Viva Vienna!

This weekend is our town's carnival, Viva Vienna! We've already been there twice and will probably stop by one more time before the end of the weekend. Abby has had fun going on her first carnival rides:

riding the train with Daddy :)

Anna riding the cars with Mia from preschool :)

Good-bye Turtles!

This past Friday was Anna's last day of 2 year old preschool. She had a great year as a "turtle." Her favorite parts of the year included music class, doing artwork, playing on the playground, eating special snacks for each color of the week, baking gingerbread men, and of course getting to know her classmates and two wonderful teachers, Miss Cookie and Miss Brigitte. Here she is singing in her end of the year concert:

Singing with her friends, Mia and Naomi :)

Yes!

I love it - Abby's newest form of communication is nodding her head, "yes." She nods yes to most any question we ask her. It's so cute and I must say it's nice to feel like I have such good ideas :)

Abby's also busy trying to take steps in a row. She had 3 great tries this morning!

First set of steps!

On Tuesday night we were trying to get Abby to take more than one step in a row. She seemed really close so we got the video camera out. It turns out she was so excited to get the video camera that she ended up taking her first steps to try to get it. Consequently we caught her first set of steps on film:

and her second:

Go Abby, Go!

Her 1st, 6th, and 7th...

In the past week Abby has taken her 1st unassisted step, said her 6th new word, and gotten her 7th tooth!

Abby really wants to walk. Often when I try to put her down in a sitting position, she refuses. Instead she stays standing and tries to walk, but immediately falls. Then yesterday she started standing unassisted and she took her first step!

Abby's 6th new word is actually a phrase: "Happy Birthday!" Okay, so it was more like, "habba ba," but it was definitely what she was trying to say. Since Anna & Abby's birthday parties, Anna has been hosting birthday parties here at the house everyday. She chooses a birthday recipient (usually Abby or Mini Mouse), gets out all the leftover decorations from the parties, decorates the dining room, and then we all sing, "Happy Birthday." After we finished singing a few days ago Abby just kept saying "habba ba," "habba ba!"

Also this week Abby got her 7th new tooth and said her 7th new word too: park (actually "pa").

Birthday milestones and statistics

Concurrent with their birthdays Anna and Abigail both seemed to start doing a few new things. Almost exactly on her birthday Anna learned to pump a swing. She doesn't do it all the time, but she's really starting to get the hang of it. Another new development in Anna's life is a new interest in playing with other kids. On Monday night we went to a girl's soccer game at the high school near our house. Two older girls (maybe age 5 and 7) were playing soccer on the sidelines. Anna was watching them and they asked her to join. At first she turned toward me and giggled in shyness. However, the next thing we knew she was running around with them, shouting "goal", and throwing her hands up in the air. She ended up playing with them for quite a bit until we had to take her home for bed. For a while now Anna has liked to make friends with other kids at a playground by asking their names and/or how old they are. On Tuesday Anna started a game of "house" with another child by preparing some food and asking them to eat with her.

Abby is talking up a storm. For the most part we're not sure what she is saying, but she does have 3 new words in addition to "Mama" and "Dada." Over this past weekend she clearly said, "Nana" when looking at Nana. While blowing bubbles in the front yard she clearly said, "bubble." Then she said it over and over and over again. Her other favorite word is, "Abba." I think this is her word for herself. She seems to say it when she wants to be included :) Abby is also busy trying to learn how to walk. She cruises everywhere and loves to walk around holding someone's hands. Her new favorite hobby is standing next to her red car and practicing getting in and out herself. Abby is always smiling and laughing. She still loves playing peek-a-boo, taking a tub, hearing songs, and hearing stories. Her favorite new book is The Foot Book by Dr. Seuss.

Today we went to the doctor for Anna's 3 yr. old and Abigail's 1 yr. old appointments. Anna is now 37.5 inches and 29.5 pounds, which are both the 50th percentile. Abigail is 28.75 inches (45th percentile) and 19.5 pounds (25th percentile). We're weren't surprised that Abby was on the smaller side, but we were surprised that Anna is not longer "tall."

Birthday Celebrations!

On Wednesday, April 27th Anna turned 3! On Wednesday Grandma arrived. On Thursday her birthday celebrations began with a special treat at school. We brought in rice krispie treats to share with her class. Also at school she got to wear a special crown, which she loved. She came home from school on Thursday and said, "It was a great party!" Later that day Nana arrived! On Friday we had a party at a park with a bunch of Anna's friends. Great Grandma Jane and Grandpa arrived just in time to join us at the park. Anna was thrilled to have so many people wish her "Happy Birthday" and join her to celebrate her special day.

"Happy Birthday to you..."

It turns out Saturday was also Mini's birthday!

On Saturday we celebrated Anna's birthday at our house with Mom, Dad, Abby, Grandma, Grandpa, Nana, Great Grandma Jane, and Corinne.

Opening her presents with help from Abby

A special chocolate cupcake with Curious George on top!

On Sunday it was Abigail's turn! After attending two birthday parties in the two days leading up to her own party, Abby was the smartest recipient of a first birthday party ever:

she knew what to do with the presents!

she wasn't surprised by the cake!

and she knew what to do with that too!

Happy Birthday Anna & Abigail! We love you both so much and are so thankful for all the joy you have brought us this past year.

Happy Birthday Anna & Abby!

Last Wednesday Anna turned 3 and this past Monday Abby turned 1! More pictures and stories from our celebrations are coming. For now, here are the beautiful birthday girls:

We're so big!