December update on life since April

It's been quite a while and a lot has changed in the Rodriguez household. I was hired as the dietary manager at a nursing home in Arlington and have been working there fulltime since then. Olvyn still is working in Lester and is very greatful to have his job because the company laid off everyone in his department excpet him and another guy.

Abigail is going to be 18 months on the 22nd and she's learning so much so fast. She can say lots of words and is starting to put words together like " I want that" and "my mommy." her hair is still curly, but it's lightening up in color. It's long enough that I could put pigtails in or a pony tail, if she'd let me. She runs and climbs and dances very well. In October, Olvyn had his soccer tournament and at breaks in the game they'd play music, so at half time Abigail decided she was going to go out in the middle of the field and be the half time entertainment, dancing to the reggaton. It was so funny that I almost wasn't going to get her off the field.

In September, we moved to a different apartment that is a lot like living in a house except we don't have to shovel snow or do the yard work. We have a washer and dryer, a screened in porch and even a garage. It's a 2BD 2 BA. There are no stairs because it's all on one level. God has really blessed us this year.

Pat-a-cake, pat-a cake...

Abigail can do so much now. She can play pat-a-cake and wave hello or bye bye. If you ask her how big she is, she'll lift up her arms meaning "so big." Abigail crawls and is cruising really well around our living room. About a month ago, while at my parents' house, Abigail pulled herself up by an ottoman and then climbed onto top of it to stand by a table. Now, she does that everytime we go over to their house.

This month Abigail got three new teeth in; two on top and one on the bottom. Her hair is getting long enough in the back for it to curl.

Today we went outside and sat on a blanket in my parents' yard because its gorgeous outside. Abigail sat, eating her snack. Then she saw my mom getting the garden ready. Wanting to go see Grandma, Abigail crawled to the edge of the blanket, but was afraid to go onto the grass. Once I picked her up and walked her barefooted over to Grandma, she was fearless.

9 months already?!

Yep. Well, Abigail's almost 9 months old. In a week from tomorrow, my little girl will be a nine-month-old. She's getting so big and is not so chubby anymore. Crawling all over th place will do that to you.

Achievements: I already mentioned she's crawling. Abigail can pull herself up in her crib and on people, but not furniture, yet. She can eat some finger foods, but is still mastering getting it out of her hand and into her mouth. Abigail says "mama", "dada", "dadi", and something that sounds kind of like hola. We are teaching her english and spanish. Last month, she began waving hello to Daddy and now she does it to almost anything.

I've started calling Abigail Dora the Explorer because she's always trying to get at new things. One day last week, she crawled into the bottom part of her exersaucer where her feet are supposed to go. Man, did I have a tough time getting her out of there?!

Tune in next month to see what Abigail a.k.a. "Dora the Explorer" gets into next.

Wow! It's already February.

Just wanted to let you know that I did write a blog for January, but after a few attempts and computer problems I just gave up.

Abigail is almost 8 months old and is more active than ever. She still enjoys chasing Grandpa and Grandma's puppy in the walker, grabbing/eating remotes and cellphones and jabbering away. Now, Abigail rolls wherever she can and is allowed to roll. She tries to eat paper of any kind and grabs for everything, especially the stuff she's not suppposed to have. When I sing, she sings too.

Eating vegetables, fruits and cereals is no problem for Abigail. She holds her sippy cup and drinks from it. When I give her a bottle, she feeds herself. Abigail loves to chew on her spoons and she will feed herself if Mommy puts the food on the spoon. If you have a waterbottle near her, watch out 'cuz she'll get it.

Abigail is still adorable and getting even cuter as she gets more vocal and learns new things.