Books Books and More Books!

For those who know me well know that I am an avid reader. Because of my love of reading I have tried to create a small library of books for Abbey and began reading to her almost from the day she was born. Now that she can walk and talk it is not uncommon for her to bring us a book to read to her or she will say "Book" when she is tried, sad or hurt as reading to her is her way of letting us comfort her. Eric even said the other day: "I think you've created a book monster." I take that as a compliment.

Because of my work schedule my bedtime is normally very close to the same time as Abbey's and so one of our bedtime routines with Abbey is for the three of us to climb into bed so Eric and I can read books to her (most nights I'm lucky to stay awake during this 15 minute routine but its my favorite time of day). Her favorite bedtime books to read are from "My First Library: Sesame Street (Board book)" which include 12 short books about different Sesame Street characters.

Abbey normally alternates between who gets to read, first Eric, then me, back and forth through all 12 books. She knows them so well now that she will help us read. I will start: "Listen to all the sounds of Sesame Street. Zoe's bicycle goes..." and Abbey will finish: "Bing bing" (her version of "bring bring"). We have so much fun!

Drive My Car

I've decided that one of the most uncomfortable places for a baby or small child must be in a car seat (though is obviously one of the safest). Abbey has always disliked her car seat, but to varying degrees depending on time of day, length of the car ride, etc.

Most recently she has objected to being in her car seat on our way home from work/daycare at 4pm in the afternoon. At this time of day she's normally tired and hungry and HATES that she has to be in the car for 30 minutes.

To keep her occupied and entertained during this time I started playing The Beatles two disk set: 1962-1966. This compilation includes some of the best songs from The Beatles including "Love Me Do", "Help!" and "Hard Day's Night".

Abbey LOVES this music and "Drive My Car" is her favorite song. Now when we get into the car she will say "Beep beep"--her way of asking to listen to this song. Normally I can appease her by simply turning on the album without skipping ahead to "Drive My Car" and she'll happily 'dance' to the music. She'll wave her hands around, nod her head back and forth and swing her legs up and down (one of the benefits to a car seat I guess).

But sometimes, when Abbey is particularly grumpy she will cry and demand "Beep beep" and I have to skip the CD ahead to "Drive My Car". On one occasion she insisted--after listening to the song--that I play it for her again. She cried and signed "more" and kept saying "Beep beep. Beep beep". Once I started the song over for her she was happy, but again, when the song was over demanded I play it again (we were almost home and because we'd already listened to the song 4 times in 30 minutes I couldn't give and I just had to turn the CD off--this did NOT make Abbey happy).

Despite this, I love that my little girl is a Beatles fan!