Abby - In the Doghouse

Shredded Diaper

As background for those who don't know us well, we used to always put Abby in her crate when we left the house...and by the time she was 2 years old we were able to let her have the run of the house while we were gone. Occasionally she would get something out of a trashcan, but not very often. After Hannah's arrival, Abby started to act out (likely because we were gone so much) and would shred paper found in trashcans, so we went back to the crate. We had just decided that she'd settled down and could have the house to herself when I came home to a shredded (dirty) diaper on Friday afternoon.

You see, Abby wanted to go to the grocery store with me and I wouldn't let her go. She'd stood with her nose to the garage door when I was getting ready and gave me a "look" when I packed up Hannah and not her. Apparently the look meant "I'll show you." Not only did Abby shred a dirty diaper, but later in the day when I went in my bathroom, I found she'd emptied our bathroom trashcan all over the floor too (and that trashcan had a lid!).

We are back to the crate.

First Hockey Game

Last night Hannah got to go to her first NHL hockey game. She saw the Columbus Blue Jackets play the Phoenix Coyotes. On Tuesday, I was able to get tickets to our firm's suite at the arena. I invited a number of the female associates in the office to come with me (a requirement of sorts), but only a few were interested. The rest of the tickets were allowed to be distributed to other guests, so Jon invited some of the teachers at his school. We quickly discovered that teachers were all about the free tickets on a day's notice -- the lawyers, not so much.

We were also able to invite our friends Curtis & Sheri, so they brought their son Jacob, since we were bringing Hannah (and kids under 2 are free!). Jacob pretty much sat in his car seat asleep the whole time, but Hannah was clapping and watching all of the lights and trying to climb everything. I think she had a great time.

The Blue Jackets didn't score until the end of the third period, so the noise that accompanied the goal was a bit startling when it finally happened. Fortunately we were able to cover up her ears so she wasn't scared but she grabbed Jon tight while the sirens were going off. I know Jon loved being able to show her off to his teacher friends (and our little "ham" loved being showed off as well).

The game went past her usual bedtime, so we took her PJ's to change into because we figured she'd be fast asleep on the car ride home (which explains the outfit change in the pictures below). Boy were we right. She was asleep before we made it out of the parking garage! But, a fun time was had by all. Good thing Hannah won't remember the game because we don't want her to get used to "life in the suite" -- that's certainly not the way we normally attend sporting events!

Hannah & Daddy
(you can't expect to get them to BOTH look at the camera!)
(but I love the look on Jon's face in this picture)

Hannah's first hockey game

Hannah (almost 10 mo.) & Jacob (almost 4 mo.)

Why Can't I Go Outside?

Hannah really enjoys playing with Abby.....so much that when Abby goes outside, Hannah crawls to our back door to stand and watch Abby and wait for her to come back in. (But sometimes I think Abby "asks" to go outside to avoid Hannah!) Hannah can't understand why I just won't let her out out with Abby and play in the yard - I have to block Hannah when Abby darts down the back steps because Hannah has tried to crawl after Abby!

Because Hannah is at the door so much, I've pretty much resorted to looping our sheer around the top rod instead of letting it hang the way it is supposed to. Oh well. My only concern is that Hannah also loves to lick and "mouth" the door -- which isn't exactly the cleanest surface in our house.

Sleepy Girl

Last night I arrived home a little late from work...and this is what I found at the kitchen table. Granted, it was only 6:30pm, but Hannah was tuckered out. This time change has been quite a whammy for her -- coupled with a growth spurt, she's worn out. The commotion of Abby greeting me didn't even wake her up, so Jon and I proceeded to eat our dinner at the table in peace (and at the same time) for a change.

Surprise! Trick or Treat is TONIGHT!!!

I swear I looked online and trick-or-treat in Dublin was Friday night.....Imagine my surprise when trick-or-treaters started showing up at our door Thursday night. At first we thought it was a mistake, but when neighbors I knew showed up and I told them I thought it was Friday I was quickly corrected (Friday in Columbus, but not here). Which then meant -- Yikes! I've got to get Hannah into a costume.

You see, I'd sent Hannah to the sitter's Thursday morning wearing a "Guess who's first Halloween" outfit, complete with an owl hat an slippers that jingled. I'd planned on getting pictures that evening, then completing our Halloween theme with a pumpkin carving (so she could touch the slimy stuff inside the pumpkin) and costume for Friday. Well, needless to say we only got as far as the pumpkin costume.

Having a baby really does make you brain dead. But, at least I got PLENTY of pictures for you to enjoy!

Our little pumpkin

Hannah LOVES playing with Abby (and Abby's toys)

Clap, clap

Mom, I'm getting bored with the pictures

Anything but more pictures....

Look closely -- I have FOUR teeth!I'll get away from that camera yet...
I've got my pumpkin for candy & Mom and I are ready to go.

Hannah actually enjoyed trick or treating. She watched the kids in the neighborhood running around and put her hand in candy bowls at a few of our neighbor's homes -- she liked picking up the shiny candies (and of course trying to put them in her mouth). The general consensus was that she was adorable. Jon was amazed at how much candy we got after only visiting 4 houses....but I think it had something to do with the cute baby I was carrying around :-)