It's almost December!!

Holy crap where did the time go??? Can 2009 already be almost over? This has been a BUSY year and the girls are just growing like crazy!

Abbie is in full on two-year-old mode and is sassy as ever! She talks up a storm and will repeat anything so watch out! She is still Curious George's biggest fan and will drop anything for some George time! Cindy (my MIL) and I took her to the Atlanta Children's Museum to see the interactive Curious George exhibit and she was in heaven! Ansley enjoyed the day too, as there were a lot of activities and toys that she could play with too! I hope we can go back sometime soon.

Ansley is changing every minute- she now has 6 teeth, a full head of pretty blond hair, green eyes (yay!) and she is such a little mover! She crawls like Mowgli from The Jungle Book; it's awkward but she sure is fast that way! She is also pulling up on the furniture and cruising all over the place. When B and I stand her up she can stand by herself for up to 10 seconds before dropping on her bum and she has tried to take steps several times- she has yet to successfully take more than 1 step by herself but I think she will be doing it soon!



Thanksgiving is looming upon us! YIPPEE!! This year I am so sad to miss seeing my sister and BIL as the Swiss invade PA- it sounds like it it going to be a FUN week for them! B and I are looking forward to spending the day at his mom's house with family, friends, good food, and a day full or intense game-playing! I was hoping to run in the gobble Jog on Thanksgiving morning but B wienered out on me, maybe next year!

Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving!!! Gobble Gobble!!

Heard this touching story in church today...

...and I could not stop thinking about it so I have to share it here. Yeah, probably 2 or 3 people will read it but maybe it will strike them like it did me and they will pass it on too... It is the story of Horatio Spafford. Ever hear of him? Me neither.

(credit to http://www.http://www.associatedcontent.com for the story below)

Spafford was a successful lawyer and businessman in Chicago in the 1800's. He was also a deeply religious man. Beginning in the 1870s, Spafford's faith was tested by a series of tragic events. In 1871, the Great Chicago Fire destroyed real estate located along the shores of Lake Michigan. A lawyer who had invested much of his money into the downtown Chicago real estate, he'd lost a great deal to the fire. And his one son (he had four daughters) had died about the same time. Still, for two years Spafford--who was a friend of evangelist Dwight Moody--assisted the homeless,
impoverished, and grief-stricken ruined by the fire.

In 1873, a physician counseled the Spaffords to take a vacation for Mrs. Spafford's health and the family's well-being. Knowing that a dear friend, Dwight L. Moody would be preaching in an evangelistic tour in England, the Spaffords decided to leave for a vacation in England. Spafford's wife, Anna Lawson Spafford, and their four daughters-Maggie, Tanetta, Annie, and Bessie-boarded an American ship named the S.S. Ville du Havre. Detained due to business, Mr. Spafford stayed behind but intended to follow his family in a few days.

On November 22, 1873, the S.S. Ville du Havre, sailing off the coast of Newfoundland, was struck by an English ship, the Lochearn. The Ville du Havre sank in twelve minutes. Two hundred and twenty-six lives were lost, including the Spaffords' four daughters. After hours of floating in the turbulent waters, Mrs. Spafford was rescued. Arriving in Wales, she cabled her husband with the message, "Saved alone, what shall I do..."

Receiving the horrifying news, Spafford left immediately to join his wife. He asked the captain of the ship on which he was sailing to notify him when they approached the approximate area where the Ville du Havre went down. Notified that the area was near, Spafford went down into his cabin, and near the scene of his daughters' tragic deaths, penned the words

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.



It is one of my favorite old hymns, though now that I know the story behind it, I can say that it means a LOT more to me now... I hope that I can have the faith in God that Mr. Spafford had in these uncertain times... God is at work and it's not for me to decide when or how He does his work...

Abbie's Birthday Video- finally

She said WHAT???

Classy as ever...

ok so Abbie loooooves trucks and busses... she loves to point them out wherever we are and announce "TRUCK!" "BUS"... cute right?

Except she can't say the word "truck".. instead she says the F-word. You know the one...

It is clear as day too, like you can't mistake what she says... this is totally embarrassing out in public b/c she yells it in true toddler fashion. And to make it worse, B drives a truck and she loves to discuss that with anyone who will listen- so I will be at the grocery store checking out and of she sees a truck outside or sees a picture of a truck or whatever, she yells "Daddy F---!!!"... omg... this gets me all kinda of weird looks!

It is pretty hilarious but I make sure not to laugh at it or make a big deal out of it and I just say "Yes, that looks like Daddy's truck. Very good, it's a Truck. etc" and i REALLY enunciate my "t" but c'mon... it is embarrassing and she is not catching on to the 'T' sound.. ugh!!

so either help me figure out how to fix this, or commiserate with me and tell me how your kid embarrasses you- or both!!

