February Photo Drop - Part 2

And this post is a hodge-podge of pics from the 2nd half of February!

The girls and I spent a day in Springfield running around with no true agenda one day.  Hayden dressed herself (stripes, skirt, red shirt, and heart jacket with a huge flower headband). I just love her! 

We visited Pet Warehouse where she tried to convince Daddy that we were going to bring this little guy home with us.

A quick stop off at mommy's work playground, always a favorite.

And then there's Abbie and her own style; Minnie Mouse hat and one glove. That's it. :)

The girls and I also created this button tree! I had my eye on this for a long time but had never gotten around to actually making it.  Hayden helped paint the tree, both girls helped pick out buttons and place them on the tree.  Abbie tried to help with the glue but we quickly discovered that it wasn't a great idea. 

So I guess this post wasn't really a hodge podge of pics since the all happened on one day!  Oh well. At the end of the day, these two girls love each other and I couldn't be more blessed .  This last pic just shows how much they love each other (or at least tolerate each other).  We were hangin out in the living room and the girls were cuddled together as Abbie put Hayden in a loving hug (maybe head-lock,not sure).  My heart is happy.

February Photo Drop - Part 1

Here is part 1 of what's been going on in our little world during February 2014! 

• Valentines: This is the first year that Hayden got to create and build a Valentine's box.  Granted, she had no idea what exactly a Valentine's box was but she was all excited to build a princess castle. With Ethan's precision and my craftiness and Hayden's vision and direction...this is what we came up with! She was very excited once it started coming together. Ethan was in charge of following her directions and she was in charge of decorations. 

        

• CHEESE! The girls both love being silly and love the camera. This is nothing new but I love seeing how they've changed. 

 

Paintings from the kiddos.  My heart is full.

• Piggy Bank Busted: We decided it was time for Hayden to spend some of her own saved money. To say she was excited might be an understatement.  We cashed in her piggy bank, I believe she had been collecting random coins for about year.  We spent about one hour with her in Toys R Us. Hayden really knows how to shop and make decisions. She would ask how much something was and if she had enough monies for it. Then she would evaluate it against another toy she was debating on.  Sometimes she would have 2 or 3 choices in the cart while she was perusing the aisles.  You could really see the wheels turning as she was making internal decisions, rationalizing which item would be more valuable to her.   In the end she ended up with a plush Ariel doll (to go with her collection of plush princesses) and was thoughtful enough to also include a small mermaid for Abbie.  

• Meet Puffin: Hayden had been talking a LOT about wishing she had a kitten.  We eventually gave in and ended up with this crazy one.  Ethan took Hay on a surprise trip to Joplin Humane Society in search of a kitten. She called me when she got there and was BEYOND ecstatic once she realized what they were doing. It took her the entire day to come up with a fitting name, Puffin.  Where that came from, we have no idea but it is perfect.   She was about 3 months old and is so feisty. She's a perfect addition to our family. Hayden has fully accepted her "mommy" responsibility with the kitten and takes great care of her. 

That sure didn't seem like much for a post but that's all I've got for tonight :)  Part 2 will be up this weekend.

Abbie at 1.5 years

Wowzer.  Abbie is 18months!  She has grown and changed so much these past few months.  One of the biggest changes is she has teeth! Her first tooth popped through right at 15 months, the same as Hayden. Her front lower tooth came first, then an upper side tooth and eventually another front bottom and side bottom.  Right now she has five and I'm pretty sure 3 of those all came in at the same time...it was a rough 3 weeks, haha.

She's starting to talk more, definitely mimicking what she hears.  I think I have figured out what she calls Hayden (uh-dah), she clearly says ChiliChili, go, bite, no, mom, da (dad), where go, milk, HayHay, bath and her favorite one BuhBye! We've counted over 35 words. She constantly rattles and chatters, usually at such a loud volume.  I'm thinking that it won't be long at all until she's using her words a lot more and then our worlds will be changed! She's also ridiculously quick at learning routines.  She follows 1 or 2 step directions really well, and it continues to amaze me.  She's still very particular about where things go and always putting things up.  I sure hope that trait sticks!  She also quickly notices when something has moved or not where it's supposed to be.

Abbie still feels (more now that ever) that she is just as big as Hayden. She looooves to be involved with whatever Hayden is doing and honestly thinks she can do whatever Hayden does. And she tries her best.
I have noticed that she's doing things so much sooner and I wonder at times if this is why, from watching and following Hay all the time. In fact, just this week I caught her trying to use the toilet! She had taken off her pants and diaper and was trying to climb onto the toilet.   She also has become really good at using her fork and spoon - mastering cereal even! She definitely is watching us and picking up on everything we're doing

Hayden loves Abbie a lot  and often says it's because Abbie smiles all the time or that she's so silly. And it's true.  She's such a good hearted girl, loves to snuggle often and is learning to be ornery (she must get that from Ethan haha).  She is such a goofball, having learned to fake laugh she tends to randomly throw out a chuckle when you least expect it and then laugh when we laugh back.  She loves to play "i'm going to get you" and "where's Hayden?" or the all time favorite "tickle monster."

