Merry Christmas!

Happy Birthday Jesus!

And I won't say I told you so.

This morning, Ryan & I are hanging out downstairs while Abby is taking her nap.  I hear her wake up, but she is happily cooing and content, so I figure I can finish what I am doing real quick before I get her.  Ryan, however, has heard her too. 

"Abby waking up, I go upstairs, say good morning to her."

Okay, no problem, he is a great big brother and likes to do this.  I hear him walking in her room, followed by:

"Abby standing up in crib!" 

Say what?!?  the quick thinker I am, I say something along the lines of 'really?' as I rush to the halfway point of the stairs where I can look across the banister into her room.  I see her standing and being the wonderful mother I am, I dash back downstairs for the camera.  Unfortunately, Ryan updates the situation for me  ...

"Abby WAS standing.  Abby no standing in crib anymore."  Too slow, Mommy, too slow. 

So Ryan & I sit in Abby's room as she's hanging out in her crib.  And sure enough, in just a minute or two, she pulls herself all the way to standing and I've got my picture  :)

All dressed up!

Abby's beautiful Christmas dress from Great- Aunt Judy 

Neighborhood Christmas Party

Ryan did better with Santa than we expected! We really thought we would just take a few photos of Santa & Abby. But as long as Daddy was holding tight, Ryan did okay! Thanks Buddy!

Abby of course loved Santa and sat with him for a long time. After her photos with Santa, I took her back and she turned & reached for him again. That's our sweet Abby - always happy and outgoing!

The snow machine was lots of fun for Ryan! Unfortunately it was about 40 degrees and drizzling, so we didn't stay too long.

There was also a hayride which Ryan enjoyed. We saw it this morning driving down the street, I guess it was practicing its route. Ryan ran to the window to watch it and then talked about riding the hayride with blue tractor all day. I was very glad the rain didn't cancel it!

Missing the point

Today Ryan had to spend some quality time in his room "resting." As I rounded the hallway to head up the stairs this is the sight I was greeted with ....

"I no take down my gate. No somebodys did"

Okay well ... As I walked further up the stairs, Ryan clarified:

"I climbed over it!"

Umm, wonderful, just wonderful.

Rub a Dub Dub

What to do when two kids need a bath at the same time?? It actually worked pretty well. My only advice would be to put a towel under the baby bath. Seeing as Abby's tub is usually in the tub, I didn't realize how much she splashed!

I love having two kids :)

Ryan-ism for my mommy friends

Warning ... if you are not a parent or don't advocate breastfeeding or are easily offended, this is not the post for you! But if you want a laugh, continue on ...

Yesterday, Ryan climbed up on the couch, pulled the boppy onto his lap, and announced he wanted to feed Abby. He then pulled his shirt up and asked us to hand him Abby. "Ryan feed Abby, hand me Abby" He repeated his request a few times since Coleson & I were too busy hiding our laughter to respond to him!

Eight Days :: Twenty-three Hundred Miles

Happy belated Thanksgiving everyone! We had a great week traveling the east coast! We left on Friday after meeting Coleson for his office Thanksgiving potluck lunch. The drive started a bit rough with Ryan throwing up two hours in, but we were able to get him cleaned up pretty well and he felt fine so we continued on. We made a quick stop at Chickfila in Greenville. We enjoyed seeing cousin Maxim (& Auntie Sarah & Uncle Christian too!), playing in the playplace, and eating dinner. We then spent the night with Aunt Lolly & Uncle Brian in North Carolina. Saturday brought yummy make-your-own-pizzas and lots of fun at the park. Saturday night we drove to Pennsylvania and stayed with my cousin Teri and her family, and Aunt Barb was there too. It was great fun having all the second cousins together. Ryan LoVeD playing with the big kids and they were so good about including him and letting him take turns too. Thanks guys! Teri & Brent treated us to a delicious lunch and then an afternoon photo shoot (TeriKlingerPhotography). Christmas cards coming soon :) Thanks Teri!!

Monday we ventured on to Massachusetts to see Coleson's Grandma. It was wonderful to introduce Great- Grandma and Abby! We were also able to spend some time with Great- Aunt Betty, Great- Uncle John, & cousin Ricky and Great- Uncle Rick, Great- Aunt Cheryl, & cousin Dan. It only took Ryan a few minutes to warm up to everyone and then he enjoyed all the attention - running in the halls, riding Great- Grandma's scooter with Rick, and all sorts of other fun :) Also a special thankyou to cousin Ricky for the Beanie Baby kitty cats. Ryan really loves his kitty cat! He hung on to him the rest of the trip and sleeps with him at night now that we are home! What a perfect and thoughtful gift! We are so glad we were able to make it up and hope we can return again soon.

Wednesday morning we back our trek back south stopping in Virginia at Coleson's dad's house. Jo-Ann's son and his family were there as well and Ryan & Layla Grace played together as well as a two and three year old can! Ryan still needs a little work on sharing, but we'll get there someday :) We had a wonderful Thanksgiving meal. A cold turkey was a blessing in disguise allowing us to work together and create a yummy meal complete with some special homemade sides (including sweet potatoes with both marshmallows & pecans - glad to know Coleson & I aren't the only couple who can't agree on the best topping!). And while we were there Suzzette was blessed with the best Thanksgiving present - a new baby girl! Baby Emma was born on Wednesday afternoon! We are very happy for her and looking forward to meeting her soon. Unfortunately all four of us caught a cold, so hospital visits didn't seem like a good idea.

Friday afternoon we left for home and arrived about 2:30 am Saturday morning (Coleson is now a fan of energy drinks!). It was a long drive, but worth it to avoid Saturday traffic and get the kids home & back in routine. Ryan & I are feeling much better, but Coleson & Abby are still pretty sickly. Coleson actually went to the doctor today and has a sinus infection, but is on antibotics now. We enjoyed resting on Saturday, watching football, and stopping by my parents' house for a little bit - nothing like your mom's homemade chicken soup when you're not feeling great! It was a somewhat rushed trip and we wish we could have spent more time with everyone, but we are so glad we were able to see as many family members as we did. Thank you to everyone who let us crash at their places! We are grateful for such a loving extended family and we look forward to seeing ya'll again soon!

Seven months old

Sometimes it's hard to believe Abby's already seven months old; other times it's hard to believe she's only seven months old! Either way, here she is looking her usual beautiful & happy self. We love you baby girl :)



Red & Black themed photos since her seven month happened to fall on a gameday Saturday.
Go Dawgs!