On Saturday morning I got up early, although it did not feel early to me. I wonder if this is the "time difference" thing that Trekker told me about. Anyway, Daddy and Mommy packed up what seemed like the entire room and we left. We drove through Boulder and stopped at Estes Park, the last city before the entrance of the Rocky Mountain National Park. I slept most of the drive because I was tired from getting up early. I am still like I was from the beginning when Mommy and I used to walk when she was home with me, so I woke up when the car stopped at the visitors' center. After a quick stop we were off, up the mountain indeed! We drove up the curvy mountain road (called Trail Ridge Road) to 12,000 feet! That is really high for those of you who do not know, literally in the clouds. We stopped there for our first hike. We had such a good time. Daddy and Mommy love to hike. I heard them talking (before I fell asleep again) about how much they love to hike and why. They love it because it's peaceful. Even though there were other people on the trail, they had a sense that we were alone. They love the majesty of the mountains. They see God in the beauty and perfectness of how everything comes together. They love the contrast of walking in nature to our everyday lives. Of course they always love a good workout too! And they love to share it all with each other and now with me. They were saying that they hope I will enjoy and appreciate the outdoors as I get older so we can continue to hike and play as I grow up.
We ate lunch we packed after our hike and continued up the mountain to its highest point (12,090 feet!). Around every corner there was another beautiful snow-capped peak or a deep, green valley. Of course I saw this all looking out the back window because I have to face backwards in the car seat still. At the rate I am growing (10th percentile in weight), I will be 4 feet tall before I can turn around in my seat! It was still pretty, though. We were headed to the other side of the mountain to a place called Grand Lake where our friend Megan's parents have a store and a house. All was going well until we ran into a traffic jam. Apparently they were working on the road and a construction truck broke down in the middle of crossing it. They finally got it going but we were there long enough to get out of the car and hang out for awhile. Grand Lake is a beautiful place and Megan's parents (Beth and Jay) are really great. We went to their house where I got to crawl all around. This is what I do at school every day, not spend my time driving around. We walked to the lake and got some ice cream. Yes, Mommy and I shared it, Daddy did not have any. There were rain clouds all around (literally, we could see the rain coming out of the clouds like a shower!). It didn't rain on us but we figured it was time to go because I was getting tired and needed a good car ride nap. We drove the south side of the park and when through a couple of famous ski resort towns like Granby and Winter Park. The funniest thing happened on the way. Daddy stopped to let a couple cross the street and realized that they were on the elevator with us in the Denver airport. What are the chances of that happening? My ears popped coming down the mountain (funny because they did not pop coming down from the airplane) and I cried and cried. Mommy frantically tried to find a way for us to go on the map and Daddy looked for an exit we could get off. Finally I went back to sleep, Mommy found our way and Daddy followed the directions to get us home.
That night we went to a "micro brewery" which means small brewery with beer with fancy names. It was called CB Pots and it too was just a walking distance from our hotel. It was pretty good but after a day in the car, this girl was ready to crawl! Daddy and Mommy ate quickly and we were on our way. We took a stroll through the open air mall (also near our hotel) and then headed home for the night..
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
Daddy, Mommy and I are in Colorado, this is yet another state and adventure for "LMS." To get here I went on my first plane ride! Trekker had told me about them from trips with Mommy, but he missed some important details. First, the airport is a fascinating place! There are lots of people moving bags from spot to spot, just like I do with my toys when I carry them from the toy basket to another place in the house. Then, we all stand in lines, then people pick up your bags then give them back to you with a tag (that I want to pull on) so we can take them to another person who puts the bags into a machine. I wondered why we gave away our bags but Daddy and Mommy did not seem worried so I let it go. Then we got into another line and put all of our bags, shoes, jackets and even my stoller on a moving belt that took them into another machine. This time our stuff came out the other end of the machine, though. We walked through a tunnel, said hello to a nice man and picked up our items that had gone to the other side of the tunnel faster than we had. Mommy and Daddy put on their shoes (again) and we walked down many hallways and on an elevator to a big area with lots of chairs. It kinda looked like my doctor's office but I was not worried because I did not see any doctors or nurses. I just wanted to get down and crawl around! Did I mention that our day started much earlier than normal and Mommy and Daddy were up late the night before getting ready for the trip? For those of you who know Mommy know that she was ready for a nap by the time we got to this airport place. My activity level was much higher than hers that's for sure but a girl has to stay on the move! Everyone smiled and talked to me at the airport, which of course I enjoyed. Mommy found a quite corner for me to nurse, which was good because I had been up since 6:15 am, it was 8:30 and I was hungry!
