June and July Adventures

So we decided to try camping for Memorial Day weekend, which despite the intense humidity, started out great with tin foil dinners and s'mores with friends, in a beautiful, lush campsite. Unfortunately it ended with us (already in bed) packing up just after midnight due to a surprise thunderstorm rolling in. So we only got a couple pics at the campsite, but came back the next morning for swimming in the lake at the same park. It was a bit of a long  night and quite the adventure, but makes for a fun memory.
We think we'll stick with only camping during early spring or late fall here in Louisiana from now on to avoid the hot, humid nights.

   

  

Nate had his quarter break during this time, so we went to the zoo in Monroe and Abby loved it. We also had a big bbq with friends, spent a morning picking blueberries, and we planted a garden!! More than anything though, we just enjoyed getting Nate to ourselves for a couple weeks. School takes him away from us wayyy too much!!!

 

 

 

 We're pretty sure Abby ate more than she picked, but she loved it!

 

During our blueberry-picking adventure, our camera decided to take its last pic, so we had a very early Christmas in July, and have obviously taken Plenty of pictures with it.
The following pics are of typical moments in our daily life :

Abby's favorite spot at the counter

Eating peanuts with Dad on the rug in the kitchen

Glamour girl at the park with her friend Kyle

At our Primary Summer Party

A quick pic of me and my gal

A must-do at the park :)

Coloring at the big table

Reading to her babies

These two are peanut champs :)

Her FAVORITE thing to do at home, with a constant plea to "Go Higher?!"

Our weekly activity that she's a pro at


We Love when Daddy stops in to say "hi" :)

 
And trying on the things we packed for our much upcoming and much anticipated camping trip in Utah!!! :)

We're having a Boy!!

We just found out and we're really excited to have a little brother for Abby!! It was so cute, he was pretty active, and at one point during the ultrasound he was grabbing at his knees and toes! I'm feeling him move more everyday, and we can't wait to meet him in December!

Our Sassy Little Lady

I figure at 2 years now, I should update what Abby is doing and learning so that when she asks later on what she was doing then, we can look this up.
At 26 months she weighs 30 lbs and is almost 37 inches tall, in the 95th percentile for height. It's easy to see that she takes after me for height.

Gross motor skills:  She's fast. A great runner, loves to skip around the house, and is so close to being able to jump with both legs at the same time. She's an amazing swimmer. Almost a fish. She's determined to swim on her own, won't let me try to help her and is proud of her advanced swim belt. She's currently practicing swimming underwater and plugs her own nose, and lets Nate and I toss her into the pool from a few feet up. It's so fun :)

Fine motor skills:  In the last few months she's really accelerated with building with her blocks. She loves to make tunnels though still needs help to make them functional. She loves to color, tries to trace her hand, draw little squiggles she calls "letters," and almost has her basic colors and shapes down.

Language skills: She's now putting 3 - 5 word sentences together, ie. "No Lowes. Park Now." or "No nap, Mommy. Play now." "Oh, thank you, Momma," is my favorite ;)

Thinking skills: She makes choices between places to go, and knows how to get to the routine places we visit (and often tries to navigate me to where she prefers with "that way"). She chooses what color mint or balloon she wants, and what song for Mommy to sing at nap and bedtime (though often it's Twinkle Star over and over).

Social interaction: She'd rather play along side someone than with them just yet, but likes to be around or next to others. Not big into sharing yet, but beginning to enjoy it if it's on her terms :) For some reason lately she thinks anyone younger than her is only out to take her things, and it sometimes stresses her like crazy when they head her direction - we're working on that and hope it ends soon :)
Otherwise, she's very 'lovey' when comfortable and loves to give kisses, blow kisses, and say "I Love You" Pinnock style (using hand motions) as fast as she can :)

We're so proud of you, baby girl, and love watching you learn and grow!!

Happy Father's Day!!

I want to say Happy Father's Day and thank you to the most important, inspiring, and loving men in my life:

To my husband, who is an amazing father, example, and friend. I love you and appreciate you more than words will ever express. You bring so much joy to my life and I can't imagine being so happy without you. Thanks for being the best thing that's ever happened to me, I love you more with every day!!

To my Dad for the loving, unconditional, optimistic and attentive father that he was. He's been such a great friend and example in my life and I can't wait to see him again someday!!

To my wonderful Father-in-law for his caring, supportive, educational and fun friendship, that we look forward to being around so much. He's a great father and unconditional friend and I'm so glad I get to claim him :)

We're Pregnant again!!

We're thrilled to announce that we're expecting again, and due December 6, 2010. This time the baby looks healthy, is growing well, and the heartbeat sounds great. We're so excited for the new addition to our family!!!

Abigail's 2nd Birthday!!

Our baby is 2!! Friday we had a little friend party, which was really cute, though she wanted to be more of an observer than a participant. But she did enjoy watching her friends, and LOVED her ice cream cone (it was her first!!) and cupcake.
Saturday, Nate was home so we took it easy, let her open presents 3 times throughout the day, took her swimming, and let her just hang out and play with her new gifts. She seemed plenty happy with that, so I'm thinking we may put off the bigger parties till 3rd birthdays!!
We're so grateful to have her, with her funny sense of humor, loving ways, bright eyes and lively spirit. She brings us constant joy and entertainment, gives endless hugs and kisses, and I really can't imagine us being so happy without her.
We love you Sweet Pea!!

 

 

Spring Adventures

We've had some really fun adventures already this spring. From picnics, bike rides, playgrounds to swimming, this year we're definitely taking advantage of, and getting to enjoy what Ruston has to offer, and having a great time while doing so.
We need family and friends to visit more now that we have more places to take them! hint, hint ;)  We're even going to attempt camping in the next week or so during Nate's break!! Can't wait!! :)