Another visit to the zoo, but still know giraffes

Dear Abigail,

It's been 2 weeks, I think, but I can still remember the zoo trip. Auntie Amy and the kiddos were on fall break, so I thought it would be fun to go to the zoo with everyone. And, it just so happen, that Aunt Steph was off work, too, so Ellie got to come!! And Ellie's grandma and Aunt Melanie (Aunt Steph's sister) joined in on the fun - a whole slew of people. We were all so excited, but then the day came, and boy was it a terrible day for the zoo. Aunt Steph and I were determined to go, Auntie Amy, not so much. She has much more experience in these things, you see, while Aunt Steph and I are still a little naive BUT, it all turned out just fine and dandy, no colds, no crying babies, nada. It did start to rain on us at the end though, and we ended up leaving Auntie Amy and the kiddos, without even saying good-bye! Who knows where they were! We had a good time, but we still didn't make it to the giraffes. You did get to see tigers walking around and the monkeys and once again, you loved the meerkats. Hopefully we'll get to go one more time before it gets too cold, but I don't know - you've been wearing a coat the last couple of days...

Here's a few pics from the zoo trip:

and our little helpers:

Not only did your Auntie Amy bring your crazy cousins, she brought along another 2 crazy kiddos! I can't remember the girl's name, but the little boy was Harris, and their mom's name is Nicole, so Caroline, Harrison and Spencer all call me MISS Nicole instead of Auntie Nicole - it makes mommy crazy!!!! silly rabbits!!

Another fun memory with the family!

Love you monkey!

Trash

Dear Abigail,
You have an obsession with garbage cans. Maybe all 13 and 1/2 month old princesses do, I don't know, but you do - and it's gross. And, while Mommy and Daddy are trying our hardest not to say "NO" but rather say "it's not for Abby", nothing is working, even when we lose our patients and scream "NO ABBY!!"
Your first obsession is to throw your diaper away. Which, to be honest, I like. I like that you like to help out and clean up. You know when your diaper comes off that soon enough the room will be refreshed with week old diapers as you open that fancy dirty diaper trash can. I'm hoping it's not the fragrance that captivates you, but rather the opening of the lid and dropping of the diaper into the dark, black (and smelly) hole. Problem here is, you like to stick your hand down in that dark, black (and smelly) hole. We keep 'hanitizer' right beside the diaper can to say the least.
So, you love that diaper can, right. Well, apparently you love it for more than just diapers. Sunday, Mommy was making you try on a new pair of shoes right before I was putting the actual shoes you were going to wear on. I knew I had sat the new shoes on the ground beside the chair, and off we went to run errands, etc. Later that afternoon, I went searching for those shoes. Counldn't find them anywhere - even called Daddy to see if he had done something with them or seen them. They were brand new, and I could not find them! It was driving me batty and I was running around the house, looking under beds and in the bathtub and laundry baskets. I even had convinced myself that maybe I put them in a shopping bag to take them back, even though I had no intentions of taking them back -that's how crazy I was getting. Well, about an hour after looking, I looked up to see you walking toward the infamous diaper can and then it clicked... I had to take the lid off and scrounge through 3-4 nasty diapers to find those shoes! Someone, and I'm not going to call you out for sure, but someone threw them away, and Daddy swears it wasn't him... Now I just wonder how many things actually got thrown away that I didn't catch...I will always assume anything missing is in the diaper can!
So, I thought that might be the end of our garbage can events for the day, but later Mommy was at the grocery store and I got a phone call from Daddy. He could not wait to tell me what you did. He knew you were playing in your playroom, and even heard you come into the kitchen, but when he looked up to see you, you darted off running back to your play room. Well, a few minutes later when he went in there, you were munching on a piece of pizza. A PIECE OF PIZZA WE HAD FOR LUNCH THAT WE HAD THROWN AWAY!! ahhhhhhhhhh!!! You had taken a piece of pizza from the garbage can and eaten it! G-R-O-S-S!!! I guess we need to look for a spot to hide our kitchen garbage now. Seriously, you have a whole play room full of wonderful toys, and you'd rather dig threw the garbage??!!! We thought you loved Elmo, but maybe it's Oscar the Grouch you love...I still love you though, dirty diapers, garbage pizza and all. You sure are sweet when we tell you "Not for Abby" - you look at us and say "No, no???" How can we get mad at that... Love you.

