The Beach - day 1 & 2

Dear Abigail, we left yesterday morning for our annual trip to the beach with Uncle Jay-bee, Aunt Steph, Ellie and the Grugett group.  Everyone but me thought it was a good idea to ride together, I thought it was just plum crazy.  Between all our stuff and then 2 babies under 9 months and 4 adults on an 8 hour drive, i just knew things were going to be crazy.  We decided to leave real early saturday morning, so we spent the night at Aunt Steph's - and that's when the caos began...  You did not sleep well at all at Aunt Steph's and I had to go downstairs and rock you for 30 minutes.  Then, I had to wake you up to get in the car and thought (thought being the key word) that you just might go back to sleep.  But no, you didn't.  And, before we could even get on the interstate we were pulled off on the shoulder on the ramp trying to fix your carseat.  Actually, the ride turned out pretty dern good.  You and Ellie did very well and we only stopped for breakfast.  Uncle Jaybee wouldn't even let us stop for lunch, so I had to feed you in the car.  You did fine, but your diaper leaked everywhere!  And we beat the Grugett's by 2 hours!!!  So Saturday turned out to be pretty dern good!  After getting situated we went to Pompano Joe's and after drinking a couple punch drinks, we were off to get you to bed.  NO PROBLEMS!!!!  That being no problem putting you to sleep.  OH Abby - this is where it began.  I even was caught saying things like "the beach is awesome with or without kids" - that was the first mistake.  I jinxed it.  So you woke up several times, then decided to stay awake at 5:30 this morning.  After playing with you and feeding breakfast, we went on a walk and you fell asleep - Daddy adn I just knew it was goign to be 2 hours of a nap - WRONG AGAIN!  20 minutes - maybe 30.  You woke up but i thought I'd try to put you down again, and did, until you woke up seconds later.  Then we decided to just try you out on the beach - WRONG.  You hated the ocean.  You were scared, I guess I should say.  And we bought you a little blow up pool, since you love baths.  WRONG.  You cried about that.  Finally around 2 Mommy got frustrated because everyone else was on the beach and the babies were sleeping until the tent so I just took you home to the pool - wrong wrong wrong!  You didn't even like it.  So i decided to try another nap and that worked.  For an hour.  Which was good - don't get me wrong, but we have no idea how you are doing it.  AFter your nap, Daddy adn I took you back down to the beach and decided to retry the pool.  It worked adn you stayed in it for like 2 hours!  Then immediately went down for a nap!!!  the evening turned out well - Aunt steph made a great fish dinner, everyone was in good spirits, and you went to bed for daddy with no problems.  Now, who's to say about the rest of the night... Please though, for mommy's sanity, please sleep through the night.  We have you in teh closet and everything - just like Miss Erin says!!  K - love you, even though it may not sound like it.  I do, it's just a little different this year.  but seeing you in your smocked bathing suit makes everything worth it!! and your pretty smile too :)  Love you bunches - i'll give you a full report tomorrow!!!!

Bananas

Oh Abby - Mommy learns best from living life! We are getting ready to go on our annual beach vacation and I am scrambling around the house trying to get things together, keep you occupied, and not get to anxious, all at the same time! You were doing so well with sitting in your high chair at lunch that i decided to leave you in it while i put the dishes away and do a few more things around the house. I decided to run to the back to put a few more things in suitcases and came back to this:

I guess that's what i get for leaving the container on your highchair!! We immediately got a bath, and 30 minutes later, you looked like this:

30 minutes after that, you looked like this:

That helped Mommy - a lot. And yes, you are asleep in your stroller. I put you in there sometimes because you tend to sleep your best in that cozy little space!! Shhhh, don't tell anyone. In less than 24 hours baby girl we will be at the beach!!!!! Get excited! I can't wait!!!

Love you - be a good girl on the ride down there please.

