Beautiful Dress

On Thursday we received a package from Christina and Steven (my brother and sister-in-law). When we were opening the package Joe and I were convinced there was going to be a message saying they were pregnant, but that was not the message (we can still hope =)) Instead we opened up a box and inside was the prettiest little pink dress. Christina's mom (Clara) is dabbling in the art of smocking and what comes out is the most adorable little dress! We put it on her tonight so she could model it for everyone...


Here is a close up so you can see the details.


"Don't I look amazing?"


Big Cheese - She was just so excited with herself!


She just needed a little help standing up to show you what the whole dress looked like from top to bottom.

Surprise!

At daycare today Abby made a birthday card for her Da-da! It turned out really cute =) She had some very helpful elves I am sure (thank you guys!)

St. Joseph of Waldorf Day!

It is officially St. Joseph of Waldorf day! Joe turns 28 today! So as
part of his present I filled out the lovely questionnaire everyone has been posting about their husbands and I am making a pact that I will be extra nice to him today. I love you hunny and hope you have a great birthday!!!

1. He's sitting in front of the TV, what is on the screen?
if I'm in the room? The Office, Hell's Kitchen, Food Network, Monk,
Psych (kind of depends on the season and the day...)
if I'm not in the room or he thinks I'm not paying attention? Lost, 30
Rock, Smallville, UFC, TNA

This is why we can't get rid of cable...

2. You're out to eat; what kind of dressing does he get on his salad?
Caesar

3. What's one food he doesn't like?
Some kinds of fish and taco salad

4. You go out to eat and have a drink. What does he order? Miller Lite

5. Has he ever played a musical instrument?
Yes - I think he had a Tuba once and he played another instrument for a
couple of months as a kid... Nothing really stuck =)

6. What size shoe does he wear?
11 1/2

7. If he was to collect anything, what would it be?
He used to collect OCC bikes, and then it was model cars, now I would
say he might get into old trains...

8. What is his favorite type of sandwich?
PB&J (with homemade strawberry jelly), he also likes toasted bagel
sandwiches with turkey and cheese

9. What would this person eat every day if he could?
Pizza - because you can change the toppings to something new each day.

10. What is his favorite cereal?
Cookie Crisp

11. What would he never wear?
He used to say pink and then we had Abby and I convinced him to get a
pink shirt and he looks good in pink. He doesn't like wearing anything
baggy and if the neck of the shirt is too loose it is pretty much
garbage!

12. What is his favorite sports team?
The Redskins, even when they are playing bad (that is the sign of a true
fan!)

13. Who did he vote for?
McCain, because that is who I voted for... Joe is not really into
politics so my vote just counts twice ;)

14. Who is his best friend?
Besides me - it would be Caleb, which is great. I think everyone needs
someone they can say just about anything to and be able to hang out.
Also Joe cherishes the friendship with Caleb for his bike, which he is
going to take ownership of in June. He is just a little excited about
this transfer.

15. What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn't do? Leave the
mail and other paperwork on the kitchen table, leave dishes in the sink,
nag (sometimes I can get on a roll!)

16. What is his heritage?
English/Catholic/Jewish (not sure if the last two are really
heritages...)

17. You bake him a cake for his birthday; what kind of cake? Ice Cream
Cake

18. Did he play sports in high school?
Football (when he wasn't injured)

19. What could he spend hours doing?
Watching TV (which is why we can't get rid of cable), working on
projects outside or in his workshop in the basement, playing with Abby

20. What is one unique talent? Joe can make you laugh at just about
anytime. I can't stay mad at him for very long because he will do
something random or say something funny and sucker me into forgiving
him.

Amazing Race!

Well a few weeks ago I decided to go to an open casting call for the next season of the Amazing Race with my brother in law Dave.
The tryouts were in Baltimore so Christina, Abby and I decided to make a weekend trip out of it. The girls went to the aquarium while Dave and I bared the cold weather at 7am.
We got there early bc we didn't know how long the line was going to be, and I was extremely happy bc the tryouts were at the Harley Davidson dealership.
Let me tell you that Baltimore's finest was out and we had a lot of laughs.
We finally got called up for our audition around 11ish, and we were both nervous.
All the audition was once we entered the room we had to stand in front of a camera and we had 3 minutes to say why we would be good competitors for the show.
Needles to say, we doubt we will get a call back, but I had a great time hanging out with him. Plus my brother Brian made us really cool shirts to wear as well.

Build A Bear

We were in Waldorf yesterday celebrating Shannon's B-day. We had a gift certificate to build a bear that was burning a hole in my pocket. So since it was just right around the corner we decided to take Abby for her first time. She was so good during the whole thing. All smiles and she would not let go of her little turtle. And when she holds on to something she has a death grip. The child is super strong. We were lucky that when we got there we didn't have to wait and we got right in front of a party full of 8 year old little girls. If we had come any later Abby would have had to wait for her experience =) Just like most other kid-centric places they are traps for turning something quasi-cheap into something expensive. They have outfits, shoes, sunglasses, sounds, heart beats...the list could go on. We decided that Terra the Turtle would go all natural but we did cave and do a personalized message. So everytime Abby presses Terra's hand she will hear her mom and dad. It was too cute to pass up.


