Abby the Teenager

So Abby has moved into her teenage years... wait, she's not even 5 officially yet? Oh that's weird. She's certainly acting like a teenage girl.

My sweetie says things like this:
I don't like this day, this isn't a good day for me, nothing is going right for me today. I guess it's just not my lucky day.

Or sometimes I walk into her room and find her sprawled by her window, staring out with the most dramatic expression of sadness that exists because she's annoyed that I've delayed in getting her a toy she wanted. She's not rude, just so very disappointed in life.

She's still being incredible with Jack. She has just begun to become annoyed when he goes after her toys... though, when I'm not looking, her solution is simply to move him herself.


She's a bit of a siren already. It's not just her cousin that adores her. Everywhere she goes there tends to be a little under four foot male who looks after her like she radiates sunlight.

Jack & Darby Sitting in a Tree

Jack's in love with Darby from My Friends Tigger & Pooh

It's pretty cute.

Jack - With Great Power

Comes great responsibility.

He's 8 months on Thursday and has started to forget that he can't stand yet. So he'll let go, hover a moment then drop almost immediately to his butt with indignation or, if he's lucky, grab onto my hair or clothes or skin as he drops... that's fun... I think I'm going to need a wig soon.

What is he so very eager to stand for you ask? So far - the water spigot on the Arrowhead water dispenser, the range, and the pots & pans cupboard.

He doesn't stay still.

He loves people. He will try to move into my line of site if I'm not looking at him when he wants me to (SO cute). He wants everything we're eating. He's got TWO teeth for sure now. And I swear they are just going to keep coming. I'll tell you what he doesn't like...

me trying to see his teeth.

Abby @ the Wedding

I was struck at the wedding at how... girl Abby is now. A little awkward and gangly - nothing compared to the adolescent phase, but just now, that transition between little girl to girl seems monumental.

When she pretends and "makes a mistake" she pulls back, embarrassed, "Oh, that's right, I forgot. I was wrong, sorry sorry," rather than almightily confident like her little 2 or 3 year old self. I've started to see her notice when people aren't paying attention to her. Obviously she's always been aware because she's a social junky - but the difference I'm seeing now is that she'll notice and not say anything, not try to fix it... just... notice.

She wants me to laugh at her jokes. Aloud. Or else have a good explanation for why it wasn't funny enough.

She is noticing patterns and is annoyed by some of the unfair ones, "If you say shush a million times then we'll never ever get to say any words."

Everything is a little more guarded, a little more defensive. Except for when there is music on. I am currently uploading to youtube how she lets go when there's music on.


SO whatever I take the time and energy to let her participate in, I need to keep music and dance at the forefront of my mind.

Perfect Timing

Since School ended in June Abby has had activities like you wouldn't believe. If you've been paying attention you will have heard about:
Ballet Camp (1 week)
Parent's Summer School (3 days a week for a month)
Art Class (1 week)
Gymnastics (1 week)
Vacation Bible School (1 week)
A Camarillo Weekend
A San Diego Weekend
Several BBQs

In the next three weeks she will have:
Swimming Lessons (three weeks?)
Another Art Class (1 week)
Princess Camp (1 week)

This week is the first week since June that hasn't had something planned. And here it is Monday, guess what happens? Abby gets a tummy ache and a fever. I have to say... that it's perfect timing.

She was so sad though - she slept all afternoon and I let her fall asleep with a movie tonight.

Jack's Tooth

This post is two whole days late... but finally, after laboring for 7 long months, Jack's first tooth has finally made it's way to the surface.

Thank the Lord.

He's quite happy with the new feature and is fascinated with how it feels.


Hopefully the rest don't take quite as long.... though... God is probably refining me thru Jack's teething as He knows it is the only part of having a child that I don't like.

Abby's Technicolor Dream Shoes

Zoozie found Abby THE cutest Abby shoes ever. Rainbow & Sparkly WEDGES... Abby is in shoe heaven. Abby is already so much more of a shoe girl. My mom had to abscond with one of her pink glitter pairs because Abby could hardly walk in them they were so tight and yet Abby refused to accept that it was time to let them go.

Speaking of heaven, Abby is slightly obsessed with death recently. She puts her arm around me and pats my arm and says, "You have to remember me when you're died."

Ummm. Will do.