Memorial Weekend

Abigail, You celebrated your first Memorial Day weekend this past weekend. We started the weekend off right by going to Mexican with the whole gang on Friday night. Everyone was finally there, all at the same time. Of course, that caused a bit of commotion at first, trying to figure out who sits by who, but we got it figured out and you got to sit beside Ryan. Both of you were in highchairs and you loved playing with his toys! We kept trying to get you to do your "light" trick, but you just laughed at us the whole time. See, we can say "Abigail, where's the light?" and if no one is watching, you point up to a light, wherever you are!! Daddy and I get so excited about it, and you do too when you see us clapping, but for some reason you have performance anxiety. We're working on that. That should not be in your blood at all - your mommy LOVES to be the center of attention. You did end up clapping a whole lot for everyone, but I think it was because it was way past your bedtime. You stayed up late that night, but to our surprise that was just the beginning of the late nights! There wasn't too much problem getting you to sleep that night, though...So on Saturday, we went to Cookeville to see Auntie Amy and Uncle Martin. We cooked out chicken and shrimps and all kinds of yummies, and you were the life of the party. Papa was there and you finally let him hold you, or I should say, he finally didn't scare you! And Auntie Jill and Alexis and Carly came too! And brought you the cutest present - you will notice your Auntie Jill is a bit like your Mimi - always giving you something! After a good day of playing, we had no worries with bed time, but 8 rolled around and you were having none of it. Then 9 rolled around and Mommy was having none of it. It's been almost a month since I have had to rock you to sleep, and I have to say, I don't miss it. But I let it slide because we spent the night at Auntie Amy's and it was a strange house, and lots of noises, especially your Uncle Martin who decided to turn the radio up way up within seconds of me being back down stairs from finally putting you to sleep. He got one ugly look, and perhaps even an ugly saying that I won't repeat. Anyway, it was a tough night to get you to bed, but you woke up happy as can be the next morning. You even showed us another trick! You are standing up all the time and are now letting go and standing on your own for like 3 seconds or something! We all saw it and got really really excited!! You are going to be walking very soon - such my overachiever! Once we got back to Nashville, Daddy decided to mention the party at the Grugett's house, so mommy went into turbo mode and got everything ready, or tried. I ended up forgetting your pajamas, so you got to borrow a pair of Ryans!!! It was very strange not seeing you in pink, much less in boys pj's! They were mighty cute though, and you were such a pretty little boy! That must have been what your daddy looked like as a baby! Here's a picture from Sunday night.

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You and Ryan and Ellie had such a good time. As soon as mommy can figure out the new camcorder I will post pictures of the 3 of you playing together. Ryan even let you share his jumpy seat!! All three of you went to bed around the same time, and we let the boys play corn hole and sat around talking babies! OH, and you finally showed them the "light". We were so proud. Or at least Ms. Leigh saw it!! Then there is Monday. Daddy and I were looking forward to a day of relaxing, not going anywhere, etc, etc... Negative ghost rider. After waking up and cleaning the house because the painter was finally through (I'll post a blog on your new play room when it's officially complete), we decided we needed a new TV stand b/c the current one decided to break during the renovation. Well, picky mommy couldn't make her mind up so we drove around to a million places. Finally I decided, and we got home and daddy started working on it. Yes, we bought a TV stand that required assembly. Big mistake. Very big mistake. Daddy went to work on that and I decided to take you for a walk. Seconds after walking out the door, your Uncle Martin called and they were headed to the emergency room in Franklin. Poor Caroline did something to her foot at the Renaissance Fair (at this point we didn't know, but she had broken her ankle!!) So the boys wouldn't have to roam the hospital floors, you and I went and picked them up and brought them back to our house, for what we thought was a couple hours at most. Daddy was still struggling with the new TV stand, I was still struggling with you, so I did what the boys love most, put them in front of the Wii!! This is what they did for the next 4 hours:

Oh, it was a long long day Abigail, and after you went to bed, the boys got showers, Daddy finished his TV stand, Caroline got a cast, and Mommy finished her blog, I am exhausted!!!!! Good night sweet baby girl. We keep you busy, but you seem to love it. Get excited, we go to the beach in 5 days!!!

