tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23013439901756886572011-11-27T19:28:08.736-05:00Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.comBlogger2031100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-16541748003111100412011-10-09T16:23:00.000-04:002011-10-09T16:23:06.791-04:00

Any time I tried to lose weight before I would give up at the first signs that I was beginning to slip. Not this time. I'm not going to lie, I haven't been to the gym in almost a week. I haven't been watching my portion sizes at all, though I have stuck with healthy eating with the exception of a sickening amount of orange juice this weekend. My sleep schedule is all out of whack and it is

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-90020715270351088152011-09-17T21:12:00.001-04:002011-09-17T21:12:56.351-04:00

Okay, there are no excuses for going so long without an update. I just haven't felt compelled to write, and that is the truth. I have been focusing my energies on other projects right now. The biggest of which is completely overhauling the whole family's health. Not an easy task. So, I guess if you really want an update from me you are stuck listening to my healthy living babble. You have been

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-80077801574416226882011-07-07T13:21:00.000-04:002011-07-07T13:21:47.154-04:00

Ava and Alice head to their grandma's house for a few days later today. Adrian and I couldn't be more excited. We love our daughters, but we also love each other, and desperately need time alone. Besides for spending time being a lovey-dovey couple over the next few days, there is a whole list of things I want to get done. Swap bedrooms with the girls- Alice sleeps through the night now, so it is

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-56092773449653228622011-07-02T06:33:00.000-04:002011-07-02T06:33:46.988-04:00

I thrive on order. I thrive on having a schedule, a budget, a clean organized house and a plan for maintaining said house. I need to know what's going on, when it's going on and why it's going on. I shut down in the face of chaos. So, our lives for the past year or so have been chaos. I mean, seriously. We decide to get married. We find out I am pregnant. I am planning a wedding during my first

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-25380265645693670622011-06-07T23:04:00.000-04:002011-06-07T23:04:48.985-04:00

Usually when it comes to breast vs. bottle all mothers are on one side or the other, right? At least it seems that way. I mean, when the doctors ask you about how you plan to provide nourishment to your child they ask if you plan to breast or bottle feed. I don't recall ever being asked if I plan to do a little of both. So, what do you do when you find yourself in that middle space. I mean, of

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-86093971196152799342011-06-02T05:13:00.000-04:002011-06-02T05:13:53.658-04:00

While browsing around the internet for shorts for Ava I came across something that totally threw me for a loop: little girls cutoff denim shorts WITH POCKET LININGS HANGING OUT THE BOTTOM OF THE LEG! Oh, and it doesn't stop there, oh no. The pocket linings were embellished with sequins. You know, in case anyone fails to notice that there are pocket linings hanging out of the bottom of your little

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-64274460829207939042011-05-20T02:32:00.000-04:002011-05-20T02:32:34.554-04:00

The title of this post expresses exactly how quickly after hitting "Publish Post" on my last post I came to a startling realization. Warning: I'm about to get all religious, so if you don't want to here click away now. Okay, here is a verse that Adrian paraphrased for me a week ago when I was telling him how all I could think about when trying to figure out how we would manage going back to

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-42562885327672820422011-05-19T22:21:00.000-04:002011-05-19T22:21:37.672-04:00

I never considered myself a career-oriented person. Still don't. Not even remotely. But, I do think it important for me to have some kind of degree to at least fall back on. You know, in case something were to happen to Adrian and I was left to take care of the girls. So, I am looking into going back to school. Yikes! I am having a minor panic attack about the whole thing. First I thought about

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-12470973585227896592011-03-26T20:28:00.002-04:002011-03-26T20:28:48.532-04:00

Ava was laying with Alice in her crib when she started to lift up her shirt. I couldn't for the life of my figure out what she was doing...until she started to try and pull her sister in close to her as she lifted her shirt. I'm not sure how you explain that only Mama can nurse Alice to a 2 year old. I have to admit, it made me laugh once I figured out what she was trying to do.

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-42697998218996528942011-03-15T20:07:00.000-04:002011-03-15T20:07:41.746-04:00

Alice Jane So, as you have probably gathered by now, Alice Jane made her entrance into the world early this morning. My mind is still trying to wrap itself around the sharp contrast between my birthing experience with Ava and the one I just had with Alice.  In case you didn't read my post on Ava's birth story or simply don't remember it here are the key points: Induced at 39.5 weeks because of

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-8409672974531528032011-02-13T14:29:00.000-05:002011-02-13T14:29:39.372-05:00

At my last two midwife appointments I have been registering on the depression scale. When I come into my appointments they give me this questionaire. It asks basic questions such as how capable you are of laughing about things, how often you cry, if you feel overwhelmed, etc. I am to pick a number 0-4 for each question based on how I have been feeling lately. Now, the results weren't really

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-74474591473079215342011-02-03T23:20:00.000-05:002011-02-03T23:20:29.427-05:00

I never really thought I would say this, but I'm tired of eating. Having to eat every 3-4 hours throughout the day is exhausting. And it isn't like I just shuffle into the kitchen, grab whatever and stuff it in my face. Oh no. I go in there, look for a way to make up the right number of carbs for whatever meal or snack I am to consume while also including protein, fats and fiber. So, yea. Most

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-78940233760868857292011-02-02T21:26:00.000-05:002011-02-02T21:26:21.224-05:00

