The Power Of Suggestion

Ever since Ford was born, Abby has been waking up a full hour to two hours earlier than normal. Granted, she used to sleep till 8:30 on a great day -- but we're spoiled, we have a newborn and we need our sleep. Grant has fired up at the early hour ever since and since I'm up at night with Ford, he allows me a few extra hours of sleep in the morning. I know. If you've ever experienced the first 6 weeks of newborn sleep habits then you know -- this makes him the best. husband. ever.

The other night, after we said our prayers (which always include great thankfulness for Bob The Tomato from Veggie Tales), I told her that Daddy wasn't coming to get her in the morning until 7 o'clock. She said, "Yeah!" as if she was going to Disneyland the next day. Huh. Weird.

The next morning, I heard her around 6:30...and the next thing I knew, it was 7:30 and she was saying (not crying) "Mom! I'm awake! 7 o'clock!" And it's been that way for 3 days now. Sleeping later, not crying when she wakes up... and more sleep for all. Hallelujah. Now, let's see if it'll stick!

And when she's not sleeping, she's trying on Grandmama's glasses.



289. friends from our old street to play with
290. dreams of walking as a family after dinner
291. a cool breeze as we fight turning on the A/C
292. the reminder that we aren't in control

Friends For Life

I still remember my 4th birthday party. Long party dress (back in the day when you actually truly dressed up for a friend's party), clown cones from Baskin Robbins (score!) and twins named Katie and Kim in attendance. I had the pleasure of having my sweet friends both converge on our house a week ago and it was great to catch up in person and have them meet Ford. I often think about how strange it is that these girls, whom I've known since I was 3 years old, are still my good friends. It seems rare to me...but then again, many people in my life have been there, solid as oak trees, since pre school. Maybe it's because I never moved... and this is one of the many things I loved about my childhood. I often wonder if Abby and Ford will meet, know and grow with the friends they have now. It seems strange because they are so young -- but it's something that I pray for for them -- lifelong friends that start early, grow strong and are the right friends to have. Katie and Kim are those kinds of friends. Unless of course, after Grant starts giving them a hard time (he went to college with these girls, too) one of them teaches your daughter to say "Zip it, Dad!" Then all bets are off.

Here they are at the first swim day of the summer....(with my fav new app, instagram):




And for those of you who've had trouble "commenting" I think our problem may be solved. Give it a go!

285. instagram
286. swim days with auntie emi
287. the perfect strawberry lemonade cupcake
288. celebrating birthdays after the fact (happy birthday, dad!)

Negotiations

Well, it's happened. The bedtime negotiations.

Abby: "Mom! Something's wrong!"
Abby: "Need something!"
Me: (As the door is closing) "What do you need, Abby?"
Abby: "Milk!"
Me: (I'm a terrible mother and...) "We're actually out of milk."
Abby: "Water!"
Me: "Really?"
Abby: "Yes!"
Me : "Grrrrr" (as I give in)
Me: (coming back as Abby jumps on the bed) "Here you go."
Abby: (polishing off the water) "More!"
Me: (Not on your life) "Goodnight!"
Abby: (and if I forget to say it... ) "Sleep tight! God bless you!"

And, the wonderful word "no" in relation to other people. She will talk about someone all week long and finally see them only to come home and say, "No (whomever)." If you know her and you've gotten out of this one, consider yourself blessed. Everyone I can think of has been named. Her favorite people have been named. Is it for attention? We will never know how that little mind works, will we?

We had a Bun-Bun MIA alert a month ago and they've been missing ever since. She slept with these bunnies every single night and suddenly they were gone -- without a real event, I might add. She substituted the bunnies by wadding up her blankie and saying Abby Cadaby (from Sesame Street) was inside. And now, we're back to doing what we do best with the bunnies....eating their ears. I can't blame this on teething anymore... maybe they should've stayed lost.



281. peonies (my fav!) at Trader Joes at record low prices
282. malt pie
283. open windows and a perfect breeze
284. naps at the same time

Library Reading Day

Since it's summer, we figured that a great activity would be going to the library every week for story time! ("We" does not include Grant who said, "Hmmm. That sounds germy." He's probably right -- but we gotta get out of the house!) There are some crazy kids that come, let me tell you. Climbing all over everything, yanking on the shades, about to pull the curtain down that separates us from the rest of the library. We might have to have a talk about not following the bad examples of those around us. Until then, Abby is happy to sing a few songs, have a few books read to her and watch a mini movie. The whole thing is 30 minutes long and Ford managed to sleep through it (whew!) -- so all went well on this first go-round.

She decided to wear her glasses inside just in case it was bright...


And while she does love bugs,



she decided to check out a book that I was surprised she was interested in. It's about a boy, after all. A boy who's moving. I guess maybe that struck a chord. At least until next week...when the adventure of book-love continues.

277. Bob The Tomato fruit snacks
278. Saving $38 at the market
279. hope in our eternal home
280. hearing abby say, "yes, mom."

Bossy Pants

The two faces of Abby...

Bossy Princess...(with hands on hips)


and Wistful Princess...



We got this princess towel for her birthday and, wow, does it make Abbs feel like a princess. Attitude and everything.

274. three of my fav grocery stores within 5 minutes of the new house
275. an enclosed, safe courtyard for bike riding
276. knowing there are many other women around the world up at 2am like I am

Party Park Day

After being inside for way too many days in a row, along with June gloom hovering above us... when the sun broke through, Abby and I decided it was time for a picnic. I felt rather adventurous trying to take both kids...but we did it! Actually Ford slept the e n t i r e t i me ... so Abby and I got some really good alone time together. We ate cherries, delish sandwiches, and danced under the jacaranda trees. We watched the other kids on the playground and she didn't even want to go swing (I assume because she has a swing at home now) so she stole my hat and danced like she was on broadway.





270. grandparents just a phone call away
271. abby's growing vocabulary
272. countless hand me downs
273. hot, hot showers (almost as good as a hot bath!)

Bangs

Do you think his masculinity is threatened being surrounded by so much pink?



Daddy cut Abby's bangs the other day. I pleaded for him to keep that "baby" look her hair has. So she went from looking like this...


To looking like this! And isn't this the most adorable pillowcase dress?



How we are feeling about each other right about now...


268. Seeing friend's adoption dreams come true
269. An amazing community of people right under our noses
270. How much they love our kids