Something that may amuse everyone: When we go to our local Mexican restaurant Audrey thinks one of the waiters is her daddy. Of course that is only if his back is to us. But I just thought you may like to know that. Food for thought - in many ways. The picture above was taken just before bedtime. The kids love for their daddy to play Jungo on the computer. He has much more patience than I do to deal with squirmy, wormy kids.

Both kids are getting so big. I just can't believe it. In fact, in just a short time Audrey will turn 2 and Alex 4. Alex weighs almost 40lbs now. It seems that as soon as he had his tonsils removed he started gaining weight. He is a silly boy. I love to just sit and listen to him play. He is most content to play with the cheapest of toys. For example, today he played with a turtle ($1), a lizard (1 of 10 in a $1 pack), and a shoestring that he pulled from one of his boots. I don't know why I continue to buy other things for him. Of course, in contrast, Audrey is most content to take what Alex is playing with. You may not think that someone so cute would be so bent toward evil but it is true. It bothers me that I find it funny. That is until Alex starts yelling. She just takes the stuff, makes sure that she has an audience, and then begins to run. All the while smiling.

Alex has started to say funny thing too. He just looked at me today and started shaking his head and laughing. I asked him what was up. He just said, "Crazy! That's just crazy!" He tells me all sorts of stories about lizards and their children. He has also been asking when we will have more children. He thinks we should go to where we got Audrey and get another one. I am not sure he is the genius I thought him to be.

Audrey is talking all the time. Full sentences. It amazes me. Today she said, "Mommy, what was that? What happened?" She always asks for her "mink" (drink) and says please and thank you. She is quite the polite little lady. The other day we were in the store and had to walk in front of some people. She looked up and said, "Excuse me," and went about her business.

Both kids are a ton of fun. There isn't a day that goes by that we aren't laughing, wrestling, or both. Some days are easier than others but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

They grow so fast! Everyone tells you that and it is true - they grow too fast. Audrey is taking a moment to write a lengthy essay on "why". Just "why". That is her favorite question; although it is commonly asked in a very whiney tone. It is also asked in response to anything I say. Today she started asking why and then answered her own question by saying "Because." Perhaps that is an overused response in our house. I finally understand why my parents said, "Because I said so." Sometimes that is the only reason.

Audrey is a handful. Yesterday she decided to try the top of her Grandma S's coffee table for clogging. Maybe tap dancing. Whatever it was, it was done with a smile on top of the table. I hate it that it is funny when she does these type of things. It is so hard to correct a child while you are trying not to laugh. She also does whatever she can to torment Alex (or "Bruder" as she calls him). She will grab his cup and take it to wherever he is. Instead of giving him his cup she waits until he notices that she has it and then she takes a long drink. When he tries to get it, she runs. Please let it be noted that she does all of this with a smile on her face. The picture above would indicate that the child is quiet, easy going. Oh contraire, mon ami. In fact, the picture actually tells a completely different story. Audrey has a pen that she knows she shouldn't have. She has swiped a piece of paper from my desk. In addition to her thievery of the pen and paper she has also swiped the wagon from her brother. She is sitting in it so he cannot take it. Perhaps she is writing her memoirs. Ah, they grow so fast.

Audrey is a smart bean in spite of her nuttiness. She knows her shapes and the letter "A". Yes, she is gifted. She knows much more and is sure to let me know when she thinks I am wrong. In fact her favorite phrase to me is, "No, mommy. No." Not angrily, just matter of fact like.

Dear God, please help us when this child is a teenager. Amen.

Alex is just as smart. He has written the letters A, B, D, F, R & O. Brilliant! He is trying to read, too. It is so awesome to hear him starting to sound words out. He says, "Turtle is for the letter T." Perhaps a little backwards but he gets the idea. Yes, he is gifted. He sings loudly, all of the time. He makes up songs, funny songs - or so he tells us. I really can't understand a word he is yelling. He is starting to come up with some funny stuff. His favorite question to ask is "So...what are your plans, mommy?" He talks about hyenas a lot too. Hmmm.

All is quiet here. The children are all snuggled safe in their beds. And now I am off to do the same.

