Sweet Abigail Mae is TWO!

I just didn't know how much my heart could expand until she was born!

All About Abby:

She has so much expression. I can tell if she's up to something or sad or just curious- all by looking at her eyes.

She is saying so many words and phrases. She follows simple directions. She's learned so much from Audrey. The other night I said, "It's time for bed!" She said, "Awwwwww!!" LOL! I love how she says, "Oh, yes!" when we ask her a question.

She's a great eater, and waaaay less messy. I love watching her eat oatmeal and yogurt. She's so careful with her spoon. She'll say, "All done, Mama!"

She's sassy. She'll pout if she doesn't get her way and she'll let you know if she's mad at you. She recently started yelling back at Audrey, "No way!" HAHA!

She's running, jumping, climbing, and loves to dance. She seems to want to do everything herself, like getting into her highchair. She even likes to sit on the big potty, wipe, and flush. I guess we'll be potty training this summer!

She mimics everything, like feeding her baby doll and pouring tea. She finishes my sentences: "You are so beauti-" "...FUL!" :)

She loves electronics... the Leap Pad, the iPod, and TV. She equally loves books (always wants one in bed and in the car.)

She is amazing with routine. She knows what to expect and when. She knows to put her cup and dishes in the sink when she's done. She knows to throw trash away without being told. She drops her paci when we get her out of bed. She runs straight to the bathroom when we say it's time to brush her teeth and get a vitamin. Little things that make life run more smoothly...love!

We basically consider her our "Wild Child." She's not one to go somewhere and just chill. She wants to be wandering around, trying to find some action. I love her curiosity, as difficult as it is to constantly chase her around!

And soon she'll be our middle child. So crazy! This sweet girl has an amazing role model sister, and she'll soon have a little baby to help care for and who will look up to HER. I know she's going to be awesome.

Two year slideshow:

15 weeks and Return from Spring Break

Reading quietly in her room


First sign (of many!) for Baby's room


Helping me clean before the week begins!


Bubbles!



Weather-wise it was a gorgeous week! On the hot side for a couple of days, but I loved it. I was happy to see my babies and get back into a routine.


Spring Picture Day!



On Thursday night (well, 1 am on Friday morning) Audrey came into our room. Then she threw up. I spent the next few hours holding her hair back while she went from watching cartoons to getting sick. Chris took the couch, but he was sick, too. I thought I'd have to take Friday off, but with Chris being sick, he and Audrey took care of each other (plus it was a very much needed teacher workday!)




I'm 15 weeks and feeling fantastic. I just feel more energized and less "blah." I love being pregnant :)




This was a lot of fun and kept the girls busy (especially Abby), but I needed lots more ice!


We took a walk this morning and it was so beautiful!



Loving this weather!

Spring Break (& 14 weeks!)

This week, like every other week, has flown by! We didn't fit it as many "fun" things as I had planned, but there's always Summer :)

On Monday we went to the Metro Richmond Zoo. It was a nice (but breezy) day and the girls had a blast. I was so happy that my SIL and niece could join us!!


"It was so cute to hear Abigail "talk" to the animals..."Hi, monkey! Bye, monkey! See you later!"


This tiger totally came up and "attacked" the window, right in front of a little boy...he was petrified, but it was hilarious!


A little nervous, lol


Poor kid!


She wasn't fond of sitting in her stroller. Whenever we stopped, she'd want to get out. Such a big girl!


I thought for sure that Audrey wouldn't want to get near the giraffes, but she was all about it!


"Come here, giraffes!"


On Tuesday I had a quick dr appointment. We heard the baby's heartbeat and my blood sugar levels looked fine. Afterwards I took the girls to the mall for ice cream (Audrey), Chic-fil-a (Abigail & me) and play time. The girls were wonderful, as usual. I always enjoy my outings with them. I am so, so anxious about being out and about with 3 kids (if I'm ever brave enough to do so!) I got a few things done around the house while Chris trekked up to Ikea to get Audrey's new bed.

On Wednesday, Chris spent the day cleaning out the garage, washing the cars (thanks, baby!!), and mowing the lawn. Audrey even helped him for a bit (she was in Heaven!) I got more things done around the house (having Baby #3 on the way is a great motivator!) Chris grilled some chicken and we had a great dinner. I was craving a milkshake (I've been wanting them a lot lately!) so he made a quick run to McD's :) It was a very productive day.



