Many thanks to Aunt Sarahlynn from Yeah, But Houdini Didn't have Hips for tagging me.
Sarahlynn asked specifically that Abby do this meme, as I have just done a much bigger one on my blog here. The responses are written in first person AS Abby.
This is a familiar one that goes like this:
1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
5. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.
6. Let your tagger know when your entry is up.
Six Bits of Abby:
1 - Whether my parents admit it or not, I'm a co-sleeper. I might go to bed at night in my crib, but there's nothing nicer than waking up between mommy and daddy.
2 - My top two teeth are coming in! I've even begun to use them in conjunction with my bottom teeth to bite cheerio's in half.
3 - I have a slight rash reaction to sweet potatoes. Though my parents know this, they continue to give me sweet potatoes from time to time. They say that they are "testing it again." I think they just like to take care of diaper rash.
4 - I have learned to stand on my own in the last few days! I am convinced that I can walk before my first birthday. I only have six weeks to go.
5 - My favorite band is Trout Fishing in America. I really dig their music. My favorite song is 18 Wheels on a Big Rig. I like lots of other music, too.
6 - Beginning on my birthday I'm going to start one of those Project 365 things on Flickr. I'm too young to know that, as a Monroe, you're supposed to avoid camera time. They have a Project 365 pool just for kids, so I'll join that. (My cutest pictures are on Flickr already!)
Now I'm supposed to tage 6 of you. I don't tag folks often, but I'll give it a go:
1 - Chase or Steph at NeurosesGalore
2 - Amy at PrettyBabies
3 - Noah (or Natalie) at GrowingACritter
....Oh, I hate tagging people. So, to everyone who is interested but hasn't done who hasn't done it yet: have at it! And let me know that you did.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Attention span is huge!
Our latest trip to UMD for an Infant Study:
We arrived a little late and Abby was hungry, so I wasn't sure that she would be ready for a tedious, repetitive study. But we took a few minutes for Abby to enjoy her bottle while I filled out the prerequisite paperwork.
The activity began with two toys in front of a researcher. She got Abby's attention and then used an L-shaped hook to pull the rainbow colored ball towards her. The person behind the video camera then waited until Abby looked away from the toy for a minimum of two seconds - testing her attention span.
Abby has a HUGE attention span - definitely longer than mine! It seemed like we waited forever for her to look away and then they repeated the activity over and over again trying to reduce her attention span. We must have watched that girl pull the rainbow ball towards herself two dozen times and each time it was at least a full minute before Abby looked away. Most of my high school students don't have attention spans like this!
To finish, the researcher switched the two objects and then, instead of pulling the rainbow ball towards herself, she looked at it and they noted which direction Abby looked and for how long. If she's studying a researcher's simple action with this much attention, imagine the intensity she uses to study everything Rob and I do!
I can't decide if this concerns me or impresses me more.
We arrived a little late and Abby was hungry, so I wasn't sure that she would be ready for a tedious, repetitive study. But we took a few minutes for Abby to enjoy her bottle while I filled out the prerequisite paperwork.
The activity began with two toys in front of a researcher. She got Abby's attention and then used an L-shaped hook to pull the rainbow colored ball towards her. The person behind the video camera then waited until Abby looked away from the toy for a minimum of two seconds - testing her attention span.
Abby has a HUGE attention span - definitely longer than mine! It seemed like we waited forever for her to look away and then they repeated the activity over and over again trying to reduce her attention span. We must have watched that girl pull the rainbow ball towards herself two dozen times and each time it was at least a full minute before Abby looked away. Most of my high school students don't have attention spans like this!
To finish, the researcher switched the two objects and then, instead of pulling the rainbow ball towards herself, she looked at it and they noted which direction Abby looked and for how long. If she's studying a researcher's simple action with this much attention, imagine the intensity she uses to study everything Rob and I do!
I can't decide if this concerns me or impresses me more.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
New Header
Did you notice it? No? Just look up! It was my idea for a party invite, but it's way too wide for that purpose.
Real post later.
Real post later.
Monday, April 14, 2008
The Nursery Is Done
Okay - the nursery has been finished for months, but my friend Amy at PrettyBabies brought it back to my attention that I have not posted the final photos! Shame on me.
Here is a tour around her very small piece of the world:
We got the crib at Babies R Us. The plastic bin on the right is full of clothes that are too big. It's easiest to keep track of where things are this way. On the tub is the cow humidifier. We had one before this, but it got gross so we had to get rid of it. Hanging over her crib is the cross she received for her baptism.
Abby's dresser has been in my family for a while. There is a matching dresser somewhere in Maryland, though I'm not sure where. On the corner is clothes that are too small. We gather a few at a time and bag them to be stored for (ahem) later use.
In the circles are two sets of animals. When we decided on the theme of a farm we knew that we wanted family members to help. Since it is not feasible for everyone to come here to help, we bought cut out animals (from the craft store) and mailed them out. When they came back, the animals varied so much - orange lambs and purple ducks. Very fun, and everyone really did have a hand in it.
