Wilinski Wigs

We spent an afternoon visiting my cousin Peg, her husband Dewy, and their kids...we had so much fun!  The highlight was the bag of wigs Dewy had just bought for the Blue and Gold Boy Scout dinner--the kids were hilarious!

Christopher, Andrew, Alex, Ella, and Lucy

Audrey and Charlie got in on the fun, too!

First Rice Cereal

Audrey loved her first taste of rice cereal!  We were surprised at how well she did with it--she seemed to know exactly what she was doing!

Raspberries and Rolling Over

Audrey showing off her new tricks!

Happy Birthday, Auntie Julie!

Julie and Patrick had offered to watch the girls on Saturday so that Greg and I could get away for a much-needed afternoon date. However, the timing of things with Audrey's (lack of) sleeping made it rough for us to feel like we could leave and actually enjoy ourselves. Lucy and Ella had worked all week on planning and preparing a Valentine-themed birthday party for Auntie Julie, complete with treat bags and gifts from the dollar store, so Julie and Patrick still came over. They ended up hanging out with the girls while Greg and I started working on organizing our disaster of a basement...that's kind of like a date, right? While we didn't get away, we really appreciated the chance to make some progress on our mess and were so happy to celebrate Julie's 29th birthday! Thanks again, guys!

My Best Friend

Just in case you were wondering how it's going with the girls sharing a room and Ella sleeping in a big girl bed....

"Lucy's my best friend

I sleep in my big girl bed

with Lucy

and I love doing that

and when we wake up

there's a glowing clock in Lucy's room

and we have a baby Audrey

and she's so cute."

I should explain a few things...the girls don't share a bed, just a room, which we now call "Lucy and Ella's room."  Ella's not used to calling it her room yet!  They have a clock that glows yellow as a nightlight and then turns green in the morning when it's time for them to get up.  They are loving the new set up!

Big Girl Bed!

Ella moved upstairs into Lucy's room and a big girl bed! Both girls were thrilled that this finally happened...it's been in the works for a while, but Greg and I were waiting until we were ready to move Audrey into her own room to make the change. During our bedtime routine, the girls were running to the bathroom and Lucy told Ella, "This is going to be the best night of our lives!" in the most enthusiastic voice you've ever heard. The first night went really well and we are excited for them to have some quality time together...they love each other so much. Audrey, however, was not a big fan of moving into her own room. She was such a great sleeper right up until I got sick after Christmas...since then, she has been up every few hours at night, wanting to eat. We needed to put an end to this so we are sleep training with her, which is not fun...at all. Greg and I are soooo tired...please wish us luck.

Laughing with Lucy

Adorable.

Christmas Videos

After sorting through all of the video footage we took at Christmastime, I decided these were blog-worthy.

Here's Lucy and Ella on Christmas Eve morning telling us about the excitement to come:

The girls both got Cabbage Patch Kids from Santa.  Here they are taking the pledge, swearing that they will be good parents:

I love this one...Greg is trying to get them dressed after we are done opening presents, and it didn't go so well...

Julie and Patrick made a Christmas Trivia game for the adults to play and were thoughtful enough to make a version for Lucy and Ella as well.  This Christmas-loving mommy was proud when they got all the answers right!  Here's the last part of the game:

Torticollis Update

Because of the holidays, it's been more than 3 weeks since Audrey had a Physical Therapy appointment.  Terri, her therapist, officially declared Audrey "normal," saying that she no longer saw signs of torticollis!  We will check back in with Terri in March, and possibly again after that, but we no longer have to go on a regular basis.  We are so happy, and are thankful that this was caught early on and that our dedicaton to her stretches and exercises completely paid off. 

Eat You Up

When I put Audrey in her exersaucer, the leg of her outfit got stuck in the leghole, revealing the sweetest little roll of chub. What is it with that "I just want to eat you up" feeling that babies give you? I can't think of other words to describe the feeling, but honestly, I have no intention of eating my children. Seriously, what is that?

