One More Thing

A couple of nights ago I wrote about things I admire about Abby - today I discovered one more, so please indulge me as I take tonight's post to add to the list. Today I noticed (and admired) how easily Abby can let go of things. We started the day easily enough, but there were some twists and turns that neither of us expected.

Since I had some errands to run I decided that Abby could do with some time at child care, but at first she didn't agree. She was comfortable and wanted to stay home, but after a bit I as able to convince her that she would have a much better time playing with friends. Wearing her superhero mask she got in the car and told me to drive. We arrived at school to find the rest of the kids out playing on the playground. For some odd reason she was afraid to go play. I walked her down and she stood slightly behind me as I tried to convince her that she would have a great time. Suddenly we heard a cry of, "Abby!" and one little boy came running over to show her the "helicopters" that fell from the trees. He wanted her to see  how they worked and share one with her. That broke the ice and she was off with a, "Bye, Mom" to play. She was over that fear lickety-split, and didn't give it another thought.

I headed off to my errands and along the way met up with a friend I hadn't seen in quite a while. We decided that lunch would be a wonderful thing, so while she ran home to drop some groceries off I finished a few of those errands, with the plan to meet back up in an hour.

It was forty-five minutes into that hour that I got a call from school that Abby'd had a bit of a bathroom accident, I think that the word "explosion" was used. I cancelled my lunch and headed to school. I picked Abby up and we came home for a nice long soak and scrub in the tub. It was later in the afternoon that she looked at me and told me she'd had, "a great day at Mama's school." What?! She'd totally gotten sick all over the place and all she could think about was the fun time she'd had with the kids - playing on the playground. She even asked if she could go back.

This got me thinking bout how often that happens with her - her ability to focus on the good, while I waste time ruminating on the the negative points of the day. I like that about her.

She ended the day with Dada, talking about the next few days, happy as a clam about the fun to come - yep, a great ending to a great day.

Calling Abby

Abby loves the phone - so much so that whenever I'm on it she follows me around and tugs on me yelling, "My turn! My turn! I wanna talk!" until I finally hand over the phone so she can chat. Now, usually that isn't a problem, since I don't often take "business" calls, but it can be a little much. Jason has finally gotten smart, and leaves the room whenever his phone rings.

Today she pulled the same thing when we were in the store. A friend had asked me to make her something and I wanted to get going on it, so that meant a trip out. While we were there I called my friend to ask her a quick question about fabric colors. Abby, sitting in the cart in front of me, whined, pulled, and generally became a stinker until I handed over the phone. Luckily, Ann is an Abby fan and they had a nice quick chat before Abby finally handed back the phone.

For Abby, the phone doesn't even have to be real. This afternoon she handed me one of her shoes and instructed me that she was trying to give me a call. She stood with one shoe to her ear, propped up by her shoulder and with hands firmly planted on her hips, and chatted with me about how her day had gone. I tried to convince her that I had my headphones in - that I didn't need to put the shoe/phone to my ear, but she wasn't convinced. She waited not-so-patiently until I put that red sparkly shoe to my face and had a quick chat.

Later in the evening we decided that she needed call a real person, so we gave Nana a ring. I hit the number and handed off the phone. She listened to the rings and then set us both to laughing when she responded to Nana's, "Hello?" with, "Hi! It's me - Abby!" We weren't expecting that, and it still had us laughing well into the night. It was just so cute. She had a nice chat with Nana - asking if she could take a swim up at the cottage this weekend, and then with a quick, "Bye! Love you!" and a kiss on the screen, I finally got my turn to talk.

Yes, Abby sure does love to talk on the phone, so if you happen to call me, don't be surprised if you get a, "Hi! It's me - Abby!" at some point, because sure enough she'll want to talk too.

Chef Abby cooked up an amazing pretend
meal for me this afternoon. We had lemonade,
chocolate milkshakes (with sauce), and even
some soup. It was some of the best invisible
food I've had in a long time.  