Abby's closet and the top of her bookcase. She has another bookcase that is much more full, and other books spread across the living room. We have a bunch of springy dresses that we are looking forwrad to putting Abby in!
The changing table was made by Gramps when my cousin Jon was born, 20 years ago this month. The top has the standard changing pad. The middle shelf has a a diaper warmer on the left, and creams and such on the right. Diaper warmer is essential when using cloth wipes. The (empty) basket on the right of the bottom shelf is where the diapers go. They are in the dryer right now....
We found this cow rug on sale this weekend. It's adorable, and the colors are perfect for our room. I like this picture almost as much as I like the carpet itself. Oh yeah, the floor! Under the cow rug is our rubber floor! We bought a reversible floor that is designed for play rooms. We hoped to use blue and green in the middle and the gray side for the outside, but we found out later that it's one way or the other.
So - that's Abby's room. She's about ready to head in there for the night. Hopefully....
Here is a tour around her very small piece of the world:
We got the crib at Babies R Us. The plastic bin on the right is full of clothes that are too big. It's easiest to keep track of where things are this way. On the tub is the cow humidifier. We had one before this, but it got gross so we had to get rid of it. Hanging over her crib is the cross she received for her baptism.
Abby's dresser has been in my family for a while. There is a matching dresser somewhere in Maryland, though I'm not sure where. On the corner is clothes that are too small. We gather a few at a time and bag them to be stored for (ahem) later use.
In the circles are two sets of animals. When we decided on the theme of a farm we knew that we wanted family members to help. Since it is not feasible for everyone to come here to help, we bought cut out animals (from the craft store) and mailed them out. When they came back, the animals varied so much - orange lambs and purple ducks. Very fun, and everyone really did have a hand in it.
Abby's closet and the top of her bookcase. She has another bookcase that is much more full, and other books spread across the living room. We have a bunch of springy dresses that we are looking forwrad to putting Abby in!
The changing table was made by Gramps when my cousin Jon was born, 20 years ago this month. The top has the standard changing pad. The middle shelf has a a diaper warmer on the left, and creams and such on the right. Diaper warmer is essential when using cloth wipes. The (empty) basket on the right of the bottom shelf is where the diapers go. They are in the dryer right now....
 |
| From April 2008 |
We found this cow rug on sale this weekend. It's adorable, and the colors are perfect for our room. I like this picture almost as much as I like the carpet itself. Oh yeah, the floor! Under the cow rug is our rubber floor! We bought a reversible floor that is designed for play rooms. We hoped to use blue and green in the middle and the gray side for the outside, but we found out later that it's one way or the other.
So - that's Abby's room. She's about ready to head in there for the night. Hopefully....
Some Brief Updates
On the Food front:
We tried egg yolk yesterday. That did not go over great, but she didn't gag like she did on Asparagus.
Her top two front teeth are through the gums, but barely. This creates many screaming fits.
On the Signing front:
Abby has picked up "Milk" and "Food" a few weeks ago. She now knows what each means, and is very adamant about being sure she gets what she's after.
We started giving her baths three weeks ago. We found it easier before that to pull her into the shower with one of us, but have decided that a bath fits better into a standard routine. Two weeks ago we found the sign for "Bath" and began using it. After one week, she has gotten that one down too!
On the Mobility front:
She has mastered crawling - and sometimes crawls too fast for the dog to get away!
She has mastered pulling herself up onto furniture and railings.
She is beginning to "cruise" things too. Last night it was a chair at Jae and Nadia's house. I think we're close to walking
On the Cute Picture front:
We tried egg yolk yesterday. That did not go over great, but she didn't gag like she did on Asparagus.
Her top two front teeth are through the gums, but barely. This creates many screaming fits.
On the Signing front:
Abby has picked up "Milk" and "Food" a few weeks ago. She now knows what each means, and is very adamant about being sure she gets what she's after.
We started giving her baths three weeks ago. We found it easier before that to pull her into the shower with one of us, but have decided that a bath fits better into a standard routine. Two weeks ago we found the sign for "Bath" and began using it. After one week, she has gotten that one down too!
On the Mobility front:
She has mastered crawling - and sometimes crawls too fast for the dog to get away!
She has mastered pulling herself up onto furniture and railings.
She is beginning to "cruise" things too. Last night it was a chair at Jae and Nadia's house. I think we're close to walking
On the Cute Picture front:
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
No Sleep and No TV Make Homer Something Something
Continuing Teething.....
On Sunday night we had one of those nights that we like to pretend never happen. Abby was tired when we got home from a gathering at church, so she ate and went to sleep without much coaxing at all. Even skipped the nightly bath/shower and did not notice.
