On this Day...

Facebook has a new feature where they show you what you posted in your status exactly a year ago on the same day. It's pretty neat. It would be cooler if it was able to show the profile picture from back then too.

And wow, how things have changed. So Nicky is still not sleeping {that must have been a fluke}, and neither is Brandon {so a sleep update post coming soon}. And I no longer have to pick the boys up {boys are home now with a nanny!}. But back in 2009 I was on maternity leave with Brandon. And I just finished my last maternity leave with Luke yesterday. How things change have changed in 3 years in Abelingland!

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A Mom's Prayer, Courtesy of Tina Fey

For the baby girl I will never have and to my boys, change the girl stuff and shes to boy stuff and them :)

“First, Lord: No tattoos. May neither Chinese symbol for truth nor Winnie-the-Pooh holding the FSU logo stain her tender haunches. May she be Beautiful but not Damaged, for it’s the Damage that draws the creepy soccer coach’s eye, not the Beauty.

When the Crystal Meth is offered, may she remember the parents who cut her grapes in half And stick with Beer. Guide her, protect her when crossing the street, stepping onto boats, swimming in the ocean, swimming in pools, walking near pools, standing on the subway platform, crossing 86th Street, stepping off of boats, using mall restrooms, getting on and off escalators, driving on country roads while arguing, leaning on large windows, walking in parking lots, riding Ferris wheels, roller-coasters, log flumes, or anything called “Hell Drop,” “Tower of Torture,” or “The Death Spiral Rock ‘N Zero G Roll featuring Aerosmith,” and standing on any kind of balcony ever, anywhere, at any age.

Lead her away from Acting but not all the way to Finance. Something where she can make her own hours but still feel intellectually fulfilled and get outside sometimes And not have to wear high heels. What would that be, Lord? Architecture? Midwifery? Golf course design? I’m asking You, because if I knew, I’d be doing it, Youdammit.

May she play the Drums to the fiery rhythm of her Own Heart with the sinewy strength of her Own Arms, so she need Not Lie With Drummers. Grant her a Rough Patch from twelve to seventeen.Let her draw horses and be interested in Barbies for much too long, For childhood is short – a Tiger Flower blooming Magenta for one day – And adulthood is long and dry-humping in cars will wait.

O Lord, break the Internet forever, that she may be spared the misspelled invective of her peers And the online marketing campaign for Rape Hostel V: Girls Just Wanna Get Stabbed. And when she one day turns on me and calls me a Bitch in front of Hollister, Give me the strength, Lord, to yank her directly into a cab in front of her friends, For I will not have that Shit. I will not have it.

And should she choose to be a Mother one day, be my eyes, Lord, that I may see her, lying on a blanket on the floor at 4:50 A.M., all-at-once exhausted, bored, and in love with the little creature whose poop is leaking up its back. “My mother did this for me once,” she will realize as she cleans feces off her baby’s neck. “My mother did this for me.” And the delayed gratitude will wash over her as it does each generation and she will make a Mental Note to call me. And she will forget.

But I’ll know, because I peeped it with Your God eyes. Amen.”

-Tina Fey

(That my friends, is what you call good writing. Click on the link and pick up Tina Fey’s book Bossypants for more.)

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Breaking News! Brandon Pee Pee!

I just got BREAKING NEWS on my iPhone at work 

(see what I miss working! ugh!) 

Brandon went Pee Pee in the Potty!! 

The Big Boy Potty! 

Yay Brandon! Go Banjo! 

Woo Hoo Brandy Boy! Nice work BB. 

and WAY to GO Miss Tiffany too! Bonus! haha

or "Miss Teff" as Brandon calls her!

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Secrets of Abelingland - Do Not Disturb

So True.

Usually everyday.

really.

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Flickr Fail!

For the last 2 and a half years I was so diligent with my Flickr (&YouTube for that matter). I posted pictures every week, sometimes daily, documenting every single smile, adventure, and naked minute. I categorized them, organized them into sets and collections, and posted for the world to see.

Well, 2001, has been an utter fail. FAIL, I tell you! I supposed with my blogging and Facebook, its so easy to share my favorite pictures with my friends and family. In the back of my mind, I also know that they will be made into a book at the end of the year. Also when I finally have some free time, thats the lowest priority.

