Here. A blog.

Let me just wipe off the dust a little, only to share this with you....I know, I know. NOT about Conley, and not particularly note-worthy (yeah...it is). BUT....

www.plungemn.org/plunger/sarahabbott

is what this is all about.

See, I need some money. Donations.

Why?

Because I've spent the last EIGHT YEARS of my life working with really awesome and inspiring residents who have made my life so much more important. Some of them take part in Special Olympics. Some don't. Either way, they're awesome, and so is Special Olympics. How awesome?

Awesome enough to make me jump in a lake in Minnesota in March. Make that a week and a half. (A WEEK AND A HALF OMG!).

Presenting: The 2011 Polar Bear Plunge at Lake Calhoun on March 5th

And I'm going to do it. Jump in a lake. Brrr.

So...if you can....donate some money to help. I'm on a team from work and we're trying to raise enough for each of us to be able to jump. It's a minimum of $75 per jumper, and we currently have 8 jumper-wanabees, so that means we need more money....to jump....to support Special Olympics....and those awesome people that deserve it.

Click, click, click away! Thanks!

Guess who turned 1....a month ago?

Yes, but at least it's better late than never, right?!

Here's pics of the little man's big day.

It was a great day filled with great family and friends. Conley loaded up on some great gifts and did really well--even got a pretty decent nap in right before.

The Birthday Boy!!!

and then~~~Decor...

Conley's smash cake...baked by yours truly.

Color scheme + banner made with scrapbook paper

Scrapbook page that guests wrote Happy Birthday notes on

Cupcakes...some fun-fetti, some strawberry. Yum!

More bringing in the color scheme....scrapbook paper napkin rings. :)

Walka, walka, walka

He walks!

Conley first took steps...what...2 weeks ago now?! His first steps were stellar--literally about 8 of them right from Ryan to me. After that he seemed to regress and the steps were minimal.

But now?

It's official. Little man is a-walkin. We're talking across rooms, around corners, turns, the whole 9-yards.

What a little stud. :)

The video? Oh yes. That. Our video camera was being borrowed by a friend when our sweet little firstborn took his first steps. I'm ok with it though, obviously. ;)

Inchworm

I thought that the inchworm pictures would be a good way to show how he's growing by taking one each month. The most recent attempt at a photo shoot is definitely worth sharing.

Exhibit A...






I think we'll call this quits at 12 months, no?

Self-feeding

I was talking to a mom the other day who said that she is so anal that she didn't let her kiddos feed themselves until they were able to feed themselves with a spoon.

Now

WHAT

IS



THE

FUN



IN

THAT?



:)

PS- Dear Sister....did this post make your blood pressure go up just a little? Mwa-haha!

Fall Fun

In an effort to continue blogging a little more consistently, here's an update along with some pics I've finally uploaded to my computer.

Apple Orchard--we hit up Aamodt's Apple Orchard in Stillwater a few Sundays ago (ok, so it was about a month ago). It was PACKED! Ryan's sisters and Rachel and Preston were up for the weekend so we all went. Conley had his first hay ride which he thought was pretty cool apparently.

Family picture.


After the orchard, we headed to the Teddy Bear Park in Stillwater which is SO COOL and a must-go-to if you have never been there. Again, Conley approved. (We went again yesterday and he wasn't quite as interested...much more interested in clinging to me).

Peek.


Don't be fooled. He's really having a good time! Promise! :)


To keep up with the FALL FUN THEME :) I was so excited to find that the apple tree in our backyard had lots of apples that my neighbor lady told me would ACTUALLY be ok to eat! Score! So, here's Conley and Uncle Keagan pickin' some apples which were promptly washed, peeled, and made into a delicious apple crisp. Nothing can be better than apple crisp from your very own tree, right?





So, there you have it folks. We are LOVING this weather and savoring every moment of it!

More posts to come!

Brutish boy

Well, Conley may not be able to walk yet, but he sure can climb a slide like no other! Oh dear, each day I worry about what I have in store for me being the mom of a BOY!

Yup, my baby boy with the runny nose, bruise under his eye from hitting himself in the face with Thomas the Train, 2 1/2 teeth that he proudly displays to anyone that smiles at him. He has no fear. Up and down the slide. Up and down the step into his bedroom. So fun to see him explore, but SCARY!

He's developing quite the "personality". Yesterday we went to "Baby-garten" at the Library here in town and there were about 10 kiddos there, all under 2. They all came in quietly and started playing with their toys...not my boy! No, he crawled up on all the toys shouting and carrying on the whole time. Hilarious! I'm sure the other moms were scared of the brutish boy with the bruise under his eye who was nearly knocking over their kids. It was near the point of embarrassing, no lie. BUT he loved it and did great with the music/story time. Afterwards the lady who led it said "He sure had a good time. He's the life of the party!". Haha. Again, if only I knew what was in store for me ahead.

Being a mom is a crazy, funny, humbling, nerve-wracking, and amazing thing!