Sunday, November 30, 2008

Dear Abby,
We had a good day yesterday. You helped me pull all the Christmas decorations out and put them up that morning. Then Uncle Jay-bee and Aunt Steph came by and we all went to lunch and then see their new house they are building. It is HUGE and we can't wait for him to build us one. You ate with us at lunch then slept in the car while we toured the house. Then we went searching for a lot for us! Sometimes I think our eyes are bigger than our stomach, or whatever the phrase is! We drove all around Franklin, in all the new subdivisions then went to visit baby Ryan. He has grown so much, but still looks so tiny compared to you! You, unfortunately, were a little fussy, and actually threw up all over their carpet - but no worries, we cleaned it up and I think it will be paid back at one point or the other!! Baby Ryan just slept the whole time, but he's still adorable. We then came back to the house and ordered pizza and watched Fulmer's last game as head coach. It was sad, and he did a good job - he won!! Uncle Jay-bee and Aunt Steph left and we put you to bed. Another day, another memory. Love you.

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Your first Thanksgiving

Dear Abigail,

Well, you made it through your first Thanksgiving. You were the life of the party, well, that and all the good food we got to eat!! We drove up Thursday morning to Aunt Amy's & Uncle Martin's in Cookville. The Titans played at 11:30, so we had to be there in time to watch it. Uncle Jay-bee and Aunt Steph were already there, and of course all your cousins (Spencer, Harrison & Caroline). (Papa, Jordan and Carly joined us later). Daddy made his famous chili (the chili that won him first place at his work's chili cook-off, that is) for lunch and Aunt Steph brought homemade salsa - YUMMY! You, as always, looked adorable. Your first outfit was your Titans cheerleading uniform, with, of course, a blue bow! Uncle Martin (nor Aunt Amy) are much into football, or sports in general, but they let us crash the media room and watch the game. Of course, U.M. hung lizards on the wall the hole time, but we were still grateful. They even let us bring drinks and food up there!!! You did so good during the game - you even got exhausted so Aunt Steph had to put you down for a nap. During your nap, we starting preparing the turkey and all the fixings. Let's see, your first Thanksgiving meal consisted of sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, corn casserole, mac & cheese, stuffing, Brussels sprouts (gross), roasted potatoes, slaw, ham, and the happiest turkey ever eaten. Your silly Aunt Amy got suckered into buying a William Sonoma turkey that apparently roamed the lands and was fed the best food and massaged daily and all kinds of other crazy things! None the less, it was delicious. So was everything! We all had to write down what we were thankful for and me and daddy both put you. I also put that I was thankful the New Kids on the Block got back together and were on a reunion tour! But you were my first thankful thought! You did excellent during the meal - you sat in my lap the whole time. Uncle Jay-bee kept trying to feed you ham or whatever he could get his hands on. It was all to aggravate me - and it worked :) Everyone held you and fed you and danced with you. Harrison will never admit it, but every time you were in the room he wanted to be right there beside you. He kept holding your hands and patting you if you were a little fussy. And of course, Caroline couldn't get her hands off you!!! That night your Aunt Amy insisted you sleep in her room, and well, we weren't going to argue, especially since you sleep through the night anyway. So you slept in there from 8:30 to 6 when she fed you and you went right back to sleep till 8:45!!!! I think Uncle Martin slipped you some gin!! Breakfast was great - Aunt Steph made biscuits and ham (and pancakes for me and her!) and then we all went for our annual hike at Burgess Falls. We were a little nervous with you and Aunt Steph (since she is 7+ months pregnant with little Ellie), but both you did great. You even fell asleep on the hike back. We all went back to the house where we pulled all the leftovers out and had another big meal then watched a movie together. By the end of the movie, we were all ready to be back home, including you! We gathered our things and headed home, but were very thankful for such a wonderful thanksgiving with our family.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

It's been a while - sorry

Okay Abigail, I'm sorry. I am making it my personal goal to update this blog at least every other day, maybe just once a week, no, every other day. I seem to have a million things to do but then nothing to show for it. Anyway - I apologize - this was supposed to be my way of documenting our days together, so I will do better.
Lots of things have happened between then and now, but instead of spending tons of time on trying to remember, I'm just going to start fresh...

So, this past weekend, Mommy and Daddy went out of town without you for the first time!!! Daddy surprised me suddenly with a trip to Chicago. He arranged everything, even Mimi coming to stay with you. She had no problems what so ever with that. Daddy and I left Friday morning and got back Sunday, and I have to say, I missed you. I woke up the first night in the hotel VERY confused and starting demanding for Daddy to tell me where you were because I couldn't find you. After a couple minutes I realized what was going on, but it was scary there for a few. We went and saw Dirty Dancing on Broadway and Daddy surprised me (and you) with a little gift - it was a bib that says "Nobody puts Baby in a corner." One day, maybe when you are 30, I'll let you watch the movie to understand it, but for now, just know that the present rocked! We also ventured into the American Girl doll store, which I will put money on that you and me will go and visit many a time, and Daddy will chill at the ESPN zone right down the street.
According to Mimi, you guys had a ton of fun, just the 2 of you hanging out. She sent us several pictures updating and saying things like "she's sleeping all the time" or "she's been just perfect" and I hope it was true because we might just ask her again!!! Don't worry, we'll wait a little bit because I was so ready to see you. She said you guys shopped a little (you will learn this is what Mimi lives for) and surprise surprise she bought you something. She also was nice enough to hand wash a couple outfits of yours. I know i'm supposed to be at that level but I LOATHE hand washing anything... except your baths, which man alive you love. You are such a good bath baby. Even if you are crying before, you always end up happy. And Grandma taught us this trick to warm your towel up right before you get out of the bath, but I think I'll let that be her special trick when she bathes you!! It will be like getting candy, but without the cavities, right?

We're home now and trying to get you back on schedule, or well, us back on schedule. Daddy just put you down and we're hoping for an all nighter. You've been sleeping from 8ish to 5:00ish but we put you down at 9 tonight so maybe you'll pull through till after 6??? Like I said before, I will never complain about your sleep because you have done fantastic, but your Aunt Lizzy keeps talking about Emery and Sarah sleeping 7 to 7 and man, I will have to say, I am looking forward to that, or even just a 7 to 6, you know...
So we're getting ready for a big week - it's Thanksgiving week and we're headed to Cookeville, but I am committed to writing. Love you Abigail...