Family Living: Abbott Style

My plan is to keep this brief, but we shall see how that goes. Last year (and again this year), a fellow blogger took  time from the media world to focus on her walk with Christ.  I thought that was absolutely admirable.  I envied her strength and self-control. I first need to say that I am not Catholic.  I have many friends that I absolutely love and respect who are Catholic.  The only reason why I am saying this, is because even though I am not Catholic, I have decided to participate in Lent (in the sense that I will be 'fasting' for the next 40 days...).  And the reason why I mention that I am not Catholic is because I don't want to misrepresent myself or have my ignorance toward Catholicism reflect poorly.  I am a Christian.  I believe in God.  I believe in God's wrath.  I believe in God's love.  I believe that Jesus is God born in the flesh who died for our sins.  And I believe that I am saved ...

It was time, once again, to take Haley to the Pediatrician for a check-up.  I love paying a $25 co-pay to have someone measure my kid for me.  I know he is checking on a lot more than that, but I just like to hear myself complain.   We are finally getting the hang of the whole doctors visit thing.  It seems as if when you pick a day in which you are the first appointment, you don't have to wait forever.  The first time we took her in, we waited an hour past her appointment time to even go back to the room and waited another hour back in the room to see him.   So our appointment was early, but we got right in.  She is progressing well.  She is about 20lbs. and 28 inches long.  She is in the 75th percentile for both her height and weight.  No shots this time and we opted out of the flu shot.   I heard her singing during nap time, checked on her and found that she is now pulling up on...

What a strange morning.  You know that feeling when you wake up, and everything is the same.  Nothing in particular is different, yet everything feels different.  I can't describe it.  Like a dream your having problems shaking. I know it is always an intense dream when I start talking in my sleep. Anyways, it is an absolutely beautiful day in KC today.  50 degree weather.  Sunny.  The drive to work was so peaceful.  Except the fact that I wasn't sure if I was going to make it before I ran out of gas.   I have no idea what the weekend has in store for us.  I don't have my buddy until Tuesday, so it is kinda an extended weekend for me.  Ian took today off, so he too is rocking a 3 day weekend.  At some point, I would like to take Haley to the park and try to enjoy some of this weather.  Might be a good weekend to start running again.   I need to start something.  I am majorly missing the gym an...

9 months.  Haley has been in the outside world, almost as long as she had been in my body.  I will tell you what, these last nine months went by a lot faster than the 39 weeks I was pregnant. Let's get right to it. Haley @ Nine Months I had to look back the 8 month post to remember how far she has come.  I think I have seen the biggest changes in her in the past month. Haley is now crawling in the traditional sense of the word.  Not just crawling, but crawling at a sprint of a pace. She is starting to pull up on things and stand.  While holding on to an object, she is starting to take a few steps. She is starting to jabber.  Sometimes it sounds like she is repeating words that I say, but it is hard to tell at this stage. She says mama, dada, baba, and bob on a regular basis.  She hasn't been consistent at calling me mama and Ian dada, but she is starting to get it. She knows what "no" means.  She is really into trying to get ...

Oh gloomy day.  Is it Spring yet? SO yesterday, my little buddy's mom offered to cook me dinner for Valentine's day.  Here is how our text convo went: T: What kinda steaks u like? B:  Cheap ones. Well, she didn't take my request and bought me a ribeye.  It was absolutely the best thing I have eaten in a VERY long time.  It was partnered with a bake potato (in the oven, not even a microwaved potato).  A delicious dinner role, and some side rice.    I can't pretend I know much about steak.  My parents always cooked steak for us as kids.  Props to them, because I don't know many parents, that when cooking steak will also cook steak for their kids as well.  Can you believe that I would complain about it as a kid?  I would whine that I didn't want steak.  Silly silly girl. Ian and I buy steak now and then.  But really, only when Happy Foods has KC Strip on sale.  KC Strip,...

Snow snow go away.  I am in no-way-shape-or-form a fan of snow.  The only thing it was good for in my life was snow days.  But those days are over for now, so it is just a pain in the rear.  I wouldn't mind as much if I didn't  have things to do this evening.  All of which seem to be timed where the roads are going to refreeze.  Goodie.  I don't know, we will see how the evening goes.  Hopefully the roads aren't bad and my drive will be easy and hopefully I will be able to play some basketball tonight.  Either way, tonight is the KU/KState game at 8, so I am looking forward to watching that. So last night, Ian and I decided to try the whole Valentine's Day celebration business again since I have been striking out at being a good date recently.  If the past two dates were out first two dates ever, I don't think I would have been getting a call back. We didn't even really plan it, Ian was my hero and went to the store for me since...

I did not share my answers with Ian until after he told me his.  I asked the question and just typed whatever he told me. Here are the results: Our Love Story 1. How long have you and your significant other been together? Bre: Married for almost 3 years (3 years in May) Started dating (this time) in April 2006 Ian: March of 06..so six years. 2. How did you meet? {What's your "love" story?} Bre: In 2003, I was a freshman in high school, and Ian was a senior.  Our high school is small.  Everyone knows everybody.  I knew Ian as the funny charming older guy who liked to flatter all the ladies.   My best friend at the time was dating his best friend.  (So cliche right?)  Most of my freshman year, I was wrapped up in some guy who never appreciated how fantastic I was and ultimately threw away his chance.  After getting dumped, I was pretty down--but one guy was able to make me smile.  Then I started to see Ian in a ...

