Look Who's "Talking"...

Well, friends, I realize that I technically missed posting in May.  But May was quite a month for me!   In April my Medicaid case was reviewed (all cases are) and it was decided that I'm much too healthy for a nurse... but our Medicaid program would still let me have an attendant.  So we had to say goodbye to Elizabeth, and my parents decided to enroll in a program where they get to hire someone of their choice to be my attendant... instead of using an agency like we had to for my nurse.

So, I interviewed people, and we found and hired someone... or so we thought.  She seemed great, but then - with 12 hours notice - she emailed my mom and said she wouldn't be coming to be my nanny.  Mom and Dad were stunned.  I was stunned.  WHO would pass up the opportunity to hang out with me all day?!? 

So we went through the hiring process again, and that's how we found my new nanny, Gabby.  Gabby is VERY fun.  We loved her right away - because she showed up for her first day of work - but now we love her for many reasons.  She knows that I'm a good looking, social baby who needs to be out in public seeing my fans... so she takes me somewhere almost every day.  She takes me to story hour, or to the park, or to the pool, or to "Tot Time" so I can meet other babies.  Team Gabby & Abby are out and about and having FUN!

I have really mastered that scoot move - remember it from the video?  Where I drag myself around by my elbows?  Well, I use it now to really get around.  I can follow my parents when they walk away - or I can embark on one of my two favorite missions when they turn away.  Favorite Mission 1:  When I'm left on the floor of my bedroom, I scoot over to my bookshelf and pull off as many books as I can before I'm noticed.  Favorite Mission 2: Play in Callie's water dish.

Also this month, I was chosen to be a super model!  I know, I know - you saw it coming.  With a face like this, so did I!  So, the story being told is that the Down Syndrome Association of Northern VA makes a fundraising calendar each year featuring children w/ DS.  Everyone "enters" and then they pull names out of hats - a few names from each age group.  Or so they say.  Quite frankly, I have to believe that really happens is they choose based on looks... and the 2011 DSANV Calendar will feature 12 months of "Just Abby!"  I guess we'll see.  (It should be noted that I LOVE to stand up like a big girl - and I even pull myself to standing... but I'm not walking - even though these pictures make it look like I may be quite close.) 

So, a professional photographer donated her time and took all these pictures of me (she let my mom and dad be in a few, too.  I think they were pouting that no one really cares much about them anymore) and then she gave them to Mom and Dad to use.  So, here are some of my best shots:

I like this version of Callie much better.  Silent.  And doesn't get upset and run away when I pull her fur.

KISSY FACE!

"Mom, this guy is SUCH a goof ball!"

I love flying. 

I wore my rain coat because they wanted "Multi-Seasonal" pictures.  That was no problem for me and my extensive wardrobe.  Abby can look good all year long.

So in other VERY big and exciting news, I'm learning to use Sign Language!!  A lot of babies learn sign language now - it helps us say things that we aren't quite able to say yet... and according to the video series we use to learn this stuff, it "Virtually Eliminates the Terrible Twos."  My mom's not holding her breath on that one... but it's a nice thought.

So, we started pretty simple... I learned "More" (ice cream was involved) and "All Done".  Then I learned "dog" and "dada".  And that was it for a while.  We worked on those.  (Mom pushed hard for "Mama" but I continue to hold strong and refuse to do that for her).  And then one day we went for a walk and Mom and Dad had me on the swings.  Mom said we were "All Done" and I looked at her and signed "MORE!" and I grabbed on for more swinging.  Of course Mom and Dad were so impressed w/ my skills, I got exactly what I wanted.

So we branched out.  We rented more videos from the library, we watch one a day or so and I just started picking it up like crazy!  Mom and Dad are pretty impressed.  They've learned a lot of sign, and they're amazed how much I can say and understand.  Obviously, they've spent a lot of time selling me short and not fully understanding that I am good looking AND smart.  Plus, with sign language, I can tell them what to do more effectively.  And anytime I pull out a good sign, I get exactly what I asked for!!  When we were at my 18 month check-up the doctor came into the room and washed his hands, and I told him "Wash Hands" - and he was SUPER impressed!  I probably have 20-30 signs right now - and I can use two of them together... my favorite thing to say is "More Crackers!"

Here's a video of me signing.  We've been working on animals.  For those of you not fluent in sign here's a little cheat sheet so you can fully appreciate what you're about to see:

Monkey: Scratch under your arms like a monkey

Bird: Use your pointer and thumb at your mouth to make a beak.   (But I prefer to do my bird beak off to the side - and I feel like I'm probably important enough to take such liberties and change things around)

Dog: Pat your leg like you're calling your dog

disclaimer: My mom gets a little excited when I actually do all this on camera: sorry, she sounds a bit dorky.

And finally, to end the month, we went with my friends Christina and Adam to their cabin in West Virginia again for Memorial Day.  Callie came too.

We did some pretty serious hiking to explore and see the pretty wild flowers - and to find a pond or stream for Callie to swim in.  Don't worry - Adam didn't really use that gun while I was with him... it was "just in case" - I mean, we are on a mountain!  

It's really hard work being carried around in a backpack.  If you ask my mom, she'd tell you it was hard work carrying me around in a backpack... but she's always out looking for sympathy she doesn't deserve.

This little guy came to visit us!  That's at dusk (when we were all inside!!) just out in the back yard.  YIKES! 

That about covers my month of May.  We'll be hoping that June is a little more relaxing... lots of time at the pools, and finally, at the END of June - my mom will be done with work and we'll be doing a LOT of hanging out!  Can't wait!  Bye, friends!