This first full five days of work were really difficult. Difficult for me, for Ben, and for Abney. Today the three of us went to lunch and discussed how we are going to make this work better in the future. We have a good plan and are putting it into action this week. Last week I had an extremely important business call that turned out well. It took a lot of work to get ready for mostly because I have been out of the loop and am playing catch up during a busy time of year. I feel like I am finally somewhat caught up and have laid out my priorities for the upcoming weeks. I guess I didn't do as good of a job balancing my work and life before maternity as I thought I did. Now having Abney around, she makes it clear where I am missing and what I need to focus on more. I'm not sure how well our new plan will work but we are at least going to try and if it doesn't work try a new plan. We both love what we do and we love our family more than anything. We are working as a team to figure out how to do both parts of our lives the best way we can. :)
Let's put it this way...Abney's three month birthday has passed and I didn't get her picture taken let alone posted. But I did go to work between 6-6:30 almost every day, worked through lunch, and was home after 6:30 each night. Yep, need to work on my time management.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Frustration Station-January 27th
Today is the first day I attempted working from home in hopes of being able to capitalize on the hours gained by not commuting and not having to go to the "nursing room" to get more done and be able to quit around 4-4:30. So at 6:00 this morning I started working and when it was 6:00 tonight I was about ready to jump off the back porch. AAAH!!!!! I'm lucky Ben was able to work from home today too so we could tag team Abney and attend to her needs. If I had tried to do all my work and take the full baby duty I think I really would have lost my mind.
The mass amount of work for this time of year plus my largest account threatening to switch to my competitor on top of the catch up from being out...Yeah, I'm WAY behind and it seems no matter how many hours I put in I still look at my To Do List and feel defeated. :( I know it will get better but the frustration level today is high. I would feel this way even if it was this time last year but now every minute I work overtime I think of every minute I lose with my baby girl. At least when I'm home I can look up and see her sweet face even if only for a moment before looking back down at my spreadsheet. Ah, sigh.
My original intentions were to try to lay down the law up front and leave at 4:00 so I could make my time commitments clear. Now only four days in that has gone completely out the window. Even getting to the office at 6:30a.m. and working through lunch is still not enough. I can see now why so many mothers who return to work give up after only a few months. It makes you feel like you are burning the candle at both ends of the stick and that no one is getting their fair share of you. Whether it is my Abney, my dogs, my husband, my family, my friends...myself...there just do not seem to be enough hours in the day. I knew I was going to be up against this challenge and I knew it would be difficult. I'm not sure yet how it works but I am determined to figure it out within the next six months (i.e. before the threat that Abney will have any recollection). Anyone with good suggestions or an already established timetable that works I'd love to hear!!!
It's not all doom and gloom but like my title says, I'm just frustrated. On a happier note, Sallie is moving back in with us for a while and I'm so excited because having the people I love at home makes it much easier to spend time with them. Nana is here one more day and then leaves while Gramps comes to town, which is so fun having both of them coming back and forth. Abney's daycare not being open yet has actually been so nice for us to get to have extra time with some of the grands.
Tomorrow is another day and I am going to try to find more ways to better manage my time and work load so I can be home at a reasonable hour so I can exercise and play with all my loves. Wish me luck. :)
The mass amount of work for this time of year plus my largest account threatening to switch to my competitor on top of the catch up from being out...Yeah, I'm WAY behind and it seems no matter how many hours I put in I still look at my To Do List and feel defeated. :( I know it will get better but the frustration level today is high. I would feel this way even if it was this time last year but now every minute I work overtime I think of every minute I lose with my baby girl. At least when I'm home I can look up and see her sweet face even if only for a moment before looking back down at my spreadsheet. Ah, sigh.
My original intentions were to try to lay down the law up front and leave at 4:00 so I could make my time commitments clear. Now only four days in that has gone completely out the window. Even getting to the office at 6:30a.m. and working through lunch is still not enough. I can see now why so many mothers who return to work give up after only a few months. It makes you feel like you are burning the candle at both ends of the stick and that no one is getting their fair share of you. Whether it is my Abney, my dogs, my husband, my family, my friends...myself...there just do not seem to be enough hours in the day. I knew I was going to be up against this challenge and I knew it would be difficult. I'm not sure yet how it works but I am determined to figure it out within the next six months (i.e. before the threat that Abney will have any recollection). Anyone with good suggestions or an already established timetable that works I'd love to hear!!!
