I want to ride in the VAN! and other toddler quotes

When Ed decided, about 2 years ago, that he thought a the Honda Odyssey Mini Van was his dream car, I thought he was kidding. Unfortunately he wasn't and for months on end he razzed me about it - whispering ODYSSEY in the baby monitor, leaving magazine or newspapers open to Honda/Mini Van advertisements, and commenting on every single Odyssey we would pass on the road. Just when I though this craziness was behind us, Abbie gets her first ride in a minivan and for a week straight all she wanted to do was 'ride in Tiffany's VAN!'. Oh goodness. I guess I am now officially outnumbered and it looks like our next vehicle will probably be a van, oh joy.

We also learned over the past few weekends that Abbie loves to dig in the dirt, watch bugs, and pick up worms. I honestly didn't think she would be a girly-girl, but I had no idea she would have such a desire to get dirty every day. (seeing as I would just sit on the grass and not move when I was her age, this whole playing in the dirt is a new concept for me).

What, I'm not dirty!

Not only does Abbie love to get dirty, but she is also become a bit of a dare devil. We live near a park and go their frequently and for a long time Abbie would only go down the smaller slides on the small kids side of the playground, however Papa took her down the covered twisty slide on the BIG KID side of the playground ONCE and she was hooked. Now she goes down that big twisty covered slide all by her self, climbs up the faux rock climbing wall, and is becoming more ambitious every day.

Over Easter weekend we traveled to La Crosse, WI to visit the Sundstrom grandparents and Abbie got to see Uncle Shelby again and meet Aunt Kate and Cousin Judah for the first time. She had a blast! Of course, no visit is complete without a visit to the nearby playground. This time Abbie had a chance to go on the self-propelled twisting thingy, which she enjoyed (for about 5 seconds) and proceeded to stumble around for 5 minutes afterward. Not sure if she enjoyed the stumbling around part, but the adults we certainly amused! She asked to go back on the twisty thing later that day....we decided once was enough for one day.

Ed and Shelby helping Abbie go around the Self-Propelled Twisty Thingy

Abbie in her Easter dress complete with Easter Basket. Cheese

Goofy

Need I say more?

A much needed update....

A lot has happened in the month (or so) since I last updated this little blog. All of which is fairly unexciting or those thing we do not care to remember (crabby Abbie and illnesses).

Daylight savings has brought the Baggenstoss Household a lot of excitement, mainly because we survived today and Abbie was in a better mood than she has in weeks! The day began at a decent hour yesterday followed by bedtime at the normal hour (adjusted time even!). This morning was a little touch and go but for the most part the day was a good one. Abbie came home from school in an excellent mood and we are all glad to have this years 'spring ahead' out of the way.

We are looking forward to the weather warming up and the snow melting over the next few weeks. Abbie is too, just look at her poor snowsuit! Not only is it getting a bit small but we cannot seem to locate matching accessories which just makes her look silly!

What? I'm still cute. And I'm getting cooold!

We are all looking forward to warmer days ahead. Our options of activities will be much more...well, less dorky anyways!

Hat Day at the Baggenstoss House (pre-morning hours)

Reading during Hat Day

Our other big news is that Abbie has begun potty training! All in all it is going.........ok. Yes, just OK. Stickers, M&Ms, charts, and other glorious incentives here we come! Now if we could just get Abs to grow another 5 inches, it'd make things much easier! :-)

Just doing a little research

It seems as though Abbie's developmental milestones have been slowing in the past few months, at least those we want to talk (ok, brag) about have slowed. No one wants to hear about how Abbie pushes our buttons, whines, and throws temper tantrums in attempt to get her way. yes, she is definitely a 2 year old!

Abbie started a new daycare almost a month ago now and is finally enjoying going to the new 'school'! We can tell that she is enjoying the new school as much, if not more, than the old one because she is sleeping better at night and in the morning calls us this way "Mama, lets get up to go to schoolooo! Mama, get up!"

Abbie still loves to read and when she isn't reading Dick and Jane or Curious George, she is doing research for Papa's new motorcycle which he plans (hopes) on purchasing this summer.

"Honda or Suzuki?"

2 Year Update

Are you ready....for tickle time?


First the 2 year update -

Weight - 26 lbs
Height - 33 inches
Just below the 50th percentile for both!

Off the charts for verbal and social skills! - No surprise there!

It has been a busy couple of weeks at the Baggenstoss Household. All of the excitement has caught up with Abbie...can't you tell?

Now where are we going?

Abbie started a new school on Monday 22nd and she has been doing very well with the adjustment. The new school is much closer to our house so it will be easy for both of us to drop off/pick-up. We are really excited that she is doing so well with this transition so far as we were quite concerned.

Abbie has been handling the excitement of the holidays fairly well with the exception being this past Saturday where she had her first real temper tantrum in public which happened at our favorite local restaurant during breakfast with the Sundstrom Grandparents. Needless to say not everyone was able to finish their meal at the restaurant! Instead of going downtown to visit the old Dayton's auditorium to see the holiday exhibit, we ended up staying at our house to try to have a quieter afternoon.

This proved to be a good idea since Grandpa Sundstrom and Mama ended up putting together Abbie's kitchen! And you thought that Ikea furniture was challenging!

We are working on sending out Thank you Cards, but also wanted to say thank you to everyone for all of the great Birthday and Christmas presents. Abbie received loads of hats/mittens and clothes that was greatly needed since she is going through a growing spurt which has suddenly made her pants extremely short (both silly looking and cold in this crappy weather we are having!).

Thank you Great Aunt Amy!

Happy New Year! See you all in 2009!

A new year brings a new haircut and love of Pigtails!

I'm gonna put pigtails on this girl, too!

Abbie had a great birthday party and enjoyed spending time with all of her grandparents, Uncle Mike, Aunt Kris and Uncle Bill. She loves playing with her new toys and the doodle board is a great invention.

Yesterday we decided to ring in her new year with a new haircut. Abbie didn't cry or fuss during the entire haircut (ok, it only lasted about 6 minutes but still!) and the stylist gave Abbie her first ever set of Pigtails. Needless to say, Abbie doesn't want to wear a hat, put on a bib, or take them out at bedtime. Funny, I've been trying to get her to wear something in her hair for months!

More to come...Abbie starts a new school next week (12/22).