Happy Birthday, Abigail!

Abby is 8 months old today! New this month is more locomotion, a little talking, and playing games! Abby still uses her military crawl, but she has gotten a lot faster. Before we went to Albany for Christmas I could put her down with some toys near the kitchen and not worry about her leaving that area. Now she books for the stairs in a few quick seconds. She is busy pulling herself up to a kneeling position and sometimes even onto her feet. She can climb up the stairs with a little help.

She has been busy making all kids of sounds: "Ma, Da, Tha, Ra, Na, Ba" and I would say that she has already said her first few words - "Mama" in connection to me many times and once I heard her say "Anna" when someone was calling Anna's name!

She has a new game she likes to play where she holds her hand out to people so that they will take her hand and hold it or give it a kiss. She also has learned a few other games recently - slapping her tray or a drum to imitate someone else doing it and knocking two blocks together - either by holding both or by knocking a block in her hand to someone else's hand. She still loves peek-a-boo, tub time, and being around people.

She is such a joy and a blessing to our family and we are thankful everyday that she is ours.

Christmas in Vienna!

Yesterday we celebrated Christmas here in Vienna. Santa made a special trip to visit us early and brought Anna a tricycle, Abby a ball popper, and Abby and Anna a Snow White Cottage tent to share. We had a fun morning opening presents, a fun afternoon playing with presents, and a yummy Christmas dinner.

oooh, a new drill for Dad!

ahh, a new Sesame Street book (with felt pieces to move around!) for Anna!

oooo...new earrings for Mommy!

what did I get mom?

"I don't know what this is called, Mommy."

"Don't worry, Abby, no one does."

"Well, it sure looks fun!"

Sesame Street Live!

Matt and Anna went to Sesame Street Live this morning! They both had a great time :) Matt found a way to buy special tickets so they got to sit in the third row on the isle. Matt knew the third row would be fantastic, but he had no idea sitting in the isle of the third row meant that Anna would get visits from the characters. She got a visit from Prairie Dawn and Abby and a hug from Cookie!

Enjoying some treats before the show:

Here they come:

Anna, starstruck:

Christmas preparations

We've been busy getting ready for Christmas! Anna has had fun:

making cookies:

decorating cookies:

and making a gingerbread house:

And Abby has been busy working on sitting up so she has two hands free to unwrap her presents!

I'm ready!

We've also had a lot of fun opening our two advent calendars (wooden with treats! and a cool digital village), listening to A Night Before Christmas read to us by Nana on a digital book, watching some cool internet entertainment created by Uncle Pete, waiting to see where the Elf visiting our house will move each night, playing "hide the sheep ornament" on our Christmas tree, driving around town to look at lights, setting up Anna's new Nativity set, going to Anna's Christmas concert at school, going to the local high school Christmas concert, making Christmas jello, and of course, eating Christmas cookies! Wow, I didn't realized how busy we have been until I recorded it. Well, it's been a great Christmas season so far and it's only Dec. 14th. We're looking forward to a lot more fun here in Vienna and a fun trip to Albany next week.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a great trip to Albany for Thanksgiving! It was such a blessing to spend so much time with family and see good friends too. Here are some highlights from the trip:

Now there are 4 cousins! Baby Kieran is so cute!!

That's funny, Great Grandma!

Aunt Diane is snuggly!

Do I look extra small in Uncle Dan's arms?

Painting time with Nana!

Is the chicken done yet, Liam?

Playing one of many new (old) games Uncle Pete found in the basement

Anyone who spent the week with us knows what Anna is waving her finger about...

no pictures, please!

Long time buds and their babies :)

hanging with Mommy's long time friend, Bridget :)

Hungry Bear & Indian Princess

Abby has been a hungry little girl this week! She's been nursing more and eating about twice as much solid food as just 5 days ago. Maybe I should prepare myself to get the next set of clothes out? 

 I'm hungry!

Anna had her Thanksgiving feast at school yesterday. She brought strawberries and grapes in to help her class make a fruit salad for the feast. At school she made an Indian Princess necklace and hat. She's been enjoying playing "dress up" this week and her new hat and necklace are nice additions to her set of dress up clothes.

I love my Hungry Bear and Indian Princess :)

First time on a swing!

Anna & I decided to try Abby on a swing yesterday for the first time. She did great! I had to stuff a few things behind her to secure her in there. Once I did that she was snug as a bug. Anna got on the swing next to her. Then Anna got some big pushes and Abby got some little pushes. They both loved it!

Abby has also been trying out some slides (on Mom or Dad's lap), which she loves. And yesterday she crawled through a few playground tunnels. She gets so excited when she gets to do a "big girl activity" like Anna. I really didn't have to work hard to catch a smile in the picture above. It was glued to her face during the whole ride!