Brusha, Brusha, Brusha!

Well, our last few days have been very uneventful...but wonderful. We spent a lot of quality time with Abigail. Today she did have 2 1sts, however! :) 1st, she had zuccini for the 1st time-and enjoyed it. Again, she's gonna be just like her aunts eating veggies! and 2nd, she got her teeth brushed for the 1st time. The pictures say it all!

"I like it better when I do it myself, Mom and Dad!"

Over the weekend we spent some time outside with Ryan, Jenny, Reese and Chase (our fun neighbors) and Nana and Papa...and Abigail had a lot of fun in her car and on Reese's Barbie Jeep.

"I'm a BIG girl on the jeep." (Thanks Reese for sharing!)

"Thanks Mom for my 1st car! Great bargain shopping!"

Reflection on our time in the NICU

Abigail's BIRTHday!

I look like HELL in this picture. I can't leave out my 1st pic with Abigail cause of how I look...but it's scary, I know! I'm a GHOST!

Today began Eric and Kathy's 36 hour radio-a-thon to raise money for Children's Memorial Hospital. Rob and I began donating a few years ago for many reasons. The stories are so touching. My sister worked for Children's Memorial Hospital and now raises money for Bear Necessities. However, last year when it came on I was pregnant and thought it was "good karma" to donate...we hoped we'd never have to be at Children's Memorial but thought you never know. Little did we know 5 months later our daughter would become a resident of CMH...as would we. I heard the same stories today I heard a year ago and it brought back so many memories. But we never thought we would actually be at Children's...and we hope and pray we will never go back...but we are so fortunate that CMH was there for us!

So today I just wanted to reflect on Abigail's amazing story. Finding out I was in labor at 30 weeks was probably the scariest moment in our lives. However, within an hour the NICU staff was in our room prepping us and answering questions. And at 31 weeks when she was born, the staff became family. I'll never forget going into her room X-mas morning so sad because that's not how a baby should celebrate X-mas-and her room was full of gifts from the nurses and their families. I'll never forget them letting us hold her for a X-mas picture because they knew how much we needed it! I'll never forget toasting the nurses who spent New Year's Eve with the babies. However, it was even harder on Rob than me. He had to go to work everyday and could not be with her or see her. After a LONG day at work, Rob would drive to the hospital to spend an hour or two with Abigail before heading home to get a few hours of sleep so we could start all over again the next day. But everyday he was there to talk to her and read her a book before bedtime. I was luckier cause I could be with her...but I spent 12+ hours each day in the NICU while Abigail was in an incubator not able to be held...but I was never alone. They would bring me water, walk with me to get coffee, share stories of their families, listen to my stories. I cried as much the day we left as I did the day we entered the NICU.

Abigail really is an amazing baby! She did so well from the moment she was born. We only try to remember the good parts...but it's also important to not forget the scary parts too so we never take for granted what a gift it is that she's here and healthy. Like the 1st time we saw her face without a tube in her nose or mouth, or the 1st time she was able to drink from a bottle. For most babies that's day 1, but for her, it was weeks later. When I look back at that 1st diaper she wore, it makes me amazed that she is here! How can anything that little fight so hard???? Watch out world, because Abigail is here and she is STRONG!

We can't help all the kids, but we definitely can make a difference for the families. We donated this year in honor of not only Abigail, but her friends Cally and Luca who were both under 2 lbs when they were born and who would not be here without CMH. http://www.childrensmemorial.org/

Have a GREAT weekend with your family..

I know tonight we will hug Abigail just a little bit tighter!

And it's FINALLY here...the Olympics start tonight! I will keep everyone updated on the medals! USA women (soccer) lost their 1st game to Norway. The women's next game is 5:30am tomorrow morning. Go USA!!!!

Abigail's 1st diaper...and her diaper now!

Mommy and Daddy's 1st visit!

Our 1st hold...X-mas Eve!

