Josh and Deborah

Second Christmas

2012-01-02T23:16:00.000-07:00

Since Christmas this year was a little bit crazy, the kids got lucky and were able to have a "second" Christmas when nanas brought over Christmas gifts just after the new year. It was fun to see how excited Abbi was, and maybe it was even better this way so that they didn't have toy overload on Christmas day! Both Abbi and Easton sure were spoiled, and they loved every single thing they got. (and excuse the really horrible, blurry iPhone pics. I was feeling lazy!)

New Beginnings

2012-01-01T23:55:00.000-07:00

First sunset of 2012

January 1st.It's a day for new beginnings, right?

I've been a bit absent from this blog lately. I blame it on a busy life. I would promise myself day after day that I would catch up, and then I'd be up until midnight working, and staying up another hour to blog just wasn't going to happen. I got further and further behind, until I was just so overwhelmed looking at everything I had to catch up on, that I would just put it on the bottom of the list.

But I'm making a new year's resolution. I'm not usually very good at new year's resolutions, but I think this one is important. I'm going to blog again. Because this is my journal - my memories. I feel so badly that I can't even remember when Easton hit some milestones, because I was too busy to blog about it. If it's not written here, I don't remember.I'm still going to work on getting caught up, but I'm starting fresh here, too. No more waiting to catch up before moving forward. I'm moving forward, and I'll catch up in the meantime. And the goal here is to not get behind again. I need to take a step back and slow down just a little bit.

Here's to a wonderful 2012!!

Wordless Wednesday - Pool Time

2011-08-03T23:12:00.000-06:00

Friends

2011-07-26T16:56:00.007-06:00

I miss having my friends live nearby!! I'm so happy that both Michelle and Syndi were in town at the same time, and we all met up for some fun times at Micky D's to catch up and let the kids play. It was so fun to see them and to chat with them. I miss them both so much!!

24th of July

2011-07-25T23:00:00.000-06:00

I love all of the fireworks shows in Utah in July!!

We celebrated Pioneer Day down at my parent's house. Since the 24th of July was on Sunday, the fireworks show was on the 25th. (I guess technically, this fireworks show wasn't even for Pioneer Day, but for Spanish Fork Days.)

The kids all played dress up while we waited for it to get dark outside.

And we got to celebrate Gavin's big 3rd birthday with cupcakes!

There were some smaller fireworks while we waited for the big fireworks show. I am not good at photographing fireworks, and I was trying to figure out how to do them - but not having a whole lot of luck!

Except I do love this picture of Asher watching the fireworks!

Then it was time for the big show. My parent's backyard was the perfect location!!

I always love a good excuse to get together - especially when fireworks are involved!!

Splash Pad

2011-07-23T22:50:00.002-06:00

Just some random pictures of Abbi at the splash pad at the Riverwoods. We went to the Taste of the Valley, and after Abbi saw this, all she wanted to do was go and play. It was a fun way to cool off!!

Book #32 - The Road

2011-07-22T22:52:00.015-06:00

The Road
Cormac McCarthy

Blurb: Unfolding in a terrifying future where Armageddon has been waged and lost, The Road traces the odyssey of a father and his young son through a desolate landscape of devastation and danger. (From Goodreads)

Opening Sentence: "When he woke in the woods in the dark and the cold of night he'd reach out and touch the child sleeping beside him."

Length:Medium - 241 pages

Notes: I'd had this book on my "to-read" list for quite some time. I wish I wouldn't have waited so long to read it! At first, I didn't think I was going to like it. The short, choppy paragraphs kind of bothered me (no actual chapters) and at first, I felt like the story was going nowhere. We were walking down the road, watching out for the bad people. We got really hungry, then found some food. Then we were walking down the road again, and ran out of food again. Then found some more food. But then, somewhere in there, I totally got sucked into this book. I found myself thinking about it when I wasn't reading, and trying to find a spare minute here and there to pick it up and read it. I was completely engrossed in it. It ended up being one of my favorite books that I have read lately. There were a couple of disturbing parts in it, though. And I was left feeling kind of hanging at the end. If I would have gotten a little more closure from the ending, this would have been a 5 star book.

Random quote: “You forget what you want to remember, and you remember what you want to forget.”

Recommend: yes

Have you read this book? Share your feelings!

Book #31 - Something Borrowed

2011-07-18T22:49:00.017-06:00

Something Borrowed
Emily Giffin

Blurb: Meet Rachel White, a young attorney living and working in Manhattan. Rachel has always been the consummate good girl--until her thirtieth birthday, when her best friend Darcy throws her a party. That night, after too many drinks, Rachel ends up in bed with Darcy's fiance'. Although she wakes up determined to put the one-night fling behind her, Rachel is horrified to discover that she has genuine feelings for the one guy she should run from. In her wildest dreams (or worst nightmare?) this is the last thing on earth Rachel could ever have imagined happening. As the September wedding date nears, Rachel knows she has to make a choice. In doing so, she discovers that the lines between right and wrong can be blurry, endings aren't always neat and sometimes you have to risk all to win true happiness. (From Goodreads)

Opening Sentence: "I was in the fifth grade the first time I thought about turning thirty."

Length: Medium - 341 pages

Notes: Don't ask me why I read this book. I guess it's because I'm a sucker for books turned into movies, and I saw that this book was coming out as a movie. But it's about a girl who has an affair with her best friend's fiance. I should have known, right from that, that I wouldn't like this book. It's hard to feel sorry for the main character when she is doing something like having an affair. It almost feels like the author is trying to justify the affair and give reasons for you to side with Rachel, but I really don't see any circumstance where an affair is justified. When I finished the book, I kept asking myself why I even wasted my time reading it. So unless you are ok with affairs, I wouldn't recommend this one!

Random quote: “When you’re in love, sometimes you have to swallow your pride, and sometimes you have to keep your pride. It’s a balance. But when the relationship is right, you find the balance.”

Recommend: no

Have you read this book? Share your feelings!

Happy Birthday to Josh!

2011-07-14T21:12:00.013-06:00

Happy 33rd Birthday to Josh!!

(Please excuse the lack of and the poor quality of the photos!!)

We kept things pretty low key for Josh's birthday this year. He had been craving wings from Winger's, so we picked up some wings and his parents came over for a little feast.

(Abbi doing "here is the church, here is the steeple" with Nanas)

My cake with frosting that totally didn't work. I knew I should have stuck with a recipe I knew was good... But at least the cake was good!

Josh blowing out the candles, and yes - the only picture I have of him. On his birthday. I need to change that next year!!

Happy birthday, Josh! I hope the next year brings good things and that all your wishes come true!

Wordless Wednesday - Little Artist

2011-07-13T14:09:00.002-06:00

Easton Month 4 {at a glance}

2011-07-09T22:43:00.001-06:00

Easton - 4 Months

2011-07-09T22:29:00.025-06:00

Look who is 4 months old!!

At 4 months, Easton:

*Is chewing on anything and everything. Put something near him, and it goes straight into his mouth!
*Is mostly obsessed with chewing on his hands, but chews on his feet as well. :)

*Is a super happy baby. He loves to smile and laugh.
*Is a super chill baby. Most of the time, he is content and doesn't need a lot of attention.

*Is fascinated by the world around him. He always wants to be held facing out so that he can see the world.
*Still has to be swaddled to fall asleep. I've tried not swaddling him, but he won't stay asleep for very long without the swaddle.

*Is still growing like crazy. Weight - 17 lbs. Height -26.5 inches

*Is not sleeping as well. :( He has started waking up once at night.
*But he still takes decent naps. He'll take 1 or 2 really good naps during the day, and 1 shorter nap. But a lot of it depends on how noisy Abbi is!!

*Started rolling over from back to front!
*Tries to get his knees up under him when he is on his belly. This kid wants to move!

Time is just going by much too quickly. But I can't believe how much I love this little guy. He is such a good little boy and such a great blessing to our family!

Wordless Wednesday - Make a Wish

2011-07-06T22:14:00.002-06:00

4th of July Weekend

2011-07-05T23:29:00.000-06:00

I loved that the 4th of July fell on a Monday, because that meant a whole weekend full of festivities!!

The party started on Saturday with a bbq at Tami's house. There was good food and good times had by all!

The morning of the 4th of July started early. We got up at the crack of dawn to head down to the Balloon Festival. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't cooperating, and the balloons didn't launch. At least they inflated a few of them, so it wasn't a total loss!!

We headed back to the car and ate some breakfast from Del Taco. Then it was over to the parade!

We aren't those crazy people who go hours early or sleep out for a good spot. Which means that all of the good spots are usually taken! This is the second year we've gone to the very front of the parade route, which actually works out pretty well. The only bad part is that the parade starts from 2 different spots, so we don't get a very good view of the bands or the balloons. But we still like our spot!!

I wish I would have gotten a picture of this from the front. This lady, dressed up like Cinderella, saw Abbi and came over and shook her hand. Since Abbi is absolutely infatuated with princesses right now, she was practically star-struck. It was the cutest thing!

We were originally going to go swimming after the parade, but since the weather wasn't cooperating, we decided to go home for naps. :)

That night, we headed up to see the Pleasant Grove fireworks. I met my family there - where we all brought picnic dinners and treats to share.

The kids had fun playing together, and Abbi ran off on more than one occasion. She about gave me a heart attack - that little stinker!

The rain mostly held out, but it did sprinkle a bit on us. Thank goodness we had a few umbrellas on hand!

Our spot was pretty amazing for the fireworks show. I have never been so close before! We litterally had to look up and had debris falling all over us. It was a bit scary, but also exciting!

This is a horrible picture, but I just had to post it. This is such typical Abbi - everyone is watching the fireworks show, but she just cares about dancing!!

It was a great holiday weekend!!

A New Look

2011-06-29T22:40:00.011-06:00

I have been wanting to cut my hair forever, and finally took the plunge!! I can't believe how long it had grown. I cut off about 11 inches, and still had my hair down past my shoulders.

The best part about it was that I was able to donate my hair. Once my hair started to get super long, I knew I wanted to donate it when I did cut it. I'm so glad I was able to do that!!

Easton Rolling

2011-06-25T16:39:00.003-06:00

Untitled from Deborah Harroun on Vimeo.

My little boy is rolling!!

Those Toes

2011-06-24T23:18:00.000-06:00

I love it when babies first discover their feet. Easton is in that stage now, and is constantly grabbing at his feet. I love this little guy!!

I love this girl...

2011-06-20T22:15:00.000-06:00

I was going through some folders on my computer and found these 2 videos. This girl sure does make me smile!

Untitled from Deborah Harroun on Vimeo.

Untitled from Deborah Harroun on Vimeo.

Strawberry Days 2011

2011-06-18T22:54:00.006-06:00

Since we promised Abbi a carnival, we hit up Strawberry Days with Josh's mom. Abbi absolutely loved riding the rides, although we'll remember to do this all at Summerfest next year (since it's way cheaper at Summerfest. Strawberry Days was kind of a rip off...) Here was our fun time - in pictures!

Summerfest 2011

2011-06-11T23:52:00.001-06:00

We decided to head over to Summerfest this year for some family time. We didn't really go prepared, and didn't have any cash on us, (and they wanted to charge an arm and a leg to use a card), so we really just walked around for a little bit and checked things out. Abbi was really sad because she wanted to ride on some rides, so we promised her that we'd take her to Strawberry Days. There was a booth where the police were doing free id cards for kids, and Abbi thought that was pretty cool. :)

Later that night, we headed over to watch the fireworks. Abbi got to stay up way past her bedtime, but it was all worth it! (and yes, she just had to wear her tutu with her pjs. Fashionable, I know...)

Easton actually really enjoyed watching the fireworks as well. He was mesmerized!

I definitely don't have the trick down to getting fabulous firework pictures, but it was a good show. Abbi loved it and can't wait until the 4th so she can see some more!!

Book #30 - Incarceron

2011-06-10T12:19:00.015-06:00

Incarceron
Catherine Fisher

Blurb: Incarceron -- a futuristic prison, sealed from view, where the descendants of the original prisoners live in a dark world torn by rivalry and savagery. It is a terrifying mix of high technology -- a living building which pervades the novel as an ever-watchful, ever-vengeful character, and a typical medieval torture chamber -- chains, great halls, dungeons. A young prisoner, Finn, has haunting visions of an earlier life, and cannot believe he was born here and has always been here. In the outer world, Claudia, daughter of the Warden of Incarceron, is trapped in her own form of prison -- a futuristic world constructed beautifully to look like a past era, an imminent marriage she dreads. She knows nothing of Incarceron, except that it exists. But there comes a moment when Finn, inside Incarceron, and Claudia, outside, simultaneously find a device -- a crystal key, through which they can talk to each other. And so the plan for Finn's escape is born ... (From Goodreads)

Opening Sentence: "Finn had been flung on his face and chained to the stone slabs of the transitway."

