It has been a couple of weeks since I posted anything and for those of you who are terribly distraught over this, I apologize. I have learned several things over the past few weeks and I guess sharing them is half the point of having a blog...the more important part being pictures of Audrey, of course!

First, you can't really comprehend what it means when people tell you that you will not sleep when you have a newborn until you actually have a newborn baby and don't sleep. One night last week Chris looked at me with the sweetest, most caring look on his face and tenderly said, "You are starting to get bags under your eyes." He really was trying to be sweet and I did think it was funny! It could have been a bad situation. I am glad I found the humor.

On to a more serious lesson that I am learning. Do you want to know how to identify with Christ's suffering by laying down his life for us, become a mom! By no means do I mean to deminish the weight of taking on the sin of the world and dying a painful death so each of us could be reconciled to a Holy God. However, I understand a little better these days how we do not deserve what he did for us and how he did it anyway because he loves us. And he loves us eventhough we can do nothing to repay him for his sacrifice. Thank God for grace and mercy! I wish I could say that I think of when my little one is screaming her head off and I want to pull my hair out, but really it is only in those few quiet moments when she is sleeping. Realizing that there is a lot to learn here has really helped me to get through the past couple of weeks. The timing of Easter around all of this was pretty cool too! I even got to go to church for the first time since Audrey was born.

Audrey and I both had new dresses for Easter. Chris doesn't seem to understand the need for a new Easter dress, but I told him that it will always be a necessity. As for Easter bonnets, that is only a necessity on babies! I loved her little outfit! My Dad was having some camera difficulties...this one he did have the camera right side up, but he chopped off my head! But, it's all about Audrey anyway!

Larabee's second birthday was on April 14th. She got to have a milk bone and ice cream to celebrate! Last year we took her to Brewster's. They have free doggie ice cream (soft serve with a milk bone). That is where we got the idea, but we couldn't take her this year.

Audrey got a little confused when her daddy stuck his face near her mouth one day when she was hungry!

Audrey was one month old on April 16th! She loves her bassinet. It was mine and so was the dress that she is wearing.

I am composing a list of Audrey's firsts. This is her first outing...I think, but honestly don't remember. Much of the first week home is a blur in my memory. I do remember we were going to Shipley's. I sure hope that does not foreshadow the eating habits of my child. We drove by our old house too.

This is Audrey's first bath. She hated it until I washed her hair. I just had an idea...maybe tonight when she is up screaming at 3:30 in the morning, I will just wash her hair. It seemed to calm her down after the bath, maybe it will have the same magic powers in the middle of the night.

Audrey got to meet her doggy sister when we got home the other day. Larabee didn't know what to think. Audrey slept through a big wet kiss. She got a bath right after the kisses!

Yesterday, Larabee was in the house and Audrey started to cry. Larabee walked over the bassinet and when Audrey threw her hands up in a fit, she scared our 65 pound lab to death! Larabee darted to the other side of the room!

She took a nap in her crib for the first time today. I had just enough time to start to clean up our bedroom which is currently also functioning as the laundry room, Audrey's closet and storage area for all of the diaper bags full of stuff from the hospital. Maybe I will get it cleaned tomorrow, but I am not counting on it!