We got a new camera!

I am not going to say at all that I am a photographer...However, this camera makes our pictures look a whole lot better than they used to!

I love this one...The blurry pacifier in the foreground (did I use that word correctly?)

Just cuddling with my cousin....

Our Baby....

I haven't posted much recently.  I keep thinking that our lives here will slow down, it hasn't.  And, for that I am grateful, I love being busy, but I also love the slow nights at home.

Right now Steve is studying downstairs, Abby is sleeping and I just got back from the grocery store (which I saved a chunk of money couponing...cha ching!)

Anyway, I just need to brag on our little Abby...And, because this is our blog, I can do that....
She is so flexible...Last week we went to Steve's softb all game, the game went till 9:00ish, it was cold outside, and Abby just hung out with me in the chair.  She was my little heater.  She fell asleep in the car and then made a smooth transfer to her bed.  Just this last weekend we were at Russ' house.  Abby slept there just fine, no issues sleeping in another place or another bed for her!

She just started to crawl and once I plug my phone in I will put up the video.  She is still slow, but my days of not worrying about her moving are slipping away quickly.

She doesn't have stranger danger (knock on wood) yet.  I love that she goes to people and gives them good smiles.

She eats everything.  I have done my best to make her food at home to save money and because it feels better to me than buying it pre-made when it just takes a little extra time to make it at home (and..I have time). I have a freezer stash of apples, carrots and peas, but I am pretty sure she is going to clean me out quickly.

These are just a few reasons why I love Abby so much.  It has been such a joy being her mom.  I love the smiles she gives me when she wakes up and the way she turns her head when she hears my voice.  I am going to become that crazy mom that loves her kid way too much, aren't I?

Abby Dedication

We had Abby dedicated at our church in CO, Vanguard.  It was important for us to do the ceremony with our close friends and their babies. 

We had another dedication (yes, we are THOSE parents) in Michigan with our family.  Russ and Jen are Abby's Godparents and we wanted them to be a part of Abby's dedication so they know our intentions of how we want to raise our little girl.  

A baby dedication isn't something that the baby will remember, it is a promise and proclamation of the parents to say how they intend to raise their child.  We plan on teaching Abby about Christ and the sacrifice he made for us on the cross.  We will do all we can to answer her questions, tell her about the Lord, and teach her what it means to be a daughter of the Lord.  

We named Abby, Abigail, because of who Abigail was in the Bible.  Rather than reading you the entire chapter of I Sam 25, I will tell it to you in a shorter version.  Abigail was married to Nabal.  King David had been in a war and had protected some of Nabal's men and land.  Eventually, King David needed a favor and asked it of Nabal.  Nabal refused and said he would not help David.  So, what did David do?  He planned to attack Nabal.  Nabal's workers heard of it and went to Abigail to ask for her help saying, "We know David is going to come and harm us because Nabal refused to return the favor, please do something."  Abigail, was wise, went to David with a "peace offering" and asked for forgiveness and fed David's men.  Because of Abigail's wisdom, all of Nabal's house was saved. You can' read the entire story for yourself, but Abigail was beautiful and full of wisdom.  We want our Abigail to do the same. 

Nana made Abby's outfit for the day.  We will treasure it forever. 

At the end of the day, Abby fell asleep on Bubba, so precious!

Both great grandparents were there.  That means so much to us!

Great Grandma Klenke

Isn't she adorable?

 Abby's cousins.

Great Grandpa Russell

Abby's ceremony was held in the Gazebo in the Klenke's backyard.  Just over 4 years ago we had a wedding reception in that gazebo!  Craig was the "master of ceremony" for us.  We are so thrilled to have him as part of our (and Abby's life).  

The food was DELICIOUS!  Smoked fish, baked fish, fried fish (mom and dad, you don't mess around, thank you SO much for all the food), BBQ sandwiches, fruit salad, coleslaw, potato salad, a big cookie cake AND a doll cake!  Thanks to everyone for helping with the food.  Especially thanks to this guy....

Yes, this is my brother, and the person we chose to take Abby and all our belongings should something happen to us.  Should we revamp our will?  

And, the doll cake...It wasn't as good as the one for Jennifer's shower, but it works :)

Seven Months

OK, I've caught up.  Abby just ended her seventh month of life and it has been a great one.  Lots of firsts!

Moved to Michigan.

You LOVE to swim in the pool at our condo...You always take great naps when we are done.

You went to the cottage for the first time and swam in Lake Leelanau!

Went to Lake Michigan!

Went to Wares Brothers for the first time.

You went to Walnut Lake Sub 2 and went on the swings.  It is where mommy played when she was a kid.

We started sleep training....It is going much better!  The first two days were pretty rough on mommy though.

You do this funny thing with your hands.  You clasp them together and bang them on your pacifier (which is in your mouth).  Uncle Andy likes to imitate you!

You roll over and scoot all over the carpet.  You are almost ready to crawl.  You are on your hands and knees all the time.  You can move from sitting to being on your hands and knees easily.  You reach for things far away and get them.  You do better at scooting backwards, rather than forwards and sometimes we find you in funny places.

We had your baby dedication at Grandpa and Grandmas.  Yes, this was dedication #2, this time with family.

We got to to back and visit our friends in CO.  We got an awesome baby picture, you cuddled with Corbin during the picture...

You rode in a grocery cart for the first time!

At the cottage!

Your first bowl of rice cereal!

At the cottage with Sam

Almost crawling!

Dad-o let you drive!

A sitting up champ!

Jumping!

Lake Leelanau with Uncle Russ...He loves you lots!

On an airplane to see our favorite friends in CO!

At Sub 2....Where mommy used to play as a kid!

Aunt Bev sent you a Raggedy Ann doll...Daddy had a Raggedy Andy Doll as a kid.....Aunt Bev made it especially for you.  Mom loves this doll and hopes you love it as much as she does!

Peek-a-boo!

Your dedication outfit!  Nana MADE it for you!  Even the bonnet!

Good-Bye CO :(

Sometimes you end up under the couch when you scoot backwards...

Six Months!

You hold your own bottle!

Katie and James got married!  You hung out with Alice while the parents celebrated Katie and James!

You love books!

We went to a redneck fourth of July party!  We gave you a tatoo!

You study with Dad getting ready for U of M!

We went to a Sky Sox game for Mike's birthday.

You still fall asleep on dad-o all the time.  You cuddle with him best.  Mom isn't jealous at all...

You sit up!

 This is your best friend...She is absolutely adorable and I had to add her in here..She was getting annoyed with me taking pictures of her...But that didn't stop me.

You love dogs...

This is why mom has been so bad at posting on the blog recently....All our stuff in boxes :(  (Well, we have a LOT more stuff, but this is part of it).

From Michael W. Smith "Friends are Friends Forever..."

You roll over, belly to back and back to belly.  

You grab your passy and put it back in your mouth.

You went to cripple creek!

You cut your first tooth!

You finished PT with Jeanine.  We will get a new PT in Michigan.  We are thrilled with your progress...I think this "brain damage" as some of the not so savvy doctors call it, is a bunch of baloney!  God has healed you and made all the brain connections necessary to have you be exactly the way he wants you to be.