The gestational diabetes class I attended yesterday was very informative and rather interesting. I learned a great deal about what foods I should be limiting and what foods I can eat unlimited amounts of should I find myself hungry beyond the limit of carbs. A lot of what we were told seemed so counterintuitive to me. For example, my favorite snack/breakfast of apples and peanut butter should

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-36404617808127806132011-01-30T17:24:00.000-05:002011-01-30T17:24:48.174-05:00

Something has been bothering me and I just need to get it off my chest. This past Thursday we went out to dinner at Applebee's. Normally if we want to eat out we would just swing through a drive through, but because I have to really watch what I eat closely we opted to go somewhere a bit nicer so I would have a decent amount of healthy options. Now, I knew that I would still have some difficulty

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-90387687533541302202011-01-28T23:22:00.000-05:002011-01-28T23:22:14.319-05:00

Tuesday I had a midwife appointment. I was informed by my totally awesome midwife that I have gestational diabetes. I wasn't surprised. Alice measured big at my last appointment and my 1 hour glucose test came back abnormal, so I was prepared to hear this news.  Wednesday we made a quick trip to Meijer to pick up some healthier stuff for me to eat until I could do full grocery shopping. I got

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-72356995917338427052011-01-06T07:49:00.000-05:002011-01-06T07:49:12.773-05:00

In my last post I listed one of my New Year's resolutions being to write 4 articles a day every day. I am happy to report that last night made 5 days in a row of hitting that goal. Now, that might not seem like a lot, but that is a huge difference for me! I normally write 10 a day for a couple days, then take days off. I often found it hard to get back into the swing of writing after taking days

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-64512377728101668842011-01-02T20:55:00.000-05:002011-01-02T20:55:17.430-05:00

Okay, so, in my last post I mention the fact that I don't usually make New Year's resolutions and my reasoning for that. Well, I am about to break my own no-resolution tradition by posting for you a short list of resolutions I have for this year. These resolutions aren't meant to end when the bell tolls 2012, but rather, I want this year to be the year that these things get started in. So, here

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-53966467341728964412011-01-01T01:20:00.000-05:002011-01-01T01:20:17.246-05:00

It is officially 2011. The start of a new year.  I have to admit, I have never really understood the big deal about New Year's Day. I guess in my mind every day is a fresh start, a chance to make a change, so I don't usually set New Year's resolutions. I'm not changing that habit for 2011, BUT there is going to be something rather big happening this year in our family, well, besides for little

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-9654767307055437262010-12-12T11:13:00.000-05:002010-12-12T11:13:53.909-05:00

Over the past couple of days I have had a slow-building lightbulb moment. I am starting to realize something about stay at home mothers and the way many in society view them. When I tell people I stay at home with our 2 year old daughter, I also feel that I must mention that I work from home as well, as if staying home with her isn't enough. As if keeping the house clean isn't enough. As if

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-33117591460091697902010-12-03T23:41:00.000-05:002010-12-03T23:41:38.327-05:00

I just got done removing Ava's permanent marker mural off my desk, which got me to thinking, I should write about all the ways I clean things with non-traditional methods. Well, the permanent marker mural is a good place to start I suppose. Don't run off to the store to purchase those expensive wall erasers -- they don't work all that well anyhow. Go to your bathroom and grab your dollar tube of

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-87143702623479414312010-11-21T01:07:00.000-05:002010-11-21T01:07:19.902-05:00

Today I am especially thankful for: A husband that cleans the house and tends to our daughter while I take a much needed nap. A delicious and nutritious meal made the night before so I don't have to worry about it tomorrow. A daughter that dances in such a way that I can't help but smile and sometimes laugh. A burnt finger (well I'm not thankful for the burn) that FINALLY stopped burning so I

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-2902296306442973722010-11-20T00:36:00.000-05:002010-11-20T00:36:56.965-05:00

Today my little blessings post will be less list and more rambling from the heart. I spent my day today running errands with Ava. We had some coupon shopping to do and boy did we do it. We wandered through aisles of food, toys, clothing and health and beauty products. We grabbing items and placed them in our cart, we counted our coupons, but above all, we discussed how fortunate we are to have

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-48999577972214364712010-11-17T19:49:00.000-05:002010-11-17T19:49:28.846-05:00

Today I am especially thankful for: A husband that came home early from work to help me with Ava when I was sick. A quick response to my Early On referral for Ava. A delicious dinner cooked by my husband, enjoyed by my daughter and that stayed in my stomach. (Oh and purchased at a discount :)) A completed Christmas list and Christmas shopping list (yes, they are two separate lists as I am

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-16932087467867905192010-11-16T23:39:00.000-05:002010-11-16T23:39:05.287-05:00

Let's start a new trend. At the end of each day make a small list of things you are thankful for from that day. I will try to remember to do this each day. I think it is a wonderful way to keep perspective. I don't want the list to be the usual stuff people ramble off such as "a healthy family" and "a roof over my head." I know I am thankful for those things everyday, as are most people. What

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-89573848621921949302010-11-13T19:00:00.000-05:002010-11-13T19:00:29.284-05:00

This big blank white box is intimidating to me tonight. I don't know why. Maybe because there is a whole list of other things I should be working on. I only have 10 working days, including today, until the last pay cutoff for the last pay day before Thanksgiving/Black Friday. I have a lot of useful coupons to use before then for JoAnn and Michaels, since I am doing all homemade gifts this year

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-64120512240180199022010-11-04T15:38:00.001-04:002010-11-04T15:46:32.264-04:00

