Hello Spring!

I've always loved every bit of spring. I can still remember the way I would feel as the season changed as a kid. Different smells. Bright colors. Gorgeous flowers. Spring weather. Sunshine. Light jackets. Longer days. More time outside. Delicious spring-y foods. New life. In the more recent years, I have begun to appreciate it for the ways it reminds me of God's beauty and divine plan. I'm not sure I could even sum up the feeling in words. I just love it!

This year, we have loved seeing Abby explore the newness of springtime and being outside. This time last year, we were so excited to take our baby for walks outside and this year we are chasing her around as she walks everywhere!

Flashback:

last spring (we were in Florida! That explains the shorts.)

Today we spent the afternoon at the park. We took a nice long walk and then brought Abby over to the playground. She was not a fan of the swings at this age, though she used to love them. She was pretty terrified of the slides, but managed to get a few good trips down as long as she was holding on to mommy and daddy very tightly! Ahhhh it was such a refreshing afternoon for all three of us.

The rest of my pictures will give you a good glimpse into our lives over the last couple of weeks. It's been a while since I've blogged, but there has been so much life happening that I didn't want to miss a minute of it. Here are some highlights:

Sunday nights are Joe's night to cook. Tonight, he wanted his little sous chef by his side. She wore her adorable little apron that Grammy and G-diddy got her from Hungary. Nagyon szep vagy. (How'd I do, Nagymama?)

Abby loves to crawl all over us, especially her daddy. Who needs a playground when you have a tall dad?

This weekend, two of our good friends from college came to visit. Both Dan and Emily were in our wedding. We enjoyed spending time with them and hanging out nice and late just like old times! :) Lots of laughter, playing games, watching college basketball and eating! Abby was our entertainer. She wore her Syracuse cheerleader outfit in honor of our orange memories. It took her a few minutes to warm up to Dan, but once she did she worked her magic and managed to get his cell phone, wallet and sneakers to play with.

She wanted Emily's necklace. I'm telling you this girl is all about accessories and electronics.


When Abby was born, Nagymama (my sweet Hungarian grandmother) knit Abby a sweater and hat just like she made my baby doll when I was little. Oh, I still remember it! I put it on Abby the other day and it looked so adorable. I asked Abby if we should call Nagymama to show her and before I could even finish my sentence she was running toward the computer (skype) yelling MA MA MA MA MA. It continues to amaze me everyday.

reaching for the computer to skype with Mama

running out of her room the second I mentioned Mama

Abby has also started showing of her gymnastic skills. This is her new favorite position.

Have I told you what a helper she is? This is her helping Daddy with the laundry!



In other news, I think we are finally in the midst of transitioning from two naps to one. It is way messier than most people let on. So, everyday I work on figuring out the best way to get Abby well rested until she can really stay awake until her afternoon nap. Just another season change in our lives. :)

I never thought at 14.5 months I would have to spell things out around my child. Isn't that supposed to happen later? Some of the words we find ourselves spelling are 'outside', anything food related and 'Skype'. Yes that's right....SKYPE. If she hears 'outside', she will most likely run to the door and start pounding on it like we are holding her hostage or go into her room and bring me every pair of shoes she owns. If she hears anything remotely food related, she starts signing 'eat' and 'more' until we get her food. So, sometimes we spell it because when she makes up her mind...she wants it NOW, even if dinner isn't quite ready. If she hears 'skype', she runs to the computer and stands there yelling until we get someone on the line. I guess that is one of the signs that I had a baby in 2010? :)

There's lots to enjoy and be thankful for!

What are you enjoying most about these lovely days of Spring?