Should anyone ask, the boy asked that his hair be done this way. Really he did. But for those of you who may be worried he did specifically ask for the blue and black ones.

Have you ever seen a cuter kid? Don't answer because I want to live as if you haven't. Both Alex and Audrey. Today we are going to a parade should anyone else wake up. No matter how early I put Alex to bed he still doesn't fall asleep until 11pm or later. Either he plays with a toy that he has pirated or he yells, "Mommy" or he finds a reason to get up. Short of tying him in his bed... Although I do have to admit that part of it is probably my fault (as most things are). I love it when he wants me to sleep with him. Once I am in bed with him he hugs me and tells me that he loves me over and over and then asks me what my plans are for the day. Then he has to snuggle. It is great. I know that this will only last a little while longer so I am taking advantage of it while I can.

Audrey Bean is another story. She likes to snuggle if I have food. Other than that she wants down to roam the earth. She loves to read, actually both kids do. Audrey must be a genius because she was reading from a Dr. Seuss book. Okay, maybe not reading but she has the book memorized to the point that she seems as if she is reading. It is funny to hear her saying "hooray, hooray". She is talking more and more. Much more than Alex at 18 months. She is putting together sentences and her favorite is, "No, mom." Lovely. She also constantly asks, "Why?" which becomes more like "WHY!" when she is angry. Who would have thought that an 18 month old kid would backtalk. Certainly not me. Just like her dad, I say.

Oh, I hear the first of the munchkins...

The Bean. Crazy Beanie. Audrey Bean. This is Audrey Sunday afternoon. She was running through the house with the swim goggles on. Everytime they would slip off she would start yelling, "Mommy!" And for those of you who have not met Audrey Grace then you would not know the impact that her little voice has. Let's just say that it isn't so little. So I would help her put her glasses back on and she would take off running again. At some point in her travels she swiped her daddy's wallet and began to remove the green. She is crazy. Constant motion.

Audrey is talking more and more. She is starting to put words together. She is doing very well with her sign language. That should be no surprise since she is a genius. I am not sure if she will be left handed or right handed. She holds her crayons correctly in both hands and is very precise. She seems to favor her right but I just don't know. Audrey does all of the motions for the VBS songs and now yells (remember, when I say "yell" I mean YELL) "Day, mommy, day!" That means she wants me to play her favorite song, "This is the Day". There are pros and cons to the repeat button on the CD player.

Alex is officially potty trained. It has been 4 weeks now. He does a great job. Although, restroom visits are numerous. And interesting. He was singing the other day, "I pee, I pee, I pee, I pee." All while completing a necessary task. Unfortunately the restroom was crowded with many other people. Did I mention that Alex was singing at the top of his voice? He was.

Audrey is trying to get into the potty game too. Aside from sitting IN the little pot (or standing in it, which ever fits her fancy) she does tell us she has to go from time to time. She has been successful a handful of times. I know, I know, not everyone wants to know about the potty habits of small children but for those of you who don't have kids - it is quite a feat. For those of you who have kids - you should relate.

Alex and Audrey are always coming up to me and giving me kisses or hugs. I love it!!! The "Guess What" game is still my favorite. I suppose that is enough for now. I know there is something else but my mind is numb.

It has been forever. And yes, Alex has grown a foot. He is even starting to show signs of facial hair. Okay, maybe not that. But it has been a while since I have updated everyone. Things have been busy. This picture was taken on a lovely Saturday. Alex was outside with his daddy playing and watching me paint the back drop for our VBS. This year the theme was Avalanche Ranch. Alex loved it. The entire week following VBS he kept asking if we were going to VBS ("BBS" - per Alex) every time we got into the car. It was funny to listen to him play with his toys during the day saying things like, "Wahoo, God is strong, Wahoo!!" BTW, that was Thomas the Tank Engine talking to Alfie the digger.

Alex's surgery went well. The doctor said it was a good thing to have his tonsils and adenoids removed because they were VERY big. +4 on a scale of 1-4. Plus they were infected - ew! The first couple days following were not much fun - for all involved. But by day four things were looking up. Now he has an appetite like he has never had before. So it is no wonder that he may appear to have grown a foot.