Right when we finished we got up and went on the plane. I still wasn't really sure what we were doing but there were lots of people all around me and I got to sit, jump, lunge and pound on Daddy and Mommy. In front of me there was a nice lady with her daughter who smiled and talked to me. Behind me were people who were grandparents like I have, who even have a granddaughter born on my same birthday. They played peek-a-boo and talked to me too. Even the people across from me and the boy (who was probably the age of my cousin James) smiled and made faces for me. Trekker never talked about how friendly everyone is on a plane! And how close they all are, making it easy to talk and play with everyone all at the same time. Mommy tried to show me the window when we "took off" into the air, but it didn't seem that interesting to me. There was so much going on inside, who needed to look outside? For those of you who are keeping in mind that we got up early and I had not slept yet know what was coming next. I started telling Mommy, Daddy and all of my new friends that I needed to sleep. This usually sounds to others like fussing and crying and includes me rubbing my eyes and squirming around because I can't get comfortable. Those of you who know Mommy also know that she still does this too. Mommy finally helped me get to sleep by rocking me and shushing in my ear. Mommy and Daddy switched places and I slept on Daddy for about an hour. Then I was ready to play and talk and jump and pound again! Everyone around me was ready again too. Mommy kept rubbing her eyes but did not fuss. I was proud of her because I don't think she slept when I did. I heard her telling Daddy that there were some "plane talkers" who did not stop talking the entire flight. Mommy needs relative quiet when she is going to sleep, so these people were not a good match for her that morning. I don't think Mommy would consider me a plane talker, I'm too cute and I don't actually talk yet. Mommy and Daddy were worried that my ears would hurt during the "descent" and "landing" (getting back to the ground for those of you like my friend Jack who are not familiar with these terms). I was too busy talking and playing and jumping and pounding to notice anything with my ears. I had just finished my medicine before we left and had been to the doctor to confirm that my ear infection was gone anyway. But sometimes the pressure of these activities (getting up in the air and back to the ground) makes ears hurt. I was glad it did not hurt me. Right before we got off the plane the nice young girl in front of me (who also went to the school Mommy went to called Centerville) let me hold her stuffed tiger. Actually, I pointed to it and grunted (the closest thing I get to talking these days) and she was nice enough to give it to me. It was as big as me and I loved it! She said it was from Build-a-Bear, a place I want to go to make my very own tiger stuffed animal that is as big as me! I don't know why they call it "build-a-bear" when it was actually a tiger, but I can ask when we get there someday.
To my surprise, after we walked through more hallways, on a subway-like train, on ano another elevator, our bags beat us to this place called Colorado before us! How did they know where to go? Another mystery I will need to solve in my lifetime. I will also have to look more closely at those machines we give our bags to the next time we are at the airport. I wonder if this works at other locations (like school) too. Maybe my friend Jack will know. I will ask him when I get back. Back to my story. We got on another bus and then into a car that did not look like either of ours. But the keys were in it and no one said anything so we drove away. Daddy drove and Mommy looked at the map, giving Daddy directions so we could get to our hotel. Our suite is really cool! I have my own bedroom, right next to Daddy and Mommy's. We have a little kitchen, a table to eat and an area to play. There is a pool we can see people in when we walk into the hotel too. Mommy brought my swim suit and even though I did not like the pool in my backyard, maybe we will try this one out.
We had lunch at a place called "Jason's Deli." I don't know who Jason is but he makes a great turkey sandwich. This place was a short walk from our hotel, which was really nice to be able to walk versus ride in the car. After lunch we walked to Wal-Mart which is also right by the hotel. We bought lots of food and had quite an adventure getting it back to the hotel! Luckily we had my stroller to help. After that, Mommy and I took a nap. Daddy went to check out the area and came back with a "key learning" (good P&G word for me, huh). The Coors Light beer we bought (we had to Buy Coors because it is made here) was "3.2" meaning not very strong. Actually, the Wikipedia definition is Low-point beer. is any beer (or in some cases any alcoholic beverage) containing at most 3.2% alcohol by weight (or 4% alcohol by volume). The term "Low-point beer" is unique to the United States, where some states limit sales of alcoholic beverages in certain places to it; however, similar products are available in countries such as Sweden and Finland that tax or otherwise regulate beer according to alcohol content. The states of Colorado (where we were),Kansas, Minnesota, Oklahoma, and Utah allow general establishments such as supermarket chains and convenience stores to sell only low-point beer. Keep this in mind if you visit here or Kansas or Minnesota, Oklahoma or Utah (other states I will visit sometime). That's okay, though, Mommy returned it later, we will not compromise! Don't worry, "us" means Mommy and Daddy, I am not allowed to drink anything but milk and water and sometimes juice.
For dinner we drove to Boulder, only 10-15 minutes away from our hotel. The University of Colorado is there, helping to create a fun, relaxed atmosphere in the city. We went for pizza at our friend Megan's cousin's place called "Nick & Willie's." It's on the main street (Pearl street) and after we ate we walked up and down the area looking at the stores and the people. We saw people singing, playing guitar, playing big sticks that sounded weird and two boys playing dualing keyboards with drum sticks. We found a liquor store (this is where you can buy real beer and wine too). We almost had to leave Daddy because he was so happy there. On the way back to the car we even got ice cream. Grandma and Grandpa would have been proud. And no, Daddy didn't have any. Mommy and I are the ice cream junkies.
I slept well in my bed away from home that night. It might help that the bed is partway into the closet to keep the light and the noise down for me. It was a long but good day!
Right when we finished we got up and went on the plane. I still wasn't really sure what we were doing but there were lots of people all around me and I got to sit, jump, lunge and pound on Daddy and Mommy. In front of me there was a nice lady with her daughter who smiled and talked to me. Behind me were people who were grandparents like I have, who even have a granddaughter born on my same birthday. They played peek-a-boo and talked to me too. Even the people across from me and the boy (who was probably the age of my cousin James) smiled and made faces for me. Trekker never talked about how friendly everyone is on a plane! And how close they all are, making it easy to talk and play with everyone all at the same time. Mommy tried to show me the window when we "took off" into the air, but it didn't seem that interesting to me. There was so much going on inside, who needed to look outside? For those of you who are keeping in mind that we got up early and I had not slept yet know what was coming next. I started telling Mommy, Daddy and all of my new friends that I needed to sleep. This usually sounds to others like fussing and crying and includes me rubbing my eyes and squirming around because I can't get comfortable. Those of you who know Mommy also know that she still does this too. Mommy finally helped me get to sleep by rocking me and shushing in my ear. Mommy and Daddy switched places and I slept on Daddy for about an hour. Then I was ready to play and talk and jump and pound again! Everyone around me was ready again too. Mommy kept rubbing her eyes but did not fuss. I was proud of her because I don't think she slept when I did. I heard her telling Daddy that there were some "plane talkers" who did not stop talking the entire flight. Mommy needs relative quiet when she is going to sleep, so these people were not a good match for her that morning. I don't think Mommy would consider me a plane talker, I'm too cute and I don't actually talk yet. Mommy and Daddy were worried that my ears would hurt during the "descent" and "landing" (getting back to the ground for those of you like my friend Jack who are not familiar with these terms). I was too busy talking and playing and jumping and pounding to notice anything with my ears. I had just finished my medicine before we left and had been to the doctor to confirm that my ear infection was gone anyway. But sometimes the pressure of these activities (getting up in the air and back to the ground) makes ears hurt. I was glad it did not hurt me. Right before we got off the plane the nice young girl in front of me (who also went to the school Mommy went to called Centerville) let me hold her stuffed tiger. Actually, I pointed to it and grunted (the closest thing I get to talking these days) and she was nice enough to give it to me. It was as big as me and I loved it! She said it was from Build-a-Bear, a place I want to go to make my very own tiger stuffed animal that is as big as me! I don't know why they call it "build-a-bear" when it was actually a tiger, but I can ask when we get there someday.
