Monday, August 17, 2009

First Family Vacation

**WARNING: This is a VERY long post....

Yep! That's right.... Courtesy of a sister who works for Disney and some saved money from Christmas and winning one of those store survey things (Ya -- People really win those things from Babies R Us -- I was surprised, too.) we took a somewhat last minute trip to Disneyland. My sister was talking about it, I was wishing and thinking about it in my head, and the next thing I know John is saying we should go.... I know that Abigail won't remember it, but I will.

We left Friday afternoon and came back Sunday. We cut some time off the trip by picking John and then his sister up from work.... Abigail and I had so much fun -- and John and his sister said they did, too!

We stayed at a place that was a little older, but you just had to basically walk across the street to be in the park. I had found another place that was not as close but had a free shuttle, but then I found a site that had this place for about the same price.

We basically just needed a place to sleep and that wasn't too dirty -- I have become somewhat of a germ freak trying to keep Abigail healthy.... The beds were not that great, but it was alright. Our biggest problem was limited electrical outlets. We were using the one on the lamp for many things.

I also thought this place would have been fun to stay at, but it was a little more money, and we would have had to pay for a shuttle or parking in the park....

Here is Abigail playing with Auntie Cristina as we got settled into our room.


This little girl was so happy to be out of the car and had a hard time getting/staying asleep in a new place... but how can you be annoyed at losing sleep for a night when this face is looking at you?


After maybe four hours she was awake again, and this time I put her in bed with us (like 6ish).... About an hour later she just rolled over and had her head up with a big smile - ready to start her day.

John knows I was all about the pictures on this trip.... He was very cute and had the camera out and going before I even asked.... Here is one of Abigail as we are about to leave for the day.


Just before Abigail got on her first ride at Disneyland - "It's a Small World".... We practically walked on.


This partially empty boat shows the low park crowds we enjoyed for the first little bit in the park.

These are the eyes Abigail gives when she is trying to figure something out,

but most of the time she was busy looking and enjoying herself.




TOON TOWN


Sitting in Minnie's chair at her house


Meeting Minnie and Mickey: She wasn't too sure what she thought, but then she wanted his nose.







Waiting in California Adventure to get on "Toy Story Mania"




Abigail and I made a couple of visits to the Baby Care Center. I didn't know about it until recently. It is kind of in a quieter corner of Disneyland. They have places for nursing, changing baby, and even some high chairs for other feeding. You can also see the picture of the potty training toilets they have.

enjoying the paper on the changing table







Having fun with Auntie Cristina



We are biased and think Abigail is gosh darn CUTE! However, we can't be too far off after all of the compliments we got -- which often included Abigail responding with bigger smiles and cute sounds.... She is quite the friendly and social baby.






She loved seeing so many new things.... I thought the noise of the fireworks might scare her, but the most she did was cuddle with me once in awhile - otherwise, she was staring at all of her new discoveries.


Look at those tired eyes -- The Carousel was the last ride we did -- We were going to do more, but decided we were all too tired -- and I later discovered multiple blisters on my feet.

We also went to the Aladdin show in California Adventure and the Enchanted Tiki Room -- Abigail was enchanted. The video camera kind of captured it, but it is darker in there -- so you can't really tell. I think we had more fun watching her than watching the birds in the show.

My John Arthur working to pull out King Arthur's sword -- Yes, I am that cheesey, and John is a good sport

...and a good time was had by all.... Abigail slept much better than the night before.


It took all day, but John got me my traditional churro as we were leaving -- no worries, the third one is for his sister.

Thanks to my sweet husband for making sure the few things I really wanted on the trip happened -- He was such a good sport about taking pictures, and he made sure I got a churro.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Nine Months Photo Shoot

We had TONS of fun taking pictures of Abigail this week -- Here is just a few.... I think they turned out quite cute. Micaela does a Fabulous job!! Her boys were also doing a great job of getting Abigail to laugh. We had lots of fun. We were also finally able to get pictures of our girls in the matching outfits we bought a few months back -- but trying to get two babies in "picture mode" can be a challenge.... Let's hope these girls are as good of friends as their moms.

Check out her photography: www.yourphotosbyme.blogspot.com






Tuesday, August 11, 2009

PIANO LESSONS!


