Hi! A quick note because many of you have asked...
My mom goes by "Abby Jenny" (pronounced Auby). Here's why:
My family likes nicknames for dear family members. My mom lives in Florida where many people speak Spanish. Grandma in Spanish is "Abuela", but shortened to Abby like we say Grandmother and Grannie.
So, she's Abby Jenny to us!
Heidi
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Memorial Day Pics....second round!
The cousins are playing trucks on Great Grandad and Grandma's floor. Sophie hung in like a champ.
The fella with the gray shirt on is Cousin Matt. He became smitten with our girl. He played with her and rubbed her head every time he walked by. He kept asking, "What is she doing now? What is she thinking? What is she trying to say?" He loves her! BTW~Tish....Matthew is adorable and 6 years old just finishing kindergarten.....hmmm?????
Sophie all packed to trek up the gianormous hill to our house...Yes, I know gianormous is not a word, but no other word would describe it...
And now....rockin' out to a junior high marching band.
The fella with the gray shirt on is Cousin Matt. He became smitten with our girl. He played with her and rubbed her head every time he walked by. He kept asking, "What is she doing now? What is she thinking? What is she trying to say?" He loves her! BTW~Tish....Matthew is adorable and 6 years old just finishing kindergarten.....hmmm?????
Sophie all packed to trek up the gianormous hill to our house...Yes, I know gianormous is not a word, but no other word would describe it...
And now....rockin' out to a junior high marching band.Finally....just some shameless teaching of bad habits! It was a very funny day. Also, if you notice, the TV was paused on a "Beano" commercial completely by accident. ahhhh...the irony!
Delusional...
So, I have been fretting about Sophie's sleep habits for upwards of 5 months now. She slept through the night like a champ when she was a baby, but then...at 6 months...WHAMO..no more of that. She is usually up between 2 and 5 times a night. She cries out like she's in pain and stands in her crib until someone picks her up.
Now folks, I am not faint of heart here....and even though I don't necessarily think the Cry it Out method is my favorite idea in the world, I was willing to do anything that worked for our particular little diva. So, months ago...we cried it out, and out, and out, and out....to no avail. Would you like to know the CIO record time??.....2 hours 45 minutes. Yes, I let her cry it out. I was in the room doing the "super nanny" sit by the crib with no eye contact, subtle comfort, "it's ok"...etc.... The child does not take to CIO. Simple as that. I didn't do this just once, but tried it over and over and over again. Sophie's only way to sleep is to nurse until she falls asleep, mommy tiptoeing into the bedroom and OH SO GENTLY lying her down while praying to the almighty that she doesn't jar herself awake when she hits mattress. (which usually happens 50 percent of the time).
Now, on to the delusional part of the story...So, as you will see in pictures below, Sophie had an extremely active Memorial day weekend. I mean, we were EVERYWHERE. For those of you who don't know, my new "hometown" is Grafton, WV. Grafton's nickname is "the Memorial City". It is birthplace of the founder of Mother's Day (there is a shrine). It is also the home of a National Cemetery. There are actually two: One that was the original, and then the one that they created when the smaller one in town became full. When you go to this cemetery, it looks a lot like Arlington. Grafton is also known for having a high percentage of young men who serve in the military...I think the highest percentage per population in the nation.
Now folks, I am not faint of heart here....and even though I don't necessarily think the Cry it Out method is my favorite idea in the world, I was willing to do anything that worked for our particular little diva. So, months ago...we cried it out, and out, and out, and out....to no avail. Would you like to know the CIO record time??.....2 hours 45 minutes. Yes, I let her cry it out. I was in the room doing the "super nanny" sit by the crib with no eye contact, subtle comfort, "it's ok"...etc.... The child does not take to CIO. Simple as that. I didn't do this just once, but tried it over and over and over again. Sophie's only way to sleep is to nurse until she falls asleep, mommy tiptoeing into the bedroom and OH SO GENTLY lying her down while praying to the almighty that she doesn't jar herself awake when she hits mattress. (which usually happens 50 percent of the time).
Now, on to the delusional part of the story...So, as you will see in pictures below, Sophie had an extremely active Memorial day weekend. I mean, we were EVERYWHERE. For those of you who don't know, my new "hometown" is Grafton, WV. Grafton's nickname is "the Memorial City". It is birthplace of the founder of Mother's Day (there is a shrine). It is also the home of a National Cemetery. There are actually two: One that was the original, and then the one that they created when the smaller one in town became full. When you go to this cemetery, it looks a lot like Arlington. Grafton is also known for having a high percentage of young men who serve in the military...I think the highest percentage per population in the nation.
So, needless to say, Memorial Day is like Christmas in these parts. BIG celebrations, parades, kids with flags, fireworks, pool parties, picnics, etc....