It's not all doom and gloom but like my title says, I'm just frustrated. On a happier note, Sallie is moving back in with us for a while and I'm so excited because having the people I love at home makes it much easier to spend time with them. Nana is here one more day and then leaves while Gramps comes to town, which is so fun having both of them coming back and forth. Abney's daycare not being open yet has actually been so nice for us to get to have extra time with some of the grands.
Tomorrow is another day and I am going to try to find more ways to better manage my time and work load so I can be home at a reasonable hour so I can exercise and play with all my loves. Wish me luck. :)
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Back to Work
I have officially made it through my first week back to work. Thankfully it was only a three day week! Note to self: if I ever have a child over the weekend or on a Monday to plan to take vacation days so I do not have to start with full week. Over all, the week went well and in some ways I am thankful to be back but it was certainly difficult. It is pretty much like having to adjust all over again; like Abney and I had our routine down and it was going great and now we have to figure it out again. I will try to give a brief synopsis of the week.
DAY 1, Wednesday, January 20th
Mom arrived the night before and settled in with her girls. It made it a little easier knowing I will be leaving Abney for more than a couple hours because she will be with her Nana. I have been worried about how I will get through an entire day without Abney after never being away from her for more than a couple of hours.
I was pleasantly surprised when it was already time for lunch with my girlfriends and I had not cried or called my mom to check in. In fact, I made it all the way through the day with no tears and feeling pretty good. Catching up with all my friends and very busy with all the work on my desk. Feeling lighthearted the clock struck the magic hour of 4:00 and I packed up and headed anxiously to my car. It was difficult to make sure I left on time and not spend hours working over time, but I packed up my bags and said it was time to go. I got to my car, I turned on the ignition, I called my Mommy and I started bawling. I cried all the way home.
When I got home I grabbed Abney and took her in my arms, after a few moments she realized it was me and started crying too. As my wise, childhood psychology graduate student best friend told me, at this age they have not yet developed object permanency. She can be fine without me because she doesn't really know to miss me, but once I enter the room she realizes she wants me. It was definitely what was happening because it wasn't even a real cry it was more of a complaint. It warmed my heart but slightly broke it to think how much we both missed each other.
When I left that morning, Abney was still asleep and I decided not to wake her so she could try to keep her regular routine as much as possible. Looking back I had not touched my baby since 8:30 the night before and I decided that was way too long without her and that for the next day I would try to feed her before I left so we could at least get one good hug before I head to work.
Day 2
We did wake up Abney so that I could see her and that certainly helped. I also brought her pictures to work (how I forgot them the first day I will never know...) and a piece of her clothing with her scent. Okay, so I know that sounds really strange but as a food source it is important that my body feels she is near in any way I can make it work. So we did sight with pictures, sound with recording on my phone, and smell with the clothes. Yep, crazy but it works. :)
I got through the day again but as soon as I got in the car I started crying. While busy I could look at her picture and be fine, but as soon as I was close to getting back to my girl it REALLY hit me. I guess the object permanency theory works both ways. LOL My key learning was to target working from home at least one day a week especially while nursing.
Day 3
T.G.I.F. I made it the whole week, well at least three days. I cried again on my way home and the only thing that made me feel better was taking Abney in my arms and holding her as close to me as possible. Sallie wrote a really sweet note on my facebook wall about me being an inspiration as a working women and mom. I posted it in my cube and use it as my constant reminder for why I go every day. I do enjoy what I do for living, and LOVE the people I work with and the products we stand behind. But the real reason I work is to provide what I can for my family and to show my daughter and future children that it can be done. As the poster with Smurfette says, "Girls Can do Anything."
