Sixteen Months

Wow! Sixteen already! Lets just say that I am so happy that it is months and not years just yet...that will come all too soon! Abby's stats at this point go something like this: still waiting for her 1st tooth (any day now I think...), 17 lbs 8 to 15 ounces (depending on the day/time), wearing 9-12 month clothes (though some of her 6-9 still fit but I am sick of seeing them and am hoping for a growth spurt soon so I just buy 12 months for $ sake), not really a fan of sleeping (I chalk this up to teething...), loves to dip things in ranch dressing (or anything else for that matter), has mastered our iPhones, and talks nonstop (I will work on a list of words for next months post). Here is our Little Peanut with her buddy:

I don't think they are in the mood for this...

Abby's first candy cane--Yummy!

I bet Peanut would like some...

Time to share!

(I love her little tongue sticking out on this one)

Want some more?I'm gonna curl up and finish this, ok?

Headed home after a visit with Gramps and Grandma D

(munching on some goodies on our way out the door)

Weekend Fun

Well, holiday prep is in full swing here at the Johnson house but we are managing to squeeze in a little fun along the way! The fun started Friday night with the Oxford Tree Lighting Ceremony! MJ was in charge of organizing the event so we headed out to see Daddy hard at work. We bundled up in our winter gear and walked around downtown, ate some cookies and visited a little too. MJ did a great job on this event and the Oxford DDA will definitely be sad to see him go when he starts his student teaching in January.

Saturday was rather CRAZY--we tried all day to get out of the house to take some pics for our Christmas cards but Abby just wasn't going to have it!! She refused to nap and was a COMPLETE train wreck... lets just say that there was a ton of crying and temper tantrums. So at 4 pm we decided to put Abby in the car and get some running done (Costco, JoAnn's, Target and food). Needless to say she took a 2 hour nap in her carseat while MJ and I took turns running into the needed stores. By this point in the day we were too tired to cook and just picked up some 'Wiches and BK for dinner. MJ got some ranch with his nuggets which Abby decided she needed in order to "dip, dip" her turkey sandwich into. Here is the result of Abby's first encounter with ranch dressing, if you listen closely you can hear her "uuuuummmmmmm" as she bites....

This went on for about 10 minutes, too funny!! After a bath, Abby CRASHED for the night! Wheeew! Next MJ and I finished putting up the tree then went to be:

This morning we were able to head to the Royal Park Hotel in Rochester to take pictures by Oakland County's Largest Gingerbread House. It is super cute and even better smelling! Here are a few pics from out "shoot" (these did not make the cut for the Christmas card...hey we can't give you the good stuff other wise it would be a waste of money to send out cards, silly!!!).

Then we were off to the Rochester Christmas Parade with the Wolvens!!! It was cold but we bundled up and braved the wind. We had a great time and can't wait to go again next year!

Abby stayed warm in her snowsuit and Moby Wrap!! She is not a fan of mittens though...

Love the cheeks!

Then we came home and had some pizza, salad and cake mix brownies. After dinner the girls "played" together for a little before the Wolvens had to head home for Haley's bed time. Abby loves babies--especially her BFF Haley!

Well that is the recap of our busy weekend! Hope you enjoyed the update :)

Beetle Juice

As you know, we started the weaning process back in July. Sadly, though inevitable, we have been done nursing for about a month now. Abby survived, as did I, and we have been living a life of formula only ever since.

Today brought another change to this journey as Michael answered the phone to find that our local Kroger store was giving us a courtesy call regarding the Similac recall. Thank you Kroger and to Similac I say: YUCKKKKKKKK!!! I am sad to report that we have two cans of the recalled formula, one of which is 3/4 gone. DOUBLE YUCKKKKKKK! These were going to be last two cans we would need since we got the go ahead from the Dr. to move on to milk, but needless to say--we won't be using them. So on to the store I went to get our first gallon of whole milk.



As a skim milk drinker, all I have to say is that I never realized just how white and thick that stuff is! But, Abby didn't seem to mind. In fact she chugged it! I am so relieved that she didn't fight the switch that I could cry! I thought we would have the same fight as we had when switching her from breast mile to formula---ounce by ounce switching---slow and steady---not that many ounces in a day. I hope she still likes it in the morning!

Walking

As was stated last night: Abby passed out before we could get through the birthday festivities! And so, the fun continued this morning! First thing we did was eat some breakfast, then the following took place:

Once she dug into the cake, she really enjoyed herself! I hope that she has this much fun on Saturday too :)

In other news: We have a walker!!!! Although the journey to walking started months ago with pulling up, it feels as though it was just yesterday that she started her life as a vertical being! Here is a little video of this month's hard work:

I guess walking was her birthday present to herself!

T minus 6 Days

I'm back! We have been busy little beavers over here getting ready for the birthday extravaganza! I am SLOWLY coming to terms with the fact that in less than one week I will have a one year old! Hang in there with me, I'm sure I will get there at some point.



