Best Friends and Worst Enemies

I uploaded these pictures several months ago.  They are from the summer.  I had pulled the rocking chair out of Abbey's room so Todd could fix the arm and the kids hopped into it.  Together.  To watch the movie that was one.  I love their connection.  They are really close.

They hug and kiss, shove and push.  Best friends and worst enemies.  Recently, I've realized how much they really touch each other as we are working to remind Adam of personal space in school as he will lean on students and walk too close sometimes.  I realize that with the A-team, there isn't a real concern with personal space.  They pile limbs on each other and share food and toys.  It's probably something like twins.

Every morning, the first thing they do is kiss each other.  Every day we pick up Adam, the first thing Abbey does is kiss him.  Todd and I don't get that treatment!  They will hold hands in the car on occasion.  Their closeness also breeds some issues.  If Abbey doesn't want Adam to take something, sometimes she'll start screaming if he even gets close...kind of like a burglar alarm!  Yikes, it's killer.  Love this picture.

But if one is sad, the other will find something they know the other likes to try and comfort them.  And Abbey gets mad and protective if she thinks someone is going to hurt Adam (like the nurse) or take him (like Uncle Bobby).  They are like salt and pepper and are kind of like a "set".  It takes getting used to having only one around.

Adam and the Great Pumpkin Patch

A few weeks ago, Adam had his first field trip.  We met his class at Stoney Field Pumpkin Patch right outside of town.  Turns out I know the owner...she's one of the clerks at the dump.  Adam insisted on bringing his new hat he had picked out at Target...good thing he did, it got windy.

Right away, he was excited to see the pumpkins sitting out.

Come on, look at the camera!

Miss Elizabeth had the kids line up for a photo.  Adam actually did OK, this was me trying to grab one after she was done.

So then it was time for Adam's first hay ride.  He was REALLY excited.  He thought it was pretty cool we were getting pulled by a tractor.  This is a shot of some of the other boys, including Nicholas, who sits next to him at school and has become kind of a buddy (trouble making buddies a bit, I have to admit).

I was proud of Adam because when they were told to go out and pick a pumpkin, he didn't hesitate or stick with me.  I thought I'd have to present him with a few options so he'd feel comfortable picking one.  Nope.  He walked around and found one pretty quick!  Here he is, looking like his father :) trying to pick it up.

After the hay ride, we went back for a snack.  Adam was fascinated by these painted like witches feet.  he kept pointing, saying "witch" and laughing.  Sick sense of humor.

He showed Nicholas, too.  Then they noticed a group of pumpkins painted like a caterpillar.  Adam went for one, I told him no then Nicholas went for one and they both went nuts.  Uh, no kids!!

Miss Elizabeth reading a story.  Adam was really into it.  That cute  kid Isaac sat right down next to Adam.

The class listening...some Moms in the background.

Eating his apple.

Yum!  I know Adam has some issues paying attention in school, but obviously not during story time :)

Another group picture effort.  Not bad!

Dancing Queen

Last Saturday, we went to a wedding reception of the daughter of one of Todd's long-time workers at the Fulton Moose Lodge.  I dressed Abbey in this silver sparkly dress she went nuts for at Target, figuring she wouldn't have many other chances to wear it.

We got there and I left my camera in the car, figuring we knew no one and I wouldn't need it.  

We grabbed a table and Uncle Bobby came out of the bar to say hello.  Miss Abbey freaked out because she didn't want me to leave.  She does that on occasion when she sees Uncle Bobby (poor guy).  I brought her to Todd, who took her out to the slide while Adam and I hung out with Bobby (Abbey even tried to yank Adam out of his lap because she didn't want to "lose" Adam either).  She came back in fine and happy.

Then she noticed the music.  Or she noticed people dancing to it.  She was on that dance floor so quick, you wouldn't believe it.  I danced with her at first and tried to get Adam out.  He really wanted to, but was feeling shy.  

It wasn't long before Abbey didn't need me or want me.  She was all over the floor, twirling and dancing and having a great time.  Some times the floor was empty and other times, she'd join whatever dancers were there.  I'm not kidding when I say she was the life of the party.  They did the cupid dance and Abbey was going up and down the line of people dancing with them!  She particularly liked the bride, I think because of her dress.  All eyes were on Abbey.  We had to reign her in a bit when she tried to run out the front door and sent Adam to get her when she headed for the cake table (it was really funny..he grabbed her by the dress and firmly brought her back).  

She got tired and flopped on the floor, but I made her get up, of course.  She took a break for cake.  She ate some, went out for the electric slide, then ate some more.  She couldn't get enough!  

Near the end, I was proud of Adam because he realized he didn't care anymore and joined it.  I love his little uncoordinated shuffle dance.  It is SO adorable.

The best part was when they were doing the Cupid Shuffle, she was trying to watch their feet and copy.  Miss Abbey is headed to dance class next year, for sure.

Two hours later, it was time to go home and she was done.  She tried to leave herself and wasn't thrilled when I made her go back and say good-bye to people.  No one could stop talking about the little dancing girl with curly hair in a white bow.  Many kids dance at events, but it was the way Abbey owned the floor and danced with and around anyone who stepped onto it, her tutu skirt twirling and her curls bouncing that made her stand out.