Length: Medium - 442 pages

Notes: Ok, this was one of the best books I have read this year so far. I have to say, I was a little worried in the beginning because I felt totally lost, but once I got a few chapters in, it all started to make sense. This was such a unique plot and the whole book kept me wanting more. I can't wait to continue the series!

Random quote: "Only the man who has known freedom can define his prison."

Recommend: yes

Have you read this book? Share your feelings!

Easton Month 3 {at a glance}

2011-06-09T23:40:00.000-06:00

Easton - 3 Months

2011-06-09T23:32:00.028-06:00

Easton is 3 months old!! In one sense, I can't believe he is already 3 months old, but in another sense, I feel like he has been a part of our family forever!

At 3 months, Easton:

*Just keeps growing!! On the home scale, he is almost 15 1/2 pounds. What an eater!!
*Has pretty much grown out of all of his 0-3 month clothes, and even the 3-6 month onesies are getting tight!

*Loves to smile. (Although I was having quite the time trying to get him to smile for pictures!) He gets so smiley and excited sometimes, and he kicks his legs like he just can't contain himself!
*Is still pretty chill most of the time, although you can tell when he wants some attention.

*Hates to be where he can't see what is going on. This boy loves to stand up or sit up so he can be part of the action.
*Has started really grabbing things. He now has a couple of toys that he likes to hold onto.

Can sit supported quite well. I hadn't really put him sitting by himself until I did his pictures, and I was actually surprised at how well he sat by himself!
Found his hands and loves to suck on them. He actually loves to suck on everything, including my fingers and arm. (I hope I don't have an early teether!)

*Has really started trying to imitate noises. He loves to coo, but will also try to copy what you are doing.
*Has the cutest laugh. His whole face just lights up!

*Loves the song "Hush, Little Baby". Whenever I'm trying to calm him down or get him to sleep, that song will usually do the trick. (Funny thing is that that is Abbi's favorite song, too!)
*Is mostly sleeping through the night. He'll sleep through about 90% of the time - but still has a few nights where he wants a middle of the night feeding.

It amazes me how in some ways, Easton and Abbi are so much alike, but in other ways, they are so different. I love watching him grow up and love seeing what new things each month brings!

Goodman Family Reunion 2011

2011-06-06T22:18:00.001-06:00

First off - I totally failed at the 30 day photo fun challenge. I guess there is just way too much going on this month - life just got in the way!!

But this past weekend, we had our annual Goodman Family Reunion. We went up to Heber Valley Camp again, which is always a good time! We were in a different camp this year. It was kind of crazy - because the weather has been so crazy this year, I guess there was snow there until the week before our reunion. It was pretty cold, but luckily the cabin was nice and warm. And it was a plus that the pavilion we had this year was enclosed, so we didn't have to really worry about the cold at all!

Here's an overview of the festivities!

Of course, the first thing Abbi discovers are the rocks!!

Shortly after arriving, we headed over to the pavililion, where Abbi found a balloon that provided lots of entertainment.

Then Abbi got to play a game of "Go Fish" with great-grandma and my cousin's husband.

That night, there was dinner, a family meeting and s'mores around the fire. We missed out on the s'mores because it was too cold outside for Easton - we are definitely going to have to go camping soon so we can have some s'mores!!

Later that night, Abbi was so excited to stay up late to play with her cousins, and then to sleep in her own bunk. Abbi has only spent a handful of nights away from home, and she woke up several times through the night. She would cry out, I think because she would wake up and didn't know where she was. I started the night out on a bunk, but it was so incredibly uncomfortable that I ended up moving to the floor. Josh said he didn't sleep much that night, either. Luckily, Easton slept like a champ - probably because he had his bed there that he sleeps on at home!

Day 2 - Abbi headed out on a little hike with daddy down to the pond.

She was so entertained, just throwing rocks into the pond. I went down for a little bit while my mom was watching Easton and got to see Abbi and her daddy playing together.

The view was gorgeous!!

Back up at the pavilion, there were some great crafts.

My cousin and her husband supplied all of the supplies for our crafts. There were some fun 4th of July signs for the adults to paint.

Easton was such a good boy - just hanging out!!

And there were fun wood crafts for the kids, too.

There were calendars and flower pots that the kids could assemble and paint.

Throughout the whole reunion, they would draw names and if your name was drawn, you would get a prize. Abbi won this water gun and had lots of fun with it.

Josh was soaked after awhile, but Abbi had tons of fun!

After lunch, we packed up to head home. I just had to pull out my camera on the way home and snap a picture of the back of Timp. I love how gorgeous and green everything is in the Spring!

Baby Tyce

2011-06-03T22:02:00.000-06:00

So - I haven't really been doing photography lately. After some thought, I decided that I'd rather put my energy into my food blog because it's so hard to make it as a photographer here in Utah. I love doing it, but everyone and their dog is a photographer here, and people charge so little, that it would just take way too much time and energy to build a business. I recently decided to even take down my website, since I was paying for it every month. But, I still love to have opportunities to do photos, because I really do love it!! So whenever I do any photos, I still want to give a little sneak peek - so I decided I'll post them here. (Especially since I'll probably only do pics for family and friends!)

I'm so glad I had the chance to take pictures of my sister's baby - Tyce. This guy is so little! He was born 3 weeks early at 4 pounds 10 ounces. I think he was just over 2 weeks old when we did his pictures, so he had gained some weight, but was still teeny - especially since I am used to Easton who is ginormous!!

It took us awhile to get Tyce to fall asleep enough to cooperate, but once he was asleep, he was so good. I love all of his hair and I'm so glad that Easton will have him as a cousin to grow up with and become great friends!!

30 Day Photo Fun Challenge - Day 2

2011-06-02T21:29:00.001-06:00

Day #2 - Your favorite shoes

It's funny that this is the challenge for today, because just yesterday, I was talking to my sister about how worn out all my shoes are and how much I need to go shopping!! Then, this morning while I was out for a run, I realized that even though these aren't stylish shoes - and maybe they aren't even my favorite shoes to put on in the morning - but these shoes are my favorite for many reasons.

--These shoes are going to help me to get healthy

--These shoes are going to help me lose the last 10 pounds of baby weight

--These shoes are going to give me the energy I need to play with my children

--These shoes are going to give me back my self esteem

--These shoes are going to help me notice the beauty of the world around me as I discover it

--These shoes are going to help to me one day buy a pair of skinny jeans

--These shoes are going to make me stronger, and lighter

--These shoes are going to my ticket to feeling good about myself again!

30 Day Photo Fun Challenge - Day #1

2011-06-01T22:43:00.000-06:00

I came across this post through Pinterest a few days ago, and thought that this would be a fun thing to do. I was just going to post them to my Flickr account, and maybe do a round up on here at the end of the month, but then I decided that I'm going to also post here everyday. So - along with my regular posting, I'll be posting my daily photo challenges as well! (At least maybe this will force me to stay caught up on posting!!)

Day #1 - A Self Portrait.

I love this little girl so much and need to take more opportunities to snap pictures with her!

Spring 2011 Part II

2011-05-30T21:27:00.000-06:00

I guess since today is the un-official first day of summer, I should post the rest of my Spring pics! I didn't get as far through the list as I had hoped, but it was fun getting the ones that I did!

#47 - Raindrops on a window

#13 - Bare feet in the green grass

#35 - Favorite Easter treats

Book #29 - City of Fallen Angels

2011-05-29T08:10:00.000-06:00

City of Fallen Angels
Cassandra Clare

Blurb: City of Fallen Angels takes place two months after the events of City of Glass. In it, a mysterious someone’s killing the Shadowhunters who used to be in Valentine’s Circle and displaying their bodies around New York City in a manner designed to provoke hostility between Downworlders and Shadowhunters, leaving tensions running high in the city and disrupting Clary’s plan to lead as normal a life as she can — training to be a Shadowhunter, and pursuing her relationship with Jace. As Jace and Clary delve into the issue of the murdered Shadowhunters, they discover a mystery that has deeply personal consequences for them — consequences that may strengthen their relationship, or rip it apart forever.

Meanwhile, internecine warfare among vampires is tearing the Downworld community apart, and only Simon — the Daylighter who everyone wants on their side — can decide the outcome; too bad he wants nothing to do with Downworld politics. Love, blood, betrayal and revenge: the stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels. (From Goodreads)

Opening Sentence: "Just coffee, please."

Length: Medium - 424 pages

Notes: I really am over this series now... I've liked it ok, but there are several things in these books that bother me. I think I've just kept reading them because I'm so far into them now, and I didn't want to give up. I actually thought that this was supposed to be the last book in the series, but by the time I got to the ending, I knew that there would be another. But even though everything is left wide open, I don't think I'll keep reading this series. There are just too many other books that I want to read!

Random quote: "L'amor che move il sole e l'altre stelle.
"It means that love is the most powerful force in the world. That love can do anything."

Recommend: no

Have you read this book? Share your feelings!

Wordless Wednesday - Siblings

2011-05-25T23:02:00.001-06:00

Book #28 - Fallen

2011-05-23T23:03:00.000-06:00

Fallen
Lauren Kate

Blurb: There’s something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.

Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price’s attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He’s the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.

Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce–and goes out of his way to make that very clear–she can’t let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret . . . even if it kills her. (From Goodreads)

Opening Sentence: " Around midnight, her eyes at last took shape."

Length: Medium - 452 pages

Notes: I started this book with an open mind. The reviews were very mixed on it. It seemed like people either loved it or hated it. I actually didn't hate it. Until the ending. It just seemed to have so much that came into play in the end, and characters hopping out of the woodwork. And the ending was way too fantastical for me. I don't think I'll continue reading this series...

Random quote: "The only way to survive eternity is to be able to appreciate each moment."

Recommend: no

Have you read this book? Share your feelings!

Rear View Mirror

2011-05-12T21:08:00.000-06:00

This is why I try to always carry my camera with me. We were out, and it was a nice day. Abbi wanted her window down, and as I looked in the rear view mirror, I couldn't help but smile at how much fun she was having with the window down! I'm so glad I was able to capture that moment! (and no - it looks like I'm in the driver's seat, but I'm in the passenger seat. I wasn't taking pictures while driving!!)

Book #27 - Austenland

2011-05-11T20:49:00.008-06:00

Austenland
Shannon Hale

Blurb: Jane Hayes is a seemingly normal young New Yorker, but she has a secret. Her obsession with Mr. Darcy, as played by Colin Firth in the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, is ruining her love life: no real man can compare. But when a wealthy relative bequeaths her a trip to an English resort catering to Austen-crazed women, Jane's fantasies of meeting the perfect Regency-era gentleman suddenly become realer than she ever could have imagined.

Decked out in empire-waist gowns, Jane struggles to master Regency etiquette and flirts with gardeners and gentlemen;or maybe even, she suspects, with the actors who are playing them. It's all a game, Jane knows. And yet the longer she stays, the more her insecurities seem to fall away, and the more she wonders: Is she about to kick the Austen obsession for good, or could all her dreams actually culminate in a Mr. Darcy of her own? (From Goodreads)

Opening Sentence: " It is a truth universally acknowledged that a thirty-something woman in possession of a satisfying career and fabulous hairdo must be in want of very little, and Jane Hayes, pretty enough and clever enough, was certainly thought to have little to distress her."

Length: Short - 196 pages

Notes: I actually liked this book more than I should probably admit to. :) It had really mixed reviews on Goodreads, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I think I liked it so much because I saw some of myself in Jane - back before I got married. I think I could relate to her, and it made me really like her. I found this book completely entertaining!

Random quote: " All the hours she had spent daydreaming of living in Austen’s world, and now here she was pondering the mundane realities of normal life. It seemed too cruel."

Recommend: yes

Have you read this book? Share your feelings!

Easton Month 2 {at a glance}

2011-05-10T14:55:00.001-06:00

Easton - 2 Months

2011-05-09T13:17:00.002-06:00

Look who is 2 months old!!

