Snow in October?????

On Sunday, we went back to Central Dupage Hospital for the Neonatal Intensive Care Reunion. It was such a special day!!! It was hard to walk back into the hospital because it brought back a lot of the feelings and fears we had everyday, but once we got to the party, it was quite a celebration of amazing babies! The cafeteria was full of healthy, beautiful children!!!! Rob and I commented many times on how amazing the kids look...some kids had been coming back for 13 years! They had music, play areas, crafts, food, and presents!!! We got to see Abigail's nurses and doctors..and they got to see her! Everyone was so amazed at how big she is! It was a great time! We look forward to going back and celebrating every year.


The moms and babies!!! Do you know that combined, these 4 babies didn't even weigh 10 lbs altogether when they were born????? Crazy!

Abigail and Luca...we are so in love with him!!!!

Abigail proudly displaying her NICU graduate t-shirt!

Smile!

Monday we went to the pumpkin patch...and it was COLD! Here is how Abigial went to the Pumpkin Patch!!!! We saw the kids that I used to teach (they were there on a field trip). They were so excited to see Abigail! Then we met Cari, Mae, Nathan and Renee, Alex, and Jake! My favorite part was the hot chocolate and apple cider donut!!!

When we got home, it was Snowing!!!! Crazy!!! Abigail loved to watch the snow and wanted to catch it through the window!!!

Tooth Watch 08: Abigail's 3rd bottom tooth has come through..and one of her top teeth is popping through as we speak! She's being a trooper through it!!!

Party Time!!!!

First, I would like to thank Rob for the new song choices...LOVE this song!

Here are some highlights of our last few days!

Thursday:

Thursday was the March of Dimes benefit dinner. It was an amazing night! We sat at the front table with 3 other families from the NICU. Our friends, the Wittmans, were being honored as the ambassador family for the night. They showed a very touching video about their family and their struggles..it helped raise $13,000 for March of Dimes.

In addition to the Wittmans, we sat with the Luca (Abigail's NICU boyfriend) and his family! We love hanging out with them. They bought a fun item in the auction...Luca's name is the main character's name in a new novel coming out...they just have to decide if he's the good guy or the villian.

Mommy, Abigail, Luca, Raquel (Abigail and Luca look so much a like...even Mrs. Illinios came over and asked if we were a family!)

Saturday:

We started Saturday with a complimentary lunch at Brickhouse Tavern in Lombard, which is opening next week..it was a great lunch and restaurant/bar! (Althought Rob forgot to mention till the car ride that the atmosphere was similar to Hooters..needless to say they didn't have a high chair for Abigail!)

We then headed to The Devonshire, where my grandma lives, for their Halloween party. It was a great afternoon!

Saturday night we went over to the Kunz's house for a bonfire. It was a GREAT time! They have a son, Jack, who is a little over 2 years old. He is so cute! We had a great time sitting outside and enjoying a bonfire in Palatine!!!! (No pics, sorry). Thank you John and Meg for having us over!

Save the Date: April 29th is the March of Dimes family walk. We'll be creating a team in Abigail's name to walk!!!! We would love to have everyone join us!

Since there is no Bears game today, we'd like to say "Go Redskins (playing the Lions)!"

Happy 10 Months, Abigail Grace!

Happy 10 Months, Abigail! Only 2 more months till the big celebration!

We love you!
Love,
Mommy, Daddy, and Kramer

Updates on our Princess

Abigail had her 2nd follow-up with the NICU doctors and evaluation team at Central Dupage Hospital. She's doing great! She is 10 months old this week and is up to 14 1/2 lbs...in the bottom 5%. However, she's very tall..she's in the top 95% for height!

She is doing much better in their physical therapy concerns so she's down to physical therapy once a month. As for her milestones, she's hitting them quickly! She is crawling very fast now. She is pulling herself up on everything and cruising around once she's up. She can also go from one thing to another (ie. couch to ottoman). She was having a hard time getting down but we have been practicing falling. It's really cute how she falls..it's very cautious and controlled. The evaluation team did say that she's "scared" because I always catch her and carry her-so I'm working very hard at letting her fall and learn by herself. I have to say, she's doing much better this week. She is also standing in her crib now which is frustrating because she's not napping-we're working HARD on getting those naps back! She is also chewing on her crib...her bed is going to have her little teeth marks when she's older! All in all, she's doing great!



Yum...this crib tastes great!



Daddy went to the Bears game on Sunday and I helped Mommy clip coupons!

Cheering for those Bears is exhausting!


Me and my NICU boyfriend, Luca! We went shopping to find clothes for the March of Dimes dinner we are going to this week..and the NICU reunion this weekend! Don't worry..Mommy says there will be LOTS of pictures!