I am almost done with my 'extreme' coupon shopping. I have two more stores to go to, CVS and Walgreens. I will try to get pictures of those hauls when we do them later today and post the relevant info on that as well. I wanted to show you how it is going so far, though. Keep in mind, this is my first REAL attempt as this kind of shopping. I am feelin' pretty good so far. Here is what I got:2

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-45123177706426430152010-10-29T07:30:00.000-04:002010-10-29T07:30:35.951-04:00

I know that my original plan was to take a month long break or so, but the busyness continues. I have a feeling it won't let up until after the holidays, and by that time we will be deep into preparations for the arrival of this child in March. Makes me tired just thinking about it. But don't worry, I don't think I can keep quiet for that long. There are lots of post ideas just a brewin' in

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-61057277785992700642010-08-17T10:53:00.000-04:002010-08-17T10:53:08.180-04:00

I am going to be taking a break from all things internet besides work, the occasional Netflix and Hulu until October. Why you ask? Well, we are trying to accomplish a lot around here--wedding, apartment makeover, preparing for a baby--and that requires an increase in my income. An increase that I am happy to accommodate, but that requires a lot of focus on my part. So, I am going to pour all my

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-27076523081997722702010-08-15T13:48:00.000-04:002010-08-15T13:48:47.241-04:00

When we moved into our current two bedroom apartment we didn't have much in the way of furnishings. We thrifted what we needed to get by; we gathered a hodge podge of items to make our apartment feel more homey. But now, now we are getting ready to make our apartment feel like OUR home. So, I have been browsing websites like Ikea, Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters and ModCloth looking for

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-55229089397364284622010-08-06T17:11:00.000-04:002010-08-06T17:11:49.892-04:00

I was inspired by the Pay It Forward post on the How Joyful Blog and decided I too was going to Pay It Forward. So, here is how it works: I make a handmade gift for the first 3 people to comment. I have 365 days in which to send you the gift. The gift will be a total surprise. You keep this going by posting Pay It Forward on your blog (obviously, you must have an active blog to participate). I

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-78283473173530422222010-07-31T06:08:00.000-04:002010-07-31T06:08:10.398-04:00

I haven't been posting here much lately, huh? I feel like a blog slacker. I don't even have the excuse of not having any craft projects or adventures to write about. Lames. I just have been experiencing a lot of exhaustion--pregnancy related I am guessing--lately and therefore have lacked the motivation and energy to do much of anything. So, when I do find a tidbit of energy and motivation I

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-50296762082811947652010-07-25T22:59:00.000-04:002010-07-25T22:59:19.404-04:00

So, the proverbial cat has exited the proverbial bag. Adrian and I are expecting our second child and therefore, Ava will be a big sister. According to the photo below, Ava is feeling pretty confident in her new role. I mean, seriously, just take a moment to laugh at the smugness of that face! That face says, "I got this, Mom." Ha ha! What a goofball! So, we are mentally preparing ourselves

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-67591712060330670092010-07-21T00:45:00.000-04:002010-07-21T00:45:21.283-04:00

Wednesday afternoon was spent visiting with Great Grandma Click and Auntie Anne. Ava got to have Wendy's for the first time in a long time, so of course she was all smiles as her stuffed her french fries in her mouth. Wednesday evening was spent at the lake with Grandma Karen. Ava is fearless--I have NO idea where she gets that from--and so it is no surprise to me that she would have walked out

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-14590863735287299552010-07-20T20:11:00.000-04:002010-07-20T20:11:22.048-04:00

I have been feeling really exhausted for the past two days, like I have slept a majority of both days--believe me when I say that the exhaustion wasn't all in my head. I will explain at a later date. Anyhoo, so needless to say the housework has been stacking up. Today I woke up with some energy and so I decided it was time to tackle as much as possible before another wave of exhaustion hit. I

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-57269620954407541412010-07-17T02:30:00.000-04:002010-07-17T02:30:12.314-04:00

...to vent. I have started to notice something lately that is really grinding on my nerves. I have started to notice people (I am not going to name any names) making comments around me that imply that I, as a stay-at-home-mom/work-at-home-mom/homemaker, am not hardworking. Yea, so, to all the people who think that of me, EFF YOU! I have noticed comments like, "Oh, so and so is such a hard

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-63443886247073708742010-07-12T21:19:00.000-04:002010-07-12T21:19:09.582-04:00

Remember that shorts and tank outfit I made for Ava? The one with the strawberries? The one that was supposed to be an easy pattern but turned out to be far more complicated than what I would consider easy? Yea, THAT one. Well, I decided to give it another go. When I purchased the pattern I also purchased fabric to make three complete outfits from it so I was going to end up doing the pattern

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-5870414256342789462010-07-05T21:49:00.001-04:002010-07-07T03:45:37.727-04:00

I buy, return and exchange patterns at a ridiculous rate. I can't help it. I purchase a pattern and then realize the hip or bust measurement isn't big enough and I don't feel like adjusting the pattern to make it big enough. Or, I purchase a pattern and then find one online that is similar that I like better. It is just the way it goes. But, as of right now, I have some patterns that I love and

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-9126808315887225872010-07-04T04:32:00.000-04:002010-07-04T04:32:04.888-04:00