At 2 months, Easton:

*Is the giant baby!! He weighed in at 13 pounds, 7 ounces at his 2 month check up.
*Is still a super chill baby for the most part. He does have his moments, but for the most part, he's the easiest baby ever!

*has eyes that are turning bluer and bluer every day. This one's going to take after his daddy!
*discovered the wonder of the ceiling fan. He loves to watch it go around and around!
*has started cooing. He still mostly grunts, but has some adorable coos now!

*has started grabbing things better - mostly my hair! He loves to grab on and not let go! He also loves to grab onto my hands and arms and clothes.
*has really started smiling. (Although I couldn't get him to smile for any of these pictures!) And unlike Abbi, he usually starts hamming it up once he hears the clicking of the camera.
*really loves his daddy. Whenever he can hear or see daddy, he starts to smile.

*loves to stand up. He's got great leg strength and loves to be held on the ground with him standing.
*Is an excellent sleeper. He's going about 5 to 6 hours at night now!
*must have pretty vivid dreams, because he often laughs and cries while he is sleeping.

I sure do love this little guy! I can't imagine my life without him!

Book #26 - From a Distance

2011-05-08T20:48:00.012-06:00

From a Distance
Tamera Alexander

Blurb: What happens when the realization of a dream isn't what you imagined... and the secret you've spent a lifetime guarding is finally laid bare?

Determined to become one of the country's premier newspaper photographers, Elizabeth Westbrook travels to the Colorado Territory to capture the grandeur of the mountains surrounding the remote town of Timber Ridge. She hopes, too, that the cool, dry air of Colorado, and its renowned hot springs, will cure the mysterious illness that threatens her career, and her life. Daniel Ranslett is a man shackled by his Confederate past, and he'll do anything to protect his land, and his solitude. When an outspoken Yankee photographer captures an image that appears key to solving a murder, putting herself in danger, Daniel is called upon to repay a debt. He's a man of his word, but repaying that debt could reveal secrets from his past he would prefer remain buried.

Forced on a perilous journey together, Daniel and Elizabeth's lives intertwine in ways neither could have imagined when first they met from a distance. (From Goodreads)

Opening Sentence: " Elizabeth Garrett Westbrook stepped closer to the cliff’s ede, not the least intimidated by the chasm’s vast plunge."

Length: Medium - 352 pages

Notes: I really like historical fiction. I think that's how this book made it to my list in the first place. It's also classified as a romance, but not that kind of romance. :) It is a "Christian" romance, which basically meant it was really clean. And there was some religious content in it, but nothing too cheesy. I honestly didn't know if I would really like this book, but it was good. Not so good that I want to immediately run out and read all the books in the series, but I may read them one by one, down the road. The main character is a photographer, so that aspect - of how difficult photography was back in the 1800s - was also really fascinating to me.

Random quote: "At thirty-two, she still wasn't the woman she wanted to be, which was partially why she'd traveled nineteen hundred miles west to Timber Ridge, Colorado. To leave behind a life she'd settled for, in exchange for the pursuit of a dream, for however long she had left."

Recommend: yes

Have you read this book? Share your feelings!

Motherhood

2011-05-08T20:24:00.002-06:00

I was sitting here, the evening of Mother's Day, thinking about how this day didn't go quite as I had planned. I'll admit that it wasn't the best Mother's Day. I was feeling a bit sorry for myself, and then my children's faces popped into my head. I realized how lucky I am to have them in my life. Each of them so different, and so special. And I couldn't help but think about just how blessed I am.

For Abbi - for her smile that seems to go on for days. I love how she loves life. How she is such a free spirit. How she believes that by saying "I'm Sorry" all of the problems and hurt go away. I love that she still loves to cuddle after nap time and when she gets tired. I love her laugh and her love for her family. I love that every single day, she asks to go to nana and gump gump's house, or to one of her cousin's houses, or to grandma and grandpa's house. I hope she always keeps that love of family with her. I love that she is the smartest little 2 year old that I know. I love that she dances in circles and sings songs at the top of her lungs. I love that she can't go to bed at night without a kiss from both her mommy and her daddy.

For Easton - I know he's only been with us for 2 short months so far, but there is already so much to love. I love that he is such an even tempered baby. I love that he smiles so big for his daddy and his sister. I love that he sleeps so well and that he's always so happy to just chill out in his bouncy chair. I love the cuddle time we get together. I love the way he looks up at me when he is eating - I can already see the love in his eyes. I love wondering what kind of boy he's going to be, what kind of man he is going to be.

As I was thinking about these 2 angels in my life, I couldn't help but realize that it's not about the day - it's about how blessed we are. I remember back in my early 20s, how I just wanted to be a mom. It's the only thing I've ever felt like I was called to do in this life. It's definitely the hardest job that I have ever had, and sometimes I wonder how I'm going to raise these children to be what I want them to be - what their Heavenly Father wants them to be. But I know I have a lot of love to give, and the love that they have given me is more than I could ever ask for. And that makes this a perfect Mother's Day!

Tulip Festival 2011

2011-05-06T20:08:00.017-06:00

(Warning - photo overload on this post!!)

It was time again for the Thanksgiving Point Tulip Festival!! It was kind of funny, because Josh and I were talking about how we didn't go to the Tulip Festival this year, then a couple of hours later, I got a text from Tami saying they were going and wondering if we wanted to meet up!

So Abbi, Easton and I headed up to meet up with Tami and Janell. Traffic was really bad, and Janell was delayed, so Abbi, Easton and I had some time to hang out and run in the grass and take some pictures before we met up with the girls and their kiddos.

Abbi had to sport her cool sunglasses, and Easton just slept away!

"Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart,...for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and enliven the soul." D&C 59: 18-19

The perfect words!!

I love watching these 3 boys together - they are the best of friends!!

It's a good thing that Abbi is good for hanging with the boys - especially since she doesn't have any girl cousins her age!!

And thank goodness for Tami - saving the day with a bag full of fruit snacks!!

Yes, Easton slept through almost the whole thing. At the end, he did wake up hungry and was not happy. I had a screaming baby the entire way to the car - poor guy.

Tami to the rescue again - saving the kids from the heat with Creamies.

I think that Abbi was completely exhausted at the end of the day. When we got home, she grabbed her blanket and went and laid down in the backyard with it. What a goof!! But what a beautiful and fun-filled day!!

Spring 2011 - Part I

2011-05-03T18:15:00.000-06:00

I love Springtime - even if Spring in Utah is short lived. I found this checklist online, and thought it would be fun to see how many of these Spring-things I could capture with my camera. It's nice to take the time every once in awhile to slow down and look around you! So - here's part 1!

#31 - seedlings poking out of the soil

#30 - close up of Easter decor

#10 - new life

#24 - a patch of dandilions

#1 - a tree in bloom

Fashionista

2011-05-02T21:41:00.004-06:00

I just had to post this because it cracked me up. I was in feeding Easton, and Abbi wanted to go outside and play in the backyard, but she was still in her pajamas. Josh said he would get her dressed so she could go out. She walked out wearing this outfit, which made me laugh to start off with, but then she wanted to wear her snow boots. I let her - she was just playing in the backyard, after all. I just had to laugh - although who knows? Maybe this is a totally fashionable outfit these days!

Easton's Blessing

2011-05-01T21:38:00.014-06:00

What a blessing this little guy is!! We blessed him at church today. Josh did such a great job. And I'm so grateful that there was a girl in the congregation that wrote down his blessing for us. I never even thought of doing that - although I don't know how good I would have been at it since I always get so caught up in the emotion of it!!

After church, we all headed over to our house for some lunch. I'm so grateful for my family and that they were able to be there with us! We were hoping for nice weather so we could eat outside, and while it was a little nicer than it had been the previous days, it was still a little cold and windy, so most everyone ended up back inside!

I'm so sad that I got so caught up in everything that I never even took pictures of Easton in his blessing outfit. All we have are these family pictures - but I love the family pictures, too! I have to admit that it's sometimes hard to get pictures of Easton when I want them because he sleeps so much! :).

The food was delicious, and the company was wonderful! I was sad when everyone left to go home. I love spending time with my family!

I told Janell that I was going to put this picture on my blog - so I had to do it!! I love ya Janell!

Abbi - April 2011

2011-04-30T20:12:00.001-06:00

Hiding from mommy

Smiles after crying

Trip to the store with Daddy

My little Pippy Long Stocking!

Playing with mommy's make up

Running in the backyard! (I love those chubby legs!)

Bubble Time!

Easter Sunday egg hunt

Watching the rain fall. She would much rather be outside!

Dancing in the backyard

Book #25 - How to Be Lost

2011-04-29T21:16:00.003-06:00

How to Be Lost
Amanda Eyre Ward

Blurb:Joseph and Isabelle Winters seem to have it all: a grand home in Holt, New York, a trio of radiant daughters, and a sense that they are safe in their affluent corner of America. But when five-year-old Ellie disappears, the fault lines within the family are exposed: Joseph, once a successful businessman, succumbs to his demons; Isabelle retreats into memories of her debutante days in Savannah; and Ellie s bereft sisters grow apart Madeline reluctantly stays home, while Caroline runs away.

Fifteen years later, Caroline, now a New Orleans cocktail waitress, sees a photograph of a woman in a magazine. Convinced that it is Ellie all grown up, Caroline embarks on a search for her missing sister. Armed with copies of the photo, an amateur detective guide, and a cooler of Dixie beer, Caroline travels through the New Mexico desert, the mountains of Colorado, and the smoky underworld of Montana, determined to salvage her broken family.(From Goodreads)

Opening Sentence: "The afternoon before, I planned how I would tell her."

Length: Medium - 290 pages

Notes: I almost stopped reading this book at the beginning. I have to warn first off that there is some bad language in this book. Which is almost why I stopped reading it. In the end, I'm glad I kept reading it, although I can't say that I totally loved the book. I loved the concept. And I love the message you get out of it at the end. But I wasn't totally drawn in by the writing, and some of the time I felt like I was just reading to get through it. This one was a middle of the road book for me.

Random quote: "When you are small, if you reach out, and nobody takes your hand, you stop reaching out, and reach inside, instead."

Recommend: maybe

Have you read this book? Share your feelings!

Thursday Afternoon

2011-04-28T20:55:00.000-06:00

Now that the weather is turning nice outside, there is one place you will find Abbi every day - in the back yard.

Honestly - I don't know why I bother getting her dressed in the morning. This is what she usually ends up looking like a few hours into the day. Her skirt turned into a shirt and putting on a tutu. She has 3 tutus right now, and I don't think there is a day that goes by that she doesn't spend at least some time in one of them.

A typical Thursday afternoon right now is spent in the backyard. Today's activity? Sidewalk chalk!

This is Abbi's first experience with sidewalk chalk, and I think she's hooked. It's amazing how many hours of fun a $1 package of sidewalk chalk will buy you.

She was so funny to watch, because even though she can't really draw more than scribbles, she would tell me what she was drawing while she was drawing. I think this girl is a born artist!!

Wordless Wednesday - Blue-Eyed Boy

2011-04-27T21:30:00.000-06:00

Book #24 - The Maze Runner

2011-04-27T11:03:00.000-06:00

The Maze Runner
James Dashner

Blurb: Imagine waking up one day in total darkness, unsure of where you are and unable to remember anything about yourself except your first name. You're in a bizarre place devoid of adults called the Glade. The Glade is an enclosed structure with a jail, a graveyard, a slaughterhouse, living quarters, and gardens. And no way out. Outside the Glade is the Maze, and every day some of the kids -- the Runners -- venture into the labyrinth, trying to map the ever-changing pattern of walls in an attempt to find an exit from this hellish place. So far, no one has figured it out. And not all of the Runners return from their daily exertions, victims of the maniacal Grievers, part animal, part mechanical killing machines.

Thomas is the newest arrival to the Glade in this Truman-meets-Lord of the Flies tale. A motley crew of half a dozen kids is all he has to guide him in this strange world. As soon as he arrives, unusual things begin to happen, and the others grow suspicious of him. Though the Maze seems somehow familiar to Thomas, he's unable to make sense of the place, despite his extraordinary abilities as a Runner. What is this place, and does Thomas hold the key to finding a way out? (From Goodreads)

Opening Sentence: "He began his new life standing up, surrounded by cold darkness and stale, dusty air."

