3 Months Old!

January Update

If there is a month I don't mind seeing fly by, it is cold, cold January! Even though the cold weather has mostly kept us indoors, we've been pretty busy. Being back at work has been really nice and I found that I really did miss it, but it has taken awhile to adjust for all of us, Abby included. The first week at the babysitter was a little rough. My first week at work completely wore me out. But now, life has seemed to even out and return to normal.

Last weekend, my college friends and I celebrated a collective 30th birthday party in Chicago. I haven't laughed so hard for a long, long time. I'm so thankful to have a group of girlfriends like these ladies. We don't see each other often enough, but it always seems we pick back up exactly where we left off. Being together reminds me of who I am and where I've come from. We had a hoot living it up in the Windy City for a night!

Abby will be 3 months old this week. She recently discovered her thumb. I know it will be habit to break later on, but it is pretty nice to have a built in pacifier that she puts in herself and it is pretty darn cute to watch! She is full of smiles and coos lately. I also discovered in the past week that Abby is starting to move around a lot in her crib and when she plays. I've found her completely side ways or turned around in the morning several times.

Ben is all about his diggers and construction equipment. His line lately is, "Wanna play John Deere?" He is very much looking forward to his birthday (which is still 6 weeks away) and has informed me that he would like diggers on his cake this year. Last year was dump trucks, so I guess not much has changed!

Finally, some pictures! Some are from Christmas and some are more recent, and in no particular order. Enjoy!

Bittersweet

I return to work tomorrow and am full of bittersweet emotions tonight... and a little anxiety as well. How on earth did 10 weeks fly by so fast? How will Abby do at the babysitters? How will I do without her for the day? How will I ever get out the door and get to work by 7:30? I haven't even been out of my pajamas by 7:30 for 10 weeks! I'm feeling a little anxious that my morning routine will be dictated by when Abby wakes during the early morning hours, determining when I feed her, which determines when I shower... you get the drift. I'm also a little anxious about just how in the dark I am about what has been happening at work since October. I didn't crack my school bag until last night. I've just got to get through the first day and will be good to go from there - I hope.

I apologize for the lack of pictures on this post, as I haven't had a chance to look at our pictures from the holidays yet. Soon... I promise. However, here is a quick update from the last few weeks:

- Although the holidays are fun, I was happy to wave goodbye to December in hopes that January will be a healthier month in our family. Abby was hospitalized the week before Christmas for three days due to a fever. The doctors ran about every test they could, but were only able to conclude that it was a virus. It gave us a pretty good scare and made for an anxiety ridden, sleep deprived few days! The rest of us have all had nasty colds for part of the month, and I even had strep, an ear infection, and pink eye (I know, you'd think I was an eight year old with that list!). We were extremely thankful that Abby's illness was just a virus and we were able to be home for Christmas, with everyone healthy.

- Ben LOVED Christmas, and those are his own words. He really got a kick out of opening the doors on our advent calendar every day and getting an M&M. He had accidentally opened the 25 door early in the month, only to discover it was loaded with M&Ms. On Christmas morning, Brant walked into his room and said, "Merry Christmas!" Ben yelled, "Yea, I get to open the big door today!!" Yes, it is the little things, isn't it?!?

- Potty training has been successful!! We are thrilled that Ben is officially an underpant wearing kid! The process was relatively painless, for the most part, and has certainly led to some interesting conversations and moments.

-Abby is a smiling maniac. And, it appears she may have a little dimple on one of her cheeks. Beyond smiling, she is also vocalizing like crazy, almost as if she is having a conversation with me. Her other big trick lately is sticking out her tongue. She loves to watch my tongue, and then sticks her's out in response. Like I said, it is the little things!

Well, since I am re-entering the working world tomorrow, I had better get my lunch and bags packed for the morning that will be here all to soon.

I hope you all had a Happy New Year! Best wishes to you for 2011!