FIrst Haircut

Dear Abigail,

Today was a very special day, a day of many more just like it to come. Well, hopefully not just like it, but... Today you got your first haircut! Hooray!! Now your Uncle Jordan can quit making fun of your mullet and your Daddy can quit calling you Benjamin Franklin! Well, it wasn't JUST your Uncle Jordan, but he's the only one brave enough to do it on Facebook! Anyway, it's gone!! Hooray!! NOT that mullets are bad on everybody, just hooray YOU don't have one anymore!! HOORAY!!

After Kindermusik, we met Daddy for lunch, and then off we went to Miss Lori's. That's where Mommy gets her haircut, so I was confident she would do a good job on you. When we first got there, she was finishing up someone, so you just roamed around the salon, owning the place and captivating everyone's heart.

Here's a good before shot of the infamous mullet...

Oh how the fun came to a quick stop the second we sat in that chair. You knew something was going down and that it wasn't going to be fun. Miss Lori was being so sweet, talking to you about Kitty and saying how pretty your eyes were, but you weren't buying it. Mommy had to hold you in her lap. And then, when Miss Lori tried putting the cape thing on you (so you wouldn't get hair all over you), you lost it. When I say lost it, I mean it. It brought back memories of a month ago where I had to hold you down for shots. You ended up standing in my lap facing me, so I had to watch your big alligator tears and cries VERY close while Miss Lori chopped away. Now, it seemed like a lifetime, but in reality, this only took 2 minutes maybe! All she did was shorten the back, but boy does it make a difference!! I, of course, couldn't get any pictures while you were actually getting it cut, but here's an after shot...

Goodness you look precious!! After Miss Lori was done, you turned happy within seconds! So happy it was hard for Mommy to get a picture of you. You just were going going going... Once we got home, I tried again, but this is about all I could do...

Point is, you look fabulous Dah-ling!!! Let's just hope Daddy likes it when he gets home from work today...

Love you to pieces, mullets and all...

Play dates, Mexican, Birthday parties, friends over, Gentry's Farm and the park...

Dear Abigail, Yes ma'am you had a fun-filled weekend. The title says it all, but I'll expand a little more, cause that's what Mommy does best (tell stories, long stories, that is). It all began on Friday when you had a play date with Jacob. Miss Kristin invited us over for lunch and to play together. After a great morning nap, we were on our way. You loved the play date, although the two of you didn't really play together. We decided you both needed a couple more months to really grasp the whole 'play date' concept, but nonetheless, Mommy and Miss Kristin had fun 'playing.' We did a lot of talking about babies, and particularly how to discipline babies at your age. A good reason for this discussion was because you kept going to her stairs even after Mommy told you no 245 times! Miss Kristin even told you, but you just look at us and say "No-no" and smile. Hmmmm...do you know what you are doing? That is the million dollar question this week. I'll let you know if we figure something out. In the meantime, continue to be cute because that seems to make it easier for Mommy.
After our play date (and of course I didn't get any pictures), we quickly got home for a short nap just in time for Aunt Amy and the gang to pop in to say hello. They were headed out of town, but stopped by to wind us all up!! There is always excitement with that family! Before they could get out the door, our gang was over to eat Mexican. I didn't let you play very long with Ryan and Ellie because you were super worn out from those cousins of yours, and it was your bedtime, not to mention you had a busy busy Saturday.
On Saturday, we went to Cole's 1st birthday party. Daddy especially liked this birthday party because it was designed around the UT football game! Cole has some really cool parents, huh. You had so much fun playing on their play set and just watching the other kiddo's running around, AND, we discovered you like sausage. Daddy thinks we have to get the Green Egg now because that's the only way you will take the sausage - Mommy thinks he's just as crazy as he's always been. Mr. Matt (that's Cole's daddy) did such a good job of impressing us, that I may be convinced to get the egg now! Unfortunately, Mommy forgot your paci, and then it was naptime... Miss Auburn tried offering one of her babies paci's but you put it in your mouth and then took it out and threw it in the grass. I couldn't help but laugh - you are so smart, we can't get anything past you. So Daddy and I had to wrap things up (and thankfully the Vols were rockin' it out) and we came home. BUT, things happen for a reason, and we got you home without falling asleep in the car and then all three of us took a nap!!!! It was a Saturday that will go down in history, love.
That evening Mr. Kevin and Miss Margaret Anne came over and brought pizza. They hadn't seen you since you were sleeping in the cradle (like FOREVER ago!), and they couldn't believe how big you had gotten, much less how stinkin' cute you were! You warmed right up to Miss Margaret Anne, and I"m sure it didn't help that she had a present that you just loved. It was the cutest piggy bank that you learned very quickly how to put money in! We were all impressed. After playing for a little bit, you said your good nights and went to bed like the good girl you are. You were so good, they invited us to their house, and insisted we bring you!!
Of course, no pictures... (sorry, i get too carried away with playing with you).
Sunday was yet another busy day. First off, let me just say, I have a new favorite time. We don't do this all time, mainly on weekends, but this morning (Sunday morning), you woke up at 6:30. Well, Mommy and Daddy both wanted a few more minutes to sleep so I got you out of your bed and immediately put you in ours. Of course you are not going back to sleep - once you are up, you are up - but, I did turn Sesame Street on and you were so sweet. You just laid in between Daddy and me and we snugged with you like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich (meaning Daddy and me were the bread - does that make sense???). Anyway, i loved it. And even though I didn't go back to sleep, it was my favorite morning in a long time.
Once we finally got out of bed, we started getting ready for a big day. We were heading to pick out pumpkins with the gang at Gentry's Farm. You played with the goats (or well, just talked to them)...



