First Haircut!

As promised here is a few pictures of Abbie's first haircut. It was crowded when we arrived at Kid's Hair.

Before the haircut...definitely time to trim those bangs!

I was a bit nervous that Abbie would freak out at the sight of 6 or so other kids getting their hair done, but she sat at the table in the waiting area coloring quietly. Then her name was called. She perked up right away, but once she got in the chair...she wailed the whole time!

She cried and cried and cried the whole entire time, but as soon as she saw herself in the mirror and was out of that chair...she was fine! All giggles and smiles as usual! Thankfully there lacked kicking and flailing during her screaming, so the haircut itself lasted less then 10 minutes!

We decided to stop by the playground at Longfellow School, which Abbie had a blast!

Long day..I'm tired!

Abbie's little crop haircut - too cute!

End of Summer

Well - summer is officially coming to a close. That was evident with the chilling 52 degrees we woke up to this morning. Abbie went to school in jeans and a sweatshirt and looked cute as a button. I began thinking of what it will be like on her first 'real' day of school and how it seems so far away yet right around the corner.

Abbie has hit some pretty big milestones lately. She has been drinking from a cup - no lid with quite good results, speaking in 4-5 word sentences quite regularly (telling everyone she sees "You are so funny!"), and actually enjoying the swings and slides at the playground!

Wee!

One thing Abbie isn't getting used to is dirty hands - Oh - Kate Gosselin would be proud!

Abbie should be getting her first professional haircut soon! My attempts at bang trims are starting to look pretty pathetic. Stay tuned...I'll post pictures..I promise!

Summa Time!

We've had a busy summer full of heat, humidity, sprinkler play, travel, drama, dancing, manners, fun outings, and SWINGS!

I know I have neglected the blog a bit as of late, however we have been very busy. Abbie is now speaking in 2, 3 or 4 word sentences. One of her favorites is "I got it!" She is also learning manners and consistently says her 'please' and 'thank-yous', which is just too cute.

Abbie also has an uncanny ability to ask something in a voice that is just a little bit incomprehensible. She repeats herself until you finally repeat what she is asking - of course in a form of a question - "Do you want some yogurt?" Which Abbie replies with "OK", in such a tone that makes you believe that you actually had the idea in the first place. Pretty smart that girl!

Abbie loves to sit in her highchair and look out the window - especially when Papa is watering the lawn.

Papa wants Abbie to play the Tuba - I think she has other ideas.

Abbie is not a big fan of the sprinkler, but she doesn't mind the hose...thankfully hasn't figured out how to get others wet...yet!

Relaxing on the hammock with Papa.

Minnehaha Falls - 'Walkerfall!'

Abbie had a blast with her Sundstrom Grandparents at Minnehaha park, even in the sweltering heat. We ate at Se Salt and Abbie ate all of her fish! She definitely takes after her papa!

Catch me if you can!

Hope you are all having a great summer. Another update soon....hopefully!

New Found Independence

It's official. Abbie has hit the terrible two's. Yes, slightly early, but right in sync with the rest of her developmental milestones to date. She has become very independent and needs to do everything on her own with the exception of bathing, clothing, and diapering herself. I am sure those are not far behind (yippee...potty training begins!).

18 month update

Abbie went to the Pediatrician today. It was pretty uneventfully - no shots!

23 lbs
31 inches

50th-ish Percentile for both.

Average. How exciting.

I know..it has been awhile...

I know, I know, I know...it has been awhile. And when I say that things really haven't changed much around here, that really isn't true! The only thing that remains constant is the time Abbie goes to be every night - between 5:30pm and 6:15pm - like clock work and regardless of what else is going on in the wold. Id doesn't matter that the Severe Weather Sirens are bearing or that the neighbors kids are having a water fight in the alley, Abbie will sleep right through all of the commotion.

The only exception to the rule (thus far) was several weeks ago when Abbie made it through her school's 'program' without a major meltdown. Ed and I were very nervous for said program because it began at 6pm, which if you were paying close attention, is right at her bedtime. We debated if we should even allow Abbie to attend this event because it was going to be so late at night, but we decided live dangerously and let her 'perform' with her friends.

The program consisted of 13 minutes and 43 seconds of the kids all lined up on stage with somewhat blank stares on their faces while their teachers sang their songs very loudly in the back ground. Nothing exciting happened. Thankfully. It was fairly boring, but entertaining at some level (ok, ok..it was only slightly amusing if it was your kid up there!). We won't bore you with the video, but here is a picture -

"I really am the shortest kid in the class."

The only other exciting thing is that Abbie's vocabulary has EXPLODED over the past few weeks. Yesterday on the way home, Abbie saw a man on a bicycle and she said to me "I wanna Bike." (Ok...it wasn't with the best annunciation, but she did say those three words in sentence form). I was flabbergasted. I didn't even know that she knew what a bike was, much less ask for one! Unfortunately, I don't think they make bikes and bike helmets to fit her..she is so darn short! I keep waiting for her 18 month growth spurt.....it will arrive at just the same time as her hair -poor girl!

This past weekend Ed took Abbie to La Crosse to visit Grandparents Ellen and Steve while I stayed home to finish on a paper for school and do some much needed projects around the house. She had fun. I did not, but we both survived being way from one another and it was a good trail run before we go on our vacation next week.

Showing off my marching skills. Just wait until I do the 'Funky Chicken'.

"Here we go again. Papa's idea of amusement."

"Ahh..Magic Mountain, here I come!"

Aren't we cute! Grandpa Steve, Grandma Ellen, Sophie and Abbie.