Abigail Kaydence, the life of a 5 year old

Being 5 is so totally cool!  Here is what you are up to.

You still talk like a New Yorker, your volume levels are Loud and Louder.  The passion in your words, and the expressions of what you are needing to say, make it all worth every decibel above normal.   You smile with your whole face.  You love being talked to on your level, and when you talk...you expect the person/people you are talking to, to be paying attention.   You eat slower than a turtle and are distracted by every moving thing at dinner.  You take your time with things and don't like to be rushed.  You are very particular about how things are placed, how clothes fit you, where Mommy puts things and what touches them.

You love to build things, you can build a tower out of cups, you can build a house out of marshmallows, you even built a building out of snow balls outside the other day.  You enjoy putting puzzles together, playing Memory, PayDay, Monopoly.  You are very creative and love making something out of nothing.   You are an excellent student.  You love K, and the different activities you do each day.  I especially love when you come home and have a new song to sing with a cute little dance to go along with it (Hello Neighbor, Snowball fight, that silly Penguin one) It makes my day to see you so happy and excited to share with me.

Scooter is your Buddy, he is your little baby that you will try to carry around with you.  You are protective of him and worry anytime something is wrong with him, or he gets loose (which is often) and hyperventilate until Mommy chases him down.  You will then not let him out of your sight for the next 24 hrs, and put him in a choke hold when anyone goes near a door.  

You really make Mommy and Daddy appreciate the little things with you.  You do not show outward emotions, you are very stoic and strong like that.  To get you to say I love you back to Mommy or Daddy is a very rare occasion.  When you do say it, it is an amazing feeling.  Not because you are repeating back words out of habit, but because for you to say it, you can tell you are really thinking about Loving us.  I can almost see it in your eyes.  You are very matter of fact with your words, you tell it like it is.

We were at the dentist last Friday and on our way home you and Bella were talking about the importance of flossing.  Bella said it is SOOOO important to floss, and then you said very matter of fact "Well flossing's not more important than not killing someone"  What?  Where did that come from? You just had to "one up" Bella and let her know that there are more important things to worry about besides flossing.

Abigail you are such a sweet girl, you care so much about other people and will often worry about the ones you cannot help.  You weigh 50lbs and love to show how strong you are.  You make Mommy and Daddy stop and listen, you make us slow down, if even to just give you comfort in chaos.  You my little lady, are one Incredible girl!

Sophia Rielle, life of a 2 year old

Being 2 is tough!   Here's what you are up to.

Potty training, which you have started on your own.  Although Daddy thinks you're ready, Mommy does not.  I think you are interested in parts of it, like how fast you can unravel a roll of toilet paper, and how many times you can flush the toilet before I catch you, or how quickly you can strip off all your clothes and diaper to proclaim to me (in the sweetest voice) that you want to pee on the potty!  So there we sit, and wait...and wait. You have gone twice so far, but I think that was by coincidence. Yesterday, you stripped down, broke through the gate and went upstairs.  You came back down a few minutes later and told Daddy that you pooped in Abby's room (Dayeee I poop Abby room) See Nick I told you she wasn't ready!

You will repeat almost anything, unless of course you are mad at someone asking you to say something.  You will get on the phone and say "What up Dude" You sing songs, mainly lolli-lolli-lolli-POP, and Jingle Bells.  You LOVE Go Diego Go, and Dora.  The other night at dinner we were trying to get you to take a bite of the Homemade Chicken potpie, you kept pushing your bowl away saying "Yucky".  I thought I would point out that Bella and Abby were eating like big girls, and you look at Daddy and say "Dayee eat big gurl"?  We were all laughing so hard, which just made you say it even more.  Now when you ask how Daddy eats, Sophie yells "like big Gurl"

Girlfriend, you have a Temper!  When you are hurt, you don't just cry.  You are MAD, only the person you go to for comfort can touch you.  If anyone else even gets close, you growl and scream, and then start swinging, pinching, hitting, till they go away.  Hard to believe that sweet little face can get so angry.

