Abby & Sam Update

Sam now says all the important words: Mater, car, ball, dog (which is always said with 200% enthusiasm and usually is proceeded by running after the dog), water, duck, Jesus, dada, mama, daddy (which really means Abby--she's less than thrilled about that!), go, doctor, uh-oh, baba (grandpa), etc. He is really good at communicating what he needs: he pulls his highchair out when he's hungry, pats his diaper when he's convinced it's time to be changed, grabs food from the pantry and pats his belly when he's hungry (he's hungry constantly), brings books when he needs some cool-down time, has no problem coming over and letting me know that there has been some unfairness while playing with Abby, and goes and knocks on the door when he's ready to go outside. His favorite books are David Shannon's David books. He tries to climb on everything; he pushes Abby on her trike while we walk around the neighborhood; he loves to tease; he loves the dishwasher, trains, cars, and balls; he cries because of an injustice but doesn't cry over a skinned knee or forehead (yep, we've had that twice now). When people are sad or crying, he cries or whimpers with them and pats them on the back. Sam is all boy. My Sam is a loving, cuddly boy with a wild, mischievous streak. I love this boy!

Abby is becoming more and more girl. She loves to have her nails painted, collects princesses and fairies, calls friends on her pretend phone just to chat, loves to be called by her full name, asks for people to tell her how beautiful she looks, wants to plan play-dates and sleepovers for friends, and lines up babies and animals on the couch and takes care of them. Abby says funny things every day; sometimes she just surprises me with the words she uses correctly, other times it's how she describes her feelings. Yesterday we were out on a walk where we had run up and down our "big hill" several times and decided to head home for otter-pops. Abby said with a sigh, "Whew! I'm exhausted!" Then, without missing a beat, "Oh! A butterfly!" which she ran after immediately. Occasionally she's quiet for a few minutes. Inevitably, the few minutes of quiet is followed by, "So, Mom..." where she then tells a story, asks a question, makes a comment about what's going on in her mind, etc. I give her 5-minute warnings before it's time to leave so she can wrap up her games at the park, be prepared to leave a friend, etc. She always says very pleasantly, "Okay, Mom!" and then turns to her friend, "My mom says I have 5 more minutes to play." Maybe I still warn her about the short time we have left because of the pleasant way we can leave places, but it's more likely that I just love the way she says okay: o-KAY. So cute! My Abby is so sweet and caring, has a wild imagination, and asks to cuddle several times a day. I love her!

Both my kids are some of those innately good people. While every day is not one of those dream-come-true days, we have moments of perfectness and I feel so grateful. We love each other, we try hard together, we have fun laughing and playing, we cuddle up together to watch shows, we have fun taking goofy pictures and making crazy movies, we joke around together...we're a family, perfections and imperfections. I really do feel blessed.

Proud Mom Moment

Sam was sitting in his highchair starting to eat lunch while I finished making the rest of the food. He pushed back on the table, crashing to the ground, and hit his head on the wall in the process. Screams ensued at the same second as the sound of the crash. I ran over quickly and somehow Abby, who was upstairs putting her dolls down for their naps, made it to me just after I got Sam unbuckled from his chair. She immediately asked what happened and covered his bumped head with kisses. As soon as the prescribed number of kisses were administered, she went and got her doctor box and proceeded to check him out with thermometer, otoscope, and stethoscope. She put a fake bandage on his ankle and then distracted him with other toys and instructed me that I could go ahead and finish lunch because Dr. Abby was done with Samuel's check-up.

I love the helpful, loving sister and the little brother who lives in awe of his big sister and returns her love ten-fold.

A Trip to the Farm

What's better than a trip to the farm to visit the baby animals in the spring? We went with a group of friends about a month ago. Apparently, everyone else had the same idea. But, honestly, for having a completely filled parking lot, and losing my brightly-dressed Abby a few times for a moment in the crowds, it didn't feel too full. We will definitely be going back again soon!

It was a lot of fun to see my kids enjoying the farm and being so interested in the baby animals. For those who have seen Abby's reaction to any animal who is within oh, about 10 feet of her, you will understand that the fact that Abby voluntarily pet a goat's head is a really big deal. Sam, my brave boy who isn't afraid of anything (which I highly regret every time he acts like King Kong at the top of the slide), started shaking and screaming when I had him attempt to touch the goat.

Visitors

One of the perks of living in DC is that the chances of getting fun visitors is increased from just any other random place. We love playing host home to friends and family who come to do sight-seeing, attend events, or just come see us (those are our favorite visits). This month, we had my aunt, uncle, and cousin's family come visit. My kids loved being with their second cousins and having other adults to talk to. Roy and I loved having people to talk to and play games with. I especially loved beating (no, not just beating, but completely smashing) Roy in our Ticket to Ride game. Since my aunt and uncle were on CA time, they would come in around our bedtime and one night after we went to bed. Roy, being the good host, went downstairs to check in on them and was welcomed with a "Hi Dad" from my uncle. So funny! Thanks for graduating, Curt, so we had the excuse to see family!

All 4 kids

Abby and "the funniest boy in the world"

Sam taking advantage of a smaller guy. He just can't stop hugging little ones! Actually, I love all the hugs and kisses he distributes.

Sam with his birthday buddy, my cousin Leslie.

Aunt Linda, Uncle Chris, and Sam.

(Are you jealous, Mom?)

Busch Gardens, Easter, and the Zoo

We are catching up on the last two weeks. I think the pictures will speak for themselves.

Roy

passed the Bar!!! We are beyond thrilled!

Family Picture

The wards that meet in our building had a church open house last weekend to help the community understand the programs of the church and let people come in the building. It was really well organized and a fun thing to take our kids to and explain some of the things they have to look forward to at church. Each of the auxiliaries had a display and people explaining what we do on Sundays and week days. There was also a room for families to take pictures. So since it's been since Christmas since the 4 of us have had a picture together, we decided to take advantage and prove that yes, we all four do still exist--it's not just the kids. Enjoy the spring!