California--FINALLY COMPLETED!!

A few months ago we started talking with John's sister's family about going to Legoland. We had a free ticket from something I had gotten John for Father's Day and her boys had been wanting to go. Her boys saved their birthday and Christmas money; we used some Christmas money, and we found every discount that we could find (including sharing a big family suite) to take a trip to California and make it somewhat affordable.... What started off as a trip to Legoland turned into three theme parks and the beach. (We had just been to Disneyland, but I couldn't help myself but to go when the other family said they wanted to.)

It was a fun trip! and we look forward to more trips like it.

Just hanging out a few minutes before Disneyland "officially" opened for the day.

First ride of the day: Kathrine and I took the little ones on the Rockets while some bigger kids got to ride "Star Wars".... Ya - got a little dizzy on that one.


The mommies with the babies on the Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters.

The results of enjoying an Oreo cookie from Uncle Mike.

Riding "It's a Small World" -- can you tell she was getting a little tired??

Quite curious waiting in line for "Peter Pan".



Abigail was starting to get into seeing the characters - especially their noses - but when it came time for a group picture with her cousins, she wanted nothing to do with it.


She finally succumbed to sleep in the afternoon.

Having fun in Californina Adventure


Enjoying her free corn tortilla from the mini Mission Tortilla Factory

Daddy and cousin Simeon being tough

Having fun on the Toy Story Mania ride


Looking out the window on the Finding Nemo Submarine ride.... This was the first time I had rode this ride since its re-opening. The line was always just too long.... This was our last ride of the night. John and I became crazily brave and insisted on keeping ALL five kids so the other three adults could ride the Indiana Jones ride. Thanks to the advice of a Cast Member at the Finding Nemo ride, I waited in the Nemo line with the two babies while John took the three other boys for the requested "one more time" on the Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters ride.

This became crazy because I think I forgot to factor in that the strollers would not be with me while waiting in the Nemo line.... So, there I was holding a 20lb (and then some) baby in each arm. My phone rang some where in there with updates from the other adults. Some people in line then told me they were first impressed that I was holding two babies, but then just topped it off by managing to answer my phone.

We got through the line before John got back - so we just waited on the side at the front of the line.... Before long my nephew was crying and Abigail just wanted to get on the ground and crawl. I was just trying to stay calm and was imaging that some people probably thought I was so crazy sitting there with these two toddlers or maybe just felt sorry for me because they had "been there and done that". They let John and the boys through and we got on the ride. It took some effort trying to keep kids from falling as all seven of us piled into the little submarine ride - with not much railing to hold on to.

In the end it was all worth it when you saw the excitement on the kids' faces. Of course, one baby fell asleep and mine kept flirting with the boy next to us. Once in awhile she looked out the window - amazed by the colors and new things she was seeing.

We had fun, but also worried the boys' mom because they called to tell us they were done -- but we were on the ride and couldn't answer our phones.... So, I had to take a picture of us and caring for five kids.


The Dads taking another turn at pushing the strollers -- We had three strollers on the trip.

Traditional picture at the front of the park -- even if it was as we were leaving....



This little cutie just seemed to have so much fun!!


Having fun with Daddy while he was playing card games with the cousins.


Catching a nap before going to the beach -- she looks so big!!

Day two of our trip was a "rest day" from the parks. It gave us a chance to take Abigail to the beach for the first time. She loved it! - including eating the sand and all.








At the end of our "rest day" we needed something else to do to tire out the boys. So, we went and explored Downtown DIsney -- being that we stayed across the street from Disney property.


We found the Lego store - which got us all more anxious for our trip to Legoland the next day.


On our walk back to the hotel the boys wanted to run in the big open (and very empty) area between Disneyland and California Adventure -- Go for it!! Wear yourselves out!!.... Then they discovered the fun of taking pictures with the giant California letters. They didn't turn out very well from being so dark, but we had fun anyway!




Legoland
I am still very much a Disney fan (no worries family of mine), but I thought Legoland was lots of fun. There was not alot that Abigail could do, which is another reason we are so glad we went with the cousins.... We hope to go back when we have more kids and they are a little older -- and I am sure they will be in love with Legos like their Daddy.

Abigail needed her morning breathing treatment - we had decided to give it to her in the car because of the drive to Legoland. Well, we blew a fuse at the beginning of the drive and had no nebulizer or GPS. Fun Times!!

We found the Baby Care area and there was this little chair. Abigail fell in love -- and now loves the chair posted about earlier.









Throughout the trip, Uncle Johnny was a favorite. I believe it was at California Adventure that tears were even shed because of not being able to ride with him at the time.

Enjoying Apple Fries -- never heard of them until now... not bad!

Not sure if you can really see any differences, but the before and after reactions of the different boys was sometimes pretty funny.





Abigail and Benjamin enjoying conversation -- too bad no one else knew what they were saying

Having fun in the area for the little ones. I think it was some kind of Duplo town.











