Family Living: Abbott Style

Last night I tucked in my 3-year-old.  As I shut the door, she squealed for extra hugs.  Usually a manipulations to squeeze any moment of not going to bed she can.  But when she asked me to hold her tighter....all I could remember was the first night in the hospital. A rude awakening.  Looking back, the hospital stay taught me a few things.  Nothing is going to go according to plan.  Nothing is easy.  And I knew nothing about parenting.  It took me three years to learn what I could have learned from the picture above---love first.  Frustrated in tears, hours after my daughter was born--I felt helpless. I had no idea what she needed.  I had no idea how to get her to stop crying.  Nurses came and went with a sympathetic smile.  Helpless.  Three years later, not much has changed.  I still have no idea what I am doing---but love comes first.   How can I learn so much about the world and myself from a three...

Owen's 6th Month Owen is still EBF (exclusively breast fed).  In June, we will have a checkup and discuss how the pediatrician would like us to proceed with solids.  My goal is to make it a year.  Half way there! Owen got moved into his own room! Owen wakes up once a night to eat, except last night when hes slept through the night! (not getting my hopes up because I know a growth spurt is somewhere on the horizon) He is still super laid back and smiles SO much.. He naps 2-3 times a day  He has both his bottom teeth He is in 18 month clothing He likes the jumperoo and sitting in the highchair He is rolling around like crazy.  Front to back, back to front.  I suspect he will be modify crawling soon. How the rest of us are doing Haley warms up to him more and more Behavior wise, we have seen a small improvement with Haley.  Todderlood, a strong temperament, and a new baby was a tough combination.   Haley is potty trained! As ...