Trains, shoes and baby dolls....

She passed out her little 'thank you' hugs and smooches all day to me and Brian it was sooo fun! She knew she was being spoiled for the day and she was grateful in her own little Bit way.

God bless the IRS for tax refunds, and thank God in Heaven for selling our investment property this month! The two combined put Brian and myself in the serious mood to spoil our daughter for a day this weekend. We took our refund to Walley World and had a good ole time w/ the Bit. Santa came in April this year! Don't worry we didn't blow it all by any means but sometimes when you've been on such a tight budget you just need to buy some unnecessary items just because you love your kid and you can. Little miss 'Choo Choo' needed some serious train action to play with at home. She says choo choo everytime a train comes on TV or we pass one on the road. Grampa Mike would be so proud and we said it all afternoon as we put her first train set together. Thomas the Train makes a great simple first set and we had a ball putting it all down and it's been in the center of the living room all week! She's also been all into 'babies' ever since we left VA Beach and she was so smitten w/ her 'baby' cousin Hamilton. So we bought her a little pink baby doll, and new hot pink pool sandals to top it off. She thought she was in little baby heaven for a day and we absolutely ate it up! Here are some shots of the fun day start to finish.

what a girl!

You know, there are a million funny moments in raising a little one. I so don't want to forget any of them. My mom is constantly drilling me "write that down!!" when I tell her funny stories. Life w/ toddlers is just made of them! Just a little one today just speaks of the kind of girl little Abigail is, well always has been if you can say that of a 20 month old! The kid was born hating the limitations of her youth. My sister used to say when she was mere weeks old, she'd never known a baby who so obviously hated being a baby, but was more like a 20 year old girl trapped in a baby's body. She's always prefered to hold her head up way early and face her visitors, no cuddling against mommy and be quietly admired. She prefered to be a part of the social scene and the conversation literally from her very first converstations. I don't know who she gets it from but it's both facinating and pitiful to watch. She gets so mad and angry at herself when her body and development won't allow her to do something she mentally wants to be able to handle on her own. From using a fork, to dressing herself, washing herself, down to unloading the groceries both out of the car and putting them away in the kitchen. Heaven help you if you take 'her bag' away from her before she's had a chance to empty it correctly. An amazing maturity and determination surrounds her personality, but she's still also content to cuddle in our arms and be our still sweet baby girl when she just needs our love. I'm so thankful for that! It's going to be a real ride to raise this one let me tell you. But to get back to my story. We went to the grocery store today, at a bad time no doubt 4:30 when everyone's making their last stops. The aisles were packed w/ post work tired people. We had a big trip to do but just couldn't get there at 9am when you can move in there. Some days Abigail just won't have anything to do with something she's always done willingly before. Today it was riding in the cart. I was very tired. It had been a 'don't put me down' day which always wear me out. They usually coincide w/ teething, not enough sleep, you know the drill. Anyway we get in the door and the fit starts. Erect back and 'mommy hold me' arms outstretched I gave in. I know, Dr. Dobson would always have the energy to scold and be firm and win the battle. Some days, I'm just too pooped to fight it. Sue me! Anyway, not wanting the embarrassing scene I proceeded to carry my little 22 pounder around like a sac of clingy potatoes. Happy though she was she got heavier the fuller my cart got. And of course I get the bum wheel cart so every 3 steps I'm pushing w/ one arm and kicking the dern thing to the left to keep it from hitting the little old lady in front of us. Never shop on a Tuesday, I always forget that!! Finally my arm had enough and I let shorty down to breath. The tiny little 20 year old took over pushing for me. So stupid cute she couldn't see a thing but she was all into 'helping'. Most people passed and thought I was just the worst, slowest driver of grocery carts ever cause they couldn't see the driver. Poor dears! But she was so proud of herself I just kept us out of their way so they could pass and took our time. To pick up the pace at the end of the trip I carried her once again and opted to pull my full cart from the front cause I could avoid hitting people better that way. I can't tell you how many people looked at me and almost looked w/ pitty at us. I got so many "whew, that looks tiring", But you know what!? It worked for us and the little dear was happy as she could be. I was just thankful cause there are so many moments as a mom you can so easily get wrapped up in how inconvenient it can be to manage tasks , fatigue and children. But I laughed at their pitty and instead smooched all over my sweet BIG girl with my shaking arms in the check out line. That Trace Adkins song 'You're going to miss this' kept running through my head and I just ate her stubborn self up. The Bit and I had a successful trip and enjoyed each other. We got home singing to the top of our lungs to Elmo and she helped w/ carrying her 2 bags of groceries into the house and putting them 'away'. I know it gets difficult sometimes. I know that I may not always win the little battles or even choose to fight them, but you know what? I am going to miss this someday, when she's 18 she won't be cool w/ my stroking her hair and smooching her in the check out line when I feel the urge. I know I'll still want too, she's my girl! That won't ever change, she'll just be better at pushing the carts by then!

