My Little Shopper

Today Audrey and I were finishing up our pre-trip errands and I had to stop by Babies R Us (because I could not find those disposable bibs anywhere!!).  I was browsing the aisles and Audrey was sitting in her stroller.  I didn't buckle her in because we were going to be really quick and thought she'd be fine without it this time.  After I was done looking at the "feeding" aisle, I hustled over to the diapers to find the disposable bibs.  I looked down at Audrey when I got there and saw her gnawing on this little beauty:

I did not give her this cup.  I could not figure out how she got it.  I went back over to the "feeding" aisle and realized that these little guys were at a perfect level for Audrey to grab if she leaned over in her stroller.  Apparently she realized this as well, because she plucked it right off the shelf and started chewing on it, making it so I had to buy the thing.  Luckily it is a stage 1 sippy cup and she's starting to use those.  It's also Tommee Tippee brand, which I love.  It's the only bottle Audrey will take easily.  Upon closer examination I learned the name of this sippy cup (The Explora) and it makes me laugh because it makes me think of this:

Jokes.com
Brian Regan - Dora the Explorer
comedians.comedycentral.com
Brian Regan Comedian Stand-Up

I guess I'm going to have to keep an eye on Audrey while we shop so I can avoid a lot of extra, un-planned expenses! :)

Finding Nemo

We took Audrey to the aquarium this weekend.  We knew she wouldn't totally appreciate it, we just wanted to do something "date"ish.  Turns out Audrey was quite fascinated with all of the little fishes.  I don't have a picture of the penguins, but Audrey loved watching them jump in and out of the water, and even talked to them a bit :).  It was a fun little outing and pretty inexpensive.  We want to go back in January when the Otters arrive!

She was digging the brightly colored fish, but she had to make sure mom wasn't going anywhere.

Sting rays!

Amazing anaconda

I can't believe she actually smiled for this picture!!

Fabulous Food

We've been slowly but surely introducing Audrey to solid foods.  She's very interested in food, especially if it's something Tony and I are eating.  I haven't been too aggressive with giving her solids because I know she doesn't need them for nutrition quite yet.  Plus, to be honest, it's kind of messy :)

Her first food we tried was oatmeal.  Not a hit.  Next, we tried bananas and oatmeal and she loved it. 

Then, plain bananas.  This is hands-down her favorite food.

If we have a pretty ripe banana, she just chews on it.  We know that since its pretty mushy it probably won't choke her.  She gets so excited to when she sees bananas.  She's our little monkey!

I wanted her to try some unique foods and heard that avocados were terrific foods to give to babies because of their good fats. She gagged when I fed her avocados.

We then tried butternut squash, which she tolerates but I think she'd still prefer bananas.

We took a break from new foods until last night.  I made her some peas.  It didn't go over well.

So, squash and bananas it is for now!  I usually like to eat a banana for breakfast and if Audrey happens to see it, she goes nuts trying to get it from me.  Hopefully we can broaden her palate in the upcoming months. 

The Dangers of Spinning

Lately I've been trying to get my exercise on to lose some of the lingering baby weight I'm sporting.  I've been running a bit and taking walks with Audrey.  Each Saturday I like to go to the gym and attend a fitness class to get some "alone time" and workout while I'm at it.  I'm usually a Zumba girl, but this week I decided to try something new:  Spinning.  Spinning is basically riding a stationary bike like a complete lunatic for 45 minutes.  They do it a lot on Biggest Loser and I was convinced that it would burn loads of calories, so I decided to give it a go.  I convinced my poor friend Cami to tag along, and she was a good sport waking up at 8am to go to Spin class with me.