Length: Medium - 374 pages

Notes: I felt that Matched lacked the action of The Hunger Games, but I felt like this book gave me that action that I was looking for. I loved the story line of this book, and it was definitely a page turner that kept me reading - wanting to find out what happens next. It is one of those books that totally leaves you hanging at the end, so I will be reading the next book in the series to find out what happens next. I did get a little annoyed at the slang words the characters used, but that was only minor. Can't wait to read the second book!

Random quote: "Such a display of death - how could it be considered a victory?"

Recommend: yes

Have you read this book? Share your feelings!

April Snow

2011-04-26T21:14:00.002-06:00

If April showers are supposed to bring May flowers, what do April snowstorms bring?

Moments

2011-04-25T20:24:00.014-06:00

I have been finding myself wanting to capture more of the every day moments in Abbi's life. Moments running in the yard, coloring in her coloring books, playing with play doh. The times when her hair is all crazy, her clothes don't match (or she's not wearing clothes at all!), when she has cookies all over her face. Those real moments.

I have a feeling when I look back in 20 years, these are the moments I'm going to want to remember. Sure, the outings and things out of the ordinary are fun to do, but I think that some of the real memories are just in the every day moments.

These are the moments I want to remember forever!

Easter 2011

2011-04-24T22:21:00.001-06:00

We had such a great Easter this year!

The day started with finding Easter baskets when Abbi woke up.

I think she was the most excited about her new coloring book!

The Easter Bunny even brought Easton some treasures!

That afternoon, we got dressed up - Abbi and Easton in their Easter best - and headed to church to hear more about the Savior. We had a missionary that just came home from his mission, so it was great to hear from him speaking about Easter.

Then it was time for eggs! We headed down to Tami's house for the Easter festivities. It was a cool, rainy day, but at least the rain held out while we did a few egg hunts. Abbi loved looking for the eggs. She wasn't half bad at it, either!

It's hard to believe how much she has grown over the last year.

This was Easter 2010 - she was just a baby!

We even were able to take a rare mother/daughter photo. I really need to do this more often!

Little Easton slept most of the time, and when he was awake, he was a little fussy. Good thing I had family there to hold him! :) Bad thing is that I didn't even get a picture of my kids together in their Easter outfits (because I didn't want to wake up Easton). Oh well... Maybe next year!

It was a fun day, and I'm sure Abbi will be asking to hide eggs again tomorrow!

The Coloring of the Eggs

2011-04-23T21:17:00.006-06:00

As Abbi is getting older, I find myself looking more and more forward to activities like coloring eggs. I can't believe that just last year she was so little that she didn't even really understand what was going on!!

Although she was still too young to really be able to do everything, she definitely wanted to get in and get her hands dirty this year. (Notice the yellow dye being spilled out of the mug in the picture above??)

But she was able to participate, telling us what color to color each egg. But she definitely wanted to reach in and do things herself!

Easton just hung out in his swing - what a good baby he is!!

And Abbi even smiled for the camera! She was super excited for the eggs to dry so that she could put on stickers.

She patiently waited and waited...

And then covered her egg with stickers!!

What a fun time! Now just to wait until it's time for the Easter egg hunt!

Book #23 - Matched

2011-04-23T18:00:00.034-06:00

Matched
Ally Condie

Blurb: Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow. (From Goodreads)

Opening Sentence: "Now that I’ve found the way to fly, which direction should I go into the night?"

Length: Medium - 366 pages

Notes: This is one of those books that has been getting a lot of hype. In fact, I had to wait quite awhile to get it from the library. And I was super excited to dig into it. I read a few reviews before hand, and a lot of people compared it to The Hunger Games, so I was really excited. Well, I wouldn't exactly say that I was disappointed, because I did really like the book, but I don't really understand why it was compared to The Hunger Games. The only thing that it has in common is that it is a dystopian novel, and that there is a love triangle. But, this book didn't have near the action that The Hunger Games did. In fact, I kept waiting for it to pick up, but I didn't even feel like there was really a climax there. I know I'm making it sound like I didn't really like it, which I did like it. It just wasn't the page turner that I was hoping for. I will definitely be reading the next book in the series, though, and look forward to seeing what happens!

Random quote: "They have perfected the art of giving us just enough freedom; just enough that when we are ready to snap, a little bone is offered and we roll over, belly up, comfortable and placated like a dog I saw once when we visited my grandparents in the Farmlands. They've had decades to perfect this; why am I surprised when it works again and again?"

"Lying in bed, my body and soul bruised and tired, I realize that the Officials are right. Once you want something everything changes. Now I want everything. More and more and more. I want to pick my work position. Marry who I choose. Eat pie for breakfast and run down a real street instead of on a tracker. Go fast when I want and slow when I want. Decide which poems I want to read and what words I want to write. There is so much that I want. I feel it so much that I am water, a river of want, pooled in the shape of a girl named Cassia."

Recommend: yes

Have you read this book? Share your feelings!

Bubbles!

2011-04-22T19:52:00.000-06:00

Lately, I find myself often looking down at Abbi, wondering where my baby has gone. She has seemed to just grow up so much - especially in the last 6 months or so. She is talking like crazy and understands way more than I ever give her credit for. I look back and see pictures of her, and realize just how fast she is growing up.

Which is why I've been trying harder lately to take advantage of every moment I have with her. I realize that she's not going to be so little forever, and I don't ever want to look back, regretting that we didn't have more days in the backyard playing bubbles.

.I took probably 100 pictures - it just made me smile to see her running around the backyard chasing those bubbles. Ohh, to be a child again!

I seriously can't get enough of this little girl. I love how carefree and happy she is - and how it only take a bubble gun and a big bottle of bubbles to make her happy

Watching bubbles...

Chasing after bubbles...

And even getting the dog involved! (I love this picture of Max!)

And when mommy has to get up to check on Easton, Abbi just takes over!

She seriously picked up the bubble gun and just went to town. I have this idea in my head that she is still this helpless little girl, but she is growing up so fast!

I know there will be plenty more days spent like this in the backyard!

Make Up Girl

2011-04-21T12:08:00.002-06:00

Abbi's first experience with makeup. Boy am I in trouble when this girl turns into a teenager!!

Wordless Wednesday - Rainy Day Activities

2011-04-20T20:42:00.002-06:00

Book #22 - Physik

2011-04-19T22:27:00.000-06:00

Physik
Angie Sage

Blurb: Silas has only himself to blame for sparking the plot of the third Septimus Heap installment. Unsealing a long-forgotten room in the palace, he accidentally unleashes the formerly inert spirit of malevolent old Queen Etheldredda. Five hundred years of downtime have not mellowed the scheming monarch; in fact, she's now eager to enact a devilish plan to make herself immortal and omnipotent. To neutralize her, Septimus and his allies must go into corrective overdrive.(From Goodreads)

Opening Sentence: "Silas Heap and Gringe, the North Gatekeeper, are in a dark and dusty corner of the Palace attic."

Length: Long - 544 pages

Notes:What can I say? I just really like this series!! They are an entertaining, easy read and I look forward to each book. And I just saw that a 6th book was released this year!! The books are quite long, but they go by pretty quickly. This one was full of adventure, and I really liked the new characters introduced. This is the first book where there was something left unresolved, so I'll definitely be reading the next book to see what happens!

Random quote: "Septimus was suddenly horribly afraid that the Antidote would not work. He glanced nervously at Marcia, who whispered, "It will work, Septimus. You must believe in it." Physik isn't like Magyk," said Septimus unhappily. "It doesn't matter whether you expect it to work or not. Either it does or it doesn't." "I doubt that very much," said Marcia. "A little belief in something always helps."

Recommend: yes

Have you read this book? Share your feelings!

Today...

2011-04-18T21:17:00.000-06:00

Today outside my window…it was rainy and a little cold. But at least it feels like Spring today!

I am thinking about…putting together a vision board. I'm feeling like I need some goals and something visual will definitely help.

I am thankful for… my children. They really make my life feel complete.

From the kitchen…all I made today were deviled eggs. Oh, the life of a food blogger...

I am wearing…my jammies - although I did actually get dressed today to go to the store!

I am reading…Physik. Yes, it's a junior book, but the series is so darn entertaining!

I am looking forward to…Easter. Family and food - what could be better??

I am hearing…Easton's swing rocking and Josh watching Pawn Stars.

A few plans for the rest of the week…library day tomorrow and heading to the dollar store to try to find some scarves. I think I'm going to try to be crafty and make Abbi's Easter skirt!

I need to remember…to have more patience. It's been a little lacking the last week.

A picture to share…you can't tell me that I don't have the cutest kids - ever. Just look at that little boy!!

Book #21 - Dark Life

2011-04-15T09:14:00.000-06:00

Dark Life
Kat Falls

Blurb: Set in an apocalyptic future where rising oceans have swallowed up entire regions and people live packed like sardines on the dry land left, DARK LIFE is the harrowing tale of underwater pioneers who have carved out a life for themselves in the harsh deep-sea environment, farming the seafloor in exchange for the land deed.

The story follows Ty, who has lived his whole life on his family's homestead and has dreams of claiming his own stake when he turns eighteen. But when outlaws' attacks on government supply ships and settlements threaten to destroy the underwater territory, Ty finds himself in a fight to stop the outlaws and save the only home he has ever known.

Joined by a girl from the Topside who has come subsea to look for her prospector brother, Ty ventures into the frontier's rough underworld and begins to discover some dark secrets to Dark Life.

As Ty gets closer to the truth, he discovers that the outlaws may not be the bloodthirsty criminals the government has portrayed them as. And that the government abandoning the territory might be the best thing for everyone, especially for someone like Ty, someone with a Dark Gift.(From Goodreads)

Opening Sentence: "I peered into the deep-sea canyon, hoping to spot a toppled skyscraper."

Length: Medium - 297 pages

Notes:Confession - I haven't always known what "dystopia" meant. In fact, it was pretty recently that I had to look it up. (In case you don't know either, it means "an often futuristic society that has degraded into a repressive and controlled state, often under the guise of being utopian. Dystopian literature has underlying cautionary tones, warning society that if we continue to live how we do, this will be the consequence.") But after browsing through several book blogs and seeing the term over and over, I looked it up. This book falls into that category. (And it seems to me like this is a really popular genre right now - right alongside vampires and warewolves and faeries...) And I really liked this book. The whole idea of setting up farms and cities underwater was really fascinating to me. And believable. There were times that I thought this book was a little bit predictable, but it was definitely a page turner. I can't wait for the next book in the series!

Random quote: "'But you're not,' Gemma said. 'You're different. Special. You may as well admit it. And just so you know, it's not normal to want to be normal. People who are normal want to be special.'"

Recommend: yes

Have you read this book? Share your feelings!

Wordless Wednesday - Spring

2011-04-13T21:12:00.000-06:00

Brush, Brush, Brush

2011-04-11T20:10:00.001-06:00

Brushing her teeth is almost like a treat for Abbi - ever since she got to start using toothpaste! Seriously, before, when it was time to brush her teeth, she would cry and fight going to the bathroom. Now, when I tell her it's time to brush her teeth, she is the first one into the bathroom!

It's amazing what a Dora toothbrush and some My Little Pony toothpaste will do!! The only problem we have is with the spitting. If any of you have any advice, I could use it - because Abbi doesn't know how to spit. And I don't know how to teach her. When I tell her it's time to spit, she swallows the toothpaste and then spits with her lips and with her mouth almost closed. We tried practicing with water, but that didn't work either. Any words of advice?

Easton Month 1

2011-04-10T22:29:00.000-06:00

Taking a picture a day of Abbi was such a fun and great experience, I thought I'd do the same thing for Easton, but in the first year of his life. What I didn't think of was the fact that babies don't really do a lot, so there aren't any fun stories or quirky things that he does in each of the pictures! So, instead of doing a weekly recap, I decided just to do a collage of all the pictures at the end of each month of his life. And yes, I already started out badly by missing a few days, but oh well!!

Easton - 1 Month

2011-04-09T15:31:00.001-06:00

Look who's already a month old!! I can't believe how fast time flies!

I loved having Abbi's monthly pictures with the onesie, so of course, I had to do them with Easton as well!!

At one month, Easton:

*Is such a good baby. Where Abbi needed to be held constantly, Easton is usually content to lay in the bouncer, swing, or even on the ground.
*Is a big eater! He was 8 lbs. 6 oz. at birth, 9 pounds at his 2 week appointment, and around 11 pounds at a month (according to our at home scale)!!