You love to climb on things.  I have to flip our kitchen chairs onto the table everyday just so you won't drag them across the floor to whatever it is you want to get into.  Some days it has been a drawer, one day it was the counter, one day it was the actual table where I found you trying to hang onto the light fixture above and swing.  Yeah, they get put up now.  Thank you very much!

You sleep with your bibi every night and for naps.  You also now require 3 blankets to go to sleep.  You have a favorite blankie, but really any 3 will do.  For about 3 months now when you are laid down, you point to the back of your crib and say these 3 letters "a-b-a" Daddy and I tried to figure out what you were pointing to and thus figure out what you were saying, but we can't.  We have no clue. We just decided to repeat the letters back to you a-b-a and that seems to suffice. We do however LOVE it, and it has become quite the routine to lay you down and make sure you say it before we walk out.

                                                                      Sophia's words.
                                                                      Dook = Drink
                                                                      Yaya = Phone
                                                                      Buddy = Scooter
                                                                      Bibi = Pacifier
                                                                      Iggies = Toes
                                                                      JeeJoo = Julie E.

You weigh 24lbs, you love to be the center of attention.  You have the most Beautiful Brown eyes, reminds me of my little sis (so does your temper) You are animated, enthusiastic,  and full of energy.  You gasp when you are trying hard to tell us something.  You say Ahh or Uhh before you say anyones name "uhh mommy" We love everyday with you and what you will amaze us with.  You are worth a million nights of going to bed exhausted.  I love you sweet girl.

Big Girls

I can't believe I have a 9 year old, a 5 year old, and a 2 year old.

To get all the 3 girls in one location, all somewhat looking at the camera, no one crying...was HARD!  I think I have about 65 others that were lacking one of the requirements above.

I need to be better

It is so easy to log on here and type out the things I want to remember, but I don't.  Why?  So many things going on, not enough time, I would rather read the few blogs of others that I follow, I have 3 busy little girls, Sophia bangs on my computer if I even try to get on here during her waking hours, I need to wash my hair...see I am busy!
But, I have decided now that I will make a better effort, and because I just typed that out, it's official. :)

And the party pictures.

Abby chose to have her Birthday party at a water park.  We decided that was a GREAT idea, since last years party was a pool party at our house...whew that was some work.
What was really cool was that you could rent the water park after they closed and the only people there were the ones you invited, plus 2 lifeguards on duty to watch the kids.

Abby on the slide when we first got there.

We were all forced under the pavilion for the Thunder and Lightning to pass so we opened gifts and had our cupcakes while the storm passed.  I love Abby's face here, I wish I knew what she was opening...but Nick had the camera and didn't catch that part.

Ok, Bella's gift to Abby was complete with an empty water bottle that Bella had drank earlier than day, not sure why that was so funny, but it was.   Don't believe me...check out Bellas face in the background, that was the beginning of a full on laugh attack.

This picture is interesting to me cause 1: I look really tan. 2: I look really skinny. 3: My boobs look huge. and I can put this here cause Nick and my BFF Heather are the only ones who see this blog. Ha.

                                                                Just a silly Bella smile.

And I can't leave out a typical Sophia face.

Then me and this girl, may have gone down the *kiddie* water slide together and had a little crash at the bottom and we may or may not have both lost our bottoms a little bit.  

But that's just a maybe, so we will assume that we didn't do such a thing!

Abigail's 5th Birthday

Ok I think I finally have caught up on Birthday's...this is actually from this year :)

For my Abby girl,

The days pass before us and seem to go by so quickly, yet each day you make me find the time to see the beauty in who you are.  When you were a baby I would imagine what you would look like, what you would act like, the personality you would have, who would you favor, would you be social, or would you be shy.

