Abbie & Co.

Abbie had a great day today: she went to the park, where she met her little buddies William and Max (Weeam and Maxxxxxx).  She enjoys the company of her friends, she loves playing with them, following them around, and being close to them.

Right after our little park outing, we went to Sweet Life Cafe, in old town Fairfax, where we all sat down for lunch. While there, Abigail exchanged sweet hugs and a couple of kisses with William, and Max also got sweet with her. He started poking her and yelling "tickle!!! tickle!!!". Abbie thought that was the funniest of things. It really stuck with her, because when we got home, she starting poking my leg and going "ticke!!! ticke!!!", laughing out loud when I pretended to be tickled by her little finger jammed on my thigh. Later on, at dinner, she said "Maxxxx, ticke!!!!" And then went on, with the sweetest of smiles, "Weeam, day, fun!".

Yes, it was.

With a little help from her friends...

Abbie has had a few intense days in the past week. First, I took her to a Mainly Music class on Friday morning, and she and four other little friends had a blast dancing, clapping their hands and playing with each other. I have to admit: I had fun too. The class was cute, perfect for young kids who have so much pent-up energy. Since there were so many people singing I was able to sing all the songs out loud without scaring anyone, which is a plus. Abbie had an absolute blast, as can be seen from these pictures:



On Monday, we went with our playgroup to Van Dyck park, where Abbie spent two hours of steady fun. She played in the sand box for the very first time: this germophobe and mysophobic mom had to surrender - after all, I'm going to have to get used to it sooner or later, even though the very thought makes me cringe. Anyway, besides my constant wiping her hands and clothes off, I did pretty well. Abbie took her usual circumspect approach: slowly touching the sand, feeling it between her fingers, then sitting on it, and finally trying to figure out how to play with it. I love this aspect of Abbie's personality: the fact that she won't jump into anything head on, but rather prudently assesses any situation first and foremost. She is much wiser than I am, as it turns out!


While at the park Abbie made friends with a little 8-year-old, Isabella, who just would not leave her side and who apparently was there with her mom and brother. Isabella asked me if she could hold Abbie, and as soon as I said "Yes, but be caref...." she took off with Abigail to play near the benches. She showed Abigail some ladybugs, the trees, and a few other critters I was not too impressed with. I thought the whole thing was cute, so I let them have their fun: Abbie loved it, she grinned the whole time and didn't seem bothered in the least. After a while, I felt the familiar "I miss my baby" feeling, and went to retrieve Abigail. I took Abbie to the swings (with Isabella trotting right behind us), to meet her other little buddies. Isabella insisted I'd let her play with and hold Abbie again, and since I was chatting with other moms, I let her, keeping an eye on them. But, in a second, they disappeared behind the climbing wall, and when I got closer, Isabella was carrying Abbie to the top of the slide. I just about fainted. I said: "no no no, what are guys doing?", Isabella said "Oh I am just going to ride the slide with Abigail!". I guess I could have let her, but I snatched my kid and told Isabella "sorry, she is not used to it!" I felt the biggest knot at the pit of my stomach, and also felt bad for Isabella: she was so sweet, did not mean any harm, and was totally enamored with my little baby.



At any rate, besides that little scare, Abbie and I had a great time. She made new friends and met up with some old friends, including a little baby, Camden, only three months old, whom Abigail took a instant liking to. She kept on looking at Camden, and touching her little fists with her index finger.



And finally, Abbie met Fred. Fred the dog. As soon as Abbie saw this big, furry pup she ran to him and started to squeal in delight: she adores dogs. I don't know why, because Shelby doesn't give her the time of day. But regardless of her home experiences, Abbie is always happy and excited to see furry friends. So she spent the longest time petting Fred, and hugging him around the neck. I pretty much had to pry her off of him when I noticed that Fred's owner was wanting to leave. Abbie cried.


All in all, with a little help from all her friends, Abigail is having the time of her life. And so am I.

Abbie the Social Butterfly

So many social engagements, so little time.

Miss Abigail has been a busy girl lately, meeting friends at all hours of the day, as long as it is between 2 pm and 5 pm (a girl needs her beauty nap!). On Sunday, she met a few good friends at Burke Lake. I wanted to take her on the Choo-Choo train, but time went by fast! Miss Chatterbox played with her friends, and walked and ran all over the park with Da-dee. It was a beautiful day, perfect weather, and she had so much fun. I love to see that grin on her face, the "I'm-having-fun" grin, it makes it all worthwhile.

