Babybooks are just wonderful...if you have the time to keep them! I have done a fair job on baby books for both girls but they don't have room for the funny little anecdotes that Andy and I enjoy so much and really want to remember! So, here and there I've included these moments on the blog. I figure that we'll always be able to look back and read them, so here is the latest:
Hannah's teething so far has been much worse than anything I ever dreamed about with Abby. She has two teeth so far and the pediatrician said she has a lot of swelling in her gums, including back where the molars are. Nights are long and in the morning the poor little thing falls back to sleep in her carseat because she's just so tired. Sure wish I had a nap to look forward to! That's all I'm gonna say about that.
Because I have always had a long commute to and from work, I try to use that time to the fullest. As several of you know, I often chat with family and friends. On pretty days I open the sunroof and turn the radio up and pretend that I'm not almost 30 with two carseats behind me! Sometimes I pray, sometimes I just enjoy the quiet. So this week I had a thought that the time in the car on the way to the babysitter's, while Abby and I talk (and Hannah sleeps), would be the perfect time to teach her about prayer. For those of you who know that my brother in law is a Pastor, please remember that I'm not and this is incredibly elementary and not anything more than my brainstorm! The past few mornings we have prayed in the car and Abigail loves it!
We stick to things we're thankful for (family, home, etc.) and people we love or who we might be worried about. I pray outloud and Abby adds things when she thinks of them. It's an incredibly simple beginning, but maybe it's the beginning of intercessory prayer, you just never know. Anyway, so far Abigail has given thanks for: popsicles, Daddy's four wheeler, Hannah's giggles and Halloween costumes! Then, she later asks if we can "Do God talk again." That's just gotta make you smile!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Watch week at Style Dance Academy
Monday was a very exciting day for our little ballerina! This is 'watch week' at Style Dance Academy and that meant that parents, grandparents, etc. could watch classes. Actually, it was at least as exciting for Abigail's parents and grandparents as it was for her! Abby takes weekly gymnastics and dance classes called Tot Gym and Tot Dance. Each class is 30 minutes long and she loves it! Usually on Tuesday she announces that today is dance day again...and then we have the conversation about how Monday is dance day and Monday won't come again until next week. Everyone had a great time on Monday, Andy's mom & dad and my mom & dad were all there, along with lots of other girls' family members. We saw the little routines that Abby performs for us at home and could fit in the missing pieces that she sometimes leaves out.
Highlights were 'Miss Puffy' which is a stretching routine that begins like this "My friend Puffy sits up very tall, the bottoms of her feet together, hands on her ankles, too..." and "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" with parent participation. Abigail chose Andy to join the circle with her and he was a good sport about it. There will be two more 'watch weeks' before the end of the year recital, in June.
Highlights were 'Miss Puffy' which is a stretching routine that begins like this "My friend Puffy sits up very tall, the bottoms of her feet together, hands on her ankles, too..." and "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" with parent participation. Abigail chose Andy to join the circle with her and he was a good sport about it. There will be two more 'watch weeks' before the end of the year recital, in June.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Trick or treat
Tailgating before Tennessee-Georgia
checking out my "boobs"
While the sisters have not only bypassed Halloween, but also Thanksgiving apparently, leave it to the little brother to get the calendar in order. (As is my custom, I'll begin my holiday shopping trip(s) on Dec. 23/24, so make sure I have your wish lists by then. :-)
Kristi and I enjoyed a Saturday afternoon of Georgia-LSU football at her house (Dawgs won again, 6-0 when we watch them together) before assembling our costumes for her boss' costume party. If you can't tell, we went as the King (her) and Queen (me) of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland. We were one of the biggest hits of the party, which was mainly co-workers and some neighbors.
It was a chilly night in Northeast Georgia, so it was cool that Rob (her boss) and his wife have an outdoor fireplace on the patio in the backyard. We really enjoyed making smores in the fire!
