Off to Disney...

Today could have turned out to be the worst day of my life...luckily everyone is safe and healthy. 

We went to visit my best friend, Jennifer, and her family for a long weekend. Her daughter is 2 months older than Abby and they are best friends when they are together. They get along great and keep each other entertained the entire time. The only complaints are because they play long into the night and are then exhausted the next day. And, her older brother feels left out. Jennifer and her family are going to Disney in two weeks for a family vacation. Immediately upon arrival Abby and Lily started planning their very own Disney trip. It was very cute and fun. Then, we noticed after nap time that the girls had broken colored pencils into small pieces. When we asked why it was 'to give us splinters so we would be busy and they could go to Disney without us seeing them leave.' At this point we tell the girls that it's a bit out of hand and they need to back off a but. The next day the girls played outside for the entire afternoon, planted flowers, and again laid down for rest time together...this time in front of the adults. 

Fast forward to this morning. As I was sleeping on the fold out couch and Jennifer & Darin were slowly waking up for the day in their bedroom the girls were packing a suitcase and snacks for their trip to Disney! I woke up to Dillon telling me Abby went outside by herself. In my half awake state I was upset, but thankful they were just in the backyard. Then I was informed that, no, they were down the street about to cross a street. And that Hannah was with them! The girls were still in pajamas with slipper and their suitcase, baby stroller, and gummy snacks. It was raining. They were entirely too far away from the house and too close to the highway. 

Both sets of parents keep saying it doesn't matter whose idea it was, but neither of the girls would come up with this independently. Abby had just complained of shadows bothering her the night before!! Basically, the two girls are way too mischievous when together! 

They were gone less than 10 minutes but the what ifs keep racing through my mind. From what the girls said, they decided to come back home, but were having trouble corralling Hannah back. Those girls are my life. Lily is like an extension of my family. I can't imagine how I would hold myself together if something bad had happened to them. I'm so very grateful they are safe. 

A part of me wants to confine Abby to the house for the rest of her life. Another part thinks 'wow! She's creative, and brave, and loyal' Yet another part thinks she's a kid and needs to make mistakes. Just not dangerous mistakes that could potentially be life changing.

This mommy job is insanely hard. I still haven't figured out a punishment I feel suitable yet. I'm not sure how I can sleep tonight!! But mostly, I'm happy I'm able to tuck these kiddos in another night. Thank you, God!

Hannah turns 2!!!

Wow! Hannah is turning 2 tomorrow! She is such a busy body and always on the go. Hannah loves Mickey Mouse and is having a Minnie party tomorrow. 

I've noticed Hannah is very particular about things. She pushes buttons, closes doors, and has to have everything in it's place. It's fun to watch her try to sit her dolls up just right. 

 Hannah has shown us she's very smart even if she doesn't talk much. When we drive past her daddy's work she yells out 'Daddy!' And she knows most of the food she eats (even though most fruits are called apples). I think my favorite thing is when she says, 'hold you' when she really means 'hold me'. I can never deny a little snuggle time with her! 

Hannah absolutely adores Abby, but I think Hannah gets her way most of the time! They both get jealous of the other one very easily. Abby tells me at least once a day that Hannah pushed her, took something from her, or yelled at her. It's usually comical for us to watch. 

Hannah's favorite toys right now are electronics...the iPad, iPhone, leap pad, and mobigo are her favorites. She loves watching Mickey Mouse on Netflix and knows to bring us the remote. She wants to wear dresses every day and follows what Abby does often. She loves saying 'hi!' and 'bye!' to her friends at the sitter's house. I'm not sure what her favorite food is....because she never eats her own food, but rather takes everyone else's food! 

It's been an amazing two years and I'm so very happy God lent her to us. I love you, Hannah!!

Abby is turning five!!

I remember what I was doing five years ago today. I had been on bed rest for a week with a doctor appointment the following day so I decided to make a trip to Walmart, just in case we might meet our baby the following day. I remember feeling huge, but so proud of my big belly! I remember trying to enjoy my time with Jeremy before a newborn would upset our normalcy. I remember anticipating my baby and how she would smell, look, feel, smile, and cuddle. I was scared of labor and delivery. I wanted to hold my baby!

My baby is turning 5 tomorrow. At 6:32 pm. She's growing more independent every day. She's smart, loves Legos and Barbies, thinks she's older than she really is, and doesn't listen well at all. She loves her baby sister, gets afraid at night and crawls in our bed, and tries to negotiate most things in her favor. I've watched her when she doesn't know I'm watching. She sings with all her might, talks to herself, uses manners around other people, dances around the house, and thinks she is hiding from us all the time. 

She is gorgeous. I watch her while she sleeps and notice she has a few freckles on her nose now. Her nose is still a cute little kid nose, her eyelashes are perfect, and she has the prettiest strawberry blonde, curly hair that gets complimented every where she goes. 

This past year has been full of changes. She started the year by going to a babysitter full time and now she is in a five day PreK program at St. Joseph catholic school. She loves school, even though she complains every day. She has made a few friends, but she's surprised me with how sensitive she is. She can be very assertive at home, but at school she seems to watch things going on more. We went to holiday world over the summer, to visit our friends and family in Indiana several times, had our first hotel stay over New Years, and had our first sleepover with Libby. 

I'm amazed by what I've learned since becoming a mommy. First, the relationships with other moms has been the most awesome!!! I've made friends from her sitters, school, and from when she took swim lessons in March. Abby has also helped me to see the world from a kids point of view. I've watched her figure out how to put puzzles together, decide which colors to use when drawing, get upset because her fort fell down, run super fast, learn to hop, and get scared during movies. She's made me aware of how kids interpret things. I definitely think more before I say things now. And, we constantly argue during clean-up time. 

I never could have imagined how much I could love someone. How much I want her to find her independence, but keep her sheltered at the same time. How much attention it would take to help her become smart, loving, caring, thoughtful, and generous. How much I want time to stand still when I'm with her. 

So tonight I let my four year old fall asleep in my arms. 

Because tomorrow she will be five!! 

My wish is that she grows into a thoughtful, caring, and well-rounded woman. I hope she never has to worry about how much she is loved. That she is healthy and happy. And I hope she knows how much I appreciate being her mommy. I love you with all my heart, Abigail Leigh! 

Birthday Date!

Papaw Haas gave Abby some money to get ice cream for her birthday. Somehow we ended up at Rainforest Cafe in the Opry Mills Mall. The girls were taken aback when we first arrived and the elephants started moving. 

I'm not sure they blinked for several minutes. 

This was the best I could do with both of them. 

We ordered dirt pudding and an ice cream sandwich. Abby shared both with her little sister. 

Hannah LOVED the fish!

She almost ran out of the store at one point because Jeremy and I were taking turns running after her. By the time I sat down and Jeremy stood up she was almost out the door! (Lesson learned- hold onto her better!)

The girls loved walking around and then listening to it 'rain' in the restaurant. 

After Rainforest Cafe we went to the Disney Store and the Lego Store. It was an awesome family date night. 

Abby's Fifth Birthday!!

How did my baby get so big?!!! We have both fallen in love with the newest Disney movie, Frozen. We had her birthday at a movie theater and invited some of her friends to watch the movie with us. Abby sat between her new friend, Mallory, and her oldest friend, Libby. Jacob & Rose from her former babysitter joined us as well as another newer friend, Tyler. 

Mallory, Abby, & Libby 

Libby & Rose

Jacob

Tyler

And, Hannah!! 

One of the parents said they heard one of the kids say, "This is the best party ever!" in the middle of the movie! That's what it's all about, folks. We are blessed to have so many people in our lives that will help us celebrate our daughter's birthday!