Adventures in Abelingland

Priorities

2012-02-05T21:01:00.001-06:00

It's only the biggest night in football
Biggest night in TV
So we {me} spend the evening watching Winnie The Pooh Heffalump movie with the boys in the biggest car ever
The Swagger Wagon
Priorities.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Tiny Hands

2012-02-02T14:19:00.000-06:00

May you always be the best of friends....

Ta Da!

2012-02-01T13:47:00.000-06:00

On Sunday night Dan and I invited Papa Ray and Papa Bob over for dinner.
We were making pork chops, a salad, and my favorite quinoa.
All three of the boys were naked
loud and proud naked.
running all over, chasing each other, using my couch as an expensive jumpy house
Typical evening really.
Standard.
Suddenly Brandon dissapears into the pantry
we haear a tinkle
we think - HE COULDN'T BE??? right??
he comes out with a big TA DA!
he did.
my little man
found a nice piece of tupperware
- he has some class -
and not his red Tupperware hat, thank god
- he knows better than that -
and used it for a pee potty
He proudly held it out for all to see
Dan wouldn't let me take a picture
But I am still blogging about it

My Someday

2012-01-31T20:25:00.000-06:00

A long time ago

I was so full of confidence and pride

and so young and naive
I didn't know what I know now

I didn't know the love that came with being a mom

I didn't know that you stop judging

I didn't know that you slept on the floor in their room

and stayed up for hours with them

that you would forever spend hours staring at them

and watching them sleep

wondering how you made something so magical

I didn't know that the joys of being a parent superseded anything on this planet

that i could love forever and ever to the moon and back

I didn't know that they become your life

that it is OK

a while back I wrote about a personal topic that I felt was important to capture in picture

{also included below}

important for me to remember years from now

it captured the essence of motherhood

the moment my bond began

it documented my journey

I celebrate the beauty and love

and want to share my experience, however personal

because there is not another moment more beautiful than these fleeting ones I had with my boys

and never again will it be the same

never again a missed opportunity

ps. Thank You Michele.

for the greatest gift

My "Someday" is Coming

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Almost a year ago, I reflected on a very personal topic. I wrote about a beautiful, meaningful, incredible connection I had when breastfeeding my boys...and also of a missed opportunity.

A year ago, I didn't think I was able to have another baby - I had a complication with Brandon that makes labor risky for me. I was heartbroken to think that I passed up a chance during my newborn session to capture the essence of motherhood. To document that journey. To share.

I forgot all about this wish until I came across an old post from a year ago and it dawned on me, that in 2 months, another amazing little boy will be here to share this experience with me.

I think Someday is coming soon. See you in two months Michele :)

A little personal but...

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

I want my boys to know how much it meant to me to nurse them. Even if it was only a short time. Even if they never want to think they did that with their mom.. I was that guy that thought it was abnormal and it would never happen. I opposed it, and fought Dan on it. I thought it was "granola" and "gross" and totally "disgusting".

Then I had Nicky and the minute I saw him it all changed. It was natural and instinctual. In that instant, I became a MOM. It was a connection, a bond, an emotion I never felt before. I was moved. I cried. I LOVED it. I embraced it. But Nicky didn't. Dan and I spent the better part of two weeks getting it right. Finally he did and it worked.

I was devastated at 5 months, when Nicky started to deny it; when a bottle gave him more substance, but it was ok. There would be more.

When Brandon arrived, not only did he take to nursing, he was a natural. Together we were in unison, we spoke the same language. We understood each other. It changed me once again.

Two weeks later, during Brandon's newborn pictures with Michele at Pinkletoes, I had to stop to nurse him. She offered to capture these precious moments on camera. I refused. Now I am heartbreakingly sad that I did. I am not sure if I felt it was too private or I was shy. Or maybe I didn't understand how haunting an image like that could be, but I missed my opportunity.

Every so often she features these special moments between a mom and her baby and my heart aches. Her work is so beautiful, I wanted to share. She calls this "Someday...."

Sneaky

2012-01-31T18:58:00.000-06:00

He thinks no one is watching

as he rides around and around

when he is done

he looks around

so one will notice

when he opens the hood

and takes out the battery

then no one can ride it too

when he is finsihed guarding his "truck"

he plugs it back in

and drives off into the sunset...

until Tomorrow.

Making up with 8

2012-01-31T18:38:00.001-06:00

Ok someone is a lot happier today and I must have my awesome mom cape on.

My little love - 8 months big!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

A Golden Moment

2012-01-31T18:25:00.001-06:00

A Little boy golden retriever met the little girl golden lab down the street. It happened in an instant. Love blossomed...in a golden moment

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

7 Month Onsie

2012-01-31T14:51:00.000-06:00

I was slacking back in December and still pining over Roxy Roo. I missed Luke's 7 month birthday and forgot to put his 7 month sticker on him. I wast able to get him in a onsie! he grew out of them! I never had onsies after 12 months because the boys were walking by then. Luke is just so big. So better late then never.
He obviously wasn't too happy either. Sorry Lucky. xo

I Had to Do it for a 3rd time...

2012-01-30T20:27:00.000-06:00

about 4 years ago I found these ridiculous "baby legs" and had to buy them in really cute boy fabric and styles.
I brought them home and one look at them, Dan asked me to throw them away.
I didn't naturally.
Each boy has worn them long enough for me to snap a picture of them in the little leg warmers.
But COME ON! Look at them!
*Aww*

Rules for my Son

2012-01-30T19:33:00.000-06:00

Dear Boys,

A couple blogposts have been making its way around Facebook and the blogsphere.

I decided to post them - there are a lot - some funny, some more serous and light hearted.

All meant to make you a better person.

Moral of the story: don't grow up to be douche canoes.

