Did I Ever Share This Video???

pretty girl {skye snyder photography and skosh films} reno nevada from skye snyder on Vimeo.

love, kerry

Audrey's 1st Yappy Birthday Paw-ty!

Audrey LOVES doggies, so naturally- it was the inspiration behind her perfect 1st Birthday Paw-ty.

I'm no professional event planner or stylist, just a proud Mama who was beyond excited to throw her baby a great 1st birthday party. I used fun dog products as decorations- dog bowls for human snack and serving dishes; squeaky toys, treats and water stations for the dogs; pet beds for kid/dog lounging and a family photo staging area; and goodie bags for the kids and dogs to take home!

It was a beautiful day!

In case you missed it...

It was a perfect day for our pretty girl.

..................................................................................................................................................



Dog bowls by ModaPet
Dog toys from JW Pet and Bags On Board
Pet beds from Crypton and West Paw Design
Dog treats by PupCakes from Lucky Paws
Invitation, cupcake topper and goodie bag tags by Toe Shark Visual Communication
Photography by Skye Snyder

love, kerry

Audrey's First Year...

Happy Birthday {Party} Audrey!!!

You are perfect.

love, mama

Happy 1st Birthday Audrey!!!!!!!!!

Audrey!!!!

Happy 1st birthday baby girl!!!!!
Or, should I say- TODDLER!!!!!!

You are AMAZING. We love you so much, and just can't believe you are 1-year-old! It's gone so fast. Seems like just yesterday we were at Renown...

I hope you had a perfect day, and can't wait for your BIG birthday bash on Saturday!!!

Thank you for making this the best year of our lives...

love, mommy and daddy

Wow...

Audrey,

I can NOT believe that when you wake up in the morning, you will be 1-year-old.

At exactly 6:14am, on Wednesday, September 8, 2010- you came into the world, and brought so much 

joy,

laughter,

happiness,

entertainment,

humor,

amusement,

affection,

personality,

sweetness,

beauty,

L-O-V-E

into our lives...

and more...

We are so lucky and proud to be your mommy and daddy.

You are THE BEST. 

Happy first birthday, and sleep tight.

love, mama and dada

Us Girls Make a Great Team

I'm feeling lucky today. No, not lucky.

Accomplished.

I've got a lot on my plate these days...Don't we all?

But, today felt really good.

I had a productive work day before a great meeting in LA with an inspired, creative, thoughtful and strategic group of video production and, honestly, trend experts.

I've got three personal/fun/important projects in the works and coming together beautifully, if I do say so myself...

1. 79 memories for Grandpa's 79th birthday (by the way, please send me your notes if you haven't already). ;)

2. An amazing tribute to Audrey's first year, and birthday gift...

3. And, I'm planning a super 1st birthday party for a great little, big girl!! (Be there, Saturday, September 10th at Mayberry Park in Reno. Doggies are welcome!)

Audrey was brilliant today too.

What's new?

So what if she hasn't mastered the wave "hello" or "goodbye" yet.

She isn't blowing kisses.

She claps, but not every time you ask her to...

She DID, however, learn the one new trick I felt I needed/deserved/wanted the most today.

love her.

love, kerry

We've Got A Walker Girl!!!

Audrey's really moving now!!! In fact, we bought her shoes (finally)! She's much more confident walking barefoot at home and she threw the biggest fit wearing her new shoes during the car ride home from Payless Shoes, but we walked home from the park today (almost the entire way), and she's getting better with every step!! She'll probably be running by her first birthday!!

Can't wait!

Oh yeah, she's also figured out how to open the doors in our condo. That's been fun!

And, finally.

Audrey never really NEEDED a binky. Sure, she liked it and always took it around bedtime, but cutting it out of her life was a snap. No problem...The last few days though, for whatever reason, Audrey keeps finding binkys in her toy drawers/boxes/bins/etc...And, sure enough- she's in LOVE again.

{great.}

And, John's not helping the situation...

Yup. I know.

We're supposed to be taking them away, not encouraging her to try two at the same time!