You are a beautiful little lady of which I could never imagine life without.   You take a little bit to warm up to people you are not familiar with but once you do...watch out!  You are full of life and OH SO LOUD, you make sure you have the attention of the person you are speaking to or showing something to.  You have a very strong Jersey accent when you are passionate about what you are saying.   You will break out in uncontrollable belly laughs that will have those around you laughing too.  You love to cook, clean and help Mommy do things around the house.  You love playing with your sisters and giving Bella and Sophia hugs.  You love your Scoota boy and will carry him around the house sometimes (to his dislike) like he is your baby.   You are a Daddy's girl for sure, when he walks in the door you are his from that moment till bed time.  You ask me 1,356 times a day what time he will be home from work.  You often ask (every night) why we have to have to go sleep every single day, but truth be told you would never make it all night even if you tried.

Happy 5th Birthday to my sweet, zesty little girl.

Love, Mom

Family

2009 was a year of many trials, many tears, many laughs and sweet cuddles, lots of emotions, plenty of illnesses, hospital stays, sleepless nights, an abundance of giggles and laughs, and always the comfort of each other which I am MOST thankful for.

I was looking forward to a year of less of a few of those and that has been true so far.   It has made us stronger as a family and made us appreciate one another, made us grow together, made us depend on the other for support, for love, and assurance.

Nick was my rock this past year and I am so Thankful we had the chance to grow together and connect in a way we never have before. I am Thankful he is my husband, Thankful he is my confidant, he can make me laugh, he is patient, he can put a smile on my face just by looking at me, Thankful he is the most wonderful father to our beautiful daughters, Thankful he understands me, is a hard worker, dedicated and driven, Thankful for who he is, and Thankful he completes who I am.

Our girls are growing into beautiful little ladies, and maturing in ways that amaze me. They make me laugh each day and my heart grows with love in amounts I could have never imagined.

I am so blessed to have my family.

Happy 1st Birthday Sophia

Such a joy to be around,  a love bug...not a cuddle bug, but definitely a love bug.  Just the best little girl, so laid back, calm, peaceful.  You have given us the easiest year.  We kept thinking at some point you would certainly start to give us trouble, but nope.  You are wonderful Sophia Rielle.  You brought in your 1 year at 21lbs, a head full of bright red hair, beautiful brown eyes, and the biggest smile that could make your heart melt in a second.  

You started walking at 9months and haven't stopped since.  You are a go, go , go girl like her mama. Anytime you are on the phone you automatically say "yaya" since your yaya gave you a little phone and taught you to say "hewoooo" over the Thanksgiving holiday.  


We are so thankful that you are ours.

Isabella 8th Birthday

So apparently you can't have started a post last year and forgotten (slacker) to publish it and have it be dumped into that days post.  This was actually started in Isabella's 8th Birthday last year on December 19th.

I can't believe I just put 8 on there.  I really feel like I am getting a little scared of this whole getting older thing, and I am not talking about me.  I mean, each year there are more challenges, things that get easier, harder, make me pick and choose my battles, make me stop and think...wait, where did she hear THAT from, dig deeper...back off.  So many choices.
My straight A student, little girl of so many words and questions, so much love and attitude all given in the same day.  The one who can still crawl in my lap and know I will hold her till she wants down.  At 58lbs and coming to my shoulders you sure are growing sweet Angel.

For your Birthday you wanted a Rockstar Runway fashion show with a Sleepover.  5 of your friends came and were packing their best "Rockstar" outfits for the show.   I did hair, makeup and nails.   Bella and her wanting straight hair is going to be the end of my patience.  It hurtse, it takes FOREVER, it does not last long, and she cries the entire time I do it...really she does, why do I agree.  I told her this was the last time I was doing it. 

Liv Doll

More presents

Rockin out after the fashion show, which was great and on video, but I have no idea how to load on here and then they danced and sang.  Here is where I also started talking under my breath, and saying prayers to get me through the night...

Oh what it's bedtime already

Goodnight.  

Christmas 2009

Every year we have a little tradition we do.  We let the girls open 1 gift on Christmas Eve, but the gift is always the same, pj's.  They get to wear them to bed and wake up in the morning to open presents in them.  

