Once in a blue moon right?!
It's been a year since I've updated the family blog. I've been busy with the girls! They really keep me going! I posted some videos of them on their pages, I hope they work!
Starting with the youngest, Natalie is a sweet girl that not afraid to go after what she wants regardless how her sister feels about it. Natalie has no problem bullying her older sister. The fights have started. So we use the word share alot! She's doing better with her speech and we hope to graduate soon!
Ellen will be 5 this year, she has turned from a shy toddler into a lovely little girl. I enjoy watching her grow. I register her for kindergarten in April.
We went to Disney in January and of course had a great time! They upgraded us to a castle view so we got to enjoy the fireworks every night. I couldn't help think of my dad, how he would've loved it! We return back to our Disney time share in May.
Other then our recent trip, watching our kids grow, and us running around nothing extraordinary has happened.
So I'll share some pictures, click on the links to view.....
Pictures of the Month 2010
Pictures of the month 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Wild World of Sports
Today in sports Buehrle made a kick and under hand toss, to a bare handed Konerko for incredible out! But that’s not all!
Our athlete of the day award goes to Ellen Abbott! She mastered her Intro to Tots Ice Skating for 3 year olds and now gets moved up to Intro to Tots 4-5 year olds! She starts her next session April 27.
Our athlete of the day award goes to Ellen Abbott! She mastered her Intro to Tots Ice Skating for 3 year olds and now gets moved up to Intro to Tots 4-5 year olds! She starts her next session April 27.
She looks forward to her first Soccer practice this Thursday!
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Friday, April 2, 2010
Spring Time!
March 18-We took the girls to Portrait Innovations for Easter pictures. They came out cute!
March 27- We had our Rush Copley mommy and baby friends over for an Easter Egg hunt. It was fun we made homemade pizzas and had fun finding eggs in the yard!
Pizza Crust (inspired by Jay's Signature Pizza Crust from allrecipies.com)
Original Recipe Yield 1 giant pizza thick crust
Ingredients
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
1 1/2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
1 teaspoon salt (or use garlic salt)
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
Directions
Put everything in the bread machine, dough setting.
Ingredients
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
1 1/2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
1 teaspoon salt (or use garlic salt)
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
Directions
Put everything in the bread machine, dough setting.
When done, Punch down the dough, and form a tight ball. Allow the dough to relax for a minute before rolling out.
Use for your favorite pizza recipe.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). If you are baking the dough on a pizza stone, you may place your toppings on the dough, and bake immediately. If you are baking your pizza in a pan, lightly oil the pan, and let the dough rise for 15 or 20 minutes before topping and baking it.
Bake pizza in preheated oven, until the cheese and crust are golden brown, about 15 to 20 minutes.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). If you are baking the dough on a pizza stone, you may place your toppings on the dough, and bake immediately. If you are baking your pizza in a pan, lightly oil the pan, and let the dough rise for 15 or 20 minutes before topping and baking it.
Bake pizza in preheated oven, until the cheese and crust are golden brown, about 15 to 20 minutes.
Resolutions...
Just a few of our Resolutions for 2010...
Neil and I have lost weight eating at home and becoming more active. Neil is using the club house, back to running, and is more active then he lost over 50 lbs. Ellen has been more active by taking ice skating lessons and starts Soccer April 17. Natalie and I hope to take a baby swim class this spring at the park district.
By eating at home we are saving money, and I've become a food saver whiz! I'll be sure to post some of our favorite dinner & bread recipes!
My reading goal has been fun! You can look at some of the books I've read at goodreads.com. I started off with free ebooks from my library but they were mostly romance and bad! But now, on the way to Ellen's preschool I stop at our lonely local library and have been reading historical fiction. When we go, Ellen and Natalie get to check out a book too!
- Eat at home, eat out less! (Family resolution)
- Become more physically active. (Family resolution)
- Read more. (Mom's goal to read 150 free books)
- Take advantage of community offerings (club house, park district, and library)
- Save more money. (Mom's goal!)