Have a great week!

I'm a Star/Dork/Complete Suburb Stay-at-home Mom All Wrapped Into One

Tonight I did the dorkiest...and most fun...thing! I attended Super-Couponing-an 1 1/2 hour class on how to use coupons-at the local library. What about that sentence doesn't scream DORK and SUBURB MOM? 1. Coupon? 2. Class? 3. Library? The speaker was great!!!! This lady doesn't pay for a thing. She got 58 boxes of cereal and 40 boxes of granola bars for...wait for it....$5.15 (including tax). She had the receipt and pictures to prove it. I learned lots of things I'm going to try-and yes, I'll keep you all updated on my deals. I know it will be hard to sleep thinking about all my deals! :) Oh, and Channel 7 news was there...so if you see that the news is doing a report on Jill Cataldo about coupons (she is also on 97.9 on Tuesday mornings talking about deals), look for me...I'm going to be famous along with 50 other moms. Oh, and I'm not saying anything about the people who went, but I definitely stand out...and really hope that I"m not look at my future with the moms in the room! :)

If you wanna read her blog (that's right folks, a couponing blog...i know ryan, it's like a dream-come-true)...http://www.jillcataldo.com/ or go to www.supercouponing.com.

As for Abigail, we had a pretty boring week...but I never filled you in on our Soccer Game last weekend. Apparently Abigail isn't interested in soccer if there are football players around. She only wanted to watch the football players! Rob and I are in big, big, big trouble when she's in high school. Luckily we have already recruited Auntie Mo and Uncle B to chaperone her high school dances. Here are two pics from her 1st soccer game, which was very exciting for Mom!

Checking out the boys

Abigail and Coach Staj

And for those of you counting, I used the "..." annoying thing I do 10 times in this blog. I know I do it...and I know it's annoying...but I like it!

Happy Birthday, Grandma! Way to Go, Runners!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Saturday was my mom's birthday! My sisters Julie and Katie and I took my mom shopping during the day. It was a great day..and my mom found her jewelry and shoes for Jule's wedding. My dad, Rob and Abigail joined us for dinner as we ended the night at Maggiano's. Happy Birthday, Mom! Thanks for all you do for us and for Abigail...and Abigail says, "I love you, Grandma!"

Happy Birthday!

Aunt Katie

Aunt Julie

While we were shopping, Rob and Abigail spent a Daddy/Daughter day at the zoo. I wish I had pictures because I'm sure they would be so cute!!! Apparently Abigail wanted a hot pretzel with mustard, so Daddy got her one!

Sunday was the Chicago Marathon. We went out to cheer on my dad and bro-in-law (soon to be I guess). They did great! Both had injuries and had to make a medic tent visit along the way, but both pushed through it and did it!!! They looked great..and we couldn't be more proud! Can't imagine being hurt and finishing the 26.2 miles! Quite amazing!

If you've never been down to watch the Chicago marathon, it's quite spectacular!

Great job, Grandpa! This was my dad's 33rd marathon!!!!!

We are so proud of you, Uncle Joe! Obviously you paid your dues and you are now ready to enter the Muskovich family!

The 20 mile cheering crew..also known as the BOWS team! (Bosworth, O'Connor, Wennerstrom, Sharp). We had a great time cheering on the 33,000 runners.

Mommy had a special shirt for Abigail!

Me running

Although I didn't run the whole thing, I decided to take a quick run. I'd say I have gotten in great shape post Abigail!!! Okay, that's Constantine (our favorite girl runner)...but that's what I would have looked like! :)

What a great day!!!

9 Month Pictures

I know, 3 posts in 2 days...Crazy!

Here are a few of Abigail's 9 month pictures. My favorite is the last one..apparently she's not into her Halloween Costume. Enjoy-and Happy Friday!

Video of Crawling...

*Note: If you have speakers, I now have music.

This video is sideways..I can't seem to turn it but I'll work on it!

This day she found the stairs and wanted to go down them all day..the baby gate finally came out! The crying is because I'm blocking the stairs. I also keep saying "Hi Dada" because all weekend when she was with Rob, she would say that (Although I still don't consider it her 1st words because it's just sounds I think)...but she wouldn't do it today!

Also, I posted two times today..so look at the one beneath this one..labeled "For your listening pleasure"...

For your listening pleasure....

*For those of you who have speakers, I added some music.

This week has been pretty "typical" but here are some pics of what we've done...


This was actually a visit with Great-Grandma last week..but look how big Abigail looks! My grandma is 94 years old..and picks up Abigail like she's 24! It's cute. We are looking forward to bringing Abigail to my grandma's building on Halloween in her costume. All the ladies will LOVE that!