The most AMAZING X-mas gift ever!

Bear Down!

I can't believe what a busy 2 days it's been...this blog sure makes me take more pics! I love it!

Bears Season has arrived and the Wennerstrom family

is so excited!!!!!

We went for a family picnic on Tuesday and tried to feed the fish

and the ducks!

Abigail is growing so much every day!!!!

Just checking to see who is really reading this! :)

Our neighbors had us over for dinner

(they made us dinner with a 4 day old baby..how nice are they????).

Rob took some time out to read to Reese! Isn't she the cutest? You should hear her

say Abigail! It's so adorable! If you click onto their blog on the side, you can see a great picture of Reese reading to Abigail! They're buddies! And you can also check out the new and adorable Chase (5 days old today)!

Today I took Reese and Abigail for a walk. I got my 1st taste of what it would

be like to have 2 kids! Not too bad...but then again, I got to send one home at the end

of the day! :) And I had the 2 best kids in the world! (Abigail had more fun that her face shows).

We also went to Chicago to visit my friend Kelly! We went swimming at her pool and had a GREAT visit! We are looking forward to watching football together this year..even though she likes the BAD guys - Cheesehead!

And last but not least, here are some cute candid shots I took over the last two days!

It was a battle for the bone....

But they stayed friends in the end!

Abigail had avocados for the 1st time-so we made it a Mexican Fiesta for her 1st of many guacs!

All I know is Kramer is throwing a party that I finally found someone else to wear the sombraro!

So every time we come home, Abigail laughs all the way up the stairs because she sees Kramer. It happens every day-and cracks me up everyday-so today I took out the camera so I could share. For real, isn't she the cutest??? Could we be any luckier????

One request...COMMENT! My sis Kate looks forward to reading the comments

(and so do I)-so don't be shy! Jenny, you are my lone consistent commenter!

Let's Go To The Movies

Today Abigail went to her 1st movie! We went with my friend Nicole and her son Joey to see Happy Feet. Stratford does $1 movies during the summer and it was a great thing to take Abigail to. She LOVED the movie...she made it through a whole hour. She was dancing and smiling the whole time...she had Happy Feet! We ran into Abigail's friend Mallory from our mom's group, so Abigail had LOTS of friends to sit with-she's very popular!

Mmmm...this movie ticket is delicious!

I am going to LOVE Happy Feet..I have my dancing shoes on!

Joey and Abigail had thier first date...Joey even held Abigail's hand! Joey is teaching Abigail to crawl-he's such a fun baby! We love our playdates with them!

OLYMPIC COUNTDOWN: 3 Days till Opening Ceremonies

I'm trying this "video" thing...here's my 1st go at it!

You can see her teeth in it! When I play it and she hears it-she SCREAMS! It's so cute!

What a GREAT weekend!

This weekend was great. 1st, we are so happy to announce that Abigail has a new boyfriend (and next door neighbor)...Saturday morning Chase Staniak was born! 9 lbs, 2 ozs! (That's Abigail x3) We got to meet him on Sunday and he's adorable! Looks a lot like his big sis. We were so happy to visit with the new mommy, daddy, grandma, and big sis reese. For pics, click on their name (they are our only blog friends at this time, but i think i'm getting close to convincing a few more friends to start). What an exciting day for them...and for us. Abigail and Chase will go to kindergarten together-and be best friends-it's already decided! (OH, and I should mention Reese pooped on the potty and was so kind to show it to me during dinner...I was so honored)!

Friday night I attended a jewelry party at Lia's house! It was for Gemology-an AWESOME jewelry line created by a very talented person (who I just happen to be close friends with for 16 years). She's going to have a link for me soon so you can see for yourself! Thanks Lia for a great night of food, wine, and friends!