With that said, in the last 8 months have uploaded at least another 4-5 thousand pictures, but they are hidden away, uncategorized and sad. So for the next week or two, my goal is to organize all the pictures i've taken  into their rightful sets and collections. I mean because I know, you all want to see them, right?? :)

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Oops...

I forgot to mention I will also post about last week's visit with Val and Shauna and our "almost" trip to SeaWorld, what happened to the dolphins, and what Brandon was doing while a Zebra almost ate my phone.

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{Insta.gram} Cuteness - Yee Haw!

Yippiee Ki Yi Yay!

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Quick Note

As of 5:00 pm last Friday my final Maternity leave ended and on Monday the 29th, I am back to work. And I have a little feeling that I will have A LOT of time to catch up. Need to fill you in on my utter Flickr fail, some new milestones for Luke, Brandon's own "Inside the head of Master Brandon", another Nicky version, as well as some posts about or record breaking temps, and a side by side comparison at 14 weeks. A lot to write about. I will come back with a vengeance with some more entertainment from Abelingland. Oh and I am SO behind the times..I'm "tweeting" now. Follow me @victoriaabeling

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Happy 2nd Birthday Dear Blog!

Seven Hundred and Thirty Days later

the blog I sat down to write is still going.

Even I am amazed at my dedication and relentless blogging.

Thanks to all my handful of followers, for your comments and emails.

I do this for me and my boys

but knowing people read it and enjoy our Adventures helps too.

Love to all....

and 

H A P P Y  B I R T H D A Y

B L O G!

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Unusual Spending on Vicci

These are the monthly emails Dan gets

Over the last 30 days you spent $768 on Vicci. You usually spend $466. Might want to look into that. Review your transactions to ensure the spending on your account is accurate.  

haha. 

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Happy 3 Months to Baby Luke

So before I get to it. Remember THIS post? well I take it all back. LUKE is...well he is just so incredible and EASY.  I keep pinching myself, because I wanted and DESERVED an easy baby. I  found him. I love him.

Ok so back to my update - Today Luke is 3 months and no longer a newborn, but considered an infant! And a BIG infant at that. He is probably close to 18 or 19 pounds, well over the weight both Nicky and Brandon were at this time. He is already in the 95th percentile, and continues to grow so it will be interesting to see his stats at his 4 month next check up.

All this weight really means is that my back and arms HURT from carrying him. :) But he loves it - and he is calm. which is a big difference than my other two

Luke has graduated to the 3-6 month clothes and he may grow out of them before he even makes a dent in wearing them! I have a couple outfits I have to get him in before he is tooo big! I finally moved all of Brandon's clothes into Nicky's room - Brandon will be moving into Nicky's room in the next month (although Brandon wants nothing to do with Nicky's room - he LOVES his crib. Still at just over 2 never really tried to climb out. fingers crossed. Not sure how we will do this transition.)

In the last month, Luke has had some significant changes: he talks a lot (coos, gurgles, boos, agoos, and lots of hiccups.) He can roll over front to back, but not back to front. He's upper body strength has been good from the beginning, so he's had about 3 weeks of solid tummy time, and arm work. He gets stronger every day.

We do lots of arm lifts, pull ups, and baby calisthenics. Our main goal is to keep his head ROUND (I do not want to do a baby helmet again. I think its really hard  to avoid the flat head for babies that like to be swaddled and can't move. I think this must have contributed to Brandon's shape, and now it is a HUGE effort for us to prevent it from happening to Luke. Nicky was a beast and never sat still - he didn't have time for a flat head. We invested in some pillows specifically made to help babies avoid flat heads, so I hope it works. He already has a tiny flat spot, so we have to keep an eye on it. A side note, for the pother 2 boys we used the Amby hammock. It was recalled. It worked so well for Nicky but not Brandon.

Between 3-4 months is also the time both N & B started teething. I wonder if it will be the same for Luke. He has started to gnaw on his hands and your fingers, and he can bring things to his mouth now. I haven't felt any sharp points, but I am prepared for teething! He actually loves his swing, his play mat, his bouncy chair, his bumbo. Its really neat to have a baby you can put DOWN. and SMILES!