Neil and I have lost weight eating at home and becoming more active. Neil is using the club house, back to running, and is more active then he lost over 50 lbs. Ellen has been more active by taking ice skating lessons and starts Soccer April 17. Natalie and I hope to take a baby swim class this spring at the park district.
By eating at home we are saving money, and I've become a food saver whiz! I'll be sure to post some of our favorite dinner & bread recipes!My reading goal has been fun! You can look at some of the books I've read at goodreads.com. I started off with free ebooks from my library but they were mostly romance and bad! But now, on the way to Ellen's preschool I stop at our lonely local library and have been reading historical fiction. When we go, Ellen and Natalie get to check out a book too!
WDW with the Abbott's
In January we had a nice visit to the Mouse and stayed at Bay Lake Tower.
We really liked staying at BLT. It was a nice walk to magic kingdom, and I liked having the monorail as well.
Some of our Disney tips for toddlers...
We love going to Disney, It truly is the happiest place on Earth! I like that there is always something to do if we choose to do it.
The Disney dining plan for us pays for itself! Because, we do all the character dinings and they're buffet you never go hungry.
Reservations are key! 180 days in advance!
We did Cinderella's Royal Table, it was expensive. Cindy, land Arial, casual belle, aurora, snow white are there. Yes they stop briefly at every table for a picture and autograph. Cindy doesn't, she takes 1 picture with you, it's included in the price. Get a reservation for before the park opens!!! You can then get on Dumbo without a wait! If your trip is more about characters and you want to save some cash... For free-Arial is in Arial's grotto complete in her mermaid costume. 3 other princesses are found in mickeys country fair tent/store (but its closing in May), the faeries are also there. Mickey and Minnie are a house over in mickeys house area. The wait for Ariel is a little long, princesses are 45 min. Faeries are longer 60-90. These setup are cool they put you in a room in a group of 5 so it feels very special! I like the Epcot princess meal better, it's cheaper, not as rushed, and the princess took their time. Belle is the main act there. Jasmine and Aladdin can be found in Maraco (?) in a back store or sometimes by the lake. She's a hard one because she's half naked so she gets cold. Every 45 min. She needs a break! Pocahontas is at Animal kingdom... My husbands favorite!
Website we like...
http://www.wdwinfo.com/
http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1
PARKS
Magic kingdom is where we spend all our days. There is 2 rides for this age set that are the longest waits Dumbo, Pooh, and 3 if you include the gran pre race.
Dumbo first! While waiting at Dumbo Send someone for fast passes for pooh, then do the car races, depending on time do Buzz light year or tea cups. Do Pooh, get a fast pass for peter pan, then do small world, take a break, do pan. She also enjoys Aladdin's magic Carpet ride and Big thunder rail road!
Animal kingdom is a half day for us. For us, We go to Animal kingdom right when it opens, We sometimes do the character breakfast here, before opening, and send Neil to get fast passes for the safari, and do the Safari first. The Animals are woken up and fed in the AM. It also has a long wait. Next to the Safari is Rafiki's animal watch. U get on a train and get off, take a WALK, and there's a petting zoo. After that, we do the Dino "dumbo" ride, There is a Nemo stage show that's supposed to be good, and its on its way to Dino land never went because Ellen wasn't interested. There are characters in the Dino dumbo area. Then we leave because that's pretty much it. The Tree of Life has a 4d bugs life movie, Freaked Ellen out but it's really neat. The other rides are height restricted or too scary. There's another character area in the Camp Minnie/Mickey Area We seen Pochatonas there.
Epcot....They have the Nemo ride, aquarium, Space ship earth, Ellen's energy ride, Journey into imagination, the imaginarium and world show case. Mexico has a boat ride that features the 3 cabrellos (I suck at spelling & Spanish) There's also a really good ride Soarin. Where you fly on hang gliders over different places (get a fast pass. You can also find the fab 5 (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Pluto, and Goofy) near the front in one of the inside corridor places, also in England the toy shop in the way back, Pooh, Tigger, and Eyore hang out.
