Christmas Video: Abigail and Mike on the car!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year { Christmas 2012 }

Our first Christmas as a family of three was magnificent!  We enjoyed every second of Christmas music, , holiday parties, and reindeer pajamas.  This was our first year to go to the Charles Dicken's Festival in downtown Franklin, so we dressed Abigail up in her pretty Christmas dress and strolled down Maine Street soaking in the Christmas season! 

Mike and I wanted to get Abigail a few special gifts for her first Christmas and since I am super sentimental, I thought it would be fun to write her a little note and tuck it away in an ornament that she can always keep.  I have to admit that signing her note as mom brought tears to my eyes.  It was such a surreal moment for me.  

We also picked out 2 of our favorite books for Abigail and wrote her a sweet note inside those as well! 

And then there were grandparents...and a whole lot of toys!  Here are a few of her favorites. 

This Christmas was also very special because Mike's family came to stay with us for the holiday! We enjoyed having our house full of family and we will always cherish the memories we made this year! 

A big thank you to Abigail's Grammy for picking out the sweetest dress for her Christmas picture!

Christmas 2012!

11 Months Old!

This little girl is now 11 months old and such an explorer!  This basket is her favorite " toy" right now and keeps her busy!  She loves to pull everything out and occasionally I will see her put her toys back in.  If only I could keep that going! 

My consolation for the fact that she is growing up so fast is that she is SO much fun!  She loves her books and it is so fun to see her figure out how to pull the little tabs and lift the flaps.  She also laughs a lot and and loves to play with her little cousins.  

Recently, she became quite the crafty ninja during her naps. One day she unfastened all the velcro on her crib rail protectors and pulled the whole thing in the crib with her!  We thought she was fast asleep of course...

Here are the new things this month with Abigail Elizabeth:

* She said "mama" and I think she meant to!
* Her new favorite food is humus!  
* She is still taking 2 naps but it looks like we are getting close to one long afternoon nap.  
* She learned how to throw her plate off the table
* She didn't know what she thought about us putting a tree in her house but she slowly warmed up to the idea and loves the lights!
* Cabinets have also become super fun!  She loves to pull everything out and is pretty happy with herself when she is in a pile of spices! 
* She learned to climbed up the stairs all by herself
* She is learning how to get down from the couch by herself

This year has gone by so fast and it's hard to believe that I am about to start planning her 1 year birthday party...tear.  Tomorrow is her first Christmas and  I can't wait to see Abigail enjoy all of her new books and toys. I am super sentimental and sappy so of course I had to get her a few memorable first Christmas gifts!  More on that to come!  

Merry Christmas Ya'll!

Our trip to Washington D.C.

Mike and I took a day trip over to Washington D.C. while we were visiting family in Pennsylvania.  We love to stroll through museums and tour historical landmarks whenever we can.  Since Abigail is easy to travel with right now, we decided to brave the cold wind and go on a family adventure! 

Despite the cold wind, it was a gorgeous day for exploring this amazing city!

My uncle Lee served in the Vietnam War and I thought so much about him as I walked through the park and saw the Vietnam Memorial.  

We also got a chance to see the reflecting pool, the Washington Monument, and the Lincoln Memorial.  

We enjoyed every minute of this mini vacation and packed in a full day!  We saw the Civil War Museum at the Smithsonian as well as the Capitol Building.  Don't we scream tourist!?!  

Abigail's favorite was probably the Museum of Natural History.   I say it was her favorite because she slept through most of the other ones!  This little girl does love to watch people though, and I think she enjoyed seeing all the children playing and gasping at the sight of the amazing exhibits! 

Finally, what will forever be ingrained in my mind and on my heart are the haunting memories of the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C.  I didn't take any pictures there, and yet I'm certain that I will never forget the horrifying details of the Holocaust.  I will never forget seeing the footage of innocent people tortured for the purpose of research; treated as if they were sub-human.  I can't get the picture of rooms filled with decaying shoes out of my mind.  I walked around for a solid hour thinking to myself, " how could this have ever happened?"  

I hope that one day people will be just as appalled at the idea that we as a society kill babies and convince each other through political agendas and propaganda that it's okay.  I hope that people are sickened at the thought of genocide and abortion one day and wonder how we ever let it happen.  

Proverbs 31:8 says to " speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves" and I feel more convicted than ever to speak up when I see injustice.  There was a quote mounted on the wall of the museum as you exit and it continues to challenge me and how I speak up for the least of these...

"First they came for the Jews"

First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me.

~by Pastor Niemoller

10 Months

My baby girl is 10 months old and ready for Christmas!!  She wasn't sure what she thought about us putting a tree in her house but she is slowly warming up to the idea!  So far, she doesn't seem too interested in it, but she is quite the explorer so time will tell...

This little cuddle bug wants to get down and play now and is constantly on the move so getting her to sit still for a quick picture is next to impossible...unless you have Puffs!

Enjoying her favorite snack!

Here is what is new with Abigail: 

* She said a new word, Puff of course! 
* She cut 5 new teeth, now has 7!
* She is learning what " no" means and when she hears it, she shakes her hands at me
* She has learned I don't want her to eat the dog hair on the floor so she holds it up for me to take 
* She has learned to arch her back and fling her head back when she isn't happy...awesome
* We have started teaching her a few signs and she tries to communicate with us
* She had her first cold 
* My good little sleeper went through a phase where she started waking up at night.  I can't blame her though - a few nights she was coughing, teething, and sleeping on a wet sheet that was soaked with snot.  Poor baby. 
* She tried turkey for the first time and really liked it!  She even picked it up to feed herself!  She still prefers not to touch her food of course...
* She went to Pennsylvania and Washington D.C.
* She went to the Nashville Zoo
* She loves to sing Pat a Cake and thinks it is the funniest thing ever if you pat her hands together!
* She is pulling up and cruising a little bit
* She is learning how to wave and is very happy when you wave back to her!
* Peek a Boo is the bomb!
* We made the switch from the infant carrier to her big girl car seat and she was very happy about it!  

We love you sweet girl!  I love seeing the person you are growing to be and I am so thankful for your sweet little smile!