Day 28 - CM365 2010 Storybook

My book arrived in the mail today! I have been so anxious to get my hands on it and start showing it to all of my friends. It is so amazing. I really love being a personal publishing consultant and running my own business. It's so rewarding!

Other Happenings:
Walked the mall and played in playground
-spotted Bishop Davis and his wife Noreen, who joined us
Abby has been saying "I did it", but I think this is the first time
I realized it
Abby has a nice long nap, but woke up fussy
Prepared most of the food for my Tastefully Simple Party that's tomorrow
Watched Inception

Day 27 - So Girly

My little girl is, well... such a girl!! How did I end up with a girly girl? Me, the tomboy. I think I've always been frightned of having a girl because I never really liked girly stuff. Well... I like girly stuff more now. Anyway, I'm really happy I have my little girly girl. She is totally into shoes, necklaces, and even purses and wallets. I'm going to have to learn how to fix her hair.

Other Happenings:
Abby learned the sign for bird
Abby said bird for the first time
Storytime at Library; chatted Shelley Neil and her girls
Finished The Singing
Made P-Dub's Cinnamon Toast the Right Way, very good

Day 26 - Fun with Friends

We met with some friends at the playground in the mall today. The girls had a pretty good time playing together. It was cute to see them all trying to play on the car at once. It was a challenge to get them to all look at the camera at once though... this one wasn't a half bad shot compared to some of the others.

Other Happenings:
Went to the temple
Abby hung out with Bailey and Papa Anderson
Woke up with Abby at 315, couldn't go back to sleep

Day 25 - Where They Belong

I love that Abby is big enough to help me with a few things around the house. She is quickly learning where things go and is many times all too anxious to do things all by herself. For instance, she knows where the silverware goes. She is still too small to see that there is an order in to where things belong in the drawer, so for now, she just drops them in... and I arrange afterwards. I bet if she knew they have their own slots, she would be all over putting them in order... she is so good at sorting!

Other Happenings:
Finished my CM365 Calendar
Checked out Operation Feedback
Walked the mall and played in playground
Abby knows where her arms and legs are
Listened to Mary Christensen on The Mind Aware
Listened to the beginning of the State of the Union Address

Day 24 - Around Reno #1

As a personal project, I'd like to start venturing around town and taking pictures of things that catch my eye. Today I stopped at an old mill on the Truckee River right off of 4th Street just before Mogul. It was fenced in so I didn't really any great shots of the mill, but this worn down building on the property intrigued me. I love dilapidated structures.

Other Happenings:
Worked on my CM365 Calendar
Grocery Day
Made juice twice
-the second time was because Abby asked
2 Consultant interviews
Abby pooed in the tub, yuck

Day 23 - Some Random Cuteness

There are so many times during the day that I catch myself thinking how amazingly cute my little Abby girl is. I'm sure it's pretty obvious since most of my picture are of her and her cuteness. Here is one of those moments as she snuggles her bunny and drinks her milk.

Other Happenings:
Abby hit her elbow at church and said ouch for the first time
Played Scum and drank smoothies at FHE
Ward conference was awesome
Abby had two naps: woke up at 530 this morning
Spent an hour on the phone with Steve

Day 22 - Dry Erase Markers

I've taught Abby that she can draw on mirrors with dry erase markers. I'm really not sure if that is good or bad. So far she is doing really well with staying on the mirror (our closet doors are huge mirrors - tacky, I know I hate them). The most important thing is that she is having a great time. I tried to get a good shot of her scribbles, but it wasn't working out.

Other Happenings:
Taught Abby to draw on mirror with dry erase markers
Finished reading The Naming
Started reading The Singing
Abby has been saying "no" a lot lately

Day 21 - Another Lost Moment

It's funny the random things a child will do... like stack items on a paper towel roll. I thought I would snap a picture of her success, but I was too late. By the time I snapped the shot, she had knocked everything off. Unfortunately this was the only picture I got today and this was not a duplicatable event.

Other Happenings:
Walked the mall
- Saw the Davis' and the Redd's, & the Sadlers joined us in the playground
Abby fell asleep on her own, after checking on her only twice
Published CM365 12x12 Storybook

Day 20 - Not What I Had In Mind

Abby has started laying down on her polar bear rug while we read stories at night. I was trying to get a picture of the moment, but it went by too fast and she was more interested in the camera. She is fascinated by the screens on cameras and loves to watch the live video feed while I'm trying to set up a shot.

