look ma, no hands!

I don't have long to write at the moment - but I wanted to document that Abby officially took her first steps this weekend. It will be a while before she's regularly walking - but on Saturday, she took four whole steps towards her daddy. I was pretty happy that we were both there to see her do it - since the time that we're both at home with her and in the same room isn't all that often.

So, while she's not yet a "walker" She's (you know its coming...) taking the first step in that direction. ha.

Most of the time, Abs just practices standing on her own. If you tell her to "stand by yourself" or "stand with no hands" she will. Her receptive vocabulary has really picked up lately...but that's a blog for another time.

Here's a short video of Abby training with dad. Please excuse the mess - I promise my living room floor starts clean every single morning, but trying to keep things put away while Abs is playing is a futile effort. :)

Laura goes to the kitchen

One of my new year's resolutions is to plan our weekly dinners. I want to plan what we're having, make a list of ingredients we need, and stick to the list when I go grocery shopping.

I think this will, eventually, help us cut down our grocery expenses and - while we don't eat out too often (anymore), it will continue to motivate us to eat at home. I say "eventually" about the budget because - I want to branch out. I'm a boring cook.

Every night, we have a meat - usually chicken, pork, or fish - a veggie - and a starch. Sometimes we do tacos or pasta or an occasional chili or soup - but there are half a dozen meals that we pretty much have over and over. I'm ready to branch out.

In the past - I've always been discouraged when looking through all the fabulous cookbooks I have by ingredients that I didn't have handy...or didn't know what they were...yeah, I had to look up what a "shallot" was. But you know what? If I only cook with the ingredients I have, we will only ever have chicken and tacos y'know?

SO- as part of my resolution to plan out our meals - I'm going to branch out and learn some new tricks. That will include a little upfront cost of stocking up on things I don't have in the pantry right now. And I want to try new proteins - this will be the most expensive part I know. Even so, I'm convinced our weekly grocery bill will still be lower after a few upfront expenses.

Kyle and I are both bad about skipping breakfast and/or lunch. Or - having something like a cup of coffee for breakfast and a granola bar or plain bagel for lunch. That will be the next phase of my culinary growth. For now -I'm going to focus on dinners. I thought about just trying one new recipe a week, and maybe that would be smarter, but for now I kinda feel like jumping in with both feet. Besides, I'm bound to ruin half of them on the first try, right? So we might as well keep things exciting.

For next week, I'm going to try:

Monday - Chicken Piccata (give me capers or give me death!...ok, so I just love capers)

Tuesday - Beef Stroganoff, the real kind, no shortcuts.

Wednesday - Cranberry Orange Pork Chops

Thursday - Pan-Seared Lamb chops with wine rosemary sauce

Friday - Frozen pizza (I think I'll want a break)

Saturday - left overs

Sunday - undecided - we don't usually eat a big dinner on Sundays. Maybe I'll make Kyle cook.

Oh, hello Accountability, it's so nice to meet you. No, really, the pleasure is all mine. :)

personality

I've been thinking a lot lately about how much personality Abby has developed in her first year. Specifically, I've been wondering how much of her personality is genetic and how much of it is shaped by the way Kyle and I have raised her?

In some ways, Abby is just like every other one year old - curious, energetic, likes to throw food, chew on the remote control, and carry her socks around in her mouth...other children do do that, right?

While we were in Arkansas, Abs had the chance to play with three other little ones close to her age. And it was when we were with these other children that Abby's distinctions began to come out more.

For example. When we had our play date with little Avery - who is only a week or so different in age - Avery was very calm and quiet and very much into her baby doll. Sweet little Avery carried her doll around and fed her and patted her and put her to bed - just like a good little mommy would. It made me wonder - does she like to play/care for her baby doll because she has somehow inherited that nurturing vibe or is because she sees her teachers in daycare care for babies? I think its probably both.

I wonder if I dress Abby in all pink everyday and buy her princess toys and teacups - will she grow up to be a girly-girl? Or will she still want to play in the mud regardless of her clothes?

