the webbs

2 years old

2010-04-11T15:09:00.000-07:00

On March 8, Abbigail turned 2! I know I've been depriving you all of pictures and updates on the cutest member of our family, but who knew that working full-time, being a mom of a toddler and a wife of a Youth Director, attempting to have a social life, throwing in a few minutes of me-time here and there, all while trying to maintaing my sanity, would be difficult. So, here are some pictures of my toddler. She is running, talking in sentences, throwing HUGE tantrums, (almost) fully potty trained (only wearing diapers to sleep), and making us crack-up every other minute at her silly jokes. She is amazing and more. Two is so much fun, but, boy is it a lot of work.

Fall again

2009-10-04T13:17:00.000-07:00

Okay, so the problem with having a blog is that you have to update it and apparently I am really bad at this. And now, so much time has gone by that I couldn't possibly fill you in on all the things you have missed. So, lets just suffice it to say...It's fall again in Spokane I am now working full-time (HUGE adjustment) Abbigail is 18 months old and goes to "school" two days a week Dan is as always doing an amazing job at the church and we all get to wear sweaters again...because its fall. I love you fall.

Here is a small collection of pictures of Abbigail from July to now, including some from our trip to Alaska and a recent trip to Seattle.

SUMMER TIME!

2009-07-06T11:15:00.000-07:00

So here it is July and I feel like the summer is flying by. Since my last post we've had two birthdays (mine and Dan's), one Father's Day, lots of trips to the park, swimming in the backyard, strawberry picking, strawberry jam-making, many trips to Didiers, lots of popsicle eating, one visit from one grandparent and a trip to Belize (Dan is actually there currently). Whew...have we been busy. This week Abbigail will be 16 months and what a delight she is. She is learning how to eat with a fork and somehow she discovered that she can wink. Of course when she does it makes me laugh hysterically, which makes her laugh hysterically and before I know it we are both laughing so hard that we're crying.

Let me just say that we love Spokane and are really enjoying this summer where it is possible to step out your front door without dying from a heat stroke. And fresh strawberries....does it get any better than that?

Our little flower girl

2009-06-08T20:20:00.000-07:00

We went to a wedding this past weekend in Tucson (Congrats Michael and Kristy)! We were honored to have Abbigail as a flower girl as well as Dan officiating part of the wedding! Two new experiences for us and though a bit stressful, still really fun. Abbigail, of course, stole the show.

East Coast Family

2009-05-09T09:52:00.001-07:00

We just returned from a fantastic 10-day trip to the East Coast. We got to spend some wonderful quality time with the Robinsons (WE LOVE YOU!), sweat our brains out in the 90+ degree heat for a few days, and hang out with Dan's Dad and Stepmom and our East Coast extended family. It was such a fun trip, allergy-invoking spring pollen aside.
Some of the highlights include:
-Emily and I took Abbigail to the Philadelphia Zoo! Abbigail especially loved the monkeys. Note to self: pack lunch when going to the zoo so you don't have to spend $7.00 on a hot dog.
-Hanging out at Princeton...what a great community and a beautiful campus.
-Shadfest!
-Staying at a cool old Inn in Connecticut.
-Taking a cab in NYC and traveling through Grand Central Station.
-Traveling with a one year old...always an adventure!
-Spending time with family we don't see very often.
-Seeing where Washington crossed the Delaware.

emo hair

2009-04-01T16:34:00.000-07:00

Oh my dear abbigail...why is your hair so crazy? This is what it looks like when you wake up in the morning and no matter what I do throughout the day, it is impossible to get it to lay down.
You must have gotten this from your father, because my hair is perfect. ;)

You are trying to be so independent these days, walking everywhere, attempting to run, pretending to read your books (you love the one about the Hippos), kicking around your balls and eating EVERYTHING. I am grateful that you are not a climber and though you are brave, you are also very cautious. I am so sorry I smashed your fingers in the door yesterday...I can't turn around without you being right at my legs trying to follow me everywhere I go. You love all animals and all kids. Nothing makes you smile more than seeing a dog outside or another baby in the store. Now that you have mastered walking, you have started waving again and you wave at everyone you see, except for men with beards...because they are obviously so scary. You love all music and stop whatever you are doing to do the "booty dance" whenever you hear any bit of a tune, commercial, song or even the guitar. You love bananas, cheerios, grapes, cheese and drinking out of a straw....although you will pretty much eat anything I put in front of you. Thank you for this.

You are such a delight and we love watching you grow! I can't wait to do so many fun things with you this summer and watch you explore this beautiful world!

One year old

2009-03-16T21:42:00.000-07:00

We have a one year old. On March 8, Abbigail officially became a toddler. Did I mention that she's walking now? Yep...she is now a walker. No more of that stupid crawling stuff...just walking, all over the place. It's kind of fun and nice that she can be so independent. And she is pretty darn cute strutting around like a little penguin. I guess this means I should get the kid some shoes.

