Audrey: 10 Months

Audrey is into double digit months. She is 10 months, that is a lot of months.

She is changing so fast right now. It is so much fun to watch her pick up new things every day. Some of her bigger accomplishments include super fast crawling, pulling up on everything, standing without holding anything (for at least 5 seconds), and saying a couple words, we think.

Baby girl has started to stand without holding anything for very short periods of time. She also has started to take steps between pieces of furniture. It's not walking yet, but she is working on it.

We are also pretty sure that she is saying a few words. JT and I are pretty positive she says kitty and dog. She uses these two in context and the basic sounds are there, so we think she actually knows what they mean. She also says mama and dada a lot, but not usually in context. We aren't so sure she really understands who mama and dada are, but she'll surely figure it out soon.

Doots also knows how to wave goodbye now. In true Nelson fashion, she only does it when she feels compelled, but she knows how.

Keeping up with a curious, crawling baby is a lot of work, but it is so much fun to watch her discover new things. I don't think either of us will ever get sick of watching Audrey squee and giggle as she chases a cat. It is pure joy for her. I also don't think Audrey will ever get sick of playing on your mark, get set, go with JT. All he doe is say on your mark, get set, go and runs down the hall towards her and she giggles and squeels and just gets so excited. It is fun.

Let's get to the things Audrey loves and hates this month.

This month Audrey LOVES

• Cats
• On your mark, get set, go
• Cheese
• Monster
• Swinging
• Music
• Dancing
• Going for walks and runs
• The iPad
• Chewing on our apple cores (she seriously loves them)
• Daycare
• Soup
• Bananas
• Tickle time
• Turning on the ceiling fan
• Watching any animal
• The fireplace doors and wood box (she is not supposed to play with these)

This month Audrey HATES

• Getting her diaper changed
• Getting dressed
• Getting in her PJs
• Not being allowed to chew on cords, the remote, dog toys, shoes, etc. 
• When we take an apple core from her
• Teething, for the love of god top teeth just come through
• Having a stuffy nose
• Bumping her head on the floor
• Bumping her head on the coffee table
• Bumping her head on the ottoman, you get the idea

Before we know it that doots is going to be a whole year old, yeesh!

This is my life, and I chose it?

Let me set the scene for you...

I have worked 9 days in a row, with two more to go. Many of those days were long, exhausting field days with lots of driving. I am tired. All I want to do is lay down with a book and some tea and go to sleep when Audrey does.

Instead I go to derby practice, because that is what good derby girls do and it is always fun once I actually get myself there. However, when I get home from practice I am going to relax. All I can think of is a hot bath, tea, and a book.

After I get home, and pump I get my bath ready. I sit down in the blissful hot water with some sleepy time tea and a memoir about addiction. I have a weird fascination with addiction, this is a topic for another time. The tub is full, I turn off the water and soak it in and hear Audrey start to fuss. Shit.

I literally just sat down in the bath. I haven't even had a sip of tea or read a single word. Shit. Maybe she'll go back to sleep. It's too early for JT to give her middle of the night bottle. Shit.

She keeps fussing. I haul myself out of the tub, grab a towel, and drag my dripping wet self to her room. She is upset for reasons unknown to me, but likely having to do with teeth. I am desperate to get back to my bath so I nurse her, usually I would try something else first as she just ate a couple hours ago. But I am desperate and nursing is magical. She seems to mostly be asleep after about 10 minutes so I go back to the tub.

I get back in, thankfully the water is still hot, and start my relaxation process over. I drink a little tea read about a chapter and I hear her fussing again. What do I do this time?

I think screw it, JT's turn. And I carry on with my bath. However, it is a lot less relaxing when you can hear a baby moaning about her sore gums in the background.

Audrey did go back to sleep on her own that time and she was pretty good the rest of the night, but still I just wanted a half an hour to escape and relax.

Is that so much to ask baby girl? Perhaps next time you can help a mama out?

But, we chose this and I wouldn't trade in my baby for all the uninterrupted baths in the world. Though a house with thicker walls and/or more distance between Audrey's room and ours would be nice.

 Can't stay mad at this face though!

A Girl and Her Dog

Audrey loves the pets. I mean really loves them. Every time she sees a cat or a dog she shrieks and laughs and takes off to try to catch them.

She makes this face.

 She especially loves the cats. However, her approach to "playing" with them means they see her coming a mile away. If you truly want to pet the cat dear daughter, you probably should not shriek at the top of your lungs as you chase them down. You see they don't enjoy you quite as much as you enjoy them.

Once in a while Felix lets her catch him. This usually happens if he is getting attention from one of us. Apparently snuggling with a human is worth being accosted by a baby.

Shasta on the other hand, feels that Audrey is her little baby to protect and love. I cannot tell you how happy this makes us. We were a bit nervous about how Shasta would handle the baby. She tends to bark at kids a lot. Not just bark around kids, but really bark at them. We strongly suspected she would follow our lead and protect the little baby and it is so wonderful that she does.

The only downside of this is that when we are all out together she is extra on guard about her baby. Which equates to her barking at everyone and everything. It is like we went back in time four years. It is hard to get mad as we know her heightened anxiety is out of worry for Audrey but it is obnoxious. Hopefully this issue will improve over time.

Not only does Shasta feel she needs to protect Audrey, she has also decided it is not worth trying to avoid her. She lets Audrey play with her tail and her feet and lean on her and climb on her. Often she barely opens an eye when Audrey is playing with her foot or tail. It is very sweet, though I do try to set some limits as I don't want Audrey to think dogs are for climbing. But it is nice to not have to watch them so, so closely. I still am pretty nervous at the prospect of having other kids over, but hopefully we can work on that gradually overtime as well.

That Shasta, she is the best dog!