Judging from this picture taken as we were leaving Legoland, I would say that Abigail liked it!

SeaWorld


Sleeping through the Shamu show

Abigail loved being able to look at so many new things.... I wonder what it was like seeing those things for the first time when I was little??..... I love the joy and wonder found in small children.... Abigail also loved that she could touch so many things.







After another fun day, we all loaded up in the cars and headed home.... The drive home seemed a little longer than the way there, but I think that might have lots to do with the fact that I came home with the cold John had left on the trip with.

We had lots of fun -- and it was fun being with the cousins. It meant for more adults to help in taking care of kids and riding the rides.

Just Help Yourself, Abigail

It's usually our own fault for leaving something out, or turning our back - even if just for a moment - but Abigail acts quick to our mistakes.



There was nothing in the cup, but apparently she thinks it fun after watching us do it.

I was getting something from the pantry when I heard the laundry stop - just feet away. I decided to hurry and change it....

Aunt Kathrine gave us a little chair that her boys were not using.... It is pretty much Abigail's new favorite thing. We got home from church today and she went right over and sat in it. It is cute watching her make herself rock. She has also discovered, that when next to the couch, the chair makes a great step stool to the couch.


I rarely, if ever, put pictures of Abigail in just a diaper on the blog, but I couldn't resist the cute smile she is making or how grown-up she looks just lounging in the chair below.


Enjoying the chair while modeling some new pajamas. I got a great deal on lots of pajamas from a day after Christmas sale from Kohls.

Happy 3rd Anniversary

Happy Anniversary to the man I love more and more.... Our three years have been eventful, but I am so grateful it was with John. I don't know how many people get to go on a blind date that turns out to be this great....

Then...

...to a honeymoon in Costa Rica...


...a new house and some fun trips together...

...to the joy of parenthood -- Gosh! We love that little girl. She makes us laugh and melts our hearts on a daily basis. She has such a cute and contagious laugh!

Happy 2010

2009 was quite the year for our little family, but I am so grateful for how it has all ended up. It seems hard to believe that in just a few weeks we will have had Abigail home for a year.... In the middle of it all when I longed to have her home and hold her with nothing attached; rock her in the nursery rocking chair; or any other little wishes -- I would try and remind myself that this would all be over before I knew it.... Now our little princess is just growing up so fast.

Our New Year's Eve was spent with John's family. Abigail and I actually made it until midnight, but were asleep shortly after. (John often wakes me in time for the ball to drop.) We stayed the night in his parents' extra room and then went to my parents' for brunch before heading home.... A few days later we left for our California trip with some of John's family.... It was fun, and I hope to post about that soon -- but have lots of pictures to go through.... For now -- here is a fun one from Abigail's first time at the beach.

Christmas with Abigail

We had such a wonderful Christmas with our little family. We couldn't help but think of last Christmas and just feel even more grateful for this Christmas.... Christmas morning Abigail woke up and John had her join us in bed. We enjoyed playing around in the bed with her making "Abigail sandwiches" and playing "peek-a-boo" with the sheets.

Modeling her Christmas dress after Church on Sunday

The week of Christmas was very busy -- We went to something every night, but we had lots of fun. We enjoyed getting a nap after church today. Monday was the extended Merrill Family Christmas party -- and you all got to see Abigail with her candy bar. Tuesday we had a blast at a concert a friend of mine invited us to -- Thanks Kellie! Wednesday was the extended Jones Family Christmas party. Abigail had lots of fun playing with her second cousins that are her age.

Christmas Eve was spent with the Merrills. John's parents have us over for a nice dinner that we all dress up for. We enjoyed delicious homemade tortellini. We read the nativity from the scriptures and Grandpa Merrill played the piano while we sang carols. You can see from the picture below that Abigail also wanted to play the piano. We opened gifts from each other and enjoyed yummy cookies.



More about Christmas morning....We just relaxed and enjoyed being together. Abigail was somewhat into presents. Santa brought her some more Legos/Duplos. This set was a zoo. Her and daddy have already had fun playing with it. She also got pajamas and an ABC Church Book from mommy and daddy.



The extended Riding Family Christmas party is Christmas Eve, but we were with the Merrills. However, it is also tradition to go to Grandma's house for lunch. So, we spent the afternoon visiting my grandparents (Riding and Jones) before my family's Christmas festivities.... Here is Abigail with my Grandma Riding.

My family has dinner together on Christmas night and opens our gifts from each other. Abigail had fun playing in the wrapping paper. My five year old niece loved that she had most of her aunts and uncle at her finger tips to play card games-instead of getting the attention from them one at a time. I just had fun holding my little nephew.

We hope that you and your family were able to enjoy a wonderful Christmas season. We are so grateful to have had so many family and friends to share it with -- and most especially to have our little Abigail with us this year.... My heart goes out to the many who have ever or will have to spend Christmas in the hospital.

