Abe's first post.

My name is Abe and I take after my mother.

We mean business.
Now everyone can leave my mom alone because I have updated her blog.

Christmas Tidbits

I know, I know. Three blog posts in one day. I'm just getting caught up. Slacker you might say? Well, I'm just too busy reading all of YOUR blogs!

We had a great Christmas. I am SO happy Abe is finally here to make our holiday season brighter than ever before. Adam and I decided to have a super low spending cap for our gifts this year so we could send my mom and dad to see Cirque Du Soleil's Beatles "Love" in Las Vegas. But, apparently Adam has magical powers and got a "super awesome" deal on the latest iPhone for me since my last one clunked out. Who has every heard of an iPhone for under $50 bucks? Magical powers indeed!

Anyhow, here are a few Christmas pics (more to come):

Abe & Canyon

Abe likes to hang out with his BFF, Canyon. They giggle and stare at each other every week while his mom, Tammy, and I chill.

Abe has started to love his jumper. His favorite part is gnawing on it since he is teething.

He sure can be a little devil..

...but I can't get enough of him.

California..

We recently (well, 2 months ago) flew down to San Diego to visit Adam's dad. While we were there, we went to the BYU/San Diego game. Abe had a major freak out right as we were getting out of the car, but slept on his Aunt Jen's lap for most of the game (thank goodness).

A trip to San Diego wouldn't be complete if we didn't go sailing at Mission Beach. Of course, it's never a dull moment with the Kolowich family, especially when they think it's funny to flip the sailboat. Luckily, I wasn't on it.

We then went to the beach to watch the sunset and to give Abe his first dip in the ocean. It was a great day with just our little family unit.




We ended the trip with a canceled early morning flight and a 5-hour delay at the airport. Poor kid is exhausted, as were his parents!

Abe @ 3 months..

A few days after his 3 month birthday, Abe rolled over. He decided to only give us a sneak-peek because he hasn't really done it since! He also loves to rock his BabyLegs and hang out on the quilt my friend Deb made.

He is growing like a weed and showing his cute personality more and more each day.

Pure Happiness...

...here are a few pics from the last month or so. Abe is feeling much better and is a very happy baby (most of the time). I hope it lasts.

Koy made up a song to sing to Abe when he was still sick.
"Ne, ne ne, ne"

Cousin Cassie is a great little helper.

Abe's presidential pose.

Happy Happy!

He's getting so strong!

Lovin' the cheeks.

Wow!

I know I have talked with a lot of you about what has been going on with Abe. About 5 weeks ago we took Abe to Primary Children's ER since he was projectile vomiting and dehydrated. We spent 8 hours in a small room in the ER. In the room next to us there was a juvenile delinquent restrained and swearing loudly for 3 of the 8 hours. They hooked Abe up to fluids through an IV (which took 3 times to put in), did a catheter, and almost did a spinal tap. The worst part of all of this was that they wouldn't let us feed him. So, Abe screamed, and screamed and screamed. After numerous tests, they decided it was Pyloric Stenosis (which oddly enough my older sister and my nephew Koy had as tiny babies as well). They finally decided to admit him at 10:30pm (we had been there since 2pm) and put him on the surgery list for the next day. Since we were an add-on surgery they weren't really sure when the actual surgery would happen so they made us starve Abe until after the surgery. By the time they wheeled him away, he hadn't eaten for over 24 hours. The surgery was a success and we were able to give him extremely small amounts of glucose water and then formula--which didn't make Abe happy at all. Here are a couple pictures of Abe right before his surgery. Poor guy, he is so exhausted:

After Abe came home, we had to deal with severe reflux and more tummy problems. So, the screaming did not stop. The surgeon said sometimes the antibiotics given to babies during surgery can mess up the good bacteria in their stomachs. He is now on medicine and special formula.

Even writing this blog, I don't want to re-live any of it, so I wanted to make this entry as short as possible. My mom and sisters have saved my sanity. Adam was in Korea for 2 weeks and my mom, Rachel and Dana tried to console both me and Abe during the last few weeks. I am so grateful for them. Breakdown after breakdown, they have helped me hour by hour.

It is now five long weeks after the surgery and Abe seems to be doing a bit better. He is a very smiley baby and we are so happy to have him in our lives:

By the way, I blame Primary Children's for Abe's new found ability to SCREAM. If this entry doesn't exactly make sense, I blame exhaustion.

A little piece of heaven..

Seriously, the best day of my life....

Abram "Abe" John Kolowich

30 June 2009, 7:45am

7.1 pounds, 21 inches

He is already up to 7.11 oz. It's amazing how much he has already changed. He looks just like his dad. When I asked someone to point out one thing that looks like me they said "He has your hair line." Oh well, I'll take anything! I hope to post more pics soon! He is a really mellow kid and we hope it lasts!

