Splish, Splash

Yesterday, Abby and I visited a nearby splash pad and adjacent playground. I never knew this existed until a few days ago and it's literally 2 minutes from my house...and that includes the amount of time required to cross a major highway! The weather has turned just slightly cooler lately...highs in the mid-80s...and the area was completely deserted. It didn't seem to matter to Abby though. She had a blast!

Even though the water feature was totally awesome, Abby's favorite part seemed to be the wall and sitting ledge surrounding it. I lost count of how many times she walked around it! Don't worry...it was only 2 feet off the ground so she was completely safe.

The adjacent playground was incredible! There was a sign that said it was designed for children ages 2 - 5 years. Perfect! We will definitely be visiting again soon.

Oh, and in case anyone was wondering where Abby was during last week's football game.....

She was playing with crickets! They were swarming around the stadium lights and dive bombing the spectators. While everyone else was squealing, Abby was utterly delighted.

Yes, yes, I know...neglected again!

I guess I've had a bad case of spring fever lately and, therefore, have neglected this dear ol' blog yet again. Hopefully this will make up for it though...

This afternoon, Abby and I made a trip to our favorite local photographer. We just love Pam and she’s so sweet with the kids! She had some adorable baby ducks for Easter pictures. Here’s one of the pictures from our session. Needless to say, Abby LOVED them! I’m very surprised I got her out of there without a duck!

Friday Photos!

Yep...you guessed it. My Tiny Tornado has struck again! This time she decided to try out Mommy's new mineral make-up...and wasted most of it in the process. Believe me, it was much worse than these pictures show.

She snuck into my bathroom, found a stool in the closet, took it into the bathroom, climbed on top of the counter, and started experimenting. Oh well...you can stay angry with this little face for very long.

P.S. Sorry abou the terrible color of these photos. The bathroom lighting made them appear very yellow. I tried to correct it and they do look better than the originals, but it's still not great.

You know you're having a good mommy day when...

You know you're having a good mommy day when your toddler throws their little arms around your neck and says "Mommy, you my bestest friend ebber!" Awww...it just makes this mommy's heart melt!

Friday Photos!

Thank you for joining us today for our photo

celebration of Abby's 3rd birthday!

Abby's party theme was

Curious George

"Happy birthday to you..."


The day was filled with yummy cake...


do-it-yourself banana splits...
(I don't know why part of this ^picture^ is cut off)

opening presents...

and LOTS of fun!

After returning to Texas, Abby was

treated to her first Build-A-Bear

experience as a third birthday

surprise from Mommy & Daddy!

Hmmm...so many decisions

"I think I'll choose this one!"

First, we have to stuff the bear...

Then, we place a heart inside so it's

always filled with love...

Next, he gets his first bath...

Finally, we fill out his birth certificate

before we take him home.

Abby wasn't sure why they put

Lovie Bear in a box!

Stay tuned next Friday for Christmas Photos!

Just call me Slacker

OK...OK...I've officially been called a blog slacker (love ya' anyway, Destiny) so I have to give you all a quick update. Abby and I are working on potty training and it's NOT fun nor is it going very well. Neither one of us has the patience for this stuff!

Abby insists that she doesn't want to wear panties and much prefers diapers.

My knees are complaining about getting up and down from the bathroom floor SEVERAL times each day.

The washer and drying are ready to go on strike from all the laundry I've been doing to keep her cloth training pants clean. (She considers Pull-Ups to be diapers thus no progress when wearing them.)

My carpets are begging me to call Stanley Steamer since cloth training pants do leak. (Yuck!)

Emily is now afraid to come within 5 feet of Abby since "she's WET!" even when she's not.

Ugh...where's life's FAST FORWARD button when you need it?

Shots are no fun!

This morning before breakfast, Abby was examining a pretend syringe from her doll's doctor kit. She held it up to me and asked "What's this, Mommy?"

I said "It's a shot. Sometimes when you aren't feeling well, you go to the doctor and he will give you a shot to make you feel better." Then I showed her how it worked.

She tried it out and was giving it lots of thought. Suddenly she said "I tell the people I not like shots and I jump down and I run away and I come home to you and then I be happy and I not have boo-boos."

Sometimes 3-year-olds are smarter than we think...even when they use run-on sentences!

Happy (belated) 3rd Birthday, Abby!

