersweet..

72 ppl! Each family had a color (with 7 families, it made the rainbow

thing pretty simple...and fun)  my cousin Ken, the artist designed

the shirts and left his stuff to paint/print them. I told you-my family rocks.

"The Siblings" with Granny

Bob, Connie, Steve (dad), Gary, Karen, Shirley, and Susan

The Grandkids with Granny

Stef and I decided to stick together since green was pretty scarce.

The Great-Grandkids with Granny

Believe me...NOT an easy picture to capture. A range 

of kids from 17-11 months (plus the one in the oven, but (s)he

was pretty easy to manage...)

Father's day went well.  We got Jared a Band Hero set up and since we'd be in Cochran for the big day, we gave it to him a week early so he'd have time to play with it before we left.  Needless to say, he loved it.  After church, we had lunch, took a nap, said our goodbyes and went to his dad's house.  Every time we go see his family, I am reminded how lucky I am!  I pretty much hit the in-law lottery!!  I love my extra family!  Plus I spanked everyone in Farkle (a game) so that was kind of awesome.  So, on Father's day I was nice to my dad, my hubby's dad, and my baby's dad...

And I just realized I don't have any pictures from fathers day! ...so here are just some random ones.

Stef had a groupon for 4 to go to the Puppetry Arts place downtown

so she invited us to come.  I learned that Audrey is not quite

ready for a "be quiet during the performance" kind of show.

Plus the big talking mermaid kind of freaked her out.  

Just being cute.

We don't normally sleep with her, but after she woke up

from her nap, we had a family cuddle and she and 

Jared fell back to sleep...and I just couldn't resist.  They 

woke up from the flash, but it was totally worth it.

Where did May go?!

I can NOT believe that May has almost come and gone!  I guess I've been a little busy, which is weird considering that I've been out of school the whole month, so you would think I'd have time to spare.  But no, when it comes to time, much like money, the more you have the more you need.  (If that makes sense).  The house is coming back to life again, though.  Cleaner.  The Christmas tree got put up...finally. Yes, go ahead and laugh...our tree didn't go back in the box until May...

Mother's Day was good.  Jared took the reins and took care of Audrey and made breakfast, etc.  My parents were here, so it was nice to visit with them.  They are so cute the way they split their time so evenly between Steph and I. We live a mile apart.  It takes less than 5 min to get from one doorstep to the other, but my sweet adorable parents make sure to spend one night with her family, then pack up the next day and spend the next with mine.  So Sat night they came over, and spent Sunday with me.  Then Steph and her family came over that afternoon and let the guys keep the kids in line while we just visited.  Nothing super fancy, but it was awesome just knowing that I could play the Mothers Day card for anything I didn't want to deal with...and I did quite frequently all that day.

We celebrated our 3rd anniversary on the 16th! Go us.  The night before we exchanged gifts.  I've been watching my sister's kids while she works a real job, so I've gotten a meager, but real amount of "my own" money.  So I totally splurged and got Jared a PS3 system...I know he would never spend that kind of money on it himself...  and he got me the cutest apron ever and 2 Julia Child cookbooks (which I wanted).    My sister, wonderful as she is, volunteered to watch Audrey (and I quote) "for as long as we wanted" that day.  SCORE!  Free unlimited babysitting = best anniversary gift EVER.  So we woke up at our leisure (aka: when Audrey woke up) and got ready.  Then Steph picked up Audrey on her way to story time with her girls.  We left for the temple and had a lovely time!  We were one of about 7 people in the room, so it went rather quickly, but I got to see someone from our last ward, so it was still pretty perfect.  Afterwards, Jared took me to Buford Hwy to a place that a lady from work told him about.  I have been looking for a place that makes good baleadas and pupusas since I got home from Honduras.  Since his friend is from el Salvador, it was a pretty good bet she knew her stuff.  And she DID.  It was literally a hole in the wall on the back of a Brewsters.  Then we just blew off a little time and got back to Audrey by dinner.  And we went to bed, lights out and unconscious at 9.30p.  Yes...that's how old we are.  And it was amazing.