She slept pretty soundly. Until 2:30 that is. Something happened at 2:30 that triggered play-time in Abby's mind. At first I tried all of the normal stuff: diaper, clean sinuses (Nose Sucking), 6 ounce bottle and rocking. Nothing would work, so I gave up and plopped her on the floor. She very much enjoyed playing on the floor for the next hour and a half!
Last night, though, we had sweet redemption. After going to sleep at an incredibly early 6:30, Abby slept in her crib until about 4:00. She coughed herself awake, so I picked her up and brought her into bed with us. I gave her some water to wet her throat, and she took a few swigs and went back to sleep. Until 5:45!
Here's hoping we get another one of those tonight.....
(For all of you that are mad at me for not posting pictures in April, please accept my apologies. I honestly have not even taken any, which I know makes me a bad dad. Trust me that she is still being cute. The problem is that she's so cute that I tend to play with her instead of make her pose for pictures.....)
On Sunday night we had one of those nights that we like to pretend never happen. Abby was tired when we got home from a gathering at church, so she ate and went to sleep without much coaxing at all. Even skipped the nightly bath/shower and did not notice.
She slept pretty soundly. Until 2:30 that is. Something happened at 2:30 that triggered play-time in Abby's mind. At first I tried all of the normal stuff: diaper, clean sinuses (Nose Sucking), 6 ounce bottle and rocking. Nothing would work, so I gave up and plopped her on the floor. She very much enjoyed playing on the floor for the next hour and a half!
Last night, though, we had sweet redemption. After going to sleep at an incredibly early 6:30, Abby slept in her crib until about 4:00. She coughed herself awake, so I picked her up and brought her into bed with us. I gave her some water to wet her throat, and she took a few swigs and went back to sleep. Until 5:45!
Here's hoping we get another one of those tonight.....
(For all of you that are mad at me for not posting pictures in April, please accept my apologies. I honestly have not even taken any, which I know makes me a bad dad. Trust me that she is still being cute. The problem is that she's so cute that I tend to play with her instead of make her pose for pictures.....)
Monday, April 07, 2008
Yummy Yummy, What's that in Your Tummy?
It's........
Dog Food!
I'm sure that I'm a bad father for putting this on the internet, but Abby got her first taste of dog food on Saturday. We always assume that Rusty (dog) finishes his food, mostly because he's begging for more within seconds. Abby enjoys the sound of her fingernails on the metal dish.
We heard fingernails in the dish and happiness.
Then we hear nothing. Calm.
Calm seems to breed worry at this stage (for the rest of her existence?)
Anny got up from the living room to see Abby chewing on something....something from Rusty's bowl.
By the time we got to her she had swallowed.
Just.
Gross.
Dog Food!
I'm sure that I'm a bad father for putting this on the internet, but Abby got her first taste of dog food on Saturday. We always assume that Rusty (dog) finishes his food, mostly because he's begging for more within seconds. Abby enjoys the sound of her fingernails on the metal dish.
We heard fingernails in the dish and happiness.
Then we hear nothing. Calm.
Calm seems to breed worry at this stage (for the rest of her existence?)
Anny got up from the living room to see Abby chewing on something....something from Rusty's bowl.
By the time we got to her she had swallowed.
Just.
Gross.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Almost Two More Teeth!
Changing her diaper the other day, Rob noticed two budding teeth in Abby's upper gums. That explains some recent fussiness and makes me a lot more sympathetic to her inability to sleep soundly.
Our pediatrician assured us that the incisors are relatively sharp and so they break through the gums with less pain and more ease than molars which are wider and more dull. If this is true, I am not looking forward to molar teething...
Meanwhile, at my last dental cleaning, they found a cavity in my incisor. When I went in a couple weeks ago to have it taken care of, the dentist took an X-ray and explained that I would need a root canal. He gave me a shot of Novocain and came back 20 minutes later to start drilling. When I nearly jumped out of the chair, he gave me another shot. He came back another 20 minutes later and began drilling again, but no way! The nerve pain was horrible! So I have a referral to an endodontist next week who will hopefully have enough drugs to deaden all the nerves.
I can only give Abby Orajel and Tylenol for her teething, but I certainly empathize with her pain. Anyone else ever identify with what your child is going through so specifically?
Our pediatrician assured us that the incisors are relatively sharp and so they break through the gums with less pain and more ease than molars which are wider and more dull. If this is true, I am not looking forward to molar teething...
Meanwhile, at my last dental cleaning, they found a cavity in my incisor. When I went in a couple weeks ago to have it taken care of, the dentist took an X-ray and explained that I would need a root canal. He gave me a shot of Novocain and came back 20 minutes later to start drilling. When I nearly jumped out of the chair, he gave me another shot. He came back another 20 minutes later and began drilling again, but no way! The nerve pain was horrible! So I have a referral to an endodontist next week who will hopefully have enough drugs to deaden all the nerves.
I can only give Abby Orajel and Tylenol for her teething, but I certainly empathize with her pain. Anyone else ever identify with what your child is going through so specifically?
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