Baptism

Audrey was baptized in Elkader this weekend.  It was a beautiful day, and we were blessed to be joined by so many of our wonderful family members.  Thank you for making such a special day for Audrey!

The Paulsen Side

The Proud Parents

Aunt Jade with Audrey

Aunt Kirstin and her boyfriend Matthew




The Ihde Side

 

Audrey with Great-Grandma Dittmer

  

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  Audrey with Grandpa and Grandma Ihde

<>Audrey with her Godparents, Aunt Courtney and Uncle Justin

Audrey with Grandpa Paulsen, Grandma Paulsen, and Aunt Jade


 

Two Month Check-up

Audrey had her two month check-up this week, and she did wonderfully!  Besides a perpetually stuffed up nose, she is on track with her development.  She is now 23 1/4" long and weighs 11 lbs, 3 oz.  Her weight is in the 51st percentile, and her height is in the 81st.  Her head continues to be big, but we think it's getting more proportional.  She also was a champ with her shots, as I think it bothered her parents more than her!

A New Chair

Audrey tested out her new feeding chair this week.  It has a newborn setting, so she was able to relax and recline while we were eating supper.  When she left the seat, one of her furry older sisters agreed to keep it warm for Audrey until next time!

Mila promises she will not leave any fur in the seat!

Reading with Dad

What is the best way to spend a dreary January afternoon?  Cuddled up in a chair, listening to dad read a story, that's what!

Dear Aunt Kirstin,

My long fingers are ready for their first piano lesson!

Love,
Audrey

Two Months

Since tomorrow is a school day, I'm posting Audrey's two month picture a day early.  It was taken this morning, so she probably won't change too much in 24 hours!  Her birth picture and one month picture show how much she has already grown and changed.  We are testing out the new camera, and I can tell already it takes fabulous pictures!  It doesn't hurt that the subject is so gorgeous, either.  She did much better with looking at the camera this time.  She would smile at me, but as soon as the camera blocked my face, she would stop.  Maybe next month!

Birth Day:  November 23, 2011

One Month

Two Months

Attention from Boys!

Audrey went to a different day care this week, as her usual provider was on a cruise.  A few of the days she was there, she was the only girl with three older boys.  She definitely enjoyed that male attention, especially since she heard their voices singing the alphabet song to her all day long.  Her dad will need to remind her that he has said she cannot date until she is 35.  We are so lucky to have two great day care options here in town!

Audrey loves listening to their voices sing!

The Carrier

To help us get more accomplished in the evenings, we tried out Audrey's carrier last weekend.  She actually loved being carried around, and she helped to put laundry away, unload the dishwasher, and even put a meal in the crockpot!  She is so helpful at eight weeks old!

Back to Work

After six weeks of living the life of Audrey, it was time to head back to work.  I started on Monday the 9th, and Audrey spent Monday and Tuesday with her dad!  On Wednesday, though, we had to experience the first morning of getting ready for day care and school.  We did pretty well and were out the door right on time.  Audrey was a dream baby at day care, as her provider, Dana, couldn't stop gushing about what a good baby she is.  Even though it is a hard feeling to leave her for the day, we are lucky to have a wonderful caregiver with whom she spends the day.  Audrey has already made many friends. :)

This is how we both felt about getting up really early this week!

Audrey perked up, though, when I reminded her that she was going to have a
hat and slipper party at Dana's house that day.

She doesn't have slippers, so we had to settle for polar bear footies.

After a fun day at Dana's house for day care, Audrey was exhausted! 

Shower!

Audrey and I traveled to Elkader this past weekend for a baby shower thrown by her aunts Kirstin and Courtney.  Audrey was able to meet many members of her extended family, my wonderful college friends, and a few family friends.  The food was delicious, the company was excellent, and Audrey slept through most of it.  We received wonderful gifts, and Audrey is excited to try everything out.  What a perfect day!  The only bad part of the day was that Audrey and I did not get our picture taken with her aunts!

These are my wonderful college friends who traveled a distance to meet Audrey.

An elegant spread!

Audrey with her great-grandma Dittmer and cousin Erin.

Audrey was really exhausted after watching the gifts being opened!

Another Outing

Audrey was out and about again today for my six-week follow-up appointment.  She had her shades on and was ready to go in the car.  She knew it was a bright and sunny January day.  She didn't actually wear them in the car, but she looked like a movie star!  The plan was for her to fall asleep on the ride in, but she had other plans!  She was very well-behaved during the long wait and charmed a few of the nurses.  She was exhausted after all that work and fell asleep on the ride home.

Thumb

Audrey really enjoys exploring with her hands.  She loves putting her fingers in her mouth and is often found putting her thumb between her first two fingers.  We're not sure why she does that; although, it is the sign for "T" in sign language!  Maybe she is trying to tell us something.

Bumbo Seat

Audrey has been getting out and about more often now!  Last week, she and I went to Panera to meet one of my college friends, Erica, and her daughter, Maddie.  I splurged and had a caffeinated drink for one of the first times since the end of March!  Audrey just had decaffeinated milk from her bottle. :)  Erica lent us some of her daughter's clothes for Audrey to wear, since Maddie was born two years ago in December.  Audrey seemed very pleased to have her wardrobe triple in size!  The best part is that Erica lent us a Bumbo seat to try out.  Audrey loved sitting like a big girl, which means her parents may need to invest in a chair soon!

P.S.  A note from Audrey: "Mom's caffeine did not seem to have an effect on me at all later in the day.  She was glad to see that!"

Welcome!

Thanks for stopping at my blog!  I am so excited to have you here that I'm waving hello.  My mom is going to try and update my blog at least once a week with pictures and words to describe what I have been up to in my busy life.