Last time I wrote a 3 month update, Brandon was not sleeping, i was on the edge of my rocker, ready to jump off a cliff...I am happy to report that LUKE sleeps :) He is wonderful. I put him down between 8-9 every night, swaddled like a little burrito and he sleeps till 4:30-5. I get him up to nurse, we lay back down he starts to eat, and we are asleep. The next thing I know its about 7 and its time to get up because B or N are awake. He is so so so so so wonderful. I probably get up more with Nicky and Brandon then Luke. Which KILLS me. I cant believe at 3 and a half, Nicky still has as many problems as he does. And for all the greatness Brandon does by going right to sleep, he gets up anywhere between 1 - 3 times a night.

I HAVE NOT SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT IN ALMOST 4 YEARS. that's ONE THOUSAND AND SIXTY DAYS. wow crazy. And here is some more math for you. Since I got pregnant in August 2007, I have been either pregnant or nursing  42 of 48 months. So let me tell you all HOW HAPPY i am that i am DONE. you'd think i would get off my ass and work out. Maybe next week.

Ok so one last thing I have to say. If you know my boys, then you know that my boys are "daddy's boys". Yes I know they love me, but Nicholas and Brandon think Dan is their Hero, and rightly so. Dan is such a great father. I am so lucky to have someone who is so interested, so happy, so loving, so patient, so forgiving, and so involved with the boys.

But Luke...Baby Luke LOVES me. I feel it. I know it. He adores me. He smiles right when I walk into a room, when he hears my voice. I know we have a special bond already. I was telling one of my best friends this afternoon, that I am so proud of Nicholas - he is so smart, so beautiful, and so amazing, it takes my breath away. Brandon is my precious precious angel; I want to hug him and hold him and make sure nothing hurts him so I can protect him forever.

And then there is Luke - he's mine. I finally feel in my bones that I have a baby that I can agree when everyone says - Boys love their Mommys. 

Here is my attempt at taking a really cool picture with all different onsiesonsie. And will try to recreate this picture at 6 months and then at a year. Tomorrow i will have his "monthly onsie" picture. 

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Test

Test test :)



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

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So Similar!

I still think Luke and Nicky look so similar, and now I can see Brandon poking through too. I happened to take the picture of Luke on the right the other day, and remembered that I had an almost identical picture of Nicky on the same blanket. They are so similar!

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{Insta.gram Cuteness} Soccer Revisited

Round Two

This Fall

Maybe shin guards and cleats will make a difference!

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Secrets of Abelingland - Awesomeness

I need to do this more often. 

There is a lot in my life tht is AWESOME. 

I don't need to be sad. 

Thanks Barney!

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The Pool is Done!!

FINALLY the pool is done! After a lot of painful delay, unusual mixups, mental issues from the project manager, blatant errors, awesome fights, and ridiculosity,  the POOL is done. And wow, what a beauty she is! It's been 2 weeks since its been complete and we've enjoyed many hours "beach" side already. The boys think it is so cool, and have turned into incredible swimmers overnight. Nicky and Brandon still use their swimmies, but they jump, float, play, and have a blast. We hope ny the end of summer, we may see some dog paddling without any flotation devices. Thank you Grandma Booba and Papa Bob for the house of fun! Love you!!

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4th of July Pictures

I am a little late, but wanted to share some pictures from 4th of July. We participated in the annual Steiner Ranch parade and celebrated our 2 year "day we met" friendship with Tara, Aaron, little Miss Haylee and baby boy Pottichen! We ended up at John Simpson park with our friends for some fire truck pictures and push pops.We finished the day at the pool and throwing Pop Its TNT at each other.  :) Fun for all ages!

Happy {belated!}4th of July, America! 

I am so proud to be an American!

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Army Man Museum

Last month a friend of mine told me about what I will call "The Best Kept Secret for Little Boys in Austin" aka The Texas Military Museum at Camp Mabry. Let me just say, this was probably the first time my boys have been entertained for 2 hours and never once asked for a treat as they were completely ENTHRALLED. Although, we did have to purchase MORE plastic army men from the gift store.

Our first outing was 4th of July weekend, when Grandma Larissa came to visit. I dressed the boys in their finest camo,  hiked downtown, squeezed 6 of us into my Lexus (I scrunched out in the hactchback. It was OK though, I was reading book 1 of the Hunger Games. i welcomed the cramps) Not only is this museum exciting for boys of all ages, but I thoroughly enjoyed it too. I would love to go back to spend more time reading all the history of the battles and wars that were won and lost, remmebering the fallen heros, and wishing for a section on Vietnam. (strange!)

