What We've Been Up To.....

The girls are continuing to get closer. Its really sweet to see them becoming friends. Abby is loving that Lissie can crawl and is constantly calling her to follow her into various rooms. Lissie is overjoyed that Abby is paying attention to her and just wants to be a big girl like her sister.

Our little Lissie has found the dog's water. Can you tell if she knows that she's not supposed to touch the water?

Lissies first swimming experience. It was a little cold but she really got into it in the end.

Summer is here!!! We now get to spend all of our afternoons outside enjoying the fresh air and the pool. Both girls are loving it and Mommy likes it too!

Happy little Lissie in her floating boat.

My favorite part is cuddling my little girls after they get out of the water.

Daddy loves it too. The girls were absolutely freezing after their first swim in the indoor rec center pool and even still Abby with blue lips and chattering teeth said "I wantttt to go back in the poooool" Abby adores her Daddy.

10 Months Old!!!

Its so hard to believe its already been 10 months since Lissie joined our family. Its also hard to believe that its ONLY been 1o months. She is such a big part of our lives now it feels like she's been with us forever. Lissie is growing up so quickly. She still has her tongue out permanently and is loving being mobile. She is exploring every inch of the house and has already found the dog's water (the messes are legendary). Lissie has about three words now, doggie, dada, and of course, uh-oh. She is constantly babbling and is definitely starting to get a little personality. She holds her own fairly well with her big sister and knows just when to scream to get Mommy's attention. She is starting to scoot along the furniture and is much happier walking than crawling. We recently took her to the pool and although she would prefer warmer water, she ended up enjoying herself. Mealtimes with Lissie are fun. She attacks the spoon and is now enjoying a variety of different foods. Her favorites are still fruit though. Bedtime is another fun event with Lissie. She is often really happy to be going to sleep. She gives us a huge smile and then quickly rolls over. When she's fussy though, its Daddy to the rescue. He has an amazing ability to calm her with tickles. It has been so much fun watching her grow up and yet she is still so small. We are truly blessed!

My Abby

I'm sure many of you are thinking that I am playing favorites by posting a long list of the things I love about Lissie and then not doing the same for Abby. I can assure you I do not have favorites. My problem is that I have almost too much to post on Abby. I've gotten to know this wonderful little girl for almost three years now and I am floored every day by the adorable and memorable things she does. Sadly, the time has gone too fast and I've probably forgotten more than I remember. That being said, here is a far from exhaustive list of all the things I love about my sweet little Abby. She truly fills our lives with joy!

Things I Love About Abby

• I love the way Abby peeks at me from the hallway, holding Bunny, before running into my room to give me a big bear hug.
• I love how she can't resist touching everyone's hair.
• I love how she would kick her legs and throw her arms around while getting a diapie change.
• I love the way she says certain words often with an English accent. (Jagwater - Jaguar, Castle Wock, Agrilla - gorilla, Twotoons - Cartoons)
• Abby is the best "mommy" to her babies I've ever seen. I just love to watch her play with her dollies. I also love how she prefers all of them to be naked:)
• I love the way Abby breaks into spontaneous song in the car, on the potty, in the tub, in bed after we've said good night and when she's sick at 2am.
• She loves to read and often reads to her sister and her dolls. She turns the book so that they can all see just like Miss Kate the librarian.
• Abby loves milk. It is probably the one thing that sustains her. The only thing is that it has to be warm. She does NOT like cold milk.
• Abby loves to be outside. Even just sitting on the top step of the deck makes her happy.
• I love the time and effort Abby puts into picking out her outfits.
• Abby loves to see herself on video. Everytime we get the camera out now she says "I see?"
• Abby is very good about using her manners. I love hearing her sweet little voice say please and thank you.
• I love how observant my little girl is. She notices everything from which color cup Daddy usually uses to where each of our favorite stores are.
• Abby remembers everything. Gigi recently let her play with the car keys and then couldn't find them. Abby, of course, knew exactly where they were.
• I love the way Abby draws. Daddy taught her how to hold a pen only once and she's done it correctly ever since. When she write she makes really tiny little marks all over the paper.
• Abby can order for me at Sonic happy hour - "woute 44 Diet Coke EZ ice and a chocat milk fowa Abby." Mommy drinks a lot of diet coke!
• I love how Abby sweats when she sleeps. She always wakes up soaked!
• I love her beautiful curly hair.
• I love the sweet little smile Abby gives me in the rearview mirror when she's getting sleepy.
• Abby is always laughing. She gets the giggles frequently and sets the whole house off in hysterics.
• Abby LOVES to clean. She always wants to get a wet paper towel and wipe stuff down from the counter to tv to restaurant table. Yesterday, she decided to clean the toilet while sitting on it with a washcloth dipped in toilet water! I love my girl!!!

