Dancing little Abbie

As you can see by the 2 bottom pictures, Abbie has taken to dancing. She used to shake her hips and shoulders if she heard some music, but she has now started a full dance step. She loves to run around and step to music. It is hilarious to see her dancing. Last night I was really getting a kick out of her antics. I decided to get some pictures tonight and I got a couple of good ones even though it is hard to see how she moves in a still picture. Trust me, it is funny to watch. After I got home from work tonight, Abbie and I had some time together while Amber was teaching at VBS. The top picture is from our swinging session outside tonight. Al was with us, too, he was patrolling for us while we were outside.
I have to cut this short, so I will try to write some more soon.

Long time no see...

Goodness, it has been quite some time since I have written anything hasn't it? First let me say that Amber is doing some better. Her CT showed no stone and she had a treatment today to try and help her pain. Please keep her in your prayers, it has been a long couple of weeks.
As you can see from the pictures, Abbie is just blooming with her little personality. Her talking consists of about 4 "words," but she says much more than that with her facial and vocal expressions. The top two pictures are from the 4th of July parade on our block. She rode in her little car and was escorted by her cousins, Zach and Jake, her Nanna Janice, and her Daddy. It was fun for all, but Abbie frowned most of the time because it was pretty hot in her little cheerleading outfit. The other 2 pictures were taken today. As you can see, Abbie is using a straw (not quite perfected) and she loves to read her books. When she finds the book she wants, she will carry it over to the appointed reader and plop it in their lap. If the book-reading does not begin forthwith, whining and carrying on may follow. It is fun to see her reactions while reading to her. I hope she continues to like reading with her mom and dad. I feel much more like a dad when she is in my lap and we are reading together. Not that I do not feel like a dad with her normally, but I feel more connected at those times. It is hard for me to explain, I figure most parents would understand and hopefully agree.
I could write more, but it is late and I have other things to tend to. I hope to not take such a long break between blogs next time. See you later.

Walkin' and talkin' (somewhat)

I finally took some new pictures of Abbie. Her Aunt Jami and Uncle Scott came up this weekend and I took some pictures at mom and dad's with them. I think it has been a long break in between photo sessions. The last time I took any pictures, she was not walking yet. Well she sure is now. It is the coolest thing to see her walk in her not-so-smoothe baby walk. She was a good girl at mom and dad's, even though she missed her afternoon nap. I am still amazed at the percentage of the time that she is happy, or at least content. I am by no means complaining, I know God has blessed us with an even-tempered little girl and I thank him for it every day.
We are planning to have Abbie in the little 4th of July parade on our block. Sadly, this will be the first year we have had anything to do with it. Abbie has a patriotic outfit to wear, and we will take any opportunity to show her off. I hope it will be fun. If I do not post anything before then, Happy Independence Day!