I can't believe that it's been 18months already. We're truly been blessed with an amazing little spunk of energy that's full of loving and ornery-ness when we got blessed with Abbie.

My girls

I love my girls.  I love how different they are, how sweet they can be, and how daily they stretch me to be better and stronger. It's not roses all the time but it's the best I can imagine it ever to be.

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...

Random Photos

Since I clearly have slacked off in posts...here's a bunch of photos I've downloaded off my phone...with no story to go with them.   

Five for Friday..on Saturday

So it's Saturday...Saturday night at that and I'm just now doing a 5 for Friday post :) I'm determined to get it posted while it's still Saturday and it's getting pretty close but I think we'll be okay, haha.  I realized I hadn't posted in a while and figured this was the best way to just download what we've been up to.  I definitely don't think I'll be able to keep up this frequency when school starts (which is coming WAY too fast for me and not soon enough for Hayden).

And here we go -- why not make it Six for Saturday...

1.  Speaking of school and Hayden, I saw her school supply list this past week.  She'll be going to the Fair Grove Preschool program 2 days a week this year. She is soooo excited. Not sure she knows exactly what she's in for but I know she'll do great!  We're going to take her tomorrow to get some of her supplies.  I'm kinda thinking we're asking for trouble though because she has to hang onto them until the 15th of Aug when she starts.  Kinda like telling her that her birthday is in 2 weeks...every day at least twice a day we'll hear "Is it almost time?"  :)  Love her!

2. And then there's my school.  This coming week is the last week the girls will be here at the house with me :'(  The following week they'll be at the sitter's house full time as I'm back in the classroom, officially starting my time on the 9th with meetings all day. Yuck.  I've been going into the classroom at least once a week to start unpacking boxes and putting everything back where ti goes.  I'm soo ready for the routine and rhythm of the school year and to be with my new students, just not looking forward to the fewer hours with my girls and feeling pulled in every direction.  But, I always manage.  I'm very lucky to love what I do and have an amazing school to be at so that makes those downsides sooo much easier.

3.  Hayden had a huge achievement this week.  We met mom in Bolivar on Wed for Hay to go back with her and stay the night at the farm.  What surprised us was that she ended up staying THREE nights!! Willingly (according to mom).  I knew she would have a great time but really surprised that she managed 3 nights without having meltdowns missing me.  Seriously.  She really did have a great time. Sounds like she spent it just like I did growing up...playing outside with the kittens, adventures with Grandma, running around naked, swimming, and being outside all the time.  I loved that Dad would send me picture texts and videos.

4. Sweet Abbie sure showed her personality while Hay was at the farm. It was really great to have lots of one-on-one time with her and do some bonding.  She is a lovey little one with a determination like something fierce!  She is sooo stinkin smart too.  We've realized that she's able to follow simple one-step directions (put it in the trash, give to daddy, put it in the box, get your diaper, etc) and is excited to do them.  She wants to be involved with everything and so we still hear a lot of squeals and hollering when we don't realize soon enough what it is that she's wanting.  She also LOVES music.  Here's a video of her new dance moves, spinning as well as a video of her singing.  Again, so sweet.

5. Canada... Ethan is gearing up for his last week long trip to Canada for work.  He hasn't been there since last fall which was awful planning...he left my first full week of school, and I had a 10 week old Abbie, and the girls were starting at a new sitters.  We survived. But this year it won't be as bad. It definitely helps that I'll not be at work yet and wont have to have any schedules or routines (although I neeeed to be getting everyone up 2 hours earlier than we currently are, ouch).  This should be his last trip up there so he is going to do a lot more sight-seeing and exploring.

6. And lastly -- we went up to Aunt Shirley's today for a Cantrell get together. Shirley and Bill had been down to Alabama to see Brad and Missy and then had brought Laine back with them. We hadn't seen her since she was little bitty!  It was a great afternoon with the Minichs, Hagers, Mildred & John, and then Brian and Haddie (who is super cute!).  Hayden enjoyed playing with the girls and Abbie was content to wander and explore and do her best to do it all on her own.  We actually were able to get a picture of all the great grandkids that were there with John & Mildred.  NINE great grandkids (all girls) and we were only missing one...Morgan.  Pretty impressive!

Whew...it's almost midnight. I think I just might get this posted while it's still Saturday!

Thanks for keeping up with us! And if you haven't "followed" us yet, put your email in the "Follow By Email" box on the right to get email updates or click on the Bloglovin button on the side to get daily updates as well. :)   And we always love comments (I say we....Ethan I think doesn't notice them and the girls could care less...so I guess I'm the one that loves the comments, haha.)