I know I promised more blog posts once my sewing machine arrived, and it did arrive, on Wednesday, but the thing is I can't seem to pull myself away from the machine long enough to do much of anything. Since the machine's arrival on Wednesday I have: -Pieced together and completed Sweet Little P's quilt. I am pretty pleased with how it turned out with one major exception--the binding. I tried

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-78430909477446963842010-06-28T23:44:00.000-04:002010-06-28T23:44:36.048-04:00

Supposedly my new sewing machine, Bertha, is supposed to arrive tomorrow, although I don't see how that is possible since it was just shipped today, but if it does arrive then this blog will be BACK IN BUSINESS! I really miss posting here, but I have been at a creative stand still since ordering the new machine/having trouble with my existing machine. So, we shall see. I really hope it does

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-35856923971235888982010-06-26T15:12:00.000-04:002010-06-26T15:12:55.548-04:00

When in reality it has only been 3 days since my last post. I guess I am finally getting the hang of posting on a regular basis. So, what has been going on lately? Well, on Thursday Ava and I drove to Parma because my ma-maw was in town from Kentucky, so we went to visit her at my dad's house. That was fun, and of course, Grandpa spoiled Ava with ice cream--strawberry and banana swirl--and then

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-14025432977868726512010-06-23T04:38:00.000-04:002010-06-23T04:38:30.469-04:00

Made another skirt for Ava made using the same pattern as the last skirt. Then, I decided to dress up one of the plain white Gerber 24 month onsies I had purchased for her with some fun ruffles so match one of the fabrics used to make the skirt. I was looking for something that looking kind of faux-dressy while still being fun and playful like little girl clothing should be. I am quite please

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-4340471657085860442010-06-21T16:17:00.000-04:002010-06-21T16:17:08.200-04:00

1. I love my grandma! I called her today to ask a question about sewing lightweight knits--I'm having trouble getting the stitches to tighten around the fabric. Does that make sense? I sure hope so. Anyhow, I call my grandma to ask her about this since the only help the sewing machine lady at JoAnn had to offer was to tell me to get my sewing machine serviced, which admittedly it could probably

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-45996191455017670892010-06-18T14:58:00.000-04:002010-06-18T14:58:16.814-04:00

Here is the skirt I made for Ava in action. The onsie she is wearing is a plain white 24 month Gerber onsie I decorated with an iron-on image that was on clearance at the fabric store. I made her 4 onsies like this and then I think I am going to decorate some more onsies with buttons, fabric flowers and ruffles. (Please ignore our hideously dirty carpet, we are getting it cleaned soon.)

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-56893137805236182542010-06-16T01:11:00.000-04:002010-06-16T01:11:08.241-04:00

Completed another summertime outfit for Ava today using McCall's pattern M6059, which looks like this: I picked this pattern mostly because I absolutely ADORE those shorts! I mean, seriously, I saw those shorts and just started dreaming about Ava's chubby little legs in them and I was instantly convinced I NEEDED this pattern. So, I picked up the pattern along with 3 printed cotton fabrics for

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-73639436574267621822010-06-15T13:08:00.000-04:002010-06-15T13:08:01.832-04:00

I am LOVING this pajama pattern. Hmmm....perhaps for her fall/winter jammies.

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-23810062392269845682010-06-14T22:19:00.001-04:002010-06-16T17:28:00.465-04:00

Here is the skirt I whipped up yesterday using the pattern I found on Grace Violet. I really like how this one turned out. I am making a few adjustments to the other five skirts I am sewing using this pattern. Not major adjustments, just a little smaller seam allowances and I need to figure out something easier for the waistband because I had one heck of a time with this one. Other than that

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-63378390235749628422010-06-12T15:37:00.000-04:002010-06-12T15:37:57.991-04:00

I have a weakness. Well, okay, maybe two weaknesses if you are only looking in the category of food and drink. 1. Cherry Vanilla Diet Pepsi 2. Hummus and Pretzels (only together, not separate) Ah. I feel so much better now that that is out. Between yesterday and today I need to have around 20 articles completed so I have been using these two weaknesses to keep me motivated. I know, it's wrong,

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-31369690499211123352010-06-12T13:01:00.000-04:002010-06-12T13:01:42.698-04:00

Ava has been especially grouchy lately. By the time Adrian gets home everyday I am ready to rip my hair out. I literally have a hard time staying in the same room with her after he comes home because I am just spent on her attitude. I am hoping she is getting her two year molars a little early and that is why she is acting this way, otherwise attitude boot camp is on the horizon for our, normally

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-284005594722620472010-06-10T10:59:00.000-04:002010-06-10T10:59:26.970-04:00

When I started getting back into card making ribbon storage wasn't an issue for me because I didn't have a lot of ribbon and most of the ribbon I had was intended for hair bows. Now, a little over a year later I have a ridiculous amount of ribbon in many different shades and prints. In fact, all of my regular size spools of ribbon add up to somewhere around 80 inches when you stack the spools.