ANYWAYS, Sophie partook of many of these events for the first time. When she and her Daddy walked up from the parade, Sophie in back pack, she even conked out out of sheer exhaustion. (Mommy hitched a ride up the insanely steep hill). Daddy was surprised when he woke her up to take her out of the back pack and decided to try to lay her in her crib...she fell asleep again. WOO HOOO!!!!
ANYWAYS, Sophie partook of many of these events for the first time. When she and her Daddy walked up from the parade, Sophie in back pack, she even conked out out of sheer exhaustion. (Mommy hitched a ride up the insanely steep hill). Daddy was surprised when he woke her up to take her out of the back pack and decided to try to lay her in her crib...she fell asleep again. WOO HOOO!!!!
Well, we were so happy!!!! When she woke up, she was pleasant enough and we went to the grandparent's house for "a feed" as they call it. Sophie played on the floor with her boy cousins and hung out for much longer than I expected, missing her afternoon nap. She finally showed signs of being pretty tired, so we came home bathed, nursed and she was out by 8:00pm. She even fell asleep in the crib after waking up when I laid her down...WOOO HOOOO NUMBER TWO.....or so I thought...
She slept most of the night and seemed to be in pretty good shape. Tuesday we had a therapy appointment and that went well. I nursed her and put her down for her nap groggy, but awake and she whimpered for 20 minutes and then went out like a light for both naps. WOOO HOOOO Numbers 3 and 4... Tuesday night was smooth, only waking up 3 times, but falling back asleep on her own.
Then Wednesday came...(insert dramatic music). I had to wake her up to get a move on because we were going to Morgantown for a play group. "hmm, that's kinda weird." I thought to myself. Then, when Sophie was in the car on the way up to M'town..she fell asleep. "What??" I thought, totally out of character. She woke up to play a little but seemed like she was a little lazy. She was also pretty hot from the car ride and the building was warm...I thought, "I wonder if she has a little fever????"..asked my mommy friends to check and got a good consensus, Nope (one was even in the medical field). Just seems a little hot. Sophie fell asleep on the ride home. Woke up when I got her out of the car seat. I decided to put her in bed just because this whole "put herself back to sleep" thing needed tested. She fell fast asleep. Slept through half of a therapy appointment...woke her up and she was a bear. Did therapy...she fell asleep on me..."WHAT THE HECK???" I thought. Missed lunch. Put her back down and she slept 3 more hours. "OK...WHAT IS GOING ON WITH MY CHILD??" I went to yoga and daddy said she was awake for 20 minutes and then wanted held and wanted to fall asleep again....OK....there is something awry here.
She slept most of the night and seemed to be in pretty good shape. Tuesday we had a therapy appointment and that went well. I nursed her and put her down for her nap groggy, but awake and she whimpered for 20 minutes and then went out like a light for both naps. WOOO HOOOO Numbers 3 and 4... Tuesday night was smooth, only waking up 3 times, but falling back asleep on her own.
Then Wednesday came...(insert dramatic music). I had to wake her up to get a move on because we were going to Morgantown for a play group. "hmm, that's kinda weird." I thought to myself. Then, when Sophie was in the car on the way up to M'town..she fell asleep. "What??" I thought, totally out of character. She woke up to play a little but seemed like she was a little lazy. She was also pretty hot from the car ride and the building was warm...I thought, "I wonder if she has a little fever????"..asked my mommy friends to check and got a good consensus, Nope (one was even in the medical field). Just seems a little hot. Sophie fell asleep on the ride home. Woke up when I got her out of the car seat. I decided to put her in bed just because this whole "put herself back to sleep" thing needed tested. She fell fast asleep. Slept through half of a therapy appointment...woke her up and she was a bear. Did therapy...she fell asleep on me..."WHAT THE HECK???" I thought. Missed lunch. Put her back down and she slept 3 more hours. "OK...WHAT IS GOING ON WITH MY CHILD??" I went to yoga and daddy said she was awake for 20 minutes and then wanted held and wanted to fall asleep again....OK....there is something awry here.
Got the good ol' rectal thermometer out and TAADAAA!!!!!!! Fever of 100.5. YUP, folks my kid has her first official cold. So, we loaded the Tylenol and put her back to sleep with a full belly and well nursed. And she slept through the night.