It was a very detailed museum with a real helicopters, a cockpits of a fighter jet you can take pictures in, real tanks and jeeps out in Artillery Row. The kids could try on real gear and helmets - us adults too! - and there were plenty of recreating of real battles from the 1800's to World War II. The "nazi" room was pretty sobering, as was the wall of "heroes" from World War 1.

We went again with a Mom's group, and the boys had just as mush fun a second time. In fact, I still get asked to go to the "Army Mans" museum. It wont be the last time we go! Oh and it's free - they accept donations. :)

Then the boys found this open conference room. They wore themselves out!

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{Insta.gram} Cuteness - My other babies

I haven't been giving my other babies, Roxy Roo and Zeusy Peusy any blog love lately.

Here are my other precious babies. 

{ps. Yes, we still have Eleanor the cat too!}

{almost hard to say who is the cutest?!}

{Roxy finds a new pillow}

 { walk, please!?}

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Inside the head of Master Nicholas

Scene: Mommy just bought a cowboy hat
Nicky: Mommy, I don't like that
Mommy: Like what?
Nicky: Your Hat. I don't like you with hats.

Scene: Headed to our friends house
Nicky: What's that?
Daddy: Wine
Nicky: Why?
Mommy: Because we are going to our friends house, and it's nice to bring a present.
Nicky: But when my friends come to visit, they don't bring a present.

Scene: Hugging Nicky
Mommy: I love you, my baby
Nicky: I'm not a baby, I'm a big boy

Scene: Nicky always seems to find a "treat" no matter where it is hidden
Mommy: Nicky! Where did you find that?? {gummy bears hidden in Grandma Booba's room}
Nicky: Moooom, I have special eyes that find them
{like DUH, right?}

Scene: Nicky wants to play with some water balloon to throw at the ants outside
Nicky: Mommy, will you do two balloons for me
Mommy: Just two?
Nicky: Just two.
Mommy: Ok then.{hands him two water balloons}
Nicky: You're the best mom

Scene: Brandon snatches Nicky's new Rocks from the Inner Space Caverns
Nicky: {Screams like a little girl} Dad, get him! He took my rocks. He goes to TIME OUT.
Daddy: Brandon give those back!{Daddy chases him around the couch; Brandon laughing; finally captures B and gives rocks back to Nick}
Nicky: Dad! You saved the day!

.:The End:.

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Brandon turns 2 {July 10th}

{catching up with old blog posts...}

With a newborn gracing our lives right in the middle of "boy birthday season", I had a hard {and lazy} time planning a big perfectly detailed birthday events for the boys like last year. This year we had an easy double birthday for the boys at a local bouncy house and a small birthday party at home for Brandon on his actual birthday. We celebrated at home with just the "local" grandparents: Booba, Papa Bob, and Papa Ray. Despite the smaller affair we did have balloons, cake, streamers, candles, and presents = One happy Brandon!

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Yearly "Loves" Picture - part 2

Last week I posted pictures of the Nicky and Brandon with their current ages and "loves". 

Dan read it and said why didn't I do one for Luke. 

Huh.

Good point. 

So here you go

Yearly "Loves" Picture

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

I saw this adorable idea on a blog. 

How creative, is this??

So cute, so simple

I swear, there are so many artsy crafty people out there 

{Lacey, Tara, Tiffani, and Jess J!}

This one seemed right up my alley: aka. EASY!

It's a great way to remember what they loved each year and see how their tastes change

and another thing to post to my blog!

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Welcome Paisley!

We have a new cousin! Paisely Makayla Nicolyev arrived on August 1, 2011. She was 7lbs and 3 ozs and is extremly cute!! We cant wait to meet her. Congrats to Seth and Dani!! We love you guys!!

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Due Date Twins!

I seem to have a lot of weird coincidences when it comes to being pregnant and due dates. When I found out I was pregnant with Nicky I called my best friend to tell her I was pregnant. she hung up on me. called me back and told me she was too. It turned out we were 10 days apart. Her due date was the 28th, mine the 17th.  Nicky was born on May10th. A year later, one of Dan's best friend from college had triplets, born on May 10th.

They day we found out where were pregnant with Luke,  we had plans to see a movie with our next door neighbors, Alyse and John. It turned out to be one of those nights, when the baby sitter doesn't show up, the dog gets hives and I find out I'm pregnant. Pretty standard.

