Settled In

We are finally feeling pretty settled in our new home. There are still boxes left to unpack and pictures left to hang, but the place feels like home.


Audia seems to thoroughly be enjoying her new bedroom. She loves playing with her Yo Gabba Gabba characters on the window sill, taking all of the books out of her bookshelf and flipping through them, putting stickers on her toy chest, and talking to herself in the mirrored closet doors.


She is growing and developing at a supersonic rate. Of course, with her crazy development comes a whole lot of testing of waters.....she goes through periods of having a Jekyl and Hyde-like personality, being all sweetness and love one minute and then doing things she knows not to do (pouring water on the floor, banging on daddy's keyboard, pushing Fievel...), while looking at me with a "what are you going to do about it?" expression on her face. We have been consistent with time outs, and while they seem to do the job most of the time, there are other times where she will do something naughty and then put herself in a time out before I even have a chance to. I know that this is just regular toddler behavior, but it can be hard sometimes after a long day not to take it personally. The past week, thankfully, she's been mostly sweet. Just this morning after breakfast, I was picking up the cheerios she had dropped in her lap and on the floor and she said, "Sorry for making a mess, Mommy. I love you so much!" It's moments like that that make me feel like we must be doing something right.



Fievel has been a delightful addition to our family. He is, as are all kittens, totally crazy-chaotic from time to time, but for the most part is a total cuddle bug. He has basically become my shadow, following me everywhere I go. He also loves to follow Audia around. I am so amazed that 1) Audia doesn't terrorize him, in fact, she mostly doesn't notice him unless he is on her bed. Then she gets out her books and reads to him, and that 2) Fievel isn't more cautious/skittish/afraid around Audia. He really seems to like her.

Autumn has definitely arrived here in the Twin Cities. The changing colors on the trees, the smell of fall....I missed these things so much when I was in AZ. It is so great to be able to enjoy the changing of the seasons again. We've lucked out the past week or so, and the temps have been in the lower 70's, which is fairly uncommon for October.

Happy Fall!