Tired.

Olivia was doing super in her bed... until about 4 days ago.

About the same time Abigail started SLEEPING ALL NIGHT. And I don't just mean 4-5 hours, I mean like, 9 or 10pm - 6am, or even yesterday until 7am!

Imagine the sleep I'd be getting if it wasn't for Olivia. She's now back to wanting to be held until she falls asleep. Then if she wakes up in the middle of the night, instead of just softly whining in her bed like she did the first week, she's out of her bed and in our room. Fortunately the past two nights she only did this once, and I took her back in her room, laid her in her bed and pat her back until she was back to sleep. And this only took 3, or 4 minutes both times. So guess that's okay, but still interupted my sleep. Last night was a doosey. I didn't get to bed until midnight. Olivia was in our room crying at 1am. Got her and myself back to sleep by 1:30. Then she was up again at 5:00. I tried to get her back to sleep. Even took her in our bed and hoped she'd fall asleep. NOPE. So here I am at 6:44am blogging about it. She's miserable. Blah. I guess I should be grateful at least I'm not getting up for feedings between Olivia wakings, but all I can think is the sleep I'm missing. Do you have any idea how long it's been since I've gotten 6 uninterrupted hours of sleep? I know what I'd like for Christmas. S-l-e-e-p.

So making this costume, and wrapping 3 presents took me 3 hours. THREE HOURS. It involved tears all around and several time outs. All to cut a three holes in a pillow case, glue some garland, and some "wings". But we made it to the Opie nativity in one peice.

Santa was an entire 45 minutes late. This picture was taken at almost 9:00. For Olivia "Santa" is synonymous with "candy". When he did arrive she was dancing around saying, "Yay Santa! Candy! Yay Santa, Candy!" And although it's clear she's really uncomfortable and shy and nervous, she'll endure anything for refined sugar and corn syrup in colorful wrappers.

Feeling Blessed.

So I don't feel like uploading any pictures right now. I'll do that tomorrow. Maybe. But as Abigail is fussing in my lap I thought I'd take a minute and write what's in my heart. It just seems all around us people are struggling and sometimes I feel guilty we are SO blessed. Our kids will have a merry Christmas this year. We have family around us. We are going to be able to spend two weeks with family in NJ! Aaron and I are planning a trip to NYC. I want to see a show and eat dinner at this Italian resturant that we can never remember the name of or the exact location, but somehow wandering around we were able to find it twice! Anyway, I was just looking forward to that and realizing how lucky we are. Even little things like Olivia is in a toddler bed now, and has been for a week. And so far she hasn't tried to get out once! We put her to bed and she actually stays put. I was so sure she wouldn't, I made Aaron turn the door knob around because I was sure we'd have to lock her in so we could sleep. So far the only thing is she is waking up earlier and coming into my room and waking me up at 6. Often, I have just barely fallen back to sleep after feeding Abigail. Oh well, lack of sleep is worth it, most of the time. I love seeing how much Olivia is growing. She played so well with her cousins tonight. She's talking in little sentances. She's listening. She's helpful. Lately she's been cracking us up by singing "Ducktales woowoo!"
Abigail is growing. And smiling. And cooing. And sleeping. All I could ask for.
Aaron finished his application for pharmacy school. So now we wait. I think in 6 weeks or so we should get called for an interview. Then I think they said it was like 4 weeks from there to find out if he's accepted or not. If he gets in, he will start in June. I don't doubt that he'll get accepted.
As I think about these blessings my heart really is full with love for my Heavenly Father. I know all good things come from Him. I know it's because of our faithfulness that we have been so blessed. I am grateful to be married to a man that shares my beliefs. I love that Olivia says her own little prayers now. And if we forget to pray before a meal, or bed she will remind us. Makes me feel like I'm doing something right. Anyway, Abbi is asleep now, so I should be too. Goodnight!

Unrequited Love

Okay first this picture... Olivia asked to hold Abigail. Then she pulled down her shirt and said, "Eat baby? Baby eat?" And I cracked up realizing she was trying to nurse Olivia. What a crack up, I tell ya.

Now here... I'm convinced Abigail is going to wind up with brain damage, at the expense of me trying to get a good picture of these two together. Here Olivia was putting daddy's tie on Abigail's head and saying, "Pretty! Pretty!"
And this face pretty much sums it up.

I don't know about you but this is the most hilarious post ever, if you ask me.

We are blessing Abigail Sunday. Busy day tomorrow. Hopefully I will get some sleep tonight.

One month old.

One of many many kisses Abigail gets when she's trying to sunbathe in her swing.

Do you see how long this girl is??

This face is priceless.

Abigail is one month old today. And she's already the big cousin! My sister-in-law had a baby boy this morning. Exactly one month apart! It will be fun to see pictures of them together. He weighed almost the same as Abigail, at 9lb 8oz.

So here are some current stats on Abigail. She's already over 12 lbs!! I'm not sure how long she is, but I'm sure she's grown length wise too because her clothes are not fitting her already! She's still a little jaundiced so we're working on getting her in the sun more. Hopefully that will be enough to clear it up. She's doing alright sleeping. She still sleeps much of the day. But she's sleeping pretty good at night too. Aaron has been a great help, so I always get at least 4 straight hours. Only a mom can consider 4 straight hours a good nights sleep! I always get a little more after that, but at least 4 hours consolidated is sooo nice. :) We have a bit of a routine but right now Abigail is so portable her naps are usually on the go. I know this stage doesn't last long so we're making the most of it by getting shopping done and all that.

Olivia loves her sister so much. She's pretty naughty sometimes, but when she gives Abigail kisses and hugs and is concerned when she cries, its just so heart warming for me! We're still working on being soft, and what's okay and what's not with touching Abigail. But for the most part she's really doing awesome.

We all have colds right now. Olivia seems to be getting over it. Abigail just sounds the tiniest bit congested. Nothing like Olivia was when she was a newborn! And my throats a little scratchy, but nothing too bad. Aaron is being a tough guy, so he must not be that sick ;) jk I think he is feeling a little crappy too. It's that time of year I guess.