Thursday, May 24, 2007
Abbie has a back yard
Abbie's room is pink, ours is kahki, grandma's is yellow and we'll be glad to never paint again. We got the fence we thought would never happen today.
Oh and can I tell you, Abbie told her first joke today. We were in her new bathroom and she was looking around under the sink, there was no toilet paper. For some reason I asked what she'd had for lunch and she grinned a big old grin and said "mommy, I had toilet paper for lunch" then she just cracked up!
I'll post pictures of the house soon, but it's likely to be a mess as we move in. I'm not sure where I want anything, or even if I want everything ;) We may hvae a big old yard sale eventually.
anyway, hope all is good with everyone reading.
Monday, April 02, 2007
new pictures
school pictures
April First, a day of firsts
Our first meal in our new house. Ok it was McD’s on a blanket over the plywood in front of the not finished fire place, but it counts in my book. It was sort of cool to spend sometime really looking around. It’s bigger than it seemed before they put walls up :)
Abbie’s first night in her toddler bed. Her crib converts to a toddler bed so I don’t think it was a big deal for her, but I was missing my baby. Course the paci’s in her mouth and each hand helped me find that baby :) We’ll work on those next.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
just a quick one
And she's getting compound words backwards like her mom, I said hangaburger, regiscaster and many other hystical to repeate things. She says gotfor, like we gotfor my gloves in the car, papertoilet, if you need me to tell you what that one is you gotfor your brain. and others, I can't think of them right now, but I'll write them down.
Oh and today, she said "I only like my daddy crazy" You can interpret that one :) but she's such a daddy's girl these days to the point that I can do NOTHING right for her. Rick had class tonight and so when she asked where he was and I said schools, she said no way he's at school, he needs to come home now. Then we were driving by O'Charley's where we had dinner last night and she said we need to go get daddy he's eating still. LOVE IT sort of. Except that I bribed her with a shopping trip she could have cared less that I picked her up. And unlike her mother she's content to just walk around the store, or ride as she does like the queen in her cart.
k, I'm sleepy and going to sleep but here are some pictures. First one is of my girl in a dress and big old boots shoveling the snow with a rake, yes a rake. She's a creative girl and does what it takes. Next one is how much snow was on our patio before it stopped snowing. And the last one is abbie helping to salt the walk.


Friday, February 02, 2007
too hot
I was drinking hot chocolate last night and Abbie was convinced it was meant for her. I knew if it was too hot for me it was too hot for her so I was going to make her some chocolate milk and she told me no way. I had her touch my mug and she yelped and said “hot like coffee” yes I said, too hot for Abbie. To which she replied nope, I want some chocolate coffee. Anything hot is coffee. She touched the mug again and yelped and I told her it would burn her mouth. Then she stuck her finger in it and really made a face and yelped. Then she said she had an owie and she needed a bandaid because the chocolate coffee burned her. I kissed it and convinced her she would survive AND SHE DID IT AGAIN :)
Finally I poured a little into a cup for her and swirled it until it was cooler and she had some. She liked it but scrunched up her face and said too hot.
Saturday, January 06, 2007
Yikes, it's been a while
Rick is in St. Louis for today and tomorrow. I'm hoping he'll be home by bed time, because Abbie was looking for him this afternoon and when I said he was in St. Louis she sat really quiet for a while and then asked if we could go for a ride. I asked where she wanted to go she said St. Louis. Course not grandma's house, not quite yet. SHe was there a week or so ago and she's had her fill. They brought home for new years and when they came back new years day she thought they were taking her with them and she gave them the dirtiest looks. She's a smart cookie!
I'm tired, short post, if you don't like it leave a comment so I know someone, anyone is reading :)
Monday, November 20, 2006
funnies
Another funny Abbie story. Rick helped her pick a card for my birthday and there was something inside on a spring so it bounced when you opened it. Well she gave me the card and the pointed out how she drew on it and she was telling me all about it. So when we were done I put it on the table and she said “hey I want that back” I cracked up!
yesterday she was struggling with her slipper, she couldn't get it off and she kicked it and said damnit. I SWEAR I'M TRYING TO STOP, so Rick says don't say that word. She huffed and said Mommy says damnit, so now I get a time out if I say it too :)
Earlier the same day she was trying to pick up something that was stuck. I don't know what it was or what it was stuck on, but it was stuck good and stuck. All of a sudden I heard her yell "what the heck" another mommy term, at least it's clean, but coming out her mouth it sounded so silly. It's hard not to laugh.
Monday, November 06, 2006
fun stuff


Purple dress is post dinner, see story below.Picture on the phone is Saturday, just like Mommy
And the other one, do I need to explain? She has a paci problem.