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-46305917928549465172010-06-07T17:17:00.000-04:002010-06-07T17:17:38.103-04:00

I would say that all together the dress only took me about an hour and a half start to finish if you don't count the time it took me to rip some seams that I messed up on and the time is took to prep the fabric (wash, dry, iron and square). The pattern is so easy to cut and piece together and I love the finished product because it is a little girl's dress that LOOKS LIKE A LITTLE GIRL'S DRESS,

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-65990807507526808382010-06-06T05:54:00.000-04:002010-06-06T05:54:53.972-04:00

Ava and I took a little trip to JoAnn yesterday. I needed time out of the house and a new project to work on, preferably something that didn't involve paper. So, first we made a quick stop into Babies R Us to check out Ms. Penny's bedding (one of my best friends is going to have a little girl, her name will be Penelope (LOVES IT!) Penny for short) so that I could get a mental picture of the

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-36070424460097908502010-06-05T05:52:00.000-04:002010-06-05T05:52:36.049-04:00

...dun dun dun. So, I came out to my desk to work, but I wasn't really feeling it, so I decided to make a couple birthday cards instead. The cards ended up taking WAY longer to make than I had intended because what I thought was a simple background paper turned out to be rather difficult to work with. It wasn't quite black, but it wasn't grey or dark brown, so I was left trying to pick colors to

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-17656535909885215462010-06-04T06:34:00.000-04:002010-06-04T06:34:46.193-04:00

As a kid I basked in the consumer ways of America. I wanted all the newest gadgets, clothing, movies, CDs--the list goes on and on. As an adult, and more importantly a parent, I want to run away and become Amish. Yea, I know, it seems extreme, but seriously, I get so fed up. This healthy eating mission has made me and Adrian more aware of how much we are brainwashed by advertising. Seriously.

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-42143931560091655922010-06-01T13:13:00.000-04:002010-06-01T13:13:09.475-04:00

Today I started a one week, self-imposed, ban on Facebook. Why would I choose to unplug from something that I take part in on a daily basis? My answer is simple and yet complex. The short version: Facebook is a distraction from other things I should be doing. The long version is that by being so plugged in I was starting to feel unplugged. I spend way to much time plugged into FB, Myspace,

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-41822660593989016862010-05-30T22:24:00.000-04:002010-05-30T22:24:22.730-04:00

First, I am reading the Twilight series, again. I have lost count, this is the fourth or fifth time that I have read the series and I am still loving it! What can I say? I am hopeless. Eating healthy is going good. I went grocery shopping Thursday. I couldn't go buck wild, I needed to stay under $200 for two weeks of food, which may sound easy enough, but remember, the goal was to shop around

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-56091224882692351332010-05-20T23:05:00.000-04:002010-05-20T23:05:30.296-04:00

Today marked the third day in a row that we set out to do a specific physical activity as a means of exercise. We went for a 35 minute brisk walk around a local community college campus. This is also what we did on Tuesday. Yesterday we did the Buns of Steel workout video, the original 80s version. I don't know if you are familiar with that video at all, but I just have to tell you, it is both

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-30159122890164730032010-05-15T20:10:00.001-04:002010-05-15T23:53:48.337-04:00

For the longest time I have felt like I was floating through life. Even worse, I felt that we, as a family, were all floating through life, and not necessarily together. For me, for us, this is a huge problem. As far as I am concerned all the different facets of my life and our life as a family are connected. Our physical, mental, spiritual and relational health are all connected. So, this means

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-30630162835835730542010-05-09T12:19:00.000-04:002010-05-09T12:19:29.095-04:00

I have not felt compelled to write on this blog for a while now. I didn't write monthly newsletters to Ava, which I don't think I will resume, they were easier when she was an infant and since we are going to be adding to the flock soon, I don't think keeping up monthly newsletters for each child is really a feasible goal. So, I want to give myself a fresh start with this blog. First, it needs a

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-85175903865412338932010-02-07T15:50:00.000-05:002010-02-07T15:50:47.895-05:00

Ava, You turned 15 months old yesterday. You are really becoming your own person and I love watching your personality bloom every day. I knew that I would love being a mother, love being your mother, but I had no idea how many unexpected things I would enjoy. I love having your spilled meals on the floor. I love tripping on your toys. I love having my face covered in spit from one of your '

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-47671176623058078642010-01-24T07:13:00.000-05:002010-01-24T07:13:07.882-05:00

We picked up a scale this Friday, while we were grocery shopping. I hadn't weighed myself since we moved, but I figured that there wouldn't be much of a change in my weight since my clothes all fit about the same. I was right. I guess I am glad that I haven't gained weight and not at all shocked that I haven't lost any, since I haven't made any effort to lose weight. I currently weigh 165. Yea,

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-68280245843882043002010-01-21T21:31:00.000-05:002010-01-21T21:31:09.484-05:00

Seriously? I'm going to try this again? I'm going to blog about it again? I guess I am because I can't seem to stop myself. So, I am REALLY unhappy with my body right now. It isn't just an image thing, it is a health thing. Okay, I need to explain the health thing. You see, I was a size 4 when I got pregnant with Ava. I am not a size 12. Yea, that's right, a 12. Now, there is nothing wrong

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-61962685497648327622010-01-21T20:58:00.000-05:002010-01-21T20:58:45.927-05:00

Dear Ava, I know I am WAY late on this one, but I contemplated not writing these letters anymore because I seem to be bad at keeping up with them and now that you are walking I have my hands pretty full just keeping up with you. But, I am going to keep writing them. I can't promise that I will do this forever, or even that I will continue these letters once Mama and Daddy bring you a sibling,

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-92187889649707079272010-01-06T00:09:00.000-05:002010-01-06T00:09:34.716-05:00

I am horrible at keeping this blog up. Like, really, really bad. The truth is. Adrian and I want to launch our mega blog/youtube project, but we just don't know where to start. You can start on YouTube with a lame video of just random BS because you need to have a good first impression, otherwise no one cares. We don't want to start, however, with something that just isn't us. We want to be

