One year later, the post-able version

I wrote a really long post earlier today.  Easily the longest one I've ever written.  But I'm not going to publish it.  Sorry.  I will print it, stick it in my journal, maybe let my husband read it and Abby someday too.  But it's too raw, too real, too emotional for the world wide web.  At least it is for me; deep down I suppose I'm still a little shy.  In a sugar-coated nutshell, today marks one year from the first time Abby was admitted to Scottish Rite.  It was a very rough time.  But I learned a lot, grew a lot, learned to appreciate my life and be thankful for my many blessings.  Believe it or not, while I still occasionally cry, not all of my choa memories are bad.  Choa is an amazing place and we Georgians don't know how lucky we are to have it here; of course let's pray you never need to know how lucky you are! 

Today we celebrated life and Abby's amazing health and the fact that one year later she is perfectly healthy & medically boring.  Thank you to all our loving family and friends who supported us through such a tough month; I love you and am so thankful for you.  Thank you also to those of you who helped us honor Abby on her birthday with donations to Choa.  The kids and I made an afternoon out of driving down to Scottish Rite and dropping off a big bag of brand new toys.  It's such a tiny act, but a much needed reminder of how far we've come and of those that are where we were then. 

Last birthday post, I promise!

Tired of hearing about our birthdays yet??  I feel like that's all I've written about for the past few weeks!  But this is the last one I promise.  You don't have to read about any more birthdays until Ryan's in September :)  But until then, here's one more...

We celebrated Abby's birthday on Saturday with her party.  It was a very nice party, the weather cleared up beautifully and we were able to be outside the whole time.  Well, except of course the birthday girl!  Despite her two hour nap in preparation for the party, she still got tired and fussy.  I ended up waking her up after over an hour because she was missing her own party!  We had a great time with family and some wonderful & special friends.  We grilled out and ate cupcakes and visited and partied.  It was a good day and we are so thankful to celebrate the good times with everyone.  Happy Birthday sweet Abby!!  We love you!!

They say it's your birthday

So it's really late at night ... I apologize in advance if something I write doesn't make sense.  There will also be no pictures with this post since are still on my camera downstairs.  If you are okay with these conditions, feel free to read on!

This week has been a crazy fun week of birthday celebrations!  I think I left off midway through Monday ... dinner was with Coleson at Olive Garden and it was soo nice.  Wonderful to be out together on a date!  It also helped that we had giftcards so we were able to compliment our meals with an appetizer and a glass of wine.  And then of course we followed it up by picking up catfood at Petsmart, super romantic :) 

Tues, Wed, & Thurs were basically same old, same old.  Coleson had lots of meetings and we each played winning tennis matches.  The kids did their things and I did a little prep for Abby's party.  Ryan had his Easter egg hunt and party at preschool on Thursday.  Abby and I were able to go to that and it was a nice little event.  Family started coming into town on Thursday as well.  We met Auntie Sarah and Maxim for lunch at Chickfila and then showed off our new playset to them.  Uncle Brian also arrived and the kids got to hang with him and Grandpa and Auntie Sarah Thursday evening. 

Today, Friday, is Coleson's birthday.  Happy Happy Birthday to the love of my life!!  Unfortunately for him, I spent the day with my mom and sister while he hung with the kids.  Thanks Dear, I owe you!  We had a blast; they treated me to an amazing and fun day of surprises.  We started with Mexican and margaritas (yumm!!).  Then a trip to the nail salon where they talked me into being brave and I came out with purple toenails.  Laura's are orange, but actually really pretty.  Then a much needed stop at Victoria's Secret - let's just say I've nursed two kids and leave it at that!  And then a shopping trip to Ann Taylor Loft.  Lolly bought me a beautiful summery dress which I'll wear tomorrow for Abby's party.  I also got a cute shirt and shorts.  It was great fun hanging with my ladies!  Thanks so much for such a special day, if only we'd worked in that nap it would have been perfect :)

Coleson spent his birthday home with the kids (three of them on Fridays!).  But I think it went well; thanks to Brian and Sarah and Nana for hanging out with him and helping with the kids.  Once we all got back, we celebrated Coleson!  The sibs - us and Sarah, Christian, Laura, Brian - were able to enjoy a nice dinner together at a Japanese cook at your table place (thanks Grands for watching our babies!).  It was a yummy treat- we think it's weird to go to places like that if you can't fill the table, so a group of six was a fun excuse.  The food was delicious, company super great, and the best part ... Coleson's birthday dessert!!  They dimmed the lights, turned on a disco strobe light, wheeled out a big ole' drum, and sang him happy birthday!!  Everyone received ice cream and Coleson got an awesome fried banana boat (pictures to come eventually).  It was really fun, at least for me, hopefully Coleson liked it too :)  We then returned home for a fun, laugh filled game of Loaded Questions.  Thanks for a great evening!!

