Clara Lee, Aunt Ashy, and Mimi's Visit

Dear Abigail,

I wasn't kidding when I said you needed to get some rest for this weekend! Let me start from the beginning...

Daddy left for out of town on Saturday night, so what better timing for Mimi, Aunt Ashy, and Clara Lee to come up for a visit! They headed this way on Sunday morning and arrived right at lunch time! You were soooooo excited to see Mimi, and Clara Lee was SOOOOO excited to see you! I think you are starting to get excited to see Clara Lee, but anytime Mimi's around, everyone else just disappears... (we'll be working on that soon...). After we ate lunch we played in the play room for a good bit, but you had to go down for a nap because you were going to a concert that night! After a decent nap, we headed to the Carnton Plantation where a Rolling Stones cover band was playing. Us girls went, and we met Aunt Steph, Ellie and Ellie's Papa, member him from skiing? We were a little nervous about going, or at least I was, because we usually have our hubbies (or pack mules as Uncle Jaybee likes to be called), so this time it was just us carrying everything, including 3 babies! But we did it, and we got a great new spot under a tree that provides lots of shade. After setting up the table and chairs and food, we were ready to eat. You girls looked so cute in your little chairs...

We were all a little hungry, so we didn't bother waiting for the music to start eating. Everything was so yummy! I just love picnics, and from the looks of it, so do you!!

Mommy forgot to bring any toys to play with, but you didn't seem to care - you decided you would just go sit in everyone else's chair, meaning no one in our party! I bet I had to get you out of someone else's chair 200 times, missy! You have the cutest pink folding chair and all you wanted to do was sit in these boys chairs right beside ours... hmmmm... Wait, maybe if I get your chair monogrammed you will sit in. That's it! Consider it done! Anyway, it was clearly not just the chairs that had you interested in those boys. You preceded to follow them down the path to the nasty water where Mommy then Mimi had to go and get you..

the little boy's chair...

And even tried to play football with them, where you were accidentally trampled, but, I will say, the little boy who did trample you was VERY gentlemanly and apologized I bet 200 times. We call that the South, baby girl! Anyway, by this time the music had started and we were all having a good time. You found the perfect little spot to dance on...

And even got Mimi to play ring around the roses with you a couple times!!!

Some little girl was super sweet and gave you girls bubbles to blow and chase! Lots of fun!! Oh, and I think we're going to be famous! Or at least in the tabloids! The local magazine photographer took our picture and got our names, I assume because you girls were just too cute, but nonetheless, Mommy needs to remember to get you a magazine! What's funny is this is not your first magazine appearance from going to a Carnton concert, sort of. Mommy went to a concert 2 years ago, the DAY you were due, and our gang (pre any babies) were all featured in the magazine! We may not have seen your face, but you were showing your size FOR SURE!!!

We had so much fun at Carnton that night, but we were all exhausted. Thankfully we live seconds away from the house now, so in a hop, skip and a jump, we were home!! After a quick bath, we all went to bed, exhausted!!

That next morning didn't slow down, either! Once we all got up and at em, which by the way was a smidge earlier than we're used to thanks to your nonsleepin' cousin!! She's going to be just like her momma, waking up at the crack of dawn, wanting to play, while the rest of us try to sleep in! Anyway, after breakfast, we got all cutesied up to go to (drum roll please...)

That's right, we went to Pump, pump, pump It Up!!! Oh my you girls had soooo much fun! It wasn't very crowded, so we had lots of jumpy houses to ourselves. You and Clara Lee ran around and around and around, chasing each other, chasing Mimi, chasing nothing! And, oh my goodness, you went down this REALLy tall slide!!!

Words can't describe how much fun you two had, well, I should say you 5 had because Mimi and Ashy and Mommy had a good ole time, too!! Here are some pictures to prove it!!!!

Look at that look, missy!! I think you were about to scare her!!
Oh boy it was sooo hard to get a picture of you 2!!
This was one of my favorites! CL had already taken her socks off and threw them and now she is after yours!!! You didn't know what she was doing!

I told you Mimi was having fun!!!So much fun, you had to help her get up!!!