Tonight on the way home I sat in the back seat of the car with the kids. I had to be touching each one. I have been very busy and they have been away from me more than usual - this makes for very clingy children. Alex leaned over and kissed my hand. He said, "Mommy, you are my greatest buddy ever." How in the world do you top that?!

Audrey is talking more and more. She now plays the Guess What? game by saying "I love you." It is so cute. Her temper tantrums are not cute, but she is. She dances like a monkey. She says no but nods yes. She climbs on EVERYTHING. Her daddy caught her half way on the dinner table and half way off of a chair that had flipped over. The chair flipped because of her attempting to get onto the table. She often leaves a path of destruction behind her. She yells when she is mad and she throws things too. She gets in trouble a lot!!! Did I mention that she is cute?

Audrey and Alex love to sing. They are always singing. The song of choice this week is "Ring Around the Rosey" and "The B-I-B-L-E". Audrey is a pro. Alex learned all of the VBS songs before I did - but I learned the motions first - so HA! They both also love to take baths. My water babies.

They are asleep now and I have more work to do. Will it never cease? I am having the best time ever!

It has been awhile since writing...things have been hectic - if not crazy. Of course, when you look at the pseudo-angel above you may think that nothing could be further from the truth. Ahhhh, but that is where it gets crazy. Audrey is a nut. Literally a nut. Pecan, I think. She has to be in the middle of everything. If I am scrubbing a toilet - she is there, changing a diaper - she is there, trying to take a shower - she is there (or would be if she could get out of her crib). She is SOOOO lucky she is cute. She is a lot of fun too. She loves to swing. High, high, high. She loves to slide too. She loves to run and be outside. She also loves to read, eat Cheerio's, take Alex's toys, walk pulling her toy dog, take Alex's toys, yell at the dogs, chase the dogs, pet the dogs, look at the dogs. She loves chocolate and brownies. She likes to eat steak, sausage, hotdogs, hamburgers, meatballs, rice and couscous - go figure. She is a momma's girl and I love it.

Audrey is talking more and more. She says outside, please, NO, ouch, Jessie, NO, go, dog, no, and many other things that I either forget or cannot translate at this time. She does get into plenty of trouble. I had to sit her on the chair the other day and she kept repeating what she hears from Alex - "mmmmI- up? mmmmmI - up?" Over and over and over again until her 1 minute was up. How quickly they learn.

Alex is just a good, little, big boy. He is just so cute. He has a weasel streak in him though. He likes to take things from his sister and then run with whatever it is. Much fun. His hair is getting long and we are going to have to ask Grandma J to help us out.

Alex is coming up with some funny things. Just the other day Alex's daddy was re-building his computer. He showed Alex the innards of the horrid thing...Alex thought for a minute and then said, "That's beautiful, Daddy." And Daddy has been on cloud nine ever since. Some days he will be playing and he will stop what he is doing to look up and ask, "Mommy, how you doing today? Good? Okay." My favorite is the Guessing game. He says, "Mommy, guess what. I love you." It has become a nice game for us to play - who can say it first.

Being a mom is getting a little tougher. Trying to figure out how to punish your children effectively, but yet, still letting them be children is hard. Now is when I really need the instruction manual.

Alex is having surgery tomorrow (today, actually). He is having both his adenoids and tonsils removed. I am not doing to good with it. It may explain why I am still awake at 12:16 AM when I have to be up by at least 5:15 AM. Not so smart. I guess I should go toss and turn in bed. Please pray for us these upcoming weeks as Alex will surely be spoiled this week and it will take me 4 weeks to undo the damage...Oh, how I love these kids!!!!

This is how Alex would look if he were a turtle. A small turtle with a large shell. We went to the Cincinnati Zoo a couple weeks ago. It was fun. The weather was perfect for looking at caged animals. The kids did great. I think I like the Columbus Zoo better, though. Although, we did not have a Silverback Gorilla charge the window and bang on it as we were standing in front of it. In fact, the Cincinnati gorillas seemed quite tame in comparison. Alex had a blast. He was his Pop-pop's buddy. Unfortunately they did not have the giraffes there this year. Or at least, not yet.

