Abigail's 1st Birthday!!!

Warning: This will probably be our longest post yet :)
There are a TON of pictures, but only our favorites of her big day - I'll just explain in order of sequence:
This was taken just after Abby woke up, and as usual in a good mood, and cheering Grandma on while decorating her cake :)
Since her classes, Abby's become a bigger fan of swimming - these are with the new little pool we surprised her with:
Playing tea party with Grandma (as best as a 1 year old can) :)
Watching Pocoyo and enjoying some down time with Daddy before the party
Exploring her new pre-party gift
Our sweet neighbors and friends, Susan and Leslie who celebrated the big day with us
Abby's cakes, courtesy of Grandma Pinnock :)
Abby and opening her fun birthday gifts, thanks to all!!!
I love these next two pics, she wanted that cake so bad she could taste it...
Almost cake time and cracking her classic laughs
She had no idea what we were singing to her...
... then this was a close call, but luckily she wasn't fast enough to get burned...
... and then she literally "took" the cake :)
We loved having Grandma Pinnock here to visit, it was a fun day, and we can't believe our baby is 1!!! We love you Abby, you make us so happy, and we're so glad you're ours!!

Abby's New Car Seat

With how tall Abby's been getting, we knew we were a bit overdue with getting her a new car seat. I had put stuffing in her pink one for more cozy rides, and recently found that she had discovered it and was eating it. I'd try to stuff it out of her reach, but she'd dig till she'd find it, and I ended up having to take it out altogether. Unfortunately she kept digging till she started pinching apart the original stuffing for the seat and eating that too!! Needless to say, we hurried and got her this new seat, and now she loves feeling like such a 'big girl' :)

Her last ride in her pink car seat

Somber as can be and totally confused as to what Daddy was putting her in

It was so fun to watch her expressions on her first ride, like this :)

Within a couple car rides, she was a big fan (especially on her way to swim class)!

All smiles :)

Barksdale Airshow

On May 9th, we made it to an airshow at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City. Luckily it was mostly cloudy, but was still ultra humid. We're still trying to adjust to the climate here. It was a fun experience though and Abby loved watching all the people, and she occasionally watched a plane or two. The jets' booming flights scared her, though probaly not as much as our quick attempts to cover her ears. But for the most part, we all had a great time. Here are a few pics of that day.
BTW, Nate's brother, Brandon, also graduated that day with his MBA from Duke University, and we're sad we couldn't make it. Congrats, Bran, we're proud of you!!!
Abby amazed at some of the people we saw (we were too!!)

I love how convenient baby food is and am so glad she's still willing to eat it at times like these

The stunts were really impressive!!

The Blue Angel jets

We love moments like these when she'll sleep on us, since they're rare and few with her independent personality :)

Abby's Swim Class

We signed Abigail up for swim classes at 11 months, and I was sooo excited, since I LOVE to swim and was hoping she would too. Unfortunately the first class didn't go so well, she was overwhelmed with all the water (especially since we still have to bathe her in a baby tub) and was nervous, clingy, and kept waving to Nate, who was watching, to come get her.
The second class started out the same, and I began wondering if maybe it was too soon for her or she just wouldn't be much of a swimming fan, but at the very end of that class she seemed to suddenly think it was kinda fun. From the third class on (there were 8), she LOVED it, was kicking, splashing, and basically "crawling" as fast as she could in the water, trying to get where she wanted to go, with grunts and looks at me saying "let me go now, Mom, I got it!" It was so fun, and I was sad to see it end. Luckily Mom and Nate were able to be there for her last class. The pics below are from her first and last classes:
Abby's first time in a swimsuit, and showing off her long legs :)

Clinging on tight

Her last class, all smiles- she couldn't wait to get in the water

Exploring the gutters each and every time

All wrapped up with two of her biggest fans :)

School, school, and more school...

This is a surprise pic of (sleep-deprived) Nate doing what he likes least: studying.
What we thought was busy work when he first started the program has now become a fond memory, as his workload in earning his doctorate has now tripled. He's not only a full time student and part-time research assistant, but is now also counseling individual, group, and marriage therapy. To top it off, he'll also start teaching a psychology class next quarter. He says, "And I thought my undergrad kept me busy!!' Averaging 5 hours of homework and 6 hours of sleep when he's home, he still manages to somehow spend time with Abby and I and somehow we make it all work.
I just want to say how much I appreciate you, Nate, and all you are doing for us; you're Amazing and We LOVE You!!!