We called A & J and told them we could not see the movie but we wanted to see them to tell them some news. It turns out they had news too. After the movie they showed up and informed us they were pregant ! Dan and I sat there dumbfounded - this would be their first (after 5 years of trying) and we wanted to tell them we were on our third (dan just looks at me and I get pregnant.) It was an exciting night celebrating lots of good news for both families!

It turned out that not only were we both pregnant but we had the same due date: May 28th! However, Luke ended up arriving on May 18th, and Scarlett arrived June 1st, 2 weeks apart exactly. To make things even weirder, another one of Dans friends from college, Loren and Sarah had a Scarlett (yes! another Scarlett) the year before, ALSO born May 18th. weird huh?

anyways, getting Luke and Scarlett B together has been fun! Here are the two of them in all their newborn glory!

Scarlett: Luke raise your hands like this? You're not doing it right.
Luke: What team are you rooting for?
Scarlett: V for Vandegrift high school! Yay!
Luke: I have gas

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A Double Birthday

{I am trying to catch up on my blog, so some of these happened over a month ago}

Double Birthday Party

Back in May I scheduled a joint birthday party at my house, 3 days before Luke was born.  I ended up cancelling it because it was just too much. I was fat, uncomfortable, and our huge 800 lb water slide still hadn't arrived (but it finally did yesterday!!) After Luke arrived, we rescheduled the party at a local bounce house called the "Hoppin' House" and I am so glad I did. We had about 25 kids and their parents for a Sunday morning party. The kids love to bounce and jump in the foam pit. We had cupcakes and pastries and really enjoyed the morning. The boys had fun with their friends, especially seeing their friends from school that they don't see anymore.It was such a fun time, that I am almost convinced to always do birthday parties at a place rather than at home. And I am also anxiously awaiting the time when they are all old enough to just drop them off for birthdays ;)

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Announcing Luke Anthony Abeling

I keep every baby announcement I get. I put them in a photo album and I love to go back and look at them. I love stuff like this. Everyone should send me pictures, blogs, and videos. I love being apart of your life even if I am not there. That's why I love Facebook. And Instagram. And You Tube. I am a social network slut.

After placing my order for Luke's announcement last month, they finally arrived - I was thrilled. They turned out perfect and I was excited. I finally mailed them! I hope you all enjoyed them. Here they are !!

The announcement was a 5x7 printed photograph with a vellum overlay that gave all his stats that was removable. I thought it was different, a cool concept and design, and was a fun way to "announce" his arrival. 

You can see Nicky's here

and Brandon's here

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{Insta.gram} Cuteness - I'm too sexy!

I'm too sexy for my shirt!

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Lobster Art

The boys made this for us  today. 

Lobsters from their hand and foot prints!

So cute!

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Yearly "Loves" Picture

I saw this adorable idea on a blog. 

How creative, is this??

So cute, so simple

I swear, there are so many artsy crafty people out there 

{Lacey, Tara, Tiffani, and Jess J!}

This one seemed right up my alley: aka. EASY!

It's a great way to remember what they loved each year and see how their tastes change

and another thing to post to my blog!

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Secrets of Abelingland

And while we are on the topic of Pooh

here are some thoughts for my boys today...

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{Insta.gram Cuteness} Pooh Babysits

On a whim, I rented Pooh's Heffalump Movie
Because I am the mom who uses "TV" for babysitting
There, I said it - but it works magic over here.
It also gives me another hour to sleep in on the weekends ;)
Try It. You'll Like it.
So for $3.00 from On Demand you can watch it for 48 hours before it expires
I've rented it 5 times in the last 2 weeks
The boys go into a hypnotic zombie trance watching it
THEY LOVE IT
Brandon's new favorite word is "efelant"
for Heffalump or Elephant
Not quite sure yet, but in his French accent its so endearing I make him say it over and over
So, I decided to finally buy it on Amazon along with another Heffalump Halloween movie too
So Cheer's to free Pooh babysitting!

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{Insta.gram} Cuteness - Role Play

Last Christmas we bought the boys all these different costumes for role play and dressing up: a carpenter, construction worker, fireman, train conductor, and super hero. They are still in the box, collecting dust.

They prefer more unique {and cheaper} kinds of role play.

 cardboard box + tattered clothes = homeless

#homeless

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