Love,

Mom

Rules for Raising a Boy - 18 (Because 25 Was Too Hard To Come Up With) Rules for Mothers of Sons

1. Teach him what a skank is so he'll never bring one home.

If my son brings this girl home, he'd better be paying his own bills - and she'd better be 25 posing like that.

2. Don't let him be a Beavis or a Butthead.

"Heh, heh that girl is wearing a scarf for a top. Heh, heh. Let's go light some farts."

3. Everyone really liked the rule about teaching your son how to do laundry. Why stop at laundry? How about vacuuming, dusting and dishes too? He will thank you someday, because we all know there is nothing hotter than a man doing housework!

4. Teach him to use a tissue. Every time you pull up to a red light what do you see? A grown man digging for gold...i.e., boogers. Obviously, his mother never taught him to use a tissue. Disgusting.

5. Teach him to put the damn seat down on the toilet. Don't drop it with a bang. Gently put it down. (After he's taken a piece of TP and wiped his up his dribble.) Better yet, never teach him to stand to pee.

6. Teach him that relationships are important and he needs to be faithful and monogamous. Teach him that sometimes relationships suck and require work. They're not always "fun" and there are times it will seem easier to cut and run than stay and do some hard work. Teach him that he signed up for this and unless his partner is beating the shit out of him (physically and/or emotionally) he needs to stay and figure it out. Remind him too that when he was in high school you taught him what a skank was so that when he's pushing 50, fat and bald, he'll know the 20 something skank making eyes at him is only hoping he has a wallet as fat as his belly and he should go home now to his loving wife.

7. Teach him to scratch and/or adjust his balls in private - and NEVER with a fork.

8. Let him play video games. This will help him get out his aggression without actually killing anyone. Plus, it teaches him good hand/eye coordination for someday when he's "My son, the surgeon."

9. Give him a baby name book and help him make a list starting now. Little girls everywhere are doing it and maybe it if we start our sons now we can avoid disaster names like Pilot Inspektor and Blue.

10. Teach him to dance was on the original list. I'm good with that one, but I'm taking it a step further. Why not let him dance in a pink tutu? If he wants to wear a tutu and carry a sword let him. WTFC? Either he'll grow out of it or he'll never struggle with his identity.

11. Give him a box of Legos and take away the "instructions." Let him build whatever he can come up with. Let him get creative and crazy. Encourage him to use every Lego piece he has so you won't step on another one again in your bare feet.

12. Teach your son to NEVER rub one out in public. He needs to keep his visits to his "wonderland" in his own bedroom.

13. Teach your son to never snap a girl's bra strap. For one, it's rude and disrespectful to the girls and for another, in this day and age it can be called sexual harassment and your son could be expelled or worse.

14. Teach your son it's OK to cry, but only if he's really hurt. Right now my 7 year old is so "in touch" with his sensitive side it's all I can do not to call him "cry baby." The boy cried today because he lost a Beyblades match! I really need to see blood if I'm going to see tears or I fear for his future.

15. Teach your son to be funny. Even if he's a dork, the funniest one is always king of the dorks. There's nothing sexier than a man with a sense of humor. How else can you explain why these guys are heart throbs?

16. Teach your son another word for his partner other than "Baby." I find it nauseating and revolting that there is an entire generation out there that call one another "Baby." And it's not jut the word. It's the way they say it: "Baaaybeeee." (Put a little whine in it.) Let's just stop this madness now. I would even take "Snookums" right now that's how sick I am of "Baby."

17. Teach him about good pizza. When he's in New York City and wants a slice of pizza, Papa John's is not the place to go. NYC is the capital of delicious pizza! Yes, most of the pizzerias are racist too, but at least their pizza tastes better if it has to be served up with a side of bigotry. (I'm actually more offended that this woman ate Papa John's pizza in NYC than I am by the fact that she was called "Lady Chinky Eyes" that tells you a little something about me and my love for NYC pizza.)

18. Don't ever let him be the "Bachelor" or on any other dumb reality show. Those guys are always douche canoes.

25 Rules for Mothers of Sons

Inspired by a Pin I've recently seen about "rules for dads with daughters," I went searching for a similar list for moms with sons. This search was mostly fruitless, so I was inspired to write my own Rules for Moms with Sons. Granted, my list will not be conclusive and may not be entirely uncontroversial. So agree, or disagree, or take with a grain of salt - but I hope to inspire other moms who are loving, and struggling, and tired, and proud, and eager to support the boys in their lives. You are the most important woman in his life, his first teacher, and the one he will look to for permission for the rest of his life. From "Can I go play with them?" to "Should I ask her to marry me?" Its a big job, but as the mumma, we're up for it.

25 Rules for Moms with Sons

Source: pre-schoolplay.blogspot.com via Tabitha on Pinterest

1. Teach him the words for how he feels.
Your son will scream out of frustration and hide out of embarrassment. He'll cry from fear and bite out of excitement. Let his body move by the emotion, but also explain to him what the emotion is and the appropriate response to that emotion for future reference. Point out other people who are feeling the same thing and compare how they are showing that emotion. Talk him through your emotions so that someday when he is grown, he will know the difference between angry and embarrassed; between disappointment and grief.

2. Be a cheerleader for his life
There is no doubt that you are the loudest person in the stands at his t-ball games. There is no doubt that he will tell you to "stop, mom" when you sing along to his garage band's lyrics. There is no doubt that he will get red-faced when you show his prom date his pictures from boy scouts. There is no doubt that he is not telling his prom date about your blog where you've been bragging about his life from his first time on the potty to the citizenship award he won in ninth grade. He will tell you to stop. He will say he's embarrassed. But he will know that there is at least one person that is always rooting for him.

3. Teach him how to do laundry
..and load the dishwasher, and iron a shirt. He may not always choose to do it. He may not ever have to do it. But someday his wife will thank you.