Hollywood Studios is a waste of time. They have about 3 things for us to do. Playhouse Disney show, Toy story ride (FAST PASS FIRST THING UPON ARRIVAL!!!!), and the honey i shrank the audience play area. The Muppet's have a 4d movie but it's not up Ellen's alley, but I will say this is not scary or as scary as bugs life , The movie ride is got a few scary scenes (aliens).
We really liked staying at BLT. It was a nice walk to magic kingdom, and I liked having the monorail as well.
Some of our Disney tips for toddlers...
We love going to Disney, It truly is the happiest place on Earth! I like that there is always something to do if we choose to do it.
The Disney dining plan for us pays for itself! Because, we do all the character dinings and they're buffet you never go hungry.
Reservations are key! 180 days in advance!
We did Cinderella's Royal Table, it was expensive. Cindy, land Arial, casual belle, aurora, snow white are there. Yes they stop briefly at every table for a picture and autograph. Cindy doesn't, she takes 1 picture with you, it's included in the price. Get a reservation for before the park opens!!! You can then get on Dumbo without a wait! If your trip is more about characters and you want to save some cash... For free-Arial is in Arial's grotto complete in her mermaid costume. 3 other princesses are found in mickeys country fair tent/store (but its closing in May), the faeries are also there. Mickey and Minnie are a house over in mickeys house area. The wait for Ariel is a little long, princesses are 45 min. Faeries are longer 60-90. These setup are cool they put you in a room in a group of 5 so it feels very special! I like the Epcot princess meal better, it's cheaper, not as rushed, and the princess took their time. Belle is the main act there. Jasmine and Aladdin can be found in Maraco (?) in a back store or sometimes by the lake. She's a hard one because she's half naked so she gets cold. Every 45 min. She needs a break! Pocahontas is at Animal kingdom... My husbands favorite!
Website we like...
http://www.wdwinfo.com/
http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1
PARKS
Magic kingdom is where we spend all our days. There is 2 rides for this age set that are the longest waits Dumbo, Pooh, and 3 if you include the gran pre race.
Dumbo first! While waiting at Dumbo Send someone for fast passes for pooh, then do the car races, depending on time do Buzz light year or tea cups. Do Pooh, get a fast pass for peter pan, then do small world, take a break, do pan. She also enjoys Aladdin's magic Carpet ride and Big thunder rail road!
Animal kingdom is a half day for us. For us, We go to Animal kingdom right when it opens, We sometimes do the character breakfast here, before opening, and send Neil to get fast passes for the safari, and do the Safari first. The Animals are woken up and fed in the AM. It also has a long wait. Next to the Safari is Rafiki's animal watch. U get on a train and get off, take a WALK, and there's a petting zoo. After that, we do the Dino "dumbo" ride, There is a Nemo stage show that's supposed to be good, and its on its way to Dino land never went because Ellen wasn't interested. There are characters in the Dino dumbo area. Then we leave because that's pretty much it. The Tree of Life has a 4d bugs life movie, Freaked Ellen out but it's really neat. The other rides are height restricted or too scary. There's another character area in the Camp Minnie/Mickey Area We seen Pochatonas there.
Epcot....They have the Nemo ride, aquarium, Space ship earth, Ellen's energy ride, Journey into imagination, the imaginarium and world show case. Mexico has a boat ride that features the 3 cabrellos (I suck at spelling & Spanish) There's also a really good ride Soarin. Where you fly on hang gliders over different places (get a fast pass. You can also find the fab 5 (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Pluto, and Goofy) near the front in one of the inside corridor places, also in England the toy shop in the way back, Pooh, Tigger, and Eyore hang out.
Hollywood Studios is a waste of time. They have about 3 things for us to do. Playhouse Disney show, Toy story ride (FAST PASS FIRST THING UPON ARRIVAL!!!!), and the honey i shrank the audience play area. The Muppet's have a 4d movie but it's not up Ellen's alley, but I will say this is not scary or as scary as bugs life , The movie ride is got a few scary scenes (aliens).
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Saturday, February 6, 2010
album 02\06\2010, by melissa abbott
I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos
Monday, January 11, 2010
Christmas Time!
We were very excitied about Santa this year! We went to breakfast with Santa at Gaelic Park. Ellen won a prize! Thanks to Grandma! Ellen asked Santa for a big girl bike and hamsters. Natty asked for blocks!
