Daddy/Daughter Moments...

Story #1:
Abigail brought the book "Mommy and Me" to Jon one morning. Jon tried to hand the book off to me, saying, "This is a book about mommies and their babies. I can't read this to her." However, I was busy with something and thus tried to assure him, "Sure you can! Just change all the 'mommy' words to 'daddy' and the hers to his." Jon decided to give it a shot. He put Abigail in his lap and opened the book saying, "Daddy and Me."
"...Daddy duck and...his babies go for a swim."
I chuckled imagining the picture of a mama duck swimming with her ducklings. But Jon continued.
"Daddy giraffe snuggles with baby."
Jon then snuggled close to Abi. Aw!
"Daddy Cat feeds...his kittens. That's it! I can't read this anymore!" And he tossed the book at me. I looked at the picture that caused him to reject the 'renamed' book of Daddy and Me. Ah yes, a picture of a mama cat nursing her kittens isn't really reversible!

Story #2:
We've started closing and locking the bathroom door since Abi has figured out that doorknobs are the key to opening doors. She sometimes has luck in wiggling it open. This morning Jon had locked the door as he used the bathroom. Sure enough Abi toddled over to try to see what he was doing in there. She knocked and giggled. Jon sang, "hellooooo!" from the other side of the door. She giggled again and wiggled her fingers under the door. Jon laughed. Then Abi reached for the doorknob and gave it a wiggle. "Oh Abi, Daddy locked the door. I'm sorry!" Jon called from inside the bathroom. There was silence for a while as it seemed Abigail had given up. Suddenly Jon heard a metallic scraping sound on the doorknob. When he emerged from the bathroom he saw Abi standing there with a set of keys trying to unlock the bathroom door!

Now Announcing...!!!

If you haven't heard from our families, our own lips, our churches, or Facebook (which is like telling the world) then it's time you heard that the Gills are expecting baby #2 at the end of August! As of today I am almost 9 weeks pregnant. Here's what our little baby looks like already! The baby is only an inch long but look how remarkable! I actually think this picture might be a few weeks further along than my baby right now. I think at 9 weeks babies still have "hand paddles" although the fingers are becoming more defined. But I'm still so amazed at the miracle that's happening that I can't control - it's not like I know how to make a baby! Truly, truly Psalm 139:13 has never meant more than now! "For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother's womb."

Be knit little one! Be knit!

Abikins the Toddler!

Abigail is growing up so fast. It's been a while since I gave an Abi update, so here goes! She's about 16 1/2 months old and is growing like crazy. At her last appointment, she was still in the lower percentiles for weight, but tall for her age. Maybe she got some of those Miller genes. So I'm just going to start making a list of new things our big girl is doing these days:

* Suddenly she talks! She's started signing consistently for all done, more, please, and thank you. She even signs please and thank you without being prompted! This little one is going to be polite :) But she also speaks. As she signs for "all done" she says "da-daaaaaaa." Other words: baby, the goat (de-doh), moo (mmmm), woof (ffff), ROAR! (strange spitting sound), dada, mama, and more (moe).

* See this face in this picture? She makes this face when we point the camera at her. She gets all squinty-eyed :) We haven't decided if she does it because she's anticipating the flash, or if she's trying to smile like her mama (with our chubby cheeks!)

* She follows simple directions. I can tell her to put her socks in her drawer, feed her doll her bottle, bring mama a different book to read cuz we've read Good Dog Carl 6 times in a row, go get billy goat, put your milk on your high chair, or go get your shoes and she'll understand and usually do it with pleasure!

* She could be in the grumpiest mood, but if I even whisper the word, "bath" she lights up and runs for the bathroom with squeals of delight!

* Yet another funny face. This is the "I'M SO EXCITED!!!!!" face.

* She adores clothes, shoes, jewelry, hats, bows, and pretty things. Sometimes she'll wear 3 or 4 different pairs of shoes per day.

* She also loves music. She points at her boombox and signs "please." We turn on the radio or a cd and we dance, sing, and play with her instruments. She also sits through Uncle Brian's band concerts and claps along with the songs!

* She doesn't like dirty things. If the floor has some dirt on it or there is a spot on the couch, she points at it and whimpers. One time she even went and got a rag to clean it up with.

* For some strange reason, she thinks it's hilarious to get sprayed in the face with water. Seriously, take a spray bottle and squirt her in the face and she'll be back for more!

* She's very motherly. Anything cuddly, soft, or fluffy she will hug, kiss, carry around, and love. When she eats her meals, she puts billy goat on the chair next to the high chair to watch.

* Sometimes when naptime or bedtime is getting close she'll pick up her billy goat, put her thumb in her mouth, waddle down the hall, and point at her crib. She pretty much puts herself to sleep. Um, God, I'd like another baby like THIS one, please!