Source: offbeatmama.com via offbeatmama on Pinterest

4. Read to him and read with him.
Emilie Buchwald said, "Children become readers on the laps of their parents." Offer your son the opportunity to learn new things, believe in pretend places, and imagine bigger possibilities through books. Let him see you reading...reading the paper, reading novels, reading magazine articles. Help him understand that writing words down is a way to be present forever. Writers are the transcribers of history and memories. They keep a record of how we lived at that time; what we thought was interesting; how we spoke to each other; what was important. And Readers help preserve and pass along those memories.

5. Encourage him to dance.
Dance, rhythm, and music are cultural universals. No matter where you go, no matter who you meet - they have some form of the three. It doesn't have to be good. Just encourage your son that when he feels it, it's perfectly fine to go ahead and bust a move.

6. Make sure he has examples of good men who are powerful because of their brains, their determination, and their integrity.
The examples of men with big muscles and a uniform (like Batman and LaMarr Woodley) will surround your son from birth. But make sure he also knows about men who kick a$s because of their brains (Albert Einstein), and their pen (Mark Twain), and their words (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.), and their determination (Team Hoyt), and their ideas (The Wright Brothers), and their integrity (Officer Frank Shankwitz), and fearlessness (Neil Armstrong), and their ability to keep their mouths closed when everyone else is screaming (Jackie Robinson).

7. Make sure he has examples of women who are beautiful because of their brains, their determination, and their integrity
The examples of traditionally beautiful women (like Daphne Blake, Princess Jasmine, and Britney Spears) will surround your son from birth. But make sure he knows about women who are beautiful from the inside out because of their brains (Madame Marie Curie), and their pen (Harper Lee), and their words (Eleanor Roosevelt), and their determination (Anne Sullivan), and their ideas (Oprah Winfrey), and their integrity (Miep Gies), and fearlessness (Ameila Earhart), and their ability to open their mouths and take a stand when everyone else is silent (Aung San Suu Kyi).

8. Be an example of a beautiful woman with brains, determination, and integrity.
You already are all of those things. If you ever fear that you are somehow incapable of doing anything - remember this: If you have done any of the following: a) grew life b) impossibly and inconceivably got it out of your body c) taken care of a newborn d) made a pain go away with a kiss e) taught someone to read f) taught a toddler to eat with a utensil g) cleaned up diarrhea without gagging h) loved a child enough to be willing to give your life for them (regardless if they are your own) or i) found a way to be strong when that child is suffering...you are a superhero. do not doubt yourself for one second. Seriously.

Source: simplymontessori.blogspot.com via Terry-Anne on Pinterest

9. Teach him to have manners
because its nice. and it will make the world a little better of a place.

Source: swagbucks.com via Adriana on Pinterest

10. Give him something to believe in
Because someday he will be afraid, or nervous, or heartbroken, or lost, or just need you, and you won't be able to be there. Give him something to turn to when it feels like he is alone, so that he knows that he will never be alone; never, never, never.

Source: theberry.com via Chris on Pinterest

11. Teach him that there are times when you need to be gentle
like with babies, and flowers, and animals, and other people's feelings.

Source: heatherbeadles.com via Heather on Pinterest

12. Let him ruin his clothes
Resolve to be cool about dirty and ruined clothes. You'll be fighting a losing battle if you get upset every time he ruins another piece of clothing. Don't waste your energy being angry about something inevitable. Boys tend to learn by destroying, jumping, spilling, falling, and making impossible messes. Dirty, ruined clothes are just par for the course.

13. Learn how to throw a football
or how to use a hockey stick, or read music, or draw panda bears (or in my case alpacas), or the names of different train engines, or learn to speak Elvish, or recognize the difference between Gryffindor and Slytherin, or the lyrics to his favorite song. Be in his life, not as an observer but as an active participant.

Source: shanna-kaye.com via Shanna-Kaye on Pinterest

14. Go outside with him
turn off the television, unplug the video games, put your cellphone on the charger, even put your camera away. Just go outside and follow him around. Watch his face, explore his world, and let him ask questions. It's like magic.

15. Let him lose
Losing sucks. Everybody isn't always a winner. Even if you want to say, "You're a winner because you tried," don't. He doesn't feel like a winner, he feels sad and crappy and disappointed. And that's a good thing, because sometimes life also sucks, no matter how hard (as moms) we try to make it not suck for our kids. This practice will do him good later when he loses again (and again, and again, and again, and again.....) Instead make sure he understands that - sometimes you win - sometimes you lose. But that doesn't mean you ever give up.

Source: None via Emma on Pinterest

16. Give him opportunities to help others
There is a big difference in giving someone the opportunity to help and forcing someone to help. Giving the opportunity lights a flame in the heart and once the help is done the flame shines brighter and asks for more opportunities. Be an example of helping others in your own actions and the way your family helps each other and helps others together.

Source: data.whicdn.com via Meagan on Pinterest

17. Remind him that practice makes perfect.
This doesn't just apply to performance-based activities (like sports and music) but also applies to everything in life. You become a better writer by writing. You become a better listener by listening. You become better speaker by speaking. Show your son this when he is just young enough to understand (that means from birth, folks - they are making sense of the world as soon as they arrive), practice trick-or-treating at your own front door before the real thing. Practice how you will walk through airport security before a trip. Practice how you order your own food from the fast food cashier. Practice, practice, practice.

18. Answer him when he asks, "Why?"
Answer him, or search for the answer together. Show him the places to look for the answers (like his dad, or grandparents, or his aunts/uncles, or his books, or valid internet searches). Pose the question to him so he can begin thinking about answers himself. Someday, when he needs to ask questions he's too embarrassed to ask you - he'll know where to go to find the right answers.