We all had a good time, but we had to leave eventually. To tell you the truth, we had to leave because we had to go BACK to the doctor for you and your 2 "bites". Yes, you got another bite, or well, 2 nother bites! And yes, they swelled up really, REALLY big - one on your cheek (which you can probably see from the Carnton pictures) and then one on your leg. And yes, Mimi was super worried and insisted on me taking you to the doctor, even though I knew they were just going to say the exact same thing they said a week ago... But, Aunt Steph said she probably would take you, so with that, we headed to the doctor. ACTUALLY... We tried to do a quick lunch at Whole Foods, which turned into a race to see who could gobble up their food the fastest because Mommy did not calculate her time correctly for some reason - ask Mimi about that experience, it was a little crazy for about 10 minutes! BUT, we made it to the doctor on time, and, of course, the doc said that indeed they were mosquito bites and you have a very strong reaction to them. So, going forward, we just have to give you medicine when we ever see a bite. Hopefully no more doctor trips because of mosquito bites!!!!!

After the doctor's appointment, we ran on home to put you down for nap, but once you woke up - it was on!!!

Well, let me take that back, first we took a quick trip to Costco, which provided us with a very cute photo shot...

But after Costco, that's when it was on! Can you say "Hello Mellow Mushroom!!!" Yummy, to say the least. This was one place we were making sure to go because Mimi, Aunt Ashy and Mommy all love love love it, and guess what, I'm pretty sure you girls do, too!!! It's pizza, so who wouldn't! And of course, we love walking around downtown Franklin, and of course, walking to get ice cream AFTER we were all super full on pizza! But oh, it was soo good. And you girls did so good, too! After a long day, again, we were all just exhausted and ready to hit the sack! What in the world could be in store for the next day...

SWIMMING of course! Aunt Steph and Ellie met us at our pool and we had such a good time swimming. We pretty much took over the baby pool, and that was fine with us. You girlies loved being able to walk around on your own and play in the water. Oh CL was being her usual trouble making self, pouring water all over everyone's head, and you, of course, drank the water as usual even after Mimi, and mommy, and Ashy and Aunt Steph all begged you not too!!

E just chillin...

Lots of fun in the sun! And then we all came back and had a good lunch and then got to all lay down for naps, or well, most of us... Soon after waking up, we of course headed out to do more shopping! We ran all over town, from one store to the next, and finally at Target, when both of your were out of the cart and literally running all through the store, throwing things off shelves, screaming, etc, we decided we needed to head home and bring this fun adventure to a close!!!

You had SOOOOO much fun with CL in town and we can't wait for her to come back and play! Even though she may be a little toughy, she LOVES you and loves playing with you and loves hugging you and loves trying to hold your hand and loves taking your paci!!!!!! We can't wait for the next weekend with the girls!! DAddy needs to travel a little more, huh!!!

xxxxxooooooo

Your Great-grandmother's 90th birthday

Dear Abigail,

Today we went to your great-grandmother's 90th birthday party. That's Daddy's daddy's mommy! The party was at Aunt Linda and Uncle Gary's house and guess what, they had a big ole waterslide to play on!! No, your great-grandmother did not go down the slide, and I'm not even sure she went out in the heat because it was soooo hot, but you kiddos sure loved it! Of course, Mommy wouldn't let you go down the slide because there were a WHOLE lot of big kiddos playing on it, but you had fun watching and being splashed!

You tried your little heart out to get in there...

and then a big wave of water would splash you!!!

There was a baby pool that you splashed around in, or, well, that you drank the water from, even though Aunt Linda begged and begged you to not drink it. She just doesn't know you and your water drinking habits, does she!

There also was a little bouncy house that you jumped in a little bit...

You had a ton of fun with all your cousins and second cousins and probably third cousins! Such a good time. You also found a sandbox where you spent a lot of your time - I'm thinking you may just need one, or maybe just a trip to the beach... At dinner time, you and Ellie were the best little eaters. At first you sat at the big table and everyone was so impressed with you and how well you ate. Then you started carrying your plate down to Ellie's table, where you preceded to eat everything off Ellie's plate, including a bite or two of cake! I'm thinking you may have grown a few sweet taste buds - uh oh!!!