Alex is getting bigger and bigger. He will tell you that, too. He is still a "little, big boy who is growing and growing." He is funny. He has decided that since his sister cannot form complete words or sentences then he should also talk in complete gibberish. He also finds it fun to grunt and point at things. That must just be a guy thing. He is constantly telling me that he loves me. I love it. Although the other day he told me that he didn't like me, didn't love me. Who would have thought that the words of a three-year old could cut like that? I didn't. Of course, I had always been of the opinion that babies were dumb. I realize they are not. And I also realize that Alex was talking out of his head. In fact, in the next sentence he was telling me that he loved me. Go figure. Not even a teenager yet and he is already acting like one. He tells Audrey that he loves her all the time, too. But Audrey wants nothing to do with it. Alex's love usually comes complete with a hug - no way for Audrey. It feels too much like you are trying to confine her and she just will not have it. Alex says, "Why, hello, Pretty Girl." in the mornings. It is so sweet to see him interact with her - um...sometimes...other times he is taking a toy from her or pushing her down.

As for Audrey, she is usually instigating the drama of Alex by taking a toy or something. Usually she pirates his "dinosaur blue". That creates DRAMA! And she does it on purpose. She takes it, runs, and looks over her shoulder smiling.

Audrey is talking more. She also now knows the sign for baby, daddy, play, and milk. She says, "quack", "puppy", "ball", in addition to her other words. She prays for dinner, too. She is a nut case...just like her dad. She will show you her smile and look like a movie star in the process. She is a lot of fun. Everyone comments on how pretty she is. It is bound to go to her head.

The blessed event Naptime is now over. Ahhhh, it was nice while it lasted.

Did you know that a shark cannot sit in time-out because he does not have a booty? And for that matter he cannot get a spanking either. This was Alex's reasoning when the "shark" was told by mommy not to hit the frog. Yesterday the Crocodile was about to get in trouble for opening and closing the bathroom door while mommy was taking a shower. But Alex saved him from a sure reprimand by letting me know that the "Crocodile is just crazy, mommy. He is just crazy. He is crazy over the skunk and squirrel." The crazy crocodile is pictured above (he is the green one).

Alex and Audrey both love to be outside. It is very hard to get them back inside. The picture above is very deceiving. It looks as if Audrey is okay with her brother touching her - she was as long as we were swinging high. When the ride stopped the touching had to stop. She is going to be a handful. She purposefully takes things from her brother just to hear him yell. Why?! How is it that she has that routine already figured out - she just turned one. She definitely knows what she is doing because she does it with a smirk on her face. Really, a smirk! She has begun to throw herself on the floor when she is angry. I figure she will have to learn not to do that the hard way. I try to remove all dangers but if she is going down on the floor, I'm not catchin' her (within reason, come on, give me some credit).

Audrey is saying, "I love you." & "Ma-maw" & an assorted menagerie of animal sounds. She loves to sing. The McDonald's Happy Meal toy this week is an American Idol microphone. Her favorite to yell into. It is very cute.

Alex is now saying, "computer" instead of "'puter". He still says, "What you said?" But I like that. Oh, and "Let I have that."

Oh well, that is all for today as the sun is shining and Alex has watched enough of Milo the Mantis Who Wouldn't Pray. Off we go.

So cute! This girl is something else! If you cannot tell from the picture - she is wild. Wild may be an understatement. She is ornery. She is also fun. The hardest part is not laughing. I can't help it sometimes. Why is it that when they are one it is very funny, but if they do the same thing at three it is not funny?

Audrey is bound and determined to annoy her brother. And to Alex's credit all he wants to do is hug his sister and play with his/her toys. His/Her toys because he has claimed every toy in the house to be his. And thanks to Grandpa S. he is becoming the pro at trading. I see Wall Street in his future. Audrey likes to go up to Alex and hit him. She hits him and the waits to see his reaction, all while smiling. She doesn't hit him hard. To me it looks more like a love tap, but to Alex it is as if she has hit him as hard as she possibly could. Great drama for anyone who is interested. Audrey also tries to do anything and everything that Alex is doing. She has commandeered his 4 wheeler from Alex's Aunt Trish and Uncle Jason. In fact, she rides it more than he does. It could be because she pushes him out of the way. We call her "Baby Godzilla" because she stomps and growls her way into Alex's room and destroys each train track that he has built. Sometimes we catch her before the destruction commences but most times she is successful. It is amazing how different the two of them are. I enjoy it.

