Happy 1/2 YR Birthday Abbey!

How is this possible, 6 months already?!?! We love this little girl so much! She is growing way too fast and it's amazing how our little family functions like a machine these days! We all have our part and have so much fun together. We are pretty much in a solid routine these days. At her 6 month check up she weighed 15 lbs (30th percentile) and measured 26 3/4 in long (75th percentile).
As for how she is doing in general, she is great! She sits up unassisted extremely well these days. She scoots around and crawls backwards but not forward yet. Honestly, I think she just likes sitting up by herself more than being on her belly now! She also has grown into the Jumperoo and really likes it! Since this, she has become less interested in being in the swing and she is getting too big for the bouncy seat!
She eats two solid meals a day (purees) and still nursing most of the time, with the exception of 1-2 bottles of formula a day (for convenience). Unfortunately, she is still waking in the middle of the night to nurse but oh well. She goes to bed around 8PM and wakes up around 7AM and takes two short naps in the morning/early afternoon and a long late afternoon nap. Overall she is an extremely happy smiley baby and loves to laugh. She still has stranger anxiety and prefers her mommy to hold her most of the time. She can also get very overwhelmed/over stimulated by loud places/people. She is amazing with her hands, passing things back and forth between them and pinching things. She LOVES anything with tags. That's the first thing she looks for, and studies them very hard! Anyways, here are her pics! Enjoy the series of Dylan getting his photo taken, escaping the photo, then stealing Abbey's sticker and the big ol grin on his face!

November Fun!

Here are some photos from the busy month of November!

Bathtime!

Abbey's First Camping Trip!

Abbey went on her first camping trip the first weekend in November. We drove down to the hill country right outside of Austin. Abbey did great! She was great in the car (slept the WHOLE time on the way home) and enjoyed being outside and spending time with the Halliday family! The first night we were camping it was pretty cold outside, but the second night was perfect weather. She really liked the nature hike we took and watching her brother and his two cousins play in the dirt the whole time! She normally wont let anyone but her mommy hold her, but this weekend she actually let her Maw Maw, Pops, Aunt Tracy and Uncle Steve hold her a lot!
Maw Maw & Abbey:

Mommy & Abbey:

Pops & Abbey:

All bundled up to sleep:

Nature Walk:

The boys (covered in dirt!):

NAKED BABY!

Nothing like a little naked baby butt! Abbey hanging out with Chloe the cat!

Happy Halloween!

Abbey celebrated her first Halloween as a kitty cat! Ironically the same thing as her brother his first year. Though she had no idea what was going on I think she enjoyed the attention! Here are some pictures:
Meow!:

Brother the pirate and Abbey at Luke's work:

Pumpkin Patch:

Playgroup friends at the Pumpkin Patch:

Miss Pris:

It's time for fall:

My life as a mom...

There is nothing as wonderful as being a mommy. In my opinion. I always dreamed of being one, and I have to say, so far, it is everything I dreamed of and more.

I couldn't ask for more beautiful, happy, good babies. I feel so incredibly blessed to have been given such amazing gifts. Both Abbey & Dylan amaze me every day with everything they are learning and the little people they are turning into.I love seeing their distinct personalities coming out.

Abbey is definitely becoming her own little person. She is getting to the age (5 months) when her personality is really starting to come out and she is much more involved/active. The way she "talks," observes, and interacts with things/people are all showing us little tid bits into the person she will become. It is so fascinating to watch.

So here is my opinion, two little ones this close in age is A LOT of work. It's hard to get a break, you are constantly meeting their needs all day long that you barely get to meet one of your own. However, it is worth every unbrushed piece hair, dirty spit up shirt, tired eyes, and aching back! I know this is such a short time period in our lives and I am soaking up every chaotic and beautiful moment we have. It is such a special time in our lives.

I've found the hardest times to be "feeding" times. When both kids are hungry. I have to say, one thing about your kids being close in age is that they really must learn patience. One usually always has to wait for the other to be taken care of. Also entertaining themselves. I was so worried when Abbey was born that we would "break" Dylan, that he would be mad, feel forgotten, you know. But I have to say, it has been the greatest thing for him. I know it will only get better once Abbey can actually "play" with him. He just loves having her around. And I love that they will always have each other.

So a lot of people think it's crazy to have two so close in age, but personally, I think, it's great. You get the best of both worlds, sweet cuddly baby, and active entertaining toddler. Plus the sleep deprivation, changing diapers, etc. isn't so shocking since your already used to it.

Family is so important to me, and taking care of these two kids is one of the best jobs I could ever have. I love showering them with love and watching Luke do the same, I love seeing us all grow together as our own little family.