Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Tunnel!
Since we're headed to St. Louis for Christmas, we went ahead and gave Abby her Christmas gift from us--a tunnel from IKEA. After a brief pause, and a little coaxing from the other side, she started crawling through it...
again...
and again...
and again...
whew...it had it's intended effect. It wore her out.
again...
and again...
and again...
whew...it had it's intended effect. It wore her out.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Reflections from "Around Here"
And we'll collect the moments one by one
I guess that's how the future's done
-Feist, Mushaboom
I like the above lines from one of my current favorite artists because it is so easy to just "count" the big events in life--holidays, birthdays, big trips, etc. and forget the everyday "moments" that happen on rainy, dreary days when the car's in the shop and there's nowhere to go.
I am learning to "live in the moment" instead of spending all my time re-living the last great trip or looking forward to the next one. This week I took a few pictures of our adventures "around here."
Abby is fascinated by all the "new toys" that come home from Costco and end up on the kitchen cart. (Mom, you can stop laughing about the number of boxes of ziploc bags I have--it was a great deal!) Anyway, the main reason I posted this picture was so you could see Abby's cute little ponytail. Her hair is getting long and ends up in her face. This one lasted about an hour, which is close to a record for us.
Abby playing with the soccer ball from Uncle Matt and Aunt Marina.
The rain stopped long enough to bundle up and walk across the street to the store for dinner ingredients. Abby could hardly move, but was cozy warm in her new hat and mittens.
One of Abby's favorite "around the house" games is chasing the cat. Most of the action shots were too blurry to post, but this one is funny because Abby thinks Sophie is behind the cart, but instead she sneaked around the bar and is behind her. I think this game lasted for about 15 minutes--great entertainment for all!
The IKEA tunnel has proven to be a favorite around here--especially when mom gets stuck halfway through while trying to get a good shot of Abby.
The best part about being home all day is getting to stay in your pajamas...and finding new "forts" to hide in or under.
I guess that's how the future's done
-Feist, Mushaboom
I like the above lines from one of my current favorite artists because it is so easy to just "count" the big events in life--holidays, birthdays, big trips, etc. and forget the everyday "moments" that happen on rainy, dreary days when the car's in the shop and there's nowhere to go.
I am learning to "live in the moment" instead of spending all my time re-living the last great trip or looking forward to the next one. This week I took a few pictures of our adventures "around here."
Abby is fascinated by all the "new toys" that come home from Costco and end up on the kitchen cart. (Mom, you can stop laughing about the number of boxes of ziploc bags I have--it was a great deal!) Anyway, the main reason I posted this picture was so you could see Abby's cute little ponytail. Her hair is getting long and ends up in her face. This one lasted about an hour, which is close to a record for us.
Abby playing with the soccer ball from Uncle Matt and Aunt Marina.
The rain stopped long enough to bundle up and walk across the street to the store for dinner ingredients. Abby could hardly move, but was cozy warm in her new hat and mittens.
One of Abby's favorite "around the house" games is chasing the cat. Most of the action shots were too blurry to post, but this one is funny because Abby thinks Sophie is behind the cart, but instead she sneaked around the bar and is behind her. I think this game lasted for about 15 minutes--great entertainment for all!
The IKEA tunnel has proven to be a favorite around here--especially when mom gets stuck halfway through while trying to get a good shot of Abby.
The best part about being home all day is getting to stay in your pajamas...and finding new "forts" to hide in or under.
Sligh Christmas
Since our family will be apart for Christmas this year, we decided to have Christmas on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, while we were all together.
We had a delicious "Christmas" dinner with mom's signature steak and twice baked potatoes, and dad's birthday cake for dessert.
Quick Abby's in a good mood--let's take the Christmas pictures...
This picture did not make it into the Christmas cards, but I love how Abby and dad have the exact same expression, as Abby uses dad's hair for leverage.
It's hard to make a baby smile while you hold her. You end up looking like the one who drank a little too much eggnog at dinner...everyone else looks great!
After a nap, and a quick rendition of "open" and "close" with Uncle Matt, we were ready for the gift exchange.
One more family picture...
Mom has a tradition every year of giving us ornaments that signify something that happened this year, or something that fits with our personality or interest. I tried to post pictures of some of them here, but am having technical difficulties. Will try to add later...anyway, they were all very fitting and fun.
Abby got a cute alligator bath toy from Granpa...it winds up and swims around The Swamp, I mean, the bathtub.
...it quickly ended up in her mouth, like all of her other presents.
...the card with money for a "ball" from Matt and Marina...in the mouth.
The books from Granma and Granpa...in the mouth.
The new warm hat...on it's way to the mouth.
And the most fun part of it all...the wrapping paper! Although not pictured here, it also made it's way into the mouth in little wads that had to be fished out under much protest.
We adults exchanged gifts too, and enjoyed and appreciated each other's thoughtfulness and generosity. It is always fun, though, to see someone experience the beauty of the Christmas tree lights for the first time, to enjoy crinkling the paper between their little fingers, and exploring (and eating) new books and toys with new curiosity. We so appreciate Matt and Marina, Granma and Granpa making it a special time for all of us, but especially for little Abby.
