From October 2007

We grew both of these this year. And both weigh about 15 pounds right now!

Yes, the pumpkins that I thought I killed over the summer produced two big ones after all. This is one of the two, the other is on the porch. I can't bring myself to carve them.....

Abby will Trick-Or-Treat at a couple of houses tonight, but I am reserving the right to sample the candy on her behalf.

Picture of her in costume will come tomorrow!

Roll On Over to Me!

So, I mentioned that she had inadvertently rolled from her back to her front two weeks ago and was told that it was probably not a fluke, but rather a development.

Now we know very clearly that she's a roller. She can spot something she wants, and will spin or roll to get it! At school she rolled completely off the blue mat. (Like the ones you had in gym class in school)

We've already begun to baby proof, but it might be time to latch the toilets and cabinets closed! Crawling is not too far off, I fear.

As this is our 101st post, I thought we should celebrate in a couple of ways.

One: An Adorable Picture:

From October 2007

Two: A New Feature:
I think it would be great to have a weekly caption contest! Please use the above photo as your first inspiration. Leave your caption in the comments below.

Three: A Hidden Post
We worked in spurts and I think we're okay with the Birth Story, finally. Since it's long and not everyone wants such details. If you're interested in reading about the actual day that Abigail was born, click HERE and read on.

Gator Pride!

For those that don't know, Anny's school mascot is the Gator. When I was dragged we went to Homecoming earlier this month, I was disapointed that they did not have Baby Gator stuff. When we got home I ordered a couple of shirts from the University of Florida Gators website and was very pleased. (They use the same logo, so that makes it easier!)

We love this shirt, and since today looks like the last warm day for the forseeable future it is our last chance for the short sleeves! Enjoy:

From October 2007

(If it's too small to read, it says "I've been a Gator all my life.")

Fall is Here....

It's finally been cool enough for enough days that I would say fall is here. (Okay, today is supposed to reach 80, but it's downhill on the predictions from there)

Bottom line, we buy very few outfits. We are blessed with so many people that love us and our wonderful baby that Abby's dresser and closet are full up. If we buy something it's because of one of two reasons:

1 - it's incredibly necessary - she needed pants to wear to school and we had like two pairs. We bought pants.

2 - it's even more incredibly cute - in our book anyway.

So with that, I bring you today's outfit:

Four Month Check-Up

All good news!

Length - 24.5 inches
Weight - 15 pounds

She's happy. She's healthy.

She go four shots and a follow up drinkable vaccine that was begun last time. She freaked out when the shots were in her legs, but a quick thinking daddy plugged the cry hole with a bottle, which she wanted desperately anyway.

We don't have to go back until six months, which will be the week before Christmas. By that time we are supposed to move her to rice cereal in conjunction with formula. We got the general schedule of foodness from 0 to 12 months. Once we start rice cereal, things happen pretty quickly from that point on. Lots of different things, and a few to avoid.

She's growing so quickly right as we watch. It's pretty awesome to be a dad! (Anny, for the record, says the same about being a mom!)

Abby's Baptism

This post has been posted on both blogs, you're not losing your mind! From here I will call your attention to some new pictures online at the same time!

Everything went swimmingly! Anny and I snipped at each other twice, but aside from that the weekend could not have gone better, and for that we are thankful.

I picked up Anny's brother and family mid-morning from the airport and headed directly to destination number one: Wendy's! There are none left around their house, so whenever they go places that have Wendy's, a stop must be made. (I learned of this in July on our drive to Iowa as well.)

The Parent-In-Laws started their trip on a sour note, but made the most of a couple of days off of school. When they got to the airport they found out that their flight to Denver had been canceled completely. The next flight had only 3 available seats, so there was little to no chance they would fly out Friday. Their logical next step? Get gas and drive to Denver! It's only a four-and-a-half hour drive. They got in a bit later, but would not have missed this weekend for anything.

On Saturday we had a pre-baptism party to celebrate because a lot of folks were heading home pretty quickly either by car or airplane. We had a ton of family and friends over, and Abby was awake for part of it. She slept hard this weekend, so we think we might be growth-spurting again. We received some very thoughtful gifts and are once again finding ourselves overwhelmed by the generosity of others.

Note: the next paragraph exists only on Abby's blog:
While I was busily being busy I noticed an eerie quiet came over the entire house, or at least to me. Using my best judgement I went to the nursery to check things out. Sure enough, there stood Anny with her Aunt and Uncle putting the finishing touches on the nursery that I have neglected for five months now. Pictures of that will follow later this week.

The baptism on Sunday was very nice. Abby was a little fussy as our pastor set things up (prayer, congregational questions) but once we handed her over, she was very calm and content. We had practiced putting water on Abby's head so that she was not caught completely off guard and freaked out. It would have been okay if she did, but it was better that she didn't.

When we were not with large groups of people, we spent a lot of quality time with Anny's family with a very relaxed theme. We intentionally did not schedule anything for our time since we had a four year old and two infants to work with. We tried a new restaurant on Sunday since our go-to restaurant closed in June. High marks from all of us!

Monday morning I took the Parent-In-Laws to the airport for their flight/drive home. Just us "kids" hung out until lunch time and we made a quick trip to Ikea! They don't have one in their city and had never been. I know they are looking at remodeling at least a bathroom and there are a ton of deals to be had.

It was a wonderful weekend and we both realize how blessed we are to have that many people that care about us.

She Rolled Over!!

I'm confident it was a pure accident, but Abby rolled over last night while Anny was playing with her on the floor! We've been working on rolling from her belly to her back for a few weeks now. She's almost got it, I think.

But last night while I was typing notes from a meeting on Sunday I heard Anny exclaim "SHE ROLLED OVER!!" She went on to explain that not only had she rolled over, but she rolled from her back to her front!

Such excitement!

I spoke too soon

Not even 24 hours after this post, I was following Abby and Rob's lead with my own stomach issues. Luckily, it didn't last long because we have had far too much to do.

Abby got to see her first high school homecoming football game. Unfortunately, we forgot to bring her a hat and her cheeks got a little pink from being outside so much. Oh, and we lost...

Abby, Rob and I have also had the requisite head cold for the beginning of the school year. So we have learned how much Abby hates the bulb to remove snot. I have explained that I will stop using it as soon as she learns to blow her nose... she and I are still trying to figure out how soon she can learn to do this.

Now we are preparing for Abby's baptism. So many people love her: Nana and Grampa are coming from Wyoming, uncle, aunt and two cousins are coming from St. Louis, Rob's dad is coming from Florida, Gramma and her husband are coming from North Carolina, Great Gramps and great aunt are coming from Delaware, great aunt and great uncle from Virgina, aunt from Virginia and of course, all the local friends and relatives. We will pack our house for a reception and pack the church Sunday morning.

Abby is going to wear her great grampa's baptismal gown. Since he died this summer soon after she was born, I am very excited that it fits her and thankful that so many people will be here to share this occasion.