Happy First Birthday Audrey!

Dear Audrey,

Happy First Birthday Audrey! It is hard to believe that today at 2:48 pm you were born one year ago. It is truly bittersweet. I love seeing you grow and learn new things, but at the same time it’s hard to see you grow up. You are an incredible blessing to our family and thank God every single day for you. Even at one year old, I can describe you in so many ways…lovely, reserved yet social, adventurous, playful, attentive, loving, expressive, empathetic, and so so sweet. 

Today we opened presents and ate cupcakes. Jack gave you some pretend food for making ice-cream cones and banana splits. Mommy and daddy gave you a new Ybike and ball popper. Momo and Papa gave you a new singing purse and a sining tea set along with some new clothes. You love the bracelet! Mema and Papa got you a new blankie, a SuperAudrey book and Mema made you a very special scrap book. Jack loves looking at his so I anticipate the same for you! It's really beautiful! After naps, we got to Skype with Mema and Papa so they were able to say happy birthday! Momo and Papa sung happy birthday to you over the phone and you had a huge smile! Sounds strange, but I really think you knew it was a special day just for you! Every time I would say happy birthday, you would smile and giggle! 

Just as a side note, I thought I would include this conversation that I had with Jack while we were all eating at Chik-fil-a tonight...

Mommy: Jack, what is your favorite thing about Audrey?

Jack: That she has birthdays! (He clearly was benefiting from the festivities!)

Mommy: Other than that, what do you love about Audrey? 

Jack: That she plays with me! 

Here are a few things that you have been up to recently…

*You love to spend time with Jack and daddy playing make-believe. At this point, you really do not have much preference on whether you are a good guy or bad guy. But when I snatch you to feed you before you go to sleep at night, you sometimes cry and you often stop eating to listen to what’s happening in the next room.

* You love to eat! You are definitely your mother's daughter. Today you ate your first "sweet" which was a mini cupcake with sprinkles. I think you ate it in under 2 minutes. A few of your favorite foods are strawberries, Chik-fil-a nuggets (see the pictures below of your birthday dinner) and beans! 

*You love to be chased. You crawl and around and I crawl after you saying I'm going to get you! You laugh hysterically and crawl as fast as you can. 

*You finally have enough hair to clip a hair bow in! 

*You love the water. We took you to the pool twice this weekend and you loved it!

*You love your animals. Henry loves you most of the time, especially when you hand-feed him at your meals. June and Micki...not so much. Maybe you will grown on them! ;) The other day you tried to give Henry a kiss, but his whiskers tickled you every time you would lean down. It was so cute!

*Speaking of kisses, you love to give them! You even give the pictures of animals or kids in your books kisses when we read. 

*You cry sometimes when Jack gets a bath and daddy pours water on his head. I think you think Jack is in distress, which may actually be true. 

*You are pulling up on everything, including the train table. This is becoming frustrating for Jack because this was the one safe place he could put his toys and now you can reach them! 

*Every time I ask you to say a word (mama or dada), you do your indian noise  with your hand over your mouth. Daddy and I are still trying to get you to say our names...we'll see who's you say first! 

*You always have your ankles crossed...so lady-like.

*You seem to have conversations with Jack back and forth in your own language!

*You have started dancing...when the music is on in the car, you clap and bob up and down. Today you were dancing when I was singing happy birthday! 

We adore you so much Audrey. We pray that you will come to know your Savior at a young age and that you will love him and follow Him closely all of your days. We pray for your health and that you would be a strong witness for the Lord God almighty. We pray that you hear the Lord's singing and rejoicing over you always and that you will remember His unending faithfulness. 

We love you sweet Aud...love always, Mommy and Daddy

Sing Over Me by Bethany Dillon

I live in the wonder of Your love
You rise like the sun in my heart
Even when the night draws near to me
There You are

I will wade in the water of mercy
I will walk in the light of Your will
Whatever should come against me
Teach me to be still

As you sing over me
Draw me close to rest in Your peace
Sing over me
Oh, sing

Sing of Your unending faithfulness
That knows no doubt or fear
In the face of all that I don't know yet
Remind me of who You are

And sing over me
Draw me close to rest in Your peace
Sing over me
Oh, sing

You are mighty
You will save
Rejoice over me with singing
You will quiet by Your love
Glory over me with singing

You are mighty
You will save
Rejoice over me with singing
You will quiet by Your love
Glory over me with singing

Sing over me
Draw me close to rest in Your peace
Sing over me
Oh, sing

Oh, sing over me
Draw me close to rest in Your peace
Sing over me
Oh, sing

Oh, sing over me