We had a lovely evening singing and squealing and laughing to be had by all. I'd composed a wonderful little blog and deleted it somehow, so not sure how, but it's gone. So all you get is pictures and quick sentances. Enjoy.
You can try looking at the rest of the pictures I uploaded ot kodakgallery.com. Lovemyabbie is our site, don't know if you can just search for it or not. If I have your email I'll send you an invite tomorrow, if not leave me a message here and I'll add you to the list
Thursday, October 19, 2006
she's perfect
She's so funny these days. She'll just say out of the blue "I'm pretty" or "I'm cool". Now that Halloween is coming she's been saying "I'm spooky" Just so many funny things that make me wonder where they are coming from.
Her new favorite cd is Violent Femmes thanks to her Aunt Molly, and although Blister in the Sun is old after the 20th time in a row DANG DOES IT BEAT WHEELS ON THE BUS.
Sad times though. Abbie's wonderful teacher Rachel has found another job. I truly believe Rachel is the reason Abbie settled into Kids 1st so quicly and easily. And I know her smile in the morning is what set my mind at ease those first days. She's moving on to a better job with more security and I'm happy for her, but am oh so sad for Abbie. She only took care of her for almost 2 months, but it came after we'd had so much trouble that I didn't think day care would ever be smooth. We wish her luck, but will miss her every morning. I know that Abbie will be just fine with the new teacher, Miss Patsy and Miss Ashley though. I just hope she stops saying Miss Rachel at dawn before too much longer. It's true, some mornings she wakes up screaming "I want to go see miss rachel!" GOOD LUCK MISS RACHEL.
I'm too tired for more :)
Friday, October 13, 2006
September 2001
How old were you? 31
Where did you go to school? Didn't
Where did you work? Cingular
Where did you live? Dallas
Where did you hang out? at home
How was your hair? long straight and red
Did you wear glasses? yes
Who was your best friend? Jackie & molly
Who was your regular-person crush? no one
How many tattoos did you have? zero
How many piercings did you have? 4 two in ech ear
What car did you drive? 96 aspire
What was your worst fear? staying in Dallas forever
Had you smoked a cigarette yet? yep
Had you been arrested? nope
Single/Taken/Married/Divorced/Bitter: married
*LETS SEE WHAT YOU ARE NOW !!!!!
**September 2006:
How old are you? 31
Where do you work? Horizon Hobby
same town? no, rantoul IL, middle of absolutely no where
Where do you hang out? where ever abbie is :)
Do you wear glasses? yep
What is your hairstyle? short brown bob
Who are your best friends? Molly & Elaine
Still talk to any of your old friends? sure do
How many piercings do you have? now it's 2, one set closed up
How many tattoos? no
What kind of car do you have? Chevy Malibu
What is your biggest fear? Abbie not being happy
Have you been arrested since if so how many times total? still zero, I'm a nerd
Has your heart been broken? yep
Single/Taken/Married/Divorced/Bitter: still married
biggest change? everything is different, but Abbie's the biggest change.
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Wow has it really been a month?
We took her to the zoo the last time we were in St. Louis. She was completely non plus (if that's how it's spelled) You know totally not interested or impressed. Even at the penguin house. She was how ever ready to jump in with the ducks and swans, believe it or not we have those here, we don't need to drive 3 hours to get to the zoo!
We also took her to Soulard Market. Grandpa had a buddy playing the banjo so he stopped and played his harmonica. Well Abbie couldn't let the have all the fun so she picked up a harmonica and played for just about an hour. She was so happy it was hard to make her leave. I think I found a way to pay for college! Every time they'd finish a song she'd stomp her little foot and say "another one" or "I'm not done" She was bare foot, it was warm, she hates shoes. I was cracking up watching her, at one point someone walked by and said "that baby ain't got no shoes" I wanted to grab her and tell her she's got shoes, shoes from stride rite, $48 shoes, honest, she just won't wear them :) Osh Kosh, bare feet and jammin on the harmonica! Soon as I figure out how to get the pictures from my mom's phone to here they'll be here. Of course I didn't have a camera with me, I didn't think anything cute would happen amongst the fruit and tiny donuts!
She's talking up a storm these days. Very clearly and some of the things she says make me want to just fall over laughing. Thankfully the worst word she's got from me these days is crap, and I'm really working on it. Sure beats the oh shit she was saying a year ago. Huge long strings of words that actually make a great deal of sense. I'm so amazed who this little person is growing up to be.
more later.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Kid's 1st is First Rate :)
Miss Rachel said all the parents came in asking who Abbie was because all the kids were talking about her last night! And they've said she's very smart which we already knew. She also said Abbie's warming up to the group and just jumping right in participating with the other kids. I was worried she'd be shy.
