Mother-Daughter Day

I have started a tradition with Abbie (although she doesn't know this yet) to spend an entire day with her before I go back to work in August. This year was extra special because, since the addition of Rylee, we rarely get to spend time just her and I. Our day started with a pedicure, then to Gibson Park for some pictures (this is my favorite part of the tradition, but definitely not Abbie's). After pictures we did some shopping for preschool then stopped for lunch at Abbie's favorite restaurant, McDonalds.

Abbie seems so grown up now and her conversations are like I am talking to a peer rather than my 4 year old daughter. Just the other night I was feeling crummy with a cold and told Abbie I was going to take a bath so I could breathe. I started down the hall and Abbie stopped me by saying, "Mom, enjoy your bath!" What a tenderheart!

In spirit of mother-daughter day I asked Abbie some more questions about how she perceives things.

Why did God make mothers?

Because they're special to make

What ingredients are mothers made of?

Blood, skin, and cookies (Can't tell that my kid has a little anatomy background)

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?

Cuz she's the only one for me

What kind of a little girl was your mom?

One who ate spaghetti for breakfast (True--my mom said I had to eat something but she didn't care what)

What does your mom do in her spare time?

Stays home with me and Rylee

What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?

About diamond ring (Does she mean how big it was going to be??? That a girl!!)

What's the difference between moms and dads?

Mommys are girls and daddys are boys

Why did mom marry your dad?

Because he works hard at fire station

Who's the boss at your house?

Mommy because she says don't wear shoes in the house and dad does it :)

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?

Don't go to school everyday but stay home with us (Talk about pulling on my heartstrings--Abbie I would MUCH rather stay home with you...Let's win the lottery!!)

Rylee at 8 months

Another month has passed and Rylee has continued to enrich our lives and be so fun. She has loved her baths since she was born, but this month Jeremy put her in the shower once with me and now we have a monster on our hands! Every time the shower turns on she frantically crawls to the bathroom and will climb right in clothes and all, if you let her. She loves to lay and let the water hit her right on the back.

This month she continues to crawl and pull herself up on the furniture and stands for long periods of time. She also figured out how to sit down once she's sick of standing so that has saved us from having to go and "rescue" her. She's becoming social and will follow us around as we move to be a part of the group. Rylee still remains schedule oriented and will get crabby almost like clockwork if she's not fed, put down for a nap, or bathed at the correct time. Speaking of eating we have introduced "hot" baby foods like veggie chicken dinner and mac and cheese and she loves them!!!

I have loved spending the summer with both girls and I am so sad that my entire days with them are drawing to a close. I would rather stay home and watch Rylee continue to discover and explore and play games and hold dance-offs with Abbie!

State Fair 2009

Each year Jeremy and I grumble about the State Fair coming to town and we talk about how we could somehow divert around the fairgrounds so Abbie doesn't know it's here. That way we won't have to go, but then we get there and we both love to see how much fun she is having. This year she gave me a run for my money on how much I could take on the rides.

Anyone who knows Jeremy well knows he isn't a huge fan of rollercosters or rides with lots of turning and motion....he's an adrenaline junkie but doesn't get the jolt from fair rides. Last year due to my pregnancy he had to ride all of the rides with Abbie so this year I didn't even ask.....I knew it was my turn to take her on all the rides she wanted. I actually enjoy rides and so I was looking forward to some kiddie rides and maybe talking her into the Tilt-A-Whirl as her introduction to the "big kid" rides this year. Boy, was I in for a surprise........

We started out nice and easy. Here is the fun house....Abbie is still smiling because this is BEFORE I fell on her. We all know that I am just as agile as a cat, so as Abbie and I were exiting the fun house we stepped into the giant turning tube...Abbie lost her balance a little, I tried to correct it so I knocked myself off balance and fell--knocking Abbie over and landing on her. The man had to stop the turning tube so we could get out.....


The slide is still my speed....We probably rode it 20 times.


Nice easy rollercoaster...



We went on several more rides in kiddie land, many of them twice. I was having a great time and not getting sick to my stomach at all....This is where it started to go downhill. I like almost any fair ride, except the Ferris Wheel. There is something that bothers me about stopping at the top and the seat starting to swing back and forth. I don't really like it, but Abbie talked me into going on it just one time.


From there I turned the Ferris Wheel over to Jeremy. He likes it and I figured her dad should do some of the rides with her....


And even the BIG rollercoster


Then we crossed over to do some of the "big kid" rides. I actually thought this was going to take some convincing on my part. I thought I was going to have to tell Abbie that I would be right there and she shouldn't be scared. Right!!! We started with the Tilt-A-Whirl. I asked my mom to go on it with us so Abbie would be between us, in case she got scared. She asked to go on it again!

Next we went on the Thunderbolt (I think that is what it's called..it's the ride that they play music really loud and the cars rock back and forth going forward first and then pausing to go backwards). The man who loaded us into the car asked Abbie who was going to scream louder, me or her. The ride starts and the car starts to rock back and forth and I have a death grip on Abbie worried she is going to fall out and she is screaming at the top of her lungs. The ride stops so it can change direction and I tell Abbie that I will tell the guy to let us off. Abbie says, "I don't want off." I asked her why she was screaming then...was she scared?? Her response, "No, the guy told us to scream!!"" Of course, what was I thinking--Abbie scared??!!!

Some of the rides that Abbie wanted to ride she was actually too short for...Thank Goodness!!!

The grand finale was the boat that swings back and forth. I thought for sure she would get scared. Nope, she went on it twice. Once with me and once with Jeremy!!! Next year I'm in for it!

Rylee was a trooper and took all 5 hours of the fair in without complaint.