Of course I can't celebrate this day without thinking of the craziness of it a year ago and be so thankful that we are both here and healthy. The few days leading up to the this day I was having some pretty bad phantom abdominal pains and was wondering if it is possible to have memory pain??? After the craziness and earliness surrounding abbigail's birth a year ago, I remember one of my friends saying that she believes that babies who come into the world under special circumstances, have special purposes in life. I choose to believe this with all my heart for my little girl. So, here we are, one year later, alive and healthy minus one appendix.

We had a little birthday party for Abbigail, equipped with balloons, cake, the birthday girl party hat, presents and a group of her friends (our friends). It was a blast and I'm pretty sure she had fun. I made her a mini birthday cake and after blowing out the candle, I proceeded to pour hot wax (unknowingly of course) onto my newly one year old daughter's hand (see picture series below). Awesome. So, after screaming her brains out and me mistakenly thinking she was just scared of her birthday cake and then finally figuring out why she was crying, I demonstrated to her just how delicious birthday cake is and of course she loved it. However, no one tells you that after eating lots of chocolate cake and strawberry frosting that your one year old may develop the worst diaper rash you've ever seen in your life. Poor kid.

In the end she looked like this....

And after getting cleaned up she got to play with her favorite new toy!

Thanks to all of you who gave well-wishes and happy birthdays and who were here to celebrate with us! Also, thank you to all of you who provided prayers and support and food and comfort a year ago when our baby girl was born 7 weeks early, a mere 4 lbs 12 oz and I spent weeks recovering from my c-section/appendectomy, while she fought to come home to us from the hospital.

I love my husband OR Why is smoked salmon so good?

2009-02-16T21:09:00.000-08:00

I love my husband because he builds things like this...And then puts it in the small backyard of our duplex for all the world to smell. This is Dan's latest and greatest project...A Smoker. Yes, he built it from scratch. Thank you internet for having everything we could ever want. Needless to say, I have an amazing husband who creates amazing things with his hands. We've had some salmon sitting in our freezer since our trip to Alaska this summer, so in the smoker it went and a few hours later out it came, looking like this and tasting so delicious. As Lars pointed out this morning (yes, Lars and Jane were at our house this morning...a wonderful visit!), why is it that smoke is generally a really horrible thing, but when you let food sit in it for a few hours, it creates something absolutely delightful. One of life's many mysteries.

Here's to smoked salmon! And handy husbands!

And I couldn't just leave it at that without a couple pictures of abbigail.

Valentine's Dress! (thanks grandpa)

11 months

2009-02-08T12:00:00.001-08:00

Today Abbigail is 11 months old. Seriously? How could 11 months have really gone by since she was born? Are we in some kind of a time warp or something? Soon she will be 1, then she'll be 5 and then 16 and driving and then she'll be in college and I'll soon after be 60 and hopefully living on a tropical island somewhere. WHAT?? SLOW DOWN LIFE!

Many things have been going on the in the life of Abbigail these past couple weeks. She all of a sudden holds her own bottle, only wants to feed herself, stand by herself without support for a few seconds, wears pigtails, plays with the dog and is finally getting her first teeth. It's like she was hiding it all from us and the suddenly realized she is almost 1 and wants to get everything accomplished before her birthday next month. Many days she looks more like a little girl to me than a baby. I miss the baby. :( However, I do look forward to the fun to come...walking, talking, running, jumping, playing...especially with the approach of Spring (can you please come quicker). It will be so fun to spend this summer with Abbigail as she will be exploring the world in so many new ways.

In other news, I am still unemployed, but I have like 15 resumes floating around at various agencies throughout the city. I have applied for a Whitworth R.D. position which of course doesn't start until the fall...so we'll see what comes of that!

Amen!

2009-02-07T10:17:00.001-08:00

All I have to say is....Thank God for tax returns and for having babies in the year 2008.

boycotting naptime

2009-01-29T10:04:00.001-08:00

You don't realize how important nap time is to your daily sanity until your child decides to scream instead of take one. I really just wanted to take a shower. And if only she would realize how miserable she will be the rest of the day if she doesn't sleep now...why can't she be more rational?

Happy Birthday Madison!

2009-01-26T10:13:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Madison!

Hope that your 14th year is a fabulous one!

We miss you and wish that we could be together to CELEBRATE!

unemployed

2009-01-18T23:13:00.000-08:00

These days I spend most of my time looking for a job and taking care of baby and household. I decided that since I got laid off, I should apply for unemployment. During this process, I discovered that since I haven't been working in Washington for long enough I have to apply in Nevada. Okay, no big deal...until I was told the difference in what the pay would be. If I could apply in Washington, it would be a minimum of $130 a week and max of $450 a week. From Nevada, however, I can get $50 a week. What?!? I don't want to complain, because I will take what I can get and something's better than nothing...but seriously? I am astounded by the difference. Freaking Nevada.