Anyway for now all is good and wonderful and peaceful in the Vessell household, really it is!
Thursday, August 31, 2006
No More Little Wings
She's getting quite the personality lately. She's so much like me that sometimes I can hardly stand it. That little look when she's doing something wrong, she's not sure what she's doing wrong, but she knows it. Then you say, want a time out, YEP. and dang if she doesn't mean it.
I am looking forward to being with her tomorrow. She's been SERIOUSLY attached to her daddy and that's so hurting my feelings. She wants mostly nothing to do with me and has no problem screaming NO MOMMY. I'm hoping tomorrow she'll forget she doesn't like me this week :) Nothing special planned, just the park and the library after the visit and a nice nap. I may even nap with her on our bed rather than doing laundry while she naps.
I'm going to try to get some cool pictures at the park and I'll post them this weekend if that happens.
Keep your fingers crossed that the new daycare is worth the extra money, because if not I'm not sure what we'll do next.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
She's a smartie :)
We've decided to find a new daycare for Abbie too. The one where she is just isn't working out. There's not as much stimulation or attention as I'd like and although I've talked to them about it I get the impression they think I'm one of those nagging moms. I guess I probably am, but the couple of places I've interviewed so far don't seem to think the things I'm asking for are out of the ordinary. Everywhere I'm looking at is more expensive, but I guess right now we are getting what we pay for. Sounds silly, but I expect them to take better care of her than I do. I mean I'm paying them so I just expect they'll do a REALLY great job. So in 2 weeks she'll be at a new school. Not sure which one yet, I've got 2 more to look at, but a new one.
Just a quick update.
Sunday, August 13, 2006
We did it
She did ask for a time out yesterday. Or a naughty rug as we call it. She was climbing on a foot stool by the entertainment center and she knows she's not supposed to. I told her she'd have to get down or she'd have to sit on the naughty rug and she just grinned at me. I asked her if she wanted to sit on the naughty rug and she ran right over and sat down. Go figure! But at least she wasn't climbing on the foot stool!
Cross your fingers that today goes ok with no paci. I know she'll be fine tomorrow because she'll be back at school and they don't use them there. She doesn't even have one there and doesn't ask for it. I guess she knows eventually I'll cave in and give it to her. So I guess it's as much about me not giving it to her as her not wanting it.
Ok, boring post, I know! Have a great day :)
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
The Party
I didn't remember to take any pictures, but grandma's camera has some. The cake I made Abbie was really cool. I'll post it later. The carrot cake I made Rick was a hit! I need to make it more than once a year. And Rick and I sort of survived the weekend.
We've decided mommy needs a break. I love him and Abbie, but in 2 years I've only been away from Abbie twice overnight and I could use a REALLY good nights sleep followed by a great nap.
K, I'm actually really tired so that's all you'll get for now :)
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Well we made it!
ok the picture is in here twice and I don't know how, but I'm too tired to figure it out, sorry.She's two, she's two, she's two. I can't believe she's two.
She can say she's two, she can sing Happy Birthday and she can tell you she's a big girl.
It's hard to believe 2 years ago so was just brand new, all red and wrinkly. Including the wrinkles between her eyes.
Today she took cookies to school. Monday she'll be in the big girl room. We all went to Chevy's for dinner. Abbie didn't eat but she was good. There were 2 other birthday's there tonight too. The first time they sang she wasn't sure about it, the second one she though it was cool. When they came for her and Rick she was shy, but after they were gone she was totally digging the hat. I'll have to get pictures of that later. She colored and played with her baby the whole time.
We got home and did cake. She played with the icing on hers, but didn't' really seem interested in eating it so we cleaned her up and did pictures and bed time. Much less excitement than 2 years ago, but somehow I feel almost as exhausted :)
Daddy's 34 today too. It's a tough birthday for him since it's the first one since his mom passed. But he's off to race tomorrow in Wisconsin so at least he's got something to look forward to. Abbie and I are hanging out, maybe going swimming, but most certainly trying to stay cool.
Later.
oh here's a picture of the painting from 4th of July.
Monday, July 17, 2006
How old are you going to be
She's also thrilled with the kitchen we got from her Grandma. I'll take pictures and post them just as soon as I remember to charge up the batteries for our camera. Ah the love of digital media :) She stood and played at her kitchen most of yesterday. And everything she made was delicious.