Big and beautiful...

...isn't that how you should feel when you hit 38.5 weeks in your pregnancy? I was at Ikea the other day and caught a profile of myself in a mirror and almost died laughing. Down 2lbs one week, up 4lbs the other--all this yo-yo-ing really does a number on me!

I really can't complain too much. I have felt pretty good this whole time, but these back pains and lack of sleep are getting a bit old now. I like to politely "hint" to my baby in my belly to "GET OUT!" His favorite thing to do is kick me over and over in my ribs during church when we are trying to sing. Adam thinks he likes the loud out-of-tune old lady who always sits behind us every week, but I am beginning to think that this kid and Adam are already plotting to gang up on me and take over the house!

I find myself hoping for contractions. Is that crazy? Isn't it show time already?

Oh yeah, so many people have asked for pregnancy pictures so here you go. Keep in mind this was taken on a good day, it's usually how I roll--

The happenings....

Once again I haven't updated my blog in quite a while.  No excuses.  Here are a few things that have happened lately:

*We found out we are having a BOY!  I guess I shouldn't be surprised because I have 20+ nephews and only a few nieces.  We haven't decided on any names.  I have a feeling it's going to be a challenge.  Adam is still adamant that we fit in "Oscar" somehow.  (Yeah right).

*Adam and I went to a military ball at the capitol a couple of weeks ago.  As we walked in, we both realized that the last time we had been on a date in that building was 13 years ago for Adam's prom in 1996.  He claims I asked him to take me home early all those years ago, but all I remember is that I didn't know any one since I went to a different school and that I couldn't stop giggling at a girl in our group whose dress was way too low and whose fake eyelashes kept falling down.  

We had a great time.  Adam loves to get his groove on and I like to stand back and watch him in all his glory.  I didn't really shake my tail feather because I thought that would look weird since I am 6 months pregnant.  I mean really, who wants to see a pregnant lady do the running man?

*We were able to insert ourselves into Rachel and TJ's Disney vacation.  Adam and I had enough sky miles to make a quick trip and we had such a good time.  Hopefully they didn't mind that we tagged along.  Their little boy, Koy, was so cute that we just can't wait until our little guy is old enough to go!   I forgot my camera so my only pick is from my phone:

I haven't been on "It's a Small World" for years.  I heard they shut it down for a while to put in bigger boats for the ever-expanding American body.  I must say that I appreciated the extra room and I promptly stuffed my face with a caramel apple right after---in appreciation of Disney's effort to cater to our population, of course.

*That's it for now!  On to working on the nursery!!!

I can't wait..

...we find out if we are having a little boy or girl in two weeks.  This whole experience is weird (yes that is the best way I can describe it).  

Adam and I have yet to have a serious conversation for naming our new little one.  Names of "consideration" have been: Chattanooga Choo Choo Kolowich, Mr. T, Electric Boogaloo Kolowich, Koolbabe Express Kolowich, The Real Deal Kolowich (but we would have to insist on pronunciation "rill dill" since we live in Utah now) and anything that will make our little one have the initials "A.O.K."  Adam thinks he is really funny sometimes:)

I think once we know the gender, we will start to think seriously about it.  Any thoughts would be appreciated....Obama Kolowich any one?

BEST NEWS EVER...

It's a miracle!  After 8 1/2 years of marriage, Adam and I are proud to say that we will be having a BABY!  We are so excited, nervous and anxious!  I have been wanting to be a mother for years and had almost given up the thought that I would ever get pregnant.  We are so thankful and feel so blessed.  I almost can't believe it's all real (well, except for all the nausea which is NO FUN)!

I have watched as my family and friends have had kids over the years, each time wishing that I could "join the club."  Well, I am ready for all puke-poop baby talk.  All advice is welcome, just keep the gross pregnancy stories to a minimum, please!

The most embarrassing costume ever...

I was bound and determined that Adam and I would dress up for Halloween this year.  We haven't been that great at dressing up and I thought if we are going to do it---we are going all out.  So, I tried to think of the most ridiculous costume and ended up making these beauties:

Go Oompa Loompas!  This was the most unflattering piece of clothing I have ever worn (this may be because they were made by yours truly).   It has taken me so long to post these pictures because I wasn't sure if I wanted anyone on the net to see us looking this way--but, who cares right?  Hopefully this made your day...you're welcome.

Hodgepodge..