It's here... she's turning 2!!

I can't believe it, Abbie will be TWO tomorrow!!!

Not to get all cliche' on you but time TRULY does go so fast when you have kids. It's so easy to let the moments pass by and then before you know it, another year has gone by!! I can't believe how much she has changed over the last year. We've done so many fun things, including Abbie's 1st trip to the Zoo, going to Catch Air, doing arts and crafts, playing outside, and going down the big water slide for the 1st time, listening to her talk and talk and talk more every day, and of course, watching her become a BIG SISTER. She is definitely my little BFF!!

I consider myself so very blessed to have been able to be home with her full time for yet another incredible year- THANK YOU to my amazing husband for working so hard and to our families for helping us out in what has been a very tough year for our entire country- I know I am among a lucky few and I cherish every second- even the not-so-fun ones!!

We have planned a drop-in style party for tomorrow between the hours of 2 and 6 so Abbie will be able to see all her friends and family but not be totally overwhelmed. Brian and I worked hard on a Curious George cake for her as well! I have to say, I am pretty proud of us, we decorated this freehand- not a bad rendition of ol' George huh?? :)




We were boring and got Abbie mostly clothes for her birthday, along with a Cinderella doll (she hearts Disney Princesses), a Melissa and Doug block set, and a Curious George book (of course!). She has also gotten a couple gifts ahead of time; a power wheels Barbie 4-wheeler and a book from my parents, a toy kitchen from her Granna and Poppy, shoes from her Great-Grandma, and a bunch of Swiss treats and adorable hand-made head kerchiefs from her Aunt K and Uncle C!! Think this kid is loved??

And here are pics of Abbie when she was born, on her 1st birthday, and last week- she is changing so much!!!

Phew!

Abbie and Ansley- enjoying a morning at home after a BUSY month!

What a month... It has been really busy in our lives the last few weeks. Abbie was sick with some horrible funk for 2 weeks which totally put life on hold. I had never seen her so ill before; she did not eat for almost 2 weeks and ran a fever for 10 days straight. She finally started feeling better after 2 doctor visits, 1 Urgent Care visit and 2 different antibiotics. Thankfully Ansley missed it and stayed healthy!!

Abbie got better just in time for us to get a call that Brian's Nonna was in the hospital and expected to pass away soon. We headed down to FL on a Thursday and were lucky to be able to spend a weekend with her and the rest of the family. The girls did pretty good on the 4 hour drive, and we did end up stopping for lunch about 1/2 way through and letting them both stretch. Nonna passed away early in the morning on Sunday, August 16.



Brian's family in FL was nice enough to fly us and the girls down to the Orlando area and get us a hotel room so we could be at the funeral and internment. Abbie really enjoyed having her own seat on the plan and Ansley was a dream! She feel asleep just as we took off and woke up right before we landed!

So proud to be sitting in her own seat!

Such a peaceful girl- when she is sleeping!

It was hard to say good-bye to Nonna but there was something comforting about seeing her finally laid to rest next to her husband, in peace. Despite the circumstances of the visit, we really enjoyed getting to spend some good, quality time with family- which is exactly what Nonna would have wanted. I know she was looking down on us and smiling to see everyone together, reminiscing and laughing.

Here is a picture of everyone at the hotel after the funeral.

The girls are growing like crazy- it's hard for me to believe that in a little under 3 weeks, Abbie will be 2 years old!!!! She is becoming more and more like a little girl and less and less like the baby that I still imagine her to be. She TALKS so much- it's like living with a giant parrot. This presents some interesting challenges- such as what words Brian can yell at the TV during baseball and football games... he is getting quite creative!

Here is a pic of Abbie from FL, rocking my sunglasses!

Ansley is also growing up so fast. She is now 6 months old and able to sit up on her own, crawl with amazing speed,and is beginning to explore the world of solid foods... which she hates. Today she was taking a nap in her crib when I suddenly heard her over the monitor screaming. I looked in on her and there she was, hanging on the the rail of her crib and standing up!!! She was upset b/c she could not figure out how to sit back down. I can't believe she is already pulling up!! Until this happened she was about 1 month behind where Abbie was with all the physical milestones.

Sitting up!! So cute!

Brian and I are doing well also. He is enjoying his work but is also on the lookout for a new opportunity. His resume has been submitted to several companies and we have gotten a few calls. Still waiting to see where we will be lead on this front. I am currently searching for an inexpensive sewing machine so I can begin various projects- specifically making some bedding for Abbie and also making a quilt out of old baby clothes... wish me luck!

Well, I can hear Abbie singing to herself on the baby monitor so I guess that is it for this update... until next time!! :)

Video of the girls

Poor Ansley... it's hard being the baby! Abbie's hair is so crazy b/c we had been out playing in the rain that morning and she went down for her nap with wet hair... she woke up and it was everywhere!