Birthday Party for Kaylinn

Look at this little girl with the prettiest eyes- she turned one today and we had fun celebrating with her!

Her Mom is an old (in years, not age) friend of mine and she always throws a great party. You can expect an intricate homemade cake, lots of really good food, and great party decor details. She was inspired to do red and baby blue from an invitation at Target. Everything turned out super cute- I love red and blue together right now!

It took constant supervision and will power to prevent my child from getting to this candy. How does she even know what Starburst are? She pulled at this tablecloth more than once!

After a yummy lunch, the kids all went in the backyard where they had a big blowup water slide! Abby was too little for the slide, but she loved getting wet by the big kids when they landed into the pool at the bottom.

She also had a blast on their backyard swing. I really wish she lived in an older neighborhood where there are established trees for a swing like this. She just lights up when she swings.

We had lots of fun with our friends! The party ended as Abby's normal naptime began, so we rushed out of there as the meltdown was beginning and Abby went straight to bed. While she was napping and Marcus was home, I ran out to get a pedi.

We are celebrating 11 years of marriage today and have dinner reservations, movie reservations and hotel reservations downtown tonight. I can't wait!

Washing Machine Playtime

Abby has a strange new place she likes to play- on top of the washing machine!

I sat her up there one time when folding laundry and now she walks to the door and begs for us to let her in to play. Weirdo!

She likes to rearrange the bottles, take them off the shelf and sit them on the machine and then put them back on. She is a little organizer and sorter these days. She also discovered running her hands over the hangers makes noise.

Marcus and I have never spent so much time in the laundry room!

19 Months Old

I am amazed I will only write 5 more of these posts. At age 2, these should probably stop for fear of embarrassing my child. We'll move on to potty training updates! ;)

Abby is 19 months old today! I snapped some photos of her this morning and she was still a little tired. My sweet sleepy space cadet!

Right now, we love yogurt, ketchup, bananas and sweet tea. We haven't given her juice, but splurged on my tea and she loved it! We will give her 1/2 cup green tea with mint and honey (by Sweet Leaf) and 1/2 cup of water with dinner. She says, "t-t-tea" and gives a dramatic "aww" when she is done. Sweet Southern girl! Abby recently learned to "raise the roof". It makes us laugh which makes her all the more happy to do it. She is a little performer. Her teacher yesterday said, "Abby's faces kill me". Thank goodness she makes them laugh since she bit three kids before 11:30. I am not kidding. She also bit herself when she got frustrated. When you ask her about it she will sign sorry and say "no bite" in a firm voice. Obviously, we aren't connecting the dots yet.

Her left hand is giving you a "Guns Up" sign. Between that and touchdown, we are ready for football season. There is a little red and black cheerleader outfit just waiting to be worn!

Abby is becoming more and more vocal! She repeats many of the things we say and doesn't take long to learn something new. When Yo Gabba Gabba comes on now, she'll tell you exactly which character is on the screen when they come on. She says it with pure joy in her voice! Her Foofa doll from YGG is near her most of the time. I love when she accidentally presses her hand and Foofa talks. It always makes Abby laugh.

As my Mom would attest, she is a really easy kid. She still sleeps 12 hours per night, takes a 3-4 hour nap on the weekends, eats and drinks pretty well, and is easily entertained. She has spunk and I like it!

We are still in size 4 diapers, 18-24 months clothes and size 4 shoes. Itty bitty feet!

Happy 19 Months Baby Girl!

Dancing Queen

Abby has always taken to sign language easily. She learned it at home with us and with her teachers at school. Her baby teacher was very interested in teaching sign and when Abby learned it so easily, she was even more motivated to teach her.

Marcus and I did not know sign language before Abby. Marcus knew a few words from working with a deaf co-worker in college. We learned our sign language from Signing Time videos recommended by Michelle, Marcus' sister. Look at Abby dance when the video comes on! She gets so excited!

We are at the age now where she will often speak and sign the word together. I think she signs from habit while talking to us with her new words. It is really amazing to watch their little brains working. We can show/say a word to her less than 5 times and it is in her vocabulary.

Here is a current listing of her signs (that I can easily recall!)