Speaking of delicious. We were at dinner for a friend last night and coming back she finished just about every liquid item in our car. She was screaming, yes screaming for a drink so I broke down and put some of my Sprite in her cup. I would normally NEVER do this, but she was so pathetic and considering the place we went to dinner is the next town in the middle of no where away there wasn't anywhere for a LONG time to stop. So I caved and Sprite she drank. With each swig she would say "mmmmm licious" Which translates to Yummy, delicious, that is if you speak toddler :)
She's getting so big. This week will be her last week in the "toddler" room. The room she's going to has a potty schedule listed. Never occurred to me to have a schedule, I just go whenever :) Abbie's doing the same thing, but in her diaper. I'm trying to decide what I'll stop buying first. Paci's or diapers. We were down to about 3 pacis, pretty good considering our high was probably about 18. Please, if you've ever been a parent to a baby on a paci, you know that's not enough :) We were running errands on Saturday morning and the last one we had with us magically disappeared at the Farmers Market. I have no idea when she ditched it or where it went. When she asked for it we calmly explained to her that it was gone, she threw it, no throwing and now no paci. She calmly explained to us she didn't care and there would be a new paci at the earliest convenience. Now let me translate that to toddler, for those of you who have never met a toddler.
I DON'T CARE WHERE THE HELL IT COMES FROM BUT THERE HAD BETTER BE ANOTHER DAMN PACI IN MY MOUTH IN ABOUT 10 SECONDS OR THERE'S GOING TO BE A SERIOUS MELT DOWN. please and thank you by the way.
Seriously, I'm convinced that's exactly what she was thinking. All I know for sure is that we were running late to drop me off to have lunch with a friend and I had to stop at Hallmark before I could meet her and yet there I was standing in line at the Walgreens with a pack of paci's in my hand. I SWORE I would not buy another package for Abbie EVER FOR ANY REASON and I actually was considering buying every last one they had and it didn't bother me in the least to be paying 5.99 for 2 of them. She's going to be how old? 2 and I figure she'll go to big girl school with one. I've been teaching her about being a "big girl" Here's how the conversation goes.
Say I"m a big girl
abbie "I'm a big girl"
me no crying
abbie "no crying"
me no paci
abbie "no paci" followed by a wicked giggle all without letting her paci slip from the clenched bite she's got on it! Did you know they make paci's for 24-36 months! Thank heavens because the 12 month ones she can fit all the way in her mouth, ring and all.
Anyway, she'll be 2 and I'm pretty sure she'll still be using a paci considering Thursday is just a couple days away. And I'm pretty sure I'll be done buying diapers before I'm done with the paci, much to her grandparents chagrin.
Pass the basket for the paci collection and I'll let you know what it's like to have a 2 year old soon.
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
OH MY
We did relatively nothing for the 4th. Just hung out around the house. Until I got the bright idea to get Abbie some finger paints. I'd won a patio set at work a couple weeks ago and the HUGE box was still sitting on our porch. So I got some paints and Abbie went to town. I'll upload pictures tomorrow.
At first I was trying to be neat and putting the paints on a piece of cardboard like a pallet, but by the end of the painting session we were just squirting them on the board and Abbie was even dipping her fingers in them. At first I didn't want to "waste" the paint, but what a better way to waste 5 bucks! We really had fun and I highly suggest getting covered with paint even if you don't have a toddler. I was amazed how cool it was to squish paint in my fingers!
They are going to start letting Abbie visit the 2 & 3's room next week. It's just so hard for me to imagine that she's so big. Sitting at fireworks I vividly remember the 4th of July the year she was born. I was so over being pregnant and I was convinced I was going to be the first person to carry a baby for 20 years ;) It was disgustingly hot, it was 90 in the dark I think, at least it felt like it. When the fireworks started Rick and I walked over on the golf course, well he walked and I waddled and watched as we were chewed alive by mosquito's. I had no idea standing there that night that every 4th of July for the rest of forever would be so completely and totally different. Last year we took her to watch them, but she didn't even notice and this year she noticed, but wasn't sure what they were. She would say oh my each time there were colors in the sky, but when we'd hear the sound she'd say oh no. Delight and concern all at the same time. And she made friends with the people next to us. They had a Scion almost like her Grandpas and she was convinced they were hiding him in their car so she kept going over and looking. They were sitting by the tail of it with the trunk open and she just knew if she could get close enough she'd find him hiding just waiting to jump out.
Anyway in 15 days she'll be 2 and her dad will be 34, we've all come a long way and I can't wait to see where we are going.
ps, I did record her talking about the fireworks on my cell phone. I can not figure out how to send it to people so if you see me, I'll play it for ya.



