Sweet Summertime

Get ready for picture overload of our summer together because Mommy's waaaay behind!
Here we go.....

One day Teller decided to come play with us at the playground.  He even went down the slide.  You loved every minute of it and thought it was the greatest thing ever.  Occasionally he will follow behind us when we take Max for a walk as well.

 We got to dress up and go to Drew and Lezlee's wedding in Dickson.

We went with the Moms Club to 1818 Farms.  You were in heaven!  You have always been fascinated with any type of animal and weren't scared one bit.  You kept going back to get more feed for the goats and fed the chickens some cucumbers.  There was one sheep named Sugar that kept following you around.  The owner said she is usually really shy, but she loved you.

On Earth Day this year we planted a sunflower seed.  It was neat to watch it grow bigger and bigger all summer.  Then finally in August it started to bloom.  You were so proud of it and said it was beautiful.

 Nana and Pap-Paw came down one weekend for the Kicking Cancer with Pancakes breakfast hosted by the American Cancer Society.  You weren't a big fan of the life sized characters walking around and gave out more stank eyes than smiles.  Oh well!  At least we now know we need to wait before going to Disney any time soon.

 We have been busy cleaning out the house in Missouri this summer with Grammy and Grandad.  Grammy found your Great-Grandfather Foster's old hats that he used to wear everyday.  You and Daddy had a blast playing with them which I know made him smile down from Heaven.  

You have really become a Daddy's girl this summer.  You two are glued together when he is home.  Mommy took this one morning before church because you matched. 

Mommy and you went to Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-fil-A with some of your friends from our playgroup.  You only liked the cow from far away.  You looked adorable and we got a free lunch.  Yay!!

We went to the Athens Kiddie Carnival a couple of times this summer.  You are fearless and rode every single ride there multiple times.  We even ran into Paxton from our playgroup one night.

Popcorn in the bathtub!!  Still one of your favorite snacks.

For July 4th Pap-Paw and Nana came down for a visit.  You and Pap-Paw had fun shooting the fireworks.  Mommy went a little overboard and needless to say we have plenty of fireworks leftover for next year!

We got to go visit the firemen and drive their big truck with the Moms Club too.  You hopped right in and started playing with the big steering wheel.  

You don't really take naps anymore unless we are in the car unfortunately.  But I was able to snap a quick picture one afternoon of you sleeping.  Just precious!

I am so thankful to be home with you and enjoy our time together.  We had a great summer and made lots of memories.  I love you to the moon and back my sweet girl!

Bathroom Conversations

I wanted to have this down in writing to look back and laugh at one day.

I can only imagine what other women in public restrooms think when they hear this conversation happening.  Abby is always gracious enough to announce each step in her bathroom experience when we go.  

As we walk into the stall she always exclaims, "Shoo-wee that's nasty. Stinky Mama"  This came about after me repeatedly telling her in the beginning of our potty training not to touch the potty and everything else in the stall because it was nasty.  Public restrooms become a higher level of utter grossness when you have a toddler who wants to touch it ALL! 

I agree with her that is in fact nasty and not to touch.  Next we get her seat ready and she goes.  

Of course she has to tell me exactly what is coming out.  "I go poo poo!"  "Great" I tell her.  "You hear that??" she always asks.  "Now I pee pee."  "Ok, good," I say.  Somehow this child manages to squeeze out #2 at least 5 times a day.  Don't ask me how!

 "All done!  That's a big poo poo Mama,"  as I'm wiping her. Then while we are wrapping things up I get asked "I flush pee pee Mama? Flush pee pee?  Flush pee pee?" about 10 times. 

Now if I have to go too everyone in the restroom gets to know about it as well. "You hear that?  Mama go pee pee!" she says laughing.  "I flush pee pee, flush pee pee, flush pee pee???"

Its a conversation we have multiple multiple multiple times a day, but one that I will miss having when she stops doing it.

27 Months

I'm about 2 months late in posting this, but butter late than never.

I am thrilled that we are now officially potty trained!  Such an accomplishment for Mommy and Abby.
 You even told your teachers at school and church when you needed to go for the first time at the end of May.

  Mommy and Daddy took you to Wal-Mart and you picked out a Cinderella Barbie as a reward.  Nana brought you a Sleeping Beauty Barbie as well so you have loved playing with them in your doll house.  You even like to point out that they have on big girl panties.

Here you are enjoying some yummy candy with Daddy on the first day you pooped in the potty.  You are doing so well and we are very proud!

The first day you let me put your hair in a pony tail and you actually left it in.
You now tell us that "I'm a big girl," and yes you are!  The only thing left of you as a baby is the way you run.  Its so sthinkin' cute!

My little diva that needs her "glasses" and "pocket bag" aka lunch box before we go anywhere.  And anytime we put on a dress you'll say "I'm a princess!" 
Ms. Ana, your teacher at school, calls you Miss Hollywood.  You have loved going to Mother's Day Out.  You get so excited and have such a great time while you're there. 

  Its been fun hearing the stuff that comes out of your mouth now.  You crack us up all the time.  

*The word button is "butt" for you.  We frequently get to see your "belly butt,"  have our "belly butts" poked, and asked if "I press butt?"

*We are trying to teach you not to raise up your dress and show your panties in public.  The other day at Sam's Club we were sitting on the bench waiting for my car to get done and you kept raising up your dress.  I told you to stop and that only Mommy and Daddy are supposed to see your panties.   Well, you took that quite literally. You turned towards me, looked me right in the eye and raised up your dress so I could see!

There's never a dull moment with you around that's for sure!

Big Girl Bed

We made the transition to a toddler bed this past weekend.  One of your favorite things to do now is to climb in and pretend you are asleep.  So far you have stayed through the night and will wait for me to come get you in the mornings which we are so proud of.   