Source: 1.bp.blogspot.com via Maegan on Pinterest

19. Always carry band-aids and wipes on you.
especially the wipes.

Source: babyhold.com via Katie on Pinterest

20. Let his dad teach him how to do things
...without interrupting about how to do it the 'right way.' If you let his dad show and teach and discover with your son while he is growing up, some day down the road (after a short period of your son believing his dad knows nothing), he will come to the realization that his dad knows everything. You will always be his mother, but in his grown-up man heart and mind, his dad will know the answers. And this will be how, when your son is too busy with life to call and chat with his mom, you will stay connected to what is happening in his life. Because he will call his dad for answers, and his dad will secretly come and ask you.

Source: familyfun.go.com via Kate on Pinterest

21. Give him something to release his energy
drums, a pen, a punching bag, wide open space, water, a dog. Give him something to go crazy with - or he will use your stuff. and then you'll be sorry.

Source: bleubirdvintage.typepad.com via Marybess on Pinterest

22. Build him forts
Forts have the ability to make everyday normal stuff into magic. Throw the couch cushions, a couple blankets, and some clothespins and you can transform your living room into the cave of wonders. For the rest of his life, he'll be grateful to know that everyday normal stuff has the potential to be magical.

Source: None via Tabitha on Pinterest

23. Take him to new places
Because it will make his brain and his heart open up wider, and the ideas and questions and memories will rush in.

Source: None via Anne on Pinterest

24. Kiss him
Any mother of sons will tell you that little boys are so loving and sweet. They can be harsh and wild and destructive during most of the day. But there are these moments when they are so kind and sensitive and tender. So much so that it can cause you to look around at the inward, reserved grown men in your life and think, 'what happens in between that made you lose that?' Let's try to stop the cycle by kissing them when they're loving and kissing them even more when they're wild. Kissing them when they're 2 months and kissing them when they're 16 years old. You're the mom - you can go ahead and kiss him no matter how big he gets - and make sure he knows it. p.s. (this one is just as important for dad's too).

Source: smallesthings.blogspot.com via Sherry on Pinterest

25. Be home base
You are home to him. When he learns to walk, he will wobble a few feet away from you and then come back, then wobble away a little farther and then come back. When he tries something new, he will look for your proud smile. When he learns to read, he will repeat the same book to you twenty times in a row, because you're the only one who will listen that many times. When he plays his sport, he will search for your face in the stands. When he is sick, he will call you. When he really messes up, he will call you. When he is grown and strong and tough and big and he feels like crying, he will come to you; because a man can cry in front of his mother without feeling self-conscious. Even when he grows up and has a new woman in his life and gets a new home, you are still his mother; home base, the ever constant, like the sun. Know that in your heart and everything else will fall into place.

Pinkletoes Pic of the Year 2011

2012-01-30T19:23:00.000-06:00

Every year, one of your pictures if nominated for Pinkletoes Picture of the Year. Every year we dont win. Either way it is fun to go back and look and the pictures and remember! Thanks to those who voted!

Heaven on Two Wheels

2012-01-29T11:37:00.001-06:00

Daddy date with the boys at Motorcross! Could Nicky be any happier?!! I suspect he really wants cotton candy, too.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Married

2012-01-19T10:29:00.001-06:00

Nicky told us he got married. To Ella. And he kissed her.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

A Surprise Trip

2012-01-19T02:07:00.000-06:00

While I was in CA for the week, I left my car for Tiff. She took the boys for a Surprise trip to see Dinosaurs today...in text...staright from Tiffany. She sent me 16 pictures, complete with commentary. I captured the text here.

.:The End:.

Oh just catching up

2012-01-16T21:01:00.001-06:00

On the news. Reality Steve wrote a new blog post...

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

First Movie

2012-01-16T12:26:00.000-06:00

Mommy and Brandon and Nicky time - Check!
Daddy gets alone time - Check!
Candy, Popcorn and Rootbeer - Check!
Alvin, Simon, Theodore - Check!
Quality kids movie - Check!
Quality adult movie - Major Fail.
I can't believe they make this c r a p.
But the boys enjoyed it and that makes me happy.
Unfortunatley there are not many movies coming out for kids.
We'll just have to watch Gnome and Juliet again :)

Three Word Challenge

2012-01-16T12:08:00.000-06:00

I love VMware. I've been working there for 8 years now. Its pretty obvious. We received this email last week and once again I am proud to work for such an innovative and inspiring company.

"Team,

We often talk about the VMware family and how important this strong community is to each of us. At our upcoming Worldwide Customer Operations All Hands meeting we’d like to get to know our VMware family a little better… three words at a time.

How much can you express in just three words? More than you could imagine! Following in the footsteps of the daily Good Morning America segment, “Your Three Words,” we want to hear from you. Send in your three words that answer the following question:

Why do you believe 2012 will be another great year for VMware or for you, personally or professionally?

Write the words on a whiteboard, on paper, the palm of your hand, in the sand or garden - anywhere, anyhow. Be creative. Have fun. Bring in your teammates, officemates, friends or families. Capture your three words on video (must be under 10 seconds) with your mobile phone, digital camera or webcam. You can also just send us a photograph of your three words, if that’s easier."

Here is my submission.

This will also make me have a good year.

Personally and Professionally.

I used to be "corporate"

Now

I am Mom

and that's what matters.

Brandon is 30 months!

