Tuesday, October 25, 2011

It's 7:24am on a Tuesday. Abigail woke up at 6, but ate and went back to sleep; one of my college roommates is here visiting (still asleep too, she's on vacation); John is returning today from a business trip; and I'm sitting on the couch, wrapped in an Airforce Academy blanket, thinking of things I'm thankful for. So I thought I'd share: 

1.) Friendships that endure absences well.
Tiff is here for a visit; we've known each other 11 years now and I have actually lived with her longer than I've lived with John...she's the sister of my heart.
Plus, we just got back from a long weekend with our friends, the Peelers, from Atlanta. It had been a year and a half since we'd seen them; two children had been added to the mix, making 5 total for the weekend; and we picked up right where we left off. More than picked up: it was refreshing, challenging, and just plain fun. A very sweet gift. Can you imagine how sweet those reunions in heaven will be?! There are so many people I'd love to sit down with again in this life, but a lot of those won't happen. Mmm mmm, it's nice to think about eternity to see them.

2.) Hot drinks and warm blankets in the morning.

3.) Extra time to myself when Abigail sleeps in. I don't need to have this extra 'first thing in the morning' time as Abigail still takes good naps, but I love it.
There is something so restful about the couch and a cup of coffee first thing. Especially when I don't have to get up at 5 to achieve it. It's my number one reason I avoid exercise before 7. I like slowness first thing, not sweat. And I'm thankful I have the opportunity to be slow regularly.

4.) Chicken costumes. It's what Abigail will be for Halloween/our Square Dance on Saturday (yes, you read that right)/maybe even Thanksgiving 'cause it's so dang cute. Tight enough she has trouble sitting up straight in it, but cute...and a wonderful circumstantial joy. I like those.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Birthday thoughts

Today I happen to be twenty-nine. Actually, it's now tonight. What with one thing and another ( mainly Abigail, but also the 20 friends that came over tonight under the cover of "Bible Study" to help us celebrate my birthday), this post has taken all day to write. But. I am definitely 29  now, and in honor of that went and dug up birthday pictures from the past, because that's fun.


Me at three. I think. Plus Callie, who's having a good time. Plus William, who is not.
This next one is just for fun, but I also see some of Abigail's expressions in these pictures (maybe because we spend a lot of time together?). My Ouma would cut out and glue old pictures to cards for almost every birthday/big occasion and I loved it. Still do. 


Today is also a big day because Abigail is 10 months:
we worked on 10 month photos today but she was not in the mood...we'll try again later





and I've been married to John for exactly three and a half years.
He's awfully good looking in a tux!


Mostly because of the last two dates I've been thinking a lot lately about this man:



and realizing that directly because of him I feel more beautiful now than I did three years ago.

I love that.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Steps in the right direction

Have I mentioned that Abigail is trying to walk? Such, such fun to see her take a few steps with a huge grin on her face. I have to frequently remind myself: "I am not in a competition to see how early my daughter can learn things." Easy to say since she learns things early; I get to verbalize the right thing but still feel like a winner.....
Odds on, if the Lord gives us a second child, they won't walk or babble until they're two....then we'll see if I can follow through on my philosophy :o).


All that aside, I might as well enjoy her progress now. So here's a video of her and her walker(s). If I can catch her stepping by herself I will, of course, show that off too.



That's all for now, folks!

Thursday, October 13, 2011

9 months ( almost one month late)

I know everyone has been waiting on pins and needles.
So, without further ado, here she is in all of her 9 month glory: 




And, for your viewing pleasure: 
A "Montage of Expressions That Crack Me Up. As Seen From Abigail's Point of View"
as my friend Penny, who's three, likes to say. Well, not exactly 'montage of expressions';
she says "you crack me up, Mrs. Katy." Which cracks me up.







All done.

Happy 13th of October!