Other Happenings:
Abby fell off her chair because she was horsing around
-has a big lump on the back of her head
Kintners came over for dinner
Storytime at library
-Abby picked out a book, so we checked it out

Day 19 - Lunch with our Friends

Today we went to a friends house for lunch and some play time. We have been getting out a bit more this year. Playing with lots of other kids is a really great opportunity for Abby to learn different behaviors like sharing, joint play, and manners. It's nice to have some different toys to play with for a bit as well.

Other Happenings:
Music Makers
Had lunch with our friends LD, CD, & HD
Steve passed a test with flying colors
Received package from Steve's sister Katie
Abby falling on the bed over and over when I counted to 3
-she would count to 3 too, although she was using her own words

Day 18 - What I'm Reading

I've been on a reading kick lately. I pulled one of most favorite of stories off the shelf recently... The Naming. I'm not even sure how many times I've read the series through. I probably read it through once every two years or so. I got a book in the mail this week to another favorite series of mine; it's called The Messanger by Lois Lowry. Both great stories; I recommend them.

Other Happenings:
Walked the mall... saw Grandpa Don there and visited
-ladies at the playground made comments about how cute he was
Called my Mom and Grandma Sally

Day 17 - Surgery

Today Abby had surgery to put tubes in her ears. We had to wake up very early this morning to get to the hospital 2 hours before the surgery was to take place. Abby had to fast as well. I was worried that the 2 hours in the waiting room would be a real challenge, but it went by fast enough. Abby's surgery went well... she was so cute laying in the bed still asleep from the anesthesia.

Other Happenings:
Grocery Shopping
Really enjoyed talking to Steve today
Abby said Cat loud and clear

Day 16 - Home Cooked Meal

So, tonight for FHE, we ate Chicken Pot Pie for dinner. It sure was great! I don't think that it will convert me to eating other pot pies. Steve is a little sad, because this is something he wanted to try too. I had to promise that I would make it for him when we go out to visit in April. I would like to experiment more with the pie crust, which is a separate recipe all-together. I had a great great grandmother that was known for her pies... I wonder if I have any of that talent?

Jan 16th

Other Happenings:
Not a good sleep night
FHE
Jenn helped a lot with Abby
Really enjoyed the lesson in Relief Society today on fasting
Stake presidency counselors spoke in church

Day 15 - Chicken Pot Pie

I have never ever made Chicken Pot Pie. I don't like it... never have. I think though, that it is because I have never had one homemade. Tonight I did most of the work so that I wouldn't have as much to do on the Sabbath. I spent about two hours making pie crust, chopping veggies, and then cooking the filling. All I will have to do tomorrow night is put it together and bake it. I used the Pioneer Woman's recipe... it is delicious!!! I had no idea that thyme made things so yummy!

Other Happenings:
Abby said poopoo and puppy

Day 14 - This Little Piggy

Abby got a lot of cute pajamas for Christmas, and these little piggy jammies are my most favorite. Abby's favorite book right now is If You Give a Pig a Party, and the little piggies on her jammies look a little similar to the pig in the book. Abby loves to point out the little black and white kitty on most of the pages, and can even show you where almost all the animals are hiding when they are playing hide and seek. I think that she would be happy to fall asleep with this book wrapped her arms at night.

Jan 14th

Other Happenings:
Abby's pre-op appointment for ear tubes
Filled out invites for a Workshop Host
Dropped off Workshop Packet
Took a nap
Received my new greeting cards
Wrote some thank you notes

Day 13 - A Library Card For Abby

Story-time at the library today. Abby was still pretty clingy, not really sure what to do with all the kids and adults sitting around. The children were pretty wiggly today, and there were a lot of them. Afterwards, we went to the front desk and signed Abby up for her first library card. She loves playing with cards, so she got to hold it for a little while. I picked out a few books for us to take home; If You Give a Moose a Muffin, Fox in Socks, and I Can Read with my Eyes Shut.

Jan 13th

Other Happenings:
Took a nap
Workshop in Carson City
Started my favorite book: The Naming

Day 12 - Music Makers

Today we went to Music Makers at the Edmonton Chapel. This was our second visit. Abby warmed up a bit faster this time. She really enjoyed the balloons in the gym. She surprises me every day with the things that she knows and can figure out... especially how fast she picks up on things. She learned pretty quick that it was easier to hold more balloons if you held them by their "belly buttons." We both enjoy this activity... I love that I am learning some new songs to sing with Abby.

Jan 12th

Other Happenings:
Scanned for a Client
Prepped for this weeks Workshops
Abby said Fishes, Frog, and Book for the first time today
Abby also signed the word book for the first time
Abby is still not going down easy; 1hr 30 min tonight
Finished reading Through the Looking Glass

Day 11 - Game Night

I had the Gregory's over for dinner tonight after Abby went down. After we ate, we sat down in the living room and played New Super Mario Bros. Wii. It was a lot of fun. It was so great to just hang out for the evening. A lot of times it surprises me that Abby can sleep through so much noise. I have to say that I was not really very helpful to my team members in this game... though I did beat one of the koopa's before we finished.

