Abby likes her Christmas Legos

Since we are heading to JC for Christmas, we gave Abby one of her gifts early - her first box of duplo legos.  I would say they were a hit!

Abby's new game

Abby swinging

Abby got to go to the park yesterday (as a reward for going shopping!).  Seems like she was enjoying it. 

Abby, Uncle Karl and Aunt Britni

Office Christmas cheer - happy December!

Abby watching videos of Izzy

Karl and Britni's dog made a big impression on Abby this summer. It was actually her 4th word - after mama, dada, and uh oh. They are out to visit for Thanksgiving, and since they couldn't bring the dog, videos are the next best thing.

Abby with mini Izzy

Happy birthday

Happy Birthday Abby!

Chocolate teddy grahams (chocolate test drive)

Saturday means extra naps (on mommy's lap) :)

Playing horsey

Happy Halloween!

Halloween breakfast

Abby trying out Mommy's rocking chair

She was rocking like crazy and very proud of herself. But then she decided to stand on the chair - so we put it back away for a bit.

Bass player?

Avocado!!

fashionable baby

Nap time!

Black beans are awesome for breakfast!

Who needs toys when you have socks?

Definitely walking

(Almost) Walking

Abby has really been getting better at standing and walking in the past week.  Here was an example from tonight of the walking - followed by a fall.  :)

Abby at 10 months

My office this morning

Jack in the box

Abby after a good nap - waiting for the Cardinals game

Blue cheese = awesome!

Spatulas are the best toys ever!

Breakfast is exhausting

cardinals fan!

Abby and grandma Pauline at Karl's concert

Karl and Beth playing at tower grove

Abby eating pickled carrots

Chilling on grandmas deck

Also a banjo fan!!

Lab work - take 2

I was also interviewed by a reporter for our local NPR station!

https://www.azpm.org/p/top-news/2013/8/7/25964-research-works-to-understand-retinal-damage-in-diabetics/

Lab work

I don't often put work things up here, but I thought this was fairly exciting.  Some of the work that my lab is doing was profiled by the UA news site:
http://www.uanews.org/story/ua-researchers-explore-root-of-diabetic-retinal-damage

Guitar fan

Abby picking peaches

Future computer scientist?

Geek in training

Happy 4th of July!

Guitar fan

Abby trying to stay awake

Abby constantly moving around, trying to stay awake, and watching baseball.  There was a big hit at the end of the video..

Not sure about the new toy

We got out the ball popper toy this weekend that Aunt Jennifer sent Abby.  She seemed intrigued at first, but maybe she isn't quite ready...

Piano mat - 7 months

Daddy on Father's Day

Sweet potato!

Abby has tried a few foods now. Carrots were okay, she liked squash. But sweet potato - she was lunging at the spoon after the first bite!

first swim

The pool finally heated up, and it is 104 outside, so we decided it was a good day for Abby's first swim. After a brief period of adjustment, she was splashing and kicking like a little fish. This is her and David after we drug her out because she was getting too cold.

Peaceful Abby

Big girl!

I haven't posted too many pictures for the past week or so because we've all been sick. Abby is almost recovered - just in time for her half-birthday tomorrow. Happy 6 months!

Abby's First Day at Day Care

We held out as long as we could, through Mommy Day Care, Daddy Day Care and Gramma Day Care, but this morning the Abster hit the real world. She's now a commuter.

Chilling with daddy while he makes his and mommy's breakfast.



All strapped in and ready to go.


We're here!


Abby's classroom


Parallel parking the car seat.


Meet and greet with her new teachers.

No (daddy) hands!

We are all on a trip to Seattle for Erika's conference. Abby enjoying dinner out while practicing standing.

Cute pictures of Abby

We emptied off our camera this weekend and found some pretty cute pictures to post:

 5 month old Abby.