Abby is getting to the age where she's enjoying more structured activities with us. So we're racking our brains trying to think of things to do with her. What the heck do you do with a toddler? Hmmm.

We tried play dough. I had the bright idea to put her in her high chair to contain the mess. She got confused. Thought it was food. Tried to eat it. Daddy said no. Scared the poor girl. Hysterical crying. Moved her to the coffee table but didn't warm up to the idea of play dough. Strike one.

We tried finger paints. Again, I insisted she go in her high chair to minimize clean up. We strip her down to her diaper anticipating a blissful discovery of body paint. I put some paint on her finger. She thinks it looks yummy and naturally tries to eat it. She discovers it tastes disgusting and the hysterical crying returns. I try to comfort her and show her how to do it. She wants nothing to do with it. I know she loves pens so I get a paint brush to alter the activity slightly. Crying continues. Strike two.

Note progression from bad to worse:







(Secretly I'm happy, no, elated she hates crafts for now. I share the same feelings. Coloring is torture enough for me.)

Daddy will not be defeated. He moves some furniture around and spreads the blankets on top to make a fort. He creates a little tunnel for her to crawl through. She loves it. Success! He realizes it needs to be bigger, and better, and runs to get sheets. Much more coverage. Daddy is ecstatic. Abby was happy with the first version. She asks the pregnant woman watching to join her in her fort. How can I say no? Now I'm stuck so I just try to get comfortable and hang out for awhile. Again, needing to make it bigger and better (dumb adults) we turn off the lights and give the girl a flashlight. She runs dangerously around the house, blinding herself rather than lighting her path, running into things left and right. She loves it but it makes Mommy nervous. Flashlight gets retired. At least we didn't strike out.

Today I get a text from Mike:



She's in heaven.

It was a good day. And the tent is still up 3 hours after baby's bedtime.

Thanks, Nathanael!

Well, "done" until the Morby side gets me photos of their clan. Hint, hint :)

We seem to have a thing for holidays when it comes to our maternity photo sessions. With Abby it was Valentine's Day; With Theo (our top name for baby boy at the moment) it happened to be New Year's Eve.

Thanks to my hubby for taking some great memories for me to hang in the nursery, despite my whining about the cold, the wind, my aching body, and not wanting to get my new boots muddy. :)

Abigail really enjoyed opening gifts this year. Good thing I got a bunch of last minute $1 stocking stuffers because she kept asking to "emme" (translation, "open") more. She had true joy at each gift and even though she doesn't yet say "thank you", she did blow kisses in gratitude. She got her first doll from me, which I may love more than her right now but I'm confident "Coco" will win her heart's affection before long. Mike got her an Elmo backrest to replace the pile of pillows she usually plops down on while watching TV. She was showered with crafts & movies & books & shoes & much more from my family. I've already gone through her toys and weeded out the old to make room for the new. I will NOT be overtaken :)





Trying out her new goodies:









But the highlight of the day for me was that my AMAZING husband surprised me with an engagement ring! When we first got engaged, I wanted an antique ring -- no diamonds (not that he could afford one at the time). But now after almost 4 years, I've felt my left hand was a little bare and made hints that maybe a 10 year anniversary gift could be a diamond ring. Well, he got the hint, and threw me off his track. I have never broke down crying as I did this morning, and I think I had a permanent smile pasted on my face all day. And although I LOVE the ring (I can't stop looking at it!), I'm more overjoyed that he did something so extravagant and romantic for me--his moody, pregnant, old-news wife. It made me feel young, and beautiful, and new. I will forever cherish the moment, and it just may beat the initial engagement in my mind. I feel like I could gush for many more lines, but I'll withhold and keep something for myself :)

Merry Christmas! We truly are thanking God for all the many, many blessings He has showered on little, old, measly us.

She surprisingly didn't cry, but did swoon him for all of his stickers to stay content (which is what is in her hand). He kinda creeped me out, but I don't think she minded him all that much.



I guess this is the year of Christmas firsts - not only was this our first Santa visit, but we also sent out our first Christmas card. If you didn't get one--my apologies but if you email me your address, I'll add you to next year's list. Here's what we sent out:



Merry Christmas!

...reading



...and watching Elmo

We had a great time at this year's Morby Christmas! Abby finally is old enough to play on her own, although still too young to keep up with the bigger cousins. But they are all amazing with her and she adores them. All evening she kept saying, "Wes? Wes? Wes?" needing to know where her buddy was at all times. She got a new favorite playmate out of Bryce, who is her size and loves to give kisses like she does (see the "kissing cousins" photo below!).

Her newest buddy...at least it's not princesses, which I will try to avoid at all costs.