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This little girl is busy and cute as ever. Her first birthday is sneaking up on us fast. She almost has six teeth -- the last two are working on breaking through. She is widening her exploration zone more and more -- and not just staying in the living room. She loves pulling herself up on things, and mostly still laughs at us when we tell her "No!" We are also in the "separation anxiety" stage -- not always so thrilled when she discovers she will be staying with one of her grandmas without us.
She is full of so much love and keeps melting our hearts. How can your heart not melt when your baby is snuggling with you or when you are holding her while she sleeps and wonder where time goes (not even going to try and imagine how our parents feel)??
FUNNY STORY: (friend thought it was worthy of posting) I was at a Rancher's Market place yesterday, buying fresh stuff to attempt making baby food.... It is not uncommon for us to get people talking to us and Abigail loving the attention. Well, along with this Abigail lets out some high pitched shrill/screams to show her enthusiasm and talking attempts. Yesterday -- this about did two ladies in. Had the one been holding eggs, I am pretty sure they would have been broken. We were walking by as Abigail bursted out her excitement, and that poor lady let our her own scream -- but of fright. I didn't quite catch the other lady's reaction, but she was saying how she didn't know what that was. Anyway!! I apologized and explained she was just excited, and I worked on keeping Abigail's volume down for the remainder of our store trip.
As for John and I -- He keeps pretty busy with going to work everyday and school two afternoons a week (those are long days around here). I keep busy with projects (especially with a little girl's birthday and Christmas coming -- I am quite excited about it this year) and working two afternoons a week -- teaching piano lessons and playing for the Phoenix Children's Chorus Prep Choir.... Plus, my favorite is staying home with Abigail and seeing what she will do next.
We have pretty much graduated to having her bottles in a sippy cup -- What a big girl!
She was having such a fun time on the piano last night. When we don't put her on the bench, she is now reaching for the keys from the floor. Maybe, I will get at least one child who loves the piano like I do.
Wonder where I will find her next....
I am having some number confusion in my brain because, today, while we were at the store, someone asked how old Abigail was. I replied that she would be eleven months on Sunday. Somehow in the conversation with the sweet ladies, dates were being mentioned and I suddenly realized that today she is eleven months old.... Crazy!! Sometimes, I really don't know what day we are on.... I need to get serious about planning her first birthday party!!
Little Missy here is just growing up so fast. She is mobile, pushing out teeth, eating well, getting some more hair, and just melting the hearts of her parents all the time. We are so grateful for her.... I am starting to get a little into "remembering" mode as I begin to think about where I was a year ago and all that happened in our lives (and the lives of loved ones) starting this month and leading up to Abigail's arrival -- This year has sure gone by fast -- and currently, I am waiting for the call to hear that my brother's little boy has arrived. Woohoo!!
I couldn't help but post this really cute picture of my little princess. She is having so much fun moving around. Last night she actually found her way to the kitchen by herself (as compared to us bringing her in there). She has also been able to push through one of her upper side teeth, and a middle one is about out, too.... So cute!
This little girl is growing up fast and now getting into whatever she can find. She can crawl pretty much wherever she wants and is already pulling herself up on things. She seems to be cutting multiple teeth, but she still stays pretty happy and very drooly. We are still doing daily breathing treatments, and Abigail usually sits pretty well.... She continues to adore her daddy and gets excited when he is home to play with her.
She loves pulling herself up on the entertainment center and getting into whatever we have left out. I have removed the pictures and decor from the TV. We try to tell her "No" and work on convincing her to come back over to wherever we are, but those attempts have not been successful yet.
She loves her ability to stand up in her crib.
Sunday, we went to Abigail's NICU reunion. It was great to see some of the many doctors and nurses who did such a great job taking care of Abigail. We were really excited to get to see one of her last primary nurses. She was on a ski trip when we were surprised with Abigail's homecoming -- and didn't get to tell her good-bye. We loved knowing when she would be working.
The above picture is one of her doctors. He was very instrumental in getting a NICU established in the East Valley. We also really liked him because he would push Abigail, and we think it helped in her progression. I believe he was the doctor who believed in her and being able to advance to the CPAP (others did not think she could do it yet -- but she was ready and did do it)
The measuring bear continues to look smaller, and for whatever reason, Abigail put her hands out when I was taking the picture.
After the NICU reunion we had a family dinner at my parents', in honor of my brother's birthday and my sisters being in town. Abigail had a blast dancing and playing with her cousin and her Aunt Wendi.
Enjoying her books and toys.... This is the corner where they get put away each night, but they sure don't stay there all day.
Abigail discovered the stairs this morning. Before, she always kind of stopped at a certain point in the living room (pretty much where she is at in the above picture), but this morning she must have been feeling adventurous or something.... We've had the gate waiting to put up when she found them.
Here are some picture attempts at trying to get Abigail to pose in her gifts from Ireland from my parents.