*Is on a great 3 hour schedule.
*Is a great sleeper! In fact, he sleeps more than any other baby I have known!
*Sleeps 4 to 5 hours the first stretch at night. Mommy loves that!

*Has the cutest little half smile. He'll do it often when he is sleeping - I think he has good dreams. :)
*Is a grunter. He is seriously a noisy baby. He'll grunt when he's asleep, he'll grunt when he's awake, he'll grunt when he's eating.

*Is a very even tempered baby. The only times he gets upset is when he is naked, when he is hungry, or for about an hour around 7pm at night. But besides that, he rarely cries!
*Loves to sit upright. He's much happier siting upright than laying down when he is awake.
*Already is super strong. He's already got great neck control and strength, and loves to stand on his little legs.

*Can sleep through anything. In fact, the noisier it is, the better he sleeps - I think! Turn on the vacuum, the mixer, the dishwasher - he'll sleep through it all!
*Makes the funniest shapes with his mouth. My favorite is when he forms a little 'o'. I'm guessing it has something to do with wanting to eat, but he does it a lot and I think it's super cute!

*Has eyes that are turning bluer and bluer every day. I really think he's going to take after his daddy!
*Will only put his head to the side when he is laying down (as you can tell by the pictures). I don't know why, but he does not like to look straight up!

We sure do love this little guy and are so grateful that he is here with us!! I'm looking forward to what the next days and months bring!

Book #20 - Keeping the Moon

2011-04-08T16:15:00.009-06:00

Keeping the Moon
Sarah Dessen

Blurb: Colie expects the worst when she's sent to spend the summer with her eccentric aunt Mira while her mother, queen of the television infomercial, tours Europe. Always an outcast -- first for being fat and then for being "easy" -- Colie has no friends at home and doesn't expect to find any in Colby, North Carolina. But then she lands a job at the Last Chance Cafe and meets fellow waitresses Morgan and Isabel, best friends with a loving yet volatile relationship. Wacky yet wise, Morgan and Isabel help Colie see herself in a new way and realize the potential that has been there all along. (From Goodreads)

Opening Sentence: "My name is Nicole Sparks."

Length: Short - 228 pages

Notes: While cleaning out the baby's room, I found a piece of paper that I had written a bunch of author's names on from forever ago. I don't know where I got them or if they were recommended somewhere, but I copied the names over to my "to read" list. This was one of the authors. This book is definitely written for a teen audience, but I did actually like it. I thought it had a good message - especially for teen girls. There are a few minor swear words. I don't know if I'd go and immediately read everything by this author, but I'd definitely pick up another one of her books if I'm looking for a quick, easy read!

Random quote: "I don't believe in failure, because simply by saying you've failed, you've admitted you attempted. And anyone who attempts is not a failure. Those who truly fail in my eyes are the ones who never try at all. The ones who sit on the couch and whine and moan and wait for the world to change for them."

Recommend: yes

Have you read this book? Share your feelings!

Book #19 - The Lost Saint

2011-04-04T12:08:00.000-06:00

The Lost Saint
Bree Despain

Blurb: A family destroyed. A love threatened. An enemy returns.

Grace Divine made the ultimate sacrifice to cure Daniel Kalbi. She was infected with the werewolf curse while trying to save him, and lost her beloved brother in the process.

Desperate to find Jude, Grace befriends Talbot, a newcomer to town. But as the two grow closer, Grace's relationship with Daniel is put in danger - in more ways than one.

Unaware of the dark path she is walking, Grace begins to give into the wolf inside of her - not realizing that an enemy has returned and a deadly trap is about to be sprung.

Bree Despain delivers sizzling romance and thrilling action in the heart-pounding sequel to the The Dark Divine. (From Goodreads)

Opening Sentence: " 'Do what he wants and you might survive,' a harsh voice said into the boy's ear before he felt a sharp blow to the kidneys."

Length: Medium - 404 pages

Notes:Yet more proof that I enjoy cheesy teenage books more than an adult book with substance!! I am really liking this series. Yes, it has some issues, but once again, it is a teen book, and it's pretty much to be accepted. I thought this one was a little bit more predictable than the first book, but I'll definitely continue reading the series!

Random quote: "If you let anger into your heart, it will push out your ability to love."

Recommend: yes

Have you read this book? Share your feelings!

It's Park Time!!

2011-04-02T22:32:00.000-06:00

We were so happy for a couple of days of warm weather! Abbi has been ~~asking~~ begging to go to the park lately, so we headed out for some park time! I can tell there are going to be many, many park days ahead of us! (And probably lots of park pictures to go along!)

Book #18 - Crescendo

2011-03-31T15:33:00.002-06:00

Crescendo
Becca Fitzpatrick

Blurb: Nora Grey's life is still far from perfect. Surviving an attempt on her life wasn't pleasant, but atleast she got a guardian angel out of it: a mysterious, magnetic, gorgeous guardian angel. But, despite his role in her life, Patch has been acting anything but angelic. He's more elusive than ever and even worse, he's started spending time with Nora's arch-enemy, Marcie Millar.

Nora would have hardly noticed Scott Parnell, an old family friend who has moved back to town, if Path hadnt been acting so distant. Even with Scott's totally infuriating attitude Nora finds herself drawn to him - despite her lingering feeling that he's hiding something.

Haunted by images of her murdered father, and questioning whether her nephilim bloodline has anything to do with his death, Nora puts herself increasingly in dangerous situations as she desperatly searches for answers. But maybe some things are better left buried, because the truth could destroy everything - and everyone - she trusts. (From Goodreads)

Opening Sentence: "The fingers of the thorn-apple tree clawed at the windowpane behind Harrison Grey, and he dog-eared his page, no longer able to read through the racket."

Length: Medium - 427 pages

Notes: Ok, so my last book, I said that I just must not like the classics. Well, now I'm saying that I must just like cheesy teen fiction, because I devoured this book. This is the second in the series, and I read the first awhile ago, so I had a hard time remembering exactly what happened in the first book, but it mostly came back to me as I was reading. I seriously read this in 2 days, that's how entertaining I found it! I have the same complaints that I had with the first book - mainly that there is content in here that I don't think belongs in a "teen" book. There is talk of sex, nothing graphic, but still - nothing I would want my teenage daughter reading. But it was definitely a page turner for me!!

Random quote: "Being with you never felt wrong. It's the one thing I did right. You're the one thing I did right."

Recommend: yes

Have you read this book? Share your feelings!

Abbi - March 2011

2011-03-31T14:36:00.000-06:00

Helping Max to eat his food!

She still loves to color!

One of my favorites! This was when she first came to the hospital to meet Easton. It was love at first sight!

PB&J face!

You'll notice she loves to wear these pjs. Even if I get her dressed during the day, she usually just wants to switch back into some of her princess pajamas!

So sad... :(

My beautiful girl

Yes, the pjs again. And a tutu.

Wanting to have her picture taken

If it's not the pjs, it's a tutu!!

March Abbi-isms

2011-03-31T07:13:00.000-06:00

While playing ball with her daddy - "Nice throw daddy!"

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After putting her to bed for the night - "I miss you mommy."

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When asking her if she wants to go potty on the "big" potty - "no mama - I'm just too big."

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After going to the bathroom on her potty:
Me: I'm so proud of you!!
Abbi: I'm so proud of you mommy! (and then to her daddy): I'm so proud of you daddy!

Book #17 - The Great Gatsby

2011-03-30T20:30:00.003-06:00

The Great Gastby
F. Scott Fitzgerald

Blurb: A love story, of sorts, the narrative of Gatsby's quixotic passion for Daisy Buchanan. The pair meet five years before the novel begins, when Daisy is a legendary young Louisville beauty and Gatsby an impoverished officer. They fall in love, but while Gatsby serves overseas, Daisy marries the brutal, bullying, but extremely rich Tom Buchanan. After the war, Gatsby devotes himself blindly to the pursuit of wealth by whatever means--and to the pursuit of Daisy, which amounts to the same thing. "Her voice is full of money," Gatsby says admiringly, in one of the novel's more famous descriptions. His millions made, Gatsby buys a mansion across Long Island Sound from Daisy's patrician East Egg address, throws lavish parties, and waits for her to appear. When she does, events unfold with all the tragic inevitability of a Greek drama, with detached, cynical neighbor Nick Carraway acting as chorus throughout. Spare, elegantly plotted, and written in crystalline prose, The Great Gatsby is as perfectly satisfying as the best kind of poem.(From Goodreads)

Opening Sentence: "In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since."

Length: Short - 180 pages

Notes: I think that maybe I just don't like the classics. This wasn't my favorite book. People chasing after money, affairs, running away from accountability, murder...that's pretty much what this book was all about to me! I didn't like the characters at all. Maybe it's supposed to be all about the writing, and not the story. I don't know. I feel like something is wrong with me for admitting that I didn't really like this book, but I didn't!

Random quote: "Let us learn to show our friendship for a man when he is alive and not after he is dead."

Recommend: ehhh

Have you read this book? Share your feelings!

{NEW}born

2011-03-25T16:09:00.000-06:00

The thing that really pushed me into wanting to get into photography was the birth of Abbi. My biggest regret was that I didn't have any newborn pictures of her. In fact, those first few days/weeks, the photos were pretty awful. So I was determined to never let that happen again. With my other children, I was going to have great newborn pictures.

Well, now I've determined that I will hire someone to do them next time around. Not only was I super out of practice, but the days/weeks after Easton's birth were full of cloudy days. No sunlight makes it hard for someone that relies on natural light for photos. Not to mention that Easton does not like to be undressed.

But... I did manage to get a few good pictures. Enough for hanging in his room, at least. So I didn't totally fail...

Book #16 - The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

2011-03-24T15:35:00.000-06:00

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie
Alan Bradley

Blurb: It is the summer of 1950–and at the once-grand mansion of Buckshaw, young Flavia de Luce, an aspiring chemist with a passion for poison, is intrigued by a series of inexplicable events: A dead bird is found on the doorstep, a postage stamp bizarrely pinned to its beak. Then, hours later, Flavia finds a man lying in the cucumber patch and watches him as he takes his dying breath.For Flavia, who is both appalled and delighted, life begins in earnest when murder comes to Buckshaw. “I wish I could say I was afraid, but I wasn’t. Quite the contrary. This was by far the most interesting thing that had ever happened to me in my entire life.” (From Goodreads)
Opening Sentence: "It was as black in the closet as old blood."

Length: Medium - 138 pages

Notes: I really liked this book!! It is told by a 11-year old girl, Flavia de Luce. This girl is funny, and incredibly smart. It is a fun mystery book that wasn't totally surprising, but not totally predictable at the same time. It was also pleasantly clean as well. Reading the reviews on Goodreads, some people loved Flavia and some couldn't stand her - I was one that loved her. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

Random quote: "I remembered a piece of sisterly advice, which Feely once gave Daffy and me:
"If ever you're accosted by a man," she'd said, "kick him in the Casanovas and run like blue blazes!"
Although it had sounded at the time like a useful bit of intelligence, the only problem was that I didn't know where the Casanovas were located. I'd have to think of something else."

Recommend: yes

Have you read this book? Share your feelings!

Goofy Girl

2011-03-17T22:50:00.000-06:00

I am convinced that 2-year olds are some of the funniest people alive. This girl is constantly making me laugh. She loves to play dress up, but doesn't always choose to wear clothes where they actually go. Like the bloomers on her head. And I don't know why I bother getting her dressed - she ends up wanting to put on her pajamas 9 times out of 10! And she loves cuddling up in Max's blankets and pillows. Goofy girl!!

Book #15 - Gift From the Sea

2011-03-16T12:28:00.009-06:00

Gift From the Sea
Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Blurb: In this inimitable, beloved classic—graceful, lucid and lyrical—Anne Morrow Lindbergh shares her meditations on youth and age; love and marriage; peace, solitude and contentment as she set them down during a brief vacation by the sea. Drawing inspiration from the shells on the shore, Lindbergh’s musings on the shape of a woman’s life bring new understanding to both men and women at any stage of life. A mother of five, an acclaimed writer and a pioneering aviator, Lindbergh casts an unsentimental eye on the trappings of modernity that threaten to overwhelm us: the time-saving gadgets that complicate rather than simplify, the multiple commitments that take us from our families. And by recording her thoughts during a brief escape from everyday demands, she helps readers find a space for contemplation and creativity within their own lives. (From Goodreads)

Opening Sentence: "The beach is not the place to work; to read, write or think."