Wild fun in VA Beach!!

Such a wonderful week! A visit to the children's museum kicked off the festivities!

Complete w/ mini bank, dental clinic and here a grocery store for little people. The kids had a ball!!
The older and wiser more experienced Alexander directed the little one's in wall building.
What an awesome place for a BIG 5 yr old to have a hay day!? He got the board between the blocks on the first try!!!

Mi-Mi was all into getting the kids into the fun!

the ASPCA had an exhibit. Adorable, with flowers and pictures of cats and dogs all in the gazebo. A little table and chairs with books was too much for the Bit to resist. It was one of her favorite places in the whole museum. All the little girls flocked to the sweet play area and before long, the little ladies man Hamilton wanted in on the action. Smart man! These two were very smitten w/ mr. handsom pants coming to read with them. Sue, I don't think you ever saw him over here.
Eventually just tweedle dee and tweedle dum took over the joint. :)

The fire truck was a big hit with all the kids, only me and Sue wanted to stop for a photo, not a big idea w/ the little ones as you can see!
These two were ready to patrol the highways.
Abigail LOVED the half a bus sticking out of the wall. She was all about driving like a big girl!

Again, another photo op that Sue and I pushed for that the kids just didn't want to do.
Abigail could not have been more smitten with her sweet cousin Hammy! She asked for him all week long pointing for him if he left her sight "baby???" like she was so mature and older in her 4 mo more along then him. He got used to her smooches and squeezes by the end of the week. Bri and me are just a huggin touching smoochin kinda family so Abigail thought naturally that's just what you do when you love someone!!
Since this one'll be on the world wide web I'll post the modest picture and protect their baby business. But they were too stupid cute in the tub together. They're going to KILL us later!!! Who cares, they had a ball! Ok, got a little out of order, here are some more shots of the children's museum. Abigail was so amazed at the giant clock in the front opening. We spent A LOT of time there. :)

we all had to try on the kevlar hat!

Sweet Aunt Sue was showing Abigail where the baby was and letting her feel it move. She was a little confused but what a sweet bonding moment

Cake of ice cream sandwiches and caramel w/ dinosaurs on top was delicious Mi-Mi!! Well done!!1

Sloppy Joe's all around, per request of the birthday king!

The birthday king!
This was one of the few times they weren't battling over who got the phone.
Susan has, with out a doubt the coolest broom I have ever seen!! She said she found it at TJMax and it helps her like sweeping better. Some one else likes it too!

We had such a great time this week visiting my sister Sue and her sweet wild family! Mom and me and the Bit headed out Tuesday morning so we could celebrate Alexander's 5th birthday with them. We were welcomed with screams and squeaks upon arrival. Susan is as pregnant as she can be but looking absolutely beautiful and glowing all over with her third little monkey on the way next month.The kids absolutely wore out their Mi-Mi but she loved every minute of it.

Party on the Knob...

Such a beautiful day, beautiful mom beautiful baby!!! This is Natalie and little birthday girl Katie. Out enjoying all the craziness going on.
The Bit made herself at home again on our old porch. I knew miss Corny will love this shot of her old stomping ground still equipt with beautiful pansies to boot.
The boys and the Bit used the fence as a volleyball net. The men did their best not to step on the little people trying so hard to participate.
Look at my poor baby!! She NEVER stays asleep from the car seat to the house. But yesterday they wore her butt OUT!!!

This is the sweet hostest family, Chris & Natalie and Katie.
These two are destined to be partners in crime, especially when Katie can catch up to the wild Bit on her feet. She's soooo close!
Abigail had a difficult time understanding why she wasn't the center of attention and not getting any presents! Brian and I took turns pulling her away so poor Katie could enjoy her own gifts. Natalie was a doll, and had loads of patience for the piggy tailed intruder.
These dad's got REALLY into who could make the coolest balloon toy. This was Brian's 2nd attempt at a balloon animal. And we ALL had to express how impressed we were. Andres, below made a super cool hat although Jazmine wasn't too into wearing it so he willingly modled it for us all. :)

Such a fun day yesterday we went up to little Katie's first birthday party. Natalie was quite the hostest Mommy with cake all around and making balloon animals. The kids had a blast playing on Katie's big present her own train in the living room. She giggled politely as all the other kids rode. We hung out outside a lot in the breezy sunshine. Good to connect again w/ Jazmine and Andres Martigra and little wild man Daniel. Strangely Brian the Bit and me were the only American's on the lot! We had Chris's parents in from England, another family from South Africa ( who spoke beautifully) and the Martigra's from .....I think the Dominican Republic. Chris's dad said when we got there he was thrilled to meet some actual American's! Chris broke out the t Tim Allen 'GRRRRRhhhs' fun getting his bon fire going late afternoon to get rid of some brush. Brian, my pyro hubby was thrilled to help. Good responsible Chris actually called the Back Creek fire dept prior to starting it. I was impressed, Sam Shackleford never notified the authorities and always freaked out the neighbors with his "controlled burns"!! Natalie was just as freaked out as mom used to be w/ all the men out with the blazing brush on birthday party day! Love it! Thanks for the great day you guys! You wore the Bit's baby butt out (proof in the photo). Hope to play again soon!

