It's been too long!

Sorry for not posting frequently enough. The holidays have just been a whirlwind! First, Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!!

We had a wonderful year in 2007 and are incredibly grateful for the abundance in our lives.

Abigail has grown into quite the little lady. She suddenly looks very grown up. There's something about potty training and becoming a big sister and turning 3 years old that has changed her somehow. Of course, today's tantrum at naptime, notwithstanding, she often acts older than her age. And she certainly talks like she's older. She has started using phrases like, "Awww, shucks!" which I honestly think must come from school, cause she didn't get that one from me! :)

She was very sad that I took all of the ornaments off the tree tonight...and I'm sure she's going to be even more upset when the whole thing comes down tomorrow. Oh, boy!

And little Katherine, she is just motoring along. She crawls with the speed of light, but not for long. The week of Christmas she started pulling up to standing without holding on to anything. It's not going to be long before she takes off. And just like with crawling, she may not be the first to do it, but when she does it, it's going to be clearly walking...and probably will be followed the next day by running. She's got to keep up with a 3 year old!

They love playing peekaboo and a modified version of hide and go seek where Abby runs into another room and Katherine laughs and follows as quickly as she can before Abby's off to another room. Of course, Abby just wants to win now (at everything, including every game of Candyland) so she doesn't get how she should let Katherine catch her every now and again. So, aftere a while Katherine gives up...and Abby is surprised and disappointed. But it's always the same. :) They were pushing Abby's new shopping cart "together" tonight...both behind the handle...Katherine walking with that stilted, lock-kneed walk. I can't wait for the toddling and falling. They are just so cute.

Finally Christmas was really exciting for Abigail. She loved the act of opening the presents just as much as the presents inside...except for clothing...no matter how cute, it is discarded as if it were garbage disguised within a pretty box. Katherine enjoyed the paper and some of the toys, but mostly I think it was just overwhelming. Shoot, it was overwhelming for me. Especially at my mom's house...with the adults and 4 kids 3 and under...it was just bedlam. Thank God Katherine and Mason were laid back. Lord help us when they all want to unwrap the moment they step foot in the house. I'm not ready...hopefully we have at least a year to prepare. Ha!

Jackson turns two in a few days and Katherine turns 1 on the 21st of the month. And Mason follows her by 7 weeks when he turns 1 in March. It's going to be a busy Winter/Spring. But what fun!

But the most exciting thing of all...if you hadn't already heard, I gave Scott a motorcycle for Christmas. It was a complete surprise, as evidenced by the stunned look and silence from him. All he could say was, "What have you done?" HA! Not only was it a thrill to really surprise him with something big, it was so fun to get him what he really wanted. He's been oogling it every day and night since then. He went riding this weekend and was like a little kid giggling when he came home. However, I don't suggest asking him about it unless you have a lot of time on your hands. :)

Anyway, that's all for us right now. More to come later! Welcome 2008!

Abigail is POTTY TRAINED

After a weekend at Ouiser's potty training boot camp, Abigail is officially potty trained. She is dry all day, all night, and even goes when we are out. We just couldn't be more proud of her! I'd say that Tuesday, October the 9th was the official day. I've waited a week to say anything in an effort not to jinx her success. :)

In other news, Katherine is on the move! She's finally crawling! None of this army crawl, pull herself with her arms only...oh, no. She's quite the proper crawler.... Of course this means she also tumps over regularly. But she's become quite good at righting herself and heading out again. Her first crawl was Sunday, October 7.

Let's just say, we've had some week!!!

We're headed to the Sesame Street exhibit at the Museum of Health & Medical Science, so I'm sure to have lots of fun pics. Check back!

Everyone is growing, growing, growing...up too fast!!!

Abigail is telling stories starting with "Once upon a time..." and has started using expressions like, "Oh, no!" when something bad happens. She usually follows it with an, "That's okay, it happens sometimes." I can't decide whether the parroting of me is flattery or mockery. :) She's got tons of energy and is very bright. She's taken to asking how everything is spelled...so I have a feeling we'll be spelling soon. She has memorized how to spell her name...A-B-B-Y... and is happy to tell anyone who asks.

Little miss Katherine is 17 lbs and is 7 months old. She's eating solid food like a champ until you offer carrots. She'll actually gag dramatically to tell you what she thinks of them. :) Most of the time, she is all smiles...a very happy little girl...until this week when she started cutting teeth. For the first two nights, I couldn't figure out what was wrong, but thank God for Anbesol! Now, everyone in our house can sleep again. :) Nothing to see yet, but those two top teeth (odd that it's not the bottoms first) should be visible soon.

I wish I could report exciting news on the mobility front, but Katherine has had nothing but disdain for being on her tummy...an important first step to crawling. Mostly she just screamed anytime she was rudely placed on her belly. :) Now, it's not so bad. She can last for maybe 10-20 seconds before screaming. Pitiful, but true. She's starting to realize that she's going to have to use that uncomfortable position to help her get things. Although she's doing quite well scooting on her bottom in the sitting position...and you would think her arms were made of elastic because she has become quite adept at reaching for the things she wants. She's also very interested in pulling up. She reaches for people to hold her up, and enjoys standing. She just doesn't have the strength yet to do it on her own...or the endurance to last very long once she's up. But she'll get there....she's motivated...she's got to be able to get out of the way of her big sister and the things hurled at her head (inadvertently or not). :)

The girls really love and like each other. Abigail is protective and kind to Katherine. And Katherine lights up when she sees Abigail. It's very sweet to watch. Abby even climbs in Katherine's crib to play and keep her company while I change over laundry or put dishes in the dishwasher. She's become quite a big helper.

Well, that's enough for now. Sorry it's been so long since I posted. More to follow soon. Photos are of Abby painting pottery for father's day, her first time on roller skates, and of Kathering eating her first biter biscuit.