No, I didn't forget her special day. I was just a little bit busy on Monday as most of you know. Abby doesn't mind though. She knows we are planning a Curious George party for her on Sunday. Here's a little stroll down memory lane....

Abby at 5 days old in NICU

Abby's first birthday

Abby's second birthday

Abby is 3 years old!

I Miss Her!

It's Friday and I can't hold it in any longer. I miss my baby! When I'm home, I try to pretend that she's just taking a nap. When I'm away from home (I've done a lot of shopping this week), I try to pretend that she's home with Daddy or Emily.
However, pretending is just not working any more. I can't pretend she's not 692 miles away! That's just entirely TOO far! By the way, I can't even talk to her because I don't want her to realize she's missing me and get sad. It's just too much for this mommy's heart.

I miss hearing "I wuv you so mush, Mommy!" I miss those little arms wrapping around me for a hug. I miss snuggling with her and seeing her asleep in my bed. I miss that cute smile. I miss hearing her "toddler talk." I miss her excited laughter when she's playing with the dog.

On the other hand, I haven't missed picking up 5, 482 toys every day!

As I said, it's Friday. She will be home on Monday. Yes, I'm already counting the hours! Meanwhile, she's having a great time with MeMe. She even got to go to a zoo yesterday where she could actually pet the animals. MeMe said she loved it! So far, she has only asked for me once and was quickly and easily distracted. I guess that speaks pretty highly of MeMe's grandmothering skills!

Have fun with her now, Mom. I don't know if I can go through this separation again any time soon.

P.S. Emily has been enjoying this week as a thoroughly spoiled only child again! Ha, ha!

Conversations with a toddler

Abby is watching Snow White while I'm putting away dishes in the kitchen

ABBY: (in an almost-crying voice) Mommy, I cared (scared)!
ME: Do you want Mommy to get you a different movie?
ABBY: No, I wike (like) it.
ME: Ummm...okay.

~~~~~

Upon arriving home after going through McDonald's to pick Abby up a cheeseburger, I open the wrapper to find the burger is very hot. So, I cut it in half and, while it's cooling, I make a quick run to the bathroom. While I'm washing my hands, I realize that it is VERY quiet. That is usually NOT a good sign. I hurry into the kitchen to find Abby sitting on the floor with half of the cheeseburger devoured.

ME: Abby, were you hungry?
ABBY: Uh-huh. I hongee (hungry), hongee, hongee, Mommy!

I take the cheeseburger, put it on a plate, and put it on the table. Abby gets in the chair and starts gobbling it down again.

Me: Abby, are you still hungry?
ABBY: Uh-huh. I hongee, hongee, hongee, Mommy!

I kept asking her the same question over and over for my pure amusement and she never failed to deliver the same answer like a miniature tape recorder on playback.

Finally, she finished. I couldn't help it...I had to ask again.

ME: Abby, are you still hungry?
ABBY: No, Mommy, I not hongee, hongee, hongee anymore.

I then roll on the floor laughing!

~~~~~

I left Abby at the table today with her lunch while I began picking up toys. In a couple of minutes, I hear singing.

ME: Abby, you need to eat your lunch.

Quiet for a moment...then singing again.

ME: Abby, you need to eat your lunch.
ABBY: Mommy, I ready (already) eating my wunch (lunch)!
Me: OK, you need to finish your lunch.
ABBY: OK.

Apparantly I need to clarify "finish" the lunch not just eat it.

~~~~~

While talking on the phone one day, I finish my glass of Coke and walk into the kitchen to put the glass in the sink. Distracted, I only put the glass NEXT to the sink not in it. Abby is sitting in the kitchen playing with some toys and watching me. After placing the glass next to the sink, I walk over to the doorway and pause while still talking. Abby watches me for a moment and then looks up at the glass on the counter then looks back at me again. She then gets up and walks over to me and begins pushing on my legs.

ABBY: Mommy, you go sit puter (computer)!
ME: Abby, why do you want me to go sit at the computer?
ABBY: (pause...glance at the glass) 'Tause (because) I want you dink (drink).

Ugh...I then realize I sat the glass next to the sink rather than in it. She knows she can now reach things if they aren't pushed too far back so she was planning her next move. She was just too innocent for her own good and told me her true intentions! Ha, ha! Oh, and boy was she ever mad when I went back and put the glass IN the sink.

~~~~~

OK...be forewarned that this one is a little TOO personal, but it is so funny, I just had to share it.

