Thursday, February 25, 2010

quick update...




I woke up on the wrong side of the bed today (yes, very grumpy), but the Lord has been gracious to me today, answering my prayers by giving my joy and strength. I have been rushing around most of the day, preparing to see my in-laws, but I wanted to sit down and write a quick update.

Abigail has been clingy (no not cuddly...clingy). She wants to be held but does not want to cuddle and sit quietly. This leaves me carting her around and keeping her occupied throughout the day. I do love my new carrier which helps but am not a fan of my sling...alas, sometimes, I cannot have both. I think she's been clingy because of new teeth. Tooth #5 popped through today. I think #6-8 are working on popping through too.

She is still not walking, nor does she like to have any help whatsoever and quickly catches on to our "tricks" to try and help her walk. We even tried bubbles a couple days ago, but our dear sweet daughter already understands the concept of gravity and was content to sit down and watch them fall. [NOTE: Comparatively, Rodney and I had a lot more fun blowing bubbles. We played: Who can blow the biggest bubble? Who can blow the most bubbles? etc. There was much fun had by both of us, I mean "three" of us.]

She is, however, learning how to communicate and is a pro at several signs - please, thank you, all done, milk, yes (nods head) and she waves hi and bye bye. I need to learn some more signs so that we can work on communicating instead of whining:)

Her signs and smiles win the hearts of strangers that we meet on walks or on errands. Yesterday, I looked up to see someone waving at us while I was getting Abigail out of the car at Walgreens. Sure enough, my Miss Social Butterfly saw the stranger in the car next to us and wanted to say hello. Today, the ladies at the grocery store gave her a free pack of cookies for being so cute (being a ham -- smiling, waving, signing, pretending to be shy...).

So thats my quick update. Tune in to see pictures from our trip to the ocean. Rest assured; there will be many.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

pictures and a couple steps

I could not get this girl to smile! I think she's a learner like me and a do-er like her dad. She was on the move, constantly. I couldn't get her to sit still:) Her new hair clips were made by a friend in Peoria. Feel free to check out her website here.


She actually took five steps yesterday, but I still think we're far away from walking. She's a chicken! She'll be standing, steady as can be, and then just decide to slowly sit to the ground. She's in constant motion, but she's no daredevil.



I am loving my new baby carrier the "Ergo". It makes the post office and short trips the grocery store much easier. Daddy took her for his first spin on Saturday. Here they are goofing off in the back carry position.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

the decision

well, i have officially decided to give up sleeping until abigail wakes in the morning. so this morning, i set the alarm for 6:15 and was up a little over an hour before abigail.

and i am a little tired, especially since my eyes finally shut right before midnight...

:)

but fasting from a comfort that i cling ever so tightly to is the whole idea...

all so that i can meditate more on Christ...

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

the season of lent

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday. I grew up in churches that didn't practice lent, and I missed out. I think there is value to the lenten fast, asI am often so consumed in myself that I hardly sit to meditate on the death of Christ until days before Easter Sunday. So this year, I'm going to practice lent. I don't know what I'm going to give up yet; I haven't given it enough prayerful thought. But I'll let you know.

Dear Lord, please help me understand my finititude and grasp more of your infinitude. Help me to carry my cross and follow you, even if it means suffering. Help me to be obedient out of deep gratitude for your ultimate obedience. I need your grace everyday so that I can be bold for your name's sake, for your glory. Please help me grasp the depths of your love because even while we were yet sinners, you died for us. And as I approach Easter, the celebration of your victory over sin and death, increase my joy and expectancy as we yearn for the day when you will return to Earth.

Amen.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

abigail update

Abigail has now been sick a little over a week. She had a moderately high temp (102.3) Tuesday night, so I took her to the doctor on Wednesday. After all of the tests, the doctor concluded that she has a virus and should feel icky for a while longer. Her fevers come and go, as do her moods, but we're hanging in there.

Abigail had blood taken only a week and a half ago for her routine 1 year exam. She hated it, and definitely remembered the doctor office when we were there yesterday. There were many tears shed. For the most part, though, she's still her happy self. She just needs lots of extra TLC cuddling and entertainment to stay that way.

Rodney is traveling, but he'll be home tomorrow. Hopefully, Abigail will be feeling better and ready to play with her daddy.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

stay at home "nerd"

alright -- so the blogging has been a bit out of control lately -- maybe it's the sunshine, but i couldn't help myself today :) so here is what qualifies me as a stay at home "nerd"...

--meat loaf and potatoes are ready for oven and homemade banana bread (with and without nuts) is filling my apartment with a delightful smell...

--laundry folded and needs to be folded

-- just purchased an Ergo Sport baby carrier and am so excited...Christmas money well spent. It will be perfect for walking on the beach in a couple of weeks! Yippee!

--and am also pondering buying a ring sling :) Abigail really liked it at the boutique today:) and by the way, i exercised much self restraint by not buying cool, fun cloth diapers that i don't need at the boutique today. it really was hard.

I don't think I'm officially a baby wearing mama...not yet!

It's in the 50s here in Houston (COLD!!), but the sun is glorious!

and now I'll go fold that laundry...

Monday, February 8, 2010

Go Orange and Blue!












Saturday, February 6, 2010

birthdays

Last Saturday we had several friends over to celebrate Rodney and Abigail's birthdays. We served grilled chicken fajitas, rice, fruit salad, seven layer dip and chips, and of course pink cupcakes and mint brownies -- all made with love!

I did, however, not realize that my camera battery was dead and our back-up camera had little battery life left. So these are a mix of pictures from my friend's phone and a couple from us.

Enjoy!





Friday, February 5, 2010

blessed sunshine :)

We have had an abnormally cool and wet week here in Houston. No matter. The sun is out today, and it lifts my spirits. So I bundled up my snotty nosed child and took her for a walk this afternoon. We can actually do that in Houston:)

Miss Abigail has been sick since about Wednesday. She had a hard night (aka -- hard for mommy too) but seems to be feeling a bit better. But she's working on two teeth right now, so there's a constant stream of snot and saliva coming out of her mouth. She's quite the sorry sight to behold, especially since she often has a big goofy grin on her face. She is unfazed by her coughing, sneezing, running nose and mouth -- that is until it's time for a nap. Thankfully, after several mommy trips into her nursery, she finally settled down to sleep.

So I'm thankful that this sunshine keeps my spirits lifted. And now I'll get back to one of my most favorite chores (meal planning). Save the best for last! (I cleaned bathrooms, dusted and picked up this morning...so the dreaded tasks are out of the way!)

Meal Plan for the next couple of days --
Chicken and Black Bean enchilada casserole
Goat cheese salads with cranberries and pecans
MIL Meatloaf, baked potatoes...and steamed broccoli (Abigail's favorite!)

I'm off to a good start!