November in Pictures

We've been busy. So busy I've forgotten to post--well, that and our computer had a virus for a long time so we weren't using it. Tyler and I aren't the only busy ones--Abigail is busy too. Today, for example, I watched as she climbed onto the toilet, flushed the toilet, and then climbed onto the bathroom counter and sat in the sink (a new favorite spot). And that was only 3 minutes of her very busy day. Here are some of the things Abigail was busy doing in November.

Always into something.

Couldn't be happier.

This apple kept her pretty occupied for a while.

What else does a girl need?

Need a Stocking Stuffer?

Well, it isn't a stocking (it's one of those giant grass and leaf yard bags you get at Lowe's)--but I'd say she's one cute stuffer.

Halloween 9-1-1 (really)

We should have known it was going to be a crazy day when the morning started off with a "THUD", me running into Abigail's room to find her flat on her back, crying, outside of her crib. How exactly she fell out is still a mystery.

Fast forward to 4:30. Tyler has been gone since 7:30 AM at a scout training and is due home in 1 1/2 hours. I am busy getting ready for our ward Trunk or Treat. Abigail is busy next to me, standing on a chair, emptying drawers, a favorite pasttime. I hear another THUD, I look and Abigail is flat on her back, haven fallen from the chair, screaming.

I pick her up, but she is crying so hysterically, no sounds are coming from her wide open mouth. Suddenly she is limp and unresponsive. I grab my phone and try dialing 9-1-1. It takes 2 tries. I am crying hysterically, Abigail is still limp in my arms. The operator answers and somewhere in giving my address and name Abigail begins to scream. I notice there is blood above her right eye. It is later that I notice the meat pounder on the ground and realize she must have been holding that when she fell, thus the small gash above her eye.

The 9-1-1 operator stays on the phone with me and screaming Abigail, until the fire truck shows up. In the few seconds between hanging up with the operator and welcoming the firemen inside I frantically call Tyler, still at his training (he amazingly picks up--something he rarely can do while gone at trainings) and tell him to leave right away and come home, the ambulance is at our house for Abigail. That is all I have time to say before the firemen arrive at my door. They are the emergency response team. The police later join in, and within minutes, the ambulance and EMT's arrive. Abigail is still screaming the whole time, a good sign they all say. They check everything they need to check and assure me she is going to be fine. Everyone is super nice the whole time. The kids outside, all dressed up for Halloween, are going crazy over having a firetruck in their neighborhood.

It is decided that Abigail needs to be taken to the ER since she was unconscious for a bit. I opt out of the ambulance ride and say I'll take her myself. I sign the waiver forms, call Tyler, and begin the search for my insurance card I realize isn't in my wallet. I say a prayer. I find the cards hidden with 100's of Tyler's business contacts---a favorite of Abigail's to play with. Prayer definitely works! I head over to the ER. with a screaming baby girl. I meet up with Tyler.

In the ER we are told she needs to have a CAT scan, as a precaution, because she was unconscious, even though it was for so short a time. It takes 3 nurses and Tyler to hold Abigail down in order to insert the IV that would be used to sedate Abigail long enough for the CAT scan. I sit crying and sobbing in the corner of the room. This is by far the hardest part of the night for me. We eventually take Abigail into the room where the CAT scan will take place. She is now so frightened of anyone not her mother or father, she is almost non-stop crying and screaming, especially when anyone mildly approaches her. They hook her up, they get the IV started with the medicine to sedate her, and once out, we are asked to leave.

Tyler and I wait outside while the scan takes place. When we come back in Abigail looks peaceful for the first time in hours. There she is, lying helpless, but sleeping on the table. While asleep the doctor decides to clean her cut and realizes she needs to have it glued shut. We are transferred to another room where the nurse keeps track of her vital signs and 30 minutes later Abigail comes to. The scan comes back & there is nothing to be concerned about. We are thankful. We sign everything we need to sign and make it home. Abigail finally stops crying once we give her some Halloween candy.

And that is our Halloween night. Hopefully never to be repeated (but have been assured by several that this is only the first of many). And, I realize I have made this a bit more of a traumatic post than it all probably was, but-- it was pretty traumatic at times.

(Here is our Halloween Ballerina peacefully sleeping while sedated. Good thing her tutu is a size 24 months & can be used next year).

Pink + Tutu = Good Idea

Morning Chatter

Some of Abigail's morning noises, sounds, ramblings, and songs.

And now, some singing.

Home Grown Goodness

There is a pleasing satisfaction to eating what you have grown. While driving here and there around town I listened to Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. Memories of my parents amazing garden coupled with ideas from the book made me wish for plot of land to grow anything and everything in--as well as the strength, courage, and energy to do so. I realized my limitations though---so we started small. Last spring we planted tomatoes, cucumbers, basil and flowers. Remember this post? 2 of the 3 grew (I think we'll skip the cucumbers next year and try something else). 1 of the 3 were continually eaten by bugs? rats? we're still figuring out who the devil is.....but we came to the rescue to save most of the deliciousness of the 15 or so tomatoes harvested thus far. A few more are still growing. I check on them everyday. As you can see, they aren't perfect---but who needs perfect? We have basil coming out our ears. Live near by? Come and get some.

The flowers, although past their prime now, have been a joy to me daily as I look out my kitchen window. They've brought visitors too: bees, humming birds, & creepy crawly bugs, but mostly, they've brought delight. Last night we celebrated our harvest by eating home made salsa--using 9 of our tomatoes. We also enjoyed Black Bean Taco Salad with Lime Vinaigrette, again using our tomatoes. It was good. Actually, it was much better than good. It was pleasing, satisfying, & deliciousness all at the same time.

Oh Happy Day