To my surprise, after we walked through more hallways, on a subway-like train, on ano another elevator, our bags beat us to this place called Colorado before us! How did they know where to go? Another mystery I will need to solve in my lifetime. I will also have to look more closely at those machines we give our bags to the next time we are at the airport. I wonder if this works at other locations (like school) too. Maybe my friend Jack will know. I will ask him when I get back. Back to my story. We got on another bus and then into a car that did not look like either of ours. But the keys were in it and no one said anything so we drove away. Daddy drove and Mommy looked at the map, giving Daddy directions so we could get to our hotel. Our suite is really cool! I have my own bedroom, right next to Daddy and Mommy's. We have a little kitchen, a table to eat and an area to play. There is a pool we can see people in when we walk into the hotel too. Mommy brought my swim suit and even though I did not like the pool in my backyard, maybe we will try this one out.
We had lunch at a place called "Jason's Deli." I don't know who Jason is but he makes a great turkey sandwich. This place was a short walk from our hotel, which was really nice to be able to walk versus ride in the car. After lunch we walked to Wal-Mart which is also right by the hotel. We bought lots of food and had quite an adventure getting it back to the hotel! Luckily we had my stroller to help. After that, Mommy and I took a nap. Daddy went to check out the area and came back with a "key learning" (good P&G word for me, huh). The Coors Light beer we bought (we had to Buy Coors because it is made here) was "3.2" meaning not very strong. Actually, the Wikipedia definition is Low-point beer. is any beer (or in some cases any alcoholic beverage) containing at most 3.2% alcohol by weight (or 4% alcohol by volume). The term "Low-point beer" is unique to the United States, where some states limit sales of alcoholic beverages in certain places to it; however, similar products are available in countries such as Sweden and Finland that tax or otherwise regulate beer according to alcohol content. The states of Colorado (where we were),Kansas, Minnesota, Oklahoma, and Utah allow general establishments such as supermarket chains and convenience stores to sell only low-point beer. Keep this in mind if you visit here or Kansas or Minnesota, Oklahoma or Utah (other states I will visit sometime). That's okay, though, Mommy returned it later, we will not compromise! Don't worry, "us" means Mommy and Daddy, I am not allowed to drink anything but milk and water and sometimes juice.
For dinner we drove to Boulder, only 10-15 minutes away from our hotel. The University of Colorado is there, helping to create a fun, relaxed atmosphere in the city. We went for pizza at our friend Megan's cousin's place called "Nick & Willie's." It's on the main street (Pearl street) and after we ate we walked up and down the area looking at the stores and the people. We saw people singing, playing guitar, playing big sticks that sounded weird and two boys playing dualing keyboards with drum sticks. We found a liquor store (this is where you can buy real beer and wine too). We almost had to leave Daddy because he was so happy there. On the way back to the car we even got ice cream. Grandma and Grandpa would have been proud. And no, Daddy didn't have any. Mommy and I are the ice cream junkies.
I slept well in my bed away from home that night. It might help that the bed is partway into the closet to keep the light and the noise down for me. It was a long but good day!
Friday, July 18, 2008
Hi Abigail, it’s Trekker! Mommy and I have been in Arkansas. This is yet another state that we will visit together sometime. It does not sound like it is spelled (Ark-Kansas), you say it “Arkansaw.” This is one of the many confusing words in the English language that you will learn. I know, you are focused on “Dada” and “Momma” right now. We rode on another plane (like I explained before when we went to the place called New York with all of the lights and sounds). When the plane landed is seemed like we were landing in a field, much like the farms we pass when we go to school. They had cows and hay (that actually looked like big bran muffins from the sky). We are here visiting the Wal-Mart headquarters (meaning “main place” like your “main place” at school where you play with Miss Nancy, Miss Tiesha and your friends most of the day). Wal-Mart is the world’s largest retailer and one of your favorite places to go. You would never know that people even live in the area by the looks of the farms and cows when you fly into this place. But, as you know from our drives to school, just a around a simple turn can be something totally different. We mainly spent time in buildings, but we did visit a Wal-Mart and a Target store just like you do with Mommy (although we did not buy any fun books or clothes or toys). The first night we went to dinner at a restaurant on top of a big hill and went for ice cream. You know how much Mommy loves ice cream! Mommy does not have to pump during the day anymore since you are weaning so it was easier this trip. She just “pumped and dumped” at night and morning to make sure she has enough supply for you when she comes home.
She was telling me how she really misses you when she is gone and looks forward to hearing from Daddy about your day and what you are doing at night. She misses holding you, hearing you laugh and giggle, singing and clapping with you (we know how you love to clap!). She really likes playing with you on the floor, following you around as you crawl and calling you from across the room so she can watch you zoom right over! Oh what fun she has with you!