And you and Ellie and Ryan watched the ducks and turkey...



You talked to the chickens, and then you found a slide. Now let me just say, this was no ordinary playground slide. Once I got you up there, I could not get you down other than going down the slide - so your Daddy and I tried forever to get you to come down the slide but you were having so much fun just hanging at the top of the slide! You did finally go down, but it wasn't pretty... thankfully only Miss Erin saw it as the rest of the gang had given up on watching you and moved on!! We decided to go through the corn maze, and apparently that was exactly what you wanted because you quickly fell asleep. Unfortunately, because you fell asleep, you didn't get to pick out a pumpkin with us, but we picked one out for you! You were so sweet though, sleeping and pumpkin and all...



We didn't get the family picture in front of the cute fall truck, but at least we finally got a family picture!

What a pleasant day....

After we got back from the pumpkin hunt, we just couldn't stay inside because the weather was just too nice, so we walked over to the park where you got to go up your slide, again and again and again. It was a fun, fun, fun weekend, and you are pleasantly sleeping right now - and Mommy is not too far behind!! Love ya baby girl!

John Michael is here!

Dear Abigail,

Your new cousin is here - John Michael Westerman!

He was born October 1st, early Thursday morning, and was a teeny-tiny thing. After Kindermusik, you and I jumped in the car and off we went to visit him and Aunt Gina and Uncle Bubba at the hospital. The drive was pretty uneventful, and Papa Rob actually called and was headed our way on the interstate, so we met him for a pitstop! He ate a bite while you ran around in the gas station. You were ready to stretch your legs, and boy did you. Papa Rob just kept laughing at how much you run around!!

We finally made it to the hospital and your little cousin was so cute - and has TONS of hair. Emily kept pointing out to everybody "Look, he has more hair than Abby does right now!" She thought she was SO funny... You met John Michael, then you were ready to play at the hospital, and thanks to that little turkey Emily, you were able to run around because she would chase after you! Here's a few pics...

Here's us gazing at yet another beautiful baby in our family:

Here's you running down the halls at the hospital. I like to think we were giving the new parents a glance of what's to come...

And this is the little corner you loved to sit in and scream!

