Our Growing Abigail

Abigail was officially 6 months old yesterday! I can hardly believe how fast she is growing up and how quickly she is learning new things. This is a sample of what's been going on in Abby's world for 5 and 6 months.

5 MONTHS
Started grabbing and wanting to hold her bottle
Laughed for the first time
Began taking out her paci and attempting to put it back
Reaching for things intentionally
Able to grab with one hand things she reaches for
Plays on her own for short periods at a time
Began developing a nap time schedule
Loves to look at books
Rolls from her back to her belly
Plays in a jumperoo
Gnaws on fingers furiously
Will stay asleep for naps instead of waking up after being put down
Likes to have her paci when she sleeps
Discovered her feet and sucks on her toes

6 MONTHS
Sits up properly in Bumbo
Discovered coughing
Rolls and Rolls and Rolls around on the floor
Pushes her butt in the air with her feet and legs
Does push ups
Rolls over in the night and sleeps on her belly
Not nursing as much
Started Rice Cereal
Started Oatmeal
Can pull herself into a sitting position then standing with assistance
First Snow
Can feed herself bottle while laying down
Sipped water from a straw
Rolls over purposely to reach for things
Has been cranky because of teething pain
Moved up to size 2 Swaddlers
Now drinking 4oz regularly at feedings
Sucks on paci recreationly during the day
Occasionally falls asleep on her own
Grabs paci from your hand and puts directly into mouth

Tag You're It - 8 Things

I've been tagged by my BFF Katie on her blog so now i'm going to answer these questions (and then tag some of you)!!!

eight things i did today - not in order:

1. ate two bowls of Reese's Puffs cereal
2. had family pictures taken at the temple
3. played 3 dungeon n dragons encounters
4. showered twice (i tried to fix my hair up nice, it didn't work)
5. pumped milk
6. went to quartet practice
7. slaughtered 33 minions
8. kissed my hubby


eight things i'm looking forward to:

1. steve's christmas leave
2. going to AZ for thanksgiving
3. abby turning 6 months
4. starting abby on food
5. snow
6. new moon
7. abby's first words
8. christmas


eight favorite shows:

1. V
2. LOST
3. ST:DS9
4. ST:TNG
5. Firefly
6. Pushing Daisies
7. Seaquest DSV
8. Rachel Ray's 30 Min Meals
9. Paula Dean
10. The Price is Right


eight favorite restaurants:

1. Cracker Barrell
2. Carrabba's
3. Gray Brothers Cafeteria
4. Steak n Shake
5. Claim Jumpers
6. Johnny's Resturante Italiano
7. Skyline Chili
8. MCL Cafeteria


now i am tagging:

Kari
Katie S.
Laura
Liz W.
and anyone that wants to do this

The Next Chapter Is Here

Steve has left for Fort Bragg, NC. We got up this morning around 545 and while Steve was getting some last minute things ready, I sat and played with his new phone (I've been bugging him for months to get a new one. His 4 year old Razor can't keep a charge longer than 20 mins). I took some photo's of Abby and I and played with his wallpaper and added a couple of voice recordings with Abby making noises.

After giving Abby a blessing (I got mine last night), saying family prayer, and squishing one another in a cozy family hug (a bit emotional for me and too cramped for Abby), Steve took off at around 730a. Abby and I stood at the door and watched "Daddy" check some last minute things, then get into his X-Terra and drive down the road. As we were standing there, I wondered how much of this Abby was really taking in... I like to think she understands a little, especially as we walked away from the door and she gave a little sigh. I told her, "You have a brave Daddy".

Some of you know, but not many, that we have decided it's best for Abby and I to stay here in NV while Steve goes to NC for his training. There are many different reasons; my great support group here, how much better it is financially to stay, the fact that he will be in the field for weeks on end leaving us to fend for ourselves (going back to that first reason I listed). Frankly, for months, I've been thinking that it would be better to stay and in many ways I'm very happy with this decision. I love my home, it feels safe and comfortable... this is where I want to be with my little girl.

People ask how I do it... for our family, it's just the way it is, and looking forward, it's the way it's going to be. Seriously though, I get through because the Lord blesses me with a greater portion of the spirit, I have amazing friends who are more than happy to help out, a fabulous ward that feels like a family, and to top it all off, incredible Home and Visiting Teachers (should I mention they are husband and wife, let alone the fact that my VT will be here in an hour to visit!).

