Almost time to roll.

My little girl is getting so strong. It is only a matter of time before she rolls over completely. She makes her way around whenever she is playing on the floor or bed!

Abby's first trip to the zoo

Yesterday, we had a staff fun day and took a trip together to the Cape May zoo. It was Abby's first trip to the zoo! After we walked around and enjoyed the animals, we had a picnic lunch in the park. It was a nice time for our staff team and a really sweet time for Joe, Abby and I. I love my little family!

watching the giraffes with Linsey.

the wallabies were hugging. too cute!

Abby brought her elephant to the zoo. :)

Later that afternoon, I went over to Megan's to work on some apple crisps for our staff team dessert. While we baked, Abby and Will hung out on a blanket. At one point when we looked over at them, they were holding hands! (we did nothing to make this happen...they did it all by themselves.)

little best friends!

Welcome to Wildwood!

We're here and continuing to get settled in. We've been in lots of meetings and spending time getting to know our summer staff team. They are great! It's going to be a great summer.

I haven't taken many pictures yet, but I do have one to share.

Yesterday, at our women's time:

Abby & Will

Moorestown visit

We had a great week in Moorestown. We started the week with Tommy's graduation. We spent lots of time with Grammy, Granddaddy, Uncle Tommy and Tori, Uncle Bradley and Alex and Aunt Cyncy. We had some delicious meals, took walks enjoying some beautiful weather and did some shopping.

family dinner

Abby loved Greeley! She wasn't afraid of him at all. Greeley LOVED Abby. When he would come over to her (which was often), she would watch him and reach out to touch him. When Abby cried over the monitor, Greeley would run over to it and tilt his head. The best was when Abby started talking to Greeley and he talked back!

Abby and Greeley talking to each other

Greeley LOVES Abby.

Can I please play with her?

getting really excited in the Bumbo...and possibly trying to fly? :)

with Grammy

some quality time with Uncle Tommy


Abby missed her Daddy. She was very excited to see him and relax with him when he got home from the Phillies game.




Playing with Grammy

meeting Aunt Cyncy

Future lawyer? Studying for the LSATs with Tori!

Abby had her first real belly laugh while we were in Moorestown. I was getting her ready for her bath and kissing her belly and neck and she cracked up! I love it and can't wait for her to do it consistently. It has to be one of the best sounds in the world.

kissing mommy

Look at my foot! (Abby plays with her feet now too.)


laughing! (just wait until we get this on video...)

so sweet!

Uncle Tommy's Graduation

Congratulations Uncle Tommy!

On Monday, Abby's Uncle Tommy (my brother-in-law) graduated from UPenn. We loved having the opportunity to be in town for the ceremony and to celebrate with the family. It was a big day! Not only did Tommy graduate, but his dad (and professor) was the one who presented him with his diploma. It was such a special moment!

Joe and his dad.

Brothers

The Cassel Men!

Abby with her Uncle Brad and Uncle Tommy

(She loved Tommy's honors cords!)

Where's Nagymama?

Nagymama means grandma in Hungarian. My Nagymama lives in Florida. We call her Mama for short. Since she is so far away and only gets to see Abby every couple months, she wanted to make sure Abby would recognize her voice.

A few weeks ago, Mama sent Abby a voice-recorded book. Now, Abby gets to hear her Mama tell her a story any day of the week. When I heard it the first time, I cried. It is sweet for me to hear Mama's voice telling a story. It makes me feel like she is right here with us for a moment. I'm definitely looking forward to her visit in June!

What a special gift for our family to have forever! Thank you Mama!

sweetheart

Here are just a few more recent pics I thought I'd share as I clean out my camera for our trip! I'm sure I will have lots to share from our weeks in New Jersey!

4 months old!

4 months old today! Well actually 4 months old tomorrow...but I know I won't be able to post because we will be just settling into Moorestown (where we are visiting with family for the week before we head to Wildwood). And for those of you following, I wanted to leave you with the monthly picture to compare. She has gotten so big! 14 lbs. 3 oz. and 25 inches You can see her personality peeking through in these photos too. She's so much fun.

Dear Abby...

afternoon nap.

Dear Abby,
Some of the sweetest moments are when I watch you sleep. The other night you fell asleep in my arms after nursing. I rubbed your back and watched your cheeks twitch in little half-smiles in your sleep. I looked at your hand resting on my chest and when I reached down to move it, you sighed. I sat there for several minutes more than I needed to, just looking at you and trying to burn the memory into my mind; attempting to attach your sweet baby smell to the moment. I never want to forget a minute of it. Someday you won’t need me to rock you and I’ll miss it so much. I love you now and I will love you always.

Love,
Mommy

time for a check-up

On Tuesday, we took Abby for her 4 month check-up. She is a healthy little girl and continues to grow! The appointment would have been much more fun without the shots...but we did it! I am kind of a wimp when it comes time to hold Abby down for the nurses. I stay in the room, but I am so thankful that Joe does that hard part. I'm glad we don't have to do that again until July!

She is now 14 lbs. 3 oz. and 25 inches long. She has almost doubled her birth weight and is 5 inches longer than when she was born!

Before her shots:

Abby waiting with her Daddy.

After her shots:

Running a fever, but snuggling with her Mommy.

It took about 24 hours, but now Abby is back to her happy self!

Happy Mother's Day!

I loved my first Mother's Day! I'm so blessed to be a mom. I've dreamed of it my whole life. There is no greater job in the world. I LOVE it! And I adore my sweet little girl.

Last year on Mother's Day, I prayed that God would give me a daughter. I didn't know that I was actually pregnant. We found out the Monday after Mother's Day! So, yesterday I got to celebrate many answered prayers.

Thank you to my husband for making my Mother's Day extra special. I love you.

Three generations! It was really special celebrating my first Mother's Day with my Mom.

Grandma & Abby