16 months big!

We skipped over Abby's 15 month old appointment and ended up having a 16 month appointment instead because Dr. Neal was delivering a little one at the time of her 15 month appointment.  So today we went and found out that she is 26.2 lbs small and 33 inches long.  She jumped from the 20th percentile in height at her 1 year appointment to the 75th percentile this go round.  She is also in the 76th percentile for weight as opposed to her 95th percentile she was at this summer.

Abby is getting so big.  She can show us her belly, her nose, ears, head and eyes.  She still only has 4 teeth but a few of them look like they are going to be coming out soon.  She is just getting so big!

Christmas Celebrations

2009 Christmas was a busy time of year....we were going to Baton Rouge for the holiday, Joyce & Dennis were going to Arkansas and to Oklahoma and the Williams family was going skiing so the weekend before Christmas we all got together at The Williams House in Richmond and had our James family Christmas there. Lots of fun things were exchanged and of course we all got our annual underwear and socks from Joyce :)...it isn't a Christmas with out them! The two things I was super excited about: Tracy finally got a jacket that he can wear (other than that Starter jacket) and I got a spa day!!!!! Abby got tons of cute clothes. After presents we all went to Texas Roadhouse for a traditional steak Christmas dinner :) LOL.

Alec unwrapping his socks and underwear!

Katie seemed a little embarrassed when she opened her socks and underwear...she wouldn't let any of us see them.

Dennis wondering where his socks and underwear are

Mom...when do I get socks and underwear?

On Christmas Christmas Eve we left Texas to travel to Louisiana. Our first stop was Lafayette to visit my Cooper, Christy, Hailey and Andrew (brother and family). We got there late and it was pretty much to bed for everyone. On Christmas Eve we were able to spend the whole morning with Hailey and Andrew. Andrew loved playing with Abby...I love that they are so close in age. We ate great gumbo for lunch and helped Hailey make cookies for Santa. Abby came away with a huge wheelbarrow of Mega Blocks.

We left Lafayette after Abby woke up from her nap and went to Baton Rouge. While there we visited Ms Sally and Mr. Aaron and Abby loved just climbing up and down the steps and playing with the big pillows (the same things her mom did when she was a little girl). We then grabbed a shrimp po-boy from Sammy's and went on to Bill and Polly's.

The next morning was.....CHRISTMAS!!!! Abby knew exactly which toys were hers under the tree! She didn't even go for Cam's presents. Santa brought Abby:

* Snow White DVD

* Chatter Elmo

* Doodle Pro

* Crayole Tadoodles

* Little People Legos

* Littple People Airplane

Leonardo Da Vinci, watch out Abigail Lindsey is about to draw!

From mom and dad she got a travel booster feeding chair. We travel so much we thought it would be useful to have.

From Cam, Abby got pajamas...yeah and they are super warm. After we got all dressed, we made the trek to Franklinton to have lunch at Aunt Margarets with her brood. Abby loved playing and seeing all of her cousins. This year, we had added a new cousin to the mix, baby Jax. He was so super tiny (1 month). Most of my mom's side of the family came from the teaching world so Abby got some educational toys (which she loved).

We left Aunt Margarets and went down the road to Uncle James and Aunt Lillian's to see the rest of the cousins and their brood. Needless to say we ate and ate throughout this day. While Abby took a nap, Uncle James and I went out to the cemetary to see mom. It wasn't the same kind of visit I usually have with her (as I felt I couldn't really talk to her or be emotional), but it was nice to see her. We left Franklinton to come back home to Baton Rouge..it had been a long day.

On Saturday, we did nothing during the day and then went to see Lindsey, Nancy Claire, Charles, Nancy, Lisa and Kyle. Of course there was food involved as always at that house. Bill, Polly and Cam came as well so Cam, Abby and Kyle all played together. It was nice to catch up with family. That night we went out to Superior Grill and had some good fun, drinks and food with great friends: Rebecca, Parham (in from NYC) and Jeanne. I love catching up.

On Sunday we went to St. Amant and spent the day (eating of course) with Lori, Kevin and Toni (sister and family). Daddy, Aunt Sue, Uncle Pops and Ms. Bobbie came out too and later that day Christy, Hailey and Andrew visited as well. After Abby went to sleep, we schooled Toni on her new Wii.

On Monday it was the long drive back to Texas. I really hate leaving family.

Abby's Piggies!!!!

So if you have seen my daughter you know that she has some curls on her. No matter what Tracy has tried, the straight hair immediately turns to curls. Well today, Jamie decided to play beauty salon with my daughter. She used the blow dryer to straighten the hair enough to get into two cute little pigtails! Tracy doesn't like them because he says it makes his baby look like a big girl....I will let y'all decide.

