Paa-ooooh-say

(Think Frank Caliendo's Bush impersonation of PAUSE.)

Where is the pause button? Okay, if there isn't a pause button (or even a slow-mo), can I settle for no more fast forward? Matt and I always seem to stay busy, I usually have a running calendar of events and upcoming travel plans. This has never changed, even back when we dated there was always a ton of stuff happening. While this year has had it's share of family gatherings, weddings, births and travel, I think 2009 has managed to disappear quicker than the rest. Abigail has been such an amazing blessing to us. We have loved every second, every stinky diaper and I cannot believe how fast she has been growing and changing before our eyes each and every day.

November was a whirlwind of heres and theres and December is almost over. It's been a very busy month... (Sorry for the lack of blogging.)

Matt + Work = Overtime
Since November, Matt's been putting a lot of hours working on a huge project for a huge client. While it's a great opportunity (and possible portfolio piece), and Matt seems to enjoy the project, the long hours at work means less time at home with his girls.

The First First Birthday Party
Pictures were posted from Abigail's home party and everyone had a great time. This party was also our first large gathering of this sorts at our house. We still are amazed (and some were disappointed) at how docile Abigail treated her smash cake. Abigail received lots of new toys, puzzles and books, our house is slowly becoming a toy store. She is a huge fan of balloons and can actually say 'balloon' now, in her own motorboat sounding way.

PawPaw
The night before Abigail's Atlanta pary, PawPaw Crenshaw was admitted to the hospital and, as most of you are aware, has since had open heart surgery (on the 14th). It's been a crazy time for all the family, not to mention an insane roller-coaster ride of emotions full of highs and lows. Currently, PawPaw is still in ICU and we are patiently waiting the healing process. The cardiac doctor is optimistic of his recovery. Thank you for your continued prayers.

Early Christmas
Even though PawPaw was/is in the hospital, we were still able to have early Christmas family gathering with both the Barnes and Crenshaw families. It gets more and more difficult to get everyone's schedule align each year as 'the kids' (Matt's generation) get older but it's great that we are still able to get everyone (or most of everyone) together when we celebrate holidays.

The Second First Birthday Party
The second party was more of an adult gathering, with minimal children. (Some people need to hurry up and create some more friends and cousins for Abigail - you know who you are.) Abigail was even more docile with her smash cake, barely touched this one at all! She played and played with everyone in the bouncer and had fun in her new swing from Nina and Nano.

Hello Toddler
Slowly over this last month, we're seeing less and less baby and more toddler. While she is so much fun and seems to surprise us with something new each day, I almost don't want to think too much about it because as a first time mom I am still in a bit of denial. Not only has Abigail become a walker, but she can reverse and turn and almost run as if she didn't just learn this new talent barely a little over a month ago. Abigail signs 'more', 'hungry' and 'all done' with ease and now that her two top teeth are dropping fast her menu is expanding with more textured foods. Just last night, I saw that her two top incisors have broken through the gums. If she sees someone eating she'll let you know she wants some by signing 'more' or 'hungry', she's becoming a little moocher. Upon seeing a Santa decoration she will say HoHo (only two, not three HoHoHo's). My current favorite is her spontaneous kisses, because she wont always give a kiss when we request one. She can blow kisses and can do an Indian chant. She will try to put her clothes on by herself and can say shoes, but it's more of a 'shush' or 'shosh' sound. I could go on and on...we are so in love with our little girl.