Can't really complain

We have seem to fallen in to a well oiled routine.  Days come and go, and when I look back, its hard to believe so much time has passed.

I'm continually amazed at how much Abby changes day to day.  Her vocabulary is becoming more and more diverse.  She is making sentences.  She can communicate.  We can communicate.  Its still difficult at times, but I'm learning to speak toddlerese as she is learning to speak English. She asks for hugs which I will always stop what I'm doing to give because I want her to always to want to give them to me.

She is full of life.  She loves to imitate things.  She makes animal sounds.  She dances to music, or when she sees dancing on tv.  She plays with her toys and is creative.  She loves to read books.  Lots and lots of books.

She is learning to follow commands.  She knows how to clean up.  Her chore is to help get Woody food.  She loves to place his bowl on the ground.  She knows dirty cups and plates go in the dishwasher. 

She is beginning to show interest in the potty.  Most of the time she can sit on the potty and go.  I've started to reward going potty with M&M's.  I just got a new box of diapers, so when this one gets near the end, I might think about going cold turkey and potty train! :/

She still is a good eater.  Although her tastes change from day to day.  Last week she couldn't get enough yogurt.  This week, she won't touch it.  But she loves toast with jelly. She still loves green beans.  And cookies.  She is a cookie monster.  Although she is learning that you can't have all the cookies you want.  I do know that when she asks to give Woody a cookie, that she expects to get one too!  Sometimes its ok to spoil your dinner, right?!?!

And, knock on wood, she is a great sleeper.  Because its starting to get dark earlier, or she is getting more worn out, bedtime has crept back up to 8:15, and slowly moving closer to 8:00.  (Which I really enjoy!) She has had no problems collecting her loveys, saying good night, and going to bed.  She might roll around in the bed for a while, but she never says a peep.  Very rarely does she wake at night, and then it just takes a paci to put her back to sleep.  We've also found giving her some extra time to wake up in the morning also helps her mood. She enjoys hanging out in the bed with Daddy watching "artoons" like a big girl.

Its not perfect all the time.  We don't live in Utopia.  She is becoming comfortable with the terrible twos.  She can have a fit.  And its usually over nonsense.  Its funny to watch her collapse on the floor or shed tear after crocodile tear.  She knows what time out is and sometimes when she's upset she will go to time out on her own.  We hug it out afterward and she goes on with her day like nothing has changed.

Being a parent it amazing.  Its not always easy, and its not always fun, but I'll take it. 

Full House

Last week I got a call from Grammy.  Really random and quite alarming.  Grammy never calls me.. first thought was I hope everything is ok.

Grammy asks how things are and how things are going.  I've just taken Abby out of the bath so we are buck naked in her room.  She asks me what I'm doing for Labor Day weekend (which is the next weekend).  I tell her Mom and Dad are coming.  We plan on swimming in the pool and watching football.  I ask her what she's doing.  She asks me is its ok for her and Uncle Tim to come for a visit.

I'm floored!  Of course its ok!  I'm never going to tell Grammy she can't come. 

Her and Tim arrive on Thursday.  After a long drive from Pittsburgh, in a car with no air conditioning. They are frazzled, but glad to be here.

Mom and Dad arrive Friday evening, and my house is full. 

Its a heartwarming feeling knowing having generations of family in your house.

Abby completely loved having everyone spoil her for the weekend.  She loved playing with Gam-my and Uncle Bimbo (Timbo). Nina and Dodah were a big hit too.

We watched football.  We took a boat ride. We ate birthday cake.  We had a good time.

Abby has gotten to see her great grandmother three times this year.  That's more than I've ever gotten.  I'm so glad she gets to be a part of Abby's life.

Mooo-ving up!

Today is the first day of school.  JJ starts the 8th grade.. yes 8.  The last year of middle school.  Next year is going to be very exciting.

Abby has moved up as well.  Across the hall, to a new classroom.  The older toddler class.  They've created this year because there is a small group that just don't seem to fit in anywhere.  There are 5 kids in her class (including her).  The four girls are all within 2 weeks of each other (three of them have been together since they were babies), and the one boy is just two months older. Her teachers Ms Missy, and Ms Kelly, are coming across the hall with them.

I am very excited for this year.  It seems like there is more structured activities.  They will do "work".

