Ordered!

After countless hours on the Internet (really, just Tiny Prints), I have finally ordered my Christmas cards. I just had to buckle down and pick a design. Now, I just can't wait to get them!

I also ordered Abby's Birthday invites! I feel so productive!

Here are a few of the pictures from our shoot.....

This one was definitely in the running!

Opryland Hotel

Saturday, we went to the Opryland Hotel to take in the sights. It was absolutely beautiful, but oh so crowded! And not stroller friendly.

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But we did have the chance to ride a train in the Ryman Auditorium.

It was next to impossible to get a picture of Abby and I both looking at the camera smiling (and I'm not sure how I was roped into riding this train).

Abby looking awfully hesitant. Notice her little hand on my leg, she didn't move it the whole ride.

You can't really see it on this picture, but she is making the funniest face. Like "What have I gotten myself into??"

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Once we got home that night, we pulled out the Christmas decorations.


Abby is IN LOVE with the silver beads that I have. They normally go around the tree, but I am thinking that will end in disaster. So, for now, she is wearing them.

Cousins

Anybody remember this sweet little face?

This was Abby's first Thanksgiving!

Oh, I barely remember that sweet baby!

And she couldn't even walk!

This year, all she did was play with her cousins, Evan and Chris. (Please notice how Chris is a blur in the background - that boy does.not.stop).

She had soooo much fun wrestling with Evan. He is such a good cousin!

Trying to get the camera from Momma. And yes, the girl wears her pearls everywhere.

We tried to get a shot of all three of them, but that is next to impossible. Surprisingly, this is actually the best one.

And check out the "turkey". Gammy made this and it was delicious (already half eaten in the picture).

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I do have to say that after four Thanksgiving dinners....I am just glad that it is over!

No more turkey!!!!

Fun with the Ducks

We had a great day with the family for Thanksgiving today. Sadly, I did not get any pictures of all us. It was me, Stu, Abby, Poppa, Nana, Mimi, Jess, JD, Jess' Dad and Jess' Grandma. It was so much fun!

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But after lunch, Jess, JD and Nana took Abby to the park to feed the ducks. (I had to run home to let the dog out).

Abby might be more interested in the camera.

Walking around with Jess and JD.

Check out all the ducks!

Doesn't she look so grown up in this picture??

Jess giving Abby some crackers for the ducks.



Judging by her mouth, I'm thinking that she ate them.

Abby prefers to not share her snacks!

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On another note, we have discovered Abby's new favorite food!

SALAD!!!

Sorry for the gross picture of food in her mouth, but she was trying to say Cheese!

We went to eat at Cracker Barrel last Sunday after church. Abby absolutely only wanted my salad - which I was totally craving.

We had people all over the restaurant staring and pointing at this little gal eating a salad. So now, we make her one as well and she loves to eat only that!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

I'm Loving that I got my second new phone yesterday. And didn't have to reprogram all the numbers, Verizon did it for me.

I'm Loving this book. It is sad, but so inspirational. Her knowledge and love of God is so apparent.



I'm Loving the new song "Time of my Life" by Blackeyed Peas. Abby loves singing along to it as well.

I'm Loving this little gal. My Mimi is in town so we went over there tonight for dinner. Abby had such a good time that we let her spend the night.

I'm Loving that I only need 4 more comments on this site to get a free mini album!

I'm Loving that I get to sleep in tomorrow!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Abby-isms

I really have no new pictures, but I really want to point out some things that Abby is up to. Since I am pretty much not posting monthly updates, here are some updates:

• Abby has learned how to say "Please" in sign language (pretty sure that was Gammy).
• She is becoming such a snuggler. I just have to say, "Want to read a book?" and she in my lap in a second.
• Colors on EVERYTHING. Pretty sure I owe the library $22.95 because of that.
• Loves to dance. Any kind of tune comes on and she is ready!
• Normally, our walks are Abby in the stroller and Abby on the leash. This past weekend, she decided No more stroller. And she has to have the leash. Next time (hopefully tomorrow), Ill try and get a picture. Our dog sniffs like a crazy dog and when Ali stops to sniff, Abby has to investigate as well. Sometimes, this is not a good thing.
• I am trying to teach her about the potty. I plan on getting our mini potty out this weekend and introducing it.
• We were reading a book tonight and there was a picture of a duck with yellow footprints under it. Abby said, "Pee Pee". I tried to explain that it was just a shadow, but she insisted it was more.
• Never have I met a more curious person. She wants to know what e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. is.
• If you get our Christmas card, you will see that she doesn't smile on command.
• We taught her what her belly is. Now, when I am changing in front of her, she screams "Belly, Belly, Belly". Really great on my self-esteem ;)
• People constantly tell me how good she is. In public, she is a perfect angel.
• At home, it is a different story.
• Time-outs have moved from just the crib to wherever she is sitting. And they have been pretty frequent lately. Girl just cannot stop throwing and hitting!
• The eating has become such a challenge. I really worry that she doesn't get enough nutrition, but I guess it is just a phase.
• She is STILL obsessed with tampons. On the weekends, when she is in the bathroom with me, she screams for them. Tonight, she took matters into her own hands and made a stepping stool out of toilet paper to get to them. She brought them to me one by one.
• I am just amazed at how smart she is. No matter what book she is reading, she can pick out a ball, balloons, dog, cat, owl, frog, horse, moon, stars, airplanes, just to name a few.
• Tonight I taught her that skunks are "Ew, Ew!" When we went back to the book, she remembered and said "Ew, Ew!" and waved her hand like it was stinky.
• Any time we bring her dinner, she puts her hand over it and says "Too Hot" in the most serious face I can imagine. We try to tell her it is not hot, doesn't matter.
• When she eats something good, she rolls her eyes back and says 'Mmmmm".
• Abby loves to climb on a box that we have by the porch door. She loves to flick the light switch (to the outside light) on and off. But when it is time to get off the box, she screams for us to help her. It is really only about 4 inches, but I guess to her it is a mile.
• When we dress Abby, we normally start with the pants. Then when it is time for the shirt, she holds her legs up again. Silly girl, shirt comes next.

Those are just a few of the things that I can think of. But I do know we are loving this little gal more and more every day!

What a Beautiful Weekend!

This weekend was so amazing! The weather was wonderful. I hope everyone in this area got the chance to spend at least some of it outside. I know we did, but I didn't get any pictures.

I did take this picture right before we went outside and walked around. I could tell that Abby was getting a little too into the cartoons.

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Today, we went to church and then came home, opened the windows and cleaned the heck out of the apartment. Well, I did. Stu watched football!

But I loved it and my bleach soaked hands are just happy the apartment is clean!


Abby really loves to help with the laundry. She will throw all the pieces in the laundry, so I barely have to do anything!

Let me just also add that this is after her bath. She has her pj's on. But insisted on putting socks and shoes back on. I am loving the knee high pink socks.


We got our Christmas pictures back (Thanks again, Lindsay!). There are too many to choose from. And I am having such a hard time picking a card and which pictures to use. Ugh!

But I did want to share this one. I just think that Abby's eyes look so beautiful. So brown!

I will share more soon.

So, So Blessed

I am in the middle of full on Christmas mode. I have spent hours poring over Christmas Cards trying to determine the best one that showcases my beautiful family. Along with trying (unsuccessfully) to pick out a birthday card for Ms. Abby's 2nd birthday party.

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While deciding how many to buy, I was all of a sudden hit with the thought of "WOW".

We are so incredibly blessed to have so many friends and family to send Christmas cards to. It really does amaze me. I am sending tons of cards to family and friends in TN. But also TX, VA, OK, NC, NJ, FL, CA and NY. I am just totally loving that we have so many friends/family.

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And if for some reason, you have moved and didn't tell me....please tell me! I want you to get a Christmas card. Everyone loves getting mail!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

(Sorry for the late post, went to bed super early last night).

I'm Loving that I got my new cell phone today. Hubs charged it and it is working perfectly.

I'm Loving that Abby is loving HER new phone.

I'm Loving that Abby's stocking from Pottery Barn arrived today.

I'm Loving that the grocery store had this magazine in tonight.


I'm Loving that my gas tank looked like this when I left work, but I still made it to the gas station by my house.

