I keep asking my kids to stay the ages they are, but they keep blowing me off and keep getting older.
Like this girl.
This girl who is four today.
FOUR.
Happy Birthday Abigail Charis.
Abby. Our middle girl.
And she is so middle right now…both a big girl and baby in one darling little package.
Here are a few things about our Abs at age 4...
Independent and strong-willed. Shrinking violets we do not make. And this beautiful child has given us a run for our money since about 18 months old. Oy vey. She is so strong, don't mess with Abby, trust me, just don't. She marches to the beat of her own drum, she always has. Like when she walked on her knees for 2 months before she started really walking at, wait for it, 17 months (in retrospect we think she was just being funny or stubborn). I have lost her twice, and she was not scared or worried either time. She wanders. She does what she wants, when she wants. Her strength and will and independence will carry her so so far in life, I am sure of it. I love these characteristics of hers...and I have absolutely no idea where she gets them :).
Her sweet side is also coming out more and more these days. She has really grown into her role as big sister and loves helping Hannah and making Hannah laugh. She was so incredibly darling with Lydia when we met her in February. She gives great hugs and likes to have mom or dad fall asleep with her at naps or nighttime, often holding my hand as she drifts off - something I have been happy to do whenever possible because it's just our special thing. Abby is IN LOVE with her big sister (when she isn't harassing her) and has her own special names for her sisters…Samanth-y and Hann-y.
One of Abby's cutest trademarks right now is her daily practice of announcing, "I have two thing to tell you. Number one is… Number two is…" She has been doing this for months. Always two things. For instance, at 2am, she will wander to Chris' side of the bed and whisper, "Daddy, I have two things to tell you. Number one is, I have to go potty. Number two is, you are the best Daddy in the world." Amazing.
Abby continues to be hilarious. We noticed this trait when she was as little as 9 months old and she just keeps getting funnier. Now that her language and brain are catching up she is downright witty. Between her humor and her unbelievable cuteness this girl is always going to be able to get herself out of ANYTHING…she already does.
Abby, who couldn't say her ABCs until she was almost 3 (seriously) has surprised us and is quite advanced with her writing and drawing. She has been able to write her name for some time now and draws really great pictures for a little munchkin.
Abby sings the "Johnny Appleseed" prayer every night at dinner, she loves the Wild Kratts, she still can't say her "R's" properly (and I hope she never does), she wants to wear a fancy dress every single day, she is always the messiest and dirtiest kid at preschool pick up, she is a spazzy dancer, she has trouble carrying a tune, she is still a Daddy's girl (and Grandpas, and Uncles…she likes men), she loves reading, she is stubborn, and snuggly, full of JOY, brave, tough, and SO incredibly beautiful.
What an honor to be this child's mother. I am so thankful for her spunk and her spirit and her place in our family. This was my baby who was covered in prayer from conception to birth, our sweet gift from God after some pain and heartache and loss. True to the meaning of her name, she is a source of JOY and an undeserved gift.
Love you Abby-cadabby.
Pictures by our dear friend Stacy Bostrom from this photo shoot.
