My world...

For as long back as I can remember in my adult life I wanted a Great Dane named Herman. It's what G and I used to talk about while we were dating. I never planned my kids names or any of that. I planned my life with my giant named Herman. G surprised me with that sweet pup for my 24th birthday/ 1st anniversary present. I came home late one night from class and there was this little black dude. There was no discussion, his name was Herman. He was everything to us. We took him everywhere. 

He loved to cuddle. 

He even cuddled with me during my pregnancy with Abby. When I had horrible morning sickness he was there. 

And speaking of Abby and all things related, he was there during all of my struggles of that first year. He would sit at my feet as I fed her. I would pet him with my feet to take my mind off the pain. 

His life changed dramatically after we brought home Abby but he was such a patient and gentle big brother.   The first week or so he would follow us every single diaper change or feeding. Even in the middle of the night. 

As time went on and Abby became more mobile she would try to climb on him and cuddle with him. He was so good with her even when she was poking him in the eye. 

In the end all of his nice behavior paid off. She loved him and would do anything for him especially throwing him food. 

She loved to visit him in his kennel. 

He loved everyone he met. Maybe too much for their liking and comfort. He never knew quite how big he was. 

He was suddenly taken for me Friday, September 5th after a little over 6 years with us. He was with me through 6 very important years in my life. I will always love my sweet cheese-loving, butt-licking guy. 

End of Summer

Summer went by so fast this year. It feels like I just got done with school and here I am back at it again. (6th year, by the way!) That means Abby is back at daycare. This year she is a Leap Frog. She's the only one not walking in her class so it's a bit rough for her. They play in the gym and she can't do much but watch. Although it may be harder on mom that she's not walking. 

This was our end of summer swim! The last lazy Friday spent in the pool. She's come a long way this summer with her pool time. She loves the fountain!

Our early morning selfie on the first day of school. She had just gotten through with a bug she caught when we went to visit daycare. Whatever it was spread through all of us even landing Grandpa at the ER. And daycare said she didn't like to share. 

And this weekend... Sick again. She's running a fever and over all ick feeling. Three weekends in a row of us being sick. It's getting rough. 

And a few moments later college football put her to sleep. 

I'm hoping she is not running a fever Tuesday because I need to be at school. 

Her hair is in an awkward phase right now. Long in the back but not much in the front. It's hard to do something with and it almost always looks like Gary Busey. The struggle is real. 

Summer time and the livings easy...

We are spending lots of time together this summer. She plays hard all day. 

She recently learned how to stand on her own. That big head is hard to balance!

Daddy was out one Saturday night so we had pizza and watched Sesame Street. 

We have to tie her sippy cup down because she will launch it across the room. 

With the new found walking/ standing she has learned she can get into Herman's kennel. He seems so overjoyed. 

She also learned how to unlock Jude's kennel and crawled in there too. 

Playing!

Selfies! 

More play time!

We only have about two weeks before school starts again. I am hoping she is walking more by then. 

ONE

Abby is one!  We survived a whole year and no one was hurt.

She had some one year photos done a couple of weeks ago.  They are pretty cute.  We had to drive out to Pilot Point one Sunday morning but it was worth it.  She had to stand in the grass for the first time ever and she did not love it.

Abby's little party was this past Saturday at the pool.  It was HOT.  It hasn't been hot much this summer but that one day.  Thanks.

She was not a big fan of cake.  I guess we should have done a guacamole and tortilla cake.  Oh well.  It was very cute thanks to her Auntie.

 On her actual birthday we woke her up with balloons.  She was pretty confused but seemed to like it.  She had her 12 month check up that day and had to get shots but recovered well from that.  We had more presents to open and some cake with dinner.  She still didn't like the cake.

And the last of our stickers.  We are SO BIG! (or are we ready to be a fish at A&M?  Sound off for your team, Abby!)

She has started to say hi.  Everything is hi.  It's been a week straight of hi, hi, hi, hi, hi.  I'm looking forward to her expanding her vocabulary.  She is 21 pounds (70% percentile), 30.3 inches (87% percentile) with a 19 inch head (97% percentile).  Still a tall girl with a big head. She has 8 teeth currently.  She is not walking or really standing without support. She can stand but she gets scared and sits down immediately. 

We only have a few more weeks of summer and lazy days then it's back to school for the both of us.

A little of this, a little of that

We have been "busy" around here. We try to venture out at least once a day for something. It may be Target or Jo Ann or maybe the pool. 

Abby graduated to a big girl car seat! No more baby carrier for this little lady. 

We (of course) ordered it from Amazon. She thought it was so much cooler to play in the box. 

We had a visitor in our back yard last week. We were eating dinner when I spotted it through the back door. It's the country's largest wolf spider and apparently it's a girl. She may have left some babies behind. 

Abby also is wearing big girl jammies now. She got some cool new ones from the Disney store last Friday. She loved that place and grabbed everything she could. 

She also drinks so well out of her sippy cup now too.  Such a big kid!

Two weeks and this girl will be one! I can't quite believe it. She's still not walking or standing in her own but in time. We took some birthday pictures this weekend that will be very cute!

11 Months

Abby is so close to being one! We were in Mexico while she turned 11 months so I am late with her pictures. I've been doing professional development for school since we got home so we've been really busy. 

She is pulling up on everything and crawling everywhere. She can't stand on her own yet but does walk with assistance.  G swore she'd be walking before one but that probably won't happen. 

She stills LOVES her bread and tortillas. She's warming up to other foods but still would prefer all meals of bread. 

She still is into her books. Lots of times while I change her she's reading like she's on the toilet. We are starting her early. Now all she needs is an iPhone. 

Herman wasn't feeling well last week and Abby visited him at his kennel several times. 

He's on the mend and is ALWAYS hungry now. This is why we have a countertop height table. 

Abby wants to play with the outlets all. the. time.  She doesn't like to be told no. This is what happened here.  How dare I attempt to prevent her from being electrocuted. Silly mom. 

Summer

The teaching gods have smiled down on us. Went to school this morning for my last day until August. Abby's last day at daycare was this past Thursday. We are officially on summer break around here. 

Last weekend the pool was finally warm enough to get into without peeing your pants. 

Abby got in and liked it for awhile then she decided she just wanted me to hold her. Thankfully it's easier in water because she's lighter. 

We are still a reader. She really likes to turn pages. 

She is walking with help and doing pretty well. She can crawl like a champ and pull up on everything. She tried to climb into the dishwasher this morning. She has a few times been able to point to her nose when you ask. She says "mama" and "dada."  

We don't have any huge plans for the summer. We will be hanging out most days. Maybe a trip to Target or something. I'm not sure how much she would enjoy the zoo or something like that. She's pretty grumpy if she's tired and likes her own bed. I don't know where that would come from.