Next weekend, she's coming to Anderson for a more extensive tour of the Electric City, and I might break out my culinary talents. Oh la la! There's also a little football game called Georgia-Florida that we'll probably tune in for. :) It's only got SEC implications, not to mention national title game impact.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
'Tis the Season
It does not seem possible, but last week I started Christmas shopping. We love fall, it is beautiful and crisp and the weekends are filled with fun things to do. But, just around the corner we have Andy's birthday in November, and then mine, Clara's and Andy Halsey's in December, not to mention Thanksgiving and Christmas and Mom's birthday in January. So, I like to start early, earlier than this, actually.
I'm happy to report that I'm finished shopping for Andy's birthday and finished shopping for Dad for Christmas and have gotten Abigail and Hannah each a couple of things. Plus, I already know what we're getting Clara for her birthday. This is a big one, she's going to be 5!
The idea, of course, is that with the shopping done early, we can focus more on the meaning of the season and the fun family time together. Last year I was pregnant and Abigail and I made Christmas cookies. In the process, she dyed all of the icing green and practically coated the entire kitchen in powdered sugar. We also love cutting our own Christmas Tree. This is more Andy's tradition than mine, it involves a long drive in the country and the use of a saw so of course he likes doing it!
Anyway, shopping has begun and I guess it felt like I was turning a corner toward the holidays. Is anyone with me??
I'm happy to report that I'm finished shopping for Andy's birthday and finished shopping for Dad for Christmas and have gotten Abigail and Hannah each a couple of things. Plus, I already know what we're getting Clara for her birthday. This is a big one, she's going to be 5!
The idea, of course, is that with the shopping done early, we can focus more on the meaning of the season and the fun family time together. Last year I was pregnant and Abigail and I made Christmas cookies. In the process, she dyed all of the icing green and practically coated the entire kitchen in powdered sugar. We also love cutting our own Christmas Tree. This is more Andy's tradition than mine, it involves a long drive in the country and the use of a saw so of course he likes doing it!
Anyway, shopping has begun and I guess it felt like I was turning a corner toward the holidays. Is anyone with me??
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Fall Family Fun
At the Halsey home, we are really enjoying our favorite time of year! The weather is cooler, humidity is virtually gone and the trees in our neighborhood are beginning to change colors. So, last weekend it was time to finally get our hands on some pumpkins of our very own to highlight the season! On Saturday, our family made our first visit to Cedar Hill Farm just outside of Hernando, MS (a suburb of Memphis about 60 miles north of Charleston). The kids enjoyed picking out their own pumpkins, riding a kid-sized train, visiting the petting zoo and many other activities designed for kids. Andy and I enjoyed watching the kids, being outside in the great weather, and hearing the live bluegrass music. A highlight for Andy was hearing the 1976 Grand National Banjo Champion, a member of the band. And of course, after the music, we watched the pigs race. What a day!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Franklin College Homecoming 2008
My blog entries almost always revolve around family and our sweet little girls, but this one is all about some of my wonderful college friends. Franklin Homecoming was this Saturday (part of a jam packed weekend) and we had a lot of fun. The Grizzlies may never make it to ESPN like the teams Keith and Kristi cheer for, but good 'ol Griz did trounce visiting Bluffton, 63-3!
We had a nice, shady spot and lots of yummy food to share. It was great to see some friends that we just don't see often enough. Since several of them are dedicated blog readers, I hope they'll enjoy seeing these pictures!
L to R: Clint Neff (our brother in law, Susanna's husband), Clint Beck (Kristin's husband), Andy, Stuart Rogers (Megan's husband)
Me and Megan with Abigail
Susanna (my fun sister in law who introduced me to Andy once upon a time) with Hannah and her little boy Gavin. Please note, Gavin is already dressing appropriately...that's a Peyton Manning jersey/onesie. All you toddlers out there should dress likewise!