After dinner, while I was trying to get things gathered to head home, you snuck off to the treehouse, where you decided to camp out for 30 minutes!! Mommy had to beg Caroline to drag you to the ladder, so I didn't have to get up there! Finally we headed home (unfortunately through a really terrible thunderstorm) and you are safely in bed, well, on the floor, but in your room nonetheless. PS - you only cried for less than 1 minute tonight!!!!

LOVE YOU sleepy head!

Baby Grant

Dear Abigail,

FINALLY, Baby Grant is here! Miss EP and Mr. Jay, along with the rest of the crew, have been waiting what seems like forever for Baby Grant to get here! And, to say the least, you were super excited!

And oh, is he so pretty!

He arrived weighing in at 8 pound, 7 oz., and, I believe, 20 inches. For being so excited to see him, you were not that excited when we got there. As a matter of fact, you were a little reluctant, but that may have to do with the hospital and/or the numerous people hanging out in one room! You did insist on a balloon for baby Grant, so we stopped by and go him one, which came in handy later when you were getting a little restless...

Yay, we're all so excited!!! Here are a few more pics from our visit this afternoon.

Here's you "being sweet" to Baby Grant...(this is how you pet Kitty)

And you watching Daddy hold him...

Even Ellie was excited! Here's her waving to Baby Grant!

You are so lucky to have such special friends as Grant! We can't wait for you guys to play together!! Such fun...

Love you.

Monsters...

Dear Abigail,

Oh my word, things have been tough around here at bedtime. I don't know what happened, what sparked it, or what's hiding under your bed, but you do NOT want to sleep in there. And, as you may recall from multiple past blogs, you were SOOOOO good about going to sleep, especially at night time. Here's how it all started...

Monday night, we went through our normal routine of dinner, then bath, then story time. After a book or two, we turned out the lights and I started walking you towards your crib. That's when you lost it. I have never seen you scream like this. You had a grip so hard on me, I had to literally peal you off to put you in the crib. While I did think it was a bit odd, I didn't think too long on it and just put you in your crib, thinking it would dissolve soon enough, since you are so good at night time. But it didn't. And you kept screaming. After what seemed like 2 hours, but probably was more like 5 minutes, I decided this was too weird and that something might just be wrong, so I did the one thing I probably should not have done... took you out of the crib. You were so happy to see me and immediately stopped crying the second I took you out of the crib. I tried rocking you for a few minutes and put you back in the crib only to have you death grip me. Then I proceeded to walk around with you, singing to you, and you were calm, even put your head on my shoulder, so it was clear you were tired. Tried the bed again. Screams again. So weird... Finally, mainly because my back was hurting, I decided to put you in our bed. Within minutes, you were fast asleep. Good, right? Nah, cause now I had to move you into your bed. I thought since you were so tired/exhausted from the screaming that this may be easy, but after 3 failed attempts, I decided to leave you in our bed until we were ready to go to sleep. Finally, I was able to make the switcharoo without you waking up. Low and behold, around 4:30 that morning, you woke up, recognized you were in your crib and were screaming! Daddy went and got you and was kind enough to wrap up his night's rest on the couch while you and Mommy slept in our bed. And you did sleep, until 7:15 the next morning when we had to wake you up for school! Crazy...

So, Tuesday night, Mommy decided we were going to let you cry it out. We had to do it - it is what's best for you in the long run. At least that's what I kept telling myself... So, same routine, same normalcy, and then Daddy goes to put you in the crib - BAM, here come the screams. And you screamed. And screamed. It was miserable. I know 20 minutes had to have gone by and you were steadily screaming over and over again. And, to make matters worse, you were climbing out of your crib. We watched you several times on the monitor get so close to tipping over the edge that Mommy couldn't take it any more. I decided to go get you out, and thank goodness because as I was walking in the room, you jumped out of the crib!! Well, I decided we weren't going to put you in our bed anymore, not going to start that habit, so we put you in the guest bed. And, once again, you fell asleep no problem. Of course, you did fall off the bed a couple times, but you didn't even wake up for one of them! We had pillows on the ground, too, so that helped.