Envying Abby

Some days I envy Abby - today was one of those days. First off, she bounced back from yesterday's bout of sickness with incredible speed. She was totally and completely herself today. She was in a wonderful mood, ready to play and have fun. She had a healthy appetite, but didn't push too hard when I steered her toward something a bit blander. I, on the other hand, still felt tired.

I also envy Abby's aplomb. Thinking back, I realize that she spent most of the day running around in her skivvies. After playing for a bit this morning in her Fiona dress she didn't feel the need to put her clothes back on when she finally abandoned the dress - and I didn't feel the need to push her. She would periodically put on a skirt (either around her waist or her head), but that was it. The thing is, she was completely comfortable, it wouldn't even enter her head that she didn't look anything other than wonderful - no matter what she had on (or didn't have on, as the case may be).

Finally, today I had cause to envy Abby's imagination. There were several moments when I was sitting on the couch, feeling restless because "there was nothing to do". Abby, in contrast, spent the morning playing wonderful pretend games. She carted around Jack-Jack (from The Incredibles) and at one point came to me with her book bag on her shoulders and told me, "Mama! Jack-Jack's in my backpack!" After further conversations this evening she told me that she was Dr. Abby, and that she fixed rainbows.   Even as I was working on a sewing project this afternoon, she ran off to the other room and told me she was getting her "Jessie Outfit" on - her pretend Jessie Outfit. She then came to me - and so very kindly helped me on with my "Buzz Lightyear Outfit". It reminded me of the morning when she became my Godmother and bestowed on me a beautiful gown, shoes, and tiara - with her rolling pin/wand. Abby is very rarely bored - with an imagination like hers she just doesn't have an opportunity.

Yep, there's a lot to envy about Abby, and today gave me the opportunity to do just that.

As you can see, she found her appetite. 

We've Been Here Before

You know, there have been many days since I began this blog, that I've thought: That was a great day, I wouldn't mind reliving that one again - like the when she lost her front teeth or the day we went to the movies - those were really great days. It seems though that the one day that we keep having to "relive" is not one of the good ones. In fact, I went back and counted that we have had a day similar to today twice (although is sure seems like more than that) before, so maybe we can stop at a three - a nice complete number.

Here's how it went. Once again we were up around 3 a.m. - Abby was sick. It was the second round of throwing up and diarrhea that sent Jason to the store at 4:30 a.m. We did have a stash of sick supplies (see, we are learning), but they were getting low, and it was becoming obvious that we were needing to hunker down for the long haul. In the time he was gone she was sick a few more times and by the time he got home we'd moved "base camp" downstairs.

Poor Baby!

Around about 9:30 a.m. I felt like it should be noon, and considering that we'd started our day six and a half hours earlier - it should have been. Abby was still not able to hold anything down, and when I carried her limp little body back down from another "clean-up" trip to the bathroom, my heart ached for her. She finally found some sort of comfortable position on my lap and fell asleep - for a good five minutes.

On the way home from a meeting, Jason stopped and got some things that might lift Abby's spirits. This was a great idea, after all, I remember many a paint-by-number or coloring book when I was laid up on the couch with some saltines and warm pop, this would be great for our little peanut. I will say that Jason really does it up right. He came home with bags of goodies just for Abby. A new Barbie, some new markers, a drawing pad, a huge box of crayons (a 96 count box that had me itching to organize them by color - I'm just weird that way), a movie, and a tub of Play Doh with number stamps. He certainly had her in mind when he loaded up his cart - and as you can tell, the sky is the limit when his little girl is under the weather.

The Barbie and the movie perked her up and seemed to be the turning point. Soon enough she could hold her liquids and was ready to venture off my lap. All the while she laughed at the Pixar shorts that were playing on the television, and colored with her new tools, I couldn't help but be in awe of the fact that she was still standing. I was barely lucid and all I was missing were a few extra hours of sleep. This poor kid had a sour stomach, a sore bottom, and was on the verge of dehydration, to go with the lack of sleep, and was still going strong. Where did she find the energy or strength?

We tried to have her rest, but sleep was elusive. Jason and I both tag-teamed and got some rest, but Abby beat us both. As I write she is still laughing at the TV and playing with her Play Doh. Despite that, I can guarantee that it is going to be an early night for all of us. I expect her to crash at any moment.