PIANO LESSONS
30 minute lessons once a week
$12.50/lesson = $50/month
Monday afternoons and possibly Wednesday afternoons

MY QUALIFICATIONS:
20+ years piano playing experience
AA in Music, piano emphasis
BAE in Elementary Education
5+ years teaching piano lessons - before becoming a general classroom teacher
2+ years classroom teacher (2nd grade)
Accompanist for Phoenix Children's Chorus Prep Choir since Fall 2003

I have had some requests for piano lessons, but was not able to when I was working full-time teaching cute little second graders. I was then waiting for Abigail to get a little older and more stable (from her little early start on life).... Abigail is now getting a little older.


Anyone interested? Let me know.... Thanks!!

Monday, August 10, 2009

Nine Month Check-Up

Abigail had her nine month check-up today.
Here are her latest measurements:
Weight - 17.5 lbs, 25th percentile
Height - 26 in, 10th percentile
Head - 17 in, 25th percentile

The doctor said she is making really good catch-up growth -- She was not even on "the charts" until we had a visit in May or June -- you should see her growth plot line with the growing charts.... Other good news is that we get to start using "regular" formula -- hoping this saves a little bit of money.

Abigail was full of smiles and did a good job.... I just feel so blessed and am grateful for the many miracles in the life of our little girl. Also, thank you to so many for your continued love, prayers, and support! Hard to believe how tiny and delicate this beautiful baby was nine months ago.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Happy Nine Months Old!!


My sweet baby is nine months old today.... Oh, how I love you my little Abigail. Daddy and I love it when you first wake up and we come to get you out of bed -- You look so excited to see us and start another day. Your increasing laughter is contagious!!! Those two little teeth are adorable. You are discovering things more and more. You are getting better at rolling over and getting closer to crawling.

We are so very grateful that you are a part of our family. You have added so much to it.


"Hey Mom!! Give me the camera!"

This is what Abigail wanted to do instead of pose for pictures for her mommy!!

Friday, August 7, 2009

Piano Baby


I am working on a practice CD for the group I play for-- and decided to have some fun with Abigail.... Who knows? I am hoping that at least one of my kids enjoys the piano like I do.


The other night John got Abigail laughing quite a bit. This picture sort of captures it -- and no worries -- it is captured on video.... I love how much more she is responding to things. We just love her laugh!!

We often sit Abigail at the table with us. Last night, John took the tray off so she could be sitting closer to the table.... What a cutie!!


And lastly -- Abigail was not thrilled about last night's breathing treatment.... However, she eventually just fell asleep.... I am guessing she was just too tired to try and sit still for it.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Any Opinions??

Does anyone have any opinions on Cox or Qwest when it comes to phone, internet, and cable?

Monday, August 3, 2009

Updates

Last week was a busy week and I am now getting a chance to blog about it....

Pulmonologist Appointment
Tuesday was one of our busiest days: We had another pulmonologist appointment, and I had my annual PCC Camp meeting to attend. I took Abigail with me to the meeting so people could see her -- and it was a meeting where I didn't play the piano. It made it so I could keep her with me. It ended being a rather long day by the end, but Abigail did great and had lots of people smiling. She did so well sitting through the Camp Orientations.

At the pulmonologist Abigail weighed in at a little over 17lbs. The doctor says that she is still doing well. It was sad and funny how Abigail started crying when she was checking her mouth with the tongue compressor - before she would just try and eat it. The doctor said her good cry was another sign of good lungs.

We do have to continue to be careful with her lung development, and now we have one of these:



I figured we would end up with a breathing treatment machine before long. The doctor thought we already had one as we talked about giving Abigail Albuterol(sp?).... It is just for an "as needed" basis, and we actually did our first treatment this morning. Abigail did pretty well for having to sit there for awhile and have something on her face.

A Trip Away from Abigail
Every year the choir group I play for kicks off their season with a weekend camp for the kids to get a head start on music and also to get to know each other.

This camp was the first time I was away from John a couple of years ago, and this year it made the first time I was away from Abigail since she came home from the hospital. However, even in the hospital I still saw her everyday.

We left on Friday and returned home Sunday evening. I only teared up Friday night as I thought about bed time. Most of the trip I was busy, which made it easier not to be too sad to be away from Abigail.... I was very happy to be back!!

While I was gone John took Abigail to Jeepers (or Jungle Jim's -- whatever it is called now) with some other Merrill cousins. He said she had a fun time -- and it looks like it from the pictures I have seen. Here is one of her hanging out in the stroller.



Here is Abigail enjoying her play mat. She loves being able to sit up, and she is getting better at doing it longer.