Fall Update

I honestly cannot believe it's the middle of October.  Where did the time go?!  Lots of big and little things to update everyone on.  I'm hoping I'll get caught up here and stay caught up.  But you know how these things go, especially now that...

**ABBY IS WALKING!!**
She took her first steps a week after she turned 11 months.  I had hoped this day would come later rather than sooner.  I'm so sad, she's growing up too fast.  And I'm terrified.   Everyday she finds something new she's not suppose to get into.  All joking aside, a huge milestone for our little peanut and we are all excited for her.  You should have seen how excited Nicholas was.  When he saw her take her first steps, he shouted, "Abby!  You're a toddler now!"

I have a video of  Abby walking to me, but it was taken sideways and I don't know how to fix it.  Darn smartphones.  Anyway, here are a couple of videos.  The first is of her walking w/ Nick and her cousins cheering her on.  Second is a week later.  You gotta love her orangutan walk!!

**LITTLE KICKSTER**
We signed Nicholas up for soccer for the first time this fall.  There weren't any games, just a huge group of kids out there following directions and learning the basics.  And allowing the moms to admire their cute little punkins in uniform and the dads to live out their coaching dreams.  The last fifteen minutes of practice the kids would "scrimmage."  All 30 of them.  Ask me later how I feel about that.

Nick was pretty pumped for his first practice.  But after his first water break he asked why it was taking so long.  This was pretty much how his first practice went.  He did do most the drills and, I have to say, looked pretty darn cute out there doing it.

He stuck w/ it and enjoyed it more and more w/ each practice.  It helped that his friends, Jack and Keller, were also there.    Favorite moment of the season was during a scrimmage.  Julie (Jack's mom) and I were looking at the swarm of kids trying to locate Jack and Nicholas.  Then off to the side, I noticed Nicholas, Jack and Keller strolling along together, oblivious to the game.  At one point Jack even put his arms around his friends' shoulders.  It was the cutest thing, at least the moms thought so.  Julie had to shout to her husband, who was perturbed his son wasn't paying attention to the game, a reminder that, "He's four, Ben!  Four!"  I about died laughing.

Here are some nifty pictures of our future Pele.  Does that show my age?  I meant to say Beckham.

That's his buddy Jack in the red shorts.



**SO HAPPY TOGETHER**
Now that Abby's mobile and really interacting more, Nicholas has found a new victim playmate.  He's developing the fine art of taunting and mocking.  He loves to move all her toys to areas beyond her reach.  He loves grabbing her hands and feet and not letting go, especially when she yells.  He likes to use her as a coat and hat rack, often seeing how much stuff he can pile on her head.  But don't worry, she gives as good as she gets, maybe even more in some cases.  She will not hesitate to take a swipe at his face if she's displeased or if she wants him to move.  She is quite vocal when he takes things from her.  I once over heard him telling her that it wasn't nice to yell at him like that and she should stop.

It's been fun watching our two monkeys together.  They have their moments, but you can tell they adore each other.  She often looks at her big brother as if he hung the moon.  He calls her "his little Abby" and tells everyone he knows and doesn't know about her.  His face just lights up when she's there to pick him up from school.  He will proudly tell everyone what a mess his little sister is.  He talks to her sometimes like a 4 y/o brother would and sometimes like a grown up.  Can't wait til she starts talking.  They are just the perfect little pair.

**MONDAY NIGHT COOKOUTS**
Every Monday night for the past few weeks, we've been attending a neighborhood cookout/potluck.  Our neighbors, Mark and Mary Claire, have graciously hosted every week in their front yard. We all bring something for dinner, bring our lawn chairs, eat and talk while the kids run around and play.  It's been wonderful getting to know everyone.  We moved here 2 years ago and up until now have only known the neighbors to either side of us.  Now we meet a new neighbor every week.


Mary Claire, our gracious host, in black.

Happily munching on a cookie she wasn't suppose to have.

Whew!  That's it for this update.  Be sure to check back.  I will have Biscuit's birthday and party post up soon!