NOW...It's Thursday, the fever is broken and she is back to her old self...FLAT OUT REFUSING TO SLEEP. Screaming her bloody head off and demanding she not be left in that crib. Now you know what I meant by delusional...I was delusional to think she would actually sleep on her own without the help of some sick bug to force her into submission. After all, mommy and daddy sure can't. Now that I have experienced what "normal" sleepy baby is like..I want you to know that I am extremely jealous of those of you who have babies who sleep and go down easy. What a difference in the stress level of mommy and daddy!!! We partied like rock stars the last 2 days...uh until we figured out the whole..."our kid is sick" thing!!! haha
NOW...It's Thursday, the fever is broken and she is back to her old self...FLAT OUT REFUSING TO SLEEP. Screaming her bloody head off and demanding she not be left in that crib. Now you know what I meant by delusional...I was delusional to think she would actually sleep on her own without the help of some sick bug to force her into submission. After all, mommy and daddy sure can't. Now that I have experienced what "normal" sleepy baby is like..I want you to know that I am extremely jealous of those of you who have babies who sleep and go down easy. What a difference in the stress level of mommy and daddy!!! We partied like rock stars the last 2 days...uh until we figured out the whole..."our kid is sick" thing!!! haha
Here are some pics of the weekend to enjoy!
We took Sophie to "Grafton's Got Talent" on Friday....ummmm (shhh!!!! Grafton really DOES NOT have too much talent!!! Oh my!) Here's her ruffle butt!
Sophie at her first parade. She LOVED it. I will be posting a video of my "future band geek" rocking out to some middle school band in a bit. She is being held by her Great Aunt Sally.
Another post will be coming soon detailing the remaining parts of this adventurous weekend!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Visiting in Virginia
Cousins posing for the camera...Happy Birthday to Six Year Old Sarah!!!
The love was short lived!!!! At least Sarah is having fun!!!
Mommy and Sophie stopped for a picnic at Seneca Rocks on the way home. The girl is dining in the sunshine of a beautiful day!
We took a nature walk to stretch before the rest of our trip. 
At home the next day....a fashionista she is NOT!!! hahaha
...AND THE HAIR....LORD HELP HER!!!!! That's just how it grows folks...I swear I can't get anything else to happen without major work!
"You got a problem with it????" "Didn't think so!!"
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Happy Mother's Day Abby Jenny!!!!
Hey ABBY JENNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Our moms wanted us to send you a "Happy Mother's Day" message because they were too crazy to get their cards in the mail in time! We think they are silly, but we were happy to send you this message anyways!!!!! We totally had a fun time today! Here were some highlights from our visit together. Aren't we just the cutest grandkids in the world????"
"Everybody says Sophie looks like her daddy, but I think she looks like me!!!!"
Could there be a prettier set of eyes in the whole wide world???
"This is us hangin' in the mall." Sophie was grumpy, but Sarah was a good sport. 
"We went swinging in the park!! I think it was Sophie's first time ever!"
Sarah was climbing on all the equipment. She is a real athlete!!
"Even Aunt Heidi went swinging with Sophie...Boy was she tired!" (aunt heidi, not sophie)
"My mom liked hanging with Sophie! She was very funny! She turns everything upside down and then chews on it!" Aunt Tisha was looking so good!!
"We finally went home and played on the floor with all of Sophie's toys!" She likes to bang me in the face with her toys, but I don't really mind. She is a BABY after all!!!" We had a great day! 
We Love you very much!!
Happy Mother's Day Abby Jenny!
Monday, May 4, 2009
Random cuteness
Sophie has many faces these days. Most of them are hilarious. A bit of ornery in every glance.
If you look close, you can see the beginning of AT LEAST two front teeth. We're banking on 4 coming in all together, but she won't let us near her mouth. We also detect a bit of "chubby baby" coming on. Also, her newest skill...waving purposefully.
After bathtime Mom decided to have a photo shoot. She was an absolute ham all night long!!
I DOOOOOoooooo believe those eyes are leaning towards mamma's color these days. They are slightly lighter!!! Yay!!! At least one part looks like me!!! (They still do have a speckle or two of brown to remind me of her dad) Also, crazy eyebrows!!!
Look below....you have witnessed Sophie's first mobility caused damage. We aren't sure where she got this bruise, but we have narrowed it down to 2 things: Crawling on a hardwood floor or a little tumble she took off mom and dad's bed when she thought she could reach the floor.
"Babe in the Hood"
Just in case you haven't seen enough!
If you look close, you can see the beginning of AT LEAST two front teeth. We're banking on 4 coming in all together, but she won't let us near her mouth. We also detect a bit of "chubby baby" coming on. Also, her newest skill...waving purposefully.After bathtime Mom decided to have a photo shoot. She was an absolute ham all night long!!
I DOOOOOoooooo believe those eyes are leaning towards mamma's color these days. They are slightly lighter!!! Yay!!! At least one part looks like me!!! (They still do have a speckle or two of brown to remind me of her dad) Also, crazy eyebrows!!!
Look below....you have witnessed Sophie's first mobility caused damage. We aren't sure where she got this bruise, but we have narrowed it down to 2 things: Crawling on a hardwood floor or a little tumble she took off mom and dad's bed when she thought she could reach the floor.
"Babe in the Hood"Just in case you haven't seen enough!
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