Feeling better. 

She certainly is a trooper, and only lost it a few times today when I had to tell her that pizza was not on today's menu for her, and whenever we had to make sure she was all clean after getting sick. I wish I knew if this was something food related, or a result of the habit she has of putting her fingers in her mouth, but I don't. Whatever it is, I hope we are thorough the worst of it and that I can find ways to make tomorrow's bland diet sound appealing.

Friday Phone Dump - Take Two

Today our day will be told through pictures.

We heard that Abby's pen pal is getting glasses - pink glasses
just like Abby. So we set about putting together a picture to
send her. Abby decided that along with the glasses, their hair
should be pink as well.

This morning Abby wanted to play hide-and-seek. The problem was she is
a chronic "peeker", that and Bruiser followed me around and totally gave me
away. At one point Abby went for the "hide in plain sight" strategy, by climbing
into the clean laundry basket and hunkering down - it was the giggling that
gave her away.

As a reward Abby told me she had a surprise for me. She
went to the closet and found Jason's removable cast, then
presented it to me with a big, "Surprise!" She then decided
she needed to go see Dr. Mama. The poor thing.

We decided that making some chocolate chip cookies would
be fun for an afternoon activity. When I pulled down the mixer
she got ahold of the dough hook and immediately declared
she was a pirate. With an, "Arrrr" she started "attacking" me.
On another note, notice that she chose to wear her USA
bathing suit - in celebration of the gymnastic gold!

Abby tried out the cookies - they were mmm,
mmm, good!

We ended the day with a tub-o-popcorn and a movie. As you can see
she is enthralled - or zoned out from an active day.

Abby Joins Team USA

I wouldn't classify us as "sporty" people. Sure, Jason likes his baseball and golf, and come college football time we see a bit less of him, but overall sports don't rule around here. So, when the Olympics rolled around, it wasn't huge. In fact it took me a couple of days to even watch the opening ceremonies. Tonight though I wondered if Abby would be interested in watching some of it - especially the gymnastics.

When I first turned them on we were about to be treated to Kayla Harrison winning the gold medal in women's judo. I thought Abby would like this - since she loves Mulan. She did enjoy watching, but it wasn't until I turned on the women's team gymnastic finals that she really lit up.

First came the vault and she was convinced it was her, "Ready. Set. Go!" that got those girls running toward their jumps. She loved the uneven bars and wanted to watch it again and again, but it was the balance beam that got her up and moving.

She took the time to put on her pretend gymnastics leotard and began twirling and jumping on the beam that she imagined laid out before her on the floor. Sure, she didn't quite "stick" the dismount, but she got a huge round of applause all the same. At one point she even pointed to one of the gymnasts and said, "That's Abby. It's my turn."

The whole thing just made me smile and remember how much I loved to watch gymnastics when I was a kid. There is just something so fascinating about it that charms every little girl.

Although she was tired, she didn't want to stop, so she hopped and "presented" all the way up the stairs to her bedroom. As Dada told a bedtime story about gymnast Abby and cheering crowds she wound down. I suspect tomorrow we will be watching the individual "Best All Around", and that she will insist on wearing her red, white, and blue bathing suit - a very appropriate for Team USA's newest member, don't you think?

She told me she wanted the markers to color
her box. It seems that she though her face needed
a bit of color as well.

Ups and Downs

Today seemed to be one of those days that was filled with ups and downs. The plan was to head out to see my mom, and we were both looking forward to that, but as the morning progressed I had the inkling that it was going to be "one of those" days.

Abby is strong willed - there is no doubt about that, and I've been told that I have a rather robust will of my own, so there are times when we clash. My head knows that when I "dig in", Abby will follow suit, but sometimes I would really just like for her to simply do what I ask - without arguing. Don't get me wrong, there are times when that happens, but lately she has been exerting her will more and more - and I have to admit it is driving me a little batty. Let me take you through our day, and you'll see what I mean.

Up

Abby was very excited to head out to Grandma's house today, therefore the process of getting ready went rather smoothly. Sure, she insisted on taking the bubble packing she found on the piano, left over from a recent package, but that was small. So, with her wearing her ballet leotard we headed out the door.