Today was a BIG day for Abby and Gramps....as Gramps has been waiting Abby's whole life for this "first"! Take a peek:

That's right, Abby had her first bite of pizza today and it was with Gramps! Let me give you a bit of background on the topic: For one of my baby showers, the guests were to give books instead of cards and seeing how Gramps loves pizza (and knows that it will soon be one of Abby's favorite things to eat with him) so much searched for the perfect book and found one about making pizza with Grampa...it was the cutest thing and just the perfect gift from Gramps. And with today's first, a new ritual was born! I'm sure Abby will have her fair share of pizza at Gramps and Grandma D's house :)

Abby also got to meet some of my family for the first time today: My Uncle Denny, Aunt Carol and cousin Sara, who is in town from California along with her son Shalin. The last time I saw Sara I was 41 week preggers...my how things have changed! It was great to spend some time with them--Thank you Sara for making time to see all of us!

T minus 14 Days and Happy Anniversary to Us!!

That's right folks, in just two weeks we will have a one-year old daughter!!! I'm not sure that I am coming to terms with this like I should be yet...hey I still have a little before I HAVE to :)

Today, our little fam went for a two hour walk...it was hot, it was humid and it was only 9 a.m. Abby slept for the first half then chattered and hummed for the second half. Then we hung out for a little and packed Abby up for an evening at Nana and Papa's (so MJ and I could enjoy an evening out in celebration of our third anniversary). As we were driving on the back roads, the weirdest thing happened--it rained a squirrel! From nowhere a squirrel dropped from the sky, right into the middle of the dirt road. Poor thing seemed stunned after its thump to the ground. I was surprised to see it get up and run away...hope he/she is ok this evening!!

After a drive-by drop-off we headed to the D for dinner and a Tigers game. We went to Small Plates downtown so that we could use a Groupon that we scored a few months ago ($40 of goods for the low price of $20...not too shabby). All in all the food was ok--kind of bland if I do say so myself--but the beer and drinks were good. Can't go wrong with good old Miller Light and a tasty drink called The DJ's Fav (vanilla Stoli, Southern Comfort and Coke--sweet but GOOD). I would go back for the BBQ pizza and fries, but you can keep the lettuce wraps and bagel brochette.

Next we made our way through town and down to the park, but not with out a stop into a local bar for a Jager Bomb. Chelie's Chili was MJ's place of choice tonight. In and out.

Then we settled into our seats, beer in hand, for a little relaxation. We had GREAT seats tonight thanks to StubHub and a season ticket holder. We scored seats in section 118, row 6. I don't know what I was thinking when we purchased the tickets but I was pleasantly surprised to see just how great the seats were. It was nice to see all the calls at home plate for a change.

We had a good time at the game. We chatted it up with the older couple to our left who were from Chicago. The were true White Sox's fans from head to toe...literally! Grandpa had the hat and shirt to show it while Grandma had the earrings, shirt, and flip-flops!!! They were in town for the series, nothing more, nothing less. By the end of the night we were showing off our little ones (6 grand kids for them) and laughing at the spectators together. Sadly, one of their grandsons is rather sick due to having half a heart. He sounds like a real trooper though and brings many smiles to their faces. I would just like to say that we have this family in our prayers tonight and hope you might do the same.

Well after 7 innings of not so great playing, MJ and I decided to hit the road so that we could pick up little Abb-ster and get to bed. It is funny just how much you can miss a little thing! Needless to say she was passed out in bed with Nana when we got there at 10:30. She must of had fun playing!

And that my friends brigs us to a close for this find day!

MJ--I love you and am so lucky to have you in my life (as is Abby). It is amazing to think of what a blessing the past 3 years have been with you in them. Thank you for loving me the way you do and for putting up with all my.....ummmm......crap sometimes! I truly don't know what I would do without you! You always managed to bring some sunshine to my day when I am struggling, love when I am down (and even when I'm not), laughter when I'm to uptight, and true prospective when I need it most! I love you Michael Johnson!!!!! I can't wait to see what the future has in store for us :)

T minus 15 Days

Today was another sad day in the countdown to Abby turning one...we officially eliminated the morning nursing session :( If you haven't been keeping track, that means that we are down to one nursing a day. That is a far cry from the 10-12 feedings we were doing just over a year ago when we brought her home. My, how she has grown! I am a bit worried because she only had 7 ounces of formula and the evening nursing (plus solid food too of coarse), it just doesn't seem like enough liquid for a day. Oh well, I'm sure she will catch on to the new game plan soon enough.

In other news, I have been in denial for awhile now but can no longer live there. I thought I have seen Abby move from place A to B without holding on--kind of stepping but kind of diving at the same time--but refused to believe it. The other day my dad told me he thought he saw the same thing...I refused to believe this as well. But today I watched her dive from the end of the coffee table to the end of the couch, which is a good three feet. Might this be the first signs of her coming steps??? I tried to get it on video, but she knows that she can see "the baby" on the camera and comes trucking right over. I have to be super stealthy now days. I will try to get it on tape soon :)

Carrots and Parsnips...

I need to take a moment to applaud my little girl, for she is a far more adventurous eater than her father or I.  While shopping at Whole Foods the other day we came across a carrot and parsnip patty in the deli section.  While parsnips have never been in my food repertoire, Abby loves carrots so I thought "what the heck, lets give it a try".  I am happy to say that she is currently eating devouring said patty as if she was not fed all day.  Way to go Abby, you rock!