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I guess the slacker in me is getting what I deserve, cause I thought by starting a post on the same day I wanted that post to be would be sufficient, even though I never actually ever published it...or finished it either, but that doesn't matter.  Just knowing I could start it, come back to it later and finish it would work good, but not so much.  The Mocha post was started in Sept of last year :)

Ok, so on to Christmas.  We had snow on Christmas, which I know alot of people wish for.  It wasn't much, but enough to make it beautiful and white outside.   The girls were really into it this year.  I  think this will be the last year Bella believes in Santa.  We had a whole discussion a few months ago when we were busted with the Tooth Fairy and bella said "hmmmm what else can I ask you about that's not real"  then came the Santa question, we were honest, told her the whole Santa/Saint Nick story and explained everything.  Sometime between then and Christmas she forgot all about it.  I told Nick at one point I thought she was trying to trick us.  It was like we never had "the talk", just vanished.

Bella says these are her Lucky jammers, cause she always gets what she wanted when she wears them.  I need to make a mental note to tell her NO the next time she wears them and asks for something.

Opening the Race Track from Pawpaw and Meemaw.  Check out Abby's face. 

Opening presents.

Sophia was so freaked out by that little Pluto dog thingy.  It has a remote and walks and barks and wags his tail and she ran screaming stomping her feet to get away.  I had a little fun chasing her a few times and then it was back to the twist ties and opening of packages.

Mocha, Moocha, Muucka...and Isabella

Oh boy, Isabella wanted a Mocha from McDonald's so bad.  I mean really, really really wanted a coffee from there. She came up with so many different ways to say Mocha, always got it wrong, would come out one way and she would try to correct herself with another way.  Her friend Claira has had a few and raved to her about how good it is, and how adults have coffee, and how she gets it sometimes on the days when it is free.  
We tried to talk her out of it... for weeks.  Every week on Mocha Monday Bella would beg, plead, cry, whine, get on her knees and say how much she would love it and how good it must be.  How she would drink the whole thing and how happy it would make her...sooooo we caved.  Nick and knew she would not like it, we tried telling her that...she does not exactly have a taste for things new should I say, she likes what she is used to and not really willing to try different.  
The drink was bought, (not on a Monday) and she HATED it.  Nick said she had to drink the whole thing since she begged so hard for it for so long, the look on her face said it all.  She was not impressed and then questioned why people drink that stuff.  

So here is my tribute to Mocha Monday!!

Halloween 09

It was such a perfect night, clear, beautiful, crisp weather. Sophia was not at all up to going out, so Soph stayed home with Nick and passed out candy to all the polite, kind, sweet children.

My sweet little Fairies.

Freezing in October

Oh, it is so cold here right now. The high today is 49. This is so weird to me to be cold at this time of year. I knew it was going to be getting cold soon, but I feel like we totally skipped the fall weather, or maybe this is fall weather :) not sure about that one. I have been reading that this will be a very cold and snowy winter. The girls will love that for sure. I got out all the scarves, gloves, hats, snow boots etc. from last year. Unfortunately, they no longer fit who they are supposed to fit, so a winter shopping trip is in our very near future.

I had the craziest, busiest day yesterday and had some thoughts that totally caught me off guard. I was non stop yesterday from the time my feet hit the floor. I was hope for maybe 30min total the entire day till 8pm and when I laid down last night thinking of how tired I was, I missed Sophia like crazy. I didn't get to hold her but for a few min, in between passing her off to other people (Mops, mimi, laying her down for a nap so I could run back out the door to take Abby to the doctor) and I was so sad that I didn't play with her at all yesterday, didn't get to see if she could take 5 steps instead of 4, didn't get to kiss her as much as usual, didn't cuddle with her, didn't lay on the floor while she climbed all over me. I know this is not the normal day for us, so not like it will be happening again soon, but still. I really truly missed her. SO much so, that I got my tired, exhausted, aching body out of bed and walked into her room so I could see her sleeping so peacefully one last time before I closed my own eyes. I was really surprised I felt this way after only a day of crazy chaos. I did vow to really and truly revel in her squishy, sweet babyness since this will be our last baby, so maybe missing a day of her set that off.