After sitting Abby on the couch and getting a few things cleaned up, I realized that Steve left without the red pears I bought him last night for his trip. I sent him a text, (yes, as of yesterday, he is officially texting and he's not going to like that I'm announcing it). He said he was down at the donut place and asked if I would like some... of course I would like some, and of course I would like to say goodbye again! So, Steve came back, dropped off some donuts, picked up his pears (and some apples I threw in), the Preach My Gospel manual... and we said our goodbyes again. He kissed our sleeping Abby and walked out the door at 8am. I watched from the living room window, thinking that he wouldn't even look up... but as he pulled away, he did and waved. A moment later he sent a text for Abby, "Listen to your mother, lil' bit". I love you Babes and I'm so proud of you... we are sure going to miss you! You will do amazing! Hopefully we will see you soon!!!!

Visiting with Oma Bonnie

This past weekend we drove over to Fremont, CA to visit with Steve's Mom Bonnie. We had such a great weekend! She was kind enough to put us up in a hotel a little ways down the road from where she lives. We meet her forlunch on Friday and spent the rest of the day relaxing while she worked.
We meet up on Saturday morning, had breakfast at the hotel and then drove down to Monterey. We checked out the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which is way cool. Though we wouldn't recommend visiting on a Saturday... it's way too packed to really enjoy. We spent the early afternoon walking around the first building and got our hands stamped so we could come back after lunch. One of Steve's goals for the weekend was to get me to eat some seafood. EVERYONE who really knows me, knows that I don't eat seafood, but Steve figured that what I really needed in my life was to try it "fresh". Anyway... I gave in. I tried Coconut Prauns (didn't like), Mahi Mahi (was ok), and Swordfish (was decent but I will never order it as my main course).

After lunch, Abby and I headed back to the car to nurse while Steve and Oma walked down to the knitting store. We met back up at the Rip Squeak and Friends store and then went back over to tour the rest of the museum. I enjoyed the Seahorse exhibit the most.


On Sunday we found a ward to attend Sacrament at and then went to Oma Bonnie's for lunch. When we got there, Oma showed us a chair that she had refinished which was used when by Steve's brother Paul when he was small. Abby is still a little too young to sit in it, but we managed to get a couple of cute pics. Oma Bonnie made a fabulous Meatloaf and a very yummy chocolate cake. We hung out for the rest of the afternoon and later I made my chicken Soup for dinner.

On Monday morning, we went and had a great breakfast at Oma Bonnie's and then started back on the road.... it was such a fabulous weekend!

A Trip to Arizona

Two weeks ago, we traveled to Mesa, AZ to visit with Steve's family (and to buy a new vehicle). We got to spend a lot of time with Steve's Brother Matt his wife Steffi and daughter Ellie (who is only 3 weeks older than Abby). We were able to take some cute pictures of the girls together as well as some good pictures with Abby's Great Grandpa Max and Great Grandma Loraine.

An Abby Update - 4 Months

Sorry it's been so long... I havn't posted pictures ANYWHERE in forever!
It's amazing how when you have a little one, time just gets away from you...
I thought I had no time before. Boy was I ever wrong.

Here are Abby's 4 month old Pictures and this is what Abby did at 4 months:
-She loves to stand and can push herself up with her legs
-She now actually FITS in 3 month clothes
-She moved up from size 1 diapers to size 2
-She moved up to eating 3oz from 2oz (She's a snacker)
-She started grasping at objects, bringing them to her mouth
-She started to entertain herself with her baby toys

A Walk

I've been thinking that I would like to start going out with Abby for a walk more than a few times a week. I havn't acted on that thought... until today. I buckled Abby in to the stroller, a first. Then we headed out. We stopped at the park and played in the grass and took some pictures. Abby seemed to enjoy our little walk. The weather is wonderful today! I sure love it here in Reno. It was nice to sit and reflect on how nice it is to be home with my little girl every single day.

Abby - 12 Weeks

Have I mentioned that we have categorized Abby's poo diapers according to what gets pooed on! No worries... there are no pictures!! This scale has been in place since she was about 2 weeks old. The categories range from 1 to 5.
Category 1: A regular poo diaper.
Category 2: Poo escapes the diaper but does not contaminate the onesie.
Category 3: Poo escapes the diaper and contaminates the onesie
Category 4: Poo escapes and contaminates the onesie and the blanket. (Often smearing up the back)
Category 5: Poo escapes and contaminates the onesie, the blanket, and anything nearby. Usually meaning YOUR clothes, the car seat, or whatever she happens to be laying in or on at the moment of impact.
Occasionally, a poo diaper may be rated a Category 6. You may ask, what would constitute a Category 6 rating. Believe me, you don't really want to know! This, indeed, is a rare event, and in Abby's case has only happened once. It was a situation where poo was smeared on the OUTSIDE of the car. I will let you ponder on how that happened!