Let me say that I'm sure Spinning DOES torch fat and calories.  But after giving it a second try, I hate it.  Not only is it BO-RING, but that stupid little seat, er, sorry, "SADDLE" is big enough for maybe a 100lb girl to perch her little boney bottom upon comfortably.  After 40 minutes of Spin class and sitting on that tiny seat, I feel like I did right after birthing a child.  The teacher attempted to offer comforting words: "after 3 or 4 times, you won't get numb anymore."  Sorry, babe, 3 or 4 times is 3 or 4 times too many for this girl.  Never again do I want to feel the after-pains of childbirth without actually having a baby.  I couldn't sit all day after that class... and I rather enjoy sitting.  It's been two days and my poor bottom is still feeling sore.

I don't want to completely rip on Spinning.  Some people love it!  Plus, it wasn't completely horrible.  The goober guy trying his best to flirt with the teacher was highly entertaining.  But, calorie burn or not, I'm never going back.  Ouch.

Throwing Fits

(Lucky you! Double posts today!)

Audrey has seemed to learn a new trick.  It's a trick that I don't really enjoy, and one I'm trying to discourage.  I didn't think I'd have to deal with it this early, but my little Audrey has started throwing fits.  I knew she was a drama mama but I guess I underestimated my little girl.

The first fit was completely 100% my fault.  We were at a grocery store and walking down the baby aisle.  Audrey was in her sling and was reaching for a toy.  I thought it was pretty cute she was reaching for it that I grabbed it and handed it to her.  I was excited about the thought of it keeping her occupied until we left.  Well, as I wrapped up my shopping, I made my way back to the toy aisle to return Audrey's distraction device.  I pulled it from her tiny hands and she immediately began screaming.  It never occurred to me that she's not used to getting stuff taken away from her but I thought she'd forget about it and stop crying before we got to the checkout.  Oh.  No.  No way.  She screamed and cried  and arched her back and threw her head around in protest.  She wanted that stinkin' toy!  I left the store as quickly as I could, embarrassed as ever.  Lesson learned - always give her a toy from home.

The second fit happened just this weekend.  She's been sitting up with help quite well and HATES her carrier seat so I've been trying to give her opportunities to travel without it.  (Sitting in the stroller like a "big girl", carrying her in the Bjorn, etc.)  Well I thought I'd try the seat of the shopping cart to see how she liked it.  She L-O-V-E-D it.  She smiled the entire time we were at the store and she sat up quite well with the seat belt's help.  I plan to get one of those shopping cart covers that has the harness on it so she can sit in it better.  Well, naturally we weren't going to stay at the store all day so we made our way to the car.  The minute I unbuckled that seat belt she looked up at me with a pout.  She knew her fun was over.  I picked her up and she started squirming, crying, arching her back, and trying her best to avoid her car seat.  She did not want to get out of the super fun shopping cart.  I drove all the way home listening to Audrey tell me all about how mean I was to end her fun at the store.  :)

I'm not sure where Audrey got her 'tude, but I'm so not digging it, man.  She's such a happy girl but she'll turn on you quick!

*In an attempt to save this from being a "diss Audrey" post, I'll share a cute little thing she did at the store.*
I was looking for an umbrella stroller at Babies R Us, and Audrey was sitting "big girl style" in her stroller playing with her toy (that I brought from home!!).  I was browsing the selection and suddenly hear her "talking."  This usually involves a lot of "ah ah ah ah ah"s.  I assumed she was talking to me and turned to her to answer and noticed that she had noticed a little boy sitting in his stroller, too.  She was talking to him!  He responded and after that Audrey wouldn't let him get a word in edge-wise.  She talked over him the entire time.  His mom and I were laughing so hard at these two just jabbering away at each other in their strollers.  They were about the same age and seemed to be having a most engaging conversation!  I think Audrey is slowly overcoming her shyness. :)

Making a Comeback!

