Too Cool!

So, awhile ago when Santa found out that we had Molly, he told me that at some point he'd be giving her the "Molly" American Girl Doll.  He just informed me yesterday that he'd be giving Halston the new "Caroline Abbott" American Girl Doll at some point, too.  I am delighted to hear that because believe it or not...Aaron's Grandma Abbott's name was Evangeline CAROLINE ABBOTT!  Way to go, Santa!  At some point when the girls are older, they will be thrilled to see them on Christmas morning!

Caroline Abbott ~ War of 1812

The Best 3 Months of My Life

Halston has been here for 3 months today, and it is tenderly sweet to have two little girls to love, hold, and cherish.  She is amazingly precious and genuinely a good baby - happy, cheerful, and laid back.

Halston's newborn photos ~ June 23, 2012

Sisters

Photos taken at the back of my grandparents' property in El Reno, OK
July 27, 2012

July 17, 2012

August 5, 2012 ~ 2 months

August 20, 2012

September 5, 2012 ~ 3 months

How did three months pass so quickly?  Time flies when you're in love.

Announcing Halston Adelaide

Fireworks

So, Saturday night we went to Wes Welker's wedding...you know THE Wes Welker of the New England Patriots.  It was quite spectacular - fireworks and everything.  Okay, so we didn't get invited to the actual wedding, but we did get invited (by a friend of the guy who owns the gigantic, luxurious property where the wedding was) to go park our vehicle in a dark parking lot across the road from where the wedding was held so that we could ooh and ahh over the celebratory fireworks.

Molly had a grand time, and so did the rest of us!

*Notice the ever-present bug spray in Aaron's pocket...Molly and I both get attacked by mosquitos 

even when no one else does.  It is so much fun.

Miss Halston Adelaide

The Story of Her Name ~

Aaron met a lady named Halston at work after Molly was born but before we were expecting.  We had  other girl names we liked up until he told me this name, but Halston immediately became our favorite.  The day we found out we were having a girl, we were thrilled to be able to use her name.  Aaron said, "We have our Halston!"

We love her name because...

*It is unusual and unique.  I have never met or heard of a Halston, other than the gal that Aaron met.

*It is not trendy.

*It starts with "Ha" and so does Hayley.

*It ends with "on" and so does Aaron.
*Both of our daughters' names have the same amount of syllables.
*It has assonance with Molly (the "o" sound in Molly and the "a" sound in Halston are the same).

*It has consonance with Molly (the "ll" in Molly and the "l" in Halston).  

                       Yes, I'm still an English teacher at heart.

*Halston begins with an "H" and so does Hayley.

*Adelaide begins with an "A" and so does Aaron.

*My grandpa's first and middle initials are also "H.A."
*It doesn't shorten to a nickname and neither does Molly.

*I do not know or have ever met an Adelaide, either.

-----------------------------------------------------

Middle names are super fun.  It is fun to come up with a companion name that can add a little surprise.  I knew that I wanted something with 3 or 4 syllables, preferably begin with a vowel, and something a bit more traditional, but not overused or trendy.  Once again, we were perusing baby name books on a date night at Barnes and Noble, and Aaron said, "What about Adelaide?"  I love it.  It fits all my criteria.  He loves it, and it stuck.

Halston Adelaide Abbott

We made a wish, and you came true.

We love you, darling girl!

Our Sweet Baby

Halston Adelaide Abbott

June 5, 2012

8 lbs 8 oz ~ 22 inches

We made a wish, and you came true.

Baby News

Molly has named our little baby, Tot - maybe I should spell it Tott - because she really emphasizes the last T.  It is hilarious.  She started calling her, Tot, about a month or so ago, and it stuck.  First, she'd say it when I asked her what the baby in my tummy's name is, but now she will see a baby item and say, "Tot" and refer to the baby as Tot all the time.  I try to ask her where she came up with the name, but her answer is in words that I have yet to learn in "Molly Language".  It melts my heart and makes me laugh.

Molly is full of ideas and creativity.  She cracks me up constantly.  Just now she walked in wearing one of my high heels, holding a little newborn hat (that she stole from the drying rack - see paragraph below), wearing Aaron's Pelican hard plastic iPod case on her arm like a purse, wearing her Minnie Mouse jammies, and carrying a hammer that goes to one of her toys, a Minnie Mouse stuffed toy, and a Dr. Seuss book.  I'm not sure how this all goes together, but it works for her.

I've been working on my LIST of THINGS TO DO BEFORE THE BABY COMES...  It is lengthy and mostly "nesting" items.  I didn't "nest" with Molly since we were living in the rental, never unpacked fully, and weren't staying there long.  This time, I've been working my tail off.  Besides all the cleaning and organizing, I finished the baby's quilt on Tuesday and her name banner (similar to Molly's - see photo below) today.  I washed all of Molly's newborn clothes last night, have the baby's coming home outfit ready, a new diaper bag, and fun little things I've collected for this baby all ready to go.  We have Molly's "Big Sister" outfit ready, and I'm working on other little details.  I still have many things to do around the house as I feel like once the baby comes I'll never have a chance to do anything ever again.  I'm trying to enjoy these last few weeks of pregnancy - the jabs, kicks, rolls, punches, stomach that sticks so far out that I hit furniture with it and can't get comfortable in the car.  It is such a gift and honor, and I'm truly to the uncomfortable stage where getting off the couch and trying to sleep is a chore.  :)  So far everything is great at the doctor visits, and he seems fairly certain that the baby will not come early and will need to be induced.  We'll see...  This baby won't be allowed to come 9 days after her due date (like Molly) - Hallelujah!

Sneak peek of the baby's quilt - I won't show the whole thing because I embroidered her name on part of it.I went with red and pink fabrics that I bought from the United Kingdom several years ago.  I ordered them online, and I've been hoarding them ever since.  I LOVE how it turned out.  As of now, she doesn't get her own room.

First of all, how did Molly grow up so fast?
Secondly, the new baby's name banner is very similar to Molly's, but with her name and her red/pink fabrics of course.