Jan 11th

Other Happenings:
Abby now says the word please
Walked 4 mi at mall and went to the playground
Had the Gregory's over for dinner, dessert, and wii
Abby had me read her If You Give A Pig A Party 4 times
-she really loves to point out the pig and the cat in the book
Abby can put on her socks by herself

Day 10 - Operation Decoration

I absolutely love reading Sandra Boynton books to Abby. The other day I found a Sandra Boynton calendar pretty cheap, and I bought it thinking it would be cool to use the artwork to hang up in Abby's room. I found some frames in the dollar bins in Target and put a few together today. I'm feeling pretty pleased with myself for finally putting something up on Abby's walls.

Jan 10th

Other Happenings:
Grocery Day: Had to buy lights for the car,
the living room, and the kitchen today
Abby kisses
Abby organizing her silverware
Abby playing with oranges
Abby's fav book is Moo, Baa, La La La
- She now says Baa and La La La

Day 9 - I'm Busy

Tonight we were at the Anderson's for FHE. It's a really fun place for the girls to play at. You can see Bailey in the background, at the sink. Abby was having a good time pushing this stepping stool around the kitchen. It's always funny to see the different things kids will do to entertain themselves.

Jan 9th

Other Happenings:
Slept in till 715 :D
Abby did great in Nursery again
Laughed my butt off playing What If for FHE
Abby followed Bailey around with both of them with
their arms in the air and Bailey saying Stronger over
and over
2 hour nap after church
Loving 11am church time

Day 8 - Momma's Little Helper

Abby likes to take off with stuff from the dishwasher, so I learned pretty fast to enlist her help to prevent clean dishes being taken off with. Since the silverware is right up front, that is what she helps me with. It's pretty light and easy for her to grab. She always takes out her stuff first... I suppose because it's so colorful. I put her apron on her the other day, and today she actually wanted to have it on. It's still really big, but oh so cute!

Jan 8th

Other Happenings:
Washed and cleaned out car
- Abby helped me wipe the windows
Abby likes to watch Ponyo
Abby learned to point to her back
Abby fell asleep on her own
Made client calls
Finished reading Alice In Wonderland

Day 7 - Go Swimming

Abby enjoys her bath time in the evenings. She usually plays for about 20 or 30 minutes before she is ready to get out. Recently she has learned to tilt her head back so I can pour water in her hair without getting it in her eyes. One thing she likes to do is "go swimming." When I say "go swimming," she will lay down on her belly in the water and push herself up with her arms, allowing her body to float. Sometimes I encourage her to kick her legs. She thinks this is a lot of fun.

Jan 7th

Other Happenings:
Walked 4 miles at the mall and played in the playground
Bought The Very Busy Spider on sale at BORDERS
Submitted my CM365 book as a template
Started adding last years photos to CM365 book
Made homemade mac n cheese
Abby was fussy most of the afternoon
Second night in a row Abby didn't go down easy

Day 6 - At the Library

Today was story time at our library. Abby has been old enough to go for a month, but this was the first time we made it. I was really surprised by how many kids were there. Abby was a little nervous about the crowd, but she still enjoyed the singing and storytelling. Found out from one of the librarians that it's up to the parents when a child receives their library card. I told Abby she is old enough to have a card, so I think we will go ahead and get one for her next week. She was having a great time pulling books off the shelves. I love my little book lover!

Jan 6th

Other Happenings:
Meet with Jared Souther to learn about my new calling
Started over on my CM365 template
Abby said Dada over and over to a photo of Steve on the fridge

Day 5 - Creative Play

Abby has really been enjoying her new table. This morning she wanted to play with her Play Doh, so I had her sit down in her chair and got out her Play Doh tools. She really loves putting the pieces back in the container, and you can always hear her making her concentration sound while she is doing it.

Jan 5th

Other Happenings:
Abby repeated A B C & D, though C was a little rough
Host Coach appointment
Worked on my CM365 template
Abby talked in one of my ears, then talked in the other
Abby grabbed my face in both of her hands and gave me a kiss
Abby walked up to me, gave me a hug, and went back to playing

Day 4 - Quick and Easy Lunch

Today was an arranged stressor day. I opted for the easy way out. I thought that Abby was supposed to be getting tubes in her ears today, but it turns out it was just the consultation. Nana sent Abby a $5 gift card for McDonalds for Christmas, so today we went and got her a happy meal. She got a cute little bunny as a toy... looks a lot like her Fluffer Bunny she sleeps with at night.

