Our Birthday Princess

On Monday, November 16 we were excited to celebrate our Abigail's 3rd birthday. This is also Todd's birthday, but in his words "I don't have a birthday anymore." He's good natured about it, thankfully! She was his 25th birthday present and I tell him all the time I will never be able to top that present! I cannot believe how the time has flown. It seems like yesterday I was bringing her home from the hospital. Over the last year she has really done a lot of growing and changing. Over the last year she has become a big sister, been potty trained (woohoo), and has had multiple vocabulary explosions. Her time as a two-year old was a wild ride in our family filled with a lot of crying and tantrums, but also a lot of love and laughter. We can't wait to see what this year holds for her!

I think she really enjoyed her birthday party, which we held the Saturday before her birthday. We had many friends and family there for her "Hello Kitty" themed party. She received many wonderful gifts, but by far her favorite was her "Princess Ano." This is Abby-speak for a Princess Musical Lighted Vanity. She saw this in the Christmas wish book about a week before her birthday and just had to have it. We sent Uncle Justin to the Toys 'R Us in Greenville to get it, but they didn't have it. We called Target and Walmart, no luck. Todd and I ended up driving to Jacksonville the night before the party to get it at the Toys 'R Us there. It was so worth it to see the look on her face when she opened that present. We just pray that there are no last-minute Christmas requests!

Not related, but here is an exerpt from a conversation I had with Abby this past Saturday morning:
Abby: Mommy, I'm really tired.
Mommy: Me too. I didn't get enough sleep last night.
Abby: Mommy, you really need to take care of yourself.

Where she got that one, I have NO idea!

I will post pictures soon when I have a few minutes to upload them.

Tyler updates: He is almost walking. He has taken a step or two, but I haven't seen it. Todd and my dad have seen him do it. He is now finally saying "mama" but I think it's just when he's hungry. Funny how he still associates me with food even though it's been 3 months since I've nursed him. He loves cars and likes to "drive" them around. More updates to come on him because his birthday is approaching quickly too!

Bath Time!

One of my new favorite mommy things to do is give Tyler a bath. Right now I'm bathing him in the sink (minus the baby bath tub) since I don't quite trust him sitting up in the big tub yet. It also is a life saver for my back! When it's time to give him a bath, Abby and I put one the bar stools up to the sink and she climbs on. She is always my big "helper" when I give him a bath. The two of them have an absolute blast! Tyler has two of his favorite toys, a plastic spoon and a rubber duck. Abby and Tyler laugh, play, and splash. By the time we are finished, I have one clean baby, a toddler ready for her bath, a messy wet kitchen, but two happy kids! It is one of my biggest joys as a mom to watch my two children play together. Their laughter is priceless, and I will always treasure it!




I included some pictures of our Tyler snoozing with his daddy a few Sunday mornings ago. He was so cute sleeping with Todd that I had to snap a couple of pictures. He is still very much a mama's boy, but he is warming up to Todd. They have had more opportunities to hang out lately and that has helped a lot. As you can tell from some of these pictures, Tyler has already learned how to be a ham for the camera. It doesn't take them long to learn! He continues to learn and grow every day. He now eating Cheerios or the Gerber puffs on his own. He uses his thumb and first finger and pinches them. Not all of them make it to his mouth, but he's learning! Here is a video of one of his "I'm tired" performances. He takes his fist and rubs not only his eyes, but his entire face. Many times he'll include his ears too. It's quite hilarious!

Link to Tyler Video

Where did summer go? **UPDATED**

**POST UPDATED WITH PICTURES**

Well, it's that time of year again! Unfortunately our summer is fading quickly away and Todd and I will be back at school once more. Todd went back on Friday to a day-long meeting (yuck). I go back on Monday for two days of training and then I start workdays on Wednesday. The kids come back for both of us on Tuesday, August 25. It seems like we are just now getting into our easy summer routine and it's already time to go back!
We've been keeping busy as usual over the last couple of weeks. Tyler has had several big firsts. He pulled up for the first time on Wednesday night. It's all over now...he'll officially be into everything! He also had his first trip to the beach. He loved the waves! Despite being as careful as possible, I think he ate a few handfuls of sand as well. Since he's still exploring the world by putting everything in his mouth I think that's par for the course! I'll post pictures as soon as I get them onto my computer.
Abby has officially completed her first swimming lessons. She was not promoted to the next level, but I expected that. She still is awful young...she was actually supposed to be 3 to take the class. She did great her first two days of class, and the last two days of class, but really acted like she was scared all the days in between. Anytime it was her turn to swim with the teacher she would get out of the pool and run to me crying. And I would go to her and put her the pool. The funny thing is, once she was actually in the water with her teacher, she did everything she was supposed to do just fine! She also refused to jump off the side of the pool everyday, but the last two days she would as long as I was right there with her. All in all, I say we made progress. I think I'll wait until the spring to repeat the class, but I'm glad she had the exposure.
By the way, I'm glad you found us at our new home @blogspot. Mark this new site in your favorites so you can visit and check up on us all the time!