The first night was the hardest for Mommy.  As I was tucking you in tears filled my eyes.  Your crib was the last of your baby things to be put away.  Mommy is happy to see you grow into a healthy little girl it just makes her sad because its happening too fast!

Maxey seems to like your new bed as well.

Now I will just sit and wait until I feel a little finger poking me and a sweet face telling us to wake up!

Pap-Paw's Gifts

Pap-Paw has been busy and made you some very special gifts for Christmas and your birthday.  They each came with sweet little messages he wrote just for you.  We will treasure them forever, and I hope that you will be able to pass them on to your own children one day.  

Mommy found this table and chairs online at an antique store in Pennsylvania believe it or not.  All of the details on getting it here and on Pap-Paw and Nana's doorstep at 4 in the morning came together perfectly like it was meant to be.  He put many hours in to make sure it was just right, and it turned out to be a beautiful Christmas present. 

 You eat at it everyday and always make sure one of your babies is in the chair next to you.  It is also a big hit when your little friends come over to play. 

Here you are saying "ccchheesse!" with a mouth full of strawberries.

 These are the looks I got when I asked you to get your hand out of the blueberries.  I call them the "stank-eye," the mischievous "what are you going to do to me if I don't," and the "You're silly Baba" which is what you told me after you took your hand out.  Oh me.....life with a two year old!

And yes you insisted on eating them with a spoon!

Mommy saw these wooden rulers online and put Pap-Paw to work for your birthday.  I love that we will get to watch how you and your future siblings grow throughout the coming years.  

His note to you on the back is something that we all wish for you my precious girl. 

 For your birthday Pap-Paw also made this step stool.  This is one of my Mommy's favorites because I no longer have to hold you up while you wash your hands, and you can stand there as long as you want to. 

 It also has come in handy for those of us who are vertically challenged when trying to reach things in the top cabinets. 

 "Wash my hands, wash my hands"  is what you say over and over.  

Then when you're finished you'll say, "Allllll done!"

As always, the pictures don't do them the justice they deserve, but each piece is really beautiful.  We thank you Pap-Paw from the bottom of our hearts for all of your hard work.  They are unique and one of a kind gifts that mean the world.

2nd Birthday Party

On February 2nd we had your second birthday party at Nana and Pap-Paw's house.  Your first favorite show was The Cat and The Hat so we decided to do that as the theme. 

Since learning how to sew I decided to make you a birthday banner that we could use year after year.  I love the way it turned out and look forward to getting some good use out of it.

Your Aunt Jazzy helped me with the Thing 1/Thing 2 cupcakes and rice krispies.  We had a lot of fun making them together and you really enjoyed them.  I think you ended up eating 3 of the rice krispies that day.

We of course also had to have some popcorn, one of your favorites.  You sneaked some in before the guests arrived and made a mess on Nana's couch.

 You loved everyone singing Happy Birthday, and you blew out your candle four times before the song was over.  It was too funny!

You had such a great time at your party which is all Mommy and Daddy hoped for.  

It was a fabulous day and we are so thankful to everyone who came to help us celebrate our two years with you!

Two Years Old

How can it be that another year has already flown by?  My precious baby girl is now a big two year old!  It has been such a joy watching you grow and see you accomplish new things.
You get more and more fun each and every day.  

Reality Shot!

This past month you were able to play in the snow for the first time and loved it.  You would say, "Oooh Snow, "Oooh Snow!"

 It only lasted for a couple of hours, but just long enough for us to enjoy it.  "Again!" you would say as we sledded up and down the driveway.

Playing with the banner Mommy made you for your big party.  You wanted me to chase you up and down the hall with it.  You love playing chase with Daddy when he gets home from work.  You will run up to him and say, "Tag!"

With all your babies(piggy, Eeyore, bear, giraffe) and blanket.  You are definitely a devoted mother to them.  They all sleep with you and hang out on the couch during the day.  You are taking one nap still usually around 1:00-3:30.

Grammy and Grandad came down the day of your actual birthday the 31st.  You devoured your cupcake this year.  I was still getting icing out of your nose two days later!  Mommy and Daddy took you to get a blizzard from Dairy Queen the night before.  You love your ice cream!

 

-You're into Dora, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Octonauts

-Your favorite books are Put me in the Zoo ("spots") and Go, Dog, Go! ("dog")

-We have to color at least once a day.  You like for us to draw dogs and cats.  You even took your artwork to the couch one day with a pen.  Luckily Mommy got it out!

-You like to play with your toy phones right now and will make sure everyone has one so we can have conversations.

-Still love your bubbles and bubble baths

-Talking a lot and starting to scream more especially when its something you don't like

-You live off yogurt.  We can hardly get you to eat any veggies, but you love fruit especially blueberries.

-Love the outdoors, splashing in puddles and going to our neighborhood playground

-You are in 2T/3T clothes and size 6 shoe

-We have started potty training some.  You still aren't totally into it.

-When Mommy flosses her teeth at night you have to "floss" too.

-Your two year molars have started to come through on the top.

-Everything is starting to become "Abby's!" and you will point to yourself while you say it.

-You are our dancer and singer.  We go to a music class and they all laugh at your dance moves. You will bend over and shake your booty in the air when we ask you to

-You love Maxey and "Abby's Kitty."  You will bring them toys and always make sure they are included.

-You weighed 27 1/2 pounds and were 33 1/4 inches at your checkup.

-You still call me Baba most of the time, but Mama is starting to come out as well.  You also started saying Nana. 

-You love to play Ring around the Rosie

These past two years with you have been wonderful.  We often ask ourselves what we did without you.  I can't wait to see what this next year brings for you my sweet girl.  

We love you so much and always will!