My old roomies! Megan (Smeltzer) Rogers and Kristin (Black) Beck
Because the blog will only let me upload 4 pictures at a time, I couldn't fit everyone in. The others who came were Mandy (Williams) Laymon with her very funny little boy Eli, Heather Barbosa with her sweet little girl, Evea and Lindsay (Bolton) Tunny, the newlywed whose new husband was working. We also called Abby (Booe) Engle in Colorado to wish her a happy 30th birthday!
Next time, back to the girls. Today was just a little diversion from teething, diapers, funny things Abby says and other excitement from Shelby County, Indiana.
We had a nice, shady spot and lots of yummy food to share. It was great to see some friends that we just don't see often enough. Since several of them are dedicated blog readers, I hope they'll enjoy seeing these pictures!
L to R: Clint Neff (our brother in law, Susanna's husband), Clint Beck (Kristin's husband), Andy, Stuart Rogers (Megan's husband)
Me and Megan with Abigail
Susanna (my fun sister in law who introduced me to Andy once upon a time) with Hannah and her little boy Gavin. Please note, Gavin is already dressing appropriately...that's a Peyton Manning jersey/onesie. All you toddlers out there should dress likewise!
My old roomies! Megan (Smeltzer) Rogers and Kristin (Black) Beck
Because the blog will only let me upload 4 pictures at a time, I couldn't fit everyone in. The others who came were Mandy (Williams) Laymon with her very funny little boy Eli, Heather Barbosa with her sweet little girl, Evea and Lindsay (Bolton) Tunny, the newlywed whose new husband was working. We also called Abby (Booe) Engle in Colorado to wish her a happy 30th birthday!
Next time, back to the girls. Today was just a little diversion from teething, diapers, funny things Abby says and other excitement from Shelby County, Indiana.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Dawgs 26, Vols 14 (Sic 'em Dawgs)
With football weather settling in on the Southeast, Kristi and I made plans to tailgate and take in the Tennessee-Georgia game on Saturday. She was once again off the charts in the kitchen, cooking up a casserole of eggs, cheese, mushrooms, tomatoes etc., along with ham sandwiches made with apple cinnamon sauce and Swiss cheese. Ummm ummm! We set up at her usual tailgate with nearly a dozen friends and co-workers. Everyone chipped in with drinks, brownies, chips and dip, cake etc. We also played several games of Corn hole.
On the way to the game, we stopped at a couple of other tailgates to see more friends. This week for the Homecoming game against Vanderbilt, our focus is on North Campus because we didn't have enough time to see those peeps last weekend.
The game was pretty fun, although sloppy at times. The No. 10 Dawgs pulled it out and are 4-0 when Kristi and I watch them together in person or on TV. She made the Jumbotron 3 times! I'm so proud, Ha! :)
Our first date was the Central Michigan game, where we also made the Jumbotron, which set off a flurry of text messages and voicemails.
Our second date started out at a sports bar when they played the South Carolina Chickens.
Our fourth date was a sorority dance (yes, I cut a rug, I know you're jealous) with the game on in the back corner.
So since we have plans to go to the Vandy game together, the 'Dores should be in trouble. After the Tennessee game, we shared a garden burrito at a mexican restaurant (Uncle Keith has to keep up with his vegetables, so says Kristi), then went through a haunted house. (We made sure to avoid the chainsaw exhibit).
Other upcoming events include a jazz and BBQ event after the Vandy game ... a work Halloween party where we will dress (in homemade costumes we are sewing) as the Queen (me) and King (Kristi) in Alice in Wonderland. We're already discussing where to store our first place trophy for Best Costume. C'mon, we're a no doubt shoo-in.
So it's been a really fun five or so weeks. We've also enjoyed a picnic prepared by Uncle Keith (don't be shocked, you know I had picnic talents), sushi in Greenville, homemade paninnis by Athens' finest young chef, a 5K heart walk finished off by marianted salmon and steamed vegetables.
Here are some pictures from the Phi Mu 150th anniversary dance, and the Tennessee-Georgia game.
