Cinderella

Steven Curtis Chapman wrote a song called "Cinderella". The lyrics are:

She spins and she sways
To whatever song plays
Without a care in the world
And I'm sitting here wearing
The weight of the world on my shoulders

It's been a long day
And there's still work to do
She's pulling at me
Saying "Dad, I need you

There's a ball at the castle
And I've been invited
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone...

She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed
She wants to know if I approve of the dress
She says, "Dad, the prom is just one week away
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone

She will be gone

Well, she came home today with a ring on her hand
Just glowing and telling us all they had planned
She says, "Dad, the wedding's still six months away
But I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone

The first time Joe heard this song, he started to dream of the day God might bless him with a little girl. I could see how God was growing Joe's heart so tender for his daughter. On the day we went for our ultrasound and found out our baby was a girl, Joe came right home and and danced around to the song (pretending he was dancing with her!). While I was pregnant, Joe played this song to Abby on the piano. He talks about it being the song they will dance together on her wedding day!

It is amazing to watch such a wonderful man be an amazing father to our little girl. She is only 6 months old and already she knows how adored she is! The truth is Abby will first learn who God is, what he is like and how he feels about her from her earthly dad. God is "Our Father, who art in heaven." He means initially to reveal himself to his sons and daughters through the love of our dads. We are meant to know a father's love, be kept safe in it, be protected by it and blossom there. Of course, Joe would never be able to do it perfectly, he will make mistakes and will need lots of God's grace and help along the way, but I truly believe God couldn't have picked a better man to communicate to our little girl the things the Lord wants her to know. As she grows and starts asking the questions in every little girl's heart like, "Do you see me? Am I captivating? Do I really have a beauty of my own?" She will see those answers in her Daddy's eyes:

I see you! You are captivating and beautiful! Your heart matters to me. You are a treasure. God adores you and I adore you! You are worth it!

...and it will point her to the love of her Eternal God and Father!

I am so thankful for God's perfect plan!

And to play on the day Abby gets married before she dances with her daddy to "their song"....

6 months old!

Hello world....I'm 6 months old!

We had Abby's six month doctor's visit today and is now recovering from her shots. We survived! The good news is she doesn't need to have shots again until her 1 year visit (unless you count the flu shot in the fall). Anyway, it feels like the worst of the shots is over for now, which makes me a very happy mommy. Abby weighs 17 lbs. and is 26 1/2 inches long.

For the first time, today I asked the nurse about percentile information. Abby's height and weight is in the 75th percentile. Then the nurse told us that the measurement of Abby's head was in the 97th percentile. The nurse quickly said she'll grow into it. If you are a Pingiczer, I know you are laughing right now because that means Abby inherited a "Hungarian head"! You know what they always told me..."Bigger head = More brains!" Yes that's right, my baby takes after her momma! Big beautiful head and all.

We love our little girl so much!

Lots of laughter!

Just in case you wanted to hear one of the best sounds in the world and in case you were wondering what goes on in our home on a daily basis...(way too much fun!)



Happiness!

Some more firsts...

Yesterday was a big day! Abby's first day in the pool and her very first time in her new high chair.

The pool in our apartment complex is great in the summer. It's never too crowded, but there are always enough neighbors there to get to know. It was our first time there all summer, but now that we're home we'll be there as much as possible!

We eased her in and she did great. She started splashing after a while and even kicked a little bit. Can't wait to get her in there again! We found her a little float for her to use next time. (Will try to post a video of it soon!)

hanging out with our friends Rachel and Sarah who came swimming with us

lounging poolside!

After her fun afternoon, we finished it off with some rice cereal in her new high chair! She is so little and cute in her big girl high chair. Let the tasting of new foods begin!


P.S. We tried carrots today! Not the biggest fan. We'll try them again tomorrow! :)

Home Sweet Home

We're home from Wildwood. It's nice to be home! We had a great summer, but it's always a treat to be back in our own bed. There is nothing like being back in our apartment to realize how big Abby has really gotten. Within hours of being home, we had to remove all of the extras from her changing table and adjust her swing to full sitting position. Before we left, she wasn't as active as she is now. She was content just laying there and kicking around or talking. Now, she wants to roll over, reach behind her head and grab everything in sight. She used to love laying in the swing and now she is sitting up and swinging like a big girl. It's really amazing!

The first few days since we've been back have been nice and relaxing. We've been having fun and resting, but also getting some much needed unpacking and cleaning done.

Here are some random pictures from these last few days!

fell back asleep in our bed the first morning we were home. (priceless moments!)

Big stretches when she woke up

And of course it wasn't long before she made her way over to wake her Daddy up

rolling over...and right off her blanket

my gorgeous little doll! Do you think she has learned to pose for the camera yet? :)

getting so big!

"Let me see, Dad. You took a great video."
(I love this one!)

Abby wearing her Hawaiian shirt to support Aunt Chrissy's marathon for the American Stroke Association in September! (running it in Hawaii!) Check out her blog at http://www.chrissysmarathon.blogspot.com/

This picture happened just minutes after Abby discovered her Daddy's chest hair! Oh yes...new favorite past time.

Candid shots

Our friend took these fun candid photos of the three of us when we went to the Cape May zoo this summer. I think they are so sweet. I love my family!

Roomie!

My college roommate (also known as "roomie") came from NYC to visit today! It was her first time meeting Abby. Jen and I were roommates for three years in college. Freshman to Junior year. Jen K and Jen P. Good times and great memories!

Last time we saw each other was last year at the beginning of November in New York City. Life was a little different then! :)

NYC-Nov 2009
VERY prego!

Fast forward to today...Jen meets Abby!


We went to dinner at the Lobster House in Cape May! It's our favorite. We had a great visit. Looking forward to Jen's visit to Albany in the fall. :)

me and my little girl

our family <3

Day off = a visit to the water park

On our day off, we visited the water park with some people from our staff team. Abby and I didn't stay very long, but managed to get a few cute pics of our day! It will be lots of fun when Abby is running around and can really enjoy the water park fun.

All dressed and excited to go

First time using the 'big girl' part of the stroller