Then we had fun at the school party! Ellen had another show. She did great! 
We ended December with 4 days of Christmas! Santa delivered the goods through the window and ate his cookies and milk. The raindeer ate their oats.
Thankyou Santa!!!!
Fall
Ellen started pre-school in September and took to it like a fish to water. She's made many friends, but her bestie is Aliya. She started the school year at 34lbs 40in.
In October we played with Cousin Mikey and Gerrad and Joan. Ellen made fast friends with her cousin! Later in the month, We Christened Natalie Elizabeth. John Linzer and Erin McCain stood as her God parents. It was a nice, long, intimate service. The next day, we went to the Dells!
We ended October with Ellen's first school show. She did great singing and dancing on stage! Natty weighed in around 9 pounds and got her first shots. Then Ellen and Natty dressed for holloween as a very pretty Snow White and a cute bunny!
In November, Aunt Annette and Aunt Eilish came for visit. The girls had fun playing and Natty impresses Aunt Annette with her skills! For Thanksgiving we went to the Linzers. We had a good time and enjoyed the delicious turkey!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
New Addition
August 18, 2009.
I had been put on bed rest for a week due to high blood pressure. Before leaving for South bend to go to the wedding (July 30), our specialist after an ultrasound recommended an amnio because they est. the baby 7lbs 9 oz at 35 wks. I agreed even though my ob had told me I wouldn't need to worry about size or an amnio since I was having a c-section. But I thought if things weren't going well we would at least know if her lungs are good.
July 30 on my way to ND, I had to go for a NST (fetal stress test, that measures heart rate and movement), she failed her stress test after 2 hrs, had to go for a bpp (special ultrasound), she passed. (had to actually meet Neil and Ellen in South Bend), Then the next day while in Indiana, started spotting, but no contractions, I have a rented fetal Doppler, so everything was ok. Saturday/Sunday I noticed she wasn't moving enough 5 kicks in 1 hr or even 10 in 2. We came back and I had to go to L & D. of course once hooked up, she moves.
At 36 wks. My blood pressure went up, 150's/100's even with med increase. I wasn't pre-eclamptic, just put on bed rest. Her heart rate was a lil high, but I passed my NST and BPP.
At 37 weeks, I went for my bpp and amnio. The specialist said we need to call your OB, you don't enough amniotic fluid! You may have to deliver early. I was released after another fetal stress test.
The next morning we were officially scheduled for a c-section. Thank God I scheduled that amnio or things could've gotten worse!
August 19,
After a nerve wrecking night, we dropped Ellen off with papa and told him we were on our way to have a baby. We arrived at 11am, was hooked up for a fetal stress test, and given my IV. At 1pm I found out the same Ob that delivered Ellen came out of retirement for the day to help assist my Ob in delivering Natalie. At 1:25 I was prepped, Neil joined us and watched the c-section, gross! The neonatal team joined us last, they were there because in diabetics, the lungs are the last to develop and that was part of the concern in delivering at 37 weeks.
They announced, the head is out, and I held my breath, but then after the longest 2 seconds I heard the sweetest little cry. The let me peek at her, I thought she looked chubby but tiny! The dr's cleaned her up, took her and Neil to recovery while I was finished up. We were guessing she was maybe 7 lbs, Neil had guessed 8.
To my surprise our 3 week early baby weighed in at 8lbs! She was given a clean bill of health!
My friend Erin (Natalie's God mother), Aunt Tara, Grandma, Papa, and The Big Sister Ellen came to visit. Ellen has really taken to her big sister role and loves her sister Natwee! She liked visiting us, buying her sister presents, and hated leaving us.
After 48 hrs, I was ready to leave! So I was released from the hospital and have been loving and enjoying my little family! I am very thankful for everyone, my husband, daughters, Mom and Dad Abbott, Aunt Tara, Grandma Farrell, Erin and other family and friend.
Thank you for helping us, supporting us, and just being there for us! Thank you for all if the prayers, and well wishes!