Laughing with Mommy

Rolling Over!

Audrey's Baptism

Audrey Mae was baptized at Mount Carmel Lutheran Church by Pastor Rachel with Greg and I, her sisters, and her godparents, Kristi and Patrick, standing by.  She did an amazing job!  She was calm, happy, and smiley through the whole service.  After she was baptized, she snuggled in with Uncle Patrick and took a little nap during the service...too cute.  We had a luncheon in the church hall afterwards--thanks SO much to everyone who helped set up and clean up and to all who brought yummy food!  The entire day was a success, with the exception of the Packers losing to the Cardinals in overtime.

5 Months

Audrey is 5 months old!  She's been busy this past month--she's grabbing and playing with toys, talking and shrieking for attention, and cracking us up with her sweet laughter.  She's no longer interested in the nuk, but her love affair with her thumb is going strong.  Sleeping is not going very well these days...ever since my post-Christmas sickness, she is waking up at all hours and isn't a fan of napping.  We are very anxious to get her back on track, so we are starting the preparations to switch the girls' bedrooms around to get Audrey into her own room.  Audrey just tried out the exersaucer and loved being able to watch her sisters from a new point of view.  Just today, she rolled from her back to her tummy for the first time!  Now, every time we put her down she immediately rolls over onto her tummy.  She has only gone from tummy to back once, so hopefully she figures that one out soon...she gets so frustrated when she's stuck!  Audrey has found her feet and is absolutely fascinated by them...she is very content to be on the floor so that she can grab them--adorable!

Baptism Photo Shoot

Before her baptism day, I did a photo shoot of Audrey in her gown, just as I did with Lucy and Ella.  This gown is really meaningful...it's been worn by almost all of my female cousins and now some of the next generation of little girls.  Audrey was happy to wear it, and even happier to eat it!  It was nearly impossible to get shots of her without it in her mouth!

My aunt Gail has lovingly stitched the names, birthdates, and baptismal dates of everyone who has worn the dress onto the bottom of the slip layer.  Here's who has worn the gown, and the year they wore it:

Laura Kaye 1977

Carolyn Beth 1978

Sarah Ann 1979

Diane Kathleen 1980

Christy Lynn 1980

Tracy Ann 1982

Angela Marie 1983

Amy Jo 1985

Veronica Ann 1988

Kaylee Marie 2001

Lucy Jane 2006

Eleanor Marie 2007

Audrey Mae 2010

Audrey's New Stuff

GG (Great Grandma Werner) made Audrey a new blanket for Christmas.

Uncle Patrick bought her Eddie the Elephant, who she loves.

GG also made a new fuzzy sleep sack for Audrey...she looks like a little duckling.

We tried out the exersaucer for the first time, and as you can see, Audrey loved it!

Vernie and Matt's Wedding

We are so happy to welcome Matt, my cousin Veronica's husband, to the family!

Vernie and Matt with Grandma Werner

Vern's sister, Angie, and her family live in South Dakota.  They came in for the wedding, and it was SO great to see them!  Jaeden is my godson, and I miss him like crazy!  We got to hang out a little and tore up the dance floor together at the reception.

Grandma Donna (my aunt) with her grandchildren, Ava, Jorie, and Jaeden.  Cole wasn't ready for a picture yet.

Jorie and Grandpa Wayne

The Slawson family--Ang, Amy, Vern, Donna, and Wayne

Sisters Amy and Vern

Sisters Annie and Chris

Audrey wasn't awake for much of the evening, but she looked adorable in her party dress!

Words cannot explain how much fun Lucy and Ella had dancing.  Here they are with Lainy, being crazy!

Ella got to dance with Uncle Bobby...so sweet.

Grandma and Audrey

Donna told me that after Jorie went home, she called Lucy and Ella her "dancing friends."  LOVE it!

Bill and Lindsey

Grandpa and Ella

Coley, ready for his picture!

Lucy and Kaylee

Me, Momma and Willy