Abby Mommy Day

This morning I took Tyler to the sitter and had a special girls-only day with my Abigail. We really needed this time together. I think it's the first time we've had a significant amount of time together since before Tyler was born. We didn't do anything big, but it was still a fantastic day! We started off by going to the post office to mail Aunt Kara some pregnancy books. Abby is fascinated with how the mail works so I sat her up on the counter while the postwoman (?) did her thing. Next we headed off to Creekside Park for some fun. The weather was gorgeous, but a little breezy. Abby was most interested in the swings today. We didn't stay long because a stunt pilot was practicing overhead in his plane (Creekside is right near the airport). Airplanes are one of Abby's new fears, I think it's the noise. After a quick snack of juice and Nemo gummies, we went to the Dollar Tree and got some awesome goodies. I found some cute pictures frames to put her and Tyler's pictures in at school. Abby found some pom-poms, a sand bucket, duck bubbles, a doll, and some Princess chapstick. It's amazing what a few dollars can buy you in there! Then we headed off to the Cow Cafe, one of Abby's favorites. She got to eat a hot dog, drink chocolate milk, and play in their farm-themed play area. She was in heaven. After a cup of ice cream, we went to Food Lion for some eggs and the sweet cashier gave her a balloon (also a favorite treat). We went home and made some spring cupcakes. Granny, save some points for a cupcake, because Abby is bringing some to share! She is now napping, and I am getting my last minute paperwork for having my taxes done this evening. I am so behind on that, but needless to say, I've been a little busy lately! It was such a blessing to spend today with my precious little girl-she's growing up WAY too quickly!
PS-Update: Abby is now sleeping in her big girl bed and doing a fabulous job! She is also doing an awesome job with the potty. Very few accidents lately! Tyler is now sleeping in his own room too. He's still in the bassinet, but will be in the crib soon! The new love of his life is Hunter, my parents big, black lab!

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Abby Turns Two!!

This has been a long time coming, but Abby has turned two!! We had a small party here at the house with my family and Todd's parents. Abby got a new doll house (you should hear Todd talk about all the accessories...) which she has really enjoyed so far. She also got a lot of other fun toys and now Mommy and Daddy don't know where they are going to fit Christmas!! Here are a few pictures of the day...Enjoy![gallery link="file" columns="2"]

Pumpkin Carving 2008

They say a picture is worth a thousand words...the only problem with the cover picture of the album below is that many of the 1,000 words Amy was probably thinking are unprintable :) While over at Nana and Granddaddy's the Wednesday before Halloween we had a little fun while carving the pumpkin. It started with a bit of joking about whether the pumpkin or Mommy's belly was larger. While Abby helped to get all the "leafs" (and you thought they were seeds...) out of the pumpkin, Daddy decided it would be a great idea to dress the new baby up in his first Halloween costume. Amy was a good sport through it all and endure much laughter and a lengthy photo shoot. Enjoy and Happy Halloween!

Pumpkin Carving 2008

Photo Shoot

If you needed further evidence that Miss Abigail really is THE most beautiful little girl on the planet, these photos should prove that :) We're not the slightest bit biased, of course. Huge thanks to Kara and Christopher for the impromptu photo shoots while feeding the ducks at Union Point, swimming at the YMCA, and in the evening at Creekside Park. Enjoy!!

Abby August 2008

Ocracoke Family Fun

Sorry this is so late, but we wanted to let you know about our trip to Ocracoke in June. We were blessed to be able to spend an entire week enjoying the island and extended family. My cousin Susan has two homes in Ocracoke that she rents out, and she allowed our family to use both of them for a reunion. We had family from North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois, and Alabama represented. Abby was able to ride on her very first ferry, play in the ocean, see several lighthouses, and of course enjoy all of the extra attention. Here are some pictures of our cutie enjoying our vacation!

Ocracoke Vacation

Into the Great Wide Open...

Abigail had her first experience roughing it over the weekend. Nana and Grandaddy took her to Cliffs of the Neuse State Park for a camp-out Saturday night. Abby loved every minute of the outdoors on Saturday. She rode in her wagon, looked for turtles, cooked s'mores, and even found time to zonk out for a short nap in the car. Abby also caught two caterpillars that kept her well entertained! Sunday morning a thunderstorm rolled in turning the camp-out into a water park adventure. Click the link below for photos of her adventure.

Into the Great Wide Open...

Hoppy Easter!

The Easter season has sure been busy for the three Williamsons!  Mommy and Daddy have been busy working on our National Boards (thank goodness they are in the mail on their way), while Abby has been enjoying the festivities.  She has visited the Easter bunny, had 3 egg hunts, and of course dressed up on Easter Sunday!  Although a little chilly, Easter was a beautiful day to Praise the Lord!
All Dressed Up!
Abby riding the rocking horse her Pop made her for Easter

Happy Birthday, Stevie!

On Saturday we met some of our family at the Sanitary Fish Market to celebrate cousin Stevie's birthday.  We had a wonderful lunch and then went to the NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores.  What a great way to celebrate Stevie turning 2!
Stevie and Abby!
Crabby Abby!
One, Two, Three...