Mechlenburgs 15th anniversary, Pilgrim Chapel and more independent play

Saturday evening John, Paula, Audrey and I went to dinner at Mechlenburg's ... it was the restaurant's 15th anniversary.  The weather was perfect and they had live music which was wonderful!

Miss A looks really bored in this picture or possibly wondering why her mama is taking another picture.  Anyhow she did have fun this evening. 

Mary, one of the owners daughters, entertained Audrey and A loved the attention.

Walking up to get a closer look at the musicians, Eugene Goss and Billy Larkin whose band name is Triage.  I can't believe this was my first time to hear them because they are amazing.

Sunday was Children's Hour and Miss A's first time to "listen" to the story.  This week Lily M gave the Children story.

Afterwards A went downstairs with the rest of the kids.  Because the Milar family is in town visiting from India Audrey is not the youngest.  Evan Milar is 7 months old.

Monday we went to the Zoo.  Audrey touched a python and a boa constrictor.  She also listened to an elephant keeper talk as well as observing up close a Barn Owl and red tail Hawk.  We were also lucky enough to run into a Manatee keeper who gave us some background information on these animals.  Two of the 3 manatees will probably be re-introduced to the wild.  Of the 3 they have, 1 was severely injured in a boat accident, 1 was abandoned in the wild and the last one is seriously overweight and pretty old too.

Tuesday we went to a Help Me Grow webinar at the Children's Home.   The title was "Everyday Experiences and the Young Brain".  It was interesting and information confirmed much of what Children's Hospital classes teach.  That afternoon we went to our neighborhood pool where the neighbor girls again made up stories and songs to entertain Audrey. 

Wednesday we went to Miss Kelly's Movers and Shakers class and Thursday morning was Miss Meghan's Music class.  At both classes Audrey played and interacted more independently than in the past. 

Children's Museum, Mr. Eric's Storytime and Songs, Stroller Safari

Audrey and I went to the Children's Museum Monday as it was a very hot and humid day.  The Waterworks section is probably her favorite area.  I tried to put one of their waterproof aprons on her but they are still too big  and she doesn't seem to mind getting wet.

This picture reminded me of a comment Steve Beverage, who works at Crowley's, made about A when he first met her.  Steve said ... "that just looks expensive, like red convertible expensive".   Steve is a hoot and I just love his name.

She and I had a lot more fun playing their steel drums now that I realized we could move them to the floor.  

 On our way to Clifton Library for Mr Eric's Story Time & Songs.  This is our routine every Tuesday morning.  He is such great entertainment that I will adjust our schedule to make sure we can go to his class.  Audrey now walks up to get a high 5 from Mr Eric at the end and this makes her very happy.

Friday Audrey, Paula and I went to Stroller Safari at the Zoo.  This class was The Sounds Around.  This picture is of our teacher Evan who brought this rooster and a hissing cockroach.  She let the kids touch both.  Miss A also got to touch 2 snakes later when we were walking around the Zoo.  I was glad I did not project my lack of enthusiasm for touching these animals myself as she did not hesitate to touch them.

Paula and I were both amused by how participatory and outgoing Audrey was in class.  When asked what sounds different animals made she was the only kid to answer.  When Evan asked the kids if they knew the name of the hissing cockroach that she brought to class Audrey was the only to guess.  She guessed turtle.

The elephants were inside and we got to see them eating hay which the kids generally found interesting.

Saturday morning we went to a memorial for Jim Simmons, a dear friend and church member, who died this past Wednesday at the age of 83.  Jim was a wonderful man who "never met a stranger."   I unfortunately did not get to stay the whole service as A wanted to loudly announce words and people she knew.  When we went downstairs she then quietly observed the kids.  Go figure.

 At the luncheon after the service we met Jim's granddaughter Jenna who is almost 16 years old and also adopted at 10 months from southeast China.  We also discussed timing for Audrey's baptism with both of our ministers.  It will be Sunday August 7th which happens to be Miss A's 18th month b-day! Both Dick and Bob will be in town and will officiate.  We will probably host a luncheon afterwards at the church.  Fortunately she has not outgrown the white silk dress we bought her in China.  However if she continues growing at the same rate in the past 6 months it probably be knee length instead of ankle. 

Tonight John, Paula, Audrey and I are going to Mecklenburg's for dinner and the 15th Anniversary of their restaurant opening.  Also Paula's condo is now ready and she is moving out tomorrow.  Oh, we are going to miss her and this will be especially tough for Audrey who is completely in the dark about this change.

