Audrey Grace. She is so cute. This week has been a rough one, for this mom at least. But one look at her and I realize it really isn't that bad. It is only rough because for the first time in almost three years I have missed myself. I mean really missed myself. I didn't realize that I was lost until recently. I have a whole new perspective now and think my mom is a hero and my Aunt Judy is a super hero. Sorry Mom, but 7 always beats 3.

Ahhh, but enough about me. Audrey is pulling herself up anytime and everywhere that she can. She still has the balance of an inebriated bullfrog but I am sure that will not last much longer. She can stand without support for a few seconds longer than before. I sometimes think she is very needy. Not princess needy, but needy. She always wants to be with me. Or near me, or on me. With those smoky blue eyes I cannot say no. Alex on the other hand has no problem telling me no. Of which he often gets the pleasure of having to put his nose on the wall. I think it would be easier to spank him than have him put his nose on the wall. But putting his nose on the wall actually works to curb some of his behavior issues.

Alex asked me if "when I was 'iddle was I a princess?" I of course said no. He then proceeded to ask me twelve more times. Each time I tried to explain to him that little boys are princes while little girls are princesses. Finally on the thirteenth time I asked him what he thought. He said, "Mommy, I was a toad. 'iddle boys are toads." Issues? We have none here. He just got some rain boots. Fire engine rain boots that he loves. They are a couple sizes too big but he should still be able to wear them. He has fared just fine running around the house tonight. Little boys are funny toads.

We may go to a train expo next weekend. It depends on what our schedule looks like but I think Alex will love it. He went on his first fishing trip with his daddy, his Grandpa S and his Uncle Scott this past weekend. He was a little scared of the boat at first but got over it almost as soon as it started. He got to try out his new fishing pole. He did not catch any fish, but his Uncle Scott, the Pro Fisherman, caught a few in the short time they were out there. They all seemed to have a good time.

Well, it is bed time for the kids. Daddy is trying to escape from Alex's room without being forced to sleep with him. And Alex is trying to escape from his room so he will not be forced to sleep at all. Go figure. 

Meet Lorelai Danielle, Alex and Audrey's cousin. She will be turning 1 on December 6. Her mom has already begun to plan the big event. Poor Audrey. She still doesn't have any shoes and her cousin has shoes and will be having a big party. Audrey doesn't get anything. I can already see her pouting.

Lorelai has it rough, though. Her mommy is always giving her a bad rep. Lorelai is a princess. Literally, I think. I sometimes call Audrey a princess but doubt she can pull it off. She already tries to beat up Lorelai while Lorelai yells at her. If they were to actually throw down - I would have to put my money on Audrey (Sorry Lorelai, I have to go where the money is). Of course, Audrey has the advantage of a big brother who has no qualms about trying to pull her leg off (Audrey's that is) or pushing her over so that she skins her nose on the carpet. Lorelai just gets the love of her best friend, Alex.

Lorelai loves to talk on the phone. She loves to talk to her cousin, Alex and he loves to talk to her. It is funny, you can almost make out what she is trying to say. Her third word, after "mommy" & "daddy", will be "Alex". I am pretty sure of that. She just lights up when she sees Alex. She and Audrey argue over toys. It is a precursor of what is to come and I don't like it. Nope, not a bit.

Lorelai looks like her daddy. But there is something of her mommy in her. I just can't pinpoint it. While Lorelai looks like her daddy she is much prettier than he is. Of course, I have never seen him in a dress so I may be speaking out of line here.

Lorelai is soon to have a little sister. I know she will love her as much as Alex loves his 'iddle 'ister. Everyone - let Em know you love her and send her a congrats!!!

OK, Ok, I am kidding. She isn't expecting. Sorry Lorelai, no new baby sister. You will just have to be happy with taking toys from Audrey :-)

The boy loves to fish. Or so it would appear. His GG just got him a real fishing pole and he always wants to use it. Unfortunately, his aim is usually at his sister so for now I have hidden it in the closet. Sorry GG! Although we do get it out on certain occasions - when Audrey is asleep. The picture above is at Bonny Brook Country Farm. Out of everything to do there he was most attracted to the cast iron bathtub and dowel rod fishing pole. And despite the fact that he talked about riding a pony the whole way there he chickened out and would only get near one if I was holding him. I never thought Alex would be apprehensive about animals - just the other day he screamed for me when he saw a Daddy-long leg spider. I just shook my head. Can't be my son. But I was there...He did love the "tunnel" carved through the hill. He loves any tunnel. And the wagon ride was fun too. Once again, the "tunnels" (as he calls them) or barns were a big hit when we drove through them.