Our bathroom has an open door policy when it's just Abby and me at home. With such a policy, it is quite common for her to follow me in there. Our bathroom also has a little potty chair in there for Abby's curiosity. Maybe sometime soon we'll get around to actually potty training her. Anyway, one day I was having a little tinkle and Abby came in.

ABBY: Mommy, I go potty too.
ME: OK...let's pull off your diaper. Now sit on your potty and make some tee-tee go in there.

Abby sits down and stares between her legs into her potty chair bowl for a few seconds then looks up at me with a frustrated expression.

ABBY: It dist (just) not working!

Miss Independent

Abby has become very independent lately. Her favorite phrase has become "I do it I-self !" Translation = "I will/want to do it myself !" I don't know exactly where that one came from, but it's too darn cute. Here's a conversation that took place Monday morning on our way to take Emily to school.

The car is fairly quiet except for Abby's DVD that's playing in the backseat. Suddenly, Emily sneezes...a big one.

ABBY: Sissy, you otay?
--silence--
ME: Emily, your sister asked if you were okay.
EMILY: (typical teenager's you-are-bothering-my-world big huffing sigh) Yes, Abby, I'm okay.
ABBY: No Mommy! I do it I-self!
ME: Okay, okay. I'm sorry.
ABBY: Sissy, you otay?
--silence--
ME: (clears throat loudly to get Emily's attention again and then impatiently whispers...) Answer her!
EMILY: Yes, Abby, I'm okay.
ABBY: Otay.

Ahhh...life's fun with a teenager and a toddler!

She likes it...she really likes it!

Okay...so most of you know I have a veggie-hating child. She has always hated them. Except corn...she loves corn. Anyway, even as an infant, she gagged on them...repeatedly. Everyone told me to keep offering them to her and she would eventually learn to like them. Well, I guess they should have told HER that because she never learned to like them....until recently!

About a week and a half ago, I made meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and broccoli for dinner one night. She usually loves meat and always loves mashed potatoes. Who doesn't? Well, that night she just wasn't feeling the love for the meatloaf, but she gobbled down her entire helping of mashed potatoes in about 57 seconds. Of course she then asks for more. I told her she had to eat some meat before she could have more potatoes. Then for the next 4 to 5 minutes, she proceeds to whine, beg, cry, say ugly things, etc. because I won't give her more mashed potatoes. All the while I'm calmly saying "When you eat some meat, you can have more potatoes" and enjoying my dinner (as much as possible) which (of course) included broccoli.

Suddenly she stops all the fussing and quite rationally says "I want some of this" and points to my plate. I pointed to my potatoes and asked "You want some of this?" She said "No, this!" Then I point to my meatloaf and asked again "You want some of this?" Again she says "No, this!" Reluctantly I point to my broccoli and asked "You want some of this?" She says "Yes!" I literally laugh out loud. She's got to have some food throwing tactic in mind or something. There's no way this kid really wants broccoli. So, eagerly I agree and place a tiny flowerette on her plate. She quickly grabs it and shoves it in her mouth. I get ready to grab my napkin and pick up the broccoli as it comes flying out of her mouth....but it doesn't come back. She just looks at me, smiles, and says "I want more, please!" OK...surely she will spit the next bite out. But no...she eats it and again asks for more. We then repeat this scenario about 3 more times before I decide that she is really going to eat it. Then I get her some from the pan and cut it up on her plate. You would have thought I had been starving her if you had seen the way she gobbled up that broccoli. I sat there completely stunned at the sight before me.

I still scratch my head and wonder what in the world got into her that night, but whatever it was, it stuck. We've had broccoli at least 3 more times since then and she has eaten it every single time. Just take a look at my big girl eating broccoli, leftover noodles, and a pineapple/mango/peach smoothie for lunch on Monday. Days like this sure make us moms of picky toddlers proud....

Friday Photos!

Wow...I've really been slacking on posting here on the blog. I have had a super busy week so I suppose I have an excuse...even if it is a pitiful one! Ha, ha! Anyway, here are some new photos of my little messy girl. I'm sure most of you remember her recent facial and pedicure, right? Well, this time she decided to experiment with her sister's mascara!

This is after I caught her and asked "What did you do?"

So, she proceeds to show me how she opened Emily's make-up bag...

carefully applied several coats of mascara...

then said "See? So pitty (pretty)!"
Gotta love this kid!