Abigail's first year of MDO

Eight months ago, I carried my little girl in to Clearview Baptist Church for her first day of Mothers Day Out.  I cried most of the morning and as I held her as tight as possible walking to her classroom, I smiled at her teachers and blinked back my tears.  I had never left Abigail with anyone other than family and knowing how shy she is, I wondered if she would cry until I came back to get her.  

This week was her last day in the one year old classroom and looking back over the last several months, I can see how much she has grown and learned!  She loved "school" and I am so thankful for her teachers and the sweet friends she made this year.  Look how little my baby is on her first day.  She seemed more secure keeping her sunglasses on so I didn't make her take them off.   

Abigail is really shy, but I think her days at school helped her come out of her shell.  She played hard on those days and learned so much.  She came home each week with fun crafts and new songs that she was learning.  I watched her learn to follow instructions and participate in group activities.  Kids learn from each other and her developmental skills advanced just from playing with other children.  It probably also helped that her mom, the physical therapist, wasn't hovering over her on the playground visualizing each scenario for a broken bone.  

Last week was her end of the year program and I enjoyed it so much!  She was so excited to see all of her artwork on the walls and to sing songs with her friends.  But make no mistake, she is my child.  Once she got on stage and turned to see all the faces in the audience, she froze! Bless her...I absolutely adore my Abigail! 

Here is Abigail after her program skipping down the sidewalk with the kite she made.  All smiles. 

And because I love her sweet curls and feel they should be documented as well, here is a picture of how long her hair is.  I am praying now that she doesn't dream of straight hair because God made her with beautiful waves!

Her teachers gave me the sweetest book on her last day.  It included a picture from each month she was in school with her thumb print and the bible verse that her crafts were designed around.  For a sentimental mommy, this is priceless.  

Here are a few of Abigail's favorite things and what she is learning right now. 

* She loves to play outside and in the water

* She counts to 10
* She loves to sing songs and will perform all the hand motions when she isn't being shy!

* Her favorite book is Tea Party Rules

* She owns 6 pairs of sunglasses...true story

* She is sleeping in her big girl bed
* She insists on buckling herself into her carseat

* She loves trains

* If I hook a sprinkler up in the front yard, she may never come inside again!

She LOVES her big girl bed and if you come to the house, she will definitely want to show it to you! So far, she hasn't fallen out at night.  I keep her crib mattress underneath the bed and pull it out at night.  Of course, her favorite thing to do now is pretend she is falling so she can roll off onto the mattress.  

Even as I type this post, my mind thinks back to a tiny little baby laying on that crib mattress.  Everyone told me that the first few years seem to fly by.  I know this to be true now so when I can, I get out her baby pictures and smile.  Every new stage seems to be my favorite and no matter how big she gets, she will always be my sweet baby! 

Violet {Six months}

Six months ago, I looked into this sweet face for the first time.  From that day on, Violet's little smile has gotten brighter and so has mine as I have watched her playful personality blossom.  There is so much joy in her smile.  I love the way her little mouth opens wide and her eyes crinkle when she gets excited!  

Violet had a few firsts this month.  She got to swing at the park and she tried her first food! 

{First sweet potatoes!}

I am so curious to see how different Abigail and Violet will be.  I remember Abigail being pretty timid even as a baby.  Loud noises startled her and she would easily get overstimulated with a group of people.  Violet, however, seems to love a room full of loud friends! 

Here is what this little girl is doing at six months old: 

* almost sitting unsupported

* had her first food ~sweet potatoes

* loves for you to sing to her or read books

* cannot get her feet out of her mouth

* loves to stick her hands in my mouth, pinch my face, and pull my hair...yah me!

* practices her motorboat right when I get a spoon full of baby cereal to her mouth

* she is sitting in her activity seat now and playing with the toys

*  watches everything Abigail does and smiles when she kisses her

I cannot get enough of this sweet face and those little cheeks!  

This girl loves her toes.  Sometimes I have to pry them out of her mouth so I can change her diaper!  

I had so much fun taking pictures of Violet for her six month blog post!  I remembered that Abigail wore a little pink tutu for her six month post so at the last minute I decided to put it on Violet for a few shots.  How sweet is this baby y'all?!

I love her more every day and I am so thankful for her joyful smile!  Happy six months baby Violet!