No, no she is not.  She is, however, loaded on caffeine.  Alright maybe not loaded--but I did forget the power of coffee. I recently received one of those fancy Keurig coffee makers as a gift. I go on kicks where I really enjoy some coffee in the mornings.  Mostly in the winter.  But this winter, my coffee pot is in storage.  Bummer.  So I have really been jonesing for a warm cup of Jo e .  I was absolutely delighted when I was surprised by this gift.  Finally, Tuesday, I ran to Wal-Mart and grabbed a few boxes of the k-cups (I think that is what they are called) so I could make myself some coffee.  I got one box of the goodnight tea so I had something to drink at night and I also got a box of butter toffee coffee.  Both are delicious. Anyways, so my point.  Besides the wonderful taste, I forgot about the caffeine buzz.  I never really thought it effected (or is it affected??) be before until today.  ...

I would love to blog something useful or insightful today--but A. I've got nothing & B. I've got to be out the door and on the road in 8 minutes. But in the spirit of trying to document Haley's achievements, today is the first day she has REALLY started crawling on her hands and knees.  She has been doing her own version of a crawl for a long while now that look a bit like she was doing the worm.  But now, she is doing it.  And fast!  I can tell she is very proud of herself and loving all of the attention from it. Dang, I really wish I had more time today.  I have some cute pictures of Haley that I need to post soon as well.   I'm sure her fans who are enjoying the warm weather in Texas would appreciate that.  So I am working on it.  Maybe a few more videos as well. We had a great evening last night.  Watched some basketball and intend on watching some more tonight.  A pretty big game tonight against Baylor.  For some reas...

That is the best way to describe the past 48 hours.  Yesterday, I spent the entire day cleaning the apartment from top to bottom.  Literally.  From lights to baseboards.  Re-organized closets, cabinets.  EVERYTHING.  It was a task.  Ian got called into work early and ended up working 16 hours straight, so I was on my own.  I was proud of myself and how well I was able to manage everything.  Not that I don’t do it every day anyway, but with trying to tackle such a large project as well.  I was even able to prepare a nice lunch for today to have on hand.  I learned two things from yesterday.  1.) My next oven will have a self-cleaning function.  It took me over an hour to clean out the bottom of that piece.  Lasagna boil-over.  2.) Baking soda is like magic.  It effortlessly cleans bathtubs and removes soap scum without harsh chemicals or vigorous scrubbing. Nothing too exciting, but it was enough to...

Who knows when I'll get another chance to sit down and blog so I'm going to bust one out quickly. The weekend is yet to be officially over, but I'll recap regardless. Friday night was mellow.  Played some PS3 with Ian.  We haven't done that in forever.  We were getting pumped for the KU/MU game so we decided to play College Hoops 2K7 (you can tell home big of not gamers we are by our game selection).  I got dibs on KU and Ian was MU.  I am pretty sure he jinx us by beating me on the game.  But all and all, a lazy night in. Yesterday was of course the KU/MU game.  Before the game, I went to dinner with some girl friends at Jose Peppers. One of my gals surprised me with a beautiful yellow scarf that I have been searching for since before Christmas.  The MU fans gave me crap saying that I should wear it and represent. The rest of the girls went to the movies but I ended up coming home because there was a possibility Ian was going to...

Every time I go to add a new post, I press the wrong button and it tries to make me make a new blog altogether.  Maybe it is a sign that I need to start, yet another blog.  Ya right, I am hardly keeping up with my social media these days.  Between Facebook, Twitter, this blog, my 20-Something-Bloggers networking!  I'm ready to just come unplugged for awhile.  Not from my blog though.  I don't think I could ever really give up blogging altogether. As my faithful followers know, I am blogging from the tanning salon today.  I decided to work hard for my paycheck by actually cleaning today (more than the sweat from the beds).  I vacuumed, mopped the bathrooms, folded towels, and dusted.  That is some employee of the month type stuff right there.  Speaking of cleaning sweat from the beds, it doesn't generally bother me until I am cleaning a bed after a dude has tanned.  Maybe it is because dudes sweat more or what, but it really g...

There isn't much I can say about this, except...I am proud..or something..... The first time she did it today, it wasn't cute.  She had a mouth full of baby food carrots, and it went all over me and my face.  Who am I to stifle her creativity?   Obviously, it is me giggling in the video--encouraging this behavior.  I couldn't help myself.  Next time, I'll put on my meanest, non-approving mom face. I don't know that I have much else for you today.  So ya, I hope you have a fantastic day.  

After calling Lenexa PD, the apartment manager, and turning the apartment upside down--still no wallet.  So it was time to face the music and get a new ID. Attempt one:  We needed tags and a new ID so we went to a DMV online that said they did both.  Got there and they only do tags now.  No biggie, because we needed tags anyway.  Quick, easy, and a few hundred dollars later, we headed to a different DMV. Attempt two:  Birth certificate, Social Security card & paper work,  & marriage lisc (in Spanish of course).  Ready to roll and get a new ID.  I stood in line for what felt like forever, to find out that I forgot to bring proof of residency.  Yay. Drive home and grab my Redbook magazine.  Probably one of two things that come in the mail in my name. Attempt three:   I have everything I need and get right in.   Perfect .  Meanwhile, a gentleman is yelling at another employee because the employee was...