Dear 16 month old Audrey Lu He,

This month you are 16 months old and have been home for 6 months.   You have brought so much joy to our home.  Your baba and I love you so very much. Here are just some of the things I have learned about you in our short time as a family so far:

•  you are an emotionally outgoing and physically cautious little girl
• you have an incredibly sweet disposition and can really light up a room
• you have an amazing vocabulary for your age which is even more impressive considering you have only heard English for 6 months
• just last month you took an interest in signing and can now sign 35 words
• you are an excellent sleeper and eater, which may account for the speed you are growing
• you seem to love all things feminine (ie jewelry, painted fingernails, pretty hats and dresses, etc)
• you love music, books, movies and toys (and in that order)
• you love going outside and naming things you see
• you are a flirt, you use baby tricks, high 5, double winking to capture many hearts
• as you are becoming more mobile you are more interested in other kids but for now you are still really comfortable mostly around adults
• you do not care for doctors or their exams

Baba Day 2011

For Father's Day, or Baba Day in our house, John wanted all of us to go to a Reds Game.   Miss A got this certificate to commemorate the day.  We put it in her lock box with some really important documents which she might find really odd some day.

On the way to the game we stopped to get cash.

The observant Miss A watching Baba at the ATM.  She only lasted 1 inning in our seats before I took her to the Machine Room for lunch.  Baba joined us and did clean up on the appetizer sampler I ordered for us to share.  Afterwards the 3 of us shared a caramel sundae and then A and I left Baba to walk home.  She is teething molars and seems to have some kind allergic reaction as she has been sneezing all day.

Hopefully this video will download as it documents how she pronounces her name.  Since that didn't seem like enough to tape I asked her to do "baby tricks" too.

Other developments include:  she took 3 steps walking from me to Baba today!
  She can sign 35 words (all gone, airplane, ball, banana, bath, boat, book, butterfly, brush teeth, bus, car, cold, diaper, drink, eat, flower, friends, gentle happy, hot, help, hurt, light (1st sign), milk, more, please, phone, shoe, socks, sleep, thank you, train, tree and water).  She easily know how to say twice as many words.

Tumble Bees Class and B-day party @ Crab Shack with Krohnies

This morning I acted like we had all the time in the world to get to Tumble Bee class on time.  The gym is about 30 minutes from our home.  Of course it is in the suburbs as nothing this size could be near an urban neighborhood like ours.

The trip was so long that Miss A took a nap.  To me she looks so long in this picture.  Which in fact she is.  According to her pediatrician, whom we saw this week, she was charted at 80% height and 25% weight. 

 She was not terribly enthused to be woken up when we arrived at Kids First.   But she was a trouper and we were only a few minutes late.  Overall I think the class took her out of her comfort zone.  She neither loved nor hated it.  After class we watched the older girls practice on the balance beam and uneven parallel bars and this really captivated Miss A.  I think it will be a good experience and we will complete the 5 sessions in the summer series.  Apparently this class really wore her out too as she took a 4 hour nap when we got home.  Something she has not done since my big family, lots of  nieces and nephews, visited in February.  

She did not wear this tiara long nor did she want me to wear one.

Tonight we went to Joe's Crab Shack to celebrate Kelly's (a Krohnie) birthday.  This picture shows Kelly opening some presents. 

The balloon man made hats for the kids.

Miss A watching him make her hat.

Although she graciously accepted the hat there was no way was she going to wear it.

Even though  Baba showed her he would wear it.   Tomorrow is Baba Day and our plan is to go to a Reds game with him.  It is predicted to be a hot one so who knows how long Miss A will last.  Fortunately if we feel the need to leave early Baba can walk home and not miss any of the game.

Mt Adams Pool and Tumbling class

Today we bought our neighborhood pool passes.   It was such a beautiful afternoon that John came with us which meant he had to work late.  We are so lucky his schedule is flexible.

Miss A certainly enjoyed the pool time with Baba.  Although we have purchased pool passes for years this was our first time we actually used it.  We were pleasantly surprised to find out they have pool toys, music and 2 lifeguards. 

• Last Saturday we went to Findlay Market.  Our friend Paula is staying with us for a couple of weeks until her place is ready.  Audrey adores Paula.  We do too.

Then later that same day Paula, Audrey and I went to Kids First in Blue Ash so I could register Miss A for tumbling class.  We start this coming Saturday morning.

I was surprised at the size of this gym.

Also unexpected Kids First has a gift shop, nail and hair salon and massage packages. 

Miss A checking out the gym from the 2nd floor balcony with Paula.

Trip to Richmond and Lewisburg

After the reunion we spent a couple of days with John's family in Richmond.  Audrey loved riding this horse at his mother's house.

And playing with her cousin Andrew or as she calls him "Andue".

Andrew was so patient and kind to Miss A.  Very sweet.

Watching Andrew's t-ball game.

Tuesday we stayed in Lewisburg so Audrey could finally meet Nancy.  Her first time in a big pool with mama and baba.

Miss A loving dinner at Food and Friends!  Particularly the garlic mashed potatoes.

Back at the hotel.

Meeting Aunt Nancy finally!

Lunch at Steak and Shake on the way home to Cincinnati