I had been put on bed rest for a week due to high blood pressure. Before leaving for South bend to go to the wedding (July 30), our specialist after an ultrasound recommended an amnio because they est. the baby 7lbs 9 oz at 35 wks. I agreed even though my ob had told me I wouldn't need to worry about size or an amnio since I was having a c-section. But I thought if things weren't going well we would at least know if her lungs are good.
July 30 on my way to ND, I had to go for a NST (fetal stress test, that measures heart rate and movement), she failed her stress test after 2 hrs, had to go for a bpp (special ultrasound), she passed. (had to actually meet Neil and Ellen in South Bend), Then the next day while in Indiana, started spotting, but no contractions, I have a rented fetal Doppler, so everything was ok. Saturday/Sunday I noticed she wasn't moving enough 5 kicks in 1 hr or even 10 in 2. We came back and I had to go to L & D. of course once hooked up, she moves.
At 36 wks. My blood pressure went up, 150's/100's even with med increase. I wasn't pre-eclamptic, just put on bed rest. Her heart rate was a lil high, but I passed my NST and BPP.
At 37 weeks, I went for my bpp and amnio. The specialist said we need to call your OB, you don't enough amniotic fluid! You may have to deliver early. I was released after another fetal stress test.
The next morning we were officially scheduled for a c-section. Thank God I scheduled that amnio or things could've gotten worse!
August 19,
After a nerve wrecking night, we dropped Ellen off with papa and told him we were on our way to have a baby. We arrived at 11am, was hooked up for a fetal stress test, and given my IV. At 1pm I found out the same Ob that delivered Ellen came out of retirement for the day to help assist my Ob in delivering Natalie. At 1:25 I was prepped, Neil joined us and watched the c-section, gross! The neonatal team joined us last, they were there because in diabetics, the lungs are the last to develop and that was part of the concern in delivering at 37 weeks.
They announced, the head is out, and I held my breath, but then after the longest 2 seconds I heard the sweetest little cry. The let me peek at her, I thought she looked chubby but tiny! The dr's cleaned her up, took her and Neil to recovery while I was finished up. We were guessing she was maybe 7 lbs, Neil had guessed 8.
To my surprise our 3 week early baby weighed in at 8lbs! She was given a clean bill of health!
My friend Erin (Natalie's God mother), Aunt Tara, Grandma, Papa, and The Big Sister Ellen came to visit. Ellen has really taken to her big sister role and loves her sister Natwee! She liked visiting us, buying her sister presents, and hated leaving us.
After 48 hrs, I was ready to leave! So I was released from the hospital and have been loving and enjoying my little family! I am very thankful for everyone, my husband, daughters, Mom and Dad Abbott, Aunt Tara, Grandma Farrell, Erin and other family and friend.
Thank you for helping us, supporting us, and just being there for us! Thank you for all if the prayers, and well wishes!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
The Wedding....
We had a nice time July 31 at John and Stephanie's wedding. Everyone looked gorgeous and happy. The weather was nice, sunny not too hot. Ellen thought that Notre Dame was full of castles and everyone was a princess.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
June's birthday fun!
Happy 3rd Birthday Ellen!
We had a play date party on the 20th, that was fun! Followed by Father's Day with Neil, Ellen, Papa, Grandma, Tar-y, and me at Syl's.
Ellen started back to Willow's on the Monday. It's a big class this session, 20 crying toddlers! She's doing well, no accidents at school (knock on wood!).
June 23rd
She woke up and we gave her an exciting birthday present! She got a Cadillac Escalade Power Wheel! "A Car!!!" followed by getting in and out of it 50+ times before having to go for her 3 year old check up. She's a healthy, 33 lbs and over 38 inches tall. We had to go straight home to play with the car some more. She was surprised with Winnie the Pooh cookies from Aunt Tar-y. Later,Grandma and Papa joined us for dinner at Red Robin.
June 27th
We had a small/immediate family over for some cake and ice cream. My grandma was impressed with my cake, I think she had her doubts! Ellen had fun, liked playing in her room, and had fun especially with her party hats!
June 28
Grandma and Papa took Ellen to a church picnic and then to play at their house. She said she had fun, and won some suckers! She must have had fun because she missed school the next day!