Audrey is pretty much running now. She isn't good at it yet, but nonetheless, running. She loves to chase Alex and vice versa. She doesn't sit still for a minute. Unless you count when she is sleeping but even then she has characteristics of a fish flopping on dry land. Audrey can tell you what a cow, dog, pig, lion, sheep, rooster, and elephant say. Her imitation of a sheep is most impressive - sounds much like a growling, angry sheep. She says, "Mommy!" all of the time. And "Pop-pop". She said "fish" tonight. There are many other words jumbled in her gibberish but so often the words are strung together in such fashion that it is almost impossible to make out. At least she knows what she is saying. She loves food. She loves meatballs. Whoever heard of a baby loving meatballs?! She is just amazing.

Alex is getting bigger and bigger. And he never fails to let us know this. One day he will grow so big he will be a giant - so he says. He says, "Let I sit here, mommy." He has just begun to tell Audrey to get out of his business. I am not sure where he got that from - really -I don't know. He is funny - he plays with his green turtle 'inja from Old MacDonald's (ninja from McDonald's) and tonight he had awful fries (waffle fries) from Chick-fil-a. He is always coming up to me and giving me a hug and telling me that he loves me. OOOOOHHHHH - I love it.

Tonight we went to Lowe's and got some stickers for the bathtub to prevent slipping since Ms. Audrey will not sit down in the bath. We were going to get the colorful fish stickers but Alex decided that he really wanted the ducks. I told him that I preferred the fish but we could get the ducks. Before we left he asked that we go get the fish because he wanted me to be happy. The daddy said I misinterpreted the boy by thinking he thought I was upset. The daddy interpreted it as the boy wanting to make the mommy happy. All I know is that I wanted to cry. Either way.

Alex does have his moments too. Don't let him fool you. His biggest thing now is "but..." and "Why?" I now understand why my mom and dad said, "Because I said so." You can only have so many answers to the “why” question before you run out of answers and all that is left is “because I said so.” Plus it is easier than having to give a lengthy explanation to a three year old who finds it wholly acceptable to run outside naked in the freezing rain. I use the “Because I said so.” Tactic. The daddy’s prefers a different tactic - diversion: “Look kids, a gorilla!” Ah, but I love it. I know, I mentioned that before. Who would have thought?!

The kids are sleeping. I think I should sleep too.

Audrey is now one year old!! Alex is now three!! Their birthdays are 8 days apart and I am partied out. I never would have thought that baby parties would be so expensive or time consuming. I have to admit that it was fun to get together with the family. And gifts galore! They are everywhere. I am running out of room! I have to go through and weed things out.

Audrey is now attempting to run everywhere. Today was the first bloody lip and given her destructive behavior it will not be her last. She changed directions too fast and fell and hit the bottom rung of the chair. Thank the Lord she is ok...a little blood and some tears. Audrey is walking as her primary means of transportation. Crawling is only if she falls down and then it is only for a short distance before she is up and running again. She has no fear. The other day she climbed onto one chair that is about 12" off of the floor. From there she climbed onto a computer chair (18" off the floor) and then attempted to climb onto an adjacent TV tray (28" off of the floor). Of course she had to hurry when doing this as I was telling her no and running toward her. ACK! We are definitely in for it.

Audrey is also talking more and more. Most of it I cannot understand but some of it is making sense. Her first animal sound was an elephant - just like Alex. She also makes a duck sound (just like Alex) and a scary dog/lion/monster sound (unlike Alex at her age, but just like Alex now). I think she is saying "Alex" now and "mommy" is uttered all of the time. She is just a nut. She does things she is not supposed to do as fast as she can just in case she gets caught. And she does it the whole time while laughing. I think I mentioned that we are in for it, right?