• Eat
• Thirsty
• All Done
• Milk
• Cracker
• More
• Doll
• Frog
• Dog
• Bear
• Swing
• Book
• Bike
• Play
• Potty
• Go
• Stop
• Yes
• No
• Please
• Thank You
• Sorry

We are working on hurt. I'd like her to be able to tell me where she is hurting.

Sweet Girls

I was out of town last week for my annual convention and although I kept the blog busy with scheduled posts, I got nothing right now :) I came home Sunday night sick with a cold and Monday the doctor verified I had laryngitis. So, nothing exciting happening in our household.

While I was gone Marcus took Abby to see her little friend Madeline for story time at Barnes and Noble. These girls have OPPOSITE personalities and it is just magnified when we put them together. According to Madeline's Mom and Marcus Abby ran right to the Velveteern Rabbit at story time while Madeline continuously said "no no". Then, at lunch time, Madeline placed her napkin in her lap, said her prayer and asked for "more please" while Abby ripped off her placemat, tried to get to the ball machine the whole time and didn't eat much.

I got a spunky one! We are hoping Madelines keeps Abby in line when they are teens!

New Wheels

Remember when we bought this to help Abby walk? That was 9 months ago! Since we have a full time walker, we converted it back to a car and Abby showed interest in it again. After bending over and giving her 20 rides up and down like this, we decided to make another purchase.

Check out Abby's new wheels. This purchase was all about our own comfort and not hers. Bending over and running up and down was killing us both. Parenting a toddler in your mid-30s is tough on the body ;0

Guess what? She hates it! So far, she has played in the hood and played with the buckle, but screams no the moment you try and push it. I'm sure she'll love it eventually because the rides on the old car are over! ha!

The local Starbucks

Its been a few months since my wife has been away, and I thought I would use the chance now to update our Starbucks morning ritual. We still sit by the window and watch everyone that comes in...sometimes blowing kisses...sometimes waving...sometimes....just watching...

But now we have some new parts to our ritual...Howie the dog. About the time we are getting ready to leave everyday, a nice couple comes to get their grande lattes, and some whipped creme for Howie. Abby LOVES Howie. When its time for us all to go, its always a sad time of "buh buh dawg...buh buh..."

There is one more part to our ritual..one I'm sure the starbucks people love...we parade around, dance, and play with the packets of dried fruit. So...yeah...if your at our Starbucks....you might want to go for the coffee cake instead of the dried fruit.

MJ

Raspberries

We've learned how to blow raspberries!

They are just as cute and slobbery as you'd imagine.

Current Favorite Toy

This is Abby's favorite toy right now. Her barn travels with us- in her room, in the living room, in the car. She plays really well with it. She can put all the animals in their slots, but likes to try the wrong one first, look up at us and say "no" then when she does get it right she'll say "yeah" with a southern draw. She calls the animals "moo", "baa", "hick" and "iggie". I love hearing it! She wants all 4 of them in her 2 small hands. She can't have just 2 of them- she'll walk around looking for the complete set. Pray we don't lose one!

Wordless Wednesday

Kyleigh and Abby

Abby wore one of my favorite dresses from Kyleigh's collection 6 years ago. I saved a few favorites dreaming of my own little girl one day. So, what do you think? Twins? Sisters? Cousins?

In 20 years

we hope not to see this happening!

Abby has decided that drinking without using her hands and just throwing it back is the coolest thing ever. Can you tell Daddy is a little freaked out by it?

Here is a video of her new drinking method in action?

Happy Birthday Lila

Last night we had the pleasure of celebrating this sweet girl's 1st birthday at a pool party. We were a little leary of taking Abby to a party that started at her bedtime, but after sleeping in on Saturday morning and a 4 hour nap, we knew we were safe!

The pool was beautiful! It was well contained and the perfect size for a private party. The bigger kids had lots of fun swimming, diving, and chasing each other in the pool.

Abby sported a swimsuit, but didn't spend too much time in the water. She did love the bubbles!

I had no doubt Lila would go to town with her cake and she didn't disappoint! Luckily, there was a pool nearby for cleaning ;)

This girl loved the dessert buffet too! She ate a small lemon cake (about 3 bites sized), 2 full cupcakes and the icing off of 2 more. Wow!

She managed to stay awake for the car ride home and went to bed without a peep and slept until 8:30 this morning! That is a record! She woke up hungry and in serious need of a diaper change!

Happy Birthday Lila! Thanks for letting us celebrate with you!

