Snow Much Fun!

As we got dumped with more snow this winter and we got to shovel the driveway for the gazillionth time (I have done my fair share of shoveling, so I can say WE), Abby and Lacey joined in the fun.  Abby loved being pulled around the yard on a sled (Mommy didn't think that was so much fun) and then really enjoyed being pushed down our tiny hill of a yard.  

Potty Training Adventures

Our potty training adventures thus far have only taken us to sitting on the small potty at home.  Every time Brent or I would suggest to sit on the big potty, Abby would protest, so of course, we didn't push it.  However, one day, Abby decided that she wanted to sit on it.  Nothing ever happens, but we still sit.

I just love the cute naked body sitting on the potty for the first time.  

12 Week Selfie

12 Weeks 6 Days.  I think the angle on this picture is weird because it's making me look bigger than I am.  We'll start "official" pictures at 16 weeks.  Stay tuned!  

Swimming Like A Seal

Once I convinced Abby to lay on her tummy and "swim like a seal", she does this in every bath she takes and spends most of the time on her tummy during the bath.  I think a fish is blossoming - she will blow bubbles, put her ears, cheeks, chin and nose in the water.  I'll then have her turn over onto her back and she's getting more comfortable laying on her back in the water.  Last summer she just got comfortable in the water at the end of the summer.  I can't wait to see what this summer will see when she hits the pool!  I'll be as big as a whale, so we'll see if it'll be me in the water or if I'll have Daddy take that job!  

Big Announcement

Abby wore a shirt just like this to announce our 2nd pregnancy. We're having another baby!  

On Christmas day, I had it wrapped up and under the tree.  It was the last gift to be opened.  I had Abby open it and put it on to then show everyone.  It was a pretty great moment in time.  

Merry Christmas

I absolutely love this photo.  It is the quintessential photo of a toddler's love-hate relationship with Santa.  Really, Abby doesn't understand yet what Santa is all about, but it's the beginning.  

Fall Fun

We've had a busy fall season!  

My parents came in the beginning of October for dual purposes.  First to see Abby and watch her while Brent and I went away for the weekend.  We then had a small birthday party for Abby since they would not be at Abby's 'real' birthday party.  

While my parents were here and did some fall-related mandatory activities like visit a pumpkin patch and put your face through a billboard and have your photo taken.  We went on a Monday so there weren't any hay rides going and it was too early to pick a pumpkin in my opinion so we walked around the pumpkin patch and did the hay maze, corn "maze", played in the kid size play houses and saw some farm animals.  

The following weekend after my parents left, Abby had her official birthday party.  It was a gorgeous day for some outside activities for the kids.  We painted pumpkins and played with homemade koolaid playdoh.  

We carved pumpkins - a Halloween tradition, of course.  We have yet to master the timing of it all - not too early that the pumpkin rots before Halloween arrives and not doing it the night before because it's been a hectic week.  It ended up being Brent cleaning out the pumpkin with a few opportunities for Abby's help and then Brent taking care of the rest.  Hmph.  

We dressed up - three times!  The first time was for daycare - their halloween party was a few days before Halloween.  These are Abby's friends that she talks about all the time.  When we ask her "What did you do today?", she responds with, "I played with Alex and Hadley and Maggie.".  In that order.  Every time.  It's very cute.  After the daycare party, we went to Ikea to go trick-or-treating there with Alex.  Did you know Ikea does trick-or-treating?  I didn't either.  

Abby, (Elmo) Alex (cupcake) and Hadley (Minnie Mouse)

Hadley, Abby and Maggie

Second time was for Halloween night and unfortunately it was raining (like it was the previous year!).  We went over to our friends' house and had the kids do a quick trick-or-treating to 5 houses before we called it quits.  Abby dressed up a bumblebee this night.  

The third time wasn't for any festivities.  Halloween had passed, but I still needed to get an obligatory picture of Abby in the Mittelkamp clown costume.  

We raked leaves  - and then jumped and played in them!  Abby had a blast jumping in and rolling around in the leaves.  

Abby-Doo turns 2!

On October 12th, Abigail Jean celebrated her two year anniversary from when she was born.  I can't believe two years has passed by already!  

Abby putting up 2 fingers (pay no attention to my bedhead! Or hers for that matter!

And now we're dressed and can take a decent picture!  

I'm trying to upload a video of Abby singing "Happy Birthday", but I'm having difficulties.  Picture a child in her pajamas, very much like the child in the first picture, and then picture her singing "Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me, happy birthday dear everybody, happy birthday to me".  

Update:  It's been almost 2 months since her birthday and she's still singing "Happy Birthday" to various people/stuffed animals.  She'll break out into song at any time.