The Bibbs

Dear Abigail - Tonight you met some of mommy's favorite people - the Bibbs. The Bibbs have been in my life for almost 15 years now. Reason I know is b/c i was there for Audra Bibb's 1st birthday, and she turns 15 in August! Austin, who has turned into a very handsome 17 year old, plays baseball and had the state tournament here in Nashville. AFter a few texts, we were hanging out with Ms. Cindy and Ms. Peggy, and Audra. Poor Mr. Joe couldn't make it... It was the first time they have met you and it's been a long time since Mommy has even seen them. It was such a good day. You did so good - we went and played at their hotel first, and you were on your best behavior. You laughed and pointed and stood up and everything for them. I really appreciate it b/c if there is anyone i want you to impress, it's the Bibbs. They are parent role models for Mommy. Then we went to Austin's game, and once again, you did great! everyone thought you were adorable and I agreed with them! I just wanted to blog about your first meeting with them because they are very special people to mommy and share many memories. Hopefully we'll have many memories with them!

Week in Memphis

Dear Abigail, prepare yourself, this could be a long one... You spent an entire week in Memphis, and a few of those days by yourself, well, without me and Daddy, that is. Mimi watched you, and I think by Wednesday, she was exhausted and ready for me to come get you!! She'll never admit it, but I saw a sigh of relief when I finally walked in the house on Wednesday afternoon. I was so happy to see you - i can't explain it, but it felt really weird walking around the house without you. While it was nice to get a few things done, I didn't like the emptiness of it all. So I picked you up at Mimi's and we headed off to see Papa Rob. He was wearing me out about getting you over there as soon as possible. Papa Rob and Gramma were so happy to see you - they haven't seen your teeth or you crawl, or you stand up and man alive, were they pumped about it! You were hesitant at first when you saw them, but once Papa Rob started being his silly self, you opened up and showed your personality! He even got you to play on the bed with him AND you saw your first horse. Mommy was getting a little nervous about how close the horse was getting to you, but Gramma seemed to have it under control!! After a real quick bath because you wouldn't sit down, it was off to a LONG LONG LONG night. Girlfriend, I have never had such a bad night with you. I actually cried I was getting so overwhelmed. It was so weird, you weren't crying, you just wanted to sit there, just hang out. Maybe you really missed me and just wanted to make sure i wasn't leaving. I don't know, but between 1:30 to 3:30, you just decided to stay awake. Next morning, I was exhausted and as soon as Papa Rob and Gramma left for work, I scooted us off to Mimi's so I could have a break but low and behold, Clara Lee was there and it was just as exhausting. I have no idea how Mimi watched you and Clara Lee at the same time!! Or how anyone has twins for that matter! Bless their hearts... Anyway, that night we went to Emily and Kateland's softball games. Afterwards, we decided to take you to eat Mexican even though it was pretty late, adn well, Mommy doesn't admit it often, but I made the wrong decision. You needed to go home, instead, Papa Rob pushed you around outside while i gulfed down fajitas. Not the way I enjoy fajitas, but mommy's have to sacrifice at times. Anyway, we got you home and quickly put you to bed. Friday morning was good though. Your cousin Madison came and played in the morning. She kept hearing you say Da-da-da-da and said she was going to teach you Ma-ma-ma-ma! And yall played on the bed too!! You really had a good time with Madison. Here are a few pics from Papa Robs...

Papa Rob was introducing you to Pixie, who you loved to point at!

And Papa Rob and Gramma gave you a bath!!

Madison wanted to get in your bed b/c it used to be hers!!

You loved Uncle Bubbas hat. That's what kept you happy at the game!

During the day on Thursday and Friday we hung out at Mimi's with Clara Lee. At one point, i ran and got us some lunch or something and before I was gone 10 minutes, Mimi was texting me to hurry it up! I finally got back home and this is what I saw...