Length: Short - 138 pages

Notes: This is a great little book to read in between all those fiction books!! This is one that I would actually love to own and to highlight and re-read. It is full of all kinds of great quotes, thoughts, and direction. I especially loved the first two chapters and found that those applied more to me than the rest of the book. The book really made me take a step back and look at my life and made me want to re-evaluate many things I do so that I could be a better person, wife and mother. A think this one is a must read for any woman!

Random quote: "I do not believe that sheer suffering teaches. If suffering alone taught, all the world would be wise, since everyone suffers. To suffering must be added mourning, understanding, patience, love, openness, and the willingness to remain vulnerable."

Recommend: yes

Have you read this book? Share your feelings!

Book #14 - Rebekah

2011-03-15T15:59:00.004-06:00

Rebekah
Orson Scott Card

Blurb: Born into a time and place where a woman speaks her mind at her peril, and reared as a motherless child by a doting father, Rebekah grew up to be a stunning, headstrong beauty. She was chosen by God for a special destiny.

Rebekah leaves her father's house to marry Isaac, the studious young son of the Patriarch Abraham, only to find herself caught up in a series of painful rivalries, first between her husband and his brother Ishmael, and later between her sons Jacob and Esau. Her struggles to find her place in the family of Abraham are a true test of her faith, but through it all she finds her own relationship with God and does her best to serve His cause in the lives of those she loves. (From Goodreads)

Opening Sentence: "Rebekah’s mother died a few days after she was born, butr she never though of this as something that happened in her childhood."

Length: Long - 413 pages

Notes: This is the second in Orson Scott Card's "Women of Genesis" series. I really enjoyed the first book in this series, and I've been wanting to read this one forever. I wish I wouldn't have waited so long - I really like these books! This really brings the story from the Bible alive. And it's reminded me just how much I really love historical fiction! Even though this is fiction, I love how I will always remember the story of Rebekah now. I can't wait to read the next in the series!

Random quote: "Jacob, haven’t you been paying attention? The Lord uses us frail humans to do his work. Miracles are rare. Blessings most commonly come to those who have worked hard and done all that was within their power to bring them to pass."

Recommend: yes

Have you read this book? Share your feelings!

Easton's Story

2011-03-10T13:35:00.001-07:00

It amazes me how different 2 birth stories can be - both from the same mother. Easton's story is definitely different than Abbi's story was!!

I had been having contractions with Easton for months. So of course, every time I went in for a doctor's appointment, I assumed that I had progressed a lot farther. But, as we know, for 3 weeks in a row, I was only at a 2 and 70% effaced. I kept saying that I didn't really know how to tell when I was in labor - just because I had been having so many contractions. There were several times that the contractions would be regular, but they would always end up going away.

Well, Monday the 7th rolled around. All day long, I had been having contractions that were regular, getting closer together, and getting consistently stronger. When Josh got home for lunch, I told him that it might be the day, but not to get his hopes up. The contractions were a bit painful - about as painful as they were with Abbi when I went to the hospital - but I had just put Abbi down for a nap. I told him that if they kept it up, when Abbi got up from her nap we would head to the hospital. And if they got better, we would wait it out.

Abbi woke up, and they weren't any better. I decided that it was time to head to the hospital. We packed a few things and headed up to drop Abbi off at the in-laws, then over to the hospital. I was really excited and anxious to meet my little boy! Once we were at the hospital, the nurse came in to check me. She said that the cervix is like the end of a balloon, at at the bottom, I was about a 2 1/2, but at the top I was only a 1 1/2. Talk about a disappointment!! They had me hooked up to the monitors and said they'd watch me for an hour and see if I progressed anymore at that point. My mom and dad came up sometime during that hour, and my mom was wonderful in helping me through the contractions and helping me visualize. The whole time I was at the hospital, my contractions were pretty regular at 3 minutes apart, and we were all sure this was the day.

One hour later, the nurse came back in. No progression - still dialated the same. She said she would call the on-call doctor to see what he wanted to do. (My doctor was off that day - go figure!!) I should also mention that I was not at all impressed by this nurse. Not only did she hurt me when she checked me, but she wasn't friendly at all. I felt like she was withholding information from me and only telling me the minimum. A few minutes later, she came back and said that they could give me something for the pain, but the doctor said to release me. I was so disappointed. And in pain. None of us could believe it. I asked her how I was supposed to know when to come back in if my contractions were already so regular and close together, but all she told me was if my water broke, if I started bleeding, or if they got so bad that I couldn't walk or talk during a contraction. The funny thing is that as I walked out to leave, I had a contraction and had to stop. The nurse came over to see if I wanted a wheelchair - I just wanted to say - see? They do hurt too bad to walk through!!

We went down to the main floor of the hospital and my mom and I walked a few laps, seeing if it would move things along. Then I decided it was just time to go home. That whole night, I had contractions, but it wasn't quite as painful - I'm guessing because of the pain pill they gave me. They slowed down to about 10 minutes apart, but I was still waken a few times during the night because of the pain. The next morning, I packed Abbi up and we headed to the mall so I could walk and see if we could get this baby coming. I went around once then had to sit down while I let Abbi play at in the play area for awhile. I was in so much pain. I did another lap, and almost didn't make it because I was hurting so badly. So we went home. I had contractions all day long. They were getting consistently more painful, but they weren't as close together as they were the day before. I didn't know what to do because I didn't want to go to the hospital just to get sent home again. My next doctors appointment was on Thursday, so I thought if I could just make it through until then, then I would talk to him about induction because I was so uncomfortable and in so much pain. That evening was bad, and it just kept getting worse. The contractions were so bad that they made me cry a few times. I tried to go to bed around 9pm, and I was so exhausted that I would fall asleep, but every contraction would wake me up. I was timing them, and by now, they were every 4 to 10 minutes. Finally, at around probably 10:30, I told Josh that I was going to call my mom because I was in so much pain and I didn't know what to do. She suggested that I call the doctor and ask them, because she didn't know either. The fact that I was sent home the day before had thrown us all off!! I called the doctor's answering service, and they said that for the sake of mine and the baby's health, I should at least go to the hospital and get checked out.

After a call to Josh's mom, who said she would come over and stay with Abbi if we needed to go to the hospital, we packed up bags once again. She got to our house at about 11:30 and we headed for the hospital. I was in the most pain that I had ever been in in my life. Every contraction killed me, and I couldn't move. We walked into the hospital lobby, and it must have shown on my face how much pain I was in because the security guard at the desk immediately asked if I needed a wheelchair. I declined and said I just wanted to get to L&D. He said he'd call up and let them know to let us in. Up the elevator we went, and when we walked into L&D, they immediately put us in a room. I changed into the gown, and the nurse came into check me. I was ecstatic when she told me - "yep, you're having a baby tonight. You are at a 6 1/2-7!" I immediately called my mom and told her to get to the hospital!

The nurse took us to a delivery room where they hooked me up to an IV and all the monitors and such. They asked if I wanted an epidural, and I told them YES!! The anesthesiologist was in in no time, and I was in heaven as I felt that coldness go down my legs! (I do have to say, though, just to toot my own horn - the nurses said that they were amazed at how calm I was an how well I handled the contractions!) Once I had the epidural, the nurse called the doctor - which I totally lucked out because my doctor was on call that night! When he got there to check me, I was at an 8 1/2.

At about 2:15, the nurse came in to check me again and said I was at a 9 1/2 - 10. She said that if I thought I could push really well, she'd call the doctor in. I said to bring him in! I started pushing at about 2:40 and said that I would have him by 3am. Sure enough, at 2:56am, he joined us here on earth! With Abbi's birth, I didn't feel a thing, the epidural worked so well, but with Easton, I actually liked it better, because while I still felt no pain, I actually felt when he was born.

Easton Michael

born March 9th at 2:56am

8 lbs. 6 oz.

20 inches long

We couldn't be more in love with our little guy. He is perfect in every way. We are so excited to have him in our lives and can't wait to see what the future brings!

Wordless Wednesday - A Baby is Born

2011-03-09T13:28:00.001-07:00

Book #13 - Let the Great World Spin

2011-03-05T21:54:00.001-07:00

Blurb: In the dawning light of a late-summer morning, the people of lower Manhattan stand hushed, staring up in disbelief at the Twin Towers. It is August 1974, and a mysterious tightrope walker is running, dancing, leaping between the towers, suspended a quarter mile above the ground. In the streets below, a slew of ordinary lives become extraordinary in bestselling novelist Colum McCann’s stunningly intricate portrait of a city and its people. (From Goodreads)

Opening Sentence: "Those who saw him hushed."

Length: Medium - 349 pages

Notes: Have you ever sat somewhere - like at a stop light, or in the mall - and looked around and wondered where everyone was going? Or what their story was? Or what they were thinking about? This book kind of makes me think of moments like this. This book contains the stories of many people, some whose lives intertwine, but mostly just about different people and where they were in life during a single event. It was more like a bunch of short stories, although a lot of the characters ended up having to do with someone else's story. I actually liked this book - but I have to warn that the language is terrible. In fact, there was one character, about half way through the book, where I almost put the book down because the language was so bad. I didn't finish the book thinking - that was a great book - but I didn't hate it either. It was a middle of the road book for me!

Random quote: "Good days, they come around the oddest corners."

Recommend: eh....

Have you read this book? Share your feelings!

38 Weeks 3 Days

2011-03-03T13:50:00.001-07:00

This little guy is playing tricks on me!! I really thought that this previous Sunday would be the day. I had been having regular contractions all day. This is the first time they were actually consistent and regular. They got stronger as the day went on, and I even called my mom to make sure she had her phone on her in case I needed to call her that night. But of course, as I laid down to go to bed, they got further apart until they went away all together. Such a disappointment!

Today was my doctor's appointment. I went in with really high hopes, especially because of all of the contractions I've been having. So imagine my disappointment when he checked me and I was still at a 2 and 70% effaced. The same. Again. He stripped my membranes - which hurts, but I think it wasn't as painful as when I had it done with Abbi, so only time will tell if anything will happen. I'm beginning to think that this guy is hanging out until his due date!!

Wordless Wednesday - TuTu Belly

2011-03-02T09:43:00.001-07:00

February Abbi-isms

2011-02-28T18:21:00.000-07:00

(Once again, I need to be better at keeping track of these!!)

While sitting on her stool, looking at her Barbie wallet...
Abbi: Once upon a time...
me: What are you doing Abbi?
Abbi: Teaching puppy to read!

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Every morning after she eats breakfast, I'll let Abbi sit on my bed and watch a cartoon. I asked her what she wanted to watch, and she wouldn't answer me. So I told her what was on and what we had recorded. She just said "I just can't decide!"

Abbi - February 2011

2011-02-28T13:40:00.000-07:00

Wow - I didn't do all that well for February - only 4 pictures?? I need to get it together!

I'm in trouble - Abbi has figured out how to get the cabinet doors open, and she loves to get the cereal out. Looks like we need some child proof locks for the doors!

What a pretty girl!!

Enjoying time with dadda

I had a doctor's appointment, and we were driving past the temple. As we drove past, I pulled over to let her see, and she said that she wanted to go inside. I told her that she couldn't go inside, and she wasn't very happy. She just kept crying that she wanted to go inside the temple! I hope she keeps feeling that way as she gets older!

37 Weeks 2 Days

2011-02-24T15:41:00.000-07:00

My doctor is out of the office on Friday, so not quite a week since my last appointment on this update!!

I've been telling my body not to go into labor this week because my parents are on vacation, and I guess my body was listening! I was still dialated to a 2 and 70% effaced. The good news is that my blood pressure was back to normal. Everything else looked good. Both the doctor and I decided that next week would be a good week for a baby!!

I'm going to try doing some visualization and meditating to see if I can get my body to cooperate and bring this baby to me next week. I keep thinking Wednesday would be a fun day - just because then his birthday would be 3/2/11. But if it doesn't happen on Wednesday, the doctor is going to strip my membranes on Thursday, so hopefully he'll be here Thursday night or Friday. Yes, I'm very uncomfortable and ready to not be pregnant anymore, but I'm also eager to meet this little guy! We still don't have a name picked out, although I have a feeling when he gets here, I'll get my choice! Hopefully we'll know by the end of next week!