The girls at the Jewelry Party

Saturday we started the day at a Musko breakfast at my p's house. Minus Joe Jr. (our nickname for Jule's Joe...which is such an annoying nickname we LOVE it), the whole fam was there! Dad should be sending pics so I can download. Then we went dress shopping for the mom/mom-in-law..followed by some beers and champagne, more shopping, and ending the night with Lou's pizza. Rob in the meantime was at the Cub's game at a bachelor party, followed by a night of drinks with Jules and Joe. From what I hear, it was a great night...and Rob got to see their new, amazing pad 1st! Can't wait to see it.

Since I don't have a pic from this weekend..here's some of the "fam" at Joe's Fest!

Joe, Julie, Dad, Abigail, Katie, Mom

While not much happened on Sunday, I did visit with my grannie frannie. Here's Abigail with her 94 year old Great-Grandma...how cool is that!

TOOTH ALERT: #2 has come in!

Have a great week. Countdown to Olympics is 5 days!!!! The Wennerstrom's are OLYMPIC JUNKIES!!!!! I'll keep my blog updated for those who work! :)

August already????

*Warning-long post! Too much coffee!

It sure feels like summer is coming to a close now that we've hit August...but I'm determined to keep summer going as long as I can! Yesterday was Abigail's last day of swim lessons...she really has become a good swimmer believe it or not! When she's floating on her stomach or back, she is always kicking her feet! And she LOVES using a kick board...it's a fun way to practice tummy time! She loved her swim instructor Dana and we'll miss her!

Abigail's physical therapy is going great. She was going once a week but has graduated to only once every other week. Her physical therapist Linda is working on beginning to get her to crawl as well as sit up. Yesterday she sat up by herself for a good amount of time...she just needs something to focus on! She was a little crabby because her 2nd tooth is coming in, but we did all we could to keep her happy! Food helped! She is using an exercise ball now, too-I think she's going to be like her AUNTS!

Rob's job is going GREAT! He loves working for Aramark. He's our own little Doug Heffernan! Right now he's learning the ropes by getting his hands in lots of things. Abigail and I are so grateful for all of Daddy's hard work that allows us to have such a great summer. He is up so early for work (one day this week he left at 3:30 am) and is working so hard. Being able to raise Abigail is such a blessing for me...and we know that many families are not able to do it...we are so thankful for all we have! It takes some sacrifices on our part-but every sacrifice is worth the fact that I am able to give Abigail all she needs (physical therapy, social outtings, bonding time) because of Rob's hard work. So THANKS Daddy for all you do...we appreciate it more than we tell you!

I have been taking Abigail to a mom's group outting..she has lots of new friends her age who she is able to play with (as much as a 7 month old plays)...last night was our first Mom's night out without kids. We went out for drinks at Flip Flops...it was great to get out! And Daddy had some special time with Abigail.

It's time to send out July pics....but I forgot to post her 6 month pictures. She's 7+ months now...but it's never too late to see her 6 month pics! Enjoy!

6 month picture

Mommy and Daddy's (and Grandpa's) Little Runner

Daddy at Swim Lessons

Abigail and her swim instructor Dana...look how happy Abigail is!

Abigail and Mommy after swim lessons

We went for a walk...but Kramer was too tired so he hopped a ride home!

Hot, Hot, Hot!

We decided to stay cool today by taking advantage of local water establishments. We began with swim lessons...only 2 days left! Abigail has really enjoyed her swim lessons and seems very comfortable in the water. She even kicks her feet when she's floating-we may be attending swim meets in about 12 years!

After swim lessons, Abigail went to her 1st waterpark. We had a great playdate with Auntie Nay Nay, Aunt Cari, Mae, Nathan, Alex, and Jake. Alex and Jake call "Baby Abbi" their sister..so I guess it was a family reunion! After some time in the water, we had a picnic and then the kids fed the fish and ducks. Abigail has fed fish before at Uncle Al and Aunt Georgeanne's pond, but this was her 1st experience with ducks...and as with everything else, she loves them!

What a great summer it's been so far!

Playing at the park

On our way to swim lessons