So, clearly you aren't liking your crib, right? So, Daddy and I decided since A) you don't like the crib, B) you can jump out of the crib and C) we don't know what else to do, we would convert your crib into a toddler bed.

So, Wednesday after work, Daddy converted the crib and Mommy made it look as big girl as she could with the few things she had. We showed you after dinner and here's what you thought of it:

YOU LOVED IT!!! You were so excited about your big girl bed that you could get in and out of, and you had a blanket and everything. You even pushed Mommy and Daddy out of your room and turned your light off and said "night, night". I couldn't believe - it can't be this easy, right...

Well, after bathtime, we put jammies on and got ready for bed and you went and hopped in your bed again...

No way, right?!!! You were loving it! So, we read a story, turned the lights off, and bam - you lost it. UGH!!!! Scream, scream, scream. And now, you can run out the door. So, with out a thought, you ran right into the guest bedroom, climbed onto bed, and begged to sleep in there. So... we let you. Abs, this is what we call the formation of a habit.

So, Daddy and I thought and thought about what to do. We thought about switching rooms, but that wasn't going to work because we need the guest bedroom for Mimi (and other) visits. We tried moving the crib/toddler bed into the guest bedroom, but it wouldn't fit through the door, and Daddy wasn't about to take that thing apart! We even thought about putting the 'gate' back on the bed to make it a crib again. But, at the end of the day (and after consulting with your doctor), I decided we had to let you cry it out. The doc said to let you go 20 minutes, then reassure you that we were still outside, and put you back in there for another 20 minutes. Blah, the thought of this just made me sick, but I knew we had to do it.

So, Thursday night, it was on. As we were going through our routine, I told you over and over again, this was your bed, it was bed time and it's where you sleep. You totally knew what was going on, and didn't care for it. We didn't even get a book in because you started crying again. Well, I put you in the bed and literally had to run out the door. I'm not going to get into a lot of details, mainly because it makes Mimi sick at her stomach to hear it, and personally, I don't want to recall it either because it was by far the hardest night I've been through with you, including the 28 hours of labor and the first couple nights you were home. BUT, at almost 20 minutes on the dot, you stopped screaming and let go of the door handle. I could tell you moved away from the door, sobbing a little, and then it was quiet. I sat for another 5 minutes or so, patiently waiting, listening. I didn't hear anything so I went downstairs for awhile. Finally, I went back in your room to check on you, and low and behold, you were asleep, in your bed. Ah..... what a relief. Now, how long will this last...

SO, next day, Friday, today, it's time for a nap. Mommy is dreading this more than ever. Same routine, same tears - but this time, THREE MINUTES! In 3 minutes, you had stopped crying and went to sleep! YAY!!!! Of course, when I peeked in, you were asleep on the floor, not the bed, but it doesn't matter, you were asleep, in your room and I only had to stand my ground for 3 mintues! Woo-hoo!!!

So, bedtime... Same routine, except this time you actually let me read you a book without you getting all worked up. So we read, I turned the light out, you started whining, which please note, is MUCH different from the screams, and then, even though you were still whining, you let me physically put you in the bed! Now, that's not to say you didn't get up almost immediately, but before, I couldn't even get you in the bed. You, of course, ran to the door, but it, once again, was only whining, a little crying, but no screaming, and then 5 minutes later - complete silence. You'd fallen asleep! Of course, it was on the floor again, but I was able to put you in the bed without you waking up.

So, baby girl. I don't know what it is. Whether it's monsters, or the dark, or the crib (or spirits as a few think...) I think we're working it out. Man alive though -this has been one hard week for me and for you. I know you are exhausted and I really need you to get your rest because we have a such a fun weekend ahead of us!!!

Love you baby girl, even if we have to go through some hard times together!!!

Normalcy

Dear Abigail,

Slowly and surely, we are returning back to normal. Now, that doesn't mean we've slowed down any, just getting back to our normal busy weekly routines!