Oh, but it is so cute... Just one picture, and that's it! ;)

love, kerry

Happy With Bows in Our Hair

I wouldn't really call myself a bow-kinda-girl...I like pretty things, but for me, bows are a little more prissy than pretty.

I'm not a total tomboy.

Not a princess either...

I'd like to think I'm a happy medium, and I'd like to think that Audrey will have a similar balance.

{Audrey, if you want to be a cheerleader, I'll support you 100%...But, wouldn't you rather be cheered FOR?}

Nevertheless, it was an all-girly, princess bow-kinda-day, and I loved it!

{So, did Jesse...Maybe}

By the way, I'm still collecting memories for Grandpa's gift- so keep 'em comin'! I've got 79 envelopes to fill, and I'm probably up to 25...We'll get there, but I need your help!

Also, I'm working on an AMAZING tribute to Audrey's first year...

I. Am. In. LOVE.

Good night.

love, kerry

Steps in the Right Direction

Home

Sweet

Home

Just in time for a fantastic weekend!!!

I had anther busy week in Reno... Great work, family, friends, news...Great time!

.

We're making MAJOR progress in the walking department, and with only about three weeks until Audrey's 1st birthday- we (more me/John than Audrey) are committed to getting it down ASAP!

Audrey is advanced, ya know.

OF COURSE she'll be walking before her first birthday...

Audrey, don't let us down.

I'm only joking.

Kind of.

She's getting there...Watch. Audrey. Go.

Superstar!

In other news, I spotted my first Real Housewife of OC at the airport.

She looked...as expected.

We've got Travis and Tracee in town today, and we're going to spend tomorrow with Mato and Amy in San Diego!

More to come, but hope you have a great weekend!

love, kerry

Just Like Me? Just Like You? Just Like Who?

Oh man, what have we created???

This crazy girl's always into something, and pushing the limits...

She's the type who'll always have something up her sleeve.

Always calculating her next move.

But, because she's just so darn likable and cute- she'll always get away with being "bad".

Yet, despite the trouble she may get into at times, she's ridiculously sweet.

Already, extremely thoughtful.

Loyal and loving.

Intelligent and compassionate.

I also think it's safe to say that she's going to be an adventurer.

She can't even walk yet, but trust me- she's on the move.

She wants to explore.

GO

see,

meet,

smell,

touch,

hear,

enjoy,

sample something new.

She's not afraid of the unknown.

In fact, it excites and inspires her.

Audrey's Type-A, in control, independent, and takes charge too.

A chief, not an indian.

She'll tell it like it is, and demand your attention.

She's not even afraid to boss THE BOSS around.

And, she already learned that a little attitude can go a long way if played correctly.

{yes, those are baby scrubs}

She's so funny too.

She loves being with people, and making friends.

She's very social.

But, she's also got a great imagination, and can make fun happen for herself, all on her own.

She's easy to love.

THE happiest little baby I've ever seen.

Her smile is perfect.

So Audrey,

who can I thank/blame for all this AMAZINGNESS wrapped up into one little baby girl?

.

.

.

.

Maybe Dada???

{You are such a daddy's girl...}

Or, I don't know...

Maybe you take after me???

Hmmm....

Doesn't really matter.

We are just so in love with YOU!!!

love, kerry

Happy Birthday Audrey!!!!

Dear Audrey,

Your mommy and daddy

CAN

NOT

BELIEVE

that you are 11 months old!!!!!

Happy birthday sweetie!!!!

You're less and less baby, and more and more big girl every day.

We love every minute we spend with you.

You are just the best!

But, can we just slow things down a bit?

Seriously Audrey, you're already growing up too fast. Any day now you'll be walking by yourself, then off to school,

girl scout meetings,

volleyball practice,

high school dances,

college,

moving out...

JUST LIKE THAT!!!

{stress}

...

{deep breath}

One day at a time.

{repeat}

One day at a time.

{repeat}

One day at a time.

Audrey, happy 11-month birthday!

You are beautiful, and perfect, and fun and smart.

You have a hot temper, but it's adorable!

You are so happy!

You love to make new friends!

