Hitting the road

We are leaving for Wisconsin today for a 10 day trip to visit Andrew's family and attend a wedding. I doubt I will post anything till we get back, but I will have lots to share when we return. Hope everyone has a wonderful Memorial Day and you all enjoy your long weekend. And, a big thanks to all those who serve or who have served our country and their families.

Swallowing my pride to show belly pictures

I haven't been very good about getting belly pictures, probably because I am a bit of a camera-phobe. But, here are a couple that we took...I don't really like them but they are all I have for now. I feel like I am in that in between stage where some days I look pregnant and most days I just look fat. I have been feeling pretty good except for some pretty nasty allergy issues and I haven't been sleeping too well. I am also dealing with the occasional bought of nausea still, mostly at night. On a more exciting note, I have been feeling some kicks. They are still very light so Andrew and Abby haven't been able to feel yet, but I am sure its the baby! I have had 2 different dreams regarding the sex....one boy and one girl, lol! We have an ultrasound scheduled for June 10th and if the baby cooperates we will find out then if Abby will be having a brother or sister!! As the belly grows and I look more pregnant I hope to take more pictures!!

I am about 16 1/2 weeks in these and am now 18 weeks.

A more positive attitude

As many of you know, I am not crazy about the area we live in right now. Crestview isn't exactly a bustling city with endless opportunities for fun. The restaurants and shopping leave much to be desired, there is only one major park, there are no museums or indoor children's gyms, and the bugs are utterly disgusting! Basically there are a ton of houses, some fast food restaurants, and a Wal-Mart. With that being said, I have decided that I need to be more positive about the area and enjoy it while I can. I know that we won't always live 20 miles from some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. And, I also know that someday (probably not too far in the future) we will again be dealing with snow, traffic and a whole new set of problems. My plan for this summer is to enjoy the area and get out and do as much as possible. Abby has really taken to the beach this year which is a far cry from last year when she hated the sand and was terrified of the water. In fact, this morning she asked me if I would take her to the beach and if we could stay there forever and ever. I am going to enjoy time in the sun, eating my fair share of ice cream, and living life through Abigail's eyes. It takes so little to make her happy and I am going to take that lesson and run with it. I can't say that I won't ever complain about the things I mentioned above, but I am going to try to remember that along with the bad there are some really great things about this place. I know I will miss it when I am gone, we've made some really good friends and made some lifelong memories, so I am going to make the best of it.

Here are a few shots of us making the most of what the area has to offer, and I am sure I will have many more to share over the summer!

The Great Outdoors

This past Saturday our friend Meg invited us over for a bonfire. She has a house right on the river and tons of land. When she mentioned we could go fishing in the river Abby was sold! The first thing Abby asked me on Saturday morning was if I went and bought her a fishing pole yet. Well, I hadn't so we headed to the store to find the perfect fishing pole, and of course it was pink! That afternoon we headed to Meg's house and immediately went fishing upon Abby's request. She did really well for her first time. She was very interested in what was in her tackle box, she helped cast, and she loved to reel in the line! We only had one bite, the fish were more interested in eating the bread Abby was throwing in the water than nibbling on kielbasa. That night when it got a little bit darker we headed outside to sit by the fire. Abby enjoyed helping Andrew gather wood and kindling for the fire, and she enjoyed roasting marshmallows, but her attention span outside in the dark didn't last for too long. We prolonged it a bit by giving her a flashlight to play with, but soon after it was time to head home. We had a great time and Abby and Daddy are looking forward to their next fishing adventure....maybe next time they will catch a little something ;)

I just love the lip sticking out in this picture.

Mmmm, s'mores, yummy!

Rainy day fun

We have been blessed with incredible weather lately and I knew it was just too good to last. On Thursday and Friday of this past week reality set in and we hunkered down for some rain. I know that we really needed it, but rainy days make for long days at home with a 2 1/2 year old that doesn't nap! Well, when the rain finally ended late in the afternoon on Friday Abby and I decided to take advantage of the aftermath. We put on Abby's stompin' boots and headed out to splash in the puddles! The pure joy and excitement that I saw was priceless!!

Abby loves to pick flowers for me, its very sweet!

Mother's Day 2008

I enjoyed a very blessed and wonderful Mother's Day this year. It was a little bittersweet since this will be my last one as a Mommy of one! We started the day at church, and there was a wonderful sermon about parenting that was really good to hear. We then headed to the Officers Club to have brunch with Sam and Nolan. They had quite the spread this year, complete with a chocolate fountain...yum!! After brunch we went to the mall and I got a little bit of shopping in while Andrew took Abby for a ride on the carousel. I got a maternity dress for the wedding we are going in a few days. After that we came home and enjoyed the rest of the day hanging out as a family. Abby played in the yard and in the pool and helped Andrew plant some grass. That evening Andrew cooked up some yummy steaks! It was a great Mothers Day and I am blessed to have such a wonderful family!

Abby and I at brunch

Making silly faces

Aww, can you feel the love?

The Mommies. I am not thrilled with the picture but I will blame it on the wind!

Family pic, nice hair huh? I guess that is one of the advantages of shaving your head, you don't have to worry about what your hair looks like!

This is the art that Abby made for me for Mother's Day, I LOVE it!!!

Andrew told me to pick out a new diaper bag for Mothers Day and I am having a hard time deciding! This is my favorite so far, what do you all think?

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful Mom's in my life, I hope you all have a wonderful day! Being a Mom is the best job a girl could ask for.  I can't name one thing in life that is better than the love I see and feel from Abby on a daily basis.  The things being a mother has taught me are priceless and I know I will only continue to learn with time, and its something I am very much looking forward to.  Don't get me wrong motherhood has not come without its hardships, but a kiss and smile from Abby can erase those things in a heartbeat.  Last year I wrote down some things about being a mom and I think I am going to continue on with the tradition:

BECAUSE I AM YOUR MOM:

Because I am your mom, I get to come up with an answer to the question "why?" 500 times a day.

Because I am your mom, I am remembering my love for princesses and all things "girlie".

Because I am your mom, I wake up with a smile each morning not knowing exactly what the day has in store.

Because I am your mom, I warm your milk in the microwave because that is the way you like it even though I find it a bit strange. 

Because I am your mom, I get to kiss your boo-boo's to make them all better.

Because I am your mom, I get to say goodnight to the moon.

Because I am your mom, bath time is fun again.

Because I am your mom, I cannot leave the house without being prepared for hundreds of different scenarios.

Because I am your mom, I am strengthening my relationship with God so that you may have one yourself.

Because I am your mom, I drive a snack box on wheels instead of a car.

Because I am your mom, I recite nursery rhymes numerous times a day.

Because I am your mom, I sing off-key every night before you go to bed. 

Because I am your mom, I have learned that a shoe obsession can start at a VERY early age.

Because I am your mom, I play with play-doh almost everyday and most days I have just as much fun as you do.

Because I am your mom, I have learned that housework can be put off just a while longer so that I can make a mess with you.

Because I am your mom, I have found the joy in the small things such as balloons, bubbles, and glitter sticks.

Because I am your mom, I am learning things about life I never would have had the joy of knowing if it weren't for you.

Because I am your mom, I am the luckiest woman in the world!

Ballerina in training

I guess its about time for me to start looking into ballet class. One of Abby's favorite things to do these days is put on her princess dress and crown and dance with Daddy. She has some pretty good moves, but I have no idea where she learned them.