Check It Out

I am so excited to get a sneak peek at the photo session that we had two weekends ago.

Check it out here.

Lindsay is such a good photographer and was just great with Abby!

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Also please, please, please leave a comment! Lindsay is so sweet to give away an "extra" if you get 20 comments.

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Tell me you know about this:

I am not kidding when I tell you that I almost ran off the road this morning when I heard on the radio. I might (might) have even shed a tear.

Too say that I am excited about this is an understatement.

This will be a wedding that will be talked about for years.

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I meant to add this in last night's ramblings about the American Doll and Abby reading it.

I couldn't find the exact picture, but there is one of this little doll in her pj's. In the catalog, she is getting ready for bed and rubbing her eyes.

Abby thinks this is the saddest thing she has ever seen. She looks at me with the most pitiful face and says, "Oh No Mommy" in her super sad voice. I tried explaining to her that she is sleepy not crying, but I am pretty sure she doesn't believe me.

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I really thought I would be able to write about my new cell phone, but it didn't arrive today. Just another day of talking on speaker phone. Maybe it will be here tomorrow.

More Monday Ramblings

Another post of Monday ramblings! I might have to make a regular Monday of it.

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Look what Abby made for us today. Gammy and Abby must have had a great day!

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Last night, I asked Stu for a pen and paper to start my Christmas list (for other people). Of course, Abby grabbed it from me and started to draw. For whatever reason, she drew on her hand. Then got very upset about it so I wiped it off.

Not two minutes later, she did it again. I told her that I was not wiping that one off. She pretty much whined about it for about 15 more minutes.

Then, she got off the couch and went over to Ali and held out her hand. I guess if Mommy won't help her, the next step is the dog.

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I got a new American Dolls catalog tonight (no, I haven't bought her anything from it, I just like to look).

Abby insisted on "reading" it tonight. She was so adorable. She pointed out all of the puppies, kitties, shoes, glasses, and sippy cups.

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About thirty minutes after going to bed, I hear Abby saying "puppy". I assumed that she was remembering our earlier book. I went in there to turn the mobile back on. She had a puppy Silly Bandz. What?? Where did she even get that? She is not even two. And why was it in her crib??

The mystery of it still baffles me.

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Ok, I understand that it is chilly. But it is not so chilly that I can't take Abby for a walk. I did tonight and got some extremely dirty looks like I shouldn't have her out.

As you can see, she was quite bundled up!

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After the bath, I put Abby in her pj's and walked in the kitchen.

I turn around to this.

She has on two necklaces and her boots on the wrong feet.

She is so silly.

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When I was pregnant with Abby, I had HORRIBLE heartburn. And acid reflex.

I am NOT pregnant, but it just keeps getting worse and worse. I only got about 3 hours of sleep last night, so I am exhausted. And planning to go to bed in about an hour. Hope it goes better tonight!

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How is it that I have managed to have 4 Thanksgiving's scheduled this year? How am I supposed to do Weight Watchers this way?

Weekend Wrap Up

We had a fantastic weekend! Friday night was Stu and I's five year anniversary. I was going to do a post about it, but we lost the cord to our external drive (I blame Abby). So, I couldn't get our wedding pictures off of it.

Regardless, we had a nice dinner at Wasabi and then saw this movie:

"Due Date" was probably one of the funniest movies I have ever seen. Stu and I are still talking and laughing about it. I recommend it to anyone looking for a night of laughs !

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Saturday we went and looked at new cell phones and ate at Chick-Fil-A.

Then we went to the Smyrna Park.

Abby LOVED the swings. I finally convinced her to put her arms up and scream "Wee" - it was too cute.

She went down the slides by herself (with Daddy standing protection behind her).

Look at that confident look!

How cute is she in her skirt and cowboy boots??

Such a big girl.

It was a little windy, so Abby's hair was quickly out of control!

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Saturday night, I went to eat with my girlfriends at Chili's for Amber's birthday. No pictures, but we had a blast.

Today has been an extremely lazy day. Abby was with one set of grandparents this morning, then the other this afternoon (Momma was recovering from the night before).

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Hope everyone has a great week!