On a happier note, here's some recent pictures of our delightful daughter.

My brother recently moved in with us...which is great! He has one of these chairs in his room and Abbigail absolutely loves sitting in it.

Abbigail and her friend Kelsey

Doesn't look very comfortable

2009-01-18T23:10:00.000-08:00

I went to peek on Abbigail while she was napping a couple days ago and this is what I found...seriously? This seems to be her new favorite way to sleep. I can't imagine that it is very comfortable, but she doesn't seem to mind.

Abbigail 10 months

2009-01-16T14:13:00.000-08:00

Most days I think we must have the happiest, easiest baby in the world. She eats well, sleeps well, plays well, smiles and laughs all the time....of course she is getting into everything, but I am glad she is so adventurous. She discovered she could climb the stairs a couple weeks ago. She pulls all the tupperware out of the cupboards and the other day while I was distracted making dinner, she climbed inside the cupboard and then started crying because she couldn't get out. I can't believe the one year mark is so quickly approaching. She is getting close to standing on her own and I'm sure will be walking within a few weeks. OH MAN. I don't know if I'm ready. We think she is just about the cutest thing ever.

Here is Abbigail in the morning...I'm not joking when I say she is a happy baby...this is like 5 minutes after she woke up.

Looking for work

2009-01-07T15:09:00.001-08:00

Like so many other people in this country right now I find myself LAID OFF. I guess this is what happens when you work for a non-profit in times such as these.
I had just finished making a list of goals for the next few months when I found out that my position is being cut.
So, I'm on the prowl for something new...ugh...I hate looking for jobs.

2008

2008-12-31T11:40:00.000-08:00

What a year this has been. Full of deaths and births and weddings and job changes and moves ......Cancer took a friend and machete wielding men in Guatemala took another.

We left Las Vegas behind for somewhere familiar and sweet, though we miss the things about it that made us last there for three years (sunshine, the pool, dear dear friends, good Mexican food, our garden). We have a baby. I have a Masters Degree. Dan has a new job. I have a new job. We have learned to live in new ways, to love in ways we never thought possible and to let go of someone close to our hearts and pray for the best. We celebrated graduations, weddings, birthdays, holidays and new beginnings. We moved Patty into Warren Hall and rejoiced with her excitement in a new life, new chances, new people, new experiences. We have walked with her through lessons and loneliness and hope.

When you become a mother a lot of funny things happen. You learn to value your life in a way you never did before. I now hesitate before stepping on a plane, getting in a car, driving through intersections, walking down the street. People depend on me. One sweet, defenseless little girl depends on me. In the same way, you learn to value those around you and close to you in ways you never did before. With the birth of a child comes a new understanding of family and friendship. I want to share this little 10 month old light with those who are close to me, for them to experience the joy that I get to live with everyday. Don't get me wrong...its hard...so very hard. Some days I feel as if I have completely lost myself, or maybe just who I thought I was and some days it feels as if it is all completely pointless and mundane. There are dirty diapers, feedings that never end, messes, sleepless nights, runny noses, and lots and lots of tears. And yet somehow everyday I wake feeling that this is the best thing I have ever done and perhaps will ever do.

I have more hope now than ever...even though I see more death and evil and darkness in this world than ever before. But I must have hope for the children, for my children. I must believe there is goodness and I do believe.

2008 was a crazy crazy year for us and I feel as if we are just now settling down. But there were some great things.

Here are some of my favorite things about 2008.

The Office

newborn baby breath

pandora.com

Abbigail's laugh

A white Christmas

jobs, family, friends, houses, food

loving husband and adoring father

Obama 08

hand-me-down baby clothes

root beer

doctors

$1.50 gas

Green Bluff

A wonderful four years of marriage

pesto and cream cheese

Buffalo Wild Wings

moving back to Spokane

SNOW

baby playdates

working part-time

Trader Joes (I miss you)

Alaska

Playing the Wii

graduating!

Surviving.

See you later 2008.

First Christmas!

2008-12-30T10:57:00.000-08:00

Abbigail's first Christmas has come and gone. She had fun opening presents, although as you can imagine she was much more interested with the wrapping paper than they toys themselves. And on top of that, much more interested in sneaking over and climbing up the stairs than opening presents.

This was our attempt at a Christmas Eve family photo. We obviously need to get a tripod. And a baby that will hold still for pictures.

Snow

2008-12-24T09:59:00.000-08:00

We are starting to think that it will never stop snowing. The forecast says snow every day for the rest of the year. Which sounds like a long time but is really only like a week.