Down

Once we hit the porch she hit the breaks. Her shoes had gotten left in the car, and so I picked her up to carry her over the cement and grass. She didn't appreciate my chivalrous maneuver, because she immediately started fighting me. Then, being crabby, she didn't want to use her booster seat, and tried to throw it into the back of the car. After pleading, cajoling, and finally threatening that we wouldn't go, I was able to get her into that blasted seat. At this point I figured that a stop for come coffee would be a very good idea.

Up

I know the guy at Tim Horton's must have wondered what my deal was as I asked for cups with lids and sticky-less donuts, but I know what Abby is capable of, and I wanted to minimize the mess. I got my coffee and we were off. It was a pleasant ride, as the little dictator in the back continued to order me to sing along to Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, which was blaring through the car. 

Soon enough we were at Grandma's house. She was thrilled and yelled excitedly as we pulled into the driveway. We had a great time visiting and having some lunch. It was no surprise when Abby insisted on trying out Grandma's bathtub - it seems that she is under the impression that this is what one does when they visit their grandparents. She even let my mom and I spend some time visiting and looking a pictures as she played with her dolls and built a bed/fort with a couple of chairs and a blanket. Finally, we all ended up in my mom's room and embarked on a hour of pretend play nirvana. We all took turns being teacher and students, bus driver and kids, super heros and villain, princess and dragon/space alien, as well as members of a marching band. Along the way, Grandma taught Abby all about pillow fights, and how well they get a response out of Mom. It really was a great time.

Down

Then we had to leave. Abby had been having too much fun and she was not about to budge. Finally, with the promise that she could bring Grandma's blanket home, and that we would return soon for a sleepover, she let Grandma carry her out to the car. The ride home was uneventful, but I was tired and Abby wanted to hear the same song over and over - which makes for a very, very long ride. 

On our way home we needed to pick up a few essentials at the grocery store. If we hadn't needed some things for dinner I would have put it off until she'd gone to bed, but it was on our way, and it had to be done. Now, she wasn't horrible the whole time, and I really don't think the lady looking at the books minded terribly when Abby nearly absconded with her cart, but she is so hard to contain in a situation like that. She didn't want to ride in the cart and she didn't want to walk. I eventually convinced her to "glue" her hands to the cart and help me push, but then when I went for the sour cream, she took off without me. There were some cute moments, like when she greeted some people chatting in the aisle and after greeting her back they told me, "You have a very friendly kid there." Don't I know it! And, she did help me bag everything, doing a spectacular job, but as she slam-dunked the items into the bag I couldn't help but be thankful that we hadn't gotten any eggs.

With a sigh of relief we were heading out to the parking lot. Before we got to the outside door though she stopped the cart and now begged for a ride in the back. I just wanted out of there so I hefted her into the basket and proceeded to our car. That's when I realized my mistake. I unloaded the groceries and put the cart away, but Abby was insistent that she was staying. A small tussle ensued as I tried to get her out of that cart. She pushed and I prayed I wouldn't drop her. Eventually I got her in the car, buckled her in, got in my seat, and resolved that she would never again set foot in another grocery store - at least not with me.

Getting home wasn't much better. She didn't want to get out of the car. She didn't want to go up the steps. She didn't want to get in the house. And Mom didn't want to deal with it anymore. I picked her up and told her I wasn't happy with how she'd been behaving. That's when the tears started.

Up

We had ourselves a nice sit-down at that point. She apologized and I forgave. I told her how important it is that she do what Mommy asked, and she agreed. I apologized for not having patience, and she hugged her forgiveness. We snuggled and made up. She then proceeded to follow the next two directions that I gave her very nicely. She is now coloring so sweetly with Dada, offering encouraging words to him as they work together on the same picture. 

After giving Jason the run-down on our day he very wisely told Abby that she would get to do bedtime with him tonight. Even though we've ended on an "up" that might be a very smart move on his part.

"Little Purple Riding Hood" decided to play
dress-up at Grandma's house today.