Alex is always hugging Audrey and saying, "She is a cute baby. I love her." He is pronouncing his "L"'s now. A little exaggerated but it works. So now instead of O-I it is "Lorelai" and instead of "ove" it is "love" - you get the picture. I miss the other way. "Mommy, don't 'eve me." He has to grow up - I know. Right now he is playing with a rubber lizard and some plastic frogs, growling and yelling "ribbit" despite the fact his sister is taking a nap.

Alex got a 4 wheeler for his birthday so he could be just like his Uncle Jason (who he talks about all the time now). He loves it and tells everyone about his "4 wheeler car" and Thomas laptop. He has ridden a couple of times. It surprises me that he seems a little nervous about it. And then there is Audrey. The afore mentioned Audrey who is a nut. She climbs right up on it AND presses the pedal and laughs and giggles until she bumps into something. And if it won't move she bounces up and down on it smiling. She is trouble :)

A couple months ago I noticed that Alex's front tooth was turning gray. I called the dentist and he said that the tooth was dead. His doctor also said it was dead. And sure enough, the tooth began to darken. I prayed about it, asking that it not be dead. I felt a little foolish praying for that because it was a vanity issue on my part, so I prayed whatever was best. Last week I noticed that Alex's tooth is not longer gray!!!!!!!!! It looks like the other teeth. WOW!!! I am so excited and encouraged. I know, it is just a tooth but it isn't JUST any thing - it is an answer to prayer.

Time to entertain the boy. The boy and his lizard who just told me that he wants to watch a movie "but I'm stinky, mommy. I'm stinky." Oh, and he just ate something off of his shirt. He's a nut, too.

I love these nuts so much. They make me smile everyday, even on bad days.

This is Alex after working in the coal mine yesterday. Okay, not really. This is Alex after "quiet time" and 6 black jelly beans. His fingers still are black. Alex is watching Bob the Builder - Scoop's Adventures. He told me that he will watch all of them AND THEN "quiet time". I find Bob and Wendy a little irksome. That must be why they are for little kids. Although I think that there is something going on between Bob and Wendy.

Alex is almost three and Audrey will be one at the end of this month. The black jelly beans reminded me of how this time last year that was all I wanted to eat. Both before and after Audrey was born. I can't believe how time has just gone by. Alex keeps telling me how he is growing and growing and one day he will be "this" tall. I like him this 'ittle. Well, I would like him potty trained too.

We did not experience the "Terrible Twos" with Alex. I think the "threes" will be a different story. His new thing is to jump up and down when he is mad. I am hoping that he is finding it to be very ineffective - unless he wants to be in trouble. We have a favorite corner and a favorite spot on the couch. But compared to some of the stories that I have heard about others we have it pretty good.

Audrey will be another story. That girl is bent on destruction. Strong-willed. Her goal of destruction is currently set on the glass door of the entertainment center. She haltingly walks to the unit, looks back, smiles, and reaches to open the door. She tries to open it before you get there. All while smiling and laughing. I even think she smirks sometimes when she gets in trouble. I hate to say that it is funny but it is. I still can't let her do it because she will be the one to get hurt playing with it. She loves to chase, and be chased by, Alex. It is the cutest thing to watch and to listen to. They run and giggle. Just another thing I love.

Alex is doing well differentiating his upper and lower case letters. He has also begun to recognize some words. For example, he now can read the work "EXIT". He recognizes the boxes above doors and tells us what they say and what they mean. He also does the same for Toys R Us. I realize that it isn't exactly reading but it is a start. He is brilliant.

Alex is also very, very stubborn. You may all think that he gets this from me, and some of it he probably does, but he really takes after his dad here. Last night we celebrated his daddy's birthday. We told Alex that he had to eat one bite of chicken before he got any cake. No such luck. So - no chicken, no cake. This happens often and just as often as it happens he doesn't get a treat. He is still a good kid. Just another stepping stone. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Sister-rita. She is just so cute. Probably too cute for her own good. Audrey has begun to walk. She took a bit longer than I had anticipated. It took too long for her to get there walking so she stuck to crawling. She still crawls, especially if she is chasing Alex. She has also begun to talk. Her repitoire now includes (but is not limited to) "cat", "dog", "Jessie", "uh-oh", and "mommmm-mommm-mom". She also speaks jibberish but translations are hard to come by.

