13 months old

Well , we are blasting past one year with record speed. Where did the month go? Maybe I didn't realize because I spent every minute chasing my new walker or maybe because the Elmo balloon from Abby's birthday is still flying high in our dining room (quite the $7 birthday investment). All I know is, my baby is one month older and is more and more of a little girl everyday.

Abby is walking (nearly running) around everywhere. I spoke too soon a couple of months ago when I said I didn't think we were going to have to baby proof much beyond plugging the outlets. It might be time! :) Abby is loving her new found freedom. I'm amazed at how fast she can disappear from our sight. The other night she was sitting and reading book after book from her book basket and then she was gone. We checked her room...no Abby. The bathroom...no Abby. Then, we went into our dark bedroom and found her in the far corner (in the dark) reading her book. Darling girl!

Abby is full of surprises these days. Joe found all of her shoes in the hamper while doing laundry this week. We now have to keep the dishwasher locked at all times because Abby likes to "help unload" when no one is looking. Forget folding laundry neatly because Abby makes it her daily chore to dump all of the clothes in her drawers and scatter them around her room. And of course you just never know when her little head is going to pop into the shower while you are in there (even with the door closed she finds her way in).

I love seeing how much she understands and communicates. This girl knows what she wants and loves to talk. When she wants to listen to music and dance, she points to the iPod. When I ask her if she wants to talk to Grandma, she points to the computer. Abby LOVES skype and thinks computers should talk to her all the time. If she is in the mood to skype and no one is available she has a temper tantrum. When I tell her to go wake Daddy up, she walks down the hall yelling DA DA DA and goes to his side of the bed until he gets up. When the phone rings and we are not answering it fast enough, Abby stands by the phone and starts yelling so that we pick it up. That's not even the half of it, but it is totally amazing to us!

In other news, Abby is getting her molars in which have led to a few painful nights, but other than that she is sleeping peacefully through the night. Ahhh bliss!

Next time you see Abby, ask her to give you a cute smile. You won't regret it!

watch how she uses the mirror

My Funny Valentine

Happy Valentine's Day. I pray that you would know how much God adores you today as the world celebrates love! God loves us more than anyone on earth ever could. Thank you, Lord!

To brighten your Valentine's Day, I wanted to share my funny little valentine with you!

(Abby doesn't use her "jump-jump" anymore, but it's the perfect place her to eat her afternoon snack.)

I've never been known to turn down an opportunity to wear pink! I love all of the pinks and reds, hearts and flowers of Valentine's Day! (but see, I love them all year round too and incorporate them into my life as much as possible!) Abby loves her pink also. She decided to help me brush my hair this morning. We also enjoyed heart shaped french toast for breakfast. Abby spent much of the day enjoying her new Valentine's Day books from Mommy and Daddy and her cards from different people. She loves greeting cards. They are sprawled about our living room and continue to be enjoyed.

Daddy came home from work with flowers for his girls, a dozen red roses for me and a beautiful single pink rose for his little girl. Abby wasn't sure what to think about the baby's breath. She was afraid to touch it! We love flowers. Thank you Daddy!

Ok, I'd better get cracking on our special dinner, Shrimp Scampi followed by a delicious surprise dessert!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone from our home to yours!

A Winter Afternoon

Our friend, Emily, came to visit today. We haven't seen her since Abby was 6 months old. So, you can imagine how different it was for Emily to play with the little girl who was lying on her lap the last time she was here.

Abby brushed Emily's hair...


She read her books...

Then, we all went outside, so that Abby could finally try the new sled Aunt Cyncy sent for Abby's birthday. As Joe carried the sled down the stairs, Abby kept pointing at him, repeatedly saying Da-da....da-da. She couldn't wait to play with the fun toy he was holding. When we sat her in it, she was so excited. Little did we realize, the snow in our backyard has been untouched since the many storms and is probably knee-deep on Joe (and he's TALL). We really weren't thinking about that and by the time we realized there was no turning back. Abby was ready to go!

like a little princess on her chariot

Emily and I spent most of the time cracking up on the sidelines as we watched Joe trudge through the snow pulling along his little princess while getting an amazing leg workout! It's hard to see in the video, but she started clapping as he pulled her. It was priceless. Emily and I also quickly remembered as we stood in a pile of snow that Ugg-like boots (whether real or imposter) are not waterproof (I know I know...DUH!) Either way, it was hilarious and lots of fun. Thank you, Aunt Cyncy! I'm sure this is only the beginning of the fun times we'll have with your great gift.

Here she goes...

It's official! Abby is walking. She's loving every minute of it and to be honest we are too! Of course, there is much more to monitor, but it is so sweet to be in the kitchen and see her little body walking in to see me. Abby is quite the explorer and is learning lots of new boundaries too. We haven't had to put the cabinet locks on yet (she has been listening well and obeying the limits), but we'll have to wait and see!

Cleaning the house

Abby cleaning the house with the vacuum her Grandma gave her for her birthday!

Off to the races...

One of the many ways Abby and Daddy spend time together:

Xylophone

Thank you, Aunt Cyncy!