Abigail at 17 months

                                       In her favorite chair enjoying her favorite activity-eating!!

   Such a serious girl when she's eating! Abigail weighs 25lbs right now and her hair is really starting to come in and it's curly (in the back anyway)! This is going to be a pretty random post because it's been a long day!  She has mastered using a spoon at mealtimes and she's pretty good at it! She loves to eat yogurt, oatmeal and soup. I have to say, self-feeding makes mealtime so much easier and momma actually gets a hot meal now!.

She has started this screaming phase and when I say  screaming, I mean SCREAMING! She thinks it's funny and it is at times but at other times it's highly irritating and nerve-racking! She still walks on her tippy-toes and has started running which is pretty comical. She's starting to say more words like Melmo for Elmo, her favorite thing right now. She also says bye-bye, hello, bo-bo for bottom, no, all done, Nana and belly. She has started sleeping longer in the mornings so this has meant we're down to one nap a day which is nice b/c she naps for about 3 hours.

The biggest news around here is that we're finally paci free! One night, I was putting her to bed and couldn't find a paci anywhere. So, I decided to be done with it once and for all. She cried for about 5 minutes, Daddy went in and soothed her, and then she slept all night long! We are on day 6 without it and I think she has forgotten all about it for the most part. I think she even sleeps better. The only problem is the car ride. She can't seem to self-soothe and just tosses, turns and fusses but surely it will get better.

She loves her Dadda and runs to greet him when he comes home from work each day. She loves to wrestle with her Dadda and Bubba and can easily knock her bubba down. Some things we're working on  include no hitting (she likes to slap her brother and me), no touching the PS3 or other electronic devices and saying no to everything.

She is such a silly girl and loves to laugh. She loves music and dancing. She loves her fuzzy blankets and her Minnie Mouse that she sleeps with. She also likes the Christmas tree and presents. She has already managed to unwrap 2 gifts and pulled off a dozen ornaments.

We can't wait to spend Christmas together along with our extended families. It will be a blast watching her finally get to unwrap her presents which include an Elmo complete with drums, a big Disney doll (forgot which one) and others.

We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! God Bless You!

Abigail 16 months

                                    Abigail, you are 16 months old now and such a delight!

                                         You are such a silly girl and have a BIG personality!

                                                                        Big blue eyes!!

                                                         You love your rocking chair!

You're still a dare devil but you have developed some new fears like the sound of the vacuum and other loud noises.You're still walking very well and have learned to walk backwards.You still love to eat and some of your favorites are dried cranberries, raisins, bananas, grapes, cereal, donuts, milk, cheese, peas and green beans. You're in a size 18 moths and love clothes and shoes now. You love your daddy and as soon as he enters the door from working all day you say hi and expect a big hug and kiss. You love your time with mommy and usually want all of her undivided attention. You love books and often bring us a book and plop down in our lap to read. Aunt Julie must be so proud! You have discovered your belly button and are fascinated with it. You also have started pointing to your bottom when you have gone to the bathroom which makes momma feel it's time for potty training. Daddy got the potty down from the attic and you have begun to be interested in it, mainly wanting to stand and climb on it!

Word-wise you say momma, dadda, bubba, bo-bo for your bottom, hi, hello, bath, ball, doggy, and your favorit word is MORE!The funniest thing is watching you walk and run on your tippy-toes!You still don't like the car and fuss pretty much anytime we travel! You love your Gamme, Nana and Papa Chuck who we have visited lately!

You sleep about 12 hours a night laying down about 7pm and waking up around 7am. You are still taking 2 naps a day which momma likes! We are going to try and take your paci away very soon but after the end of a long week, we just don't have it in us right now to deal with the paci free non-sleeping nights!

Your emotions are very extreme and you can go from belly laughing to screaming you head off in 5 seconds (I guess that goes with being a female). We are still working on your strong- will and letting you walk while holding our hands. Daddy got you a harness so when we go somewhere you are free to walk but are still safe and secure with us which you seem to like.

