Bye, Mama

Tonight we crammed Abby in the car at ten till 8 (her bedtime) and raced over to a new ice cream place near us that I've loved ever since I tried it at the farmer's market. Carmela's. Say it with me. Car-mel-a's. Mmmmm. The Salted Caramel is a top choice. Anyway, we got home, all abuzz with sugar and diary and Abby took a 30 second bath followed by bedtime. I told her one book was all we had time for since it was a late night. After we finished reading it I turned down the light and we prayed together and then she started saying, "bye. bye. bye." I said, "who are you saying bye to?" and she answered, "you! bed." THAT was easy. I put her in her crib and haven't heard a peep since. I'm liking this routine. :)

And here she is a few days ago getting taken on a wagon ride from the big girls on our street.




150. acting like it's summer in January
151. running up and down the street at 5pm in a t-shirt
152. abby's over 20 lbs on the scale! wahooo!

No!

We're finally at the "no!" stage. Everything is no. In fact, this morning she snuggled with us in bed for a little while and fell back asleep. In her sleep, the poor girl said "no!" about 5 times. I wonder what's going on in those dreams. Speaking of mornings, every morning we bring her in bed for a bit and she usually says "down" pretty soon. About 20 seconds later, she's either cleared off my bed side table or she's handing me my slippers saying "up! mama!" How can I resist? Sometimes she runs out of the room and Grant and I fire off our orders. "Denver Omelette!" "Whole Grain Pancakes!" She hasn't gotten to making any of it yet but I'm holding out hope. My favorite part of the morning, however, is when she says, "mornin'". It melts my tired and not-ready-to-wake-up heart.

When Grandma and Papa were here, we went to music class. One of Abby's favorite things to do. She ended up plopping down on the teacher's lap for one song -- is it any wonder that we pray for her teacher every night? Abby talks about her all week long.

147. my most favorite gift of the moment - my snuggly boot slippers
148. looking forward to all the changes that are in our short future
149. girlfriends

Coloring

Grandma and Papa brought down a new Abby-sized table when they were here. Abby loves to color with her new pencils (as long as neither Daddy nor Papa say, "those are sharp! should she have those?"). After seeing her friend Pema eat outside at her table, I think eating here is next on the list. That, and feeding her baby whom she has newly named Anna.






And here she is with her new awesome shoe/socks ($9.99 from zulily!)

Knock It Down!

Abby's first three-word conjunction in response to Grandpa's tall, tall tower of blocks. That and "ooooohh baby!" about something really good or really bad are her latest claims to fame.

Playing Snaps with her Grandma and Papa...


Giving Red hugs (leaning her head to the side and saying "hug!")
143. summer weather

144. abby's love for her unborn brother

145. hot, hot showers

146. being healthy in the winter months

Bye-bye Sippy

She's moved on to a Sigg (thanks, Target clearance rack). And yes, it is 80 degrees here right now. I don't know how you east coasters are doing it.





140. Grandma and Grandpa here to visit
141. laundry folded, house vacuumed, baby dressed without my help thanks to Grandma and Grandpa
142. cereal. it's true. my guilty pregnancy pleasure.

Dreams Do Come True

Side note: that wonderful sleeping in thing is over. She's up at 7am again these days. Ah, well. It was a nice week.

Grant and I have been talking about dreams and desires lately and I realized that (as i mentioned in a blessing list recently) all of my big dreams have come true. Now, granted, i know I'm a simple girl ... but the biggies (the real biggies) are all checked off. I'm married to the man of my dreams. After 6 1/2 years we still love hanging out. We have a healthy girl. Big praise. Big dream come true. And to top that off, we have another one (without the infertility costs and long months of hoping, wishing and praying) on the way (which has really just this week truly sunk in. You think the new wardrobe would've helped with that. But no.). A wonderful family. An amazing collection of friends that we love. What more can a girl ask for? Owning a grand house of ones own? Sure. A second house in Tahoe? Sure. A sweet pair of Hunter rain boots for the next El Nino? Yes. But when it comes down to it, if I never get those things, I'll be okay. More than okay. In fact, I am sure my dreams will now transfer over to what I desire for my children. And that's a whole new beginning when it comes to dreaming. Let's just see what God will do...

And for when I become discontent...."Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." - Psalm 37:4

And here is our big girl on the escalator -- almost doing it all herself.




138. dreaming big
139. loving where we're at - right now

Do You Pray For Batman?

Abby suddenly loves this old Hollywood painting that Grandma Nieporte gave to Grant many years ago. She is especially fascinated with Batman. Tonight, in fact, we prayed for him. It was awesome. Here's a little video of her talking about who else she recognizes in the picture...

134. a big girl who now asks to go to "bed"
135. knowing that God trains us for our trials that lay ahead of us
136. a new, comfy couch
137. nutella. in dessert form. thanks, bookclub. i'm now hooked.