We left the hospital and most of us went to Mexican, well, Mimi and us and Chris, Kateland and Emily. I mention this only because of this one small little thing you did that caused a series of events... While we were there, you were eating your spinach and cheese ravioli's which have a TON of greasy juice in the container. Well, you were reaching for stuff and, I guess I took my eye off you for a half a second and the next thing I know, you had picked up that entire container and threw it in your face! Some got on Mimi, too! It was so gross - all that juice on your eyes and in your hair and shoooo, did it stink! Kateland and Emily just kept laughing and laughing, and you were so surprised, you didn't know what to do. You just stared at me, as if thinking 'do something mommy!'. So... we were planning on leaving Mexican and going straight to Sarah's to spend the night, but now you needed a bath, so Mimi took you home while we finished Mexican. Well, when I got to Mimi's, you were just about ready to get out of the bath and were standing up, and, well, you decided you needed to go to the bathroom - #2, that is. I freaked out, and then Mimi looked over and started freaking out, and then Emily came in and of course started laughing!! To make a long story short, we had to wash the towel out in addition to using lot of wipes on you! Then we finally left for Sarah's. It was super late and you immediately went to bed, no troubles there. Friday we went back to the hospital for another visit and then you hung out with Mimi while I ran a few errands with Sarah. Don't worry though, you and your BFF got to play a little...

On Saturday, we made yet another trip up to the hospital but this time Clara Lee and Aunt Ash-Ash came, too. We had matching shirts for you and Clara Lee that said "I'm the big Cousin" but you had already worn it 2 days in a row AND it was game day - so of course you wore your orange!

Here's you getting upset because you had to sit beside a Bama fan...

And here's one of Mimi with all her girls and then John Michael. You girls better be nice to him...(apparently someone forgot to tell them it was game day, unless they all root for a pink team???)

Saturday afternoon, the gang went to lunch and you came back with me to Aunt Lynnie's and Lizzy was there, too! You ended up spending the night with Mimi which continued until Wednesday!!!! Mommy came back home, but because all the girls were on fall break, Mimi wanted to keep you so you could play with everyone and even go to the zoo! So, I let you, although Daddy wasn't too happy about the whole gig. He just missed you and was afraid you'd forget him over that long of a time without seeing him. (ps - you didn't!). It was pretty rainy the first couple days, but finally on Wednesday Mimi was able to take everyone to the zoo. She said you fit right in with all those monkeys!!! You climbed on everything she said, and you even got to wear a monkey on your back!!

Mimi and the gang

You somehow convinced Mimi to let you walk up the slide.

And you and Clara Lee really must learn to share. Me and Aunt Ash-ash will not take it, you hear us missy?!! And don't think it's just Clara Lee - maybe you should check out the video from your previous blog...

All in all I think you had a very fun, and long, week! Mommy came and got you on Wednesday and you were so excited to see me, not to mention I was excited to see you. You had a whole other tooth come in while I was gone! I'm pretty sure Em and Mimi were sad to see you go, but Mommy and Daddy were happy to have their little toothy girl back! Love you tons and tons and tons.

Clara Lee came to visit

Dear Abigail,

Clara Lee spent the night with you this week! It was only on Thursday night, but we'll take what we can get. Mimi, Mam-maw, Paw-paw, and Clara Lee all came up together, cause M&P were flying out of Nashville on Friday. That was awesome and all, except you went for your 1 year check up that afternoon, and I had to wake you up from your nap to go! Do you remember what happened??? Please say no, please say no, please say no! Well, after Mommy went through her list of questions, the nurse made me bear hug you while she gave you FOUR shots - yes, four. It was terrible, the meanest thing I've ever heard of. And you totally knew what was going down from the second I put you on that crinkly paper. After a few minutes of hugging you, you settled down and once we got home, you played well with Clara Lee, well, minus the times she tried to get on your chair...

You are very, very greedy with who is on your chair. You won't even let Elmo or Abbycadabby sit in it either. Sometimes you let Music Bear hang out, but that's if you are being very nice. We'll need to work on sharing a little bit more. I'll tell you something we don't need to work on - your climbing skills! You are a little monkey!! Everywhere. We thought you were safe in your play room, but apparently we can't even leave you alone in there...