There is much more but I don't want to bore you too much in one post:)

Abby Quote

Mommy: (Holding up the letter I) What letter is this Abby?
Abby: Its bow.
Mommy: No honey, its an I.
Abby: (holding the I sideways) No, its a bow. Silly Mommy!

Cutie Pies

This is 6am and neither Daddy nor Mommy wanted to get up so poor Abby had to fall asleep with us.

Too cute!!!

A New Trick

The other day during Lissie's nap we heard a lot of banging followed by a loud thud. Of course, we ran into her room and this is what we found. Alisa standing in her crib with her monitor knocked off the corner! I guess we're going to have to lower the mattress again.

Music According to Abby

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Twinkle twinkle little tar, how I wonder what you are. Up above the world so high, like a diamond in the high. Twinkle twinkle little tar, how I wonder what you are.

The Itsy Bitsy Spider

The itsy bitsy pider climbed up the water pout. Down came the wain and washed the pider out. Out came the sun and drieded up the wain and the itsy bitsy pider climbed up the pout again, yeah!

Alternate version of Itsy Bitsy Spider (the Big Fat Gorilla)

The big fat agrilla climbed up the water pout. Down came the wain and washed the grilla out. Out came the sun and drieded up the wain and the big fat agrilla climbed up the pout again.

Jesus Loves Me

Jesus loves me this I know, for a Bible tells me so. Little ones to him belong, they was weak but He was long. Yes, Jesus loves me a Bible tells me so.

"Lissie Does It"

There is almost nothing worse than hearing choking sounds coming from the backseat of the car. When we turned around we saw Abby with her fingers in her mouth making herself gag. "Abby, get your fingers out of your mouth please" I say. She looks at me and responds like a typical sibling, "but Lissie does it."

And so it begins.

He's Here!!!

Our brand new little nephew, Porter Davis, was born yesterday at 12:54PM. He weighed in at 7lbs 4oz and is 20 inches tall. Isn't he adorable?

Barbie is recovering well and Craig is such a proud Daddy. I can't tell you how strange it is for me to see my baby brother as a Daddy. In my head he's still just a baby himself. I am so excited for both Craig and Barbie and know that they are going to be wonderful parents. It will be wonderful watching this new family together. We can't wait to meet you Porter!

Did She Just Say What I Think She Said?

After several accidents regarding the potty today Abby and I had the following words.
Mommy: Abby will you tell me the next time you need to go potty?
Abby: (With a bothered attitude) Okaaay.....My goodness!

*********************************************

Later tonight while saying prayers.
Abby: Dear God, thank you for flowers and Home Depot and shelves. Amen.
(Can you tell what we did today?)

The Lissie Loaf

The other night while out to dinner, we decided to let Lissie sit with Grandpa to entertain her. As any good grandpa would, he did whatever it took to make her happy. All of a sudden, I look over to see her sitting on the table with an entire loaf of bread in her hands. Mom asked "don't you ever feed the child?" My reply, "yes but now I'm going to have to start baking Lissie loaves!"

(This photo is a recreation of the above event.)

So there!

The other night while having dinner, Lissie decided that she didn't want to eat her peas. As she blew one more pea raspberry at me the commentary went something like this...

Daddy: Lissie, you are definitely becoming a little pill.
Abby: No Daddy, Lissie is not a pill. She's a BABY!
Daddy: Oh. Is Abby a little pill?
Abby: No Daddy, Abby is not a pill. Abby is a BIG GIRL!

Oh My Girly Girl!

