ONEderland: Happy Birthday, Abigail!

Happy birthday, Abigail Grace! My apologies to our blog readers for taking close to a week to complete this post. After Abby and I got over being sick, Robert followed next. :( So we're just a little behind with everything right now.

I'm going to leave the sentimental stuff to my bff, Marci Falvey. She put together this amazing video of Abby's first year.


Abigail Grace's First Year from Marci Falvey on Vimeo.

I'm so glad she included Kleenexes with the video because I had tears streaming down my face the entire time I watched it. Even Robert got a little misty eyed. Looking back at the past year, what really stands out to me is how much love surrounds our little girl. We have had so many sweet visits with family and friends these past 12 months. Grandparents who flew in to meet our new baby and spend time with us on Abby's 1st Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Friends right down the street who brought over casseroles or Panera those early what-did-we-just-get-ourselves-into?! weeks. Friends who flew in from all over the country and shared smiles. Family and friends who called and texted and emailed and encouraged us. My heart feels so very full and grateful.

It's also amazing to see how much Abby has grown and changed over the past year. She grew from an 8 lb. 10oz. teeny tiny baby to a 28 lb. 1 year old. (Her height really took off recently: she grew 3 more inches the past 3 months and is now 32.5'' tall! She was 21.5'' when born.) She seemed so small, fragile and even breakable when we first brought her home and now Robert lovingly refers to her as "our little beast." :) She really is one tough cookie. What's the most fun though? Watching her flip through the pages in her board books, intently studying all of the details. Having her wrap her arms around my neck and give me a hug when I go into her room in the morning. Getting wet, slobbery kisses. Hearing her giggle when our cat Cora comes nearby or a friend's dog licks her feet. Watching her turn around in circles and "dance" whenever music comes on. Slowing down and seeing the world through a child's perspective again: watching the ducks at the pond by Target and laughing at silly sounds like zerberts on my belly. Observing her processing things and learning right before my very eyes.

Would you like to take a peak at some pictures from her birthday? Here's our sweet little Alice Abigail in ONEderland. You'll see this dress again for Halloween. :)

I love the little tuft of hair that's sticking up!

We began her birthday with a tradition from my childhood: pancakes for breakfast. Our 1 year old had 1 pumpkin pancake!

Ok, time to dig in.

 

I was running behind the rest of the day before the party began at 3:00, so I called in our friend Tati for emergency help. She was a lifesaver! Here she is putting together my Pinterest inspired Rice Krispies deck of cards. I should have done a trial run because the frosting totally didn't work the way I needed it to. Ah well.

Pinterest fail!

At least the strawberry cake turned out right!

I made a banner with Abigail's monthly pictures.

And then the guests arrived! Abby was still sleeping when 3:00 rolled around. We opened her bedroom door, hoping that everyone's voices would wake her up. No such luck. At 3:20 I went in and rubbed her back and let her know that she was missing her own party. I should have known better -- she's always grumpy when her sleep gets disturbed. I took her into the living room where all of the guests were and she immediately started crying. Poor little girl! Eventually, she was happy as long as she stayed on mommy's lap for awhile. I think she was just overwhelmed with the amount of people who had invaded her space while she slept.

Kermit! Our friend Jay who lives around the corner picked out some fun gifts.

Abby loved the card from our doula, Cheryl. It had a peekaboo kitty cat. 

 Abby's littlest guests: Leahna & Maya.

Robert and I gave Abby her 1st teddy bear.

Abby thought our neighbor Kylie's hair was the best thing ever! 

Here's our doula, Cheryl.

And kisses for Josie. With an open mouth!

Our neighbor Kay fed Abby several tea sandwiches. She loved the chicken salad as well as the nutella + raspberry jam. She must have a sweet tooth like her mommy!

And then it was time for cake!

 

She had 1 skinny piece and was a very neat eater.

And then, sadly, the party was over.

Happy birthday, sweetheart!

sick!

Abigail and I have been two sickies the past few days. Robert has apparently been referring to us as "typhoid Mary and the outbreak monkey" at work. I feel very fortunate that Abby made it this long without getting sick. She was just one week shy of one year! Beginning Sunday afternoon (me) and then Sunday evening (Abby) we both had fevers of 101 along with chills and aches. At least I assume Abby had the same chills and aches I experienced? I wish she could tell me! She was a trooper, though, and only woke up once during each of the past two nights. She remained her usual happy self most of the time. We're both feeling better today so I'm glad this seems to be a quick bug.

This might be a bit personal to post, but the pictures I captured are too funny not to share. I have been decreasing the number of times Abby nurses during the day and we're down to three times/day. I dropped the afternoon 3:30 time a few weeks ago. Well, when 3:30 rolled around the past few days what did I see?

Yep, that's Abby dragging the Boppy (aka breastfeeding pillow) off the chair -- it's a pretty heavy pillow, too! -- and dropping it right in front of me like, "ok mommy, feed me now." The message could not have been any more clear and I couldn't say no to my sick little girl.

We also made a quick trip to the Florida Aquarium on Sunday. In retrospect I feel terrible for taking Abby out when she was sick, but at that point we didn't know because she wasn't showing any symptoms. Robert had never been to the aquarium and we wanted to squeeze it in over the weekend because due to the government shutdown, government employees were given free admission. Robert really enjoyed seeing Abby squeal with delight at all the fish. Now that she's learned how to walk, we didn't have to mess with the big stroller and it was fun seeing her totter around all of the tanks.

How adorable is it that Robert dressed her in an outfit with little fish?

You can touch the rays in this tank. I wasn't brave enough but Robert said they were super soft.

Here's to feeling back to 100% soon. We have a birthday party on Sunday! And an entire house to disinfect...