Here is a before shot of Abbigail.

And after. Apparently she hates the snow. Or maybe it is the giant bubble-gum pink snowsuit that was regifted to us by my friend Amy in Las Vegas. I think its the snowsuit.

white christmas

2008-12-18T22:26:00.000-08:00

It may seem that I have taken a hiatus from life, thus the absence of any new blog entries. Not so. Simply, we have moved again in the past month and therefore my life has been full of unpacking boxes and settling in. I have so many new fun pictures to post...but we have not finished hooking our computer up and I always feel that I have much less to say than I do pictures to share.

In other news, it has snowed over two feet in Spokane over the last 48 hours. Feels like my childhood all over again. I love it.

Has anyone ever heard of this blog www.dooce.com? I discovered it after watching her on the Today show one morning. If you are a mother or mother-to-be then you might particularly enjoy it. It makes me laugh out loud sometimes. Just thought I'd share.

Happy Holidays.

Mirrors and Ponytails.

2008-11-06T11:58:00.000-08:00

Abbigail recently discovered her reflection.
And I recently discovered that her hair will go into a ponytail. :)

Halloween

2008-11-01T23:25:00.001-07:00

Although you really can't go trick-or-treating with an 8 month old, seeing as they don't eat candy...well, shouldn't eat candy...Abbigail still dressed up for Halloween this year.

Obama 08

2008-10-31T22:58:00.000-07:00

Abbigail says, Don't forget to Vote!

7 month birthday

2008-10-08T15:49:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I am realizing that I suck at keeping a blog, seeing as I haven't posted since September 16. Please forgive me all you devoted blog readers...ha ha.

Abbigail turned 7 months on the 8th of October. I can't believe it. Our little 4 lb. baby is now over 16 lbs and 26 inches. She loves any food we give her and I am sure she will be all-out crawling within the week. She is amazing. Her hair just keeps growing and growing and I'm afraid I might have to trim it soon so it stays out of her eyes. And the most defined eyebrows of any baby I have ever seen!

For those of you who haven't heard the story, Abbigail was born 7 weeks early due to some crazy circumstances. Here are some pictures when she was born, just so you can be amazed at how much a baby can grow in 7 months.

Smallest foot in the world

Abbigail next to Dan's hand on the day she was born.

A couple days after she was born...the first time we got to hold her.

Hairy monkey baby.

In the isolette (incubator).And finally going home, three weeks later, at 5 lbs.

Seven months later she is a thriving, growing, almost crawling eating machine!

new adventures in solid food eating

2008-09-16T21:45:00.000-07:00

We got Abbigail a highchair this weekend. She absolutely loves sitting in it, well she at least loves trying to sit in it. After a little bit she usually slouches to one side and I have to pull her back up. She loves the process of eating solid food...though I am not sure why they refer to baby food as "solid food" because it definitely is not solid. She seems to be enjoying the new tastes and textures.

She also is trying really really hard to crawl. She gets so frustrated and smashes her face into the ground over and over as she tries to get some forward motion out of her unwilling body.

Such are the events of our very exciting and fun-filled day!

six months cuter

2008-09-14T23:01:00.000-07:00

So the past few days I think Abbigail has somehow increased her cuteness factor by like 1 million. I don't know what it is...her personality starting to come out, the raspberry blowing, sitting like a big kid in her new highchair, her eyes getting bluer everyday, her sudden expertise at rolling over and attempting to crawl, or her giggling and babbling...whatever it is she just wins my heart over, over and over. I am amazed at how much love for this little person that I barely even know.

On another subject, I am reminded of how much I love Spokane in the fall and am anticipating all the festivities of the months to come. I love this season here! After three years of no seasons, I am looking forward to the time that we are entering...apple picking, pumpkin carving, sweaters, crisp mornings, the smell of snow on its way, hot chocolate, hot cider, hot tea...I love it. Thank God for seasons.

2008-09-10T20:35:00.000-07:00

2008-09-09T11:33:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I'm starting a blog. Mostly it's because I want to share pictures of the cutest baby in the world with you all and partly it's because I like to talk about myself.

Abbigail turned 6 months old yesterday. It is amazing to watch her grow and change, each day so new and refreshing. She threw her first tantrum yesterday, when I took a toy away so I could put a shirt on her...is this normal? Do six month olds really throw tantrums? I was impressed at how loud she can scream when she really gets going.

We live in Spokane now, for those who haven't heard. We had enough of Las Vegas and so here we are. Dan is the new youth director at Whitworth Pres and I start my job this week, but I'll write more about that later. We are loving Spokane...the city, the people, the weather and the classic Northwest beauty. There are things I miss about Las Vegas, but not enough to make me want to stay.