Audrey Weight Check

Audrey went to the doctor this morning for a few shots and weighed 18 pounds 14 ounces. She was 17-8 the day after Christmas. I guess she has been eating well!

We also saw Dr. Traebert at the office today. He is the doctor who saw her the day she went into the hospital last May. She was his last patient before beginning his retirement. I told him how sick she was that day and thanked him for helping her get the care she needed. He was pleased and said she sure looked healthy now.

Audrey's New Tricks

She's back to nursing, thankfully! Audrey is also pulling herself up from sitting -- without holding on to anything. She will stand upright for longer and longer periods of time. She is also squatting and can hold herself there for a good while. Those abs are getting stronger and she will be taking steps in no time.

She also had fun today putting a ball into her donut/rings. She figured out that the ball fit inside the donut and thought that was quite fascinating.

Firetrucks!

Brooks enjoyed watching part of the inaugural parade this afternoon - he liked the bands and horses, but his favorite thing was the firetrucks! He kept asking to see them again.

Once 12 noon passed, Audrey must have known that change was in the air. She suddenly refused to nurse! Her front teeth are about to come in so hopefully this will just be a temporary situation. For the price of her special formula we could practically put her through college, so I hope she changes her mind quickly.

Proud to be an American!

Dear Brooks & Audrey,

Today is an historic day in our country. Barack Obama was just sworn in as our nation's 44th President. Audrey watched with Mommy and was particularly enchanted by hearing the music played before the new president's oath of office. Brooks came in with Chantho while the President was speaking and said "That's Obama!"

Especially today, Mommy is very proud to be an American. We live in a country where you can be anything you want to be if you work hard and live with kindness and respect for others. Some have said that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream was realized today, and in part, I agree. I think there is still work to do to ensure fairness and respect for all members of our society, but I have great hope that you will be part of making that dream come true.

Love,

Mommy

She's growing up!

Audrey and I got Brooks out of his crib from his nap today. She was practicing her standing up and trying to take some steps, and big brother noticed. He said, "she's trying to walk!" A few minutes later he said, "She's growing up!" I laughed and said, "you're growing up too, Brooks." "Yeah," he said.

More Best Friends

Brooks and I were sitting at lunch yesterday talking about his day at preschool. He said he had fun with playing with Thijs. I said he was lucky to have Thijs as one of his very best friends, then asked "who else is your best friend?" Without hesitation he said Alexander, one of his other preschool friends, and then Eddie, his cousin.

Later that night, I was telling Daddy about this story. I asked Brooks to tell Daddy about his best friends, so he said Thijs, Alexander, and Eddie. Then he paused for a minute and said, "and Daddy!" Daddy was pretty happy to hear that!