Book #12 - On Becoming Babywise

2011-02-23T15:27:00.002-07:00

On Becoming Babywise
Gary Ezzo

Blurb: Scientists can put a man on the moon but they can not answer the most basic question of early parenting: how to have a happy and contented baby who sleeps continually through the night like the rest of the family and a mother who is not in a perpetual state of exhaustion. Now, moms and dads need look no further than On Becoming Babywise. Babywise is an exciting infant management plan that successfully and naturally helps infants synchronize their feeding, waketime and nighttime sleep cycles. Find out what four million grateful parents worldwide have already learned. Discover the positive prescription for curing sleepless nights and fussy babies. Recommended by doctors across the country. (From Goodreads)

Length: Short - pages

Notes: I think this is the first non- fiction book I have read since starting these reviews!! But with the birth of my boy only days or weeks away, I knew I needed to get with it! With Abbi, my biggest problem - since birth - was her dependence. Both needing to be held constantly and not sleeping on her own. In fact, we didn't get the whole sleeping thing down until right before she turned 2! I wanted to do better this time around, especially since having 2 kids will be twice as hard. So many people have recommended this book to me, and it totally makes sense to me. I'm planning on implementing the practices in this book, so only time will tell if it is successful for me or not.

Recommend: yes

Have you read this book? Share your feelings!

Book #11 - Pollyanna

2011-02-21T15:20:00.019-07:00

Pollyanna
Eleanor Porter

Blurb: When orphaned 11-year-old Pollyanna comes to live with austere and wealthy Aunt Polly, her philosophy of gladness brings happiness to her aunt and other members of the community, somewhat to their surprise. (From Goodreads)

Opening Sentence: "Miss Polly Harrington entered her kitchen a little hurriedly this June morning."

Length: Short - 192 pages

Notes: Pollyanna is one of my all-time favorite movies. I've seen it dozens of times. And I love it more every time I see it. Which is why I wanted to read this book. Well, maybe I've seen the movie too many times, because honestly - I liked the movie better. I was actually surprised at how many differences there were between the movie and the book - although that is usually how it goes. I'm sure I would have loved this book if I hadn't seen the movie before, though, so I can't really judge. It still was a cute book and a good story!

Random quote: "Oh, but Aunt Polly, Aunt Polly, you haven't left me any time at all just to- to live."

Recommend: yes

Have you read this book? Share your feelings!

Girls Night Out/Baby Shower

2011-02-19T15:06:00.001-07:00

I'm the luckiest girl! I know I've said it before, but I have the best family. We had been talking about doing a Girls Night Out before I had my baby, but we hadn't really made any plans. Well, this was supposed to be a surprise, and the surprise part kind of got ruined, but I still got spoiled for a night!!

We started off with pedicures - which I love - especially right before I'm about to have a baby.

I even got an extra scrub treatment, then a mud that made my legs feel amazing...

and then a parafin wax treatment on my feet! I felt truly pampered!

I was going to try out blue, since I'm having a boy and all, but I still ended up with pink. I guess I'm a creature of habit!

Then we went down to Tami's house for tons of amazing food.

And the company was perfect, too!

And I was a happy camper to see cupcakes from my favorite - Dear Lizzy.

And then - lucky me! - I got spoiled with gifts. I haven't needed much, but my wonderful sisters, sister in law and mother pretty much crossed everything that was left off of my list!

And here I am in all of my large glory. You can definitely tell I'm at the end of my pregnancy. And another reason to be excited to have this guy - to get rid of my double chin!

It was a great night that ended with watching You Again (which was cheesy, but entertaining!) I didn't get home until around 1am - I haven't been out that late in a long time! But what a fun night!

36 Weeks 4 Days

2011-02-18T14:43:00.008-07:00

I've been reading back over the last month/weeks before Abbi was born, and realizing that I kept much better record with her! Which is good, because there are many things about those last weeks of her pregnancy that I don't remember! So, I need to be better at least writing up my dr. appointment days with this little guy!

Today marks 36 weeks 4 days. My blood pressure was a little bit better than last week, but still a little high. I'm dialated to a 2 and 70% effaced. Progress, although I don't think he's ready to come quite yet! I'm still having tons of contractions - some of which are getting painful, but nothing consistent at all. It almost worries me that I'll go into labor and not even know it! I'm starting to swell some - the carpal tunnel is coming back into my wrists, but it's usually only bad in the mornings. Besides that, I'm just beat and ready to meet this little guy!

So Many to Read...

2011-02-17T14:35:00.000-07:00

Most of the time, I have 6+ books on request at the library. I'm usually reading one of those books once it comes off of hold. But every once in awhile, I'll have nothing to read and none of the books I've requested off of hold, so I'll get to search from my "to-read" list of books that are just at the library. I'll usually make a list and choose 3 or 4 at a time. I don't know what came over me, but I came home with 7 books today! I don't know how I think I'm going to read 7 books in 3 weeks, but we'll see what happens! Now, it's just a dilemma of trying to decide what order to read them in...

Book #10 - The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe

2011-02-15T14:23:00.013-07:00

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
C.S. Lewis

Blurb: When Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy took their first steps into the world behind the magic wardrobe, little do they realise what adventures are about to unfold. And as the story of Narnia begins to unfold, so to does a classic tale that has enchanted readers of all ages for over half a century. (From Goodreads)

Opening Sentence: "Once there were four children whose names were Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy."

Length: Short - 189 pages

Notes: I almost feel like a cheater - reading this book for my challenge for 2011. But... I didn't have a book to read, and I own this book. The reason I feel like a cheater? I think I have read it before, but just didn't realize it. Or maybe I started it once upon a time...I don't know. But a lot of it was really familiar to me! Regardless, it was a great book. I know there is all kinds of symbolism through it - some of which I caught, and I'm sure most of which I missed. I'd like to do some deeper studying sometime just about the symbolism. But even without taking it to that deeper level, it's an entertaining book!

Random quote: "Once a King in Narnia, always a King in Narnia. But don't go trying to use the same route twice. Indeed, don't try to get there at all. It'll happen when you're not looking for it. And don't talk too much about it even among yourselves. And don't mention it to anyone else unless you find that they've had adventures of the same sort themselves. What's that? How will you know? Oh, you'll know all right. Odd things, they say-even their looks-will let the secret out. Keep your eyes open. Bless me, what do they teach them at these schools."

Recommend: yes

Have you read this book? Share your feelings!

Book #9 - Fire Study

2011-02-12T10:09:00.002-07:00

Fire Study
Maria V. Snyder

Blurb: When word that Yelena is a Soulfinder—able to capture and release souls—spreads like wildfire, people grow uneasy. Already Yelena's unusual abilities and past have set her apart. As the Council debates Yelena's fate, she receives a disturbing message: a plot is rising against her homeland, led by a murderous sorcerer she has defeated before....

Honor sets Yelena on a path that will test the limits of her skills, and the hope of reuniting with her beloved spurs her onward. Her journey is fraught with allies, enemies, lovers and would-be assassins, each of questionable loyalty. Yelena will have but one chance to prove herself—and save the land she holds dear. (From Goodreads)

Opening Sentence: " 'That's pathetic, Yelena,' Dax complained."

Length: Medium - 441 pages

Notes: The third, and I'm assuming last, in the Poison Study series - I still think I liked the first book - Poison Study - the best, although this one was pretty good. The thing I liked a lot about this book is that it kept you wanting to read the whole way through. There wasn't really one main climax to the book, but the action was equally dispersed through the book. The ending was unexpected for me, too, which I always enjoy. I can see how the author would be able to write further books in the series, but the ending was final enough for the end of a trilogy.

Random quote: "There's always another storm. It's the way the world works. Snowstorms, rainstorms, windstorms, sandstorms, and firestorms. Some are fierce and others are small. You have to deal with each one separately, but you need to keep an eye on whats brewing for tomorrow."

Recommend: yes

Have you read this book? Share your feelings!

35 Weeks 4 Days

2011-02-11T11:01:00.022-07:00

I can't believe I'm already almost 36 weeks pregnant, and this is the first real belly shot I've taken! I'm slacking, I know. I did so good with Abbi, but with this little guy, this is the first update I've even written in weeks!

Truth be told - this pregnancy is kicking my butt. I don't know if it's because I have a toddler that I'm chasing after, or if it's because it's just been harder, but I have to admit that I'm so ready for this little guy to come. I know one big difference - and it's my fault - is that I worked out my whole pregnancy with Abbi - right up until the end, but it's been a totally different story with this pregnancy. And I think that's the biggest reason behind my lack of energy this time around.

Besides the lack of energy, I can't wait to have my normal/crazy hormones back instead of these crazy/crazy hormones. I would have thought that hormones would be crazier when you are pregnant with a girl, but it's definitely been crazier this time around. I will be on top of the world one minute, and then the next minute, all I want to do is crawl in bed and go to sleep. But I'm glad that I at least realize that it's the hormones talking, and hopefully things will go back to normal after he's been here for a little while.

I'm just now starting to swell. I'm so glad it hasn't been as bad as it was with Abbi!! And I developed this pain on my side several weeks ago. The doctor thinks it's a strained muscle, which I think I got when I had a cough that seriously lasted over a month. All of that coughing and weekend stomach muscles equals a serious pain in my side. That, combined with some recent back pain, has put me with a heating pad for a few hours every day.

I had my 36 week check up today - I am dialated to a 1 and 50% effaced. I have to admit that I was surprised that I wasn't further along - mostly because I've been having tons of contractions. I've been having the Braxton Hicks contractions forever, but recently, they've started to really feel like real contractions. The pain is setting in, although they aren't constant or regular at all.

At the doctor, my blood pressure was a little bit high. I don't remember the top number, but the bottom number was at 90 when the nurse took it, then the doctor re-took it and it was at 88. Not terribly high, but I think he was a little alarmed because 2 weeks before I had a little bit of protein in my urine. So, he said he'd check it again at my appointment next week, and if it gets better, I should be able to go into labor on my own. If it stays the same, they'll induce no later than 39 weeks, and if it gets worse, they'll induce at 37 weeks. So we'll see what happens at my appointment next Friday! In one way, I'm so ready to not be pregnant anymore, but I get really worried about any sort of complications if he has to come 3 weeks early. So it's turned into a catch 22, because I'm sort of stressed out about the blood pressure, but I know I need to relax and not stress out so that it will go down! But it looks like he'll be here within the next 4 weeks - which is exciting as well!!

Once There Was a Snowman

2011-02-10T12:18:00.000-07:00

Abbi has been asking for weeks now to build a snowman. Unfortunately, there just hasn't been snow, or one of us has been sick. So when we had a little bit of snow, Abbi took advantage and built herself a snowman! As much as I am ready for Spring, I'm hoping - for Abbi's sake - that we get one more good snowstorm so she can have a real snowman!

Book #8 - Linger

2011-02-06T14:45:00.002-07:00

Linger
Maggie Stiefvater

Blurb: In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. Now, in Linger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past . . . and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack. And Isabel, who already lost her brother to the wolves . . . and is nonetheless drawn to Cole. (From Goodreads)

Opening Sentence: "This is the story of a boy who used to be a wolf and a girl that was becoming one."

Length: Medium - 360 pages

Notes: This is the second in the Wolves of Mercy Falls series. I liked the first book, and I liked this second book. The biggest complaint is the same with both of them. This is the first YA book I've read this year, yet it talked the most about sex. Go figure. Nothing graphic, but these are high school students. Call me crazy, but if Abbi was a teenager, I wouldn't want her reading a book that even suggests to pre-marital sex - especially while still in high school. But besides that, I actually really enjoyed this book. I totally didn't predict the ending, although looking back afterwards, I felt like I really should have seen what was going to happen. Maybe I'll blame it on pregnancy brain!! The end of this book is totally left open for the next book in the series, that doesn't come out until July. I really should start waiting to read these series books until the whole series is out!!

Random quote: "This is a love story. I never knew there were so many kinds of love or that love could make people do so many different things. I never knew there were so many ways to say good-bye."

Recommend: yes

Have you read this book? Share your feelings!

You Capture - Red

2011-02-03T18:26:00.001-07:00

It's been awhile since I've participated in You Capture, but with Red Velvet Week going on at my food blog, I thought I just had to participate in this one!!