We had a play date party on the 20th, that was fun! Followed by Father's Day with Neil, Ellen, Papa, Grandma, Tar-y, and me at Syl's.
Ellen started back to Willow's on the Monday. It's a big class this session, 20 crying toddlers! She's doing well, no accidents at school (knock on wood!).
June 23rd
She woke up and we gave her an exciting birthday present! She got a Cadillac Escalade Power Wheel! "A Car!!!" followed by getting in and out of it 50+ times before having to go for her 3 year old check up. She's a healthy, 33 lbs and over 38 inches tall. We had to go straight home to play with the car some more. She was surprised with Winnie the Pooh cookies from Aunt Tar-y. Later,Grandma and Papa joined us for dinner at Red Robin.
June 27th
We had a small/immediate family over for some cake and ice cream. My grandma was impressed with my cake, I think she had her doubts! Ellen had fun, liked playing in her room, and had fun especially with her party hats!
June 28
Grandma and Papa took Ellen to a church picnic and then to play at their house. She said she had fun, and won some suckers! She must have had fun because she missed school the next day!
June 30
I had an OB appointment. All is well with baby Abbott. The hospital called and confirmed my C-Section date and time.
At the OB appointment,
OB asks Ellen.."Do you hear your baby sister",
Ellen "yes, in mommy's tummy",
OB asks "Whats your baby sisters name?",
Ellen sure, confident, loudly.... "Phineas!"....
(NO WE ARE NOT NAMING HER PHINEAS!)
July 2nd
I had an OB appointment. All is well with baby Abbott. The hospital called and confirmed my C-Section date and time.
At the OB appointment,
OB asks Ellen.."Do you hear your baby sister",
Ellen "yes, in mommy's tummy",
OB asks "Whats your baby sisters name?",
Ellen sure, confident, loudly.... "Phineas!"....
(NO WE ARE NOT NAMING HER PHINEAS!)
July 2nd
We went to Nicky's birthday party at Bounce Town. Ellen was excited, she even decided to wear her necklaces. I was apprehensive because sometimes she's timid around the unknown, But I had great help from the other mom's. Since I am not the right shape for inflatables, they helped Ellen climb around the stuff. Toward the end she was able to up the slide by herself, and didn't want to leave the bounce area when it was time for cake. She came home and told Neil all about the party.
July 3rd
Today We're going to Ceci's birthday party at.......McDonalds!!! Ellen is looking forward to playing with her friends and the happy meal!
July 3rd
Today We're going to Ceci's birthday party at.......McDonalds!!! Ellen is looking forward to playing with her friends and the happy meal!
Have a happy safe 4th of July!
we will be relaxing at home, we're a bit partied out!
Monday, June 22, 2009
The End of May
We Went to Disney the week of Mother's Day. We came home, I went for a check up with my OB, baby Abbott is healthy! At 28 weeks they are estimating her to be 3 lbs. 4oz. and measuring a week. Great Grandma Farrell came for a visit and was able to go to the ultrasound. Last week we went for a 4d ultrasound and were able to see the lil baby. She's got cute chubby cheeks, big feet, and a little hair.
Ellen started potty training on May 28th. The first 48 hours were hell! No one told us how hard it would be! By day 5 she was good to go! With that milestone out of the way, she moved onto the big girl bed! She's doing good with that too! So we celebrated that with a new hair cut and a new wardrobe complete with big girl panties! She started back to Willows in style! This past weekend she had a play date group birthday party, she really enjoyed having all of her friends over.
Neil moved off of the truck from his busy station onto what he thought would be a quieter ambulance bid. HAHAHAHAHA! He's up all the time! This past weekend, his parents were able to see him at work. As he worked diligently, a roof collapsed on him, he also caught fire, thank God for a co-worker who was there to hose him off! He's ok, He said there's nothing funnier then seeing your mom and dad wave at you (while working) like your playing a little league game!
This week were celebrating Ellen's birthday by going out to dinner. We'll have a small dinner for immediate family on Saturday ...We're saving funds for a big bash in September!
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