The next day on our trip we went to another meeting (a place and time when people sit around tables and talk a lot and look at small print on paper and talk some more). We were preparing for a meeting with the important person at Wal-Mart. This is not like when you and Mommy have to meet with the people at the check-out line or the return line at Wal-Mart. This person does not sit at a Wal-Mart store but an office like the one that Daddy and Mommy go to every day. The meeting with the important person at Wal-Mart went pretty well and we went back to another building to “meet” (sit and talk) again. After all of that sitting and talking, everyone was ready to drink and eat! You would not think that so little activity would cause such hunger and thirst, but it does. Mommy loves to eat the “local” food so they went to a barbeque restaurant that reminded Mommy of our favorite restaurant in Dayton called “Cold Beer & Cheeseburger” (that specializes, as you might expect, in cold beer and cheeseburgers). This restaurant was named “Whole Hog” and although the name is not as obvious as “CB&C,” they make lots of barbeque pork. That night after dinner we did not get ice cream and Mommy was so tired that after she pumped she went straight to bed!
The next morning we had to get up at 4:45 am. If you were getting up in Ohio it would have been 5:45 am but this is another complicated explanation and it still felt really early. We made it to the airport with time to spare, were in line to get on the plane and found out that the bathroom did not work so everyone had to go back to the waiting area (this area speaks for itself). We only had to wait an hour for someone to come out and confirm that indeed, the bathroom did not work and we should not use it on our trip home. You don’t have to worry about this yet because you have your diapers, but this could be a problem for people without diapers on a long flight. Luckily, the flight was only one hour!
Mommy rushed back to work for meetings the rest of the day. She wanted to get them done so she could come home and see you! We are really excited that we all get to go on a trip together next week! Yeah, our first vacation on a plane together to Colorado.
She was telling me how she really misses you when she is gone and looks forward to hearing from Daddy about your day and what you are doing at night. She misses holding you, hearing you laugh and giggle, singing and clapping with you (we know how you love to clap!). She really likes playing with you on the floor, following you around as you crawl and calling you from across the room so she can watch you zoom right over! Oh what fun she has with you!
The next day on our trip we went to another meeting (a place and time when people sit around tables and talk a lot and look at small print on paper and talk some more). We were preparing for a meeting with the important person at Wal-Mart. This is not like when you and Mommy have to meet with the people at the check-out line or the return line at Wal-Mart. This person does not sit at a Wal-Mart store but an office like the one that Daddy and Mommy go to every day. The meeting with the important person at Wal-Mart went pretty well and we went back to another building to “meet” (sit and talk) again. After all of that sitting and talking, everyone was ready to drink and eat! You would not think that so little activity would cause such hunger and thirst, but it does. Mommy loves to eat the “local” food so they went to a barbeque restaurant that reminded Mommy of our favorite restaurant in Dayton called “Cold Beer & Cheeseburger” (that specializes, as you might expect, in cold beer and cheeseburgers). This restaurant was named “Whole Hog” and although the name is not as obvious as “CB&C,” they make lots of barbeque pork. That night after dinner we did not get ice cream and Mommy was so tired that after she pumped she went straight to bed!
The next morning we had to get up at 4:45 am. If you were getting up in Ohio it would have been 5:45 am but this is another complicated explanation and it still felt really early. We made it to the airport with time to spare, were in line to get on the plane and found out that the bathroom did not work so everyone had to go back to the waiting area (this area speaks for itself). We only had to wait an hour for someone to come out and confirm that indeed, the bathroom did not work and we should not use it on our trip home. You don’t have to worry about this yet because you have your diapers, but this could be a problem for people without diapers on a long flight. Luckily, the flight was only one hour!
Mommy rushed back to work for meetings the rest of the day. She wanted to get them done so she could come home and see you! We are really excited that we all get to go on a trip together next week! Yeah, our first vacation on a plane together to Colorado.
I’m 1! I have another tooth! I have another ear infection! Let’s get back to being 1. My birthday (July 10) was last Thursday. I am new to this whole “annual” birthday thing. I thought every month I had a special day. I am not sure I prefer a special day one time per year, but the celebration was much bigger (and longer) and I had my own cake, so maybe it’s worth the wait.
On Thursday (my real birthday), my celebration began with Mommy taking cupcakes to school so I could share with Miss Nancy, Miss Tiesha, Miss Chris and my friends (Jack, Jenna, Natalie and Paisley). I know what cupcakes are because Mommy and I used to bake all of the time when we were home together. Daddy’s work friends actually said they hoped that Mommy would have another baby and stay home for awhile because they were the recipients (big word for a 1-year old, huh) of many delicious treats! Anyway, they all sang happy birthday to me at school. I know this song because I have clapped while we sang this song for Daddy, Mommy and other people. I love to clap so this song is fun. I got to put my hands in paint and then put them on a piece of paper for my birthday sign! I did not take a nap in the morning because it was too exciting to sleep. To my surprise, Mommy came at lunch to pick me up! I was not sure I wanted to leave my friends (especially Jack, something Daddy is not very happy about), but we met Nana and my cousin James (who also has my same birthday) for lunch. Daddy was there too! We went to a place called “Red Robin” and they had ice cream, balloons, water in a fun cup and singing and clapping. I love to clap! After that, Nana and James got into our SUV (sport utility van) and went to a fun place with animals and birds all around. I giggled and clapped and pointed and loved every minute of it. And I did not sleep! And we were there until after 6 pm! We were gone so long Daddy worried about us! But Daddy worries, so I was not surprised by that. I loved the flamingos. They were pink and walked funny and came over near me. Nana loves flamingos too and she has them in her front yard. Hers don’t move like these do, I will have to check them out the next time we visit. When we got home it was almost bed time. Mommy, Daddy and I had a quiet dinner (with peas for me, one of my favorite foods). They put a burning stick in front of me and sang “Happy Birthday” to me (again, because they did that when I woke up that morning too). I don’t think I could tire of that song, especially when everyone singing is looking and smiling at me. What a great song! And Mommy clapped. I love clapping! Anyway, I tried to grab the burning stick and put it in my mouth like I do everything else. Mommy quickly made the fire go away (I think this is called “blowing out the candle” that Miss Nancy was trying to teach me, but I think that is something I will need to practice for another time). I was a tired girl and went to bed after that!