Abby's personality is developing - and it's a little scary to think that Kyle and I have some sort of influence over part of it. Right now, she's not very "girly" She'd rather play with a box than a doll. She's very curious. When she's in new situations, she's quiet and observing. She's shy when she meets new people, which is normal. But at home, she's chatty. She's very easy going - I hope she retains that trait. Unless she's tired or hungry of course - and then she's a bear, but that much is definitely genetic. Overall though, she's very chill. And independent. She's brave and not afraid to go exploring a new room or house without a second though. She does not tread lightly. She's happy 90% of the time. One of the things Kyle and I have noticed recently is her sense of humor. Can you call it a sense of humor this young? I don't know. But Abby is a funny girl - and she is constantly doing things to make us laugh.

I know, she's probably doing them because we laugh. It's hard to tell which came first though.

For instance, when baby Avery was feeding her baby doll a bottle and patting her on the back - what was Abigail doing? She was spinning a plastic bucket on her head making silly noises.

I swear she's really very bright.

She's constantly making funny faces and just...being Abby. I guess, really, its hard to explain. But Kyle and I both have noticed that she's becoming more and more of an individual. Lately, she's started trying to sing. If I sing the notes up the scale, she'll mimic with her voice starting low and getting higher and then she'll laugh.

I just wonder if one day, 20 years from now, Abby will read this and think, "See? I've always been the curious adventure seeker funny girl I am today" or will she say "I'm the opposite now, I'm the play-it-safe keep things quiet kinda girl" Of course, then there's the question of - if I DO have any influence over her personality, what kind of personality do I want her to develop?

The important things are easy. I want her to be respectful and caring. I want her to do for others and understand the value in that. I want her to be creative and imaginative. I hope she loves to read more than she loves to sleep. I want her to be loving. I want her to be confident. I want her to love to learn.

Nature or Nurture - who knows? It doesn't really matter. All I can do is do my best to teach and guide and let her decide the rest. And no matter how she turns out - I'm pretty sure I'll think she came out perfectly. Of course she will - she's my Abby. :)

Anyway, just some thoughts and wonders floating around in my head. Back to work now.

Christmas 2009

So yesterday night I spent several hours uploading the 1,072 pictures I took in the week and a half we were in Arkansas. That's a lot of pictures. Too many for my little laptop to hold, so they're all on our big desktop computer. Anyway - point is - I don't have access to all the pictures I'd like to share at the moment (here at work).

I've got a link to all the pictures - I just can't post them in the blog yet. And they're on facebook anyway. But, I want to jot down a few memories before they escape through the cracks in my brain. I feel like we didn't get home with any sort of time to relax or unpack (I'm still not unpacked) and just hit the ground running. And then Abs and I have both had a cold and that drains the energy out of you too. I've spent the only energy I have trying to clean, cook dinner, and take care of Abs. So, blogging gets a little neglected. Sorry about that.

But, here's just a review of our trip - for memory's sake.

We got to Arkansas fairly easily. After we landed, we went to my aunts house where both of our families and several friends gathered. We all enjoyed the company and merriment for many hours before we headed to Conway.

We spent Christmas Eve in Conway getting last minute things done. I sprained my ankle right before Christmas Mass. We took Abby to the earlier "kids" service since I didn't relish the idea of taking her to church at midnight. The service was nice, but not particularly Kid-ish. Abby tore pages out of the song book and Kyle walked around with her through a lot of the service. After family pictures were taken, Kyle Abs and I headed down to Pine Bluff to spend the night at my parent's house.

We put Abby to bed right when we got there, but we enjoyed decorating the tree together with my sister and her husband, and my brother. It's nice to have everyone all together. We stayed up way too late, but Abby doesn't care when I go to bed - she was ready for Christmas morning at 6:30am.

We had a nice time with my family. We all got lots of thoughtful gifts. Abby was, of course, completely spoiled. Her big present from my parents was a wonderful handmade wooden train set. There's nothing like wooden toys - and this will be something that will be with her for life, and maybe she can give it to Her kids one day. She still loves it - she loads the blocks into the carrying cars and drags the train around. We love it - so Thanks Granny & Grandpa!