DAY 1, Wednesday, January 20th
Mom arrived the night before and settled in with her girls. It made it a little easier knowing I will be leaving Abney for more than a couple hours because she will be with her Nana. I have been worried about how I will get through an entire day without Abney after never being away from her for more than a couple of hours.
I was pleasantly surprised when it was already time for lunch with my girlfriends and I had not cried or called my mom to check in. In fact, I made it all the way through the day with no tears and feeling pretty good. Catching up with all my friends and very busy with all the work on my desk. Feeling lighthearted the clock struck the magic hour of 4:00 and I packed up and headed anxiously to my car. It was difficult to make sure I left on time and not spend hours working over time, but I packed up my bags and said it was time to go. I got to my car, I turned on the ignition, I called my Mommy and I started bawling. I cried all the way home.
When I got home I grabbed Abney and took her in my arms, after a few moments she realized it was me and started crying too. As my wise, childhood psychology graduate student best friend told me, at this age they have not yet developed object permanency. She can be fine without me because she doesn't really know to miss me, but once I enter the room she realizes she wants me. It was definitely what was happening because it wasn't even a real cry it was more of a complaint. It warmed my heart but slightly broke it to think how much we both missed each other.
When I left that morning, Abney was still asleep and I decided not to wake her so she could try to keep her regular routine as much as possible. Looking back I had not touched my baby since 8:30 the night before and I decided that was way too long without her and that for the next day I would try to feed her before I left so we could at least get one good hug before I head to work.
Day 2
We did wake up Abney so that I could see her and that certainly helped. I also brought her pictures to work (how I forgot them the first day I will never know...) and a piece of her clothing with her scent. Okay, so I know that sounds really strange but as a food source it is important that my body feels she is near in any way I can make it work. So we did sight with pictures, sound with recording on my phone, and smell with the clothes. Yep, crazy but it works. :)
I got through the day again but as soon as I got in the car I started crying. While busy I could look at her picture and be fine, but as soon as I was close to getting back to my girl it REALLY hit me. I guess the object permanency theory works both ways. LOL My key learning was to target working from home at least one day a week especially while nursing.
Day 3
T.G.I.F. I made it the whole week, well at least three days. I cried again on my way home and the only thing that made me feel better was taking Abney in my arms and holding her as close to me as possible. Sallie wrote a really sweet note on my facebook wall about me being an inspiration as a working women and mom. I posted it in my cube and use it as my constant reminder for why I go every day. I do enjoy what I do for living, and LOVE the people I work with and the products we stand behind. But the real reason I work is to provide what I can for my family and to show my daughter and future children that it can be done. As the poster with Smurfette says, "Girls Can do Anything."
Monday, January 18, 2010
Meeting Merci
This weekend we had Steve, Ginger, and Merci visit us for the first time and meet Abney. We were all very excited for the two girls to meet as they will become fast friends. Merci gave me one of the best compliments by saying Abney's room is like a wonderland. I certainly like to think so and hope that as Abney grows up that she will appreciate it and it meant a lot to have someone with impeccable young lady taste say it is a job well done.Ginger is my first cousin and we both marvelled over how much our girls look alike. When I compare Abney's pictures to other family members it is really Merci's baby pictures that she bears the most resemblance. Clearly we picked good men to mate with! Ginger is also the one who helped me land on naming our girl. Friends had suggested it to me in the past but I was really on the fence. When we were watching an Emory game together last September, Ginger told me I was crazy if I didn't use it and it sort of landed us on it after that. I went home and thought, she is right. When I was a little girl I used to wish people called me by my middle name Abney so clearly it must be good.
Merci gave Abney her own "Little E" as a welcome present and was teaching Abney the importance while she was over. Mer has her own Little E that is her favorite and we know Abney will love her toy just as much. This picture below is Abney with her E and I cannot get over how much some of her facial expressions look like me. She is my baby girl for sure! :)
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Small Changes
So I finally did it. We moved Abney's bassinet away from my hip by the bed and closer to the door. It has been weighing on my mind for a few weeks as something I knew I needed to do but just was not ready. We tried a few nights ago and the moment I turned around and looked at Ben I burst into tears. I was still not ready to be away from her at all, and decided I didn't have to do that just yet and pushed the bassinet close to our bed as usual.