On the way to the game, we stopped at a couple of other tailgates to see more friends. This week for the Homecoming game against Vanderbilt, our focus is on North Campus because we didn't have enough time to see those peeps last weekend.
The game was pretty fun, although sloppy at times. The No. 10 Dawgs pulled it out and are 4-0 when Kristi and I watch them together in person or on TV. She made the Jumbotron 3 times! I'm so proud, Ha! :)
Our first date was the Central Michigan game, where we also made the Jumbotron, which set off a flurry of text messages and voicemails.
Our second date started out at a sports bar when they played the South Carolina Chickens.
Our fourth date was a sorority dance (yes, I cut a rug, I know you're jealous) with the game on in the back corner.
So since we have plans to go to the Vandy game together, the 'Dores should be in trouble. After the Tennessee game, we shared a garden burrito at a mexican restaurant (Uncle Keith has to keep up with his vegetables, so says Kristi), then went through a haunted house. (We made sure to avoid the chainsaw exhibit).
Other upcoming events include a jazz and BBQ event after the Vandy game ... a work Halloween party where we will dress (in homemade costumes we are sewing) as the Queen (me) and King (Kristi) in Alice in Wonderland. We're already discussing where to store our first place trophy for Best Costume. C'mon, we're a no doubt shoo-in.
So it's been a really fun five or so weeks. We've also enjoyed a picnic prepared by Uncle Keith (don't be shocked, you know I had picnic talents), sushi in Greenville, homemade paninnis by Athens' finest young chef, a 5K heart walk finished off by marianted salmon and steamed vegetables.
Here are some pictures from the Phi Mu 150th anniversary dance, and the Tennessee-Georgia game.
Monday, October 6, 2008
A visit with friends...
Last week we had a really fun visit with Becky and Austin Richardson who drove up from Nashville, TN on Monday.
Austin and Hannah are both participating in a study on Type 1 Diabetes (which Becky and I both have). So, every six months he has to come up to have a check up with the doctor at Riley Hospital for Children. Austin turned one on Friday and has really grown up since we last saw him in May! He and Abby played together a lot this time (see him pushing her in the chair?) and we all had such a fun visit!
On Tuesday after the Riley visit we took a picnic lunch down to Apple Works in Trafalgar, IN. If you live in Central Indiana it is really worth a visit. It's primarily an apple orchard but there is also a picnic area, a small petting zoo and play equipment for the kids.
On Wednesday we went to the Edinburgh outlet mall and I was able to stock up on fall clothes that we all 4 needed. I'm sure some of the store employees thought we were crazy...two strollers and a baby in a backpack. But hey, Becky and I took turns shopping and wrangling babies and actually got a lot done! I can't think of many friends I'd want to attempt that with :-)
Having little kids means there is never a dull moment but thankfully, in the evenings, Andy, Becky and I were able to take a deep breath and enjoy a glass of wine and conversation. We are so thankful for a friendship that has lasted so long!
Austin and Hannah are both participating in a study on Type 1 Diabetes (which Becky and I both have). So, every six months he has to come up to have a check up with the doctor at Riley Hospital for Children. Austin turned one on Friday and has really grown up since we last saw him in May! He and Abby played together a lot this time (see him pushing her in the chair?) and we all had such a fun visit!
On Tuesday after the Riley visit we took a picnic lunch down to Apple Works in Trafalgar, IN. If you live in Central Indiana it is really worth a visit. It's primarily an apple orchard but there is also a picnic area, a small petting zoo and play equipment for the kids.
On Wednesday we went to the Edinburgh outlet mall and I was able to stock up on fall clothes that we all 4 needed. I'm sure some of the store employees thought we were crazy...two strollers and a baby in a backpack. But hey, Becky and I took turns shopping and wrangling babies and actually got a lot done! I can't think of many friends I'd want to attempt that with :-)
Having little kids means there is never a dull moment but thankfully, in the evenings, Andy, Becky and I were able to take a deep breath and enjoy a glass of wine and conversation. We are so thankful for a friendship that has lasted so long!
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