You have a beautiful smile!

We are so proud to be your parents.

This was another big month for you!

YOU.....

learned to dance,

went bike riding for the first time,

are talking more and more,

mastered the wave hello and clapping,

are crawling faster {too fast} and even scooting along,

standing for longer periods of time,

went to the zoo,

took your first plane trip,

wore sunglasses for the first time...

WOW!

Your current obsessions: Dogs, more dogs, dog books, stuffed dogs, dogs at the park...

DOGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Favorite song: Britney Spears "I Wanna Go"

Favorite foods: watermelon, mushrooms, bread

It's been another great month, baby girl.

And, next month...

Next month is going to be HUGE!!!!

Just wait.

But, tell all your family and friends now to save-the-date:

Saturday, September 10th

11am-2pm

Mayberry Park in Reno

BIG. FIRST. BIRTHDAY. {DOGGIE}. BASH.

Just for you.

love, mommy

Backpacking

I love to travel.

I love to explore new places, and learn new things. I enjoy an adventure. I like putting myself out there...even if it makes me look stupid. I enjoy meeting new people, and exploring other cultures.....

I'd like to say that traveling is a hobby of mine {and John too...yes, you do have hobbies}, but really?

Not many people can claim "travel" as a true hobby.

Sure, I did the typical graduate from college, blow your savings on a backpacking trip through Europe thing...But, world traveler?

I have been lucky enough to see more than a dozen European countries, and a lot of the United States too. And, perhaps I've been even more lucky to have spent significant chunks of time in two countries (France and Italy), and made life-long friends abroad. But, there's still so much I'd like to see, people to meet, and places I'd love to visit.

And, maybe {hopefully} one day I'll have:

1) More Money

2) More Time

to really live my travel dreams.

But for now, travel for me means 1 trip per month to Reno for work.

{Grateful, by the way}

LONG gone are the days of grubbing it, sharing a room with friends (or a dozen strangers in a hostel), skipping meals to save money for museums (or beer), ETC, ETC, ETC...

I'm a MOM now, and Audrey is a part of every move I make...

{Joy}

And, obviously-

I

WOULDN'T

HAVE

IT

ANY

OTHER

WAY!

In fact, last week I took my greatest BACKPACKING trip of all time.

Orange County (SNA)--> San Jose (no plane change, just stop)-->Reno (RNO)

Why was is it so GREAT???

Thank you for asking.

Well, because it was Audrey's FIRST EVER plane trip!!!!

See, I'm still backpacking!

I've just traded up to the Ergo Baby Carrier {thank you Grandpa Dan}!

And, let me tell you-

despite being a little worried....

Audrey was soooo good!

People (fellow moms, not naming names) made me very concerned that Audrey would probably:

scream the entire flight in fear,

scream the entire flight in pain (ears),

move non-stop/never sit still,

bug the person next to us,

kick the seat in front of us,

act super bored and annoyed,

ETC...

Not the case with MY baby!

But, I will say...

My biggest challenge to report...

.

.

.

.

.

Major arm cramping from:

{A Sleeping Angel}

Are you kidding me? She couldn't have been more perfect!

And, when she was awake, for example the first 10-15 minutes of each flight, she was pure joy.

Curious about all the new people during boarding,

friendly with the people sitting in our row,

excited by the captain speaking over the intercom,

surprised by the feeling of take-off,

Perplexed while looking out the window and traveling through the clouds...

She was....

{Sigh...Nuf said.}

My favorite backpacking trip to date.

love, kerry

What's that Doggie Doing?

Dear Jesse,

You're in trouble when Audrey starts walking.

She's already crawling to you, grabbing for you, playing with your toys, splashing in your water dish, cuddling in your bed, following your every move.

I've watched her pull your

hair,

ear,

leg,

tail...

You can't get away from her.

And, I can see you're trying your best.

Just promise me that you'll be a good boy. She just loves you.

I know you're an old man, but have some patience. She's just a baby.

And for now,

I'll continue to entertain her with the stuffed dog until she catches on to our little trick.

love, kerry

Dinner on the Beach, Finally!!

