Family Living: Abbott Style

Before I became a parent myself--I had a whole list of things I would never do.  Naturally, I have slowly done each of those things on that list. One of which was creating an entire room dedicated to toys.  The dreaded "toy room".  I am not exactly sure why that was on the list.  But it has happened.  I gave up my beautifully decorated guest room for a room full of toys.  Now, this toy room is temporary--as eventually, God willing, we will need that room for another child or two.  I am at peace with this decision and I think it will be great for Haley to have an entire room to go play in and not have to be told "no-no" about something.  An area totally for her.   I have to mentally prepare myself for the idea  that the room will never be organized and she will constantly be dragging stuff out and having it scattered about.  I am limiting myself to picking up the toy room only once a day at the end of ...

Haley has a full blown toddler mullet. The back just keeps growing and growing; the sides....nothing. Mullet, mullet, mullet. I am at odds with myself about what to do here.  My current line of thinking is to just let it grow and eventually it will even out.  But it looks bad. My only other option would be to cut it....and what...give her a bowl cut?? Full disclosure.  When I found out Haley was indeed a she--one of my first thoughts was---crap I'm going to have to do her hair.  I am not even good at doing my own hair.  Let alone a toddler who can't sit still. I have envy for the mom's whose daughters rock perfectly wonderful pig-tails.  Or the mom's who daughters always have the cutest bows and headbands.  Not my daughter.  She has a mullet.  Mom of the freaking year.  This is something I am going to have to work on, because I can't have my poor girl walk around life with some ratty mullet . Isn't it nice.  A 19-month...

Wow!  We are well into December now aren't we? After cleaning house all morning and folding laundry, I now have just a few moments to enjoy some downtime. There is no feeling like having a completely clean house and all laundry clean and put away. The puppy is snoozing and my child is playing independently   Because she does that now.   This is a pretty awesome age.  Sure she throws epic size fits, and usually in public.  She is all toddler.  But with that some some independence that I have learned to embrace.  But what never stops amazing me is her mind.  Sure, I expected and understood that I would someday have a person as a daughter and not just a baby.  But emotionally, it was just something I never could comprehend until it happens. You know, when I tell people I have a high energy child.  I don't think people take me seriously.  They chalk it up to a first time mom who may or may not be overwhelmed. ...

This is Drake.  He is the newest member of our family.  Merry Christmas to me! The decision to get another dog was not one that I took lightly.  I was heart sick for at least a month when we had to release Winston to someone else's care because of his behavior issues.  I was reluctant to get a new dog, but there was a constant hole in my heart that ached for companionship.   Right now, it is like having another baby.  He cries at night and I constantly have to take him out to potty, but it has been great.  I am stunned at how well he has doing.  No potties inside!  I know accidents are going to happen but that is more than I could have asked out of a 7 week pup.  He potties outside like a champ.  He does his business then runs over to my feet and stands on my shoes until I pick him up.  The ground is a bit cold for him.   Him and Haley are getting along great.  I have to watch them both because he is ve...

Well first....a reminder to what my baby was like a year ago: Haley heading to my parents for Thanksgiving 2011 After Thanksgiving Dinner, at our apartment 2011 Shopping like a big girl Fall 2011 Coozy warm 2011 I couldn't have been more grateful this year.  Ian was able to take off for Thanksgiving.  Well actually Wednesday and Thursday.  So we were able to spend the Holiday together.  Thanksgiving morning we woke up and I headed to my run.  When I got back, Haley was napping and Ian was starting to cook our dish for Thanksgiving.  I enjoy cooking, but he does as well.  So he wanted to take over this dish this year which gave me plenty of time to shower and stuff. I actually had to wake up Haley to head to dinner.  Big mistake.  She was whiny and grumpy the.entire.day.  It was almost too much for me.  I was disappointed she wouldn't play with the other kids and she was super clingy to both...

It brings tears to my eyes every time I think about time.  It passes so quickly.  While she is only 18 months, and I find myself scratching my head wondering where the time went--I will soon be scratching my head wondering were 18 years went.  And that is the scariest thing in the world to me. And when I think forward to that time, I wonder what I will want to remember 18 years from now (or 16 1/2 years from now I should say). First, I want to remind myself--I am doing the best I can possible be.  As mothers, we are hard on ourselves.  And I don't exactly have a cheer-leading squad patting me on the back congratulating me on my hard work telling me I am a rock-star mother.  Who does?  But I am doing my very best.  I take in the moment.  And I give her every ounce of love and patience I have.  Too often we focus on mistakes made and what we could improve on.  I want to tell future self, that I am doing the...

Several years ago, I would daydream about what I wanted my life to look like.  We all do it.  Picture us at our "happy" our "ideal" 5--10---15 years from now. Last night, it hit me.  I have arrived .  So often we get caught up on what is ahead that we forget the moment.  My husband lay fast asleep as I listened to his beating heart.  With my head on his chest I lay... still.  Listening.  The heart he has given to me.  The heart that beats every day to provide for his wife and child.  The heart that bears scars from the past.  The heart that has hopes for the future.  It was the most beautiful sound I have ever heard.  I was overwhelmed with gratitude  My very best friend in this world.  The man who stands next to me.  Wipes my tears when I have had enough.  Enjoys my smiles.  Laughs at me and with me.  This man, is mine.    You see, life is a funny thing.  Nothi...

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.