The next day I had another wonderful surprise! Grandma and Grandpa picked me up from school! I was so excited when I saw them that I went right over. I think Daddy was a little sad because I did not go to him, but he must understand how much I love Grandma and Grandpa! They took me home and I went right to bed, for 3 hours! When I woke up, Mommy and Daddy came home and we all had fun playing with my toys.
The next day was Saturday and I love Saturdays because I get up and play and don’t rush around. I also usually go back to sleep an hour after I get up and get a good nap. On this Saturday, Mommy told me the coolest story after I got up from my nap. She said that she was out running in our neighborhood (yes, I was a little bummed out that I did not get to go because we used to walk together every day when we were home together) and heard a “whoosh” noise coming over the trees right by her. She said she looked up and saw a hot air balloon (not sure what these are, but I got a balloon at Red Robin. I guess they must be like this, especially when Mommy and James accidentally let both of our balloons go within seconds of getting outside and they went high in the sky until we could not see them anymore). She said this “hot air” balloon was close enough to hear the people in it talking so she gave a “full body wave,” (you know that kind where you are so excited and really want to get someone’s attention?) and yelled up “good morning!” They gave a partially body wave (she said that a full body wave might have rocked the basket too much) and yelled “good morning!” back. She said the balloon was beautiful, it looked almost like the sun rising. And she said the sky was perfectly blue without a cloud, the temperature was cool with a slight breeze. It was a wonderful morning for both a good run and a hot air balloon ride. If you asked Daddy, he would say there are no perfect mornings, days or nights for a hot air balloon because heights are scary, but that is another story. While I was sleeping, Daddy and Mommy went out shopping to get lots of food. Now, they told me I was having a party, but I don’t think I fully understood what they meant! I thought it was a party just to have Grandma and Grandpa visiting! They made me lay down for a little while after lunch (more peas, please!) and when I woke up, there were more people at the house! My aunt Cin-Day and her family, my uncle John and his family, Nana and Papaw and some of my close friends were all there. I love people and it seemed like they were all there to see me! Now that I am crawling all over the place and even standing on my own, it was like I had my own parade. All of my cousins would swam around me and clap and cheer at my every move (I love clapping!). I showed them my toys and we played and played. After a little while of these festivities (a.k.a. “Abigail following”), Mommy took me outside and let me pull paper apart and out of bags. Inside these bags there were toys and clothes. I love toys and these looked like fun. I really liked the paper pulling too. On top of that, everyone was standing around watching me and cheering and clapping (do I need to say it again that I love clapping?). Mommy put me in my high chair outside, in the middle of everyone; put a plate with a cake (and icing) on it with another burning stick. This burning stick was in the shape of a 1. I thought she would have figured it out from the other night that I just wanted to put the burning light in my mouth, but she didn’t, so again she quickly pulled it away before I could get my hand on it. This time, though, she sat the cake on my tray. I immediately put my hand in this cake, got a fist full of cake and shoved it into my mouth. I like it so much I put my other hand in it and was eating this delicious sweet treat as fast as I could. Mommy did take it away but I had smeared so much cake and frosting on my face, hair and body that I knew I would have some for later. And everyone cheered…..and clapped! What a great celebration! My friends left that afternoon when I went down for my nap, but when I woke up my family was still there! I loved playing with my cousins and aunts and uncles (and of course Grandma, Nana, Grandpa and Papaw). We ate more cake, Daddy made burgers and we all played games until my bedtime. I was not really interested in going to bed (who could sleep with a party going on?) but eventually we all went to sleep.
The next morning, my family was still there! What another wonderful surprise! We enjoyed another morning of playing the “follow Abigail” game. They were there even after my nap. It was like every time I woke up I had another surprise! I got to say goodbye (I have just started waving too) and then took another nap. This time it was just Mommy and Daddy. Even though my family was gone, it was still fun. I played with Daddy because Mommy was visiting her friend Melissa’s new baby who was also born on my birthday! Her name is Sophia and I hope I get to be friends with her someday.
Well, that is my story about my birthday celebration. I think it was very fun and hope the next birthday is as much fun!
Now the story does not get better from here. After my very fun weekend, Monday morning I woke up in good spirits, wondering what surprises I had in store for me. Well, I had the kind of surprise I would prefer not to have. Everything seemed to be going well. Mommy got me up and we spent some fun time together. But then when we were going to school we passed my building and went in a suspicious direction. We parked in a spot and Daddy was there to greet us. Things were not looking good, as I knew we were at the doctor’s office. I kept good spirits because I thought maybe we were just going to visit the waiting room. No luck. As I have told you before, I do not like the doctor. I cry and cry when she first walks into the room. When she comes near me I really let the lungs go. I cried when they put me on the scale to weigh me (18 ½ pounds, still in the 10th percentile), when they measured my length (29 inches, in the 75th percentile) and even when they measured my head (I don’t know this because I was crying so loud no one could hear). Then the doctor started sticking things in my ears. You know what she found? I have an ear infection in my right ear. Mommy and Daddy felt really bad because they had no idea. Mommy felt really, really bad because she and I were both sick and she was sick for so long that she went to the doctor for medicine (I don’t know if she cried like I did when her doctor stuck something in her ear but I will ask her). She thought that I was better when she was sick! Now she is wondering if I have been sick the whole time. I can’t tell her and I probably would not because she would have taken me to the doctor. Back to my doctor story. When I thought the worst was over, you know what they did? They gave me three shots! Boy was I mad. What happened to my celebration? I was pretty tired the rest of the day and my legs were sore from the shots.