We went through multiple selections, koala bear, elephant, zebra, but we kept holding on to the turtle =)


Who is more excited?


Abby was very in to what was going on with Terra (her turtle) she did not take her eyes off of her turtle!


She kissed the hearts or slobbered on them which ever one you want =)


Meet Terra the Turtle!

Baltimore Aquarium

The Saturday before last while Joe and Dave were auditioning for the Amazing Race, Angie and I took our girls to the Baltimore Aquarium. It was Abby's first experience and she was speechless =) Whenever she sees something new for the first time she just stares and offers no real emotion, it is like she is soaking it in. She did really good for the hour or so we were there but by the end she had passed out. Her little brain was on overload! I think it had been over 5 yrs since I had been to the Aquarium as well so I had forgotten how cool it was as well. Elsa was a pro - she knew exactly where she wanted to go and all of the cool things to see. The Noppenbergers have season passes to the Aquarium and the Zoo which is awesome. There is always something to do! We all had a great time hanging out!


Freakiest think I have seen in a while! A snake and a turtle combined...How?


Cool shot of some of the fish we got to see.


Me and Abby. She had to enjoy the Aquarium from the Ergo Baby, but she didn't seem to mind.


Did you see that mom?!


Elsa got to see everything up close. She was so cute!

Abby talking up a storm!

She say's all words we could type about this!

Fleetwood Mac

Last Tuesday Christina gave me my birthday present early, tickets to go see Fleetwood Mac at the Verizon Center. Christina and I are both huge Mac fans and we even had "Songbird" as our Wedding Song as well.
My mom so graciously watched Abby and Christina and I went to our 1st concert together since college when we saw Bon Jovi.
We met up with my sister Angie and her husband Dave bc they are big Mac fans and have seen them before too.
Well I have to say the concert was AWESOME! We had quite a number of older folks come up to us and say "Aren't you all too young to be here", and we said "Not too young for this music that still affects our generation" well I didn't really say that, I just smiled and said "whatever you say Buddy".
There was no opening act, and they just walked out on stage and played all their greatest hits.
The Verizon Center was not built to hold big concerts as the acoustics were not the best, but you could still here them rocking out. We all had a great time, and unfortunately we did not get to here Songbird as Christine McVie was not on tour with them, but we did here one of the greatest songs ever, Big Love...

We only stayed at the venue until about 10:20ish as we still had to get up the next morning at 4:30 and it was about an hour commute home from the venue.

All in All, it was a great time together even though we would look at pics of Abby constantly on our phone bc we missed her so much, but it was much needed, and we loved it.

New views

Abby can now sit up in her stroller and it definitely changes her perspectives on things. The whole ride up to subway the other weekend she sat in silence just staring at all of the cars, people, buildings, trees, etc. By the time we left subway it was dark and cold so I carried her home in the ergo carrier and in 5 minutes she was out like a light. She was a little overstimulated from all of the stuff she got to see, but I know she is going to enjoy that perspective than the previous view of skies and trees.




Ok these shorts were 9 month shorts but they turned into little booty shorts. I couldn't believe how tiny they were! But she had to wear them at least one time! So we took a picture just for Aunt Jennifer to see how the outfit she picked out looked like =)

Movin' and a Shakin'

Abby has started to try and get mobile. She sees what she wants and she goes for it now. So if that means she leans forward, then rolls, then stretches and squirms, she will eventually get whatever it is. It is exciting and scary at the same time that she is beginning to get mobile. Joe and I have some work to do in order to get the house more baby proof.

First Big Snow Fall

We got close to a foot of snow on Sunday. It was so pretty and for the first time we didn't have freezing rain that followed the snow fall. Which made it a little safer to get around town and also meant the snow stayed white and fluffy a little longer. Abby was not all that into the snow. It was bright and cold and wet. A combo that doesn't really appeal to kids under 2 =) So she tolerated it for about 3 minutes and then was done being outside in the snow. Joe and his parents scraped the driveway which took about 4 hours to complete. They were freezing and numb in certain spots by the end of it all!

Sick (Thanks Baby!)

I caught whatever little Abigail had and it was not fun. I have been sick for over a week now. I am finally feeling a little more normal. Last weekend was the pits. I was on house arrest all weekend. I think I got the flu even though I got the shot this year. Go figure! So I missed Brians Magic Show and Danny's birthday, but Abby represented for me.

Abby was so into Uncle BB, she was watching so intently and loved the show.

6 month drs appt

Abby had her 6 month check up last Friday. She was 16lbs 2oz and 27 1/4 in long. So she was in the 70th percentile for weight and 95th for height. She was really good for Dr. Julia (as always). She was trying to show her how she can move from the sitting position to the crawling position on the exam table. She was non-stop moving and grabbing. At one point she just took the stethascope right from the doctor. Thank goodness pediatricians find this amusing. We also found out that our Dr. is having her own baby in August! So seeing Abby gives her a taste of what she is about to experience. Abby had to get 3 shots and an oral vaccine which are never fun but she was a trooper!