I'm not really sure what exactly this post is about, other than showing some pics of recent projects with the fam:

This is a before and after pic of our headboard.  My grandma bought us our bedroom furniture set when we got married and so I had to choose a "conservative" style since she was a little appalled at the furniture I really wanted to get.  Don't get me wrong, I liked it (8 years ago) but it needed a little refreshing..

I used an old curtain to recover the headboard from our house in D.C. since there wasn't a good spot in our new house for it.  It still needs some funky pillows to add color, some pulling and straightening, but it's an easy change if I get sick of the pattern..

Next up was our dresser.  After a lot of debate on color choice, I decided to do something with a little color.  I couldn't have taken the plunge without the help of my sis, Rachel, since she gives me a good kick in the butt to just "make a choice!"  

Before (honey oak and old school handles-- blah!):

After (zing!):

We changed out all the handles and painted it "Sea Song" and then finished it with a dark glaze. I don't think the pic gives it the full effect, but it sure does brighten our room!  Shout out to Rachel who probably ended up doing most of the work (hah!), to my Dad who acted as our overseer to make sure we didn't sand it too much, who let us use his garage and tools, and who helped put the finishing glazed touches that only he could master with his perfectionist eye, to TJ for measuring/drilling and installing the new handles and to Adam for making sure I stuck to my decision.  (That sounded like a speech for a major award, but for someone who isn't too handy with these kinds of things, it was quite the feat!)

Give me the original!

I am always suspect of American versions of British and Australian TV shows.  I was upset when I found out there would be an American version of "The Office" since I had been a fan of the Brit original and couldn't possibly see how they could make it as funny.  Well, I was wrong and the American version is just as funny, in a different way, as the original from across the pond.  So, I was curious to see how the US version of "Kath & Kim" would turn out.  It's on Thursdays, right before "The Office" so it must be good....right?  WRONG!  It was horrible! Everything about it was disjointed. Although, I must give a shout-out to John Michael Higgins from "Best in Show" and other awesome Christopher Guest movies, he was the only funny part in this crapper. Give me the original!  I have been a true "Kath & Kim" fan for a few years and could not believe how horribly written and cast this show was!  I know most, if not all of you haven't experienced one of the best shows ever on television, so check out their website and you will understand my fury.  Here's the original cast, in all their glory: 

U.S formats of the DVD's are not available, but will be soon.  So, party at my place for all you foxy ladies and hunks-0-spunk?  Seriously, you don't want to miss this show.  (Oh, sorry for those who read this post and think I don't have anything better to do with my time....you may be right, but you'll thank me in the future).  For now, I apologize to all Australians and will understand if you don't speak to any U.S. citizen for at least a week.  I may be crazy, but at least my sisters know what I'm talking about!

Playgroup mama drama..

Rachel (my sis) and I went for a little walk by her house the other day to the park and I could not believe the lion's den we encountered.  Packs and packs of "play groups" congregated every where.  I don't think I've ever seen this little park so dag-blasted full.  Rachel and I were in full work-out gear as we approached and immediately realized we were severely underdressed.  It looked like most the mothers were decked out in what I would call "my very special going out, outfit."  So, we decided that the next time we venture that way again, we will either wear our wedding gowns or prom dresses (circa 1997).  I think I may even break out a Jody dress or two.

We are still here...

...we just haven't blogged for a long time.  I am working on a new blog to share with Adam---maybe.  He doesn't really have any extra time these days so I figured I could try to keep everyone updated.  Check back soon for a better entry and possible new blog address!

Fun in Utah!

I know it's been a long time, but we have been busy hangin' with the fam and getting used to our beautiful Utah surroundings! Here is a quick rundown of some of the stuff we've done...

...hiking Timpanogos Cave with some of my nieces and nephews


...boating with Matt & Lisa
(Adam's idea of romance...too much water in the face for me!)


(Thanks to Matt for being the ultimate boat driver!)


(Lisa and Annie...aren't they gorgeous?)


(Adam showing us his skiing skills...)

...camping near Bryce Canyon


I'm sure Rachel will be posting some more pictures from this trip soon since I took hundreds of her little boy Koy! Until then, I have a few of him that are my fav..

New Life, New Home?

Adam and I just put in an offer for a cute little 1920's victorian in Salt Lake, near Westminster. Hopefully this was a good decision, but we couldn't stand to waste money on rent.  Adjusting to the slower pace in Utah is a good, but odd feeling.  D.C. was a growing experience for us both and we miss it a lot.  I must say though that the 10 minute commute for Adam beats the 45min-1hour ride into work in D.C. each way (and we only lived about 12 miles from it)!  

We'll see what happens.  Sorry for the long pause in blogging--I'm still adjusting to our new lives!

I HATE PACKING FOR THE BIG MOVE!!!