First Official Haircut

At 18.5 months old, Abby got her first official haircut this morning. We went to Pigtails and Crewcuts, a super cute chain specializing in kids cuts. We bought the first cut package!

Abby was strapped into a vintage airplane chair while watching Toy Story and having Daddy blow bubbles at her. She did great! No tears, no fear of the hairdresser or her scissors, and very little movement.

I have been trimming the back of her hair for 6 months or so, but we were finally at the point where her sides were getting longer, her bangs were too long, and she was too busy to sit and let me cut her hair.

She cut some off the back to even out my work and then just cleaned up the sides that are almost as long as the back now! Yea! We also had her bangs trimmed. I want them to keep growing out, but we don't put Abby in bows for school, so I can't have them in her eyes all day long. Once she learns to keep a hair clip in, I'll grow them out.

Here is her sweet little pieces of hair. No curls here!

They also took a picture for our little folder to remember this special day. I'm excited to see if cutting it will prompt it to grow so we can get to pigtails! I'm looking forward to that day.

Double the Fun!

We officially have enough hair for 2 bows!

Oh what an exciting day for Momma!

Look like Abby is pretty excited about her new hairdo as well!

It really does just keep getting better.

Pie and Calf Fries

My friend Andrea (L) and I drove to Marble Falls for dinner the other night to meet our friend Alison (C) from San Antonio. Marble Falls is about an hour for each of us and we had such a good time at Bluebonnet Cafe eating the classics- cheeseburger, chicken fried steak and chicken and dumplings. So good!

While there, Alison told us our friend Katy (R) from Lubbock was in town on vacation with her family. So, after pie, we departed for their rented lakehouse. They were cooking dinner and having calf fries. No, I absolutely did not eat one. I mean, I would have but then who would have taken the picture? ha!

This is the view from their back patio! I loved the house and hope we vacation there one day. Loved it!

Wordless Wednesday- Abby and Nana

Flock of Seagulls

This 80s punk rocker is all mine!

Like a good celebrity, she noticed the camera and gave her best cheese.

And, now back to the punk rocker with an attitude!

Abby's new hairstyle leads to an interesting post-bow hairdo!

Laughing with Nana

My Mom spent last week with us. It was fun having a third set of hands with Abby, making dinner, doing dishes, etc. She left Saturday morning and Abby is already asking about Nana?

They make each other laugh!

Thanks for visiting us Nana and for bringing your sewing machine :)

Happy Birthday Mackenzie

These are our friends Mackenzie, Micah and Emma. They were among the handful of kids celebrating Mackenzie's 4th birthday at Inflatable Wonderland Saturday morning.

There were tons of bounce houses. Abby was a little timid inside them- it makes sense that when learning to walk and run you want the floor to be still :) We did like hitting the "Mel-Mo" doll at the entrance of the toddler bounce house.

She also loved the foamy play area. It is much like one of the rooms she plays in at church. Good soft toys for early walkers.

Why do I sense I'll see this face many times in my future? You expect me to do what?

A party wouldn't be complete without cake! We cut off the icing and let Abby eat a piece of chocolate cake. She ate most of it (and luckily ate her lunch shortly thereafter!).

Happy Birthday Mackenzie and thanks for letting us come and play!

Abby Didn't Even Know We Left

Since my Mom was at our house Friday night working on my Roman shades, Marcus and I snuck out after Abby went to bed. Those are my favorite dates- we don't miss time with her and we can enjoy 2 hours together and be in bed by 10 PM. Ideal date for me!

How well do you know your desserts? Any idea what WAS in this skillet?

Cookie Monster from Cheddar's- an oldie, but a goodie. Cheddar's opened in San Angelo while we were in college 13 years ago and it was a treat to go there. College students couldn't splurge on $8 dinners often.

Afterward, we played a game of shuffleboard. I love playing shuffleboard! I played it with my Granny when I was young at a small bar in her hometown. That was back in the day when a kid could go in a bar!

You literally slide the disc (red above) down a long sanded board and get points based upon where it lands. The closer to the edge, the more points. It is amazing how the sand can throw your slide off course.

I had a commanding lead and then flopped. Marcus came from 11 points behind to beat me by 5.

If you live in the Austin area, you can play shuffleboard at Buffalo Billiard's downtown or Main Event in North Austin. Have any of you ever played?