**Excuse the quality -- it was quick and taken with the cell phone....
Abigail has made some big steps in development today.... Earlier this week she mastered sitting up from crawling position -- which she is quite proud of, but wouldn't you, too?.... It is getting harder to keep her quiet in church, but so far I love that it is my turn to have these challenges. (Yes, I am crazy -- and may not always find joy in that.).... Today in church she discovered grunting, something she used to only do when pooping. John had to take care of her alone during Sacrament meeting because there was a congregational hymn. She tried it during Sunday School, too.
This afternoon we were having fun playing with her -- and she started doing a little crawling. Until now she would pretty much do one move and then stop. So, of course, we were excited and jumping for the camera -- and definitely didn't get it again.
Later we were putting her down for a nap and she was not falling right to sleep. She was playing in her bed - so we started watching her though the cracked open door. We were video taping on and off and coming and going. The next thing I know I see her pull herself up in her bed on one of the short sides. I get John to come and see, but she had stopped. So, we watched through the door again for a little bit and the next thing we know she pulls herself up on the long side of the bed.... Good thing we lowered the bed just the other day.... She was quite happy with herself - and so were we.
It took some effort, but we finally got her to sleep -- I went in and rocked her after finding her just sitting up and crying in bed.
Wow!! She is growing up so fast!
Today has been a special day for my family for as long as I can remember.... Just before I turned one year old my parents had a little boy. Timothy was born about as early as Abigail and lived five hours. Our family grew up knowing that if we lived righteously we would be with Timothy again.
Sometimes I used to wonder what it must have been like for my parents to go through that. I came a little too close with Abigail. I remember worrying about my mom as I was in labor. What must she be thinking as her daughter was in labor - thinking about what she had been through 27 years before. They were relieved and grateful for how good Abigail's color looked at birth -- as they remembered their little boy.
I also get reflective because tomorrow (September 2nd) was the due date (a year ago) of the baby I miscarried. Parts of me hoped that it would be a boy and share a name sake with his father and his uncle Timothy (as a middle name). As the school year got started last year and I had the usual tough times that come with teaching, I would wish I was already done teaching and home with the baby I was originally going to have in September.
Between the miscarriage and Abigail's early arrival I have played the "What If" game too many times.... What if I had never lost the first pregnancy? What if I had been able to keep Abigail inside me for a few more weeks? -- would our NICU stay had been that much shorter? What if Abigail had had many health issues? What if Abigail had not made it?.... Then I am reminded by the Spirit that everything has gone the way it was supposed to. Abigail's story would be different if she was not a "25 weeker". I would not have been tested and strengthened the way I was supposed to without things going the way they were supposed to. We all have our own story to live and write.
My heart aches more than it used to when I hear of mothers and fathers losing their babies. It makes me hold Abigail even closer. I am so grateful for my experiences with Abigail -- though thinking of her birth and NICU stay still gets me very emotional -- some of it is pain and some of it is just very tender, precious feelings.... I can't seem to find words for my feelings, but how I love that little girl. I look at her and my heart is so full as I think of that little baby I used to do Kangaroo Care with in the NICU. It's Amazing!!
It's been awhile since I have posted and lots has been going on.... Rehearsals for the group I play for started last week, and I started teaching piano lessons this week. I was grateful the lessons got off to a good start. Also, John started another semester at ASU.... So, we are sort of starting a new routine for the Fall.As for little Miss Abigail -- she continues to be the love of our lives over here. She has not quite mastered crawling, but she is doing really well at turning herself in a circle on her tummy. She is being a little mobile, though, and is pretty good at sitting up. She is eating more solids foods. She now eats rice cereal, green beans, sweet potatoes, squash, and carrots. She does not seem to be a fan of peas, and she just tried carrots for the first time this morning.
She is congested again, but she continues to not really have any other symptoms. We have some follow-up appointments next week with the cardiologist and pulmonologist.
I can't believe she will be ten months old next week. She just continues to amaze me. Sometimes I just watch her while she sleeps and think about how far she has come -- and my heart is just full. She is such a good little baby and brings smiles to so many people.... Daddy also thought we should get her some different toys that were a little more developmentally advanced -- she was seeming to get a little bored with her toys. John is so cute when it comes to toys, and I continue to love watching him with Abigail. That little girl sure adores her Daddy.
I had Abigail taking a nap on her floor while I was washing her sheets. I heard her up, but didn't go get her right away -- This is what I found.... look at the air she is getting with her left leg.
Lately, she has been sometimes knocking her playmat over.
Grandma Merrill is letting us borrow this "Johnny Jump Up" after Abigail liked using it at her house.
We had fun with Daddy taking a test drive on the Light Rail to ASU -- seeing how long it would take to get there.
The bear continues to get smaller.
I love, love, love how cute she is when she sleeps.
Abigail is getting pretty good at grabbing things nearby -- and mommy and daddy have to remember to keep things out of reach.
We have graduated to a new car seat -- She seems to like it so far.
I also packed up this little beauty -- After a nine month love-hate relationship with pumps (the Symphony and the one we bought) I felt okay about stopping pumping.... Hopefully, next time things will go a little better.
