Update: January 2009

Abby wearing her precious makeup!

I can't believe it is January. This month the Preas' family stepped up our signing. We now have what is called a Deaf Mentor, his name is Brandon. Brandon comes over once a week and we can only sign. I "think" he is profoundly deaf; he speaks very, very well.... but from our instruction through a translator (thanks Paula) we will never hear it. Both Mike and I agree that it will be stretching all of our skill but the end result will be us being able to sign fluently.

While Brandon, Emily (his supervisor), Paula, Mike and I were visiting (Mike and my heads' were swimming at this point), Abby came in and out of the room showing toys, her attitude was very blase'. I found it very surprising, I'm not quite sure how to read her.

This past week.... Well let me backtrack. Abby received from "Santa" some Barbie make-up. It was a free gift for buying so much Barbie brand items at Toys R Us. I realized during our Christmas Break, after she completely painted Grandma Phillips and herself in the translucent, waxy, and sparkle make-up that maybe it should just go away for a while.

Since Christmas Abby insists on excersized her independence to the point that she wants to do everything. Including letting the dog in from outside, helping herself to breakfast from the fridge in the mornings, and letting herself outside for a brisk walk by HERSELF! This also includes getting into MY makeup, so as a goodwill gesture to her, and hoping that she wouldn't get into mine, I gave back her makeup. The first couple days were pretty good. She put her makeup under my counter in the bathroom and didn't touch it after applying some lipstick and sparke to her eyebrows. When we went out, I would just take a wet wipe and wipe her face clean. Well today she got herself ready to go to the sitters. Abby didn't get her hair combed, but did make sure she had applied her makeup properly. I will be estatic when she finally runs out of her precious "Bobie" makeup.

Mike is in his final year of college. This term he has an spreadsheet class... let me correct myself, I HAVE A SPREADSHEET CLASS. I have gotten A's on all my projects, I only have 6 more to go. It's been kindof fun doing this class because I have been able to test my knowledge.

Lastly, a little funny. This week we went to the Olive Garden for dinner. I had to leave for a moment to use the facilities. We are trying to potty train Abby so I told her I needed to go potty. She wanted to go with, so as we went, Abby started skipping and chanting, "Mommy go potty! Mommy go potty!" I was just thankful that her words were not clear enough for the rest of the customers to understand. I am thrilled that that she is talking as much as she is, just not excited about some of her topic choices!