I have been busy making the girls Halloween costumes and they will be ready soon. I am so excited to have accomplished this and before the deadline.

Bella is doing so awesome in school and I am so proud of her, she is working so hard and it is showing in all her work. Our parent/teacher conference was awesome and she has all A's and 1 B. She loves Math, and Reading the most. She loves going to school and really looks up to the Teachers and staff there. I could not be more proud or happy for her. I think how fortunate we are to not be dealing with any issues with school work right now, or her hating to go to school, or just not applying herself how she should. I know there are many children who struggle with this and for that I am thankful.

Abby is still Abby. She has good days, bad days. She is my little strong minded, my way or no way child. She likes to put together puzzles, play hide and seek, her favorite number is 4 cause that's how old she is and will tell you in a minute, she also thinks she needs 4 of everything. Abby showed her very strong willed self off at the bust stop this morning. 30 something degrees outside 7am standing on the street corner with neighbors, Abby decides to take off the white jacket I gave her, throw it on the wet ground and proceed to stand there and scream about how cold she is while wearing a Miami Dolphins cheerleading outfit (and not the Midwest possibly warm version) I am talking the tank top/skirt version, while holding an umbrella and refusing to put the jacket back on. How hard is it to behave for 4min while we walk Bella to the bus stop. We have been talking and praying for the homeless adults and children lately at night and Abby is especially concerned for them. Asking how they eat, where they sleep, why they don't have a house, etc. So yesterday Abby decides she will ask Santa to bring her a Dora tent, with a blanket and pillow and she will give it to the kids who sleep outside so they can have a house. Then she goes "dat work mama right? Dose kids will weally like that huh?" She is so sweet and caring, when you catch her at the right time :)

Sophia is taking steps, and she has 2 teeth that are starting to come in...finally. Bella and Abby both got their first teeth at 6m and Soph just wants to take it at her own pace. She is all over the place, crawling, pulling up, taking a few steps before falling back, or sometimes forward. I was hoping she would not walk for a while longer and would stay little forever and ever, but I know that is not happening, plus with her bug sisters walking all around her, I knew it would be no time before she figured it out. Still taking 2 naps for the most part of a normal day. Sleeping through the night most of the time. Eating like crazy and just being happy and smiley and giving lots of kisses and raspberries to most people.

Family...

It is so hard to find any pictures of us all together.

The days pass quickly, the months fly by and the years seem to pass with the blink of an eye.

I know all too soon, our girls will be young ladies, they will be independent and on their own and Nick and I will look back and wonder where the time went.

They will be strong women, who stand up for who and what they believe in.

We will give them every bit of knowledge we have and teach them to learn from every mistake made.

They will have learned to love each other and will have close relationships with one another.

They will not be afraid to love and be loved.

Best of all, Nick and I will have taught them, raised them, loved them.

Abby and the great Soccer adventure.

Seeing Abby play soccer is so fun for Nick and I. The best part is she is wearing shorts and a shirt, which never...and I mean never happens. She looks so freakin cute in her shorts and shin guards and her hair pulled back. She plays her little heart out. She runs after the ball and focuses so hard on getting it through the goal.

Can't you just see the determination in her eyes.

The focus of this girl, I tell ya!

Abby wants to be a chicken, Abby wants to be a duck...quack, quack, quack...

Ok, now were getting there baby. Go Abby go!!

You amaze us everyday Abby, and we could not be more proud of you.

She takes many breaks for a drink, but she needs the sugar while she is running for 1 hour non stop, so we don't say anything about that to her, and her coach understands she needs it.

Now I would not say she is without her moments of not paying attention, because clearly she is, but at 4, I think she has done incredible.

Isabella at 3 years old

Having a moment of looking back at when you were 3. So cute and fun.