January 28, 2008

Off the cuff answers...


Little Chef
Originally uploaded by gennabby.
A friend of mine asked her 5-year old some great questions recently, and I was inspired to do the same of my 6-year old. These are un-edited, honest answers from Abby:

What's your favorite thing to do?
A: Draw pictures.

What is your favorite place to go?
A: Um, toy shop.

What is your favorite ice cream?
A: Swirl. (This refers to a frozen yogurt made with live, active cultures, and no additives. Tastes like frozen Kefir, if you've had that. Very yogurtish compared to the "frozen yogurt" you might think of, which is more like soft serve ice cream with tons of corn syrup. Blech. Abby gets a belly ache from that stuff.)

Favorite thing at school?
A: To play in the blue stuff (tires and cut-up tires).

What do you want to be when you grow up?
A: Dolphin trainer.

What will you name your first kid?
A: Um, I don't know. Um, what is it, Bekatris? Beatrice. Beatrice, that's what I think.

Whom do you want to marry?
A: I don't know. (giggle) How should I know that? I don't know anybody yet.
G: what about Miles or Grayson?
A: They're not a grown up! Why can't I marry Noah?
G: Because he's you brother, and you're not allowed to marry your brother.
A: Allowed? Is that the law?
G: I think maybe it is the law.

Where will you live when you grow up?
A: I don't know.
G: Where do you WANT to live when you grow up?
A: St. Louis.

What is your favorite song?
A: Down by the bay.

What is your favorite thing to watch?
A: The Chipmunk Adventure.

What is your favorite food?
A: Cous cous.

What is your favorite treat?
A: (giggle) My favorite treat is to stay up late.

Who is your best friend?
A: Noah

What is your favorite drink?
A: Cold Water.

Favorite Book?
A: Dr. Seuss.

Favorite Game?
A; Sunken treasure adventure.
G: What is that?
A: It's a game where there is an octopus on a board, and whoever gets the most words, wins.

What is your favorite word?
A: More.

What 's your favorite animal?
A; dolphins. Why are you asking me so much?
G: Because I think you're interesting.
A: I want to do more.

How would you describe daddy?
A: Um, he likes to have naps. His name starts with an M. He's my dad. He is a doctor, that doctor thing where you're a teach-doctor. He doesn't smile very much, he doesn't laugh when I show him something funny, he just smiles. He loves me. And I love him. My favorite thing to do with daddy is go shopping with him. He lets me pick something out and he lets me choose whatever I want.
G: Does he let you eat when you're at the store?
A: YES!
G: Do you think daddy is handsome?
A: Yes.
G: Does he look like any cartoon character?
A: Dave from Alvin and the Chipmunks. Doesn't he?

Note from G: For the record, Matthew does smile, though not as much as I do, and not as much as Noah does, perhaps. Abby is a VERY sensitive face-reader. She notices even the tiniest glimmer of emotion in a face. She often asks me: "Momma, are you tired? Because when you smile, your eyes go down." Or she will notice the curve of your lip, the movement of an eyebrow...She will probably work for the CIA one day, reading faces.

How would you describe mommy?
A: Um, I like how you let me choose what movie I want. She has green eyes. Uh, I like her. She listens to me very well.
G: What's your favorite thing to do with me?
A: Not go to school. Play.
G: Does mommy look like any cartoon character?
A: Ratatouille Girl. (Colette)

How would you describe Noah?
A: He's little. He's my brother. He likes to chew on my stuff and he smiles at me. He doesn't like going to bed. His name is Noah, and he's my brother.
G: Does Noah look like any cartoon character?
A: yoda. No, Simba when he is little. Maybe piglet.

Are you happy?
A: yes.
G: What makes you happy? What do you like about your life?
A: 'Cause I don't have to do that much homework like you, and it's easy. I'm happy because I have a little brother. And I'm happy that he "Oh's" at me. And I'm happy that he says "G" and "mama."

What do you wish for?
A; That um, I could do anything I want, whenever I want. And I want every movie in the world.

What's your favorite kind of flower?
A: Tulip.

little chef


little chef
Originally uploaded by gennabby.
Now that he can crawl, Noah is focusing his attention once again on vocalizing. He was quiet for a long time as he practiced pulling up, crawling, and a few moves somewhere in-between those two. Lately he likes to make funny crinkle sounds by blowing air through his teeth and smiling. He doesn't raspberry with his lips together very often, but every once in a while he surprises himself. Squeals, grunts, and attempts at baby-talk phrases are common. He favors the guh sound and the muh sound.