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-84451828546810684312009-12-17T22:53:00.000-05:002009-12-17T22:53:46.320-05:00

Dear Ava, Wow, this is by far, the latest I have ever written you one of these letters. But hey, at least I didn't forget, right? Anyhoo, I am still trying to adjust to the fact that you are a year old, and here I am writing you your 1 year and 1 month letter. Where does time go? It goes by faster and faster as you get older. You will know what I am talking about some day. Let's see. Between

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-54554853067475364952009-11-17T05:51:00.000-05:002009-11-17T05:51:15.897-05:00

Thanksgiving is right around the corner. I feel like it was Christmas just yesterday, but then I look at my daughter, remember what she was like last Christmas, and then I feel like Christmas was 5 years ago because there is no way she could grow so much in less than a year. Anyhoo, I thought that in honor of Thanksgiving, I would write a post showing you some of the items around my home that I

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-88483194552489847062009-11-12T01:43:00.000-05:002009-11-12T01:43:01.638-05:00

My heart is so heavy tonight. I was totally caught off guard this evening when I called my grandma Click. I was yanked back 4 years in time. My grandma will be undergoing her second mastectomy on Monday. Please pray for her. She is a breast cancer survivor. She is the mother of the mom I lost to breast cancer. She has been in remission for about 30 years I believe and now she is back up against

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-74076491784369897362009-11-04T14:21:00.000-05:002009-11-04T14:21:18.693-05:00

Ava, You are a year old and I am probably in a corner crying because my baby is now a toddler. Umph. I remember those first few months that we spent snuggling, when I wished that I could have a free hand to do something, anything. It was hard sometimes, as an adult who was used to having all of her free time for herself, to slow down because there was a little someone who wanted to be held all

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-35076264808423495412009-11-02T13:34:00.000-05:002009-11-02T13:34:14.141-05:00

I like to call that tongue Ava's Tongue of Determination. In this picture it is out because crawling around in her fat lion suit wasn't an easy task. I see that tongue come out any time that she is really concentrating or exerting a great physical effort to achieve something. That tongue makes me proud. You see, on a daily basis I will tell Ava, while completing a task, that we are women, we

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-7174306650788860212009-10-06T07:46:00.000-04:002009-10-06T07:46:56.740-04:00

Ava, my squishy, Today you are officially 11 months old. I can't believe it has been 11 months since doctors went into my stomach to retrieve you. Too much information? Ah well. You are something else, sweet love of mine. You definitely have a strong will that you try and test up against mine. It is kind of funny to me because you act as though you want to be fiercely independent, yet you also

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-63371672263650868452009-10-06T06:47:00.000-04:002009-10-06T06:47:22.487-04:00

We are a few days into October. This month is such a weird one for me. October brings fall; I love fall. October holds both my mother's birthday and Adrian's mother's birthday. October is National Breast Cancer Month, which is kind of ironic in a saddening way. October ends with Halloween--you know I love candy. So, October is Abby's Emotional Rollercoaster Month. I have enough distance

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-4853370261339318572009-10-02T13:54:00.000-04:002009-10-02T13:54:14.452-04:00

The soon-to-be hubby and I will be launching our blogs and vlogs soon. I like to think of the project as a media invasion. I am most excited about trying to form an online community with people from all over. I know there will be haters, but that is life. Haters gonna hate. I will just take comfort in the fact that there is more love than hate in this world. So, in honor of the love, I would

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-8385508988485072312009-09-27T19:29:00.000-04:002009-09-27T19:29:44.873-04:00

So, my new favorite thing to do is take Ava out, just me and her, to run stupid little errands and grab some lunch together. She is great at helping me pick nail colors. I hold up bottles of polish, one at a time, and if she gets excited and waves her hands in the air then I know the color is a winner! She will even let me know when she likes an outfit I am thinking about buying for her and

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-8080438210706761032009-09-25T12:11:00.000-04:002009-09-25T12:11:52.970-04:00

I try really hard to keep personal things personal, I really do. But when something is bothering me so much that it starts to dominate my thoughts, well then, I either can't blog or I have to say something about it. So, here goes my attempt at getting it off my chest without divulging too many details. Women, do you ever feel like the captain of the ship when you would rather be a crew member?

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-80384977975315237972009-09-24T11:11:00.000-04:002009-09-24T11:11:56.010-04:00

So, I am in the middle of an epic nap battle with Ava. She seems to think that if she continues to cry long enough I will go in and let her have her way. Argh. She is persistent, I'll give her that. What she doesn't know, however, is I know that if I give in, I will have to continue to deal with such battles for the rest of my life. I know she is tired, I watched her yawn and rub her eyes. She

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-75068749216272845832009-09-21T10:55:00.000-04:002009-09-21T10:55:42.451-04:00

I have been very busy working the past couple of days, and then I purposely slept all day yesterday so that I could work all night and all day today. So, that is what I did and am doing. I have to snap a few pictures for a special something today, and then it will be right back to work. Hopefully I can post a picture of Ava later...if I remember.

