It All Started with a Little Skittle...

Today Michael and I decided to have a fun day for Gabby since she had to go 5 days without much Daddy time since he was out of town for work.  Gabby has a birthday party to attend at Chuck E. Cheese's in a few weeks and sometimes she gets overwhelmed with new chaotic situations, so we decided to introduce her to the fun!  Gabby did well, but honestly, she enjoyed watching the chaos of kids more than any of the games.  When she was ready to go I told Michael to entertain her while I cashed in the tickets.  The two of them met me with their 125 tickets they won off of one spin (which was more than we had accumulated during our hour and a half)!  Gabby left with a koosh ball, lollipop, straw, and about 60 of her 90 tokens. Then we took Gabby to the mall play area where she simply stood in the middle and was continuously ran over by the overly energetic children playing chase.  Gabby didn't seem to like the play area as much as she usually does, maybe because...

Nanny came in to visit Gabby last week off before she starts her new job.  Nanny stayed at our house for the entire week and Michael was out of town so it worked out perfectly!  Nanny was kind enough to watch Gabby and spoil her rotten! Gabby was so sweet kissing her Nanny and playing with all of the visitors throughout the week.  It had been about 3 weeks since Lacey last saw Gabby and she changed dramatically in those weeks.  She now speaks in a few two word utterances and has made significant improvements in her ability to get her desires met.  We even went out to eat at a restaurant and she behaved well, which is a milestone I relish. For a week without Daddy there were no incidents.  Gabby was an angel and I thank Nanny for the distraction and fun she provided for Gabby and me.  We love you Lacey!

A few days ago Gabby was outside playing in the sand box having a blast pouring sand all over herself and naturally exfoliating her already baby soft skin.  When she was finished with her spa treatment and ready to go "outside" (meaning in the house) so I asked her, "Are you ready to take a bath?" Gabby proceeded to start rubbing both of her hands on her chest.  I thought it was interesting that she looked like she was bathing when making this motion so I looked the sign and sure enough she was signing bath! I didn't even know the sign for bath and Gabby knows how to sign it! I called my mom and asked if she taught Gabby the sign.  Mom AKA Grandma said that Gabby had seen a baby sign it twice on You Tube.  Gabby learned a sign after seeing it twice out of context! She is amazingly smart.  Calling her a sponge is an insult, she is brilliant!That is my bragging for the day at least.  She truly is the greatest gift a person could ask for.  If you a...

Everyone knows that being a parent is full of sacrifices and some are more difficult than others. So far being a Mom I have "sacrificed" my skin thanks to stretch marks, my youthfulness, thanks to the worries that cause the new wrinkles I notice weekly, my pretty legs thanks to the varicose veins I received during pregnancy that never went away, the comfort of sitting thanks to the back pain I have had ever since pregnancy, a good night’s sleep, and the list goes on... However, none of these things truly feel like a sacrifice (although I do miss sleep and my non-damaged body) they are just part of being a mommy and I wouldn't trade parenthood for anything! Today, however, a very difficult sacrifice was made, although I know it was the only choice. Ranger, the dog Michael and I had for 7 ½ years, was given to a new home today. He bit Gabby on her head when she was about 9 months old and then about a week ago he nipped at her and unfortunately that was the last straw. M...