15 months big!

My baby girl is now 15 months old! She is getting to be such a big girl...SOOOO BIG! I feel like we are getting close to the terrible twos. She definitely has a temper in her and when she doesn't get something she wants....she definitely lets you know.

She does everything she can to keep her dad and I on our toes, but we love every minute of her. Happy 15 months Abs!

In or out?

Lately Abby's thing is climbing in or out of something. Really it is just anything repetitive (up and down, in and out, standing and sitting, etc).

Below: Sitting in her toy bins

Sarah and Chris Foster babysat Abby for us while we went to the Texas Renaissance Festival and we got out Abby's Zen Chair (it vibrates and plays music) for Max. We got back and the Fosters left and there was the Chair......it entertained Abby for literally hours.

She would put toys in the chair and then climb in it. She would then throw the toys out to see if she could get them without getting out the chair. If she had to get out the chair to get the toys, she would put them back into the chair and climb back in only to throw the toys out again. She would reach down and turn on the music and just laugh. It was several days of amusement and finally we put the Chair up when she wasn't looking one day :).

She does the same thing now with our laps. If we are sitting on the floor she will climb into our lap only to get up again to get more toys and then climb back into our laps. Silly girl!

Thanksgiving and the day after

Thanksgiving this year was not spent at the James's household eating orange salad and lots of other Joyce goodies. Instead, it was spend mostly at the TAMU campus tailgating before the A&M vs t.u. football game.

All of us (Austin, Abby, Tracy and I) went out to tailgate around noon with everyone. Each person brought a holiday dish. We shared our Thanksgiving dinner with the Pucketts, the Fosters, the Puryears, the Beyers, the Schooley/Emerson clan, Kevin, Eddie and others. After we finished dinner the Abbster and I went home so she could relax and take a nap. Tracy and Austin stayed and then went to the game (which we did pretty good in). Abby and I went with the Crocker Garza clan to see the Christmas lights at Central Park. We put Abby in the wagon for the first time and she was not a fan :(.

She got used to it, but tried to get out several times along the way.

I went to bed early that night and then the next morning I got up at 3 a.m. to SHOP!!!!!!!!!! I absolutely love going out shopping the day after Thanksgiving. It is something I have been doing since I was about 4 or 5. It started at Goudchaux's and cracker jacks with mom and now has turned into Sarah and I's tradition. Crockpot joined in this year and we shopped until we dropped. I was home by about noon and talked Tracy and Austin into Casa Ole (hey) for lunch. That afternoon/evening we decorated the tree and house before Austin left the next day.

Our tree we have is the same tree that we used while I was growing up. I believe my parents got it when I was 2 so it is a pretty old tree, but still looks good!

Around the World in a Day!

For the past 2 years, one of our friends has organized a World Fest here in town bringing together many different cultures from around the world. We haven't been able to go in the past, but this year we made the trek out to Wolf Pen to attend the festivities.

I cannot wait until Abby is a little older because she will love all the different activities they have for kids. We had gyros and brats (I know..interesting combo)! They were super yummy.

However...even with all the entertainment, Abby's favorite part was the live camels they had here. She just got a huge kick out of them. She blew bubbles to them and each time she went to pet them she giggled uncontrollably.

Day at the Park

This past Tuesday was a much needed day off for me. With Jamie gone to Las Vegas and Grammy Joyce bowling, someone needed to watch Abby and I happily volunteered :). It was kind of a bad day and I knew I would want some alone time. Tuesday, November 3rd, was the 4th anniversary of my mom's death...and while I should be over it, I always seem to cry at some point during the day. So, it was good for me to be off.

Abby and I started off the day with some snuggling and playing. Then we went and looked at a couple of preschools and then nap time for the Abbster while I worked out, did laundry and took a shower. We then ran some errands and then came back for more naps. After naps we went to the play park at the front of our subdivison. It was about the time Tracy got off work and he met us out there. I put her on the slide for the first time by herself and she loved it. We even did the swings for awhile and she didn't even cry! I think the park will become one of our favorite places.

She's a maniac, maniac on the floor....

For Halloween this year, we went to a fall festival at Grace Bible Church. They had tons of booths and games and of course people dressed up for the festivities. Abby was an 80's exercise chick...think Flashdance. She looked so adorable in her off the shoulder sweatshirt and leg warmers. She definitely didn't know what to think about everyone being dressed up. We met up with Dora and Boots (Ashley and Luke Harris) and saw several other friends while we were there.