The next day after the doctor told us how healthy and "perfect" (I love a good doctor that smoozes you), our Abney is I started thinking to myself that I really want to keep her on this track. She is going to have to move to her own room eventually so I need to start making the baby steps now. I'm happy to report that the past two nights she has slept soundly in her bassinet but near the door and not right next to the bed. I have also behaved myself with no tears and not getting out of bed obsessively to check on her. I'm thankful she is not aware of what a ninny I'm being right now so hopefully it will not affect her developing into a beautiful independent woman.
Each step is so exciting for the child but clearly difficult for the mom. It was difficult that first week when she was no longer in my protective womb and other people were holding her. Once she started sleeping more it was so difficult to put her in her bassinet and not have her in my arms. Now I'm slowly moving her bed away from me, which will eventually move her into her own crib in her own room. And one day we will spend all day at Ikea picking out her toddler bed and bedding, and then her big girl bed, and then her college dorm, and then her first apartment...Can you blame me for wanting to keep her as close to me as possible for just a little longer?
She and her Daddy (and the boys) are still snoozing soundly upstairs and I am downstairs finishing my first cup of coffee. Ben has the day off and we are going to Ikea today but to pick up a new desk for my home office and hopefully get it all set up so I can plan to work from home at least one day a week. And yes, I stopped typing to daydream about how we can later set it up as a schoolroom so that after work and after school Abney and I can play teacher with each other and her siblings. (Sallie and Nana, am I me or what?) Well I guess I should fill up my coffee mug and wake up my crew. I want to enjoy every minute I can my last week of maternity leave. Thank you everyone for your continued prayers and support, we could not do it without you.
The next day after the doctor told us how healthy and "perfect" (I love a good doctor that smoozes you), our Abney is I started thinking to myself that I really want to keep her on this track. She is going to have to move to her own room eventually so I need to start making the baby steps now. I'm happy to report that the past two nights she has slept soundly in her bassinet but near the door and not right next to the bed. I have also behaved myself with no tears and not getting out of bed obsessively to check on her. I'm thankful she is not aware of what a ninny I'm being right now so hopefully it will not affect her developing into a beautiful independent woman.
Each step is so exciting for the child but clearly difficult for the mom. It was difficult that first week when she was no longer in my protective womb and other people were holding her. Once she started sleeping more it was so difficult to put her in her bassinet and not have her in my arms. Now I'm slowly moving her bed away from me, which will eventually move her into her own crib in her own room. And one day we will spend all day at Ikea picking out her toddler bed and bedding, and then her big girl bed, and then her college dorm, and then her first apartment...Can you blame me for wanting to keep her as close to me as possible for just a little longer?
She and her Daddy (and the boys) are still snoozing soundly upstairs and I am downstairs finishing my first cup of coffee. Ben has the day off and we are going to Ikea today but to pick up a new desk for my home office and hopefully get it all set up so I can plan to work from home at least one day a week. And yes, I stopped typing to daydream about how we can later set it up as a schoolroom so that after work and after school Abney and I can play teacher with each other and her siblings. (Sallie and Nana, am I me or what?) Well I guess I should fill up my coffee mug and wake up my crew. I want to enjoy every minute I can my last week of maternity leave. Thank you everyone for your continued prayers and support, we could not do it without you.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Two Months...
"Look at her, she's perfect," that's what her Daddy just said as he walked past her this morning. My feelings are exactly the same. She is in this great stage where she smiles and interacts with us and still loves her Mommy the MOST!(Which I absolutely 100% love, love, love). As the fabulous book says she is, "entering what might be considered the golden age of babyhood-a period of several enchanted months when good humor reigns during the day, more sleep is happening at night, and independent mobility has yet to be achieved (which means you baby will continue to stay pretty much where you put her, limiting mischief and mayhem; enjoy this while it lasts)." So far we have been enjoying it very much.