(This is why she's getting locked in her room come college ;)

Adam's New Social Life

On Sunday, October 7, Adam went to his first birthday party for a school friend, Nico.  It was at the Kidz Club in Phoenix, which I had never been to.  Adam was excited as soon as he got there.  He played a but at this table with a couple of the kids, but then spent a lot of time at another table playing by himself.  Near the end of the play time, I made him go over and try out the slides and be adventurous.  It was funny, there were other kids like him who really played by themselves and others who ran all over together.  He was really into this animal zoo train set and then he found some animals tucked under the play set, too.  Loves them.

 Adam did well with the party room.  He sat down with the other kids and really enjoyed the cake.  So many of the kids are five or almost five and you can really see the difference.

 Nice to see Adam hanging out.

 He wasn't sure what to do with the pinata as it was a pull string one....I helped him.

Then, last Sunday, he had his second party at the same place for his classmate Lucas.  Almost the entire class was at the first one, but there were five kids or so from school with others there.  Adam got more adventurous, with my encouragement.  I had him spend time trying the slides and then I sat with him while he played at a train table with some other kids.  I eventually encouraged him to go over to the pirate ship and he played with some other kids and really enjoyed it.

It's birthday season for sure at his school.  Five of the 20 kids have birthdays in October, including Adam.

This is a good chance for Adam to socialize and sharpen his skills.  He has his letters and numbers down, now he needs more "kid skills" :)  It's amazing to see how much he has blossomed already in two months.

Abbey of the Night

I was dreaming that Abbey sat down at the table and asked for Green Eggs and Ham, tossing the book towards me.  I think it's because I've been working on getting her to talk more and randomly she comes out with things I had no idea she could say.  Then she started crying in real life.  

It's not uncommon for Miss Abbey to cry out in the night.  Often now, I wait a moment and she goes back to sleep, but occasionally she needs Mom.  I walked in there and she was standing up with her arms around my neck before I knew what was going on.  I changed her diaper and rocked her in the living room.  She cuddles in my arms, loving and still.  She never falls asleep when we do this, but she'll hold my hand, snuggle into my arms and cover herself with both my and her blankets.  I don't let her stay up too long, since she doesn't fall asleep.  Twenty minutes or so.  

I'll warn her...Abbey two more minutes "No" she says in a quiet voice.

One more minute Abbey "No" she repeats.  And then I walk her in, her reluctant, but prepared.  (If I don't warn her, she cries).

On occasion, just going into her bedroom and rubbing her back is all she wants.

I get supportive and sympathetic looks when I talk about how Abbey is  restless sleeper.  Even though she only gets out of bed about once a week, of course, I'm up every time she cries or yells.  But this isn't one of the hard parts of parenting for me.  I can empathize with her.  I don't sleep well either and my dreams wake me up often.  It doesn't bother me to cuddle her at night or that I wake up at least once a night to her restlessness.  Even when I was student teaching (and then she was getting up every other night.)  It's not because I'm a saint or supermom.  I'm just OK with it.

Back to bed because I AM exhausted.

Our Third Anniversary

October is my favorite month.

Cooler weather, wind and falling leaves.  Halloween and all the decorations and fun that lead up to it.  When I had Adam two days before Halloween, it was kind of neat.  Tammy even decorated the hospital room in honor of the occasion and brought a little pumpkin rattle Adam is hugging in his hospital shot.

And I got married in my favorite month.  Complimented with fall colors (I still swoon over my fall colored rose bouquet).  In less than an hour is my anniversary.  Three years married to my soul mate.  An overused and under-understood phrase.  For me, it means being with Todd feels right.  That there's nothing I'm "looking for" anymore.  

We are enough alike for true insight, but different enough to balance each other out.  Before I met Todd, a lot of my life felt like I was filling it, waiting for it to "happen".  Now it feels like I'm living it.  Our marriage isn't perfect, but it's full of love and time spent on making it grow.  Two gorgeous kids and so many memories already.  If I'm in an anxious mood, I'll fret about how time is flying now.  How it seems to be slipping through my fingers ands something will happen and I won't have enough time with my husband and kids.  I am very lucky and a day doesn't go by that I don't appreciate what I have.

We will go to our special place (Delmonico's) for dinner.  We are taking our kids because somehow it feels right that they are a part of our anniversary.  We have a lot going on lately so I dropped the ball on planning more.  Todd and I agreed we both did and dinner was enough.  Then tonight, he told me he was taking me to the touring version on Wicked.  I am excited about going and because I think I've turned him into a theatre person...)!

The rest of the month will fly by.  Adam has two birthday parties to go to, a field trip to a farm and we are trying to plan HIS birthday (do we do a party for pre-school buddies or not??  Oh, the decisions of school aged kids are turning out to be harder for me than parenting toddlers).  Halloween costumes and not enough Halloween decorating (I always run out of time!).  

But the beginning of my favorite month is marked by celebrating my marriage and our family.  

Happy Anniversary to a man who can always make me laugh, takes care of me and makes me feel special.  I love you and us.

Adam Still Loves His First Love

You may recall that for Adam's first Christmas, when he was just two months old, his father bought him Elmo.  When he pulled it out, I remember thinking, he's waaaaay too young.  But baby Adam sat transfixed in his seat smiling and listening to Elmo's stories.  Poor Elmo got beat up along the way and wasn't working well for awhile, but he seems to have mostly recovered from his stroke.  Adam pulled him off his dresser a few weeks ago and set him up.  He was so excited and happy to see him work again.

Adam's first love.  He even likes to call himself Elmo.  "Elmo Charles Butler".

Hugs.

And kisses.

And it's his FAVORITE part of Sesame Street.  But you knew that.