Mimi got her hair did, so she didn't get to play with you very long, but don't worry, the 2 of you bonded later on that night. I don't know why, I'm only going to assume it was the shots taking action, but you woke up at 11 that night and did not go back to sleep till sometime around 2:30! I got up with you, and Mimi layed on the couch, too. You just sat there for awhile, staring at the TV. You were almost asleep in Mimi's arms, so I thought I could try to put you down. Your mommy is going to learn one day to have a little more patience... You did not go to sleep, you cried and cried, and we tried 3 more times after that! I even was holding you on the couch while we watched the Office for the 10th time and I fell asleep - but not you! Finally I put you back in the crib, awake, and you didn't cry, and we thought you were asleep. Then, after 10 minutes or so, you pushed your music button thingy! Mimi and I could do nothing but laugh...then sleep. We don't really know for sure what time you went to sleep officially, because we were worn out! I'm assuming it was the shots, because you were super crying, and didn't really know what you wanted... It hasn't happened since, so BOOOOO to shots - BOO.

Nothing too crazy went down on Friday, mainly because it's been raining here for humpteen days, and Saturday was the same. I got stir crazy, so me and you ran to the mall to return a couple things. You are being super friendly lately, to everyone! I love it.

Then today (Sunday), we went to the playground!! FINALLY there was sun, and it was such a pretty day. There was no way I was staying inside. I found out about this park right down the street, and it was perfect. You loved watching all the other kids at first, but then you started doing your own thing, like sliding down the slide! Then you decided you wanted to be a little dare devil and climb up the slide!! From that point on, that's all you wanted to do. And it's not easy to do, so I had to help a few times, but then you would get mad because I was helping. You are going to be something else missy. I love that you are so independent! You will conquer the world, no doubt. You also loved the swings, and just running around like a little maniac!! I liked watching you, just care free going from one place to the other, no one saying "Abby - no!"

I hope the beautiful days continue so you and Miss Lee can finally get outside again!! Here are a few park pics...

We had a great weekend together baby girl! And get excited, on Thursday, we're driving to Memphis to see your new baby cousin, John Michael!!!!!!!

Love you like no other...

Boston Trip

Dear Abigail,

No, you didn't go to Boston, only Mommy & Daddy, but Mommy did decide that when we go back, we'll tak you! It's a beautiful place, and I saw all kinds of parks that you could play at, not to mention the duck tour that you would just love. I constantly reminded Daddy the whole time that we were going to take you next time.

So, you may be asking yourself, where did you go??? Well, after many, many hours of figuring it all out, Mommy drove you to Memphis and left you there (sniff, sniff). I tried real hard to keep you in Nashville, but your Auntie Amy actually planned something before I did - I know, I know, doesn't seem right does it... Anyway, she was off to Vegas baby, so you didn't get to stay with the Ings, and that left Papa Larry to watching your crazy cousins, so I packed your things and we headed that way...

We left on Wednesday night, and I have to say, this was one of my favorite trips with you (trips to Memphis, that is). I don't know why, but it will always stick out in my head. Maybe because you did so good, or maybe because it was your first taste of McDonalds!!! See, we started a little later than usual, just cause Mommy had to work and it was raining, etc. etc. So, I had already made the executive decision to stop for dinner. No way was I going to try to push it all the way without any food. So, rather than stopping for an hour at Cracker Barrel, I decided you needed to experience Micky D's. Btw, Exit 108 has the most accomadating Micky D's, for future reference. You were ready for a stretch when we pulled up, and apparently you were ready for some conversation. We walked in and you were speaking to EVERYONE!! You just kept saying "HI" "HI" "HI" and giving your big ole grin! Employees were coming from the back to see you, and the traveling customers went back to their cars with happy faces, rather than gloomy ones due to the rain! This old couple just kept playing with you, and you were not shy a bit. And of course the food... THE FOOD. You loved you some french fries and nuggets (although, I won't tell you for awhile, but I gave you the 'chicken tenders select' - I just couldn't do the actual nuggets just yet - I've got to do more research on the validity of chicken in nuggets first...anyway..) You loved it all. To the point where Mommy really didn't have to feed you any of your food. Woo-hoo, that's been our goal for a couple weeks and we're getting so close (last night you ate quesidillas with Mommy & Daddy and nothing else!!!!) So after a quick diaper and wardrobe change, we hopped back in the car. Now, I thought you'd fall asleep, or well, kind of hoped, but you didn't. Instead, you watched your movie until we pulled up in Papa Rob's drive way. It was probably best that you didn't fall asleep because Madison would have been a little upset, not to mention Gramma and Papa Rob!! So, around 8:30, we made it, you were awake, the family was happy to see you, and Mommy was exhausted! Once you played a little, you went to bed with no problem - to the point where Gramma was trying to show Madison what a big girl you were for goign to bed without crying and tv and everything!