The next day I had another “incident report” at school. Here is the story as I can best explain it. I was trying to stand because I am a very active and growing girl. I lost my balance and fell and hit my head on the chair. I cried and got an ice pack and went back to playing. I do not like ice packs so sometimes that makes me cry harder than the pain of the “incident.” Mommy and Daddy kid around that I get these quite often these days and they wonder if it has anything to do with my friend Jack. I think it’s just because Daddy does not like the idea that there is another “man” in my life besides him.
The next day I had to get up early because Mommy was going out of town. She promised that she would be home soon and that Trekker would write a story, but I would really prefer Mommy and no story.
I had a really good time with Daddy when Mommy was out of town and we had a fun night when Mommy got back too. The next day, though, I had to go to therapy! I am a trooper about therapy but it is certainly not my favorite place. My new therapist said that I have “gone backwards” a little bit and said that Mommy and Daddy need to continue the stretches and exercises. I don’t have to wear my pink suit anymore because we found out that it really was not working that well. But I do still have my necklace and I don’t like the stretches or the exercises.
Tonight as soon as Daddy and I got home, I pulled something down on myself and bonked my eye! It’s all red and has a bump now. I was a very tired girl and went to bed early after this “up and down” week. Mommy and Daddy told me, though, that we are going on vacation next week so things are looking up again. Daddy did mention something today that I am going to pretend that I did not hear. He said that my friend Jack is moving to the next room in a couple of weeks. I think this means that I will not seem him, like when Corina and Campbell moved awhile ago. Hmm. I might need to ignore this information for now.
I hope you are all doing well and do not need shots or a physical therapist or have bumps on your head.
On Thursday (my real birthday), my celebration began with Mommy taking cupcakes to school so I could share with Miss Nancy, Miss Tiesha, Miss Chris and my friends (Jack, Jenna, Natalie and Paisley). I know what cupcakes are because Mommy and I used to bake all of the time when we were home together. Daddy’s work friends actually said they hoped that Mommy would have another baby and stay home for awhile because they were the recipients (big word for a 1-year old, huh) of many delicious treats! Anyway, they all sang happy birthday to me at school. I know this song because I have clapped while we sang this song for Daddy, Mommy and other people. I love to clap so this song is fun. I got to put my hands in paint and then put them on a piece of paper for my birthday sign! I did not take a nap in the morning because it was too exciting to sleep. To my surprise, Mommy came at lunch to pick me up! I was not sure I wanted to leave my friends (especially Jack, something Daddy is not very happy about), but we met Nana and my cousin James (who also has my same birthday) for lunch. Daddy was there too! We went to a place called “Red Robin” and they had ice cream, balloons, water in a fun cup and singing and clapping. I love to clap! After that, Nana and James got into our SUV (sport utility van) and went to a fun place with animals and birds all around. I giggled and clapped and pointed and loved every minute of it. And I did not sleep! And we were there until after 6 pm! We were gone so long Daddy worried about us! But Daddy worries, so I was not surprised by that. I loved the flamingos. They were pink and walked funny and came over near me. Nana loves flamingos too and she has them in her front yard. Hers don’t move like these do, I will have to check them out the next time we visit. When we got home it was almost bed time. Mommy, Daddy and I had a quiet dinner (with peas for me, one of my favorite foods). They put a burning stick in front of me and sang “Happy Birthday” to me (again, because they did that when I woke up that morning too). I don’t think I could tire of that song, especially when everyone singing is looking and smiling at me. What a great song! And Mommy clapped. I love clapping! Anyway, I tried to grab the burning stick and put it in my mouth like I do everything else. Mommy quickly made the fire go away (I think this is called “blowing out the candle” that Miss Nancy was trying to teach me, but I think that is something I will need to practice for another time). I was a tired girl and went to bed after that!
The next day I had another wonderful surprise! Grandma and Grandpa picked me up from school! I was so excited when I saw them that I went right over. I think Daddy was a little sad because I did not go to him, but he must understand how much I love Grandma and Grandpa! They took me home and I went right to bed, for 3 hours! When I woke up, Mommy and Daddy came home and we all had fun playing with my toys.