For Halloween evening we stayed home because Abby was having some teething issues. She helped to greet the trick or treaters. I couldn't believe how many parents were trick or treating with their under 1 year olds and asking for candy! I couldn't believe it. It is fine to go around with your little child, but until they can eat the food or unless they have an older sibling trick or treating then don't bring your teeny tiny out trick or treating. It just looks silly.

I am ready for next year when the Abbster is older for this. When I get off my lazy bottom I will upload some more pictures.

Teething

So up until about 2 weeks ago, Abby had 2 teeth (her bottom two)...now she has one part of the way up top and 3 bumps on top and 2 on the bottom......can I just say.....I don't like teething :(. My baby girl had no issues with the first two but she is not happy with any of these new ones.

Grisham turns 1

Yesterday we went to help Grisham Anthony Garza celebrate his 1st birthday. Abby was super excited. She didn't know what to do with all the kiddos her age. Grisham was so happy to have hot dogs and cake and ice cream and of course....to open presents :).

The party was at Sue Haswell Park and it was a little windy but other than that it was a perfect day to have an outside party.

I will post some pictures of the birthday boy as soon as I get unlazy and download the pictures.

Saints Go Marching In...

I am soooooooooo happy for the Saints this season. Drew Brees and his crew are kicking some serious butt. They were down by a couple of touchdowns going into half today and they could have let that bother them, but they didn't. They came back and beat the Dolphins. Hopefully they end up back in Miami later in the season :)...wink wink!

Brown Chicken Brown Cow!

Last weekend (yes I know this is behind), was our company cookoff. Our teams theme was Brown Chicken Brown Cow (if you are thinking it then it is probably what we meant). Abby had tons of fun with her BFF Alex jumping (well sort of falling all over the place) in the bounce house.
Our members:
Chris Foster (head chef)
Kyle Ervin
Josh Akin
Daniel Reid
Kevin Henderson
Stacy Puryear
Steve Winningham
Jordan Boyd
Moi

The menu:
Earth, Wind and Pork (mango habanero glazed pork)
Linda Lovelace Chicken (jerk chicken)
Barry White's Beef (wonderful tender meat)
Glazed and Confused (honey glazed sweet potato fries)

The booth:
A mock fireplace with some shag carpeting and pictures of 70's icons

The awards taken home:
2009 Most Creative Theme
2009 Best Chicken/Pork
2009 People's Choice

Need I say more......oh yea...BROWN CHICKEN BROWN COW!!!

Becca's Visit

Last weekend one of my besties, Becca, flew into Baton Rouge from NYC. Since I don't get to see her that often Abby and I drove down to see her. Tracy went dove hunting with the boys.

On Friday we drove to Lafayette to stay with my brother. My nephew Andrew turned 1 the day before and Abby had to see her cousin Andrew and Hailey!

On Saturday, Abby and I drove to Baton Rouge to see Auntie Becca! We dropped Abby off with Polly and Bill and off to the LSU football game we went. It was super hot, but super fun too. We tailgated and scored some pretty amazing tickets from one of our friends. LSU won the game...yay!

On Sunday we spent some time in the morning with Bill, Polly and Cam and then met my sister and Dad for breakfast. Then back to College Station.

It was a short trip, but was great to see everyone. We are going to visit Becca and Parham in NYC next April and I can't wait. Love you Acceber!

Abby turns 1

Above is Abby when she was born and Abby turning 1! My baby's birthday party was on Sunday, September 6th (yes I know it has been awhile and I should have blogged sooner) because Aggie football was on her birthday and we can't interfere with Aggie football!

Abby had her family and friends there to help celebrate. Among the friends were Max (3 months), Ina (11 months), Colin (2 years), Ashley (2.5 years), Luke (1 year), BFF Alex (1 year), Logan (2 months)..............Among family were Grandma and Grandpa James, Aunt Denise and Cousin Katie.


Mister Max enjoying his first ever birthday party!

Ina enjoying the festivities (her 1st birthday is in a couple of weeks)

Ashley and Luke Harris

After munching down on a build your own taco bar, we dove into the gifts. Abby wasn't quite sure what to think about gifts or the wrappers they were in.


Little People legos!


What is in this bag?






Above is Abby opening her Little Einstein Rocket...she loved it and then daddy took it away to the other room...see below for her reaction!


After opening all the wonderful presents, it was time for cake. I have not let Abby eat any cake because I wanted this to be her first experience with it. She seemed to like it a lot. We had to rush her immediately to the bathtub. After her bath, I had to let the tub soak so it could get the pink icing out :).



These were the cakes for the adults. They were ice cream cakes. One was chocolate chip with devils food cake and the other was pralines and cream with wedding cake.




It was a fun day and she was completely tuckered out after the festivities!