Audrey loves to chase Alex. She loves to squeal when he is chasing her. And she LOVES anything that Alex has. Anything. Of course now I have to hear "AUDREY! STOP IT, AUDREY! MOMMY!!!!" all of the time. If I remember correctly it isn't going to stop for some time either.

Audrey loves to smile. She is almost always smiling. She loves to eat broccoli and cheese. She loves chocolate ("chocate" per Alex) pudding. She is beginning to tire of baby food. She prefers anything she can feed herself. Although you definitely know when she is done. She sticks her tongue out and tries to wipe it off. She then attempts to smack the spoon out of your hand if you make a second attempt to feed her.

Alex is doing well with the potty training. Just recently he has begun to tell us he needs to use the potty. Of course it is usually when we have told him it is time for a nap or time for bed. But at least he tells us and usually is telling us the truth. Although the other day he told me he had a stinky diaper and then proceeded to come up to me and say, "You smell me, mommy?" Indeed, I did.

It is nap time here so perhaps I will partake in this blessed event. Naps are God's gifts to moms, in addition to everything else.

"'Cause this is what monkeys do, mommy!" This has become the standard response for my little monkey. Making faces and distributing toilet paper around the bathroom are just the tip of the iceberg, I fear. Everything is about monkeys or what they do. And give the boy a banana and you really think there is a monkey there with you. He is a monkey all the way - probably takes after his dad.

Alex's new thing is to say, "Mommy, I got one more question. When there is a bird, it is flying in the sky. Ok? I gotta go, see you later." Always "one more question" - and always when I need him to leave the room so I can put Audrey down to sleep.

He remembers everything. I have to watch everything I say around him because now he is threatening to send ME to China. Although lately he has been hugging me and telling me he loves me without prompting. I love it! He has even started giving me kisses just out of the blue. It is awesome.

Audrey is another story. She only gives VERY sloppy kisses and then tries to bite me. Thanks to Audrey I discovered why there are straps in every high chair. I really did not understand why you would have to strap your kid in a high chair. I know that may surprise some of you. But Alex wasn't much of a mover and shaker. Ah, but his sister (or Sister-rita as we have begun to call her in addition to "Bean") is another story. I now know that straps are good to keep a baby from climbing out of her seat and on top of the tray. On all fours on top of the tray peering over the side at the dogs and laughing. Yes, laughing. Not only can (and does) Audrey climb on top of her high chair tray but she climbs on just about everything else. She climbed on top of an 8" high step stool in the bathroom, stood up while holding onto the toilet paper dispenser with one hand and yelled. It may have been her "Rocky" moment, not sure. I also found her inside of a plastic box that is used to hold all of Alex's trains and train track. Sans lid, of course.

Audrey is funny. She also has a temper and is not one to hide it. She gets in trouble quite a bit. Despite her beauty and charm, she has a mean streak if she doesn't get her way. You know if she is mad. Again, like her dad. I mean...

It is really neat to see how similar and yet how different both Alex and Audrey are. I know everyone told me it would be that way but at first they seemed the same. But then again all newborns eat, sleep, and poo so it was hard to see a difference at first. Audrey's personality is starting to emerge and I don't take her for being laid back like her brother. Although if you take his toy or play with something that he thinks he may play with someday in the near future you had better watch out!

And look out for Audrey, too, for that matter!

Crazy hair. Beautiful eyes. Runny nose. Pretty smile. Sharp teeth. Infectious laugh. Audrey Grace. I could probably go on but it wouldn't be fair. She is sleeping now. Ah, sweet baby reprieve. I love the baby but I love the nap time too! I find it funny how she fits a lot of the "baby" stereotypes that people were sure Alex would fit but didn't. She is into everything. She climbs on everything and over anything. She eats anything on the floor, even if it moves. She loves the dogs. She is similar to Alex in some ways too. For example, if there were to be a knife on the floor, hidden from view AND her favorite toys scattered about in plain view she would find the knife first and then attack some toy with it. Babies are drawn to danger. Or maybe that is just Audrey. The other day she was trying to get the outlet cover out. Thankfully she wasn't trying to do so with a screwdriver or something. But the fact that she was trying is a might bit troublesome.

