Abigail at 1 Month

Our little girl is 1 month old today. It's amazing how quickly a month goes by. We are so happy she is part of our family. We couldn't ask for more.

Some things I've learned:
1. There are actually a variety of shows I like to watch on TV at 1 a.m. and 4 a.m.
2. Being a mom of a very active toddler and an infant is fun and oh so tiring.
3. When I sleep now, I'm totally out. I used to wake up and check on Caden between meals, but this time around I'm so tired that I only wake up to feed her.
4. I know people say they really aren't smiling yet, but I think Abby smiles on purpose.
5. Abby gives me the sweetest looks right before I feed her like she's so content and happy that she's going to be eating soon.
6. I don't know if her grunts and squeaks mean anything, but I love to hear them.

Shiner

Caden got his first black eye this week. What I understand the story to be (as told to me by a 2 year old) is that he was playing with a toy in his crib which unfortunately was hard plastic. He tried to lift up this toy and push it out of the crib while laying on his back, and it slipped and fell on his face. Poor guy! The top picture was soon after it happened, and the bottom one is when it looked worse.

Sweetie

I think Daddy's Sweetie is a happier one than Mommy's Sweetie. She must be a Daddy's girl already.

Our Not So Little Girl

We had to take Abigail in to the doctors today to have her cord cauterized, poor girl. Just like Caden, her cord is still attached after a month (his luckily fell off on its own). Anyhow, they weighed her, and she is now 9 lbs. 0.4 oz.! I knew she was getting bigger!

Track Meet and Friends

This past Saturday was a busy one. We first went to a track meet that our nephews, Chris and Matt were participating in. Then we finally got to meet up with friends of mine that I used to work with who don't live too far from my sister-in-law. It was so great seeing them again. They have such a beautiful home.

Caden walked with his Papa and Katie at this point around the track. He even got a ribbon for it which is hanging off his wrist. Caden walked maybe a quarter of the way around, and then his Papa picked him up. Jim isn't used to walking that slow. :)

A close-up of the ribbon.

Chris running a race (in yellow).

Caden running his own race. He was saying "Mommy" the whole time he was running towards me.

Matt getting one of two medals. He will be continuing on to another bigger meet.

Abby was nice and comfy in her stroller.

Tara and Abby

Greg and Abby

Caden and Gavin playing around. They played so nicely together. It was really nice of Gavin to share all his toys. (Caden is ready for bed at this point - so much easier to get him to bed if he falls asleep in the car.)

Abby's all ready to go!

Flip Flop Feet

You can't really tell by these pictures, but when Abby spreads her toes out, she has a nice sized gap between the big toe and the other toes. My mom said she has the perfect feet for flip flops, so we loving say she has flip flop feet.

Kielbasa Tortellini Alfredo

Yet another kielbasa recipe (found in a magazine). I'm just hoping there are other kielbasa lovers out there too :)

1 package (9-14 oz.) frozen cheese or spinach tortellini
1 lb. kielbasa or sausage, sliced
1 med sweet red pepper, julienned
2 tsp. veg. oil
1 jar (16 oz.) Alfredo sauce
1 cup chopped tomato (optional)

Cook tortellini according to package directions. Meanwhile, in large skillet, saute kielbasa and pepper in oil for 3 minutes or until pepper is crisp tender. Drain tortellini. Stir tortellini and Alfredo sauce into skillet; heat through. Garnish with tomato.

"The" Bassinet

If my calculations are correct, Abby is the 5th baby to sleep in this bassinet (Caden was the 2nd). This cute little bassinet belongs to my friends, the Smiths, and has been used by 3 different teacher families...soon to be 4. The Smiths used it for their 2 children, and my other friends, the Hesses, used it with their daughter. Soon Baby Bear Beyer will be the 6th in this special little bassinet circle of babies. Thanks so much Smiths for allowing us to be a part of the circle! Oh - I think it also has special powers. The Smiths left the blue ribbon on after their son was born, and I had a boy too. Then they left the pink ribbon on after their daughter was born, and then I had a girl. Kinda weird!

Our Daisy

I love all the different girl clothes to choose from! This was a yard sale find from last weekend. I used to not be a fan of pink, but it's starting to grow on me.

Four Generations

My grandma has been dying to meet her newest great-grandchild. She was finally able to come visit this past Sunday with my mom and sister. Big surprise...Abby slept the whole time!

Quality time with GG who is opening her late Mother's Day card.

Four generations of girls (3 of which have/had red hair :)

Me, Caden, Mom, Erin,
GG, and Abby

I just love the faces she makes.

GG and Abby

Screen Door

We're excited...excited enough to blog about it. We just had a screen/storm door installed today. It's the kind that has a screen on just the top part. You can make it a full storm door or a half screen door. I love it!

"Dangerous"

Yesterday, while checking my email, Caden said, "Mommy! Daddy doing something dangerous!" I asked what he was doing and Caden said he was standing on a chair. When I turned around, all he was doing was propping one foot up on a chair. I guess Caden just felt the need to tell on Daddy!

Lollipop

Caden had his first lollipop the other day. I made him sit with me so it wouldn't get stuck to everything. One of the teachers Jason works with gave us a gift for Abby and a gift for Caden. His gift was a bubble maker and a bag of lollipops. He loves both!

She's Awake!

I have to post some "awake" pictures because whenever family comes to visit, she's sound asleep the whole time :)

I just love this quilt my cousin, Amy, found at a yard sale for us.

Abby's Song

My Mother's Day

I had a nice, relaxing Mother's Day this past Sunday. We got Subway for dinner since I hadn't really eaten cold meat in about 9 months. It was soooo good!

Caden colored his card from him and Abby for me. Here he is actually coloring cards for Mammy, GG, and Nana (which they have yet to receive - oops!)

Me and my girl.

An attempt at getting a picture of the 3 of us.

Another try...

OK...good enough.

Caden and Abby posing with my card.

I think I heard, "Happy Mother's Day, Mom" at least 50 times that day...so sweet! He said, "love you" right after Jason turned the camera off.

"Really Cool Car"

Our very generous neighbors gave Caden yet another toy their son has outgrown...a battery powered Hummer. Caden loves just sitting in it and playing. They had also given us a helmet that's a little big, but we still use it for when he's in his "really cool car."

Jason had it charged, but he ended up pushing since Caden didn't quite get the hang of stepping on the pedal.