Christmas is coming soon and I think we will be getting you an Elmo which you just love playing with at the store. We are a little unsure of the Christmas tree b/c we know your curious hands will be all over it!

You LOVE your big brother Gabe and you guys have light saver fights and he has even taught you how to play with monster trucks while making the vumm-vumm sound! He protects you and tells you no when you're getting in to something. You follow him around everywhere and he doesn't seem to mind.

We sure love you and you have made our lives so much more exciting and silly!

Worry

Some people wrestle with alcoholism, drugs addictions, and many other things but I have always wrestled with worry. I read 2 devotionals during my daily quiet time, Journey Magazine for women and Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. Today they were both on worry! I think God is trying to tell me something. The scripture was found in Luke 12:22-26 which says that we should not worry about our lives and that it will not add a single hour to our lives.

Jesus Calling talks about how anxiety comes from worrying about the future and not thinking about how God is always with us. I don't have to worry about things because God has it all under control including these seemingly impossible future events.

We tend to think about worst-case scenarios and most of the time, these thoughts we have never become reality.I'm so glad God reminded today not to worry but to trust Him with all things including my life, my husband and children, family, finances and our needs.

I love Ephesians 3:20-21 which says: Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine  according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus  throughout all generations, forever and ever Amen!

15 Months Old

Abigail Grace, I can't believe you're already 15 months old. The time has just flown by.We went to your check-up on Monday and you weigh 24 lbs. and are 30 1/2 inches tall putting you between the 50th-75th percentile in both areas. You are a great eater and will eat just about anything we put in front of you. You make a happy plate before most of us even start eating! You are still a great sleeper, sleeping about 12 hours at night. The whole nap routine is under major changing and we're still trying to figure that out. Right now, you nap about an hour in the morning and 2 hours in the afternoon. You still have to have your paci when you sleep and to calm you down. We are slowly thinking about taking it away in the next few weeks which scares us b/c that paci is our saving grace at times!

You are full of energy and do anything you see your big brother doing, good and bad! We have come to the realization that you have a strong-willed temperament (Daddy and Nana say you get it from me). You and I have battles when your diaper needs to be changed, getting dressed and getting in your car seat. You don not like riding in the car. You're good for the first few minuted but then start crying which almost always turns in to screaming. Nana said I used to be the same way in the car.

You are as sweet as you can be but when you don't get your way, you definitely throw a fit and have even started saying "no" and swat your hand at me. I have been putting you in small time outs in the pack-n-play or just sitting you in your crib until you calm down.

At church, the nursery workers say that you're so sweet and friendly. At the doctor's office, the staff said you were the friendliest baby they had seen all day.You are already very smart and know what it means to go bye-bye, eat and take a bath. The other day, I had my bedroom door shut trying to put make-up on without your little hands getting in everything. Daddy said you went to the bathroom and got your stool, carried it and set it outside my door and then stood on it and tried to turn the door handle.

You have a mouth full of teeth and your hair is slowly coming in, still not long enough to put bows in. You're still wearing 12 months pants and tops and I must say you're a petite little thing.  Your favorite things to do right now are to play in Bubba's room, play blocks, rock with Daddy, sing and you love to dance to the music in the car. I have tried to start letting you walk when we're out and you like this except you don't want to hold my hand. When I reach for your hand you pull it away and then sit down. This tends to stress Mommy out a bit b/c people will pass by and say "do you need some help?". I usually just smile and let then know you are my strong-willed child!

I have been reading James Dobson's Strong -Willed Child book which has been very enlightening and has helped me realize you were born this way and there's no need to change you! I can definitely see that we're going to bump heads later on. I guess it's payback for how I behaved with your Nana!

We sure do love you and thank God for you each day! It really is so fun watching you grow and play.

He Will Go With You

We have been in our new home and community for about 4 months now. Part of the reason for this blog is just to  be able to journal all that God has done for us and to be reminded of His goodness. We have met some really great people here. One of the first couples we met and who invited us into their home are Jessica and Eric. They actually live a couple streets down from us and have 2 children. Eric works with Johnathan and Jessica is also a stay at home mom. We have a lot in common including our faith. They too moved from their home and families to come work for Walamrt. Jessica invited me to meet some of her friends and help me get into her MOPS group. We are also now working out together and have been able to get to know one another. It is just so amazing how God surrounds us with people who can bring strength and encouragement and common ground.