Other than that, I've been cleaning and running after my girl.  Today as Memorial Day we went and got in the pool for the first time.  Audrey was not bubbling with excitement as I thought she would be.  She loves baths so I figured a really big bath tub would be that much better, but she wasn't so keen on the fact.  She got so freaked out that she wouldn't even let Jared hold her.  She warmed up a little later and would sit on the side and then "jump" to us.  But then it got chilly and rain clouds loomed, so we left.  It was a pretty short trip and of course it didn't rain and got super sunny right as we got home, but oh well.  There is still plenty of summer to spend at the pool.  Now, Jared is working tonight, so I'm trying to find things to do until he gets home.

Ok, so Jared stayed late at work, and 30 min after he normally gets

home, I said his name or he called or something.  Well, this child gets

so excited and runs to the stairs saying Daddy! Then when he takes

too long to come in, she climbs down the stairs and waits at the bottom

for him...about 20 min she stayed there...it took a long time to convince

her that Daddy really wasn't home yet.  Bless her heart.

Playing in the water hose.  She is a total control freak 

and won't let anyone else hold the hose...but the girl 

loves to play in water, that's for sure!

lounging around in the swimsuit

her first skinned knee that warranted a bandage. She is

obviously distraught...haha.  I was freaking a little...it was

a lot of blood for a little bitty girl!

i promise she thinks she owns the world! We were just

out walking and she straight up walks into someone else's 

yard and climbs up into their lawn furniture like she lives there.

Our anniversary! It's been a great 3 years!

I forgot to mention my dad's Bday!  The 4th (star wars day,

appropriately enough) I went down to Gresston and spent the 

weekend with the family.  Jared was working a double

so he didn't mind too terribly much that we were gone.

Holly LOVES having someone to boss around!

She also loves to dress up.  She ran down from her room

one day with her Snow White dress on and another in hand

exclaiming that Audrey and she could be twins.  We also

watched Snow White that day as well.

CURLS!!! I love her 3 or 4 little curls that she has!

The Heartbeat

Today was awesome.  We went to an OB appt in Sandy Springs and got to hear the baby's heartbeat!  I don't know...there's just something amazing about every time I get to hear it.  Just listening to that fast thump puts me at ease...not that I live in fear and paranoia that the baby has died and my body didn't miscarry it on it's own...but maybe every now and then, there is a little worry.  I don't have a growing belly as proof or that exciting movement inside as a comforting reminder that everything is going A-OK.  I really don't think about it that much until right before an appt.  I guess I worry about what's going to happen when she puts that magic wand on my abdomen....and nothing happens?  I don't know...it's probably my mother coming out in me.  Anyway, so good times.  Something that was super cute: in the waiting room, Audrey and a little 3/4 year old became friends.  The cutest part was when the little boy would try and carry on a conversation with her.  He would talk and comment and then she would reply with some babble and he would, every time without fail, reply "What?...what did you say?" SO freaking cute!! I finally had to explain to him that she wasn't saying real words b/c she doesn't know that many yet.

Curiouser and curiouser

I know everyone knows that pregnant people are crazy, and that pregnancies in general are crazy.  But I promise that I've never heard of any pregnant woman that was as nuts as I am.  As I mentioned previously, I'm an emotional -and almost violently- enraged wreck.  But aside from that...I crave CHEESE.  Every day, every meal, I want cheese.  String cheese, mac n cheese, grilled cheese,...the other night we had cheese burgers (with cheese grilled inside), mac n cheese, and broccoli with cheese.  Excessive much?  But I simply can't help it...or satisfy this intense craving.  Not only that...it gets weirder.  I smell garlic.  EVERYWHERE.  Jared came to bed the other night and snuggled up to me and I almost couldn't stand it, the smell of garlic was SO strong on his breath.  I asked if he seriously just ate a spoonful of beans before coming in (i made some earlier)...and he said..."no. I just ate a cookie." A cookie? And I'm about toss my cookies bc the smell was SO unbearable.  Ridiculous, right?  Garlic....

Helping daddy make Fettuchini.