The next day was Saturday and I love Saturdays because I get up and play and don’t rush around. I also usually go back to sleep an hour after I get up and get a good nap. On this Saturday, Mommy told me the coolest story after I got up from my nap. She said that she was out running in our neighborhood (yes, I was a little bummed out that I did not get to go because we used to walk together every day when we were home together) and heard a “whoosh” noise coming over the trees right by her. She said she looked up and saw a hot air balloon (not sure what these are, but I got a balloon at Red Robin. I guess they must be like this, especially when Mommy and James accidentally let both of our balloons go within seconds of getting outside and they went high in the sky until we could not see them anymore). She said this “hot air” balloon was close enough to hear the people in it talking so she gave a “full body wave,” (you know that kind where you are so excited and really want to get someone’s attention?) and yelled up “good morning!” They gave a partially body wave (she said that a full body wave might have rocked the basket too much) and yelled “good morning!” back. She said the balloon was beautiful, it looked almost like the sun rising. And she said the sky was perfectly blue without a cloud, the temperature was cool with a slight breeze. It was a wonderful morning for both a good run and a hot air balloon ride. If you asked Daddy, he would say there are no perfect mornings, days or nights for a hot air balloon because heights are scary, but that is another story. While I was sleeping, Daddy and Mommy went out shopping to get lots of food. Now, they told me I was having a party, but I don’t think I fully understood what they meant! I thought it was a party just to have Grandma and Grandpa visiting! They made me lay down for a little while after lunch (more peas, please!) and when I woke up, there were more people at the house! My aunt Cin-Day and her family, my uncle John and his family, Nana and Papaw and some of my close friends were all there. I love people and it seemed like they were all there to see me! Now that I am crawling all over the place and even standing on my own, it was like I had my own parade. All of my cousins would swam around me and clap and cheer at my every move (I love clapping!). I showed them my toys and we played and played. After a little while of these festivities (a.k.a. “Abigail following”), Mommy took me outside and let me pull paper apart and out of bags. Inside these bags there were toys and clothes. I love toys and these looked like fun. I really liked the paper pulling too. On top of that, everyone was standing around watching me and cheering and clapping (do I need to say it again that I love clapping?). Mommy put me in my high chair outside, in the middle of everyone; put a plate with a cake (and icing) on it with another burning stick. This burning stick was in the shape of a 1. I thought she would have figured it out from the other night that I just wanted to put the burning light in my mouth, but she didn’t, so again she quickly pulled it away before I could get my hand on it. This time, though, she sat the cake on my tray. I immediately put my hand in this cake, got a fist full of cake and shoved it into my mouth. I like it so much I put my other hand in it and was eating this delicious sweet treat as fast as I could. Mommy did take it away but I had smeared so much cake and frosting on my face, hair and body that I knew I would have some for later. And everyone cheered…..and clapped! What a great celebration! My friends left that afternoon when I went down for my nap, but when I woke up my family was still there! I loved playing with my cousins and aunts and uncles (and of course Grandma, Nana, Grandpa and Papaw). We ate more cake, Daddy made burgers and we all played games until my bedtime. I was not really interested in going to bed (who could sleep with a party going on?) but eventually we all went to sleep.
The next morning, my family was still there! What another wonderful surprise! We enjoyed another morning of playing the “follow Abigail” game. They were there even after my nap. It was like every time I woke up I had another surprise! I got to say goodbye (I have just started waving too) and then took another nap. This time it was just Mommy and Daddy. Even though my family was gone, it was still fun. I played with Daddy because Mommy was visiting her friend Melissa’s new baby who was also born on my birthday! Her name is Sophia and I hope I get to be friends with her someday.
Well, that is my story about my birthday celebration. I think it was very fun and hope the next birthday is as much fun!
Now the story does not get better from here. After my very fun weekend, Monday morning I woke up in good spirits, wondering what surprises I had in store for me. Well, I had the kind of surprise I would prefer not to have. Everything seemed to be going well. Mommy got me up and we spent some fun time together. But then when we were going to school we passed my building and went in a suspicious direction. We parked in a spot and Daddy was there to greet us. Things were not looking good, as I knew we were at the doctor’s office. I kept good spirits because I thought maybe we were just going to visit the waiting room. No luck. As I have told you before, I do not like the doctor. I cry and cry when she first walks into the room. When she comes near me I really let the lungs go. I cried when they put me on the scale to weigh me (18 ½ pounds, still in the 10th percentile), when they measured my length (29 inches, in the 75th percentile) and even when they measured my head (I don’t know this because I was crying so loud no one could hear). Then the doctor started sticking things in my ears. You know what she found? I have an ear infection in my right ear. Mommy and Daddy felt really bad because they had no idea. Mommy felt really, really bad because she and I were both sick and she was sick for so long that she went to the doctor for medicine (I don’t know if she cried like I did when her doctor stuck something in her ear but I will ask her). She thought that I was better when she was sick! Now she is wondering if I have been sick the whole time. I can’t tell her and I probably would not because she would have taken me to the doctor. Back to my doctor story. When I thought the worst was over, you know what they did? They gave me three shots! Boy was I mad. What happened to my celebration? I was pretty tired the rest of the day and my legs were sore from the shots.
The next day I had another “incident report” at school. Here is the story as I can best explain it. I was trying to stand because I am a very active and growing girl. I lost my balance and fell and hit my head on the chair. I cried and got an ice pack and went back to playing. I do not like ice packs so sometimes that makes me cry harder than the pain of the “incident.” Mommy and Daddy kid around that I get these quite often these days and they wonder if it has anything to do with my friend Jack. I think it’s just because Daddy does not like the idea that there is another “man” in my life besides him.
The next day I had to get up early because Mommy was going out of town. She promised that she would be home soon and that Trekker would write a story, but I would really prefer Mommy and no story.
I had a really good time with Daddy when Mommy was out of town and we had a fun night when Mommy got back too. The next day, though, I had to go to therapy! I am a trooper about therapy but it is certainly not my favorite place. My new therapist said that I have “gone backwards” a little bit and said that Mommy and Daddy need to continue the stretches and exercises. I don’t have to wear my pink suit anymore because we found out that it really was not working that well. But I do still have my necklace and I don’t like the stretches or the exercises.
Tonight as soon as Daddy and I got home, I pulled something down on myself and bonked my eye! It’s all red and has a bump now. I was a very tired girl and went to bed early after this “up and down” week. Mommy and Daddy told me, though, that we are going on vacation next week so things are looking up again. Daddy did mention something today that I am going to pretend that I did not hear. He said that my friend Jack is moving to the next room in a couple of weeks. I think this means that I will not seem him, like when Corina and Campbell moved awhile ago. Hmm. I might need to ignore this information for now.