Anyways, Abby is quickly approaching 13 weeks (tomorrow) and it's time I posted All Things Abby - Week 12. This is what Abby has been up to this week.
- She is holding her head up amazingly well
- She can now sit up in her Bumbo (not for a lengthy amount of time though).
- She is getting to the point where she is ok just chillin alone for a little while.
- Abby and I now go to bed around 930 every night (she doesn't fall asleep till 10 or 11)
- She is cooing and smiling even more than before.
- She coos and smiles particularly for her daddy... not sure how he manages that!
- She is definitely a Night Person like her daddy... she takes forever to wake up in the morning. (Great for Momma, I get to read scriptures and write in my journal and occasionally grab a shower all before she is officially wakey).
- She likes to watch TV with us. She is turning into a young Trekker already!
- She now has a cranky time of the day... about 7-9pm.
- She is ferociously gnawing on her fingers; another reason to suspect that she is beginning to teethe. I also think this has something to do with her cranky time.
- She can grab things that are within her grasp and puts them in her mouth.
- She sucked her thumb for a full half-hour while trying to go to sleep.
- She is beginning to fit into a few more 3 Month onesies... but still can wear Newborn.


















Of course the pictures with the spoon on her head were Daddy's idea. She is imitating a Spoonhead. I will give a free Heritage Makers Family Fold to the first person to guess what Spoonhead refers to in the Star Trek Universe.

Shades

Nanny bought these sunglasses for Abby when we were in Indy. This video is from 9 Weeks.

Abby - 11 Weeks

Abby is just growing and growing and growing! According to our scale, she weighs 11 pounds. I find myself amazed by her every day. She is so much more aware of the things going on around her than even a few weeks ago. She follows things around the room, she is smiling and cooing a lot. I really love how she looks into my eyes with recognition... so strange how happy that makes me! Abby enjoys taking a bath... well, I say enjoys because she doesn't cry at all. Steve and I both noticed that her eyes seem to be turning brown. She also has started turning onto her side from her back and has slept that way a few times during the week. Drooling is another talent she has picked up. This week I did another photo shoot with her rabbit. Strange how you can take almost 200 photo's and get only 10 really great ones. Here are my favorites.

Abby - 10 Weeks

Oma (German for Grandma) Bonnie came to visit us this weekend. We took a trip to Babies R Us and Oma Bonnie bought Abby a bouncer chair. Abby will sit in her bouncer and watch her Baby Einstien video's. Abby and I did a little photo shoot out in the grass as well... we got a couple of nice photo's out of it. I managed to do a digital scrapbook page of one of the pictures later that week.a> This was also the first time Abby got a piggy back ride with Daddy.

Abby - 9 Weeks

Abby took her first plane trips during this week. Abby and I flew to Indy for my Mother's surprise 50th birthday party. This was a big week. She got to meet almost all of my family. It was the first time Pepaw (my dad) got to meet her. Nanny (my Mom) and I took Abby to the Children's Museum of Indianapolis... a place where I have many fond memories. She slept most of the time. We Abby did a lot of cooing while we were visiting with my family. She talked a lot with my Aunt Debbie especially. She hasn't really talked as much with anyone since.

Abby - 8 Weeks

Abby was smiling more and more. During tummy time one day, she rolled over onto her back. I had turned to look just as she was finishing and it was happening as I was getting up. I thought that I might have created a depression that helped her a bit. But two days later at her 2 month pediatric appointment, the Dr. wanted to see what her neck control was like. When the Dr. put Abby on her tummy, Abby rolled right over. Watching Abby get her shots was a little diffucult. I was surprised by how long the needles were, but I was shocked that the nurse stuck them ALL THE WAY in her leg. Abby cried, but she did pretty good. Abby also started cooing this week. The Sadlers bought Abby a Bumbo... I wasn't home when Jenn came over to drop it off. It was quite cute to walk in the door and find Abby sitting in her Bumbo which she didn't quite fit in yet. And to explain the hammer.... that's Steve's way of showing that no matter what you do, Abby is always cute.