Audrey enjoyed the day too. She took absolutely everything in. It was a little chilly ("chilwee" per Alex) so she had to be bundled up but did everything she could to get out of it so she could see. She loved the animals. If she would have had her way we would have taken one home - I am sure. We will leave that for when she is two, then she can throw a fit for one. That should be fun.

Audrey is trying to walk now. Yes, walk. She got mad at me the other day when she fell over from standing up and taking a step. The girl can't even sit up without me worrying that she is about to fall over. She doesn't even have that all worked out. The doctor said that she thought it would take her awhile since Audrey never sits still. Never. But the child doesn't care. She sees her brother walk so she wants to. I am afraid that she will be walking before nine months. Wait - she will be falling down more often before nine months. She scares me. She is afraid of nothing.

Alex got sick the other morning. His second time ever. Between their daddy and the kids being sick I haven't had much fun lately. He later told his daddy that he had eggs and cheese for breakfast and then, "I throwed them, daddy!" And throw he did. Thankfully we were in the bathroom.

Audrey is trying to talk more now. She is starting to say "Da-da". You would think that they would say mommy or something related to the mom when you spend most of your waking hours with them (and some not so awake hours). But no, the reward goes to the daddy. I suppose that is ok. She is becoming more of a mommy's girl. Can't stand to be without me. If she sees me or hears me talking she most often wants to be with me. I am ok with that. I really enjoy it. I may act otherwise but deep inside it makes me all warm. Even with Alex - I love it that he wants his mommy and he wants to "seep wif you a 'iddle bit, mommy". Yep, all warm inside.

Being a mom is really a blessing.

Let's see - kids asleep, check - laundry done - no check. Never mind, let's forget the list.

This is Alex singing "Jesus Loves Me". Still a favorite of his repertoire. Other songs include, but are not limited to, "Zacchaeus was a Wee, Little Man", "Pop Goes the Weasel", "Bob the Builder", and "Row, Row Your Boat". Today he has been sick. A sudden attack of a virus, or so the doctor says. One minute he is fine and the next minute he has a fever over 102 degrees. Thank the Lord he is doing better.

This week has been slower than last week, that is for sure. We had revival all week long. It was really good but really exhausting. Especially with two kids in tow. Alex has been excited to go to church every night so he can play in the nursery with his best friends, Michael T, Anna, and Michael. And yes, Alex calls them his best friends.

I have found it interesting that he is just like every other child. I know, I shouldn't be surprised. Everyone told me it was coming. If another child has it, he wants it. And if it is his sister who has it - you better watch out. His trick is to "trade" her for what he wants. She always comes out on the short end of things. For example, Audrey is playing with a train. Alex will "trade" her sock lint for the train. That way he didn't take it from her, right?! They begin to reason at a very young age. Fortunately for Audrey, or rather for me, she doesn't realize that sock lint is not a comparable trade. But she will soon.

Audrey is another story all together. I really do think that she will be running around like a noodle head entirely too soon. She is a very determined baby. She crawls over to me and pulls herself up and then she stands up. The funny/scary part is that she then lets go. For just turning seven months she has pretty good balance. But I already cannot keep her out of stuff. I have moved the pack-n-play out into the living room so I have a easy place to contain her when needed.

She loves to talk. I know, many of you are scratching your heads and wondering where she got that from - her dad. She talks and talks. She also yells. Which is very funny, even when it is in the middle of church. She always has to be in the middle of things. And she LOVES to eat. I just started this week giving her baby food. She loves it. Now if she sees any of us eating, especially Alex, she has to eat and if she isn't then she gets upset. So far she has had peas, carrots, sweet potatoes, and bananas. This does not take into account the food that Grandma M has given her when I haven't been looking.

We have a packed weekend, once again. Although not as much as last weekend. I am not sure I can handle another weekend like that for a while. So many people from out of town are now in town. And they want to see us. Actually they want to see the kids. The mom and dad are now just seen as breeders, nothing more. Go figure.

It is 10:37 pm, do you know where your cat is?