2012-01-16T12:03:00.000-06:00

Dear Brandon,

In the past 30 months, I have watched you grow from a tiny little bundle in my arms

to the big boy you are today

I love so many things about you...

your big green eyes {where did they come from?}

your thick blondish hair

your perfect full lips and cute tiny teeth

your long legs...

and your tiny little calf muscles, exactly like daddy

I love your laugh and your giggle

I love how you blow a kiss

how you say Tank You and Vawl.

how you cry and say NO MOM-A
I love your french accent
and when you dress up in my necklaces
I love that you want dolls and purple toys
I love that you like bugs
I love how terrified you are of the jets in the bathtub

how you love lollipops

I love your passion for firetrucks and things in "twos"

how you love to fix things
and climb on everything
I love how you like to clean your hands and wahc the dishes
and vaccum

I love that you know how to use an iPad and play with games on Nickys leapster
I love how you are fearless and copy everytihng your brother says
I love saying good night to you and playing our "nighttime" game
I love that you want a KISS and an "uppy" hug

I love that you still love to watch Baby Einsteins

I love your tantrums and how you throw yourself on the floor

Your stubborn personality

I love your smile and your long eyelashes

I love how you dance and swing your arms

I love how high you can jump

I love when you sing twinkle and clap your hands

I love your lawnmowers and your tools and your firetrucks

my heart swells when you hold my hand

or kiss me for no reason

when you say "I love you, Mommy" and give me a hug

I love when you share, but that's not too frequent

you love Chocolate milk and "myilkies"

I love your toes

And above all, I love how these past 30 months have been the most incredible experience, and the moments above, are the moments that matter
and I could not be more proud to be your Mommy

Farwell to 2011

2012-01-16T11:47:00.000-06:00

So it is about time, that I wrap up 2011 with a final blog post. I will be making my blog book in the next couple of days and want to make sure I capture some things I did not get to. I am so glad that I have been documenting a year that was soooo great in so many ways, even if it ended on such a sad note for me.

January 2011
I left CA after the holidays, knowing that the next time I went back I would not be going "home". My childhood home in Foster City was sold, and my parents moved Austin! It was also one of my worst months of a pregnancy ever. I battled terrible cedar fever and allergies, sinus pressure, bloody coughing attacks, and massive migraines. These headaches lasted days at a time, and working was often a challenge and difficult. Brandon started talking more and more,and Nicky continued to blossom in front of our eyes. We decided on the name Luke Anthony for the little one to be. Nicky is obsessed with GLOVES.

February 2011
We reached record lows in Austin, it snowed for the THIRD time in 4 years. I had my 20 week sonogram and we confirmed once again that Luke was really a Luke and not a girl. Baby Taylor Filippi was born. And I started my favorite blog post: Inside Master Nicholas Head. Here is an oldie but goodie.

Scene: At home, getting the boys in the Car
Mommy: Look Nicky, your monster trucks are on the roof of the car
Nicky: OH. MY. GOD. Shit.

March 2011
Jessica Johnson introduced me to a new app on iPhone and my life changed for the good: Instagram. Brandon was my first model. How i take and edit pictures has changed forever. I love it. Sold. Everyone other photo app can go home now. We tried Soccer lessons for Nicky. failed. We tried to take the nini's away. failed. I tried to organize my life. failed.

April 2011
My friends, mom, and sister, threw me the CUTEST tricycle themed baby shower as my "last hurrah". It may seem like you have everything when you already have 2 boys, but I got rid of so much newborn stuff, that the shower was so helpful and I will be eternally grateful to everyone who helped and come out. I love you girls. We started to get a feeling what the summer was going to deliver because for the first time in years, there were no bluebonnets in Steiner Ranch - just a handful here and there. I started preparing for Luke's arrival and started planning for the boys joint birthday party in May. We flew out to Newport for the weekend to visit baby Jack for the first time.

May 2011
On May 10th, Nicky turned three and I wondered how he grew up so fast. I think I blinked and it happened. I am not ready for this. I want to freeze time and keep him my little boy forever. By now Nicky was completely potty trained and sleeping in a big boy bed. Kylie Jo - Nicky's best friend also turned 3 and their parents told us the HORRIBLE news they were moving to San Diego. CRUSHED doesn't describe it. We had Brandon evaluated by ECS (Early Childhood Intervention) and we found out that he is completely on track for his development, and in fact ahead in some areas. We felt better after having the evaluation and practiced some of the tips to help him develop vocally.
On May 18th, the third best thing that has ever happened to me arrived. PERFECT in every way. My great friend Tara was there to film my special day for me. THANK YOU again T. You are an amazing friend, mother, and photographer. I love love love you!! I also tied those tubes during my THIRD c-section. no more babies for me. {unless we adopt a little girl from Russia...maybe. one day.}I also had 4 months off work. Yay for Maternity leave. 2 weeks later, my Due Date twin and neighbor, the amazing Alyse Black, her her adorable daughter Scarlett. We watch Franklin on TV everyday.

June 2011
After months of deliberation, we took the boys out of Primrose and hired Tiffany to watch the boys. This decision weighed heavily on me, I did not want to disrupt their routine and I wondered if they would continue to excel outside of a structured school. On the other hand, battling with Nicky and Brandon every morning to get their shoes on, get in the car, get out of the car, and be late to work everyday while I sat outside the school house as they screamed, I knew there had to be a better way. The change in Nicky was immediate. He seemed so...free. I think for now it is working and he LOVES being home and adores Tiffany. Plus he can wear his PJs all day if he wants. Or go naked. who the hell cares? :) We took our annual pictures with Michele from Pinkletoes and we captured some amazing moments. Luke was also a model for her newborn workshop in her studio and I finally got those "Someday" photos. {a separate post to some} We started potty training with Brandon, but not forcing it. We had some early success and then some major failures. But we didn't push. He isnt even two yet! Nicky became obsessed with Army Men and his passion for gloves dissipated some. Grabdma Booba and Papa Bob start taking Nicky and Brandon on Thursday nights. THANK YOU. we LOVE Thursdays! We watch Little Einsteins, Franklin, and Dink the Dino on TV everyday

July 2011
Brandon turned TWO. We had a joint party for the boys at Hoppin House. We noticed Luke has spoke ears and looks identical to Nicky when he was a month old. Mira Weidner was born. It became the hottest summer on record in Austin. My mom's (aka MY) pool was complete, but not without major issues, hassles, and fighting with the developer. We spent hours in the pool and missed the Wilsons. It seemed everyone was getting pregnant or having babies. We welcomed Taylor, Isabella, Scarlett and Mira - all girls. ahem.
Brandon started "driving" He loves the car, and he has a new passion for firetrucks. Nicky learns to spell STOP. Grandma Larissa comes to visit and we go to the Army Man museum for the first (and not last) time. Eleanor turns 11. Jessica Johnson also introduces me to a new app - Pinterest. My life will never be the same. Every other app. Time to go home. We watch Hot Wheels battle force 5 on TV everyday.

