The Playmat

Donald gave me a sewing machine as my Christmas gift 3 years ago. Sadly, I am not the whiz that I had hoped. BUT, there is still time! And thankfully I have got some great teachers! This weekend Donald's Mom came over and taught/helped me finish Abi's window treatment for her nursery and we made a playmat for the main room (thank you for the awesome inspiration, Jenny and Brian!). Abi is loving it! And I am loving that I don't have to creatively think of ways to cushion her tumbles and keep her little legs warm while she's close to the hardwood floors. Thank you, Nanny!

Skillfully creating the mat (I haven't asked for permission to share these, so hopefully this is OK! - my hubby is quite talented and is always wonderfully interested in whatever fancy abi and I take on)

Look at those hands a-workin'!

But still very manly...

The mat in action:

Journey of the Sweet Potatoes

Well, their journey after being selected, purchased, transported, cleaned, poked, and baked!

Getting ready to be pureed:

Being placed in "baby cubes" for storage:

Placed in the freezer (along with the pea buddies):

Placed in Abi's little bowl:

Placed in Abi's little stomach and face!:

This week's new food for Abi was sweet potatoes! She's only had peas before this, so quite the change in taste and color. She LOVED them! Ate all that was offered to her in her first feeding! I am planning on introducing fruits next week, now that she's gotten two veggies under her belt.

She must have been a beautiful baby...

Naturally we're a bit biased, but I think she's the most beautiful baby! I entered Abi in the Regis and Kelly's Beautiful Baby 2009 contest! If she wins...$125,000 towards college! Woohoo! The schedule is Feb 19th, the contest closes and pictures of all of the babies are visible online. Then, the serious competition (hah) begins on March 9th - and the voting begins for silly society's pick of the most beautiful baby. I say silly if they don't pick abi - very wise if they do. This is the picture that we uploaded for her, we shall see - college paid for at 7 months, that really would be awesome.

What I've been up to...

To stay in step with the other Wallace blog - here is what Miss Abi's been up to these past 2 months:

Enjoying having a front lawn! Abi takes on the chore of relaxing while we raked leaves.

Getting bundled up in my marshmallow suit and enjoying COLD weather!

Getting some cuddle time with my great-grandma!

Hanging out on the couch with my grandma

Seeing my first snowman! Made with love for Abi by Megan and Lauren, two special ladies that I used to babysit for!

Getting to play with my "puppy" Emma, Abi was fascinated - Emma, not so much!

Celebrating Abi's first Thanksgiving back in Dallas with cousin Joshua!

Traveling to Houston to wish Josh a Happy First Birthday!

Visiting Santa (he was an awesome Santa, very realistic!)

Abi is rockin' at sitting up - she's getting geared up for the mobile world

Christmas morning at the house, Abi definitely loved the wrapping more than anything that was in the boxes!

Celebrating on Christmas night at Nanny and Grandpa's house!

Getting some lovin' by Aunt Jenny

Donald and Uncle Brian spent a few minutes putting together Abi's new walker - her feet don't touch quite yet though! Room to grow...

Unwrapping gifts with Joshua

No one makes her laugh like her poppa

Gazing up at the trees while cruising around the arboretum

Celebrating Christmas and New Years at Uncle Chris and Aunt Jen's house - getting some quality play time in with cousins Ben (just 5 days older than Abi!) and Brett