Thursday morning came too early, but you woke up happy and were ready to play, or should I say, climb the stairs!! Madison did such a good job babysitting you while everyone else got ready. We told her to scream real loud if you got near the stairs, and sure enough, we heard "SHE'S NEAR THE STAIRS" several times! We're bringing a gate next time! Oh, and Gramma was so excited you like your black beans, even for breakfast. Papa Rob and Gramma eat eggs and black beans every single morning, and blueberries, but Papa Rob never lets us have any of those!! After breakfast and a long nap from you and lunch, we went to get your 1 year pictures done!! 1 year!!! WOW! and thank goodness, too. I am just a little worn out on pictures. You were super friendly at first, but then while I was sorting your outfits out, you found the goldfish in your bag and, well, you couldn't get your picture taken with the goldfish, so when I took those away... it all went downhill. Okay, so that's an exaggeration. It wasn't too terrible, but you just don't sit still. Mr. Phil got the bubbles out, and while it entertained you for a second, it didn't keep you still. He says he got some good ones though, so we'll see...
After pictures we went to Mimi's where Jack and Clara Lee were axiously waiting for you - oh, and Mimi, too! Jack was so excited to see you! He kept immitating you - he's say "Look, I walk like Abby-gale" and he'd waddle over to you! Then he started talking like you, too. It was too cute. I think you guys are going to be good buddies. Soon after I dropped you off, I had to rush out of there to drive back to Nashville, so after several kisses and "BYE-BYE"'s, I was off and you were on another crazy adventure in Munford.
I don't know a lot of the details about your weekend, but here's what I do know...
Thursday night you spent the night at Mimi's and on Friday, Jack and Clara Lee came back over and played with you. And Mammaw came, too. Mimi took you and CL on walks in the same stroller!!! She has a double stroller now - she was so excited about it, and I am positive between you, CL AND John Michael, that it will get put to good use! Friday afternoon, Em and Kateland came over and spent the night with you at Mimi's. Then on Saturday, you and Em went with Papa Rob and Gramma and Madison to the mall! You were supposed to go to the zoo, but apparently it has been raining for 10 days straight! So you went to the mall playground instead. Papa Rob said there were no tears when you went to him, he was so proud. So proud, that he has told me at least 10 times! He said you had a blast at the mall, just walking around everywhere, playing with your cousins, eating mall food, etc. Mommy usually confines you in the stroller, so I'm sure you enjoyed the free will. Papa Rob said you even climbed up in your stroller when you were ready for your nap - you are such a good girl. Mommy and Daddy have taught you so well :) Saturday night, just you spent the night at Papa Rob's and Grammas and then Sunday morning you were supposed to go to your BFF's house (Sarah) and play with her all day, BUT... she's very important and got called into an emergency at work, so you played with Miss Blaire and Bebe instead! I do think there were tears shed in the exchange, but, thanks to Bebe's excellent frienliness, you were happy as a pea within minutes. You played and played, then napped, then it was clear that Sarah was not going to get to see you, so it was time to go back to Mimi's. Sarah sure was sad, but I think we can probably arrange another day for you to play with her. And, besides, you have a new BFF, from what I hear (Bebe).
Sunday afternoon, Mimi took you down to see Lynnie at Mammaws & Pawpaws and then it was another fun filled day of playing with Jack and CL on Monday. Mimi drove you half way to Jackson to meet Daddy, while Mommy had to patiently wait at home for you. Finally, around 7 on Monday, I got to see your pretty little face!! I was super excited, and your little arms were just a flaring. The first thing you wanted to do when you got out of the car was go play in your playhouse, but of course, it was raining, as mentioend before, so I had to take you inside after I snuck you over to the house real quick. Then, the first thing you did inside was plop right on your pink chair. It was halarious - it was like you hadn't seen it in years and you just bounced on it and smiled, like you were thinking "I've missed you ole buddy."
All in all, I think you had a fantastic time this weekend and were probably just as busy and me and Daddy! Like I said though, next time, you are coming with us! I really started missing you, too much! Love you sweet monkey!