We have been attending Cross Church and I have been going to the ladies Bible study there. I was involved in a woman's Bible study at my former church and was excited to get involved in another one when we moved here.

On the first day of Bible study, there were about 75 women in attendance. You could choose where you wanted to sit, so I sat down at a table with another great lady I had met named Jo Ann.  Her and her husband Rodney who also works at Walamrt invited us into their home for dinner when we first moved. It was neat meeting them because they relocated from Little Rock about 3 years ago. They also have 2 children and Jo Ann is a stay at home mom.

At the table that day, there was about six of us in the group. The group leader is Shannon and I found out that her husband Chris also works for Walmart. He leads a Bible study group during lunch on the same day we meet and it just so happens that Johnathan and Jo Ann's husband are in his group. Shannon and Chris live in our neighborhood and have 3 children. Shannon is a stay at home mother as well. After I met her that day, we both agreed that sitting together was not a coincidence but a definite God thing!

Today in Bible study it was just the three of us which was neat because we were able to share prayer requests, pray for each other and our families and just learn more about the Lord. We all agreed at the end just how awesome God is because while we were praying and sharing, our husbands were about to meet together. Now isn't that just neat? I think so!

I think God just magnificently plans things and is always with you. He knows our needs and always meets us right where we are. I have been having a real hard time lately with living away from my mother and missing her dearly. And you know, sometimes no one can really understand your hurts and pain, but God does and He often allows people in your life who have been there and know exactly what you are struggling with.

I am just so thankful for all God has done and the great friends He has allowed us to meet. I still don't know exactly why we had to move but I am praying that I will continue to trust God.

It Still Fits!

           My sister, AKA Aunt Julia got this outfit for Abigail when she was 6 months old. I put it on her last weekend and it still fits! Aunt Julia always picks out the cutest clothes for Abigail!

        She isn't much of a shopper now, but she'll learn! Shopping is one of the things me, Nana and Aunt Julia love to do even though most of the time we don't buy much, well, except for food!

Playing with Chalk

  Gabe has been working on shapes and letters. The kids love being outside so we went out yesterday and played with chalk.

 Abigail insists on wearing her bike helmet (passed down from her bubba) whenever we're outside.

    Gabe can draw circles, squares, triangles, ovals and crosses. he can even write his name and others letters.

  Abigail is fearless and loves to run down our steep driveway. She also likes to see how close to the road she can get before we stop her.

Horsebarn Park

      We took the kids to the park last night and had a great time. They love this park because of the swings, slides and the creek under the bridge where they can throw rocks.

                                             Gabe likes to swing and is learning how to pump his legs.

                           Abigail likes the swing but only for a few minutes, then it's on to the next fun thing.

                                                      Abigail LOVES to climb!

                                 Gabe just learned how to go down the pole and is very good at it.

First Day at KDO

                      Gabe started KDO (Kid's Day Out) at our church today. He was so excited! Gabe is 4 years old and will be turning 5 next April, I cannot believe how fast he is growing up!

                                             Such a handsome boy! he has gotten really tall over the summer!

                                     Come on Mom, you've already taken my picture!

     Gabe was so excited to show off his Lightening Mcqueen lunch bag. His lunch consisted of a lunchable, apple, yogurt and bottle of water.

                                                         My new class and teacher.

                                Gabriel, Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you. You have such a kind and tender heart. You love Jesus and make friends with everyone around you. Remember that God loves you and will always be with you!   Joshua 1:9

A Day In The Life

                       Gamme and Papaw came to visit and brought the kids some goodies!

                                                               Going for a bike ride!

                                           Playing at the playground in our neighborhood.

                                                           The Farmers market in Fayettville.

                                                    Abigail loves to play with blocks!

                                                         Bubble bath with Daddy.

                                                      Talking on Momma's phone.