Poor Clara Lee was crying and needed to be rocked and you just weren't letting Mimi do it so she had to put you in the chair with her. It seemed to work because both you and Clara Lee weren't crying. Now that's not saying Mimi wasn't... I think that was the breaking point. She was a little hesitant with being alone with the 2 of you from that point on!

Let's see... all the days run together, but at one point we went over to Aunt Ash Ash's and walked with her and Clara Lee. You, of course, got a little bored in your stroller so I ended up pushing the stroller and holding you. And Aunt Ash Ash's walks get pretty gruesome. Friday night, you spent the night with Mimi and me and Daddy went to Sarah's house for an adult dinner, fancy china and all. It was the best, and one of my happiest times with Sarah - you will see soon enough that she's pretty dern awesome. Saturday was a fun-packed day to say the least. Daddy was so ready to get his hands on you, so we got up super early to see you at Mimi's. Then we headed to Katie Ann's graduation. Thankfully, we've got some decently smart folk in our family and someone picked an excellent area for us all to sit end. You see, there were 4 babies under a year old in our group, 2 kids under 3 and then all the rest of our clan which, to sum up, is just a loud group. But we made it through to see Katie Ann walk across that stage, proud and embarrassed that her family was wootin' for her!! You played most of the time and then decided to nap it up the second we got in the car. That night, we had a party for Katie Ann and at the last minute I 're-decided' not to take you adn Sarah watched you. All she had to do was put you to bed, that's it, so I thought it wouldn't be too bad. Once again, wrong. She said you cried. And cried. And choked yourself, and cried. But finally after 30 minutes, you fell asleep. After all that, she still said she loved you! I told you she was a rock star!! Okay, we're wrapping up... So Sunday, we went to Papa Rob's church to see Brother Ray's last sermon. Brother Ray has been Papa Rob's preacher for over 30 years!! It was a very emotional service, and I was happy we were there for it. P.R. was very happy we all came, the whole group, even Wishbone came! Afterwards, we all went to eat at P.R.'s and ended up staying a long time. It was a good day, beautiful weather, you did good, food was good, i was glad to be with the family. Here's a few pics from that...

This is four generations. Wishbone, Papa Rob, Mommy and you! Your great-grandfather is holding you! So special!!

Papa Rob and his girls! He needs John Michael to hurry up and get here!! Only 4 more months!

We finally got home Sunday, and I was so worried you were going to be all messed up from the million different places, but low and behold, you were just as perfect as usual. no problems with going to bed, no problems with anything. You are the bestest, for sure. Love you so much. I know it was a long week, but your family really loves you and loves for you to visit!! Love you baby girl.

Day One with Mimi

Dear Abby - I miss you. You are with Mimi for the next couple of days, and I know Mimi won't have time to blog about your days with her, so I am going to blog as I hear stuff! Once you arrived in Munford yesterday (Sunday), Mimi & Pic-pic took you to a fish fry with Pic-pics family. Apparently you were a hit, smiling at everyone and laughing; I can only imagine. Mimi said she sat you in the crib and you started kissing everything in it and were so excited. She also said she immediately got Pic-pic in there to lower the crib b/c when you stood up (which is all you do) you immediatly fall out! Once they got that all squared away, Mimi was much calmer! I think Aunt Ash-Ash stopped by already, too! Uncle Jay was super impressed with your 'advanced' abilities and is very eager for Clara Lee to start doing it all - he needs to be careful what he wishes for!!! Mimi said she took you up to the 'cave' to drink your nighttime bottle and settle you down and you had her and Pic-Pic laughing out loud. You see, Pic-pic is an avid hunter, and has the proof all over his 'cave' walls. Mimi said you would look over at one of the wildabeasts then look at her. then look at the elks, then look at her, then look at another one of the crazy animals, then bury your face in her chest! you did this several times - i wish i could have seen it! I'm scared of all those animals up there, too baby girl. You don't let them scare you - or you make Pic-pic take them down, you hear me! Today you have been playing with Clara Lee all day - pointing at her, laughing with her, and you even took a nap at the same time as her - that's good for mimi!! Okay - miss you, talk to you soon. Tell Mimi to hook up her camera onthe computer ASAP!!!! Love you - Mommy.

