Family Living: Abbott Style

My little lady bug has blossomed into a busy bee before my very eyes...... Excuse my while I go cry  my eyes out.  Can I slow down time pleeeasseee???

It is officially (I miss spell officially every single time I type it...it is annoying.) my birthday-day.  Yay birthday day.  I was restless and didn't get to bed until like 11 last night, and because I had been going to bed at 7 or 8 and waking up at 4:30, this created a little bit of an issue for me.  Even though I went to bed at 11, I still started tossing and turning at 5.  Lame.  First sign that I am getting old--when you start waking up without an alarm.  Remember when I was child-free and could sleep until 10.  In fact, I think I spent a good year of my life not waking up before 10.  I specifically remember this time because I would always end up missing the 9:30 classes at the gym. Haley finely decided to get her butt up around 7:30 (she slept from 7-7:30 last night which has become a common theme around hear.  I'll be the last to try to mess with a good thing.)  And the minute I pulled her out of her crib, she started poi...

I find myself struggling to think of activities to "bond" with my daughter and expand her hands-on learning experiences. For a family who is strongly considering homeschooling as a viable option, this is not a good start. Perhaps I am lacking the ability to think outside the box.  I often think of things as too messy or too beyond her current ability.  Or I discount ideas do to her short attention span. When a friend invited me over to carve pumpkins, I have to admit I didn't jump for joy at the idea.  I didn't think Haley would be very interested and I couldn't help but shutter at the idea of the mess.  But, with Ian working massive overtime this weekend, I thought it would be nice to get out and enjoy the company of other adults and children alike.  So I stepped outside my comfort zone and decided to make the best of it,. Obviously I am not dumb enough to hand my child a knife and have her hack at a pumpkin.  But I did put her in her booster ...

Okay, maybe not lovers-but definitely a fun family trip. So we left Kansas Saturday afternoon and headed north.  It was an easy trip and a beautiful drive.  I think the trees were at their peak as far as fall colors go.  Absolutely gorgeous. Saturday evening we settled into our hotel.  We did the Priceline, name your price deal.  It ended up working out pretty well as our hotel was beautiful.  I am pretty partial to the Hilton/Homewood Suites brand (not because I am a snob--but because we use to get a discount when Ian was a security guard there--you kinda get use to certain creature comforts).  I would say our hotel was comparable.  And CHEAP.  So sometime, on a small trip, give the Priceline name your price deal a shot.  Bedbugs included for free (totally kidding). Sunday morning we got up early and headed to the zoo for my race .  Then after the race we walked around the AMAZING zoo they have in Omaha. ...

After I get all rested up, I would love to share the details of the Abbott's recently, but for now--you just get pictures.  I need rest.  

Yesterday, I polished off the house by vacuuming in pearls and a dress. No joke. It just seemed appropriate. This week, Ian is working days.  For some reason, when he works days--I feel more......house-wife-ish. Don't get me wrong.  I do my housewife/SAHM duties when Ian is working his normal schedule.  It just feels way different.  I can't pin-point exactly what it is, but I just feel way more on top of things this week. Yesterday, woke up early to throw together some breakfast for my man.  Packed his lunch.  Then I tackled deep cleaning the entire house.  Washing, drying, folding, and putting away all laundry.  Cooking dinner (on the table ready when he walked in)...all while entertaining Haley and caring for her.  Even was able to sneak in a workout.  I guess I just feel like I can better take care of him with this schedule.  Ian is STUBBORN.  And often resists my help, but with days--he doesn't have...

Nothing feels like a slap in the face...like an actual slap to the face. I keep playing the moment in my head time and time again.  In slow motion.  Forward.  Backward. I think the moment that gets the most was the look in her eye right before she choose to slap me. Let me rewind.  Haley and I just returned from a busy afternoon.  Haley and my little buddy kept me company to the car wash and Wal-Mart. They both were absolutely amazing. I couldn't have asked for better behaved children. While dropping of my buddy at his mom's, I noticed Haley was reaching her limits.  I hustled home to feed Haley and myself some dinner. I knew in the back of my head that she is both hungry, thirsty, and probably exhausted.  So I was prepared to quickly prepared her dinner and to offer her a drink.  When I put her down, she went straight for the kitchen--crying, fussing, and carrying on. I have been working with her to use her words instead of the crying. ...