Tonight's picnic on the beach recipe for you...

Grilled Vegetable Panini

Ingredients: olive oil, eggplant, zucchini, red onion, basil pesto, mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, red peppers, salt, pepper and a baguette.

Directions: Slice vegetables into thin strips and drizzle oil over the eggplant, zucchini, onion and red pepper slices. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. BBQ. Slice and toast the baguette. Apply pesto to top half of baguette, and stack your sandwich from the bottom- eggplant, zucchini, onion, red pepper, tomatoes, mozzarella. Drizzle oil, salt and pepper as needed.

Serve with fruit salad and cold beer.

Wish you were here with us!

love, kerry

Happy Birthday Audrey!!!

Dear Audrey,

You're 10 Months Old today!!!!

How did that happen so fast???

I love you baby girl! You are a beauty, so fun to be around, so smart and funny...just perfect really.

Yesterday, you amazed me by tying a knot with the strap to my bathrobe. How did you do that? Next up- shoelaces! (First though, mommy needs to buy you some big girl shoes).

You're already a problem solver too. I watched you learn the difference between horizontal and vertical while you were playfully dropping toys into the kitchen from the other side of the baby gate. You thought it was so funny, and I was impressed.

Although things change so quickly, this month I'd say...

Your favorite foods: chicken, steak and puffs

Your favorite song: Patty Cake

Your favorite toy: scary doll with red cheeks that light up, or any book to chew on

Your favorite non-toy: Mommy's keys and Daddy's wallet (both will likely be another favorite when you turn 16)

Your favorite activity: looking at/talking to dogs

Your favorite word: Dada...could be Dad...could be Dog. I'm bitter. ;)

Some new discoveries & accomplishments this month:

Standing by yourself (only happened once, and lasted less than 30 seconds),

Drinking water from a sippy cup,

Moving to a new home,

Swimming in a pool,

Cruising and talking more and more...

You're the best little girl in the world, and I hope you have a great birthday!!!!

love, mommy

My Big, Little Baby

John and I knew that our kids would be above average (in multiple ways, of course). But, just like us, we assume that all of our kids will become the tallest in their class one day. Audrey had her 9-month well baby check with the pediatrician today, and like all of our doctor visits to date, the main discussion was about Audrey's size. Yes, she's off the charts- 100th percentile plus in both height and weight (just like Mommy and Daddy were), but today was just hysterical to me.

Dr. P:

Ok John and Kerry, let me just show you this growth chart...

See this line, well it represents Audrey's growth...

And, this line down here is the average growth rate and size of other 9 month olds...

(Ok, we figured. Audrey's big for her age)

Now, let's look a little further down the line...

See the average height/weight represented here? It matches the line where we find Audrey's size currently.

(Ok, I see that. What does that mean?)

Well, what I'm trying to tell you is that Audrey's currently the same size as the average 18-month-old baby.

(WOW!!!! I can't believe she's THAT big!!!!!)

And, I think now would be a good time to discuss some strange looks you might be getting at the playground....

(huh?)

It's not uncommon for kids like Audrey, who are just soooo much bigger for their age, to get funny looks from other parents...They may be wondering, why doesn't she talk yet? Or, is she slow?

(Geez.)

You'll find yourself wanting to yell, "She's only 9-months-old!"

Just know that Audrey is perfect. She's growing perfectly, she's developing perfectly. And, you have nothing to worry about. It's too be expected with parents like you!

(hahaha)

I love our pediatrician, and I'm really going to miss her after we move, but this conversation just cracked me up!!!

(BUT)

I will say- if she's right, I feel sorry for those parents at the playground who give me or my big, little baby any funny looks. =)

love, kerry

love, audrey

To The Impetus Agency,

My mommy is so lucky to work with you. I got to be your office baby since I was 8-weeks-old, and we had so much fun playing, in meetings, with the office dogs and more! I'm going to miss seeing you all the time, but I know Impetus OC will be just as great, and don't worry- I'll be back to visit you all the time!!! Can't wait to meet the new office babies too, especially Beckett!

love, audrey