Alex is at his Pap-Pap S's today. They spend most Wednesdays together. Toilet paper. Yes, I said toilet paper. There was a mountain of toilet paper on the floor yesterday. Full double roll portion of paper. Thanks to Alex taking his time going "potty" with the bathroom door closed and me being distracted by Audrey (they may already be in cahoots). When I asked about the paper being on the floor he told me, "That's what monkeys do, mommy!" I wasn't sure how to argue that at the time. Come to find out he was right. That IS what monkeys do, especially Curious George in his full length motion picture film. Alex's favorite, favorite, favorite movie. If he is eating a banana he is acting like a monkey. If he is on my back he is acting like a monkey. If he is running around the house, he is acting like a monkey. He asks me to be the mommy monkey so he can be the baby monkey. Oh, little boys.

Alex has been sleeping in his Thomas the Tank Engine tent he received for Christmas. It has worked to my advantage because it is too small for two people (a boy and a mom) to fit in and sleep. So I have been exempt from having to "seep wif me mommy." At least some nights. Alex also always has a story to tell. And usually they are very descriptive. I love to sit and listen to them. We just need to work on volume control now. He is so smart. I love that boy!

Oh well, time for myself is limited so I better take advantage of it now!

Happy New Year!! A little late. Shouldn’t be too surprising. This past year has been quite a blur. Audrey was born, a week later Alex turned two, and then in July we celebrated eight years of marriage. Well, celebrated is a bit misleading – we dropped the kids off for an hour and ate at the local Mexican dive. But that does beat the seven year celebration of ham sandwiches and Kool-Aid.

This past Christmas was a blast. Alex and Audrey received several million presents. You may think I am exaggerating but we have pictures to prove it. These children are spoiled rotten. Of course, Alex’s favorite and most played with toy? Rubber lizards. I spent $1 for a package of 8 lizards and he plays with them, eats with them, feeds them, sleeps with them, bathes with them, etc. You get the picture. His other favorite toys include anything that Audrey has. It is interesting how that works both ways. Audrey wants anything that Alex has. Which makes for some fun times at this house. Alex yells, Audrey cries, I shake my head, the dogs bark – yes, it is that bad or loud.

Audrey is starting to talk. Her vocabulary includes “da-da”, “ma-ma”, “uh-oh”, & “pop-pop”. She probably says a lot more but I usually can’t hear her over Alex singing. Always singing. Always. The most sung song –“ Old MacDonald had a farm and Bingo was his name-o”. At the top of his lungs. B-I-N-G-O. Alex is also bent on being a baby whenever we tell him to pick up. “I can’t, babies can’t do that. I’m a baby.” And then he starts babbling. It is interesting that he can finally talk and all he wants to do is talk gibberish, especially when we ask him a question that he doesn’t want to answer. Go figure.

Audrey is trying to walk. She has almost taken a few steps on her own. But she isn’t as brave as she wants to be. She climbs on everything. Books, dogs, me, Alex, clothes, boxes, Lorelai (who does not like it one bit) nothing is exempt from Audrey. She also has eight teeth. Eight sharp teeth. Eight big teeth. She is so much fun. As long as she is not being bothered or getting her own way. But still a lot of fun. We love her so much.

Alex is getting so big. We are working on potty training. Not going so well. We try to bribe him but he doesn’t go for bribes. Even a sugar filled cupcake was no incentive. We still haven’t found the perfect thing. We have gone through stickers, plastic fish, tattoos, cupcakes, m&m’s. Nothing has worked consistently. I suppose in his own time.

“Green on the outside, red on the inside and filled with seeds…” Can you guess what show Alex is watching? Sesame Street. And the shape is an oval, hence the watermelon. Time to turn the TV off.