Abby is very eager to learn and it excites me that they are accommodating that.  I know many centers that would just continue to bunch the toddlers together and let them just play all day.  There is such a big difference in development throughout the toddler years, I'm glad its being recognized, and she being rewarded!

Her new classroom has a farm theme.  Abby loves farm animals (am-mals).  Today she wore her John Deere Tractor smock dress.  I found it fitting.  Its a little much for school wear, or at least this time of year when they are still on the playground.  But, I couldn't turn down the opportunity to make her look cute on her first day.  I'm probably making too big of a deal out of it, but I'm only going to do this once, so I might as well go all out!

 

Mine

Abby is in a very single minded state right now.  Everything is "mine". 

Woody's toy--- Mine

That chair--- mine

That thing you are eating---mine

The cutest so far is yesterday morning, she was laying in the bed with me and Gene.  She was between us and he put his around across and was holding my hand.  She grabbed his hand and threw it off of mine and said "No Daddy, my Mommy".  Then she took my hand and held it close to her with both hers.

I know this is a temporary thing.  Like all the other things she does, it will be a phase and she will grow out of it.  (We hope.)  It takes patience from us all to help her understand that not all things are hers.  She gets very upset when Woody plays with his toys, and then he gets very upset with her when she takes the toy from him.  She gets upset if you take away her plate, even when she said she was all done. 

Its very hard sometimes, deciding what to do and how to soothe her.  I don't always want to give in, even though most of the time I know I can calm down the crying instantly by giving in to her.  But I don't always want to leave her stranded and confused.  I feel like there is a very delicate line and I often feel like I'm swerving too far to one side and then the other. 

I don't really know the correct balance.  It doesn't appear that there is a correct balance. Just trial and error.  Which is all parenting is right?!?!

Table for Zero

Going out to eat has become a hassle.  Its not enjoyable, mostly for me.

Abby doesn't want to sit in the high chair.  Abby doesn't want to wait for food.  Abby wants to drink your drink.  Abby wants to play with the knife.  Abby wants to eat the napkin.  Abby wants to watch Barney.  Abby wants to.....

Its just so stressful.  And embarrassing.  She isn't loud, but its constant.  And I feel like I don't get a break.  And when its with friends, its even more exhausting.  I don't feel like I get to talk to them at all.  I feel embarrassed that they have to deal with her too.  And they don't often mind, or even notice.  And when we don't bring her along, they want to know where she is and they say they miss her.

Gene does his best to help out, but Abby is so clingy to me that is efforts usually don't last long.

Its just not fun anymore.  We don't go out much now, but I see that going down to never really soon.  Or at least trying to make it as avoidable as possible. 

Stretching out

Abby is outgrowing all of her clothes.  Which is a good thing!  But, its also a bad thing.  Most of the next size up is fall/winter things.  And, its too hot to wear those right now.

This morning, I put on a cute top and skirt on her.  Her belly was hanging out of the shirt.  Nope, can't wear this anymore! 

So I put on a little dress.  Its a wee bit short on the backside, but it will have to do.

I don't know what I'm going to do for the next few weeks.  It won't cool off till at least the end of September. 

And I'm also worried that she won't make it through the winter on the things we have bought. 

She's just crossing over to fit into 18 month size things (at 21 months!).  But she's pushing the edge of that height limitation already.  I don't want her to be wearing high waters come February, but there is no way 24 months or 2t things will stay around her waist.  One of the 18 month pairs we recently bought I had to cinch the tabs all the way in, just to hold it up on her waist!

I have no idea what I'm going to do.  I just want my baby to stop growing up so fast!

(To which she would say... "No Mommy!)

Beak

Abby has discovered that Woody has his own treat jar.  And that he will do things to get treats. 

So she has started begging to give him treats.

We will take a few out of the jar.  She will look at him and say "beak".  Which is Speak in Abby talk.  He kinda stares at her until I flick my finger and then he barks.  But, by this time, she has already shoved the treat in his mouth. 

She giggles with delight when he does it.  And we repeat.  And then we repeat again.  And then the tears and screams come when I say we are all done.  Too many treats make Woody sick, and Abby just doesn't understand.  (But mom, there are lots there in that jar!)

Its so amazing to see her connect two things.  She did this all on her own.  She saw me do it once, and then she's all over it.

She's smart.  We need to watch out!