We had a delicious "Christmas" dinner with mom's signature steak and twice baked potatoes, and dad's birthday cake for dessert.
Quick Abby's in a good mood--let's take the Christmas pictures...
This picture did not make it into the Christmas cards, but I love how Abby and dad have the exact same expression, as Abby uses dad's hair for leverage.
It's hard to make a baby smile while you hold her. You end up looking like the one who drank a little too much eggnog at dinner...everyone else looks great!
After a nap, and a quick rendition of "open" and "close" with Uncle Matt, we were ready for the gift exchange.
One more family picture...
Mom has a tradition every year of giving us ornaments that signify something that happened this year, or something that fits with our personality or interest. I tried to post pictures of some of them here, but am having technical difficulties. Will try to add later...anyway, they were all very fitting and fun.
Abby got a cute alligator bath toy from Granpa...it winds up and swims around The Swamp, I mean, the bathtub.
...it quickly ended up in her mouth, like all of her other presents.
...the card with money for a "ball" from Matt and Marina...in the mouth.
The books from Granma and Granpa...in the mouth.
The new warm hat...on it's way to the mouth.
And the most fun part of it all...the wrapping paper! Although not pictured here, it also made it's way into the mouth in little wads that had to be fished out under much protest.
We adults exchanged gifts too, and enjoyed and appreciated each other's thoughtfulness and generosity. It is always fun, though, to see someone experience the beauty of the Christmas tree lights for the first time, to enjoy crinkling the paper between their little fingers, and exploring (and eating) new books and toys with new curiosity. We so appreciate Matt and Marina, Granma and Granpa making it a special time for all of us, but especially for little Abby.
More Florida Fun
After Thanksgiving Day, there was much more fun to be had (and more blog entries to post!)
On Saturday, Janie came over to watch the Florida vs. Florida State game with the traditional wings and nacho fare, and was kind enough to pull for the Gators, even though she is a die-hard Hurricane. The Rauls stopped by as well on their way back to Ocala. Fun to see our good friends, although we always wish it could be for longer...
Janie and Abby Jane
"Who needs Beef's wings? The antenna cord tastes really great--you should try it!"
The Goodmans and the Rauls
Abby and Amy Caroline in April, at 2 1/2 months and 6 weeks, respectively.
Abby and Amy Caroline at 9 months and 8 months...crazy how fast they grow and change!
Abby inspecting the Christmas decorations...so many fun things to eat!
Matt and Marina--the cute newlyweds!
Granpa reading Abby her favorite "farm" book.
Abby loved having dad around all day long! How fun!
Sometimes stories sound better under the table--at least how Abby convinced Granma to get under the table with her!
On Saturday, Janie came over to watch the Florida vs. Florida State game with the traditional wings and nacho fare, and was kind enough to pull for the Gators, even though she is a die-hard Hurricane. The Rauls stopped by as well on their way back to Ocala. Fun to see our good friends, although we always wish it could be for longer...
Janie and Abby Jane
"Who needs Beef's wings? The antenna cord tastes really great--you should try it!"
The Goodmans and the Rauls
Abby and Amy Caroline in April, at 2 1/2 months and 6 weeks, respectively.
Abby and Amy Caroline at 9 months and 8 months...crazy how fast they grow and change!
Abby inspecting the Christmas decorations...so many fun things to eat!
Matt and Marina--the cute newlyweds!
Granpa reading Abby her favorite "farm" book.
Abby loved having dad around all day long! How fun!
Sometimes stories sound better under the table--at least how Abby convinced Granma to get under the table with her!
Saturday, December 08, 2007
Fun with the Fam
Abby and I arrived in Lakeland a little early and had fun "just hanging out" with Granpa, Granma, Matt and Marina for a few days before the Thanksgiving festivities began.
Granpa and Abby spent lots of time at the "activity table" that Della Kate let us borrow for the week...I'm pretty sure we still have the alphabet song (in Spanish) running through our heads.
Uncle Matt helped out at bath time...it takes two people these days to keep the baby from escaping the tub!
The girls--Granma, Marina, Abby and Sarah went to the park for some "swing time".
Abby got to break out some "warm weather wear" that never made it out of the closet this summer in Portland. It's crazy that we can tromp through the snow in June on Mt. Hood , and wear shorts in November in Florida. Sometimes, it's nice to mix it up a little bit.
I brought out my stuffed animals from when I was little. Abby loved "Elphie" and his long trunk.
Granpa and Abby spent lots of time at the "activity table" that Della Kate let us borrow for the week...I'm pretty sure we still have the alphabet song (in Spanish) running through our heads.
Uncle Matt helped out at bath time...it takes two people these days to keep the baby from escaping the tub!
The girls--Granma, Marina, Abby and Sarah went to the park for some "swing time".
Abby got to break out some "warm weather wear" that never made it out of the closet this summer in Portland. It's crazy that we can tromp through the snow in June on Mt. Hood , and wear shorts in November in Florida. Sometimes, it's nice to mix it up a little bit.
I brought out my stuffed animals from when I was little. Abby loved "Elphie" and his long trunk.
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