On Thursday I took apart Audrey's bed (her old crib) and reassembled it in the baby's room. I cleared out her room and vacuumed before I set up her mattress with her new bedding. She was pretty excited to nap on it! Abby fought her naps all week and today was no different. She just spent a couple of hours chilling in her crib while I worked on the nursery.


Our current office (which we basically use for storage) will be the new baby's room. It is small and doesn't have a closet, but it's just the right size for starting out. I can't wait to transform it into a sweet little room for Ben or Annie!


First night in her big girl bed!

Friday was a pretty easy day. I put together Audrey's Barbie Beach House and then we went grocery shopping after naps. While I feel like I have most of my energy back, I find that I still need a siesta!


14 weeks

All in all it was a great week. Only 10 more until Summer!

Easter

Saturday was our first gorgeous day of the season, so I dressed the girls up (thanks for the beautiful dresses, Mom Maw!) and took some pics:



Easter Sunday was chilly and rainy. The girls found their baskets on the front porch as Chris was making breakfast. I took a nap when they did, then we headed to Grandma's for an (indoor) egg hunt and decorating eggs:


Cousins!


Besties :)

This time next year I'll be filling THREE Easter baskets!

13 weeks! And Things I Don't Want to Forget

Bye bye, 1st tri!


12 weeks

I feel like I'm on the upswing. I'm still majorly tired. I still can't bring myself to get up extra early like I used to. I still crash as soon as the girls are in bed and I still nap when they do. I get dizzy when I stand up. I can't wait for my energy to return because our house is a mess and there's tons of laundry to be done! Despite having a few snow days in March, I've been pretty useless!

I went to breakfast with my mom and sister a couple weeks ago and I had my first cup of coffee! It just sounded really good all of sudden, and it was! But I haven't been able to bring myself to have it regularly. Hopefully soon. My cravings are all over the place. Basically, I'll get something in my head and then I'll have to have it (hello, Easter candy!)

On Wednesday I saw the perinatologist for the NT screening. I was so nervous! I got weighed (130 lbs) and had my blood pressure taken, then answered some questions. During the ultrasound, the tech spent a good 10-15 minutes checking out the baby and getting measurements. It was exciting to see that he/she actually looks like a baby now :) The doctor came in and said everything looked great. I then saw the genetic counselor who asked a bunch of family history questions, then I had a blood test (it was just a finger prick but it hurt like a son of a bitch!) He should be calling me Monday with the results.



My blood sugar levels were starting to creep up into the 90s in the mornings, so I called Dr K and he upped my insulin to 8 units twice a day. But he said that overall my numbers are great and he feels like I'm managing well. I see him on Tuesday so he can see how the new dosage is working out.



Things I Don't Want to Forget:

Abigail is speaking so well! One of my faves is, "Thank you, Momma!" Last weekend she cracked us up at dinner when she copied Audrey and said, "Stop it, TJ!" She actually just started saying his name (the girls LOVE him and Steph!) She's counting to 10 and saying her ABC's (with help!) She sings Itsy Bitsy Spider and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. It's very hard not to eat her face off- she's so freaking CUTE!! She's going to be 2 next month, so party planning has begun!

Audrey is getting her big girl bed this week. She went a whole week without going on the Manner Mat at school, so that's what Chris promised her (actually, it's been 3 weeks straight!). She is driving me crazy with her constant competition with Abigail. The other day she actually bragged that her car window was down further than Abby's. REALLY?!? I think it's normal, but I'm not sure how to deal with it. Other than that, she is the happiest 4 year old I know and every moment with her is such a joy.

We are aching for warm weather. I need to get out and do some walking in the sunshine. Audrey wants to ride her bike, sit in the green stroller "next to Abby", and taste honeysuckles. I want excuses to give my kids extra minutes of recess and I want to drive with the windows down. I haven't been able to do the girls' Easter pics yet, and Mom Maw sent them the cutest dresses! I am soooo done with Winter! I am thrilled that I get to enjoy my 2nd tri in beautiful Spring (3rd tri in the Summer is another story, lol.)