I am attempting to get back into running shape and to help me do so, I've committed myself to running the Canyonlands Half Marathon this coming March.  I decided this several months ago but somehow my training ended up being sitting on my butt all day.  Realizing it was November, I panicked to get a training schedule in order and am happy to report that this weekend I started!  By March (according to my little schedule) I will be running over 13 miles and conquer my Half.  I got some spiffy pink running shoes, specially made for people with flat feet like mine, and lots of running gear for my birthday so I am ready to go!  I remember when doing a 5-mile run seemed like cake, now I'm lucky to go for 2!  I'm trying not to focus on what I used to be able to do.  Having a baby sure messes up yer innards and makes running kind of difficult.  I'll just keep my head up and think positive thoughts!

We won't talk about how incredibly sore I already am from my first 30 minute run....

The Little Things

I am behind with Audrey's baby book, so I will most likely refer to my blog to catch up to the current day.  I just wanted to document one of the sweetest moments I've had with Audrey.  It's small, but my heart is still swelling with love because of it.

Audrey went to bed very early tonight, about an hour before her typical bed time.  I was fine with it because it gave me more time to do some things.  I knew she'd be up around 9pm to eat since she went to bed so early, and right at 9pm she started making noise.  (She's started making raspberry noises to get our attention instead of crying.)  I went in and fed her in the dark so as not to fully wake her.  As she finished eating I picked her up and held her for a bit.  My sleepy little angel rested her head on my shoulder, grabbed onto my shirt, and let out a content sigh as we snuggled.  She's been struggling with going to bed lately and this instance just made me feel like everything is going to be okay.  After I held her for a bit and took in my snuggle I put her in her crib, gave her her lovey, and off she went to dreamland.  It was such a peaceful moment and something I needed after several nights of taking two hours to calm her down for bed.

I think I'll keep her ;)

Halloween - New Parent Style

When people say "a baby changes everything," they are right!  I wouldn't say I've gotten lazier--although sometimes I feel that's the case--I've just re-prioritized based on Audrey's needs and capabilities.  This year's Halloween was greatly affected by my new mom role.  I wasn't as "festive" as I usually get at Halloween, but I got to do new things that I never have thanks to sweet little Audrey.

Here are some examples of how my Halloween was different this year:

• I bought a pumpkin at the last possible minute on Saturday, mere hours before our Murder Mystery party.  Even though I snagged one in time to put it out for decoration for the party, it was forgotten and spent the night in my truck.
• Related to above point...I bought A pumpkin.  Only one!  Usually we buy at least two.  Last year we bought three!  One for Tony, one for me, and one for baby fetus (at the time), ha ha !
• Our poor pumpkin remained faceless this Halloween.  First year in my life I haven't carved a pumpkin.  Instead, he donned a wig and fedora.  Very Michael Jackson-ish. :)
• We went Trick-or-Treating!  We've never done this as a married couple because we never had anyone to take.  While we didn't take any candy for Audrey, we helped Candace get a good loot of goodies.  Audrey loved all of the kids and did a stellar job of being happy so close to her bedtime.  It was so fun to be out with all the kiddos again and I can't wait until next year when Audrey is a little more into it.
• Because we went out, we weren't around to pass out candy.  I didn't really care too much about this.  We left out a bowl out and there were actually some left when we got home.  Of course it was all of the gross candy, but I was still impressed.
• I went to the mall to check out the Trick-or-Treating there.  Lots of little kids were dressed up and very interested in baby Audrey.  She squealed and giggled with delight at all of the little monsters, princesses, and dragons.  It was fun to see her so happy.
• My friend Cami (who also just had a baby) took us to Gardner Village for the Witch/Halloween festivities.  I had never been there and it was so fun!  It was quite the adventure getting there with two crying babies but once we got there all four of us had an enjoyable time.  Thanks Cami for showing us how to get there and enduring Audrey's meltdown!

So, there you have it.  Audrey sure has changed a lot, but I love her!  I joke around a lot about her being difficult, but I wouldn't change anything about her.  I can't imagine life without her! (Heck, I get sad when she goes to bed at night because I miss her so much.  I have to check on her at least three times before going to bed.)

I hope everyone had a Happy Halloween!