We did not however enjoy our two month check up at the doctor. I begged Ben to come with us to serve as morale support for me; afraid my fear of needles and anything that hurts my baby girl would overcome me. Thankfully, she was quite the trooper and was calm by the time we left the office and I somehow managed to make it through without tears. Since the visit though, she had a slight fever and has been pukey and uncomfortable. It hasn't been totally delightful but I'm thankful for the small reaction. One of the shots Abney received is the same one given to me at the hospital that caused painful swelling. How on earth you would comfort a two month old with that I have no idea. I could barely tolerate it myself!
I had hoped to be in New Orleans right now visiting her Fairy Godmother but with the doctor and reactions we have just not been able to get ourselves together. :( Luckily we will be there in a few short weeks to celebrate Valentine's Day and Mardi Gras once again. Ben and I are planning to make it a nice long weekend so we can really take in the city and parades again. It has been WAY too long since our last visit.
Speaking of way too long, it has been way too long between my posts! I'm trying to keep up and hopefully set aside the same time each day to capture what is happening. We have just been running around too much and usually when I get a free minute I either want to sleep or take a shower. LOL I'm hoping that having more time for showers and maybe my computer will be benefits to going back to work. I only have six days left before I have to get back in the saddle and I'm trying to stay positive and optimistic by focusing on the parts I'm looking forward to...but let's be honest...I am going to hate not being able to hold, smile, and cuddle with my baby girl whenever I want. We have been fairly inseparable for the past few months and I have forgotten how to be without her. Any advice is greatly appreciated!
Saturday, January 9, 2010
First Snow
Abney got to play in her first snow! Mommy and Abney came back to Kentucky for Mommy's laser appointment and to visit with friends while still on maternity leave. We were so excited to wake up the next morning and find a big snow storm. Abney didn't quite have the right attire for winter wonderland but we took a few minutes to go outside and enjoy the snow. She was happy except when the snowflakes fell on her little eyes.
By next winter she will be full force playing in the snow and hopefully her Daddy will be with her to help sled down the hill. We are having fun just us girls but we certainly miss all our boys.
Monday, January 4, 2010
I'm the Tortoise
On Abney's two month birthday I started to jog again. It is more a trot and takes at least three sports bras to accomplish but the great news is I'm doing it! It has been a little over a week and I can already run a bit faster and for longer stints at a time. I cannot believe just how difficult it is to get back to where I was this time last year but I've learned to literally take it one step at a time. The day after delivery it took me probably twenty minutes to walk up and down the hospital hallway once and now I can walk my whole neighborhood again with no trouble. I guess when you look at it that way I am rapidly recovering from delivery but just still have a way to go before I'm totally me again.
My sights are set on being able to train with my Team in Training and more importantly being able to keep up with Abney when she starts moving. She is so ready to move on her own I don't think I have too much longer! She changes every day and every day I'm amazed to find I continue to love her even more than the day before. I think God designs your heart to grow even bigger after having a child to make room. She makes every day better and makes me wonder how long I can really wait before I want to give her another brother or a sister (yes she already has two brothers remember).
I'm also thankful for my loving husband who is helping me put my health and fitness back in top priority. Without him giving me the time to get out and run I would never make progress. Today he is taking me to the Big Peach to get new shoes since this pair is nearly a year old. We are also going to get my posture reassessed in case I need different support post-partum. I wonder if "new shoes" will be Abney's first words after Mama and Dada too?
My sights are set on being able to train with my Team in Training and more importantly being able to keep up with Abney when she starts moving. She is so ready to move on her own I don't think I have too much longer! She changes every day and every day I'm amazed to find I continue to love her even more than the day before. I think God designs your heart to grow even bigger after having a child to make room. She makes every day better and makes me wonder how long I can really wait before I want to give her another brother or a sister (yes she already has two brothers remember).
I'm also thankful for my loving husband who is helping me put my health and fitness back in top priority. Without him giving me the time to get out and run I would never make progress. Today he is taking me to the Big Peach to get new shoes since this pair is nearly a year old. We are also going to get my posture reassessed in case I need different support post-partum. I wonder if "new shoes" will be Abney's first words after Mama and Dada too?
Friday, January 1, 2010
Catching Up...
