Hayden. Oh Hayden. She definitely has her bouts of fits but her times of pure awesomeness outshine those rocky times. She is so sensitive and takes everything personal. She really wants to be her best and to please everyone. She takes care of Abbie most of the time and is a great big sister. She has such a sweet sweet heart. Hayden loves all things princess, girlie, dreamy and fairy tale-esque. She is amazing. She loves to be tickled, to tickle Ethan, to play tricks...oh man does she love to be silly. The things she finds humor in is funny just within itself. 
And she is sooo inquisitive. Just today, Ethan told me that Hay asked him how we talk...like the physiology of how we speak. What 4 year old thinks of those things? I wish I could have heard his response but I have no doubt he did an amazing job, teaching her the key points to the vocal anatomy. She continues to question things around her and grows every day. She uses her brilliant brain to argue...and most times her logic is tough to beat! Lately she's also been getting frustrated with her words, unable to say what she means the way she wants to..or frustrated when we don't exactly understand what she means. It gets interesting around here some times.
She is a snuggler though...that's never changed. She neeeeeds mommy and neeeeeds me right now. Her favorite place is our bed I'm pretty sure, even though hers is perfect it's apparently not as "compy" as ours. She used to be shy, too bashful to even wave at someone she was excited to see. At the heritage festival she went right up to another little girl and started chatting away and playing. When she's comfortable with people outside of the home, she is a chatterbox. I'm not sure if that's part of growing up or being in preschool or just finally growing stronger and more comfortable. Either way it's amazing to see her blossom. I can't wait to see what else she has in store for us.
And sweet, sweet Abbie.
We used to say "and then there's Abbie..." but now when we say it, it's with a totally different tone. Within the past few months we've seen changes in her and it seems every time I look at her, she's changing and growing. I forget how quickly it happens. She's almost past the screeching pterodactyl phase...Ethan's favorite phase (insert sarcasm). It's wonderful to not only see her vocabulary grow but that she can appropriately respond to questions; it makes things so much easier. She tries singing every now and then and definitely does her best to mimic sounds she hears. Sometimes she gets her noises right and it's an actual word. I can't wait for her to get more words and really tell us what she's thinking.
She never fails to try to keep up with Hayden, either. This girl is getting to be too advanced for her age as she follows Hayden and is determined to do just like her. Abbie is quick to figure out how to do sneak attacks and steal Hay's toys or how to quietly shut herself into Chili dog's kennel and play contentedly. She's a character. She has an ornery side and loves to play.
She also gets our humor and loves to be silly with us. I do believe she'll fit right in! Abbie also loves to be outside. I remember Hayden being the same way -- throwing fits because we wouldn't let her go out and then when she did get outside, just wandering happily around the backyard. Abbie loves the slide though and tries to go up it, unsuccessfully, every time. She almost has the "weeee" part down too as she's zoooming down the slide.
Like I said...it's not all roses but it's remembering these moments and how special these two beautiful girls are that help get us through. I so wish the days were longer so I could cuddle with them more; wish the sun was out more so we could play longer; wish time would slow down so I could enjoy this age, this time, these babies of mine. My heart overflows with happiness....blessed beyond measure. No complaints here.
I sure love these girls...
