(Idea stolen from dozens of people, sorry.)
Dear Abby,
Today you turn two years old! You've grown so much since we first brought you home on June 12, 2007. Your mom and I wanted for a long, long time to have you in our lives, and we could not feel more blessed than we do when we are with you.
You are the light of my life, and of moms, too. Everything we do now goes through a filter of "how will this work for Abby" without even thinking it on purpose. I sometimes think that you are the reason your mom likes me so much, but don't tell her I said that.
In the past year you have learned so much that it blows my mind. On your first birthday you could not walk, and today you are running, literally in circles, wherever you please. You could only say a few words, and sign a few others. Now you are very good with both, and even when you babble it is wonderment to me.
Last night you even sang us a song, which I assume is titled "La La" and I am sure that I could never reproduce it, but you were sure it was a song and told us so.
Your bigger family loves you, as well. All of the locals will be here for your party, and we will see everyone else over the summer. You diligently learned everyone's names from their pictures, and do really well at matching pictures with real faces. That still amazes me, since I struggle sometimes with that.
You love your friends, teachers and babies (your three categories, not mine) at school. You recite their names as if to remind us who they are, even when we are at home. Always when we are at home, come to think of it. I hope you never lose track of your friends, and they of you.
You are tentative in a new place, but only for a few moments. Once you have judged something (or someone) safe, you're off and we have to pull you away. I'm grateful for your happiness around strangers and friends alike.
We are lucky that you are willing to try new foods, and always just a little disappointed when you call too quickly for "chicken" if you don't like a new food. I am persistent, though, and will get you to like asparagus soon enough!
I am looking forward to the next year of your life as much as I have the last year, and the one before that. I am ready to be amazed by what you come up with, what you do, and how you grow.
Abby, we love you more every day. I hope you always know that.
-Dad
Friday, June 12, 2009
Monday, June 08, 2009
Growth and Progress
I do not have official 24 month statistics just yet, we will have that appointment the week after school lets out, but last night I got Abby to stand on a scale and she came out at 29 pounds. Why would I do such a thing? Anny and I had just done it, and Abby wanted a turn.
As the end of the school year draws close we have gotten a detailed progress report on Abby's growth in abilities, from coloring to talking and from eating to dressing. It is fascinating to see that she has mastered almost everything for her age range, and that the next set of boxes had more checks than blanks. We're truly blessed with a child that loves to learn and try new things. (as long as there are chicken nuggets as backup, that is!)
Unfortunately, "dip" still pervades every meal that it can. If there is no ketchup for dipping around, Abby will make due with jelly of any flavor. She even sampled mint jelly when we were in Wyoming this spring!
Abby has mastered counting to ten, and on occasion will count to 11. We are using this as a tool for things already, as in "count to ten and your diaper change will be over" or "once we get to five you need to be in your" fill in the blank. She knows that if I get to five she is either in her place, or I will put her there. I think it's a hybrid of "classic" parenting and "hippie" parenting. We'll see how long it works.
Finally, Abby's ABC's are adorable. Aside from skipping everything from C to G, she always has a N-A-N-O-P. The funnier part, though, is that she knows there is a "double" something (W) at the end, and that often changes. I have heard everything from "double m" to "double c," though most often it's "double v." I'm proud of her for trying - it's a good potty time song, and can be used much in the same way as doing her numbers when needed.
As we gear up for her birthday weekend, which I believe began with a cake yesterday with the Wendy's Bunch from church, I will be reflecting on things. I hope to be blogging on those, but in reality I have a house to clean, orange cakes to help bake and a wonderful daughter and wife that are fun to hang out with. :o)
Oh, I almost forgot to mention that Abby is currently teething, and has been for the last three weeks or so. She does not just have crankiness symptoms, but she has also slept longer on a couple of occasions and her diapers are... let's just say that if you want details you'll have to email me. I don't blog about gross stuff like that! We are hoping that she is through this soon for her sake, and ours!
As the end of the school year draws close we have gotten a detailed progress report on Abby's growth in abilities, from coloring to talking and from eating to dressing. It is fascinating to see that she has mastered almost everything for her age range, and that the next set of boxes had more checks than blanks. We're truly blessed with a child that loves to learn and try new things. (as long as there are chicken nuggets as backup, that is!)
Unfortunately, "dip" still pervades every meal that it can. If there is no ketchup for dipping around, Abby will make due with jelly of any flavor. She even sampled mint jelly when we were in Wyoming this spring!
Abby has mastered counting to ten, and on occasion will count to 11. We are using this as a tool for things already, as in "count to ten and your diaper change will be over" or "once we get to five you need to be in your" fill in the blank. She knows that if I get to five she is either in her place, or I will put her there. I think it's a hybrid of "classic" parenting and "hippie" parenting. We'll see how long it works.
Finally, Abby's ABC's are adorable. Aside from skipping everything from C to G, she always has a N-A-N-O-P. The funnier part, though, is that she knows there is a "double" something (W) at the end, and that often changes. I have heard everything from "double m" to "double c," though most often it's "double v." I'm proud of her for trying - it's a good potty time song, and can be used much in the same way as doing her numbers when needed.
As we gear up for her birthday weekend, which I believe began with a cake yesterday with the Wendy's Bunch from church, I will be reflecting on things. I hope to be blogging on those, but in reality I have a house to clean, orange cakes to help bake and a wonderful daughter and wife that are fun to hang out with. :o)
Oh, I almost forgot to mention that Abby is currently teething, and has been for the last three weeks or so. She does not just have crankiness symptoms, but she has also slept longer on a couple of occasions and her diapers are... let's just say that if you want details you'll have to email me. I don't blog about gross stuff like that! We are hoping that she is through this soon for her sake, and ours!
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