After a hurried breakfast, we packed up and headed back to Conway for Christmas with Kyle's family. Again, we were spoiled rotten. Abby got a gloworm from Papa & Ouma and it's gone with her everywhere since. We got some awesome books and a big green hippo and lots of fun stuff. We ate lunch with the fam before Kyle and I, once again, packed up and headed to Little Rock for Christmas at Grandmas with my extended family.

Christmas at Grandma's is the epitome of tradition. All the comforting foods, the people, the same Christmas decorations that I've seen every year for 27 years. I love it all. We put Abs to bed while the family opened gifts and visited. But all too soon, it was time for us to go back to Conway.

The next day was Shachmut-Day. Our gift to Kyle's parents was a day with all the kids. We took tons of family photos, ate together, played games, shopped, and just hung out. It was a really nice day! The next morning, we drove back to my parents and went to church where Abby was introduced to the congregation and got lots and lots of attention. Jennifer and Ben had to leave after that, but Kyle and I spent the next several days in Pine Bluff.

We found time the next day to spend with our friends Billie Jo & Ricky. I've mentioned them before - but they were just made for me and Kyle I think. We don't get to see them near enough and it was nice to spend the day with them. Kyle and I soaked up the southern goodness of eating yummy fresh fried fish, hushpuppies, fried potatoes and mushrooms and other yummy things. Billie Jo's mother makes sure nobody leaves her house hungry - and we sure didn't.

A day later, we drove back to Conway to spend a few days visiting friends. We had visits lined up rapid fire, but so enjoyed every one. Abby got to meet little Pratt, and I was so happy to visit with Hannah and Amy. If you follow Hannah's blog - I can just tell you that the pictures don't do Pratt justice - he's completely adorable and perfect. We met up with Leah and Justin and got to see Leah's little belly starting to grow with their own little one, we took pictures with the family at the Old Mill - but it was too cold to stay out for long, so that particular visit was brief. We met up with the Deckers for New Years and spent some time with their boys Noah and, our godson, Drew. Those boys are so much fun. :)

New years night was spent strategically packing our suitcases. We kept things low key. Watched the ball drop on TV, got a kiss, and kept packing. You wouldn't believe how much you can get in a suitcase when you put your mind to it.

Kyle flew out New Years Day and Abby and I spent the next few days back in Pine Bluff with my parents. I know they enjoyed the time with the wee one too.

So it was a vacation of much traveling and lots of visiting - but I'm so glad we were able to make the trip. It's always important to me to be around family for Christmas.

I know this wasn't the most entertaining post of the year (hey, we're only a week in!) But I wanted to just document the time.

Here's a link to some of the pictures (not all 1,072) we took on the trip. Maybe one day I'll feel like I'm caught up and have time to blog about all the little things I want to remember as well. At least that's my goal.

http://gallery.me.com/ninjanub#100064

getting here

I know, I know, I still have to blog about Christmas eve, and Christmas, and visiting with friends and family, and New Years....

but first I'm going to document yesterday.

Kyle flew home from AR a few days before I did to save some much needed money and so Abs and I were traveling "alone" I was confident. I had my bags strategically packed to the max. I could grab food, toys, books, diapers, or anything else without even looking. We had a farewell lunch with both families and some friends before I had to head to the airport.

While we were eating lunch, Abby pulled a napkin off the table and I heard something fall into her diaper bag, but when I looked down, it was just her book. So, I didn't think anything else of it.

We said our goodbyes and I rushed off to the airport - antsy to just get to the gate - y'know how it is, when you just want to get through security so you can relax? It took a little longer to check in than I would have liked - had to get an infant ticket thing printed, but soon we were waiting in line for security.

Abby in her stroller, me with a diaper bag across my chest, backpack on my back, gloworm in my hoodie pocket. I decided I would NOT be one of those people that holds up the whole line. I was ready. As soon as we hit the x-ray machine line, I was in motion. Bucket, my shoes, Abby's shoes, wallet, phone, glowworm, jacket, sippy cups, backpack, diaper bag, *juggle child, close stroller with my left foot and hoist it up to the machine* It was smooth as pudding pie. In fact, the man behind me said "Well, I was going to offer to help, but you're awfully efficient, I guess this is isn't her first flight?"

