Tomorrow!

I am officially 12 hours away from finding out if we are having another beautiful little girl or a baby boy.  Oh wait?  You didn't know I'm half way through my pregnancy?  :)  Yes, I've kept very quiet for a couple reasons.  1, I miscarried last summer and was more tentative to get to the "safe" zone.  2, when I got to pregnancy safe zone my company announced a renewal project that left all of our jobs up in the air.  As a career woman, I preferred to get through the transition and meet my new leadership team as a contributor and not a maternity leave.  No, it shouldn't matter but I'm not one who typically likes to find out the hard way.

I put Abney to bed tonight and we had a long talk about how thankful I am for the time we've had together.  I am elated to have another baby and for Abney to finally get a sibling, but it will certainly be an adjustment to share my attention but oh the joy of having and giving twice as much love!  While I've already been pregnant for 4 1/2 months, it always feels more "real" to me once I know a little more about who the little person is I am carrying inside of me.

I've been dreaming and want both a boy and a girl equally so I'm really excited to find out which one!  With Miss A we had a false positive on her nuchal exam so I knew by 13 weeks that she was my little lady.  With this little bean all the tests have been fine which of course makes me VERY happy, but now I've already gone over a month longer not knowing.  How on earth do people wait the full 40 weeks to find out!?!!?

Your room has been emptied and the walls are just waiting to be primed for your color.  I am VERY excited to head to The Home Depot this weekend and start picking out what that color will be.  I have to admit, I resisted pink with Abney so if you are a girl you may be doomed to a totally pink and totally outrageous room. You can really only expect me to control myself so much. :)

During my last ultrasound I was very surprised by all the movement!  You were playing with your little fingers and sort of dancing around.  I cannot wait to see you tomorrow and to see how much you've grown and how active you will be.  And in just a few short months I will get to hold you in my arms and rock you safely to sleep.

So thankful for my blessings.

He is Listening

About ten minutes after my last post I put down my computer and sat back to watch TV with Ben.  Out of nowhere Ben says, "I'm getting Abney up early tomorrow so she can spend time with you."  I looked at him slightly bewildered.  I felt exposed like he had been reading over my shoulder or just read my post...yes, I realize I post this on the WWW and that means ANYONE can read it but it was so automatic it scared me!  Ben hadn't read my post, hadn't been over my shoulder, and the thought really just came to him.  He said I'm missing out because she is so much fun in the morning and he wants me to get a chance to experience before I head off to work. (It's been a long week and I did need some cheering.)

Who would have thought that at 6:30 the next morning, a full hour before she normally arises with help, that my little one would be standing in our door way.  Full of smiles, morning cuddles and songs was Miss Abney.  Ben and I were still lazily in bed and I was able to spend a few minutes with her before getting ready and spending almost an entire hour giggling and helping each other get ready. It was awesome.

I say He is listening because while 100 people or 0 people may have read this by now, it really felt like God had taken a peek at my little blog prayer and answered it.  Thank you.

Sweet Dreams

Many days I leave for work without getting to see, speak, or hug my baby girl.  It is probably the part of Atlanta I dislike most because I need to leave early in order to beat the traffic and not have my day eaten away.  And when I'm being diligent with my trainings and workouts I leave REALLY early!!! :)  Some days if I have to work late I may go the entire day without seeing my girl even though I didn't leave town.  It's the worst, but I love my work and it's part of the gig here in ATL.
Why all this?  To give you a little background for future reference for why putting you to bed means SOOOOOOO much to me!!!  It is pretty much my favorite part of the day.  We read stories together, which has gotten really fun because now instead of really reading we go through the books and I have you point out shapes, colors, different animals, and we often review the sounds those animals make.  You're so very smart.  Maybe a little too smart at times since our neighbors (UF graduates) have taught you the "gator chomp."  Every time we point out an alligator you immediately start the chomp! LOL
After our books we turn off the lights, snuggle up to each other and sing.  Sometimes we sing together, sometimes you sing to me, and sometimes I sing to you.  Often times you pick out the songs for us and even if we sing A, B, C's three times in a row it never gets old for either of us.  I love looking into your eyes and holding you closely.  I know this time is precious and fleeting, as even in the past two years you have gone form a little nugget that fit on my chest to a sweet toddler who sings with me and can no longer fit just on my chest.
One day I am going to put you to bed and you will realize how embarrassing my singing voice is and ask me just to stop singing.  One day you will no longer fit in my lap and snuggling will be few and far between.  But today, today you are still my baby and I want to savor and eat up every good night kiss I can.
All the sweetest dreams to you my love.

