2008 so far...

It's hard to believe that March is almost here, and that our little girl is almost 9 months old! We'll be celebrating three quarters of a year this coming Monday, the 25th! Here's what little miss Audrey has been up to...

Since Christmas, she's gotten two bottom teeth, learned how to crawl and sit her self up on her own, pull up on things, and get into EVERYTHING. She has such a silly personality that is blossoming more and more each day, and we've even seen a temper tantrum or two. :) She is very vocal- always talking- especially to the cats. She's also incredibly smart (we think she's brilliant) and her pediatrician said she's one of the most observant babies he's ever seen! Of course, he said that as he was giving her an exam and she was watching him like a hawk! We like to believe he meant that she's exceptionally gifted. :)

So, here's a small glimpse into the past two months... but what you won't see in the pictures are the hilarious little things that Audrey does on a daily basis- like when she dances (wiggles) when she hears music that she likes, or when she cracks up at her bodily noises (sneezing, burping, and yes, especially tooting). It's a never-ending adventure around here!

Daddy's 29th birthday...and Daddy with his valentine!

Not sure what they are watching here... I think it was Motor Week. Maybe Audrey will be a car enthusiast like her Daddy!

Now that Audrey can sit herself up on her own, she has lots of fun in her crib!

Pulling up on everything!

Crawling too... sometimes even with things in her mouth!

She loves getting into cabinets... and she's also very interested in her reflection!

LOVES the phone... you should see her face light up when it rings!

She's recently discovered all of the fun things to play with inside the tv armoir. It won't be long before she's playing on the PS2 with Daddy! As you can see here, she already knows how to turn it on!

I think we are going to have an animal lover on our hands... Audrey loves her stuffed animals- especially the ones that make noise (like this lamb). Cracks her up every time!

Mommy wants Audrey to be skilled in the musical arts... but for now I guess we'll have to settle for taste-testing.

She also loves anything Winne the Pooh... especially when Mommy sings the song to her!

She loves to clap her feet!

huh?

Table manners at their finest!

What Audrey wants, Audrey gets!

Lots of love to all! Hopefully it won't be a month before our next post. :)

November and December Highlights

Here are a few highlights from the end of 2007! It's hard to believe that our little baby girl is almost 8 months old! Check back soon for even more fun!

Audrey loves her reflection... and we love her in hats. :)



Give me that camera!!!...Sweet baby girl...



Goodnight Moon is one of her favorites...especially the page with the kitties!



Reading with dada...Happy girl!



Fun at mealtime... :)



The long trip home to TN.... Why are the holidays so exhausting?!?



Owen, Autumn & Audrey... and Great Grandma & Grandpa Owen
and all of the Owen grandkids!



Audrey tried to eat all of her presents! She also has a cute trick where she puts a toy in her mouth and drops her hands...tada!



Snuggling with Grammy... and Audrey's new 4-wheeler! Not really...
It just so happens that Owen's new remote controlled toy was just her size!



Finally, something I am supposed to chew on! And hang out time with
Gruncle (Greg + uncle = Gruncle). She looooved his goatee.

More blog to come... check back soon!!!

[AC] Advent Conspiracy

If you're like me, you've probably already given your ambitious Christmas list to someone in your family or a good friend. And those of you who would give the very clothes off your own back may almost be complete with your Christmas shopping already! However, this is one of those rare times that procrastination plays into our favor. If you haven't already jumped into the largest consumer rat race, you may want to consider taking a different approach this year.

Last year, in America alone, consumers handed over nearly $455 million to cashiers and credit card companies in "celebration" of Christmas. And I highly doubt the majority were purchasing Bibles, Jesus action figures, or David v. Goliath for the Playstation 3. A large portion of this money more than likely funded quickly-forgotten, plastic-molded inanimate objects. I think we'd all agree that this seems grossly inadequate considering the origination of the Christmas holiday.

In order to help shift our focus back to Christ, four churches/organizations conspired last year to steal back the focus of the Advent. This fledgling group was able to redirect nearly $450,000 to help others in much greater need than ourselves. In particular, the money was donated to Living Water International, whose charter is to bring clean drinking water to the world. Their concerted effort was labeled the Advent Conspiracy.

This year, almost 1,000 churches/organizations are committed to this conspiracy. The idea is simple: spend less, give more. This is realized through our reduction in over-consumption, over-spending, and selfishness and an increase in our giving to those in need and spending quality relational time with our friends and family. Think of the possible impact!

I hope you've saved your receipts! Actually, I am quite kidding. My intent is not to guilt anyone into ditching their gift exchanges altogether or rob anyone of the joy of giving (I truly believe that God can bless us through giving gifts). I am simply asking us all to wrestle with this idea of blessing the poor this year instead of the big-box stores. Elizabeth and I have definitely struggled with nearly 30 years of consumer tradition, but we are most definitely participating on some level. Let's qualitatively spend time with friends and family this Christmas, and make a difference by passing on the "simple" blessing of clean water to the world!

I've most definitely rambled way too much. For the complete details and a much more effective description of their vision, please check out their site at www.adventconspiracy.org.

Fourth and Fifth Month Fun!

We'll skip the apologies (for taking so long to update our blog) and get straight to the good stuff!

It's hard to believe that Audrey was in my tummy just 5 months ago, yet she is doing SO many fun and amazing things! Since we last blogged, Audrey has become quite the vocal/social baby! She talks non-stop and loves interacting with people (although sometimes she gets embarrassed and burrows her head into my neck- one of my FAVORITE things!). She also loves her doorway jumper, watching TV (a couch potato in the making), and chewing on her toes. Mommy and Daddy particularly love her precious belly laugh and her sad, pouty bottom lip that will absolutely melt your heart. She is well on her way to getting ANYTHING she wants. :)

Recent firsts include Audrey's first football game, first trip to TN (first plane ride!), and first Halloween!

Enjoy the pics... more to come soon!

That same look we get on a regular basis- she still thinks we're weird. :)

She loves experimenting with different sounds and facial expressions- I caught this one at the perfect moment!

Always has her fingers (or toes) in her mouth!

Another silly face- this was just as she was starting to say "Babababa..."

Chubby cheeks!

Out of control silliness! :)

Snugglin' with Nana at Coolidge Park!

Snugglin' with Grammy on Auntie and Gruncle's front porch, watching her cousins carve pumpkins...

Why are babies SO CUTE in hats?

Our little punkin!

I'm embarrassed to say that we are THOSE PEOPLE- you know who I'm talking about- the ones that use their babies to get Halloween candy. :)

Check back soon for our 6 month update! :)