On Wednesday, the two of us met Aunt Steph and Ellie and Miss Leigh and Ryan at Mellow Mushroom, while the daddys had their fun else where. You may ask where Miss EP was, right? Well, we were all super excited she wasn't with us, or at least we thought. She was having contractions so she stayed home, timing them, getting ready, etc., etc. Unfortunately, baby Grant is still not here (i.e. false alarm)... Oh well, we're still patiently waiting. But we did have fun eating pizza. You became an absolute spazz for the pizza, eating your slice, then eating bites of mine, then just getting a whole other slice! Girlfriend, you L-O-V-E you some pizza! And you get that straight from your momma! On our way to pizza I told you we were going to see Ellie and you got super excited and kept saying Ellie coming, Ellie coming and then, without me saying anything you said "and Ronnie coming". "Ronnie" is what you call Ryan WHICH is so crazy (but actually, maybe not) because Mommy had a real good friend in high school named Ryan, who was friends with the entire family, too, and when Katie Ann, your 2nd cousin, was your age, she called that Ryan "Ronnie" and to this day, whenever I see him I tend to call him Ronnie!!! I don't think Miss Leigh wants us to continue calling her Ryan "Ronnie", but for now, it sure is cute!! Anyway - my point in all that was that you associate Ryan and Ellie together!! But why shouldn't you? We do everything as a group! You are so smart!!

On Friday, Auntie Amy and Caroline and Harrison came into town to go swimming with us. This was our first trip to the neighborhood pool, so I was a little anxious to see your reaction to all the kiddos jumping and splashing and having a good ole time. And you haven't seen your cousins lately, so I wasn't sure if you'd warm up to them as quickly as we would like. No worries! The pool was fairly tame, not that you would have cared, and you loved you some "CaROline". You are so sweet when you say her name, pronouncing every single syllable, maybe even adding a few. Once I got those swimmies on you, you wanted to be let go, didn't want anyone holding onto you. And you would kick your legs, just like Mimi taught you, BUT, you still drink the water, even though Mimi says "Don't drink the wa-wa"! Mommy loved the neighborhood pool and knows we'll be back very soon. They even have a baby pool that I can put you in without your swimmies. You sat in that pool forever! It was perfect, and you had such a good time playing with your cousins. Unfortunately, I did not get my camera out...

After a good lunch, the Ings headed back to Cookeville, and you went down for a nap. You needed your rest because instead of Mexican, we decided we'd all get together and eat pizza! YEAH for more pizza! We all went to Uncle Jay-bee's house and everyone got to play together, finally. It had been a long time since you've been able to run around with Ryan and Ellie, and boy did y'all run around!! We tried and tried to get a picture of all 3 of you and all I could come up with was this...

We tried. We'd get 2 of you in the picture and the other one would take off running the opposite way. I think the 3 of you were teasing with us! Of course, the first thing you did when we walked in the door was run and jump in the bouncy seat!

I guess you're sort of like Peter Pan, never wanting to grow up?!! Ellie had a new toy out to play with and you knew exactly what to do with it! Mimi just got this toy on your vacation with her and you loved it at Mimi's and you still love it. It's taking all I have not to go buy it for you - surely you can get enough use out of Ellie's and Mimi's, right??? :)

Here's you just being down right silly with a pillow on your head!

I didn't get a picture of it, but you and Ryan loved Ellie's dancing duck! The 2 of you danced over and over again to it. And Ryan and Ellie were having so much fun running and just falling to the ground, laughing so hard. During this little spell, you had discovered Ryan's new toy, Ernie, and insisted he was ready for bed. You even put covers over him. You're such a good little mommy. You had such a good time playing with everyone, and after the kiddos went to sleep, the mommies all had a good time picking out matching Christmas outfits!! We can't wait!!!!

On Saturday, you and Daddy decided to spend some quality time together. Daddy took you to the science museum while Mommy stayed home to unpack. Of course, no camera was taken, but Daddy did say that your 2 favorite things were the concession stand and any ball that you could get your hands on! We just knew you were going to love the 4 story playground, but nope, the concession stand (where Daddy gave you chips!!!) and balls. Lots of balls! Whatever makes you happy, Princess! Once you got home, you were exhausted and took a forever long nap, which we were all thankful for.