August 2011
I think we spent everyday in the pool by now. Everything is dead, we are on water rations. My blog turns 2 and we welcome Paisley - our cousins baby in North Carolina. Roxy turns 4. Auntie Val and Auntie Shauna come to visit. Brandon pee pees in the potty and Tiffany captures the Pee Pee Potty dance on film. Cody Cansler is born. Delayne and Jack come over for play dates. We watch Bubble Guppies, Team Umizumi, and Tom and Jerry on TV everyday.

Sept 2011
Labor day weekend is disrupted by fires in Steiner Ranch and we are all evacuated. We spend two nights at the Renaissance with all our neighbors. All of us, Me, Dan, Nicky, Brandon, Luke, Roxy, Zeus, are all stuck in one hotel room. Eleanore said back to watch over the house. (we couldn't catch her to bring her) Grandma Boob and Papa Bob are just down the hall from us. The boys LOVE it. To this day Nicky asks if we can go back "when there was a fire". Bastrop wasn't so lucky - they lost over 1700 homes. Steiner Ranch suffered the loss of 23. I started a new job at VMware - Global partner Strategy...and I love it. Luke is starting to sit up and is the best baby ever. He is awesome. hands down the best. My love affair continues. And the besty news - we took away the pacifiers. Done. Gone. Soyonara! Dan turns 33 and Zeus is 3. Dan takes Nicky to his first Monster Truck Jam. Nicky is beyond excited and wears his t-shirt everyday. Jackson G starts to come to our house once a week for a play date. I start Pilates at FourPoints. yay! Don't know how it happened, but the boys got their first plastic guns. They love them like all boys do. We watch Winnie the Pooh Heffalumps on TV everyday.

October 2011
We started extreme sleep training once again. Brandon moved out of Nicky's room and into Luke's room. Luke moved to a pack n' play into one of the guest rooms. Sleep constantly plagues us. But this time we mean business and we hired a sleep consultant. Luke gets 2 teeth and starts sleeping through the night. He starts baby food and loves it. Brandon is talking more and more and has started showing a very temperamental side - he is a little brat! Nicky continue to amaze me in every sense. He speaks very well, started to understand math, can identify all the letters and numbers. He is very skilled at the iPad, iTouch, and iPhone. Brandon and he can sit for hours playing on them. We traveled to Park City for a big party and brought the whole family. I was able to see some old friends, Hilary, Kathleen, and Tiffany. I miss them dearly.The boys were superheros for Halloween. Nicky Spider man, Brandon, Batman, Luke - the Hulk. We welcome baby Ty Pottichen. We watch Tom and Jerry on TV everyday.

November 2011
the first 10 days of November were normal. I was starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Brand and Nicky have become such wonderful boys - they are so smart, friendly, caring, and thoughtful. They make us laugh all the time. Dan and I took the afternoon off to buy a new stroller for Luke. When we returned home that afternoon on November 10th, we couldn't find Roxy. She disappeared under the fence. and never came back. Spell check tried to change my spelling of disappeared to dissipated. That actually might have what happened. I spent over $4,000 trying to find her in the next months. I sat outside holding signs. I hired people to call all the local animal shelters and search Craigslist. I had large banners placed on the sides of the roads and local freeways. I posted on every Facebook and website I could find. I started a Facebook page: FindRoxy. I hired 2 different teams to track her scent; one never showed up and took my money, the other became a confidante and an angel. Even if we didn't find her. I don't know how to describe it so you know how I felt, but I was completely floored and devastated. My little baby, my precious, loved baby girl, was gone. and my life changed again. and not in a good way. I feel off. un balanced and depressed. a week after Roxy went missing, Eleanor never came home. It was more than I could handle. I am not sure how I got through those first 2 weeks, but amazing friends who helped pass out flyers and search the greenbelts were a lifesaver to me. Dan asked me to be a wife and mother again, so I came back to reality and tried to shift through the fog that consumed and tormented me. I also had to take a deep breath and county the stars how lucky I AM - even though Roxy is gone. I will never give up on her. During my painful searches online, i found a gorgeous 1 year old male Golden Retriever who was on "death row". I sent Dan down to San Antonio to save him. His name is Rango. He has wiggled a way into our hearts and found a loving home with us.
Thanksgiving Val and Shauna come and visit and take the boys to SeaWorld. My dad falls and breaks his arm and I wish I could go visit him in Grass Valley. I miss them so much. Luke starts to crawl and pulls himself up. Brandon's favorite words are Yucky and No mom. We introduce Lumpy the Elf on the Shelf and start a new tradition - cutting down our Xmas tree with Grandma and Papa. Baby Jack turns 1. I spend way too much money at the Christmas affair, which has also become a tradition for me. We watch Bubble Guppies, Team Umizumi and Tom and Jerry everyday.

December 2011
We celebrate the holidays with ceramic hand print ornaments. We decorate the tree and the lights are put up. Brandon and Nicky have their monthly birthdays and Luke is 7 months. I forget to take the 7 month onsie picture..We have our first night away from the boys for the VMware Christmas party. I turn 35. Dan's family comes for Christmas and we have a wonderful time. In other sad news, Dad Bob's mom, Grandma Adele passes away. The boys get in the bath together for the first time. Luke gets his third tooth. Christmas morning is crazy! WAY too many presents. But the boys love their ride on cars and thats what we do every afternoon now. Nicky burns his hand pretty badly. Luke is ready to go, already crawling all over and up the stairs. Zeus and Rango are becoming better friends. Dan and I end the new year at Cho and the Steakhouse with our friends Aaron and Tara P. We welcome baby Molly Welton. We are still watching Team Umizoomi, Bubbleguppies, and now Tom and Jerry Kids.

