goodbye, hello.

I had a pretty lengthy post written out while Audrey was napping and I was “supervising” Will’s sister Ann and her friends on their half day of school. I went to get Audrey up from her nap, sat her up on the couch next to me (and my computer unfortunately), walked away for 10 seconds to grab my tea, came back and it was…..GONE. then Miss Computer Whiz got extremely angry when I wouldn’t let her continue to destroy my blog with random key strokes and threw a fit. I gave up and decided I would type it all out again at the house when I had a minute, and post it the next time I had internet. 

I’ve been writing this post in my head for a month. every time I went to write it, I either didn’t know what to say once I sat down to a blank screen, had something to do all-of-a-sudden (read poop explosion, spit up evvverywhere, or baby talk/entertainment needed), simply just got too teary and didn’t want to continue, or haven’t had internet (which has been the case for the past 3 weeks). 

after 2 years of discussing and putting it off until “the timing was better,” Will and I finally took the plunge and moved to Georgia. we came to visit for Easter and began tentatively looking for work and a place to live. when we found both of those things fairly easily, there was really no reason not to (aside from being what feels like a million miles away from my family and friends). although it’s not for everyone, small town communities and the lifestyle that accompanies it is actually really relaxing and enjoyable for both of us. We found a PERFECT house in an adorable neighborhood about five minutes outside of town. It’s much bigger than the house we were living in but the expenses are still the same (win!). It has 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a den/playroom, formal living room, dining room, kitchen, laundry/storage room, shaded backyard brick patio, front porch, and an open garage. as soon as we put the finishing touches on unpacking and settling in, I’ll take you on a video tour! we love it!

mostly everything is done except for the formal living room, which is full of boxes and odds and ends. It was incredibly stressful to pack up and leave in such a short time. the week before we left, i made sure to spend as much time as possible with friends and family. there were a lot of tears throughout the week, and saying goodbye to my home state of 7 years was much harder than i expected it to be. it was especially difficult to say goodbye to my best friend, Laura, who has been like a sister to me for 6 of the 7 years that i lived there. the waterworks were also present saying goodbye to my brother, his (amazing) girlfriend Chelsea, and of course, my dad. oh, and Grandma Hammersley and i also had a little cry over the phone ;) Will, Audrey, Michael, Chelsea, my dad, and i all went out to a going away dinner at Casa Vallarta the night before Will's mom flew to Greensboro to get Audrey and Will's truck. (pictures coming soon, eh hem DAD!) Aunt Debbie came by in the morning before Will's mom arrived to say goodbye as well. How bittersweet but what a new adventure for us! Goodbye and hello....

Audrey is growing up so fast! Starting solids a month early has really helped her take off, especially with her weight gain! She started sitting up on her own (without the boppy around her) on her 6 month birthday! She can say mama, daddy (dah-dee haha), hi, and poppa. She is starting to crawl, but mostly just likes to scoot around and rock back and forth. She likes to stand up, holding onto the edge of the couch and has started working on learning to pull herself up from sitting. She giggles all the time and lately has started to snort a lot and make weird noises that you could easily mistake for a kitten! Gone is our snuggler, content with being in one place. We now have a little girl who must be on the move at all times!

Here's our last month in pictures...

all dressed up for her cousin's birthday party!

we tried to teach her to do fish lips!

As always, one of her favorite things to do is bounce around in her jumperoo! (as soon as i have more time and battery power, i'll upload more videos too!)

hoppy easter!

 

somebunny had a little too much easter!

family picture after church and lunch!

playtime with daddy! love these two :)

aren't they so adorable together?

Will bringing Ellie the elephant to life with a squeaky voice that Audrey loves!

baby's first pool party!

she loved the water and had a blast in her pool float!

my little shopper :)

easily entertained

it's so nice to not have to haul her around in her infant seat anymore!

getting a head start on reading with my kindle!

sitting up!

super messy mango-banana dinner = nakey playtime before bed!

silly face! hahaha love it!

rolling around on her new play mat!

impromptu nap on her play mat :) check out her pink camo paci!

me & my girl on my first mother's day!

LOVE MY FAMILY :)

part of my mother's day present -- a much needed break from diaper duty!

Audrey has adjusted to our new place wonderfully and was such a great traveler on the way down. We've been told several times what an easy going baby she is but even so, i was nervous about how everything would go. If anything, i think she is much happier at our new house! we all have so much more room to spread out and she loves her new play mat! i bought a king size quilt at target and put it on top of a down mattress topper i've had for a while. now when she tips over after getting bored of sitting up, i don't have to worry about her hitting her head. one of my favorite things is going in to get Audrey in the morning or when she wakes up from a nap. no matter how quiet i try to be, she can always hear me come in and as soon as she does, she pops her little head up and starts laughing! it's adorable!

I can't believe my sweet girl is 7 months old today! she now weighs 16 lbs. and is 25 inches long. my tiny bear is getting so big!!