Your knew favorite activity is to write. You love, love, love to write anywhere, on anything, with anything. Well, Mimi introduced you to crayons for the bathtub, which Mommy actually thought was pretty neat. THOUGHT being the key word. You are obsessed with these crayons and even if you are not taking a bath, you still get in the tub and write. Everywhere. Including the carpet, which Mommy still isn't sure how to get that up. Mimi's coming up next weekend, so I'm thinking I'll make her clean it up, since these crayons were her brilliant idea...

This is you imitating Mommy...

After 2 quiet times, and one "OH MY GOSH" from Mommy, we put the crayons up, at least for the time being...Thankfully the rest of the afternoon/evening was occupied with more friends! Mr. Tig and Miss Jessica brought Cater Ann over to play! We were so excited about their visit because we hadn't seen Cater Ann since she was 6 weeks old! And what a cutie pie she is. Of course, they couldn't get over how much you had grown in that year either. Miss Jessica kept saying "well she's just a little girl now!" You were sweet enough to show Cater your play room, but the sweetness pretty much stopped there. It's not too often that you have to share your toys, so we struggled a bit with that. Thankfully, Cater is super laid back, and loved Kitty, so she occupied herself elsewhere when you would decide to take her toy away. We clearly are going to need to work on that... Once it cooled off a bit, we took you girls outside to play on the playground and I think Cater had a ball! I know you did!! One of the funniest times was when all the adults but Mr. Tig went inside, so he was watching both of you. When I came back out, he asked me if I had given you a piece of bread because you were eating some. Of course, I had not, but then Mr. Tig said "Don't worry - I tasted it and it seemed to taste fine so I let her keep eating it!!" It was your sandwich from a couple days ago!!!! Mr. Tig was such a good little watcher, making sure you didn't eat anything that would be bad for you! Here's a few shots of you girls....

Here's Cater climbing up the slide - she did it all by herself!!

Both of you conked out after supper and that gave us adults a chance to catch up! What a fun visit.

Sunday, today, is Father's Day. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, you are one lucky girl to have a Daddy as awesome as yours! You and Daddy have so much fun playing, whether it's building tents and hiding from Mommy or tickling you or going "Hmmmmm.... AHHHHHH" - which is some random game you made up, but love! Anyway, daddy's are special in general, but your's is just off the charts cool!

SO... with that said, we had to celebrate Father's Day! The whole crew (Papa, Uncle Jordan, Aunt Carly, Auntie Amy and Uncle Martin and the kiddos, Aunt Steph, Uncle Jaybee and Ellie, and us) all went to lunch! Shhhooo what a crew, but I tell you what, I think we may have figured out a kid friendly, still good food, okay to draw on the tables, place - Macaroni grill! It was perfect - they stuck all 200 of us in the back corner, and you were so excited because you got to write on the table!! And, for the 2 hours we were there, you did pretty dern good, if I may say so myself! A lot of that had to do with CaROline and Harrison, who played and played with you, and a lot of it had to do with the pizza CaROline and Harrison ordered for lunch - I ain't kiddin' when I say you love some pizza! You ate more of their pizza than they did! I was a little bit in a rush this morning and totally forgot my camera, so I am hoping your dear Aunties will be kind enough and send me a couple, since I did grab Auntie Amy's camera and take control of it!! Hopefully I'll get some pictures to post soon. Over all, a fantastic lunch experience - and you even smiled for the family group shot!

Once we got home, you and Daddy took a nap (this was part of Daddy's father's day present) and Mommy ran several errands. After a quick run to the grocery store - which by the way, you have discovered the car cart at the grocery store and heart it and refuse to go in anything else, so thankfully I haven't become annoyed with it like every other mom in America, YET... Anyway, quick trip to store, good wholesome nonpizza dinner, and off to bed.

Shhoooo, Mommy is wore out. We've all got to get our energy back this week because next weekend is BIG! Your great-grandmother turns 90 AND Clara Lee is coming!!!!!! YAY!!!!!

Until then - XXXXOOOOOOXXXXX