I hope you are all doing well and do not need shots or a physical therapist or have bumps on your head.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Hello everyone, it’s me, Abigail! I know you probably know that it’s Abigail because it’s my blog, but sometimes I let Mommy or Daddy write something so I want you to be clear that it’s me. I am a very clear girl. Especially when I don’t want to do something, like stretches. I have a very good “sad/mad” face that makes everyone think twice about making me do something I do not want to do. Luckily I don’t have to put that face on very much, because life is pretty darn happy for me. I get to play all day with my friends at school, then I get to play outside with Daddy and Mommy at night (especially since it’s summer and I get to sit in my swing on the back porch). Mr. Fancy Pants lets me pet him now, so I try to be very gentle. I noticed that he gets lots more treats these days, I wonder if it’s because he is so good and lets me pet him. Bella still is not interested in letting me pet her, but boy do I love to chase her! Since I can stand up on my own now, I pull myself up and can just barely see her on the other side of the bed. She looks at me sometimes and I start to giggle and bounce up and down then she runs away. What a fun game we have! On the weekends we do fun things together (Daddy, Mommy and me) all day. One time Daddy put me in my new backpack and we went for a “hike” at a forest nearby. It was amazing that we were only 30 minutes away from home and surrounded by a city but felt like we were in the middle of a forest away from everything. I hope we get to do that again, I liked hanging out on Daddy’s back. I was tired in the middle and even took a nap. We were practicing for our trip to Colorado (another State that I am going to visit) in July.
Like I already told you, I went on a road trip Nana and Mommy a couple of weeks ago. We went to see Uncle Mike (Nana’s brother), Aunt Jackie (Uncle Mike’s wife) and their two (big) dogs, Buffy and Lady. Boy did I have fun. The trip did not start that well because Mommy took me to the doctor. Talk about putting on my sad/mad face! I have already told you how much I dislike going to the doctor. I thought that I could put an end to that business but Mommy and Daddy have not gotten the picture yet. I have “stepped up” the sad/mad face with uncontrollable crying and still they keep taking me there. Hmm. I am going to work on a new tactic. I went to my first wedding a couple of weeks ago. It was really fun to listen to Nana and Mommy talk though, I could tell how much Mommy loved spending time with her mom, just like I love spending time with her. I hope that me and Mommy have as much fun as she and Nana do.
Do you have the cicadas where you live? I hear Daddy and Mommy and lots of people talking about this bugs that make lots of noise. I am very confused because I thought they said that the bugs came every 17 years. But then they talk about how they came four years ago. Now, I don’t know how to count just yet but I think 17 and 4 are different numbers so I am not sure what is going on. Anyway, they are also supposed to be here for two weeks, but again, people started talking about this two week business more than two weeks ago. Daddy is tired of the cicadas. They are all over the yard and since he is always out trying to catch moles, he sees them all of the time. Mommy is not as bothered, but she is not too much into yard work so she doesn’t get too close to them. Mommy also thinks it’s amazing how much sound they make. It is at times deafening, sometimes it is a constant background noise, like the sound Trekker described New York City at night to be. The fact that there are 5 to 7 billion creatures all singing at one time is pretty amazing. I don’t mind it either, I would love to get my hands on one so I could eat it. Daddy and Mommy stay very close to me outside, I wonder if they know that is what I am thinking.
Daddy had a really fun first Father’s Day with me! On Saturday of that weekend he got up early and drove to Toledo to play in a golf outing with his friends and also got to see Grandma and Grandpa. Although I would have loved to see them too, it was very early when he left.
We have lots of projects going on around here. We got approval for the fence, thanks to Mommy’s good nature and a nice woman at West Chester. Our washer broke and after working for two weeks with a repair shop, two visits to the laundry mat by Daddy (boy does he have stories to tell) and one amazing weekend when Grandma did our laundry, we bought a new one last week. We are also in the midst of getting our front step and sidewalk replaced and are adding concrete around the new basketball hoop. It seems like a construction site!
Like I already told you, I went on a road trip Nana and Mommy a couple of weeks ago. We went to see Uncle Mike (Nana’s brother), Aunt Jackie (Uncle Mike’s wife) and their two (big) dogs, Buffy and Lady. Boy did I have fun. The trip did not start that well because Mommy took me to the doctor. Talk about putting on my sad/mad face! I have already told you how much I dislike going to the doctor. I thought that I could put an end to that business but Mommy and Daddy have not gotten the picture yet. I have “stepped up” the sad/mad face with uncontrollable crying and still they keep taking me there. Hmm. I am going to work on a new tactic. I went to my first wedding a couple of weeks ago. It was really fun to listen to Nana and Mommy talk though, I could tell how much Mommy loved spending time with her mom, just like I love spending time with her. I hope that me and Mommy have as much fun as she and Nana do.
Do you have the cicadas where you live? I hear Daddy and Mommy and lots of people talking about this bugs that make lots of noise. I am very confused because I thought they said that the bugs came every 17 years. But then they talk about how they came four years ago. Now, I don’t know how to count just yet but I think 17 and 4 are different numbers so I am not sure what is going on. Anyway, they are also supposed to be here for two weeks, but again, people started talking about this two week business more than two weeks ago. Daddy is tired of the cicadas. They are all over the yard and since he is always out trying to catch moles, he sees them all of the time. Mommy is not as bothered, but she is not too much into yard work so she doesn’t get too close to them. Mommy also thinks it’s amazing how much sound they make. It is at times deafening, sometimes it is a constant background noise, like the sound Trekker described New York City at night to be. The fact that there are 5 to 7 billion creatures all singing at one time is pretty amazing. I don’t mind it either, I would love to get my hands on one so I could eat it. Daddy and Mommy stay very close to me outside, I wonder if they know that is what I am thinking.
Daddy had a really fun first Father’s Day with me! On Saturday of that weekend he got up early and drove to Toledo to play in a golf outing with his friends and also got to see Grandma and Grandpa. Although I would have loved to see them too, it was very early when he left.
We have lots of projects going on around here. We got approval for the fence, thanks to Mommy’s good nature and a nice woman at West Chester. Our washer broke and after working for two weeks with a repair shop, two visits to the laundry mat by Daddy (boy does he have stories to tell) and one amazing weekend when Grandma did our laundry, we bought a new one last week. We are also in the midst of getting our front step and sidewalk replaced and are adding concrete around the new basketball hoop. It seems like a construction site!
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