fearless & feisty.

are the two words to describe Audrey lately. ever since arriving home again from michigan, she has been quite a handful! she crawls lightning fast now. i truly cannot leave the room for more than a few seconds because nothing is safe once i'm gone! she also likes to pull herself up to stand on everything. she likes to shuffle around the perimeter of her crib and throw her pacis all over her room. she also likes to pull up on the edge of the couch and walk along until she runs out of material to hold on to. then, she lunges for the next closest thing: the bars that hold the mobile up on the top of her activity mat...

never a dull moment :)

she then proceeds to smack the top of the mobile, which causes the songs so skip around like crazy (this makes her laugh hysterically), and unless someone is holding onto one of the bars for support, the whole thing usually topples over on top of her within a minute or two. you would think this would deter her or make her not want to do it anymore as she almost always has a surprised look on her face as she is pinned under the thing.....but no. she crawls out from under it, crawls over to the edge of the couch, and makes her way back over again....and again, and again, and again. i don't know where the girl gets her sass and spunk from (certainly not me, right???) but she is a feisty one. if you have it, she wants it. if you wont give it to her, she will find a way. if that doesn't work out for her, she pouts. her favorite things to go after are the tv remote, wii remote, and cell phones. people unknowingly give her their phone (oh, look the wittle baby likes my phone! how cute!), but try and take it back (after she starts pushing every button, calling your ex-boyfriend, and sticking it in her mouth) and she will scream!

everyone keeps saying that she will be an early walker and as much as i would love to see that, i also am not ready at all for her to be so grown up! i cherish the evenings where she falls asleep in my arms after her bedtime bottle because my rough and tumble girl is still just a sleepy, snuggly baby sometimes after all.

napping in the car after a long morning of helping mama work!

Audrey and i had a fantastic trip to michigan! both flights went smoothly and although she didn't sleep (AT ALL) both ways, i lucked out and had some great people sitting around me who were really helpful and kind. i was told several times what a great little traveler she was :) people offered to hold her so i could get everything situated, get my bags, help me with the stroller, pick up toys and pretzel bags when she threw them, and were just generally interested in her (which, of course, she loved). i was really proud of myself for managing a squirmy 8 month old, a 50 lb. diaper bag, a rolling suitcase, and a stroller all by myself! one passenger on the way there even told me that he was not looking forward to sitting across the aisle from us but mid-flight shared this with me and amended that he was pleasantly surprised what a content (read: mostly quiet and not "obnoxious") baby she was.

here is our week in pictures:

hangin out with Poppa!

watermelon and cantaloupe for lunch

LOVE MY FAMILY!!!

loves exploring new foods in her mesh feeder! you can
use it with any food -- it helps baby learn to feed herself
without a choking hazard!

sippy cup assistance

thirsty girl!

she's a pro at the sippy/straw cup

why yes, i must stick my entire hand in my mouth to eat one puff snack!

sam's open house! hanging out with the latest high school grad!

play time with Poppa (note, there is a remote nearby!)

annnnnd she goes for it!

on the move!

loves her Poppa :)

playtime with Allie! (think she has enough toys?)

loves her Sophie! thanks Grandma and Grandpa Gertz!

new squishy ball from Poppa is a hit. she loves to chase it around the house

sharing her new toy with Hannah

Audrey LOVES Hannah! they had such a great time together!

snuggles :)

peek-a-boo mama!

a happy  moment with Aunt Becky, her "favorite" person haha!

what? these magazines aren't for babies?

well then i must have them!

mine!

you will not take them away from me!

i will eat them!

oh, well i love my mermaid more anyway!

playing in the front yard with mama and Matthew!

whatcha doin over there Matthew?

LOVE this picture! my sweet girl :)

sleepy snuggles with GG

bath time in GG's sink! :)

that cannot taste good! haha

rockin her "rooster tail" -- as Amanda called it

love those chunky little legs :)

my FAVORITE picture -- Audrey & her GG

having so much fun!

the week went by so fast! we were busy getting ready for Sam's open house on Saturday but all of the hard work paid off. the open house went great and it was nice to see everyone all together! it was also great to spend time with my dad and celebrate father's day with him. Aunt Lynda, Ben, Grandma and Grandpa Gertz, and Uncle Steve all visited us in Jackson on Monday which was really fun! i was thankful that they made the trip from Gladwin and Lapeer to see us for the afternoon!

Upon returning, i dove right back into work as the store opened today! So much hard work and effort has gone into making today happen both at the store, and behind the scenes. Audrey has been a great helper and i'm grateful for my sister (in-law) Ann and a friend from church, Mallory, for keeping her pre-occupied while i spent time working in the store.

pals! :)

Audrey helping Aunt Ann unwrap out new go-go backpacks!

Audrey loves her aunt!!

i'm trying to find ways to get work done at home successfully. if anyone has any tips please share! i get the most done when Audrey is napping, of course, but when she's awake, it's a little more difficult. i can sit on the couch and supervise her in the playroom, but sooner or later she notices that i have a "fun toy" in my lap and decides she needs to come and investigate:

HI MOMMY!!!!

i'm coming to investigate!

here i am!

ooooh! i like this!

i want to push the buttons!!!

i am so helpful, no?

i found that working from the kitchen table with Audrey in the highchair snacking on puffs and playing with toys has been pretty successful, until she started throwing toys on my keyboard!! :) ah, the life of a work-at-home-mom!

we had a great weekend just relaxing and spending time together as a family. it was too hot (109 degrees) and humid (80-90% humidity) to spend a lot of time outside, but we did take a quick trip to the pool Sunday evening. Audrey is also fearless in the water! if i hold her on her tummy, she kicks and paddles around and loves to chase after her rubber ducky. she's also a fan of splashing and smacking the water.

ready to go swim!

Audrey is awake and i'm off to the store to check-in there and see how the day is going. i might do a little shopping for my best friend, Laura, who found out she's having a BOY (!!) in September! i can't wait to meet little Evan Blake :) here are a couple pictures of Laura and Audrey at our last weekly girl talk lunch before we moved (what an emotional day!)