Proud mommy moment

Real quick thought, anyone who knows me knows my first child, Tuggle has been such a special fuzzy (if arrogant) addition to my life for 11yrs now. I got her my sophomore year of college when my sister felt she was betraying her cat at home and was going to return the sweet grey kitty to the pound. Appalled I agreed to take her on as my very own responsibility and she's slept on my bed ever since. She finally forgave me after many long years and one military deployment (which somehow we're certain she was responsible for) for letting 'The Boy' in my life. Brian has worked tirelessly to win her acceptance with lots of honey ham and meat. She further forgave me for bringing 'the Fat Thing' home (her endearing title for Estella, our slightly overweight other cat). Lastly she forgave me for bringing home 'the Baby Thing' 20 months ago. Somehow she sensed the importance and similarity of this tiny thing to her own 'maum' and did ok. So, the purpose of this background is Abigail finally paid tribute last night to my dear fuzzy little kitty, on her own looked up at her glaring down from high on the couch and declared "Guggle!!". I was so proud I clapped and screamed in delight and had her say it over and over again. Yeah! She can say her name. Those of you who know me well know the significance of this to me. :()

Idol thoughts.....

Well it was a better week I must say. I enjoyed more of the performances this time around. One of my favorites being Mr. Aussie hunk here doing a GREAT job w/ some 'we are the champion' love!

The night started off good. Big nerd that I am I watched the opening number (which I usually find pretty cheezy) twice! The Bit and I clapped at the end of it both times. :) It was just so darn cute with all of them bobbing around. It's ridiculous really how much I love this show!

Brooke did well, even w/ her false start, w/ the Sting song. I really liked it. I don't think she'll win but I hope she gets a record deal. We haven't had a Carly Simon type singer in a long time. The industry needs her mellow self. I'd buy her album for sure! Ramiele is hurting. Her earlier performances are all that's carrying her through. This week was rough, yet again for her! Come on peanut, get back in there!!! Little David Archuleta was not well recieved but I liked his "Disneyworld performance!" as Simon called it. I laughed out loud cause I could totally picture little Tiki Birds singing along side him once Cowell said that but I still think he's such a talented little monkey.

I wasn't impressed w/ Jason Castro again. He's got some surfer boy charm but he needs too, to get back in there and pick some more clever songs. Kristie got lucky w/ a good choice keeping her in another week. She did alright w/ it I guess. Syesha did ok too. I just think she's hurting cause there's been too many other R&B artists just like her. She doesn't stand out as a new original talent. Carley did good, not my favorite week w/ her but I was thrilled she wasn't in the bottom 3 this week. Now David Cook however I thought was brilliant! Who would have thought to slow down and rock to Billie Jean!!?? He did a great job and he's shown to be the most original one there this year. I really like him a lot. More each week. And as for who was voted off. It was time for the Cheeze Whiz to go home. Kind of a boring week for him. I agreed w/ Simon (big shocker) and it was 'cheezy' to be putting his hands into the audience like that. Hellow!! You're not Brian McKnight or anything yet!!!! Just looked silly that's all. Ok gotta scoot, the Bit's up and ready to play. See, I have my priorities right!!! ......Alli Out!

Easter Sunday..

"daddy that was magically delicious can I have more!?"

We had a great day Easter Sunday this year. Again, mommy was a little sleepy having gotten called in the night before (darn those full moons!) but God was good, I got home by 1am so I was able to sleep some and still function Easter morning. The Bit got into her basket early and had (as shown above) her very first Hershey kiss, caramel filled (I accidently bought those). She was one happy bunny let me tell you! She got her OWN gardening supplies (so she'd stop stealing mine while I plant flowers), complete w/ Dora the Explorer purple gloves. We headed to church (sorry totally forgot to get the family picture in front of the flowers, too sleepy, slipped my mind!) But we enjoyed a big ham lunch w/ Christine and her friend from work, and the Klowhon family (that bought my old house). Their little Katie and Abigail played like puppies on the floor after the meal and we talked for a good while stuffed to the gills. It was a good day!!