2011 was really a great year for us, despite how it ended. So many great things happened that we shared with neighbors, friends, and our families. We can't wait to see how 2012 turns out.

Good bye 2011!

Love,
Mommy

Good Daddy

2012-01-04T19:12:00.001-06:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Drinking Buddy!

2012-01-02T15:19:00.001-06:00

We're finally not pregnant at the same time!! Me and Tara - just missing SW. Xo

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Happy Poo Year!

2012-01-01T08:38:00.001-06:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Goodbye 2011!!

2011-12-31T20:02:00.001-06:00

Good bye 2011!!! Wishing everyone a wonderful 2012.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

emails not working

2011-12-31T09:50:00.001-06:00

So my emails have not been working for the last 2 weeks. this is a test

Did I already post this?

2011-12-30T17:38:00.001-06:00

Luke is standing, cruising, climbing up stairs, and trying to walk already!

{and he looks like a penguin}

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

An All Star Daddy

2011-12-30T16:50:00.000-06:00

Dear my three little minions....
Do you know you have a SUPER STAR Daddy?
I know you won’t turn out exactly like your Dad
And I wouldn’t want you to
You will have your own qualities that make you great.
But when you become a Dad, I hope you remember
that it’s the little things that matter most

Being an all star Daddy means…
letting you jump on the couch every night
putting you in the most ~~mismatched~~ creative clothes ever
making sure you are never without socks
....and buying the most "super fast" tennis shoes
It's setting up monster trucks and slot car races
sitting outside while you play with the neighborhood kids
getting up with you in the middle of the night and singing you silly songs to sleep
sneaking kisses while you lay fast asleep.
changing poopy diapers without complaining, ever.
filling his iPad up with YOUR favorite apps.
making you eat your breakfast every morning
hugging you when you fall down, kissing your booboos and holding you hard during a thunderstorm

Aside from the fact that he made my knees wobble whenever our eyes met,
I married your Dad because I knew he would love you more than life itself.

I knew he would not only show up, he would be truly present at every milestone of your life.
I knew that he would make you feel loved, and he would never be afraid to say those three magic words:
I love you.

I knew he would be the kind of Dad that every kid deserves.
And I hope you always know how lucky you are to have him.
You very own ALL Star Daddy!

{I was inspired by Little Miss Momma}

A Bad Burn

2011-12-30T14:26:00.001-06:00

Nicky somehow rested his right hand against the fireplace
After 2 hours of screaming this is what we discovered when he finally calmed down
The first night after he passed out
We were able to cover the wound, but since then he hasnt let us touch his hand
But he had his MOnster Truck tatoo and his motorcycle shirt on
so all was good
But he is going to have a pretty bad scar...
Poor little baby

and then I got all crazy with my edits

look even yuckier

gritty

Mystery on 360

2011-12-30T14:13:00.000-06:00

I thought I would include a post about one of the craziest Austin traditions, one we have yet to partake in. maybe next year....

This started as one of those Austin mysteries. Every year along a freeway in Austin, the trees along the side get decorated like Christmas trees. It is quite a sight to see! But where do the decorations on the 360 cedar trees come from?
Legend has it that it began over ten years ago with just one Christmas tree, decorated under the cover of night by a local family, and each year since more and more are decorated from mid-November through Christmas.
The decorations have just as much variety and spark as the city’s residents. Currently there are than 100 trees decorated with everything from traditional ornaments, candy canes and garland to funky trees sporting flamingos, rainbows, Barbie’s and more.
It really livens up the drive on 360 and helps bring out your holiday spirit. I love how we manage to keep “Keep Austin Weird,” one day at a time.

Flowers for Mommy

2011-12-30T14:10:00.000-06:00

Miss Tiffany helped the boys write out their Christmas list. Nicky is so Thoughtful. I love him

Christmas in Abelingland

2011-12-30T14:07:00.000-06:00

Christmas in Austin this year

We had a houseful -

Grandma Booba, Papa Bob, Papa Ray, Grandma Larissa, Lee, Auntie Alex, Auntie A and Uncle F and Baby J were all out here to visit.

The weather was great and we spent a lot of time on walks, and playing outside

We had great food and lots of wine

Lots of fun playing games, playing with the new slot car track, and having a white elephant party

The boys met their cousin Baby J for the first time

and it was the most wondeful time of the year!

Secrets of Abelingland - Light

2011-12-30T13:52:00.000-06:00

Dear Boys - Do you know how much Mommy and Daddy love you? There are so many ways to tell you, and this is just one way. These words inspire me. My world would not have "light" without you.

1 week till Christmas!

2011-12-30T13:48:00.000-06:00

Well its almost 1 week past Christmas now, and I was hoping to post all the decorations in the house. But its better late than never

{Insta.gram} Cuteness - Muahhh

2011-12-30T13:45:00.000-06:00

Kisses to you too, my little Lucky

A Culinary Pinterest Christmas!

2011-12-30T13:43:00.000-06:00

About 6 months ago i joined Pinterest

and my life changed forever

Instantly I was a better wife, better cook, better designer, and really good at wasting time

I found hundreds of things I HAD to have, including new sewing projects (i don't sew) and thousands of ideas to redecorate my home, art projects for the boys, and endless ideas on how to braid my hair.

This Christmas we hosted Dan's family, and I was determined to make some new recipes

On Christmas morning I made this.