Chocolate Thief

Santa made a visit to the extended Merrill Family Christmas party last night. He gave out candy canes and candy bars. Abigail was quite cute going up to him. She was in heaven when the candy cane was placed in her hands. She then had almost no interest in coming back to me. She soon was attached to the wrapped candy bar. I gave in and let her hold it - after some attempts to take it. I figured it was safe - being wrapped and all.... I won't be making that mistake again.... She was quite proud of her efforts as you can see from the pictures.... It didn't take her long, either, because John found the mess when we stopped on the way home for me to pick something up -- I think it was only five minutes....

Visit with Santa

We took Abigail to see Santa at BassPro Shops (Thanks for the idea Rachel).... It was great!! They give you a free 4x6 and then we bought the picture files for $1.99 each -- hope they have that deal next year....

Toddler in the House

I feel like I have been posting a lot more lately, but I also feel that Abigail has been changing so much the last little bit. We put her to bed for the night and she wakes up looking different -- crazy!! She is bigger and/or something about her looks different.

I was in the kitchen alot this weekend, which means Abigail was there more, too. I am so glad that our oven does not get hot on the front -- or I would have to really worry. Abigail was intrigued by the oven as some cookies were baking.



It is like a whole different face seeing those top teeth....

I decided to just let her keep doing what she was doing for awhile -- because until we get latches, she will probably just keep going back to it -- and with it being the first time, I was your classic "first time mom" and thought it was cute. (However, I don't think that thinking will last long at all.) We are also starting try some suggestions that we got from our neighbors about getting her to stay out of some things.

Getting So Big

I bought these window clings during some previous Christmas season and was excited I had a child to share them with this year.... I just thought Abigail looked so big in this picture.

She is getting closer and closer to walking. Tonight in the bath she stood unassisted for probably 10-15 seconds. I think we were all surprised, including Abigail - and John and I started clapping.... John has apparently taught her to grunt, and she is starting to imitate it more. She has also started saying "Ma". I don't think she fully associates it with me yet, but she knows that we respond to it, and I love hearing it.... Today while we were playing she did some walking behind her push toy.... She is just getting big so fast. She is a very happy and pleasant, but she makes her wants clearly known -- giving her a strong personality -- I like to joke it is the Italian blood in her, but I have seen videos from my childhood and know she has it coming from both sides.... She has almost mastered clapping. If you hold your hand out for a high five, you will often get it.... She is full of so many smiles and hugs. I LOVE IT!!!

We had a busy week going to concerts for the aunties. It was fun, but Abigail eventually informed me she had had enough. Once we got home, she was happy as could be seeing her daddy and playing with her toys.... The above picture is from when we got back from our quick trip to Thatcher to see EAC's Festival of Carols. Abigail had a rough trip back home -- hearing her daddy's voice on the phone calmed her down.

Our Primary children met their new teachers for next year at a pajama pajama last Saturday morning. They also had a special visitor -- Abigail seems to be wondering who he is....

Here she is enjoying her toys.... She crawls and climbs into what seems like everything sometimes. If you or something are in her way, she just goes right over you.

Bath Time

Tonight, while giving Abigail a bath, my thoughts went somewhere between thinking about journaling (my lack thereof -- a little sweetie did something to the power cord to the laptop I have my journal on) and how much I loved bath time while Abigail was in the hospital.

I still enjoy bath time with Abigail, but it was one of my favorite things to do with Abigail while she was in the NICU. It made me feel like I was really taking care of my child. Eventually, John and I could bathe her without any assistance, and since that was one of the few things we could do without help, I loved being able to do it. It made me feel more like her mom.

I most especially loved bath time because it was one of few times I could see and touch Abigail without cords attached. This also meant that very close monitoring on our part had to be done with her coloring and breathing, but I loved seeing her beautiful face with nothing else -- and also the monitors off of her chest.

Now, I have a little girl who loves bath time and makes a dash for the tub when she hears the bath water on. Aahh -- how I love it!! She is just so much fun!! I have to keep her from eating the faucet - as the picture shows she loves to do. She will also be walking before I know it. She can walk herself along our couches and when she falls, she is falling more slowly (if that makes sense).

I am so excited for Christmas!!!! She has been pretty good with the decorations.... I am just so excited that she will be with us at the family stuff, instead of me practically wanting to cry as I longed to have her with us. (I keep praying for her good health to continue -- so we are not back in the hospital for the holidays -- still has me nervous.)

Oh ya -- and have I mentioned that our cutie has become quite the little beggar? She comes and begs at our knees when she sees what we are eating -- far cry from the little baby who prolonged her hospital stay due to eating issues. I have also had some comment on the amount or fervor with which she eats -- makes me happy and very grateful.

Thanks for sharing in my little sentimental moment....

Then and Now


I love her smile in this picture -- I love the love for life you see in the face of children!