We Love Grass

If you thought this was going to be about that kind of grass you're reading the wrong blog...sucked you in though! So now that you're here...

There's something to be said about taking time to appreciate the simple things in life (still not talking about that kind of grass). As I spent the day working from home to keep an eye on my little Miss's fever I got the chance to spend some of those simple moments with her. Between the temperature spikes and mood swings there were moments of pure happiness. 
I decided to take Abbey outside to get some fresh air before the temperatures outside climbed close to her internal temp. Mostly I wanted to get out of the house because the dog was beginning to drive me nuts and I can't leave her to her own devices in the back yard for more than five minutes because she feels the need to dig her own grave...
Once outside, it occurred to me that it was Abbey's first time playing on the lawn. It's always been too cold, too wet, too hot, or too buggy to set her down on the lawn to explore. As soon as I sat her down she started to giggle and run her hands over top of the blades of grass. As it tickled her toes and hands she smiled up at me and I fell in love with our lawn - not in the way my husbands loves it, but for being able to give me that one moment where my sick unhappy little one could find her happy place, smiling and snuggled into me while she continued to reach out and run her hands over the lawn as she cooed and giggled.

The following are a combination of pics...the first, for your viewing pleasure were taken by Daddy last weekend in our new/old lawn ornament...JP eat your heart out :-) the rest were taken by me on my iPhone during our time hanging out on the lawn... you'll know the difference...

 

Abbey's New Friend Jacob

Just when I think I'm the only one in the world with the "one and done" mentality of child birthing I meet a kindred sole...as happy as I am for those parents out there in the world who are good with the chaos that comes with multiple children, it's refreshing to know that there are others like myself who are all set with their one and only little one.

Luckily there are lots of people in our lives who want big families so we can continue to enjoy that "new baby smell" and live vicariously through others - while being able to go home and get a good night sleep! The Poisson's recently welcomed their second little man into the world, Jacob Paul is an absolute cutie just like his brother! We finally made it over to see him and of course Michael got some great picks of all the little ones.

Abbey now has her pick of cute boys who live just up the road...though I do think she may have some competition from Makayla. Being a blond haired blue eyes cutie who can already walk gives Makayla a real advantage in trying to catch Thomas. Thankfully we have a number of years before any real chasing will go on - right now we're happy to just watch them all grow up together, sharing their sippy cups and toys!

So without further ado, here are some pics of all our little cuties during their most recent play date - hopefully their mommy's & daddy's don't mind me talking about their kids and sharing their pics publicly! If this blog disappears you'll know I'm censoring...for now enjoy these precious little people who know all too well how to put the smiles on our faces.

Miss Makayla is just too cute!!

Not to be outdone...Thomas is a ham!

Baby Bro, Jacob will surely be competing for most photogenic

 

Mommy & Jacob take the prettiest pair win!

Wait just a minute here...what about me?

Seriously, look at me? How cute am I?

(we're working on making her humble...)

Celebrating Life

This past weekend we were honored to celebrate the baptism of Myles Edward Vedder.  As I've mentioned in the past I am generally not Gaga over other peoples children but this little man is just too cute for words...I also happen to love his family so I can't help but love him!

I've said it before but I think it bares repeating... sometimes the most influential people come into our lives at a just the right moment to make an impression that lasts forever. Now I'm not one to claim divine intervention but I do believe that things happen when they are supposed to and for reasons that we are often unaware of.  My surrogate mom Ann was one such person to me. With the loss of almost my entire family she and her family have become my extended family. I've been blessed because I got to choose my family...something people don't get to do!

So it was with a humble heart and great pride that I accepted the appointment of God Mother in the life of little Myles Edward. Having recently chose God parents for our own little girl I know the thought, emotion, and care that goes into selecting the people you are appointing to be the spiritual guides of your child so I was and continue to be honored by their choice in me.

I hope that in raising my own child I can in turn prove to be a worthy guide for this beautiful little man. If nothing else I will always be in his life and will be there to listen to him and guide him whenever he needs.  My Godparents were a wonderful addition and guiding light in my life - my Godfather continues to be even to this day.

Fortunately I had our "family photographer" aka Daddy/Michael there to capture all the special moments...here's a little teaser from Myles big day, these and the others will be loaded to Kodack and shared with everyone...patience is a virtue people!

A Beautiful Church...

Moving Words...

Excited Parents and God Parents...

 

Blessed by the Father, the Son & The Holy Spirit...

 

Myles and Grandpa Gardner lock eyes in understanding...

 

Myles and Abbey have a little heart to heart moment

(My favorite pic thus far)

And after an exhausting Affair, Myles is loved and comforted by Aunt Amanda...

his favorite shoulder!

Sorry Grandma Gardner...you have to wait for the rest :-)

Baby Got Skills...

You all know how I just love to highlight my little Miss's new skill sets...lately we've had lots of new developments above and beyond just teeth. We continue to be on the verge of walking which, I must admit will be awesome to see, but is something I can wait awhile to see. So with independent footsteps looming I'm trying to focus on these little "achievements" - really this is the craziness that makes our days worth while regardless of whether these new skills are certificate worthy.

And even as I type I'm reminded of all those people that had children before me who droned on and on about their kids and I wanted to vomit in my mouth - and here I am documenting my child's every move...but I'm doing it here - where you the reader are coming to read it so your partially to blame...I do still try very hard to not make the subject of every conversation to be solely about Abbey's favorite cereal or just how much she loves Happy Monster Band.  But for now, since you're here...enjoy little Miss showing off her skills.

We Have Teeth!

Welcome Central and Lateral Incisors (top 4 front teeth)! We have officially broken through the gum line...Eureka!

You would think that Mommy & Daddy would be getting a break now that these little pearly whites have surfaced but no,  we're on to first year molars already...oh man...

Today I read that she'll ultimately have 20 baby teeth prior to loosing them for her adult teeth so I guess the fact their coming in 2-4 at a time is better for all of us involved. With 6 down, 2 in progress we've got 12 to go...I'm not lovin' the math yet.

Even with all the drooling, occasional grumping and sometimes down right miserableness little Miss Abbey finds time to look fabulous...The new sunglasses are really something.