Boubon Vanilla French Toast Casserole

one word:

INCREDIBLE

my new go to breakfast dish

Just need whip cream next time

.and then I made some new Christmas cookies

only I substiututed cherries for cranberries

White Chocolate Cherry Snickerdoodle Cookies

one word

INCREDIBLE

and then for dinner I wanted to make something new

Typically we have crab or lobster

but I wanted to go meat

So i found this recipe on Pinterest

Poircini & Rosemary Crusted Beef Tenderloin with Port Wine Sauce

I substituted Tyme for rosemary and bought 8 lbs of

very nice Beef tenderloin

One word

INCREDIBLE

we also had white truffled portabllo mushrooms

and arugula pecorino asparagus

It was an incredible {did I mention that?} meal

one that we will put in the books and become my new Christmas meal

Merry Pinterest Everyone!

And Pinny New Year!

Vroom Part 2

2011-12-30T13:20:00.000-06:00

On November 12th, I took this picture of Baby Luke - already on the move. So far he is the fastest to crawl around 6 months. Nicky was about 7 months, and Brandon was almost 8 months. Luke must be in a hurry to catch up with his big brothers! When Brandon was starting to crawl, we were thinking we were done with babies {see below} - obviously, that was not the case, but this time we really are done. And instead of putting away 3-6 months, with Luke I am putting away his 6-12 months and pulling out all the 12-18 months. He is such a big healthy boy! It's been such a joy to have him these last 7 months. We really are Lucky. Vroom. Vroom.

Vroom.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

My baby is growing up. B started movin and shakin this past week.

I know I should be happy, but as I pack away his 3-6 month outfits and put out the 6-12months, I can't help but feel sad that I won't be doing all the infant things again.

Each milestone is another reminder that its the last.

And I can't stop it, so I have to embrace it.

I love you to the moon, B, and so proud of your accomplishments!

Vroom. Vroom.

Sometimes

2011-12-25T19:59:00.002-06:00

I sneak into you room and watch you sleep.

I love you, Brandon

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Merry Christmas from Abelingland

2011-12-25T19:50:00.001-06:00

We wish you a Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

We hope 2012 is better than ever

We love and miss you Roxy and Eleanor and will never forget you

To our Friends and Family, may you have the most wonderful time of the year,

Love

US.

and from the last 3 years......

Merry Christmas from the Abeling Family

Saturday, December 25, 2010

From our house to yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas!

Love,

the Abeling Family

Dan, Victoria, Nicky and Brandon

Roxy, Zeus, and Eleanor, too!!

Merry Christmas from the Abeling's

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Our Christmas card for 2009.

Happy Holidays ~ with love ~ the Abelings: Dan, Victoria, Nicky, and Brandon

Christmas Cards

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

It's no secret that I adore Christmas. One of my guilty pleasures in life is taking pictures and creating the perfect Christmas card. This year we made a last minute decision and took some recent pictures of the boys for our card. I will post 2010 card closer to Christmas, after I send them out. Here is a look back at 2 years of Christmas cards....

2008

Merry Mustache to you!

2011-12-25T15:20:00.001-06:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Two Kissing Abelings!

2011-12-25T15:09:00.001-06:00

One day this will never happen

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Pretty Sparkly Shoes

2011-12-22T17:45:00.000-06:00

ME: Nicky DO NOT hot Rango on the head. That is not nice. If you hit the dog on the head one more time I will send you to your room
Nicky: He's mean
ME: Nicky, see those Christmas presents in the garage, I will send them back
Nicky: Thats not nice mommy. You want me to send your shoes back? I will give your pretty sparkly shoes to another mom.

{Insta.gram} Cuteness - Baby Christmas Tree

2011-12-21T20:18:00.000-06:00

Oh Christmas Tree

And Poof I'm 35!

2011-12-20T15:58:00.000-06:00

I am 35

I am not sad or think I am OLD

I just remember thinking when I was 20, that 35 was OLD

and now, just like that, I am 35

Here was my Birthday Cake

(not really but how funny!! Love it - maybe for 40)

and because I like this picture I am posting it. Here I am a couple days before my 35

A Proud Moment

2011-12-20T15:50:00.000-06:00

There are a lot of proud moments when you have a baby
first smile
first sit up
first crawl, walk, run...
for the rest of their lives there will be a lot of proud moments
first day of kindergarten, graduation, weddings, and grandchildren
All of these milestones are important and make having kids so special
I got a text the other day from the mother of Nicky's best *boy* friend
a text that highlights how incredibly special Nicky is
how another mother hopes that her son is like mine
and I see what a wonderful man Nicky will become
and that makes me proud.

Adventures in Abelingland

Priorities

Tiny Hands

Ta Da!

My Someday

My "Someday" is Coming

A little personal but...

Sneaky

Making up with 8

A Golden Moment

7 Month Onsie

I Had to Do it for a 3rd time...

Rules for my Son

Rules for Raising a Boy - 18 (Because 25 Was Too Hard To Come Up With) Rules for Mothers of Sons

25 Rules for Mothers of Sons

Pinkletoes Pic of the Year 2011

Heaven on Two Wheels

Married

A Surprise Trip

Oh just catching up

First Movie

Three Word Challenge

Brandon is 30 months!

Farwell to 2011

Good Daddy

Drinking Buddy!

Happy Poo Year!

Goodbye 2011!!

emails not working

Did I already post this?

An All Star Daddy

A Bad Burn

Mystery on 360

Flowers for Mommy

Christmas in Abelingland

Secrets of Abelingland - Light

1 week till Christmas!

{Insta.gram} Cuteness - Muahhh

A Culinary Pinterest Christmas!

Vroom Part 2

Vroom.

Sometimes

Merry Christmas from Abelingland

Merry Christmas from the Abeling Family

Merry Christmas from the Abeling's

Christmas Cards

Merry Mustache to you!

Two Kissing Abelings!

Pretty Sparkly Shoes

{Insta.gram} Cuteness - Baby Christmas Tree

And *Poof* I'm 35!

A Proud Moment

And Poof I'm 35!