Noah lights up with grins when Abby comes home. His legs start pumping and his arms wave around with anticipation of her attention. Sometimes his excitement vents through small bites to my shoulder, but we're working on curbing that. When Abby is within reach, Noah likes to pat her: pat, pat, pat, pat, pat. After nearly every nap, we find him standing up and yammering for attention. When we walk up to the crib, the arms go up, as if to say "pick me up!" He is irresistibly cute, and is lots of fun at this stage. If you're a Noah fan, you really should come visit us before he grows out of the pre-toddler cuteness. You don't have all that much time!

January 20, 2008

Happy Birthday, beautiful Abby!


Happy Birthday, beautiful Abby
Originally uploaded by gennabby.
Abby's 6th birthday party was a blast! The Paris-themed party, with Ratatouille flare, was attended by six kids plus Abby and Noah. The kiddos got to go to town on tons of cupcakes: sprinkles, color spray for an air-brush effect, sparkle powder, sparkle gel--you name it, we had it. Click on the pictures to see a couple of Abby's original creations; they are really terrific. The parents got to sit in the living room and drink coffee while the kids giggled and talked. Wow, six is easier than two or three! Noah watched the whole scene from his bouncy seat.

The two-tiered cake was a family affair: Matthew made the cake (vanilla/chocolate swirl) and the AMAZING (from scratch) vanilla custard torte filling. Abby helped with the baking and the design choices, and she had a hand in icing the cake too! She had a specific green in mind and wanted light blue centers for the white flowers. Noah and Abby were in charge of taste testing. We were going to have green and white balloons, but Abby simply didn't want balloons...she was adamant.

It was quite an event. We're more proud of our girl than we can say. She is darling and truly a sweet girl.

Next up: Noah's first birthday (in April).

January 19, 2008

Edelweiss

I thought I'd blog this sweet movie of Abby singing. She is such a sweetheart!

January 14, 2008

Peekie the Peacock


proud of myself face
Originally uploaded by gennabby.
For their 100th day of kindergarten, the kiddos got to use 100 somethings to make a picture (100 macaroni pieces, buttons, seeds, cotton balls, etc.). Abby chose 100 pieces of fabric--she is a girl after my own heart!!!!!!

With help from mom and dad only on crafting the body, Abby designed this gorgeous peacock and placed every feather, every pompom, every string, with such flare! We all love "Peekie" the Peacock and will enjoy having him around for a long time.

January 11, 2008

Student of the Month!


Student of the Month!
Originally uploaded by gennabby.
Abby was honored as the student of the month this morning at an all-school assembly! Her teacher praised her for her mix of intelligence and humility (a really lovely combination of attributes). Abby seemed very excited to see Matthew, Noah, and me as she filed in to the assembly room; we don't know if that tipped her off as to her award, but she kept looking back at us with bright eyes and a huge grin. We're so proud of our precious girl; she is a delight to know and to love. I cannot think of anything in the world that could teach us more about what love is and how deeply we are loved by God than having Abby and Noah in our lives.

January 9, 2008

Four teeth and an assembly

December was THE MONTH of teething for Noah. Four new teeth made their way to the surface (three on top and one on the bottom). Noah now has all four front top teeth broken through and three (maybe four, though I can't get a good look) on the bottom. WOW. He had another good sleep last night. He only woke once after being put down. His naps today, on the other hand, have been awful. Oh, and another first to report: Just a minute ago I checked on Noah (he had been crying for a few minutes after being put down for his nap); the little guy was standing all the way up, holding onto the side of the crib! So now he can crawl across a room, pull to standing, and bite with 7 sharp teeth.

I am happy to report that Abby, while also able to do these amazing things, is more busy reading on her own and thinking of herself as a little grown-up. She really is working hard to be a good girl, and we are VERY proud to report that she will be named student of the month during this Friday's assembly! She doesn't know it yet, though, so save congratulations for after Friday morning!

January 8, 2008

thank you, NOAH!


my sweet boys
Originally uploaded by gennabby.
I cannot believe it. My son SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT. I mean from 10:15- 6:15. I hadn't thought it possible, but he did it. Matthew also slept through the night. Abby had a leg owie around 4 a.m. and ended up sleeping next to me for a couple of hours, but still, it was a good night.

Note to self: do NOT overfeed Noah after a full night's sleep. His eyes were way too big for his stomach this morning and he ended up ralphing a ton of milk on me after eating like he was STARVING. It was the most spit up (though not at all digested yet) I've ever had on me. Amazing, actually. So we were totally awake by 6:45.

Off to teach my first class of the quarter. Oh yes, and we DO have power despite the storms here in NorCal. We were only without power for about 7 hours.

a bob!


a bob!
Originally uploaded by gennabby.
Matty took Abby for a haircut this weekend! She looks SO adorable with her hair short (and it is MUCH easier to brush!). Abby loves it and has gotten some great attention from her teacher and classmates. She looks very grown up to me, which she always does after getting a haircut. But as we near her 6th birthday (in just one week!), I am especially conscious of how grown up she is becoming.