Abby's Blessing

What a wonderful day in our lives and what a beautiful blessing our little angel received from her Daddy. I couldn't have been more proud of the perfect words that were spoken and the wonderful blessings that our sweet baby girl received. How grateful I am to have such an amazing man in my life. One who is so grounded, kind, my voice of reason, and in tune with the spirit. Abby, you and I are the luckiest girls around. I want you to know Now and Always-you are the best blessing we have ever received.

Blessed January 3, 2010

Proud Dad

Our family

The dress was beautiful! Although occasionally Abby got lost in all the frill...

She looks just how I imagine an angel would

sweet child of mine {love her}

Dear Self,

It's time. Time to get off your butt. Time to stop making excuses. Time to get that body back that's buried beneath way to much chub. So out with the "who the heck is that?" when I catch a glimpse of myself in a mirror, or the "I thought I looked cute in that outfit..."until I see a picture of myself and sadly barely recognize the person I'm looking at. It's time. Reality check. Regain that sexiness you know you have.
Love, Lindsey

Just in case you needed some proof...

Christmas 2009

We truly had an amazing Christmas this year! Along with all the hustle and bustle it was also Abby's first Christmas, and my first Christmas as a Mother. Therefore, making it a very special one for us and our new little family. Much of my time and thoughts were focused more than usual on the actual birth of my Savior and Mary. I couldn't help but have overwhelming thoughts and emotions as I pondered Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. What a miraculous women. Having no shelter, warmth, clothes, or a proper bed for her new babe, my heart ached for the poor circumstances that the Savior of the world was born into. I often found myself weeping when I thought of Mary and how helpless she must have felt having Him in these conditions. Then I was comforted with the sounds of 'Silent Night' and 'Away in a Manger.' I imagine this night. A silent night (which in turn means a silent baby)no crying He made, all was calm, Mother and Child asleep together...asleep. Our meek, humble Savior keeping quiet and peaceful. These are such simple songs, and I have heard them thousands of times, but this year, with a babe of my own, I learned one major thing. How much the Savior loves me. He loves me as much as I love Abby, and that love is deeper than any words can describe.

Me at Temple Square. Beautiful scene of Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus
Christmas Eve Party with the Rizley side

There was a hat contest...how could you not vote for them?! Oh yeah and they won! Congratulations Mark and Gayle!

One of our best gifts of the season. Grandma and Grandpa Rizley's gift to Abby. Her handmade blessing dress. It is beautiful!

We started our Christmas here, in our own cozy little house...

Then moved here...Nate's parents house

(4 generations in this pic-Gayle, Abby, Grandma Fowler, and Nate)

Bryce with Abby in the outfit he bought her!

Nate, go Utes

Bryce (Nate's little bro) you stud muffin

Getting love from Grandma and Grandpa

Us

And we finally ended up here...my parents house.

Ava, checking out her new night light

Lillers loving up her piggy

Mal as always, supporting our Utah Jazz

Brandon rockin the skulls

Shawn, our friend from Nebraska

My Daddy. Can't forget the Hickory Farms sausage, it's tradition!

Lauren, Abby, and Ava

My Mom and Dad. Love them.

She's got us now

Everyday that passes Abby is smiling more and more. I find Nate and I doing just about anything to get one out of her. She melts my heart, makes me all sorts of warm and fuzzy. And I need something like that in this chilly, foggy weather. I'm glad it's her. She's even better than my fireplace.

I have dimples! The melt your heart they're so freakin cute kind!

It was Daddy getting these big smiles out of me!

Getting a bit chubby too.

2 months

Can you believe our sweet Abigail is already 2 months old? I can! Ha ha! Maybe because it's honestly been a rough couple of months, yet strangely, I wouldn't change it for the world. I love this girl. She's the love of my life (and her Daddy's too.) The 3 shots she was given in her chubby little thighs just about broke my heart. I'm so glad Nate skipped school to accompany me to this appointment! I'm not sure how I would have handled it on my own! Listen to me, spoken like a true wussy Mom. At 2 months Abby is:

-12 pounds 6 ounces 87th%, 22 3/4 inches long 66th%, head circum 39.6 73rd%
-sleeping at night for 6-8 hour stretches
-improving on nursing everyday
-smiling. Mostly for Daddy, she's a bit stingy with them still
-still LOVES to be swaddled and won't sleep or nap any other way
-enjoys taking baths with Mom (sorry for any of you out there that think this is gross-get over it! It's one of my favorite things to do)
-loves her swing, especially when it's close to the heat of the fireplace (relax, I'm real careful)
-Coos and Ca's. Especially in the morning. This is when she's the happiest
-still hates getting dressed/undressed
-focusing and following things with her baby blues
-jolts and looks around at loud noises
-loves her bassinet and the teddy mobile above it. Those little beady eyed bears make her smile every time, it's not fair!
-has her Mommy and Daddy wrapped around her little finger

Sometimes I find myself wishing the time away. Thinking I can't wait until Abby is....
I keep trying to remind myself that it won't be like this for long and to enjoy everything at this moment. I love my baby.

Trying to capture a smile
So cute! She doesn't know what's coming...

But I do. She was so happy even though we woke her up from her nap, stripped her down and laid her on a hard cold bed. Crazy baby.

With Daddy.