Abby started doing this thing with her mouth today that had me rolling with laughter. It's too hard to explain so I tried to get it on video, and instead she just laughed at me. That's the first video I posted. Later on, as I was getting her ready for bed, she started doing it. So, I grabbed the camera and it's a little shaky, but the sounds you hear are coming from her. She makes me laugh so much! And please excuse the drool. Poor girl is getting her two top teeth in.

Just a quick post to let everyone know little Abby now has two bottom teeth. It is so cute, and she handled teething like a champ. Only one bad night when the second tooth came in. Other then that, and her constant drooling, you wouldn't have been able to tell she was teething. Lets hope the rest of her teeth come in just as nice. I tried to get a picture, but as soon as I open her mouth, out pops her tongue! Maybe when more teeth come in.

Fourth of July 2011!
Abby is getting such a little personality, and its a good thing too because poor daddy didn't get to blow up any fireworks this year. His favorite holiday and all we did was party until 8:00 with friends and go to bed. Ian just kept saying, "It's a good thing she's so cute!" But we all know the truth... Dad would do anything for this one. All she has to do is give him one of her little smiles or laughs and he melts. So, fireworks or no fireworks I can safely say this was the best 4th of July we've had because we spent it as a family.

Ian and I decided to take Abby swimming for the first time. She loves taking baths so I couldn't wait to see how she did in the pool. So, one Saturday morning we ran to the store to get some little swimmers. (swimming diapers) Of course, we could only find medium and large (No small). And we really didn't really want to go to another store, so we just bought the medium thinking, "It'll be fine to have them a little too large. No big deal." Yeah right...... they were HUGE!!!! They almost went up to her armpit. We were laughing so hard, but Abby didn't think it was very funny. Just like any girl, she hated putting on a bathing suit. Once we had her dressed she was fine, and after a brief whine at the cold water she loved it. However, it took mom 30 min to get her dressed, we only spent 5 min in the pool, and it took another 30 to get out and have a bath. 60 min of work for 5 min of joy. Not sure this was worth it at this age. We will probably try again when she gets older.

Abby is loving her swing, and mom loves
the fact that she can now use the bathroom.


Easter Dress


Tummy time

Last week Ian and I had quite the night.... Although we never saw an actual tornado we were in the middle of a tornado warning. The city sirens were going off every 30 min along with the local broadcasting station interrupting our regularly scheduled programing. It was wild. People were running outside to look for the tornado as the broadcaster was telling us to find shelter. We had some good friends actually get into their car to find the tornado. Thankfully, Ian and I were never in any real danger, but we were so grateful for the small amount of food storage that we had been able to accumulate. Its still a work in progress as we try to add to it every month, but every little thing we add brings us that much closer to being prepared. It's like the scriptures teach, "...Line upon line.."

Still Abby's favorite place to sleep...


She does this cute little smile while she's sleeping
and I just had to get a picture...


And this is the look she gives when the flash
from the camera wakes her up.


Just some random shots... I can't believe how big she is getting,
and such a personality!

Random Pictures of Abby


Hanging Out In The Hotel

Leaving the Hospital

My Sleepy Family

Abby had her first bath and did a great job.


She has had numerous ones since and loves to be in the water.
She only cries when we take her out, and I can't really blame her.
It's no fun to go from nice warm water to cold air naked. It was a family affair, and everyone wanted to help. Mom, Dad, Sandy, Speckles... unfortunately the dogs were not much of a help, and were sent out of the bathroom numerous times.

They haven't really figured out who this new creature is.
All they know is they aren't allowed on any furniture, have to be very quiet, and their kennel has been moved into the spare bedroom. Poor dogs. We love them so much, but so much of our attention has been shifted to Abby. I'm sure they can't wait for her to get older so they can play with her too.

