Christmas at our house

Getting A Christmas Tree!

The Abster!!!

Abbie is growing so fast! I'm more excited now for those who haven't seen her recently than when she was first born. Her personality is coming out more and more and she is starting to become a little girl. Life is wonderful with her and she is a blessing. Here are a few random pictures of her, giving you a glimpse of who she is today.

Waitin' for Gramakat

Happy Halloween!

Although Abbie is still not walking, or eating candy for that matter, we decided it would be fun to dress her up and take pictures anyway. I wouldn't want her to grow up and realize that she missed out on her first real Halloween.

That could be at least two sessions in therapy.
So, we're saving her money.
We're just looking out for her future.

She's not so sure about this. Is it weird that Scott is laughing? ?GET ME OUT OF HERE!!!
Finally, a place of security. . .

Does my hand taste as good as candy?
Wait! Is someone coming? How embarassing!!!
Thank goodness it's over! I'm getting away while I can!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ABBIE!

So, it was one year ago today that our sweet Abbie was born. It has been the most amazing and wonderful experience of our lives. Parents always say that and I didn't get it until we had her. She is a daily joy and we praise the Lord for her everyday. We never realized how deeply we could love someone until she entered our lives.

So, since she's been alive for 12 months, these are the 12 things we love about her.

1. There are times when we are holding her that she will turn our face to hers, gaze up at us, and lean in for a kiss.

2. She will put her head on our shoulder and just rest there. (This is new. Since the day she was born, she has held her head completely stiff.)

3. Her toothy grin.

4. When we get her up in the morning, she acts like it's the most exciting part of her day.

5. When she goes to bed, she will talk to herself in the bed and say "da, da, da" and "ma, ma, ma," like she's thinking about us before she goes to sleep.

6. We love how much books will entertain her. She prefers them to any toy.

7. Any kind of music makes her smile. Especially when she can play it herself.

8. Her infectious laugh, which she blesses us with all the time.

9. Her dimples.

10. Her beautiful red hair, and the personality that goes with it.

11. She imitates any noise we make and laughs about it.

12. She is ours and truly makes our lives worthwhile.

Happy Birthday, sweet one.

Month 1:

Month 2:
Month 3:
Month 4:
Month 5:
Month 6:

Month 7:
Month 8:
Month 9:

Month 10:

Month 11:


Month 12:

Crawling?

Here's a video proving that Abbie is at least attempting to move about.

Make sure you check out her mad toe skills on the piano and her drive-by wave.

Longing for summer again. . .

Well, this summer is officially gone. Boo. It was probably my best one yet. That is mostly because of my sweet Abbie. We've had so much fun and have become such buddies.

Now it's a shame I'm back at school with a bunch of "criminals" that don't really care if I'm their teacher or not. (Well, maybe it's not that bad. But close.)

ANYWAY, since I've been such a slacker about blogging. Here are some snapshots from our summer.

A new high chair! Awesome. Now, if she would just eat anything other than milk. . .
The first trip to the pool. Loved it!
The 4th of July. This was before the heavens opened and we were nearly swept away at the UNC stadium.
Abbie with her cousin, Courtney. It's hard to believe that Courtney is 11, especially since Scott and I took care of her when she wasn't much older than Abbie's age. Where does the time go?
A "daddy day." Scott LOVES to take pictures of Abbie in his garden.

The infamous "squish" face. I think she's trying to do a bunny nose.

Remember this? At two months,

And again at 10 months. Not much has changed, except her size. Oh, and the sheets. Whew!

We ended our summer with a fabulous trip to the mountains. It was cool and comfortable the entire time we were there. Scott even built a fire in the cabin at night. Crazy!

First Snow-The mp3 Shuffle

My friend Caroline has this on her blog and I thought it was so cool, so I thought I'd try it.

How it works:
Put your iPod or mp3 on shuffle mode and whatever song comes up is the answer to the questions. Feel free to pass on this idea!

Disclaimer: I did not plan on all the A.Krauss, C.Call, and D. Wilcox. I just have all of their albums on my ipod.

1. What would describe your personality? : Like I Love You (J. Timberlake)

2. What do you like in a guy/girl? : If I Had Eyes (Jack Johnson)

3. How do you feel, today?: Someone Else's Life (Joshua Radin)

4. What’s your life’s purpose?: Rock With You (Michael Jackson)

5. What is your motto? : Warrior (Caedmon's Call)

6. What do your friends think of you?: The Nightshift Watchman (David Wilcox)

7. What do you think of your parents?: Simple Love (Alison Krauss)

8. What do you think about very often?: Miracle (David Wilcox)

9. What do you think of your best friend? : Away Down the River (Alison Krauss)

10. What do you think of the person you like?: Piper (Phish)

11. What is your life story?: Common as the Rain (David Wilcox)

12. What do you want to be when you grow up?: Jar of Clay (Caedmon's Call) TRUE THAT!!!

13. What do you think when you see the person you like?: Faith My Eyes (Caedmon's Call) WIERD. . .

14. What do your parents think of you? : Groove is in the Heart (Deee-Lite) yea, right. They don't even know what "groove" is

15. What will be played at your funeral? : Girl Can't Help It (Journey)

16.What is your hobby/interest?: Lawn Boy (Phish) Scott does like to do yard work and I like to watch him--rany-yer
17. What is your biggest secret? : How Did You Find Me Here (David Wilcox)

18. What do you think of your friends?: All the Roots Grow Deeper (David Wilcox)

19. What should you post this as? :First Snow (Tim O'Brien)

Long time, no see

Sorry all you blogger fans out there. Our computer is on the fritz right now and we haven't gotten it fixed yet. We are, for now, bound to my laptop which only works where there's a wireless signal and we can't get one at home. SO, that makes posting very difficult.

We have had lots of "stay-cation" fun this summer. I am just so glad to be home with Abbie. It makes me feel even less like going back to school. boo. Anyway, I'm not going to think about that. "LA<>LA I can't hear you"

Abbie has done some fun things like go to the pool for the first time (pics of that later), helped Aunt Paige move to Durham, gone to Target in the middle of the day (as opposed to after work), visited with friends, graduated from swaddle blanket to sleep sack, learned how to pick up cheerios and eat them, pull up to sitting (almost), and can even say a few words (cat, hey, quack). So fun.

This was when we realized we needed to graduate from the swaddle blanket. What a nap!

At Target in the middle of the day! What's the deal???

In the sink at Aunt Paige's new house. What fun!!!

Oh my gosh, this is the best one yet!

Abbie's new tricks are so much fun! This video captures them perfectly. We try to get her to do them as often as possible.

Eight years--Wow

We got married eight years ago today. I can't even believe that it's been that long. As I look back on the past eight years, Scott and I have grown and changed so much. But what I think about the most with those changes is that we've changed together. Scott has supported me, and I him, without the slightest second thought. We have been through some very tough times and rough changes. We've shared the happiest moments and the saddest moments. We have loved each other with a love that is beyond ourselves. I have been blessed with Scott's love beyond my wildest imagination.

So, happy anniversary to my love and my forever friend. I love you so much.

We were so young!!! Check out my eyebrows and Scott's hair! What were we thinking???

This is one of my favorite wedding pictures. The photographer caught us at a great moment. Scott makes me laugh so much. And he still makes me laugh more than anyone else EVERY DAY.

I put this one in because of it's "traditional" factor, but more so: LOOK AT MY WAIST!!! I may never see that again.