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-61284925375162833762009-09-20T02:54:00.000-04:002009-09-20T02:54:18.703-04:00

I think I might have missed a day if you go by the clock, but I haven't gone to bed yet, so for me it is still Saturday. Anyhoo, today Ava and I went to Toys R Us. I was originally going to get a baby gate playard so that she can crawl around on the floor while I work, but stupid TRU wanted to charge me $10 more for the gate that what it is priced on their website so I said FAIL and decided to

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-78890427694216713442009-09-18T12:27:00.000-04:002009-09-18T12:27:01.464-04:00

Lesson: Give Ava a cheese cracker sandwich and she'll wanna make a mess. So, I decided to try these wheat cracker cheese sandwiches on Ava. Adrian and I aren't very fond of them so I was hoping she would like them so they wouldn't go to waste. Well, we only have one pack left, she ate two yesterday. Actually, she gobbled them up like they were graham crackers. Ava knows how to put away

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-54271141507932860952009-09-17T05:06:00.000-04:002009-09-17T05:06:07.584-04:00

Yea, see where her head is? Her WHOLE body used to fit in that space! Amazing, I know! Anyhoo, there are the pictures for the day. I snapped those during her nap time. In other news, I have been working on different layouts for this project that me and Adrian are about to embark on. It is really fun, rewarding and frustrating work. I know what I want things to look like and it is very

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-48805324463730271132009-09-16T03:09:00.003-04:002009-09-16T03:22:46.790-04:00

I like to sneak into Ava's room in the middle of the night to catch her sleeping. She always looks so peaceful in the middle of the night. I also like to do this because she finds some very interesting positions to sleep in. Well, here is my proof.That pillow is her Boppy pillow, and I remember a time when her tiny body fit in the middle of the pillow, now her body can almost cover the entire

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-63318297851611665822009-09-15T05:32:00.003-04:002009-09-15T05:44:03.953-04:00

I have been neglecting this blog in the worst kind of way. I think it all started when we moved. That is when things got really busy and I can hardly keep track of myself. ::sigh:: So, in order to get back into the swing of blog-things I am going to try and post everyday for a month. Now, I say "try" because I do have a baby in the house who makes things rather unpredictable. But, I am going to

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-52983101627405441262009-09-06T23:33:00.003-04:002009-09-07T00:37:30.716-04:00

Ava,This month has been a BIG one. You have learned so much so fast, Mama and Daddy can hardly keep up.You went to the doctor's this month for a check-up and a Polio vaccination. We are trying to catch you up on the Polio vaccination because Mama didn't want you getting too many vaccines at once, so we skipped the Polio vaccination, the least necessary, while you got the rest of your vaccinations

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-16347049353002241382009-08-27T19:46:00.002-04:002009-08-27T19:56:23.587-04:00

I know I have been awful at keeping up this blog lately, it literally feels like I have been running a 3 month marathon. ::sigh::Anyhoo, I wanted to stop in real quick to share some interesting beauty tips with you. I just realized, while putting on my make up, that I have discovered some alternative uses for products that aren't intended to be beauty products.1. Preparation HIf you have ever

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-46223634653974964602009-08-09T22:12:00.004-04:002009-08-09T22:38:35.713-04:00

Ava,A few days ago you turned 9 months old. I was just wondering if you knew where the time has gone?No, seriously. Seems like just yesterday you were a little newborn who wanted to eat every 2 hours. Boy, was that exhausting!Now you are trying to crawl and be all independent, while still fussing every time I leave the room or walk by without picking you up.Once you learn to crawl I feel like all

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-9419180219878389212009-07-25T13:04:00.002-04:002009-07-25T13:07:00.132-04:00

I'm sorry that I have been so neglectful of this blog as of late. Life is keeping me quite busy.Ava is getting ready to start crawling, right now she only scoots backwards, no forward motion yet.I work all weekend to crank out the articles. This weekend is the opposite of an exception, I am trying to produce more articles than I ever have before, by far!Did some second-hand shopping this past

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-54512741690365269472009-07-15T01:30:00.002-04:002009-07-15T01:40:24.268-04:00

So, this past weekend I wrote 27 articles. All 27 articles were accepted by Demand Studios and I will be paid for them this Friday. Why did I write so much?My iBook G4, which is approaching 4 years old stopped responding to the adapter, therefore the battery wouldn't charge, so once the battery was too drained to do anything there was nothing I could do. As a result we had to make an emergency

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-13347069598430449912009-07-09T20:34:00.003-04:002009-07-09T22:10:20.365-04:00

Here you are passed out in the car. Your head kept hitting your toy making it play a little song.The hat is just too cute, Ava. You wear hats like a pro, you don't try to pull them off or even fuss about them being on your head.This is an everyday look for you. You are a happy baby, in fact, everyone comments on how well-behaved and happy you are. We also get a lot of people telling us that you

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-25507600093898016252009-07-02T01:50:00.002-04:002009-07-02T01:55:48.010-04:00

We are moving, like, RIGHT NOW. We are currently in the packing phase and tomorrow we will be in the U-Haul phase.Earlier I took Ava over to our new place because I felt like I needed to spend some time in it while it was still empty just thanking God for the blessing. We sat on the empty livingroom floor and marveled at the space and clean carpet. I showed her her room, with her closet, and her

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-90011367256852374222009-06-25T14:37:00.004-04:002009-06-28T18:36:57.088-04:00

I know that I haven't posted about my efforts to eat healthier and lose weight in a little while, so I thought I would just post a quick update.I have relaxed a little bit. I am still trying to be mindful of what I am eating and how much I am eating, but I haven't been playing human calorie counter lately.Why?Well, we are getting ready to move into a new apartment, our own apartment, an apartment