Today is January 1, 2010. 2010!? Outside of the annoyance I find every time I hear someone say "oh-ten" to refer to the year, it looks to be an amazing year so far. It is 9:30 and Abney and Daddy are both sound asleep upstairs with the boys while I sit on our comfy couch next to the fire with a warm cup of coffee. If that is not an amazing way to start the year I'm not sure what is!
I'm so behind on putting up posts from the holidays that I decided to just say forget it and try to capture bits and pieces as I go. We have pictures and videos that I am going to try to figure out as soon as possible. I may buy a new computer just to make it happen because I have four years of footage that needs to be shared. The video of me doing the Wii hula hoop may just be the most embarrassing moment in my life but it is simply hysterical. One of those moments you wish wasn't you so you could be laughing with someone instead of at yourself. LOL Anyway...the point is on days like today when it is the start of something new, it tends to make me reflect on where I have been.
If you had told me ten years ago when I woke up on January 1, 2000, probably with a hangover in Seth's or Kenny's basement (I can't remember but we were either there or at Whitney's 90% of the time)...if you had told me that I would be where I am today I'm not sure what I would say. I have been so blessed in my life that I never would have imagined how many more blessings would come to me. To have a great job where I can be myself and know I can depend on my co-workers as friends and not just cube-mates. Living in a neighborhood that feels like we just have houses now instead of dorm rooms because we are so tightly knit and have such a great time together. And to be back in Atlanta (third round) with both Ben and my cousins, aunts, uncles, and my Sallie, which has always been a dream of mine to have extended family nearby...at least for Atlanta standards they are nearby.
Okay so now it is almost 24 hours later because of course, once I started on the blog it was time for everyone else to wake up and the day escaped me. That's okay because it is more fun to be typing this with my boys flanking me and my baby girl nestled in the boppy smiling and cooing at me. Because where I was going to continue is that not only do I have all the aforementioned parts of my life, a great family and the best friends in the world...but now I have her. She is so perfect and amazing that I still look at her sometimes and ask if she is real. It doesn't seem possible for someone this wonderful to not be a figment of my imagination.
Her smile makes my heart melt just like the books said it would. I said all I wanted for Christmas was to see her real smile and she gave it to me. It is absolutely perfect. She is very elusive when I pull out the camera but here is a glimpse of her smiling at me on her drive to Cincinnati to celebrate Christmas with the extended Buerger and Heiberg family.
After Grandma's we went to our hotel to clean up before heading to the Buerger side. This is the closest to a family picture we got because I forgot to ask for one of all of us while we were there.
We had a great time playing cards and seeing family but were sad because Ben's parents were not there with us. Luckily we did get to see them before Abney and I returned to Atlanta. How great is this picture?
We spent Christmas day at the Whitton house playing with Nana and Sallie. We opened lots of wonderful presents including a Pandora bracelet for Abney that I get to wear until she is older. Ironically, Nana picked out the exact same charm to represent Abney on this bracelet as I picked out to represent Abney on Aunt Sallie's bracelet! With all the hundreds of charms I looked through it is clear that a big heart is what Nana and Mommy see most when they see Abney.
Overall it was a great end to 2009 and another wonderful decade. I cannot wait to see what 2010 has in store as we watch Abney grow and enjoy more time together. I'm sure she will never remember this holiday season but based on the way she was relaxing in the hotel on Christmas morning I think it is safe to say she was happy. :)
I'm so behind on putting up posts from the holidays that I decided to just say forget it and try to capture bits and pieces as I go. We have pictures and videos that I am going to try to figure out as soon as possible. I may buy a new computer just to make it happen because I have four years of footage that needs to be shared. The video of me doing the Wii hula hoop may just be the most embarrassing moment in my life but it is simply hysterical. One of those moments you wish wasn't you so you could be laughing with someone instead of at yourself. LOL Anyway...the point is on days like today when it is the start of something new, it tends to make me reflect on where I have been.
