A Mini Vacation

The week before Niamh's birthday, we decided to take a trip to California. We had paid for 4 days at a condo in Newport Beach over a year ago and had not yet used it. It was awesome. A 2 bedroom condo, full kitchen, washer/dryer, huge bathtub, just beautiful. We bought food and cooked our own meals. We decided to take the kids to Disneyland one day especially because they celebrate Halloween during this month. It was fantastic. The weather was perfect, we only waited a few minutes in line for nearly all the rides. Lucas, Gavin & Tyrone are huge fans of "The Nightmare before Christmas." We got to meet Jack Skellington and Sally and the boys just loved it. Niamh had a great time too, she wasn't scared on any of the rides and even took a really long nap and was in great spirits for most of the day. Sometimes you just need those mini vacations to escape life.

Happy Birthday Niamh

Our baby girl Niamh turned 1 year old on October 20th. I still remember the day she came into this world. It has been a blissful year. Niamh has been a joy to have in our family. She bewitched us with her smiles, followed her brothers around all day and made our lives complete by her sweet little spirit. She has always acted older than she is and passed every milestone before most babies her age. On her birthday morning, we all sneaked into her bedroom and started to sing "Happy Birthday." She woke up screaming, terrified by our singing, I guess. After she recovered from her birthday song, she opened her presents. She loved ripping the wrapping paper. We had a Monster Mash birthday for her that evening. Niamh was the cutest Little Red Riding Hood ever. All the family came in costume, it was so fun. We knew Niamh would love her birthday cake. I fear she has inherited a sweet tooth from me. She wasted no time grabbing her cake and demolishing it. She had to have a bath afterward to get all the cake off her. After that, she opened gifts from all the family. Niamh had a wonderful birthday and got so many awesome presents to keep her entertained. On to the next year.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Changes (Part 2)

We are moving once again. Lucas' parents are gracious enough to let us live with them for a time while we pay off some debt. We are actually sad to be leaving the Northwest part of town (didn't think I'd ever say that 6 months ago.) Although I loathe packing, it has been a great opportunity to "trim the fat" and rid ourselves of a lot of things we were hoarding. It has actually been therapeutic. We are very excited at the prospect of saving money, especially in gas as Lucas' station is right across the street from his parents home. This is just another chapter in the Abbottland saga and I know it will all be worthwhile. We will be moving on Halloween :)

The Monster Mash

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Niamh at 11 months.

Three words to describe Niamh;
Personality. Smiles. Attitude.

Changes (Part 1)

Who knew at the close of 2008 the changes that would take place in our little family. On December 1st, Lucas and I made a resolution (we didn't wait till the New Year.) We decided to get in shape and become more active and fit. I have always been someone who has struggled with their weight. What can I say, I love food. But, I have to admit that I use food to combat depression, anxiety, boredom. When I had my daughter, Niamh, something in me clicked and I decided that I wanted all my children, especially Niamh to have high self esteem and confidence in themselves and most of all to love themselves from the inside out. I have to admit that I have let my feelings of inadequacy hold me back in certain things throughout my life because of being overweight. Lucas and I did not have a gym membership when we started losing weight, but started running together at a park close to our house. We also purchased a Biggest Loser workout video. After a few months, we joined the gym and started working out 4-5 days a week. Along with working out at least an hour everyday, we changed our eating habits. We were conscious of portions and cut out sweets. We drank more water, cut out soda. We didn't snack while watching T.V (my downfall.) Our goal was to meet our weight goal by Memorial Day (May 25, 2009.) Well, we were at our half way mark by then, but not close to finishing. For all of you out there who have struggled with weightloss, you know that it is not easy to keep dropping the "lbs." You have a bad week and you gain 5 lbs. You work your butt off everyday and eat like a bird and lose only 1lb. It's not fair sometimes. Lucas buoyed me up when I wanted to give up and I pushed him when he wanted to quit. We had weeks when I would eat a pan of brownies in one sitting and Lucas would drink gallons of Coke (maybe not gallons.) Everyone knows that when you fall, you just have to get right back up and keep going. So, here we are heading for the close of 2009. I hoped to be posting that we have reached our weight goal but we still have a little bit to go. We can see the finish line, the end is always the hardest part. We are proud of ourselves and our lives have changed so much for the better.
Lucas has lost 70lbs and I have lost 44lbs.

Before (Christmas 2008)

After (August 2009)