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-31767812544530909112009-06-23T16:52:00.003-04:002009-06-23T16:58:07.678-04:00

This is my alma mater. Well, it was, almost 3 years ago. Wow, has it really been that long?So, I left almost 3 years ago, a year after my mother passed, before earning my degree, with the plan of returning after a year long break to regain my sanity.Then after a year I wasn't really ready to go back, I didn't WANT to go back, so my vacation continued.Then I got pregnant, and I had student loan

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-19748411129016410302009-06-20T17:49:00.002-04:002009-06-20T17:53:41.376-04:00

For the past couple of days Ava has been playing with the lids to her bowls. She has all kinds of toys that are supposed to help her learn and blahblahblah, but what she really likes are the items that aren't supposed to be toys.She likes to suck on the remote. She enjoys feeling the buttons on my laptop click. She likes to look through the clear colored plastic lids to her bowls and then chew on

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-5068836537967514152009-06-11T19:57:00.002-04:002009-06-11T20:18:47.470-04:00

A couple months ago we were blessed with a car. We didn't ask for a car, I didn't even pray for a car. All I prayed for was for God to remove the stagnant feeling from my heart, and his reply came in the form of a GMC Jimmy. I was reduced to tears by the generous spirit of others, but more than that, by the unconditional love of the God I love.Well, this month it became time for us to start

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-19340490073785136352009-06-08T14:33:00.003-04:002009-06-08T14:50:37.291-04:00

Does it?! Tell me it doesn't!So, today marks an official week of me diet (I hate calling it that because then I feel like people are mentally associating it with the likes of South Beach and Atkins, instead of thinking of it as what I eat everyday from now on). I stepped up on the scale. The same scale that told me last week, Holy crap, woman! Do you think this weight is going to lose itself? I

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-1892881781539312612009-06-07T05:09:00.002-04:002009-06-07T05:13:43.036-04:00

I really want Ava to have good taste in music. I know that sounds subjective, but to me and her father it isn't. Good music is original, timeless, and requires TALENT.I love AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Queen, Ramones, Clash, and MANY MANY OTHERS who were big before I was born. There was talent, innovation, and a rebellious spirit that wasn't too cliche at the heart of this music. God help me if she

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-35488830513350225312009-06-06T02:11:00.003-04:002009-06-06T02:32:36.355-04:00

Dearest Ava,This past month has flown by. I was just starting to get used to you being 6 months old, and now you are 7 months old. Oh dear.You have brought such joy this month. You are becoming more independent. As independent as an immobile person who can't talk can possibly be, I supposed.This month you started to finally roll over from your back to your stomach. Especially if it means that you

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-85337592987242057582009-06-06T00:55:00.002-04:002009-06-06T00:59:14.353-04:00

Um, look how freakin' skinny I was. Those jeans were a size 6, no stretch. When I got pregnant I was wearing a size 4, no stretch. Funny, I don't EVER remember my butt being that small. ::sigh:: Oh LBP. (That's Life Before Pregnancy) BTW, I was totally wasted in this picture and Adrian was totally sober. He had come to pick me up from the bar. What a sweetheart.

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-22511778391287422652009-06-05T14:22:00.002-04:002009-06-05T14:35:26.987-04:00

When I was in high school, alright, not the whole time I was in high school, not even close, I enjoyed running, and I was actually good at it.I wasn't a sprinter, I have NO natural speed, instead I ran distance. I know that many of you are probably cringing right now at the thought of running, but I thoroughly enjoyed the sport. But I didn't last long.I started running distance in eighth grade

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-46305751617329468472009-06-03T16:30:00.002-04:002009-06-03T16:48:48.459-04:00

Yesterday after Adrian got off from work he informed me that Old Navy had given him $10 in gift cards to Wendy's. In my head I was all like, great, now I have to face a fast food drive-thru on only the second official day of my new 'diet.' Luckily I had my calorie counter in my purse, so I had Adrian look up Wendy's and list off my under-300-calorie options to me.Let me just say, that aren't

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-8446736450714861232009-06-02T17:41:00.003-04:002009-06-02T18:00:29.447-04:00

So, yesterday was my first full day of my new and improved way of eating. Remember, this is a lifestyle change for me, not a fad diet.So, I started my day with 6 raspberries, a spoonful of yogurt, and a 1/3 of granola. When I stared at it on my paper plate I thought to myself, yea right, there is NO way this is going to be enough. was wrong. Firstly, I eat as often as Ava does, every 3 hours, so

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-63101126688765213622009-06-01T13:34:00.002-04:002009-06-01T13:57:05.130-04:00

We've been pretty busy over here.I've been working like a mad woman so I can make that money, pay those bills, and buy a few things that we kind of need but REALLY want.Anyway, Friday Adrian worked until 8pm, and he also got paid, which meant it was time to go grocery shopping. We got to Kroger at 9 and didn't leave until sometime after 11. You see, I had already decided that it was time shed

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2301343990175688657.post-55555532253954229102009-05-20T21:37:00.003-04:002009-05-20T21:54:40.008-04:00

It is near impossible to get a picture of her that isn't blurry anymore. She loves to move too much.That's my chubby lovin'.In the process of rolling over.No, we weren't going swimming, she is just so cute in her swimsuit, I had to get pictures.I don't think she is amused. Or maybe she is mad that I got her hopes up by putting on her bathing suit, and then didn't follow through by taking her

Abby Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160334161861959089noreply@blogger.com1