Alright, I think I've just about typed myself to sleep and I'm pretty sure I've mentioned all the highlights of the week.  Tomorrow's fun includes Touch a Truck and of course .... Abby's party!!  Yay!!

I run to you

I distinctly remember the first two or three months that Ryan was walking.  They were wonderful!  He would walk, but he wouldn't run.  In fact, I've advised more than one parent to enjoy those first couple of months when they walk, but don't go fast enough to cause trouble or worry.  His second Christmas, he had been walking about a month and I took him to see the reindeer.  He just stood there in a busy parking lot and I got some awesome photos of him looking at them. 

I guess I should have known better.  I don't know why I assumed I would have this grace period with Abby.  Yes, she runs.  Yes, she takes off down the hallway of the elementary school while Ryan is in speech.  Yes, she is into everything.  As is in the case with everything else, she has no fear.  She will walk right up to a table and without even slowing down crawls up on to it and has a seat.  She did the same thing to Ryan's bed this morning- walked right up to, threw her leg up and on to the bed, and then stood on the bed.  In fact, this is the main reason that I just now have a walking video to post.  She's been truly walking for a good week or so, but I can't get a good video!  She walks away or too fast or into something or Ryan jumps in to try to "help" her.  But here it is, finally, a presentable walking video for your enjoyment.

April = Birthdays

We've already been partying for nearly a week, and we have another week or so to go!  What fun April is :)  In addition to all the festivities on Abby's birthday (see previous post!), we had a birthday dinner with Grandma & Grandpa last Thursday.  Yummy food, a wonderful Big Bird cookie cake, bike & stroller rides respectively, and some presents including a wonderful picnic table.  Happy Birthday Abby-girl!

Today is my big scary birthday, and we celebrated with a party last night.  My wonderful hubby threw me the best party ever, complete with a photo scavenger hunt!  Each team had to take photos and videos of adventures such as spelling my name with their bodies, blowing bubbles on each other's shoulders, making human pyramids, and all sort of other fun things.  If you know me at all, you know that I have loved looking through all the photos!  We also grilled out burgers & dogs, ate cake, and visited with family & friends.  Thanks to Coleson, our parents, and my amazing friends for such a great party.  I love you guys and I'm so thankful for each and every one of you!  I suppose 30 isn't so bad when you've got as much to be grateful for as I do :) 

So far so good today - thanks for all the birthday phone calls, texts, and emails.  Mom treated the kids & I to a delicious lunch at Frosty Frog, one of our favorite sandwich shops.  I LOVE their chicken salad sandwiches!  And since you're only 30 once, I even had a yummy banana pudding creation for dessert.  Thanks Mom!!  Dinner tonight with Coleson and I think that should just about wrap it up for me.  Next up: Coleson's birthday on Friday and Abby's party on Saturday.  Whew, thanks Ryan for being born in September and spreading out the celebrations just a little!

Abby's First Birthday!!

Happy Birthday Sweet Abby!!  Well, it's one day late, but we were too busy celebrating yesterday for Mommy to write a post :)  So hard to believe our Baby Girl is one!  Of course at the same time, I can't remember or imagine life without you.  You have brought us so much joy and love and happiness.  There have been so many exciting milestones and adventures this past year, including walking just in time for your birthday!  For the last three weeks or so, you've been taking a few steps here & there, but all of a sudden you're a real walker.  Sure, you fall down every ten or twelve steps, but you shake it off and pull yourself right back up.  I know everyone says I should wish you'd wait, but I'm excited about the new walking.  It's so much fun and hey, it keeps you from skinning your knees & putting holes in your pants! 