"19th...I think"

Then, for the first time ever, I set off the metal detector. Hmm. Belt-buckle...it's never set it off before, but whatever. It took me forever to get my belt undone - the nice man behind me put it through the machine for me. I get through and a lady is asking me, "M'am is this your bag? I need you to come with me"

And so we go off to the side where this lady proceeds to unpack everything my Perfectly packed bag. Sigh. I'm trying to calm a crying Abby who doesn't Want to sit in her stroller when I look up and I see the woman pull out a big huge Steak Knife.

And this is where I died on the spot.

Even in that instant of "what??" I already knew what had happened. And I knew that telling the security agents that "Well, you see, we were at lunch and my baby dropped the knife in the bag, but I thought it was a book, and, and and.." already sounded pretty lame.

And because I'm me, I start crying. Sure that they were going to cart me off to some white walled room with a CIA agent and an electric chair. The women were very nice. After many ID checks and telling them what happened several times, giving my info and "surrendering the weapon" I was let go.

We found out then that our flight was delayed, which was fine. This gave me enough time to buy a jug of milk for Abby to drink on the plane. Then I go to put the stroller in its bag. It was bound to happen, I know, but I must have not been thinking straight. I put Abby on this chair in front of me and in the 2 seconds it took for me to zip a bag - she fell off. I looked up to see her flipping backwards through the air, landing on her neck (I was sure she'd be paralyzed for life) and falling on her face. I swooped her up and sat down and held her close while we both cried.

For those of you keeping track at home - this is the second time I've cried before even getting to our gate.

When Abby calmed down, I looked at her to see this HUGE red and purple knot on her head. And I cried again.

Fast forward.

We get on the plane - next to some guy who knows he just lost the plane seat lottery when he sees me approaching the empty seat next to him. His quote was "At least its a short flight" ...although he meant it nicely. He was no help. As we taxi out, I try to get Abby to drink her water and she won't. She needs to drink something for take off, so I chugged her water and opened up the milk I bought.

...and then I watched as I poured rancid, chunks of milk into her sippy. It was beyond spoiled and I was angry now. I scrambled to find where the security agent had stuck my backup sippy and we were eventually settled. Ugh. Abs didn't sleep, but that's ok - the flight is like 7 mins long to memphis.

Ok. Let me *try* to shorten this.

We get to memphis and our 6:50 flight was pushed back to 9:30. Then it was pushed back to 10:30. I walked the terminal with Abby in the stroller to get her to fall asleep for 2 hours before my foot (still tender from the sprain) couldn't take it anymore. I let her crawl around as much as I could, but everything was filthy. She finally fell asleep at 9. 3.5 hours after we got there. She looked like some little street urchin all dirty faced and dusty. Poor kid. It was a looong layover for a baby who hadn't napped more than 20 mins that day and a long layover for a mom who was 2 inches from being Done.

In a panic that our flight would be delayed further and all the stores would be closed, I bought a bunch of drinks and snacks that I never got around to eating - but I also bought Abby a commemorative Delta airplane keychain that lights up and makes airplane noises. Because, it's like her 20th flight (I think?) and if you can't laugh, you'll cry.

We did eventually get on our flight. I'll skip the part about how I wanted to punch the desk attendant who, when she saw Abby crawling around said, "Honey, that floor is really dirty, you might just want to hold her" SERIOUSLY? Yeah, I'll skip that. Abby slept most of the way back to Boston, she fussed a little when she couldn't get comfortable, but she was ok. By the time we got back to Boston, the trains had stopped running so we had to take a cab ($cha-ching$) back home. But really, I didn't care. He could have charged me double and I would have just been glad to be home.

Abby was still in a sleepy stupor when we pullled up to the house, but as soon as she saw Kyle, she was wide awake and chirping "da-da!" It was cute. For as much as I LOVE Arkansas, I found the cold biting air and the mounds of snow on either side of our walkway more than comforting last night.

Abby slept till nearly 10 this morning, I wish I could have. But I got to work and have actually been pretty productive on this first day back. :)

So, I promise to update about Arkansas as soon as I get a moment to unpack and upload pics - but I wanted to also document mine and Abby's adventure home.

Happy New Year!