abby turns one

Just in case you think this blog is all about my baby, I'm going to mix things up and tell you about another baby. Sneaky sneaky. This is my sister's baby, the Abby Kate to my Aunt Kitty. Affectionately known as abs, six pack, abster, munchkin or chunk. She's a funny kid - so happy and ridiculously cute. I just love her to pieces. I was not about to miss her first birthday so we recently traveled to Oklahoma for her party - an uno-themed fiesta.

Charlie and I flew to Wichita first and spent some time at Schmeema and Papa's house before meandering to Norman for the main event (Jon met us in Norman over the birthday weekend). It's getting more fun each time the cousins are together - especially now that Charlie is able to sit up and play a little more. They still don't know quite what to make of each other. Abby likes to give attention and affection (she gave hugs and tried to share her toys and food with Charlie), and Charlie mostly just looks at her like she might be crazy. I think it's the perfect start of a long friendship.

This trip was especially sweet because Charlie got to meet his great-grandparents for the first time. They came up from Colorado for Abby's shindig.

We made it! Do I look weary? Flying solo with baby will do that to you...even though he was a really good traveler!

Watching baseball with Papa.

"Tell me all your troubles and worries, Abby."

The chunk and the monk. Still not quite sure what to make of each other. Also, Abby's hair is amazing.

Charlie with his great grandfather and namesake, Jofees. 

Cutest birthday girl I ever did see.

That hat, though.

She was a little hesitant about her cake so Charlie helped her out.
Don't worry, we stopped him before that cake covered hand got to his mouth.

Mmmmm, maybe I do like this cake.

Father's Day was that Sunday. His shirt says "Sunday Funday." His face says "Monday morning."

Much better.

Matching outfits! Matching outfits!

How many photos does it take before you get a really good one???

Worth the effort. We told Abby to hug Charlie and that's just what she did.

Since we were all gathered for the first time in 5 years we took advantage of the opportunity and had some family photos taken. It should be noted that Charlie had a cute navy and white stripe outfit on that perfectly complemented Abby's attire, but he pooped all over it en route to the photo location. I was really lucky his back-up outfit was still photo-worthy...usually whatever emergency change of clothes I have in the diaper bag aren't as cute.

visits with schmeema & papa butch

We've had the pleasure of seeing Schmeema & Papa Butch twice in the last month! Charlie and I flew to Wichita in mid-April while Jon was at a work conference in San Diego. And last weekend, they came to visit us here in Alexandria.

Yet again, Charlie was an expert traveler - and thank goodness because I was flying solo this time. He made friends on all of his flights and barely made a peep the entire trip. We spent one night in Wichita and then drove down to Oklahoma to see Aunt Megan, Uncle Aaron and cousin Abby. Schmeema and Papa Butch will hopefully be moving to Norman, OK soon so we went to shop for a house. Turns out house hunting is not Charlie's favorite activity, but he hung in there like a champ.

This is what I do on planes.

First time sitting up in a high chair (just shy of 4 months old) - with the help of mom's boppy pillow.

Do we have to go look at another house?!

Abby sharing her toy with Charlie. 

Do we have to fly home, Mom?

While they were in town last weekend, we celebrated Schmeema's birthday and Mother's Day. Schmeema and Papa also had the pleasure of babysitting while Jon and I went to a wedding. It was the longest we'd been away from Charlie - and the first time someone else had to put him to bed - but all parties survived. I think we'd let them do it again. ;) On Monday night, the adults went to a baseball game while Charlie stayed home with a sitter. This whole leaving the baby with a sitter thing is pretty great. :)

Happy Birthday, Schmeema!

I showered AND did my hair. #adulting

Meanwhile, Charlie stayed home with his grandparents.

Sorta behaving during church...

Every family has THAT person. 

Learning how to sit up with Schmeema.
He is doing so well, and can completely support himself upright without help for several seconds.

aunt kitty meets abby kate

Abby was born June 18. She was a little (or a lot) late and we were all beginning to wonder if she ever wanted to meet us. But now that she is here, I don't think she was harboring any ill will towards us. She must have just been too cozy hanging out inside her Momma. She is a sweet baby - probably thee sweetest. She's adorable (duh), happy, and easy to please. She does like to be held, but with so many eager arms, that hardly seems like much of a problem. She mostly just loves to eat and sleep. She's not quite a month old and Mom reports she slept for 13 hours last night!

I went to stay for a week to help Mom & Dad, but mostly to love on little Abby. I'm pretty sure we are going to be best buds. I hoped my visit would give me a glimpse into my future with Skippy, but Abby is such an easy baby that I'm not really sure I got much training.

Staring contest with Uncle Jon.

That time she had a little accident and had to ride home naked.

Her first outing. She was a big hit at the fro yo shop.

One thing is for sure, if we have a girl, she'll already have an adorable wardrobe to borrow from her big cousin. 

First stroller ride. She lasted about 10 minutes and then had to be carried home while I pushed an empty stroller.

On the 4th, we had a low country boil bc there is no better way to celebrate America than by eating right off the table. Yum!

I was soooo sad to leave little Abby. I know she will be so much bigger the next time I see her. She's already working on some pretty great fat rolls, not to mention her cheeks double in size every day.