Yesterday's birthday started with a marathon doctor's appointment, the highlight of which was your ear piercing.  You did so good and only cried for a minute.  And your earrings are such a pretty & feminine touch to the already beautiful you. 

Your friend Jake and his parents came over after work and those of us that eat table food enjoyed pizza.  But don't worry, at this point in your life your banana was delicious!  Nana then joined us for opening a few presents and a practice run at eating cupcakes.  I'm not sure why I was so worried, but for some reason Mommy thought you might not eat your cupcake at your party.  I'm still not sure how much actually went in your mouth, but you certainly did a good job of making a mess and that's all anyone really cares about anyways!

Your party's not until next weekend, which has been very hard to explain to your big brother.  But it's going to be a fun couple of weeks filled with birthdays and partys and love and family and friends.  We love you so much Baby Girl and we are so blessed to have you as our sweet and joyful and happy and beautiful daughter.  Happy First Birthday Abby Caroline!!

Siblings

I'm sure that I am guilty of putting my children in boxes (metaphorically speaking, not for reals, so don't call child services on me!).  But I do think that their personalities are already showing and they certainly have their own unique traits. 

Ryan is my calm, gentle, follower.  He is a good listener most of the time, never really gets into anything he isn't supposed to, just basically a good kid.  Things belong in their place and he can be a little controlling.  He asks constantly what we are doing next and likes order to his days. 

Abby is my free-spirited, curious, gets into everything kid.  Everything goes into her mouth, everything gets pulled off the shelves, everything is something to be climbed on.  She tests all boundaries and if I tell her no she gives a very opinionated cry. 

I am hoping their differences will balance each other out and they can help each other to grow.  However, I predict that they will do a lot of plotting and scheming along the way.  And I believe that Abby will be the initiator of most of the trouble-getting-into.  I can see bits of this already.  Ryan now puts things in his mouth.  This is about to drive me bonkers, he never put anything in his mouth until a few months ago.  "But Abby does"  Aaargh.  Yesterday Abby was pulling diapers out of the basket - one of her favorite activities.  Ryan joined in and began throwing them in the air, "it's raining diapers."  Of course I could see what they were doing, but as I came physically around the corner, Abby's crawling off leaving Ryan in the mess.  Humm, yes I fear I will accidentally scold Ryan for more than one of Abby's actions in the future (don't worry, neither got in trouble yesterday, diaper throwing is not a fight worth fighting for me at this point). 

I love my children.  I love watching them grow and develop and learn about the world and themselves.  I love more than anything watching them play together.  I know as they grow up they will have their moments and there will be fights.  But I wish more than anything that they will always be friends and always be close.  I am sure they will tire me and try me and push my buttons, but I love that they do it together.  Siblings are such a special blessing and I am grateful everyday that they have each other.

I love my kids :)

current Ryan-isms

A quick quick post while I'm thinking of a few things!  It's just about morning time; alright, Ryan's already awake.  I peeked into his room and he was laying in bed "reading" himself books.  Sweetest thing ever, I loved it :)

A few Ryan-isms for you since it's been awhile:

My favorite, even sweeter than him reading himself books in bed:
The other day in the car we were talking about the picture he colored in church and about Jesus.  He tells us that "Jesus lives in my heart"  Wow!!!!  He then asked us if Jesus lived in Daddy's heart, Mommy's heart, Abby's heart, and then even Kitty's heart.  Awesome!

the joys of raising children in Cherokee county and doing your shopping at Walmart:
"Why that man wearing jeans all the way up?" (yup, you guessed it, overalls)

Unprompted niceness:
As we were leaving lunch at Wendy's with Grandma, Ryan hollered after her: "Say hi to Grandpa!" 

Just because we love you

So in my previous post, I mentioned that we bought Abby's birthday present over the weekend.  If you know Abby's Auntie Sarah, I'm sure you'll understand the need for this follow-up post.  After claims that she's not sleeping at night wondering what the gift is, I've decided to celebrate the one-week-til-my-baby-girl-turns-one-day with a sneak peak of the coming fun. 

The party theme is flowers, mostly in pinks and yellows, going along with the daffodil pictures on the invitations.  I have had a little too much fun shopping for the party; this just a sampling :) 

Abby's jewelry box!  We happen to think it's beautiful.

Abby Caroline

Happy 1st Birthday

Love, Daddy & Mommy