Abney Beethoven

Today was an incredibly special day.  Not only did we have lots of fun home in Kentucky with Nana and Sallie, but today you created your first song.  Oh yes, you are my child and I have never been so proud!  Video to come:

Hello, how are you
Hello, how are you
Hello, how are you
I am doing fine!

Work in Progress :)

"If we've done our job adequately, our children should leave our homes with a love that is secure, a purpose that is significant, and a hope that is strong."

25 Months

Everyone says it, "they grow up so fast!" But oh my goodness you are growing up so fast!!!!

Last night you went to sleep in your first big girl bed.  This is a day I have been excited for but fearful of for some time.  How would I know you were okay?  Would you be scared?  Who would cry more, me or you?  In order to be prepared Daddy set the big girl bed up next to your crib so you could get used to it and take time transitioning.  You walked in, giggled with delight and were ready to start that instant.  You also kindly demanded that we remove your crib from your room...

You went to bed easily and like a true big girl.  The only difference is you requested a night light and we brought in your snuggly turtle that puts stars on the ceiling.  Mommy checked on you about 40 minutes after you went down and you were sound asleep and had pulled the turtle in bed with you.  Cutest.thing.ever.  Your mommy and daddy were so proud of you but then got slightly neurotic and decided we need the video monitor in your room just in case.

Daddy "snuck" in and installed it and within a few minutes you were wide awake screaming because there was a scary blue light in your room.  Ah, if only we had left well enough alone. :)

I know I have been VERY bad about updating your blog and keeping up with all the fun and exciting things we have done this year.  I promise to try to do a better job but will say I have been working on "Dear Daughter" for you instead.  You are my sunshine, big girl.

Life is Sweet

My little angel,
Last night has got to be one of my favorites we've had together.  After a difficult week for Mommy, we got to spend a long day of pretty much just the two of us.  We've been fortunate to have lots of visitors so we were a little sad to be alone at first.  We said good-bye to cousin Amanda and our new friend Alex, Nana Bird, and then Daddy, Papa and Grandma were off for the day.

You and I packed in the car and headed over to KangaZoom to get some much needed bounce time!  It has been a few months since we have been over there and boy had we both missed it.  We must have gone down the 50 ft. slide at least 50 times! :)  I was so impressed with how much you've grown and your independence.  You are now even able to climb up the slide by yourself!  See below picture from our second trip we took to Kanga later that day with Papa and Grandma.

It's crazy to think that this time last year you weren't even walking yet and now you are RUNNING through KangaZoom and climbing all by yourself.  You are growing up so fast and as always, the more I get to know you the more I love you.  We are so blessed and so grateful to have you in our lives.

One side note on running is just how cute you are when you run.  It is a cross between running, hopping, skipping, and bouncing, that is totally unique and so you!  I forgot to bring the flip yesterday but will be getting footage to share because everyone needs to see just how cute you are.  My little star.

To top off a great day with exercise and all that running, we decided to treat ourselves to Carvel and dinner at Twisted Taco.  Papa treated us and you LOVED it!  We were seated in a booth inside a jail cell at TT which was really cool.  You insisted on sitting in a booster seat so you could be close to your Papa.  He seemed to have just as much fun as you did but without crunching up quite as many chips on the booth.

The trip to Carvel is what marks one of my favorite parts of the day because it was your first time to an ice cream parlour.  Carvel is one of my all-time favorite places to go and is the place my Daddy took me after every successful swim lesson.  While we didn't swim, we both needed a sweet treat.  What did we learn?

1.  Abney needs her own bowl and own spoon.
2. Abney does not like jimmies as much as her Mommy.
3. Abney LOVES whip cream and chocolate syrup.

Summer never tasted so sweet.