Okay, why didn't anyone tell me to never ever EVER allow a 2 1/2 year old female the choice between more than two shirts to wear?! Oh my gosh, it took Abby over half an hour this morning to choose between five shirts to wear! She kept sliding them back and forth on the closet rod saying "no like this one." Then she would grab one and say "dis has flowers." After what seemed like forever doing that, she would push all shirts aside and hang from the closet rod. "Look Mommy, I's fwinging (swinging)!" This kiddo is just too much. How could I not adore her?

I'm Gonna Have To Load Up On Sunscreen

One of Abby's favorite things to do is to spend time outside with her Granny. We went hiking behind Granny and Grandpa's house this weekend and picked wildflowers. Abby had a blast and Lissie loved it as well. Clearly, both of my babies are going to be outdoor girls.

Just after picking this flower we discovered a little snake less than a foot away from Abby. Eeeeeeek!

They're both just so happy.

Although not smiling in this shot, Lissie had a wonderful time. My tummy was sore from all of her excited kicking.

Memorial Day

Here are some pics from our Memorial Day trip up to Mom and Dad's property near Cripple Creek. The weather was pretty good considering the mountains. It was a tad windy at times and when the sun went behind the clouds it got a little cold. All in all though it was a wonderful time. Mike did a fabulous job grilling and the company couldn't have been better.

Grandpa and Lissie spent lots of time cuddling.

Mike does a fabulous brat on the charcoal grill.

Abby loved having her own camp chair.

Very comfortable and laid back. What a cutie pie!!!

Lissie Can Crawl!!!

After what seems like forever trying to be mobile, Lissie now at 9 months and 2 days has finally started crawling forward!!! I'm not sure I'm too thrilled about this but she is much happier now. She spent a long time figuring out how to sit up by herself and then spent more time crawling backwards. Just about the time when I had decided that she would skip crawling and go straight to walking, she made those first moves. I now have two mobile children. Please pray for me!!!

My Little 9 Month Old

Just for the record, I give myself at least a one week grace period to blog. So I know that Lissie was 9 months old on May 24th and now it is June 1 but I do have 2 little kiddos and a husband to take care of so I need a little leeway. Thank you for your understanding:)

It absolutely floors me that my little baby is already nine months old. I am both excited and saddened by this. It is so much fun to watch her grow up and become the little person God created but it is also so sad to see her give up her little baby ways. So in honor of my little Lissie here are a few things I don't ever want to forget. (Disclaimer: this is a mom gushing about her baby so you've been warned)

Things I love about Lissie:

• I love the way Lissie blows raspberries when she is finished eating.
• I love how she always wants Mommy and how Mommy isn't allowed to sit while holding her.
• I love how much she loves the Baby Bjorn when we go to the zoo. She kicks me the whole time because she's so excited to be part of the action.
• I love the excited squeal Lissie makes when she is walking with her walker.
• I love how Lissie would rather try to walk than crawl. She also loves to stand.
• I love the way Lissie waves goodbye and hello. She also frequently says "hi" and "bye" I swear she also says "doggie"
• I love how Lissie lights up when Abby pays attention to her.
• Lissie has just figured out that splashing in the tub is lots of fun and is very good at it.
• She reaches for Mac and giggles when he gives her kisses!
• She doesn't laugh often but when she does, its is the funniest sound in the world. You're not sure if she's laughing or crying.
• She always smiles and I really love that she still doesn't have teeth.
• Lissie loves to have something near her head while sleeping and I love how she snuggles into her bumper and pulls it down to her face.
• She loves her teddy blankie and I love how she talks to it in the morning. She has the cutest chatter.
• She reaches for everything now and of course, it all goes into her mouth.
• I love the way Lissie attacks her food, toys, etc. She looks at it and then pounces.
• She loves to sit in the kitchen in the Bumbo chair while mommy cooks.
• Whenever she hears music she stops what she's doing to dance (bounce) to it.
• I love Lissie's super soft skin and her very light and fine hair.
• I love that her tongue spends more time out of her mouth than in. Every single person we meet comments on Lissie's tongue.
• She has the most beautiful big blue eyes I've ever seen and for those of you that have seen Mike's eyes you know that means a lot.
• I love Lissie's happy hands.

There are just so many things I love about this sweet little girl and I know I've forgotten more than I've written. She is changing so quickly now and her personality is really coming through. I feel so blessed to be this little angels Mommy.