Mother's Day weekend

Abigail - Today was a first for me. I celebrated Mother's Day for the first time as a mother. What a world of difference it makes. What a new appreciation it makes! Mimi and Pic-pic came up on Friday night to help start the fabulous weekend. After eating our usual Mexican, Mimi put you to bed without a problem, well, she forgot your paci, but that didn't seem to bother you too much! Mommy got to run a bunch of errands on Saturday and even got to take a 2 hour nap!!!! I know you think what is the big deal because you get to take 3 a day, but one day missy, you too will value those naps. It was awesome. You are really trying to stand up on everything so I bought you your first car, pink of course. Mimi was able to catch a couple good shots of you trying to ride it.

That night, Mimi watched you while Mommy and Daddy celebrated your Uncle Jaybee's 35th bday (yes, he is getting old) - once again - SO NICE! You've got this going to bed thing down pat - no need to even question it anymore! When we came in that night, it was after midnight so Daddy said it was mother's day so he insisted he give me my present. He had made a dvd all about you and me. It was sweet, even at 12:30 in the morning. He was so proud, and should have been. We've watched it at least 5 times - and you love seeing yourself on tv!! Sunday, after we woke up, we got all dolled up for a fancy brunch at Sambucca!! Well, all of us but Pic-pic, who wouldn't take off the socks. We almost made him stay home.

You are such a pretty baby girl!!! We ate and ate and ate. And you had TWO poopy diapers at a restaurant that does NOT have a changing station! thank GOODNESS for mimis!! seriously, thank goodness b/c i really think i would have just let you keep the 2nd poopy diaper, pretty outfit and all.

All in all, it was a fabulous first Mother's Day. We came back home and Mimi packed you up and took you to Munford for the next three days! I can't wait to hear about those adventures... It's been less than 6 hours and i already miss you. it's weird not having you here, although I did get another one of those naps today!!!! I love and miss you baby girl. Have fun at Mimi's. I'll see you on Wednesday. Play good with Clara Lee and don't forget me!!!!

Crying it out...

Oh dear Abby - I stressed and stressed about the whole crying out method. You see, you have been a little trouble getting to sleep lately, especially on your dear ole mom. For the last, well, 8 months basically, we have been letting you fall asleep in our arms before laying you in the crib. I know, I know, it's not what we should be doing, but whatever, it is what it is. But, I finally realized that it was wearing me out, and not good for you either. SO, i talked and talked and talked about letting you cry it out, and finally we did it. Daddy wanted to do the 'go in every 5 minutes, then 8 minutes, then 10 minutes" method, but I said let's just go hog wild and don't go in at all. He was very hesitant. And Mimi was sick at her stomach on Sunday night, the night it was to take place. Well, Mommy started your routine of putting your jammies on, dimming the light, giving you your nighttime bottle, then we read, sang a song, did the blinds, dimmed the lights adn you were wide awake. I was nervous. I kissed you goodnight and turned your ceiling glow thingy on and laid you in the bed. Daddy and I eagerly watched you from the monitor and waited (with a bottle of wine, i might add) for you to cry and cry and cry. Crazy as this world is, you went right to sleep. No tears. NONE. ZILCH! it was bizarre. So the next night, I sent Daddy to do the dirty work. You gave him a little trouble with feeding, but not too bad at all, then he went through the routine and laid you down. Unfortunately, you weren't too crazy about it that night BUT you only cried for 5 minutes, TOPS! and then, bam, you fell asleep on your belly and didn't wake up till morning!! It's been 3 more nights since then, and you haven't cried at all. Mommy and Daddy have been worrying AND rocking you for no reason! You are such an awesome baby Abigail - thanks for making parenting so easy for us (at least for now...) You are officially a baby who can put herself to sleep. Now we just need to work on naptime!!! love you so much!