We would like to welcome to the family Abigail Kaylene Spahr, born March 2, 2011 at 4:23 pm. She weighed in at 7 lbs 12 ounces, and was 20 inches long. We are over-
whelmed with joy at her arrival. Ian and I can't get over how much she resembles her father. It's been a little bit of an adjustment having her home. The first two weeks Ian was able to stay home, and we had a wonderful time bonding together as a family. Abby went on a schedule easier then we imagined and we felt very blessed. We began to think, '"We can do this..." (Famous last words) The second two weeks Ian had to travel for work and since it was only three hours away Abby and I went with him. She and I stayed in the hotel most of the time because I wasn't comfortable with Abby being around other people yet. However, with all the different smells and surrounding in the hotel she fell off her schedule, and mom became very tired. We are so happy to be home and after three difficult nights and days I am happy to report that she is back on her schedule and doing very well. This experience taught us one very important lesson... No more traveling anytime soon!

Having lived in Idaho and Utah for the past three years snow hasn't been quite as exciting as it used to be. As a matter of fact, it snowed on Sunday and I thought nothing of it until our drive home from church. It was then that Ian and I witnessed cars sliding into the intersection and driving in both lanes. I wasn't sure what was causing such reckless driving 'till it occurred to me-- We live in Texas now! They don't usually get snow in Texas. This was a big deal to the locals, and they did NOT know how to drive in it. It was further confirmed as we pulled into our apartment complex and saw little children trying to build a snowman out of the small amount on the ground. They were all dressed scantily for the cold weather, but of course they didn't care. They were just so happy to be out playing in the snow. It was too cute. I will say that I was grateful for the burst of cold weather since we've had to use our air conditioning all winter to keep me cool, and the dogs loved playing in it for a min. Of course, it was only about a minute before they were done, and ready to get inside and under a blanket. I took some pictures of the first snow fall of the year in Texas, and the cute little snowman the children built. Exciting day...

Kids say the funniest things...
Evey Sunday I teach eleven 6 year-olds in primary. Today I found out that Ian is the cool kid among kids. For you to fully understand this story you need to know that a few months back Ian hung out with some other dads. Apparently, he made quite the impression among the children. One of the kids he played with is in my class. Today his mother came up to tell me that instead of calling me Sister Spahr, like the other children, he refers to me as "Ian's Wife". Ian's wife! I don't even get an identity in this child's eyes. To him, Ian has topped the cool chart, and I didn't even register. I should be offended, but I love it. It's so funny! He is such a great kid, and it makes me smile to see how children can sometimes view things.

Here we go... I've been wanting to get away from facebook and get into the blogging world for a while. I'm excited to let my close friends and family know a little bit more about the Spahr Family as we step into new adventures. Our biggest adventure at the moment is the birth of our first baby. (Due March 12, 2011) Ian and I are busy preparing for "it's" arrival. I say "it" and not "he or she" because my parents do not want to know what we are having, and have asked us to keep it a secret. They are of the mind set that this is one of life's biggest surprises. Ian and I do not feel the same, but out of respect for their wishes we have kept the secret from everyone but ourselves. We like to plan and are enjoying the knowledge that soon we will welcome our little he-she.
Everyone has been hounding me for pregnancy photos, but I love the fact that I am able to enjoy this pregnancy away from prying eyes... You know who you are. The ones who like to look me up and down and say, "WOW, look how big you are getting!" Although I know it's said with love, the pregnancy hormones do not. Rest assured I am taking pictures so I can document my growth, and someday when I am not so emotional I will scrapbook them. As of this moment, however, they are hidden in a secret file on the computer, and only those with secure level clearance may access them.
With 9 weeks until our due date we are taking a child-birth prep class. I recommend this to anyone having their first child. Not only has it been very informative and helped to answer so many questions, It is so much fun to hang out with other pregnant woman. We laugh so hard as we all try to ignore the fact that sometime in the not to distant future we will be pushing a melon through a tiny opening. Also, meeting other expect fathers makes me so grateful for my husband. Although there is no right or wrong way to handle the stress of a pregnant wife, Ian has been so calm and cool. He always knows just what to do and say, and just when to rub my feet. He is so ready to be a father, and I have no doubt that he will be exceptional. If I follow his lead I'm pretty confident we can raise this child without screwing up too much.