Book #7 - Room

2011-02-01T18:10:00.002-07:00

Room
Emma Donoghue

Blurb: To five-year-old Jack, Room is the entire world. It is where he was born and grew up; it's where he lives with his Ma as they learn and read and eat and sleep and play. At night, his Ma shuts him safely in the wardrobe, where he is meant to be asleep when Old Nick visits.

Room is home to Jack, but to Ma, it is the prison where Old Nick has held her captive for seven years. Through determination, ingenuity, and fierce motherly love, Ma has created a life for Jack. But she knows it's not enough...not for her or for him. She devises a bold escape plan, one that relies on her young son's bravery and a lot of luck. What she does not realize is just how unprepared she is for the plan to actually work.

Told entirely in the language of the energetic, pragmatic five-year-old Jack, ROOM is a celebration of resilience and the limitless bond between parent and child, a brilliantly executed novel about what it means to journey from one world to another. (From Goodreads)

Opening Sentence: "Today I'm five."

Length: Medium - 321 pages

Notes: What a thought provoking book!! I knew this one was going to be deep when I first read what it was about. I have to admit that it was hard to read at times, having a child of my own and wondering what I would have done in this situation. And this book was so much more than I expected. Without giving anything away, before I read it, I thought it was just about their time in the "Room" but it goes beyond that and how hard it would be heal from such an ordeal. The second half of the book was so unexpected for me and was really thought provoking. But it was disturbing at times, too - the subject matter is not light subject matter. It was handled well, since the whole book is through the eyes of a 5-year old. But the story wouldn't be the same or even as believable without the disturbing parts there as well.

Random quote: "In the world I notice persons are nearly always stressed and have no time...I don't know how persons with jobs do the jobs and all the living as well...I guess the time gets spread very thin like butter all over the world, the roads and houses and playgrounds and stores, so there's only a little smear of time on each place, then everyone has to hurry on to the next bit."

Recommend: yes

Have you read this book? Share your feelings!

January Abbi-isms

2011-01-31T17:22:00.000-07:00

(I need to be better about writing these down - I'm not very good at it!!)

After eating a bag of goldfish crackers (while rubbing her belly) - "I feel much better!"

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While eating dinner - I asked her if she was going to eat anything on her plate, and she responded "no, thank you!" At least she was polite about it, I guess...

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We got into the car to run an errand, and there was an empty bag of fruit snacks. She wanted it, but I told her that it was empty, but she still said she wanted it. I gave it to her, and once she looked inside to see that they were in fact all gone, she responded "I can't believe it!"

Abbi - January 2011

2011-01-31T11:55:00.000-07:00

She's unfortunately becoming a bit of a picky eater. This is what happens when she doesn't want what she got for lunch or dinner!

Playing the drum

Playing dress up - her favorite past time! (Complete with her Halloween costume, boots on the wrong feet, a sock for a glove, a swimming suit for a hat, and a curtain tie-back for a scarf...)

Putting one of her Dora dolls to sleep on mommy's chair

Mini Photo Shoot

Dress up, once again. This time with the wings from her butterfly costume from her first Halloween.

Her attempt to take off her pjs...

Snowflakes!

Throwing snow on herself

Playing in her kitchen with her new apron

Picking up the balloons for her birthday party

Looking Back

2011-01-30T18:59:00.002-07:00

One of my most successful New Year's resolutions for 2010 was to take a picture of Abbi every day. Every Friday, I posted the last 7 photos. I've tried these 365-projects before, but have always failed. But then again, I have never had such a specific subject. And being totally honest, there were a few times that I cheated. I know that I accidentally deleted one day, and I forgot a couple of other days, but I made up for them the next day. So I have 365 pictures of Abbi from 2010.

Now that the project is over, and now that I haven't had to worry about taking a picture every day, I have to admit - I really miss it. I know it's not logical or feasible to take a picture of her every day of her life, but these 365 pictures have really come to mean so much to me. I have them as my screen saver on my computer, and I stop multiple times a day, just to watch her face changing. I can't believe how much change can happen over a year!!

And now that I've had a month to look back on last year, I have realized just how much these pictures mean to me. Some of them were good, some of them were bad - but regardless, every single one of them means so much to me. And I know they will mean even more to me as the years go by. Some have stories, and some don't, but I love that a simple photograph can touch me so much. So if you are contemplating doing something like this, I totally recommend it!!

I wanted to do some sort of photo collage, but 365 photos - that's a lot of pictures!! So, if you really want to see just how a little girl grows over a year, I put together a little video. I know I've already watched it multiple times and cried - I blame it on pregnancy hormones!!

Untitled from Deborah Harroun on Vimeo.

And for 2011... Well, I've already decided that I want to do a picture a day for the little guy when he is born for the first year of his life. But for Abbi, I'm not committing myself to anything, but I have realized how important these "every day" pictures have been to me. So at the end of each month, I'll post all the pictures I have from that month. There might be 5, there might be 25 - no restrictions, I just want to make sure I'm still taking pictures and recording her life!

Abbi's 2nd Birthday Party

2011-01-29T21:58:00.001-07:00

I want my children to grow up knowing they are special, and that their birthday is a special day. I debated about what to do for Abbi's birthday this year - she's still not really old enough to remember things, but I wanted to do something fun. And the hard part about having a January birthday is that you can't do anything outside. (Although one of these years, I want to have a snow picnic. I think that would be a lot of fun!) And our house is so small that it's hard to do anything there. So after some discussion with my sisters, we decided to have some fun at Kangaroo Zoo then have a light dinner and cake at our house.

Abbi has been to Kangaroo Zoo once before, and she's been to Jumpin' Jacks a few times, but she's been scared of the "rides". (For those of you that don't know what Kangaroo Zoo and Jumpin' Jacks are, they are places that have a lot of the big blow up rides/slides/jumping rooms for kids to play in.) I was hoping that now that she is 2, and is normally so fearless, that she would jump right in and want to play. She talked about going for weeks before her party.

But no such luck. All she wanted to do was play in the little 2 and under area that had some little baby things to play with. I don't know why she was so scared!!

Luckily, the other kids all had fun!

And Abbi had fun playing with Gavin in the little area. And she was just thrilled to have most of her cousins there with her!

After some jumping fun, we headed back to our house for dinner and cake. I was a little disappointed in my cake decorating this year. I wasn't very smart in the first place, and only gave myself about 45 minutes to build and decorate the cake. And then I decided to do whipped cream frosting instead of buttercream, which wasn't very easy to smooth the fondant over. So I got lots of tucks - but hey - I tried, right?!?

We enjoyed sandwiches and chips and fruit and veggies.

And Abbi even attempted to eat a vegetable!!

She was so excited to blow out the candles. She had been practicing for days!

She needed a little bit of help from daddy, but the job got done!

We had said no gifts, but lucky Abbi had a few gifts to open, which included a new coloring book, a stuffed froggy, and a chipmunks card.

And then from grandma and grandpa, she got a pretty purple tutu and a whole dress up kit, complete with high heels! She was in heaven!

Abbi was sad when her party was over and can't wait for her birthday next year!!

Book #6 - Magic Study

2011-01-28T18:46:00.011-07:00

Magic Study
Maria V. Snyder

Blurb: With her greatest enemy dead, and on her way to be reunited with the family she'd been stolen from long ago, Yelena should be pleased. But though she has gained her freedom, she can't help feeling isolated in Sitia. Her Ixian background has changed her in many ways—and her newfound friends and relatives don't think it's for the better....

Despite the turmoil, she's eager to start her magic training—especially as she's been given one year to harness her power or be put to death. But her plans take a radical turn when she becomes involved with a plot to reclaim Ixia's throne for a lost prince—and gets entangled in powerful rivalries with her fellow magicians.

If that wasn't bad enough, it appears her brother would love to see her dead. Luckily, Yelena has some old friends to help her with all her new enemies....(From Goodreads)

Opening Sentence:""We're here," Irys said."

Length: Medium - 392 pages

Notes: This is book #2 in the Poison Study series. I liked this book, but I often found myself frustrated with the main character, Yelena. So many times, I would get so frustrated with her choices and her actions that I almost wouldn't want to read anymore! But I guess if she would have made the choices I would have made, it would have taken away a lot of the action of the book! I didn't like this book as much as the first one, but it was still entertaining.

Random quote: "Living is a risk," I snapped at him. "Every decision, every interaction, every step, every time you get out of bed in the morning, you take a risk. To survive is to know you're taking that risk and to not get out of bed clutching illusions of safety."

Recommend: yes

Abbi's 2nd Birthday!

2011-01-27T18:00:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday Abbi!!

I can't believe my little girl is 2! Even though we wouldn't be celebrating her birthday until the weekend, I wanted to make sure and make her actual birthday a happy day.

It started with balloons. I could have stopped there. That's how much this little girl loves balloons! It was worth heading out in the cold the night before, after she had gone to bed, just to get balloons. To see her face light up when she came out in the morning was perfect!

I wanted to do something special for breakfast, but if you know Abbi, all I can ever get her to eat in the morning is toast and bananas. It's the first thing she asks for every morning. She doesn't like eggs, she doesn't like French toast, she doesn't like pancakes. Crazy child!! But I thought I'd try making her Mickey Mouse pancakes covered with Cool Whip and strawberries. She actually ate some of the pancakes! (But mostly she ate the strawberries!)

We didn't have anything planned for the day, but Nanas and Gump Gump came over when Abbi opened her presents. First up - her present from her momma and dadda:

A princess Dora! I have to say - after Christmas, I went to lunch with a friend that was in town, and when we were almost finished, a family sat down at the table behind us. Their little girl had one of these Princess Dora dolls, and since then, that is all that Abbi could talk about. I was seriously surprised that an almost 2-year old could remember and want something so specific for so long! But I did love seeing the look on her face. She was so excited!

Then she opened her gifts from Nanas and Gump Gump:

She got a Dora watch, an apron (with a matching one for mommy!) and a box with 6 Dora books. Can you tell it was the Dora birthday???

After all the presents were opened, she had fun playing with her toys

and making Nanas read every one of those 6 books to her!

What a great birthday!!!

Abigail - 2 Years Old

2011-01-27T15:16:00.000-07:00

Wow - how time flies. From this:

to this:

to this!!

My little girl is such the toddler. (And I have officially determined that she is the hardest subject for pictures - this girl does not like to look at the camera!!)

At 2 years old, Abbi:

*Loves to love. She has such a tender heart and constantly expresses her love for everyone and everything!
*Is a really good talker. In fact, I think she talks as well as any 3-year old, and even some 4-year olds! She can speak in complete sentences and is usually really good about expressing what she wants.

*Is such a girl. She loves playing dress up, loves playing with her dolls and stuffed animals, and loves dresses! She also loves babies and will get so happy whenever she sees a baby!
*Loves crayons and coloring.

*Is a sometimes good eater. She loves any fruit, crackers, cheese, yogurt and toast. She won't eat vegetables, but I can usually get her to try at least a bit of anything else.
*Is finally - at 2 years old - falling asleep and staying asleep in her crib! For the longest time, she would not go down if I didn't rock her first, then we finally got her to go down in her crib as long as one of us sat in there for 10-15 minutes, but now, I can put her down and walk out. My life is so much easier!!

*Loves to dance. Especially while wearing a tutu.
*Loves to sing. Her favorite songs are probably the Dora song, the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse song, Twinkle Twinkle, the ABC song, and Hush Little Baby.

*Loves Dora and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.
*Is getting very independent. She already wants to pick out what she wears every day.
*She loves her grandparents and her cousins. It's usually a daily thing to hear that she wants to go visit one or all of them!

*Is one of the smartest little girls that I know. She has been able to count into the teens since she was around 20 months, can kind of say her alphabet and will remember almost anything you tell her.
*Still is a cuddler, which mommy loves! When she gets up from her nap, she always wants to spend a few minutes sitting with mommy, cuddling.

*Loves going to nursery. In fact, we'll be sitting in church, and she'll usually ask multiple times during the meeting if it's time to go to nursery. I'm so glad for the great leaders that make her so excited to be there!
*Loves to give loves and kisses!

*Is a big girl - at 31 pounds! She is mostly wearing 3T clothes already.
*Is obsessed with shapes and colors. She likes to point them out wherever we go!

*Is quite a character, but I can't imagine her any other way!!

Happy 2nd birthday Abigial! Your mommy and daddy love you so much and you have brought so much light, warmth and many, many smiles into our lives!!