World Traveler

Dear Abby - As of 2 weeks ago, I officially declared you a world traveler. Granted, you only went to Houston, but, you did take your first plane ride!! And what a plane ride it was. We (me & you) went to see Aunt Lizzy and your cousins Sarah and Emery (and Aunt Lynnie met us down there) in Houston. I was pretty nervous about the flight because it was just you and me, and the 150+ other lucky travelers who graced our presence. We got to be one of the first people on the plane (thanks to my quick checking in skills), so I grabbed us a seat with no one else around, that way those who sat by us did it by choice, not because I picked them out and thought, you deserve to have a baby sitting beside you. So, the second we sat down, the tears started flowing. It was awful, I'm just gonna throw that out there. We weren't even close to taking off and you are screaming. I am pulling out all the options - bottles, sippy cups, Glowy, your fancy silver rattle, a wet wash cloth - NOTHING is working. It's been 10 minutes and I'm about to have a nervous breakdown and people are still loading the plane. This man behind us, bless his heart, even offered you a kleenex. Clearly he doesn't have children, nor common sense, but it's the thought that counts. I actually got a little offended but was too occupied with you to even give a dirty look (which I will never teach you, btw). Then, by some grace of God (actually, Papa Rob did say he was praying for us as we were boarding), the lady beside us starting unraveling her sandwich and you became completely engrossed in the noise of it all. Then you just stopped crying and stared at the sandwich. For like 20 minutes, or until the lady finished. It was weird, let me just say that, but I was not complaining. Finally we took off, you drank your bottle, no ear issues, and then played in my lap the rest of the 2 hour flight. I say 'play' lightly. You were indeed all over the place, which is hard on a plane, but you were happy. I was worn out. Little did I know, I was really about to be worn out with those Sawyer kiddos!!
We did all kinds of firsts for you on this trip. Sarah had swim lessons so we went to the pool with her and you swam for the first time! you loved it! And Emery and Sarah loved playing with you. They even had a waterfall and I'm pretty sure your Aunt Lynnie took you under it. Btw, you were too cute in your bathing suit and sunglasses! You also were introduced to a dog, for the first time! A big black lab with a voracious tail. You didn't seem to mind the tail, or when it knocked you down though. I think you are going to be like your daddy with your love for animals. We also went to the zoo! I showed you a real monkey, too, and you seemed to enjoy it. Seemed meaning you didn't cry, and then you took a nap!! All in all, a good trip to Houston. Oh, and the plane ride home, you fell asleep in my arms as the plane was going up and did not wake up until it landed! No tears at all! Thank you sweet baby for doing that - Mommy needed a rest, bad!
Once we got back from that trip, we had to head to Cookeville to babysit Uncle Martin and Aunt Amy's kiddos! Yes, another crazy bunch!! See, your Uncle Martin pulled out all the stops for their 10 year wedding anniversary and surprised Aunt Amy with a trip to Quebec. She had no idea, and he had set up a long time ago for us to come watch the kiddos. It was quite the undertaking, but we survived, thanks a lot to Aunt Steph and Auntie Jill, and Alexis too. Alexis was such a good cousin to you. She wanted to constantly feed you, or hold you, or even just run up and down the bazillion stairs to get me diapers or wipes or towels or whatever! On Saturday you stayed all day with Auntie Jill and Alexis. They showed you off to all their friends and even took you shopping. I foresee a lot of days spent with the 2 of them!! All in all, the kids weren't that bad, and we survived. I did give them lots of junk food and tv watching on Saturday, so I think that helped a lot! You were great, other than a little issue with sleeping the first night, and your cousin Ellie was a rock star! She's getting so big now, it won't be long before the 2 of you start playing together. You are very curious in her, you like touching her hair, or eyes - a tad scary right now. But still cute! We're back home now, and exhausted. Back to normalcy, if at all possible (or at least until next week when we head to Memphis!!). Love you baby girl. Thanks for putting up with all our traveling adventures!!