Every Wednesday we go to Open Gym at the park district. This week that had these mat ramps set up. Abigail went up and down them for 2 hours! She's moving a lot!


Mommy and Abigail painted a shelf this week..I need to fix the color a little so there are no pics yet..but we painted the shelf because Abigail got two of Rob's grandma's beanie babies when Rob's Grandpa came from Arizona to visit. These were very special to Rob's grandma...so we want them to have a special place in her room..and we want them up high to watch over her like Rob's grandma is doing...one of Abigail's many angels! She was playing with the beanie babies and I snapped a picture. We learned she know show to pose as soon as she sees the camera.



Yesterday the girls met my friend Tracey (used to work with her) for dinner. It was so great to catch up! Auntie Tracey worked with Mommy when she was going through all the things to have Abigail..as well as through her whole pregnancy and early delivery..she was part of everything so it's so great to see them together now! She LOVES Abigal so much and makes Abigail feel so special. Abigail learned that if she dropped something, Auntie Tracey would pick it up for her. This went on for a long while!

After dinner, I put her in her PJ's to sleep in the car (which she always does) but she was wide awake..I think she was waiting to get home and see Dada because she was so so so happy to see him!!!! Adorable!

On a final note, Abigail has a very, very exciting day! She is going to her 1st soccer game today! My friend Eric is a coach and we are going to watch his game tonight!!!! I hope Abigail is as excited as I am...I'm ready to make her "big girl room" a pink soccer room, but 1st I have to make sure she loves soccer. It's in her blood I think! Pics to come! She will also be going to her 1st marathon this weekend (She went with mommy when I was prego with her-it was HOT!). Both my dad and my soon-to-be brother-in-law, Joe, are running...2 Joe-six packs (That's my Palin poke)! We can't wait to cheer them on!

A Really Great Weekend

This was a really great weekend. It was full of visits and family time!

Friday night we visited with Rob's Grandpa before he went back to Arizona. We were so sad to say goodbye, but really enjoyed our visit.

"Daddy...Let's go to Arizona to visit Great-Grandpa!"



Saturday started with Rob watching Abigail so I could go shopping for a little "me" time. Then we headed over to Cosley Zoo.

I LOVE this picture!




And this one too! Look at that cute pumpkin!


Saturday night we had a great time at Joey's (my friend Nicole's son) 1st B-day. (Sorry, no pics, but he looked really cute!!!) Happy 1st Birthday, Joey!

Then we met B and Mo for dinner.

Auntie Mo Mo sure loves me a lot!


You have no idea how long it took to get a good picture! Abigail knew just what to do..but Uncle B was having some trouble figuring out the flash!


Sunday I had a very nice bridal shower for Allie (Eric Staj's fiance). Rob and Abigail spent time with Nana and Papa. Then we headed over to Sunny Acres Pumpkin Farm. We were going to meet 2 of the families from the NICU, but due to weather we had to reschedule. Nevertheless, Rob, Abigail, and I walked around in the rain..and look forward to going back and spending time there. There is a kid train there that we can't wait to see Rob try to fit his legs into! :) To end the weekend, the Staniak's came over for pizza
.
At Sunny Acres
Look at that stylish baby! Those are baby Uggs...Mommy doesn't even have Uggs!


These are our favorite weekends! So much great family time!!!!

Happy Friday!

Love, Abigail

Newton's Law...All Day Long!

This blog is a tribute to moms all around the world who spend their day catching their kids....

For those who wonder what I've been up to (no pun intended) this week...here are the pics! Abigail pulls herself up on everything, but can't get down-so she either falls and hits her head or cries till I help her get down! She's so much fun now because she peaks her head up when she pulls herself up and smiles because she' so proud of herself..and I'm proud of her too! Now we just have to practice falling down safely! So here's my day so far today!


10:10am


10:20am

10:25am


10:30 am This is her favorite thing to pull up on because the remotes are on it...I'm on the search through the house today for old remotes that we don't know what they go to. I'm gonna wrap them up and give them to her! What a GREAT present...she LOVES remotes! Oh, she's up again on the ottoman, gotta run!

*I would also like to thank the inventor of International Delight Pumpkin Pie Spice Creamer for adding a little bit of "fall" to my morning coffee! It's been a great day so far!

*One more thing...today is a very exciting day because it's Double Coupon Day at Kmart! That's right, I said it...Double Coupon Day!!!!! Rob couldn't believe how excited I was. Using coupons is so much fun, and using double coupons is..well, double the fun! Can't wait to see what I come home with today! Nothing like saving $1.00 instead of $.50 on salad dressing!!! Okay, maybe I do need to go back to work or find a hobby! :)