If you had told me ten years ago when I woke up on January 1, 2000, probably with a hangover in Seth's or Kenny's basement (I can't remember but we were either there or at Whitney's 90% of the time)...if you had told me that I would be where I am today I'm not sure what I would say. I have been so blessed in my life that I never would have imagined how many more blessings would come to me. To have a great job where I can be myself and know I can depend on my co-workers as friends and not just cube-mates. Living in a neighborhood that feels like we just have houses now instead of dorm rooms because we are so tightly knit and have such a great time together. And to be back in Atlanta (third round) with both Ben and my cousins, aunts, uncles, and my Sallie, which has always been a dream of mine to have extended family nearby...at least for Atlanta standards they are nearby.
Okay so now it is almost 24 hours later because of course, once I started on the blog it was time for everyone else to wake up and the day escaped me. That's okay because it is more fun to be typing this with my boys flanking me and my baby girl nestled in the boppy smiling and cooing at me. Because where I was going to continue is that not only do I have all the aforementioned parts of my life, a great family and the best friends in the world...but now I have her. She is so perfect and amazing that I still look at her sometimes and ask if she is real. It doesn't seem possible for someone this wonderful to not be a figment of my imagination.
Her smile makes my heart melt just like the books said it would. I said all I wanted for Christmas was to see her real smile and she gave it to me. It is absolutely perfect. She is very elusive when I pull out the camera but here is a glimpse of her smiling at me on her drive to Cincinnati to celebrate Christmas with the extended Buerger and Heiberg family.
She stared at me for quite a while on the drive until she fell sound asleep. Nothing makes you feel more beautiful than your daughter staring at you pleased as punch.
When we got to the Natti we visited with Grandma Ruth and had a yummy lunch before we laid down for a nap. Grandma was so excited to see how much Abney had grown and I was excited to take a long nap in my sweats.
After Grandma's we went to our hotel to clean up before heading to the Buerger side. This is the closest to a family picture we got because I forgot to ask for one of all of us while we were there.
We had a great time playing cards and seeing family but were sad because Ben's parents were not there with us. Luckily we did get to see them before Abney and I returned to Atlanta. How great is this picture?
We spent Christmas day at the Whitton house playing with Nana and Sallie. We opened lots of wonderful presents including a Pandora bracelet for Abney that I get to wear until she is older. Ironically, Nana picked out the exact same charm to represent Abney on this bracelet as I picked out to represent Abney on Aunt Sallie's bracelet! With all the hundreds of charms I looked through it is clear that a big heart is what Nana and Mommy see most when they see Abney.Overall it was a great end to 2009 and another wonderful decade. I cannot wait to see what 2010 has in store as we watch Abney grow and enjoy more time together. I'm sure she will never remember this holiday season but based on the way she was relaxing in the hotel on Christmas morning I think it is safe to say she was happy. :)
Our first "Mommy and Me"
One of the parts I miss most about Kentucky is that some of the girls I have known since I was eleven! While we were home for the break we got a chance to see almost everyone and introduce Abney. Our first was at a little "Mommy and Me" play date with Abby and her two girls Anna and Celia, and Claire with her two girls Keegan and Fiona. The two older girls are about six months apart from one another in age, and the younger girls are all within a month of each other. It was so fun to see all the girls interacting! The older girls were loving on the babies and really enjoying one another. And the little girls were so cute when they were next to each other. This was the first time Abney had really been around children and definitely the first time seeing kids her age up close.
It was really neat for me to be with my girlfriends and watch them interact with their girls. It is crazy how similar the noises are that come out of the babies even though it was clear to me which noises were coming from my girl. The cooing from three at a time was almost too much to resist. I thought I grabbed a picture of the three of them on the floor together but it must be video only...and I'm still having technical difficulties with downloading. Here is a picture of all the ladies from the day, definitely a hand full!
It was really neat for me to be with my girlfriends and watch them interact with their girls. It is crazy how similar the noises are that come out of the babies even though it was clear to me which noises were coming from my girl. The cooing from three at a time was almost too much to resist. I thought I grabbed a picture of the three of them on the floor together but it must be video only...and I'm still having technical difficulties with downloading. Here is a picture of all the ladies from the day, definitely a hand full!
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