Jan 4th

Other Happenings:
Walked 4 miles at mall and played in playground
Spent evening organizing 2010 CM365 photos
Watched the rest of Eclipse which I started yesterday

Day 3 - Personal Admiration

After bath time, we have reading time... though, sometimes it can turn into play time, like tonight. We were in my room and Abby was playing with her reflection in the mirror. Suddenly she was very serious looking and looked as though she was admiring herself in the mirror. It's so cute when little's one's do things that seem so grown up.

Jan 3rd

Other Happenings
Grocery Day - Abby was pretty cranky
Abby was very clingy all day
Gabe dropped by for a few
Made a Texas Sheet cake
Abby said 3 new words; three, amen, and bye
Abby said bye to Steve on phone tonight
Made a recipe from my Pioneer Woman Cookbook:
Egg-In-A-Hole

Day 2 - Early Morning Trip

We've only been home for a few hours and gotten very little sleep before it was time to take Steve to the airport. He headed back to North Carolina today. Don't be fooled by these two bright eyed and bushy-tailed individuals... it's about 415 am in this photo. It's been a fast two weeks. April... please don't take your time, by any means!

Jan 2nd

OTHER HAPPENINGS
Got home from our CA trip at 1230am
Lots of morning power naps
I received a new calling in church: Building Coordinator
FHE: Played Buzzword & enjoyed blackberry cobbler

Day 1 - Just A Moment Before

Today is Katie's wedding. At this moment she was walking to the chapel when her big brother Steve came out a side door of the building. Katie looked amazing, everything was perfect; the wedding was magical. What a great way to begin the New Year. Congratulations to Katie and Dave Rogers

January 1st

TODAY'S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
Abby was 1 of 3 flower-girls
I read from the Song of Salomon for the wedding
Family photo's
Awesome wedding reception at Thomas Fogarty Winery
Steve gave a toast at the reception
We made it safely through the pass to get home

CM365 2011: What's New?

So, like I said in the previous post, I've am really excited about continuing this project in 2011. I'll be making a few additions to the project posts... just some things that I've thought I would enhance my blog a little bit.

1. Other Happenings
I've found that this blog has become a great journal for our lives. The only thing is, it usually only highlights what is happening in the photo. I would like to remember some of the other things that happened during the day, so I am adding an "Other Happening's" section at the bottom of the post.

2. Add the Date
I had chosen to title each photo according to the number of the day of the year it was. But this caused a little problem... when I fell behind, I would post several photo's on one or two days. The problem was that I kept losing track of the Julian date and would have to constantly look up a Julian Date calendar to figure it out. So, to make my life easier, I will put the actual date below the photo of each post.

3. Assignments and Challenges
I'm going to try and change things up a bit with the pictures by giving myself some assignments and challenges. I was thinking about having a weekly assignment that focuses on a landscape photo, a monthly highlight of an adventure, and a challenge to photograph all the letters of our names that I find where ever I go. If you have some ideas, feel free to let me know!

2010 End of Year Thoughts

It has been really amazing to do this blog throughout the year. When I first started this project, I was a little intimidated by the task of taking a picture every day. I wondered if I would be able to finish this project. A few months in, I had a day where I forgot to take a picture. It really bothered me, but as the year has gone by and other days have been missed, I decided to not worry about it. I felt I was still trying my best to stay true to the idea of the goal. My husband really encouraged me all year long... part of that was to help me to be successful, but I think it was mostly because he wanted to know what was going on in our lives since he is currently living across the country.

I have found this project so rewarding. It has been a really great glimpse of what has taken place in our lives, and not just the spectacular and special, but the routine and mundane as well. It's real life, it's our life, and it's amazing! This month, I'll be working on creating a book out of the posts and photos in this blog. I've been really looking forward to putting this together and having all the photos in an album for our home... it will be like a family yearbook. How cool is that?!

Because this was such an amazing experience, I have chosen to continue in 2011 with some changes that I will tell you about in the next post. Thanks to all of you who have shared our memories with us in 2010 and I hope you will look forward to sharing 2011 with us as well!

Day 365 - Ringin in the New Year

Today was a very busy day. We left early this morning and headed to the Sanfrancisco Bay Area for Steve's sister Katie's wedding. Today was the rehearsal then a New Year's Eve party at Joya. I hung out with Grandma Loraine while Steve went to the party. Grandma and I played Hand and Foot and Quidler, ordered dessert through room service, and watched Carson's Coutdown all while Abby slept.