Today, she went to visit Julia and David, and had a grand ole time again. She really likes being in their company. She kept on looking at Julia, studying every move she made. Abigail is truly fascinated by the "big baby". She and David loved to play "I-want-what-you-have" and "What's-mine-is-mine-and-what's-yours-is-mine", and without too much drama they took toys away from each other. I am trying to teach Abigail the meaning of "sharing" any chance I get, it's never too late to lay the foundation for good manners, right? Later on, Bridget, Aidan and JP joined us as well. Bridget took a shining to me, and was always close by and demanding my attention, so Abbie came by a couple of times, hugged me tight and put her head on me with a few vocal exclamations - to set the record straight about whose mother I am. That was so cute :) My baby is jealous!!! :)

I have noticed that she is becoming more possessive, and likes to get involved in whatever the kid next to her is doing. So, I'm teaching her that when another kid is playing with a toy, she has to wait her turn, which is not an easy concept for her to grasp, understandably. But I think, in time, she'll be able to learn to exercise some patience.

Anyway, today was a blast, for me as well. We love the calm and welcoming atmosphere at Julia's and David's. Abbie cried when I took her to the car: she did not want to leave. Looking forward to more playdates with them, and to Clemyjontri Park on Thursday with other little friends! Her dance card is filling up quickly.

A Day in Washington D.C.

Yesterday we went to Washington, D.C. to have lunch with my good friend Demaris.  We had a very enjoyable afternoon, and Abbie was finally introduced to my friend Shanda, and was able to see her "Godless Mother", Nancy, for a few minutes. They all were so sweet to her :-)  At first, she exhibited the now common "stranger anxiety" symptoms: cried when picked up by any of them, or when away from me for more that second.  But as the day progressed, she became more comfortable, and even let Demaris hold her and play with her!

She made new friends at the restaurant: one of the waitresses just fell in love with her on our way to the bathroom, and came to see Abbie once again while we were eating.  The people sitting next to us befriended her, and when they left they talked to her for a few minutes and said "goodbye", and she waved to them.  She also had her first experience on a restaurant high-chair (yes, I don't get to go out a lot...).  She seemed totally comfortable.  She looked at everything and everyone while we walked around: she is certainly not accustomed to all the chaotic coming and going of people and cars.

 

I was so glad to see Demaris and for her and my daughter to meet.  Demaris was so sweet to Abigail, and I realized how much I have missed her calm ways, and her sweetness.  She is such a lovely person and always had such a calming effect on me.  We will get together sometime soon, so that Abbie can meet and play with Dali and Miki.  I can't wait!!!

Abbie and Julia, a friendship story!

Today Abbie had a welcomed visit. Her friend Julia came over for a bit, and they just loved each other! I wonder if they have any recollection of when they were friends while in the tummy: they spent quite some time together while Julia's mommy and I strutted around together with our 20 or so extra pounds! Julia was born four days after Abigail, and they have a lot in common. Katy and I had a blast watching them sharing courtesies and friendly gestures: they pulled each other's hair, smacked each other around a little bit, all with baby giggles and laughter. I will never understand baby friendship!!! Anyone pulling my hair would never be considered a friend! Babies, strange, wonderful creatures!
Abigail waved Katy and Julia "hello" when she met them, and "bye-bye" when they left. She laughed and ate with Katy and I, while Julia had a well deserved nap in Abigail's crib. I thought that perhaps Abbie would protest seeing another baby in her little bed, but she did not mind it at all. I guess we have not reached the jealousy stage yet!
Abbie gave Julia a big sloppy kiss on the cheek to thank her for coming over to visit while they played. She is just so loving, that little one! I wonder if it is due to the fact that I kiss her all the time... Maybe she finally realizes that is a gesture of affection? Hopefully, they will play together again soon. I realize that Abbie is not used to babies -- peers -- because she does not get much interaction with them... But, boy, does she love them! It was so much fun, I loved every minute of it. Watching Abbie and Julia, such beautiful little girls, totally delighted and amazed me. As it always does.