April 2013 – Page 2 – Abigail Mumford

happy third

April 16, 2013April 15, 2013 abby mumford

dear baby mac,

today, you are 3. (you’re no longer a baby nor have you been one for awhile, but the (blog) nickname stuck and so i’ll address you as such.) you are, in fact, a big girl now. your brain astounds me, both in its cleverness, its sneakiness, its unlimited boundaries and its potential. you are parts silly, sweet, sassy, and stubborn, but your mom is more so, which usually sets you in your place. ;)

you have this unusual ability of appearing not to be paying attention, but when we least expect it, you pipe up with the correct answer or a spot on question or a poignant statement and we learn yet again not to underestimate you.

we’ve also learned you’re starting to know what we mean when we say “n-a-p” or “d-r-i-n-k”. slow down! you’re too smart!

you’re a bundle of emotion bouncing and hopping and running and giggling and screeching. no matter the emotion, it’s contagious, but by none more so than bubba mac (your wee bitty brother). he adores and stares and copies and follows you everywhere. i know you think he’s annoying, but you take your big sister role in stride as you proudly proclaim him, “my baby.”

you’re a funny little thing who’s blossoming into an amazing person.

your imagination marvels me, but so does your take on reality.

looking at decorations — taking in all the decorations

you may look like your mother’s twin, but your thoughts on having your picture taken are on par with your aunt’s (aka, mine):

all in all, you’re one grand kid and i can’t wait to see what superhero things you accomplish/come up with next.

xoxo,
aunt abby

travel

munchkins

April 12, 2013April 15, 2013 abby mumford

every sunday (well, barring any scheduling difficulties), i make a very important phone call to sister J. because of the wonders of technology, said phone call lets me see her, baby mac (3yo), bubba mac (1yo), and when he’s not doing his doctor duties, BILT. the kids are of the age where every day brings new changes and expressions and words and actions and it’s so so so much fun to watch them grow.

even if they like to push the button that hangs up on me.

this time, i’m not giving them that option because i’m forgoing one technology (the phone) for another (a plane).

with faces like those, you see why i’m powerless to resist.

i wish you a very happy weekend. see you on the flip side.

convos with strangers

conversations with strangers #56

April 9, 2013April 8, 2013 abby mumford

i sometimes converse with strangers. here’s why.

cashier: do you want paper or plastic?

me: plastic’s fine.

cashier (to bagger): she said plastic is fine, indeedy. i’m just going add indeedy to the end of every sentence.

bagger: that’s cool, indeedy.

cashier: to be or not to be. that is the question, indeedy.

cashier (to me): do you have your shaw’s card? it’ll save you a lot of money, indeedy.

me: *eavesdrops* *grins* *hands over card*

bagger (to cashier): wrap that chicken in a separate bag, indeedy.

cashier: i know how to do my job, indeedy.

bagger: i’m just reminding you, dude. i mean, indeedy.

cashier (to me): do you want some coupons along with your receipt?

me: yes, indeedy.

i walked off with the memory of the cashier’s delighted face imprinted on my brain. sometimes, you just have to liven up those mundane errands.

feelings

family sayings

April 5, 2013April 4, 2013 abby mumford

being a part of a large family, going anywhere all together is a production and a half. we’re all arms and legs and hair not dried and makeup not applied. everyone is ready at different times. some are rushing, some are waiting, some are sleeping. others have to pee one more time. someone forgot to pack a necessary food or drink item. that person is reading. someone else forgot the tickets or their phone and has to run back inside. another person decided their coat was too heavy or too light and a trade needed to be made or more hats/gloves/scarves grabbed. activities here and there and let’s run a quick errand first and all the things (!) until we’re piled in the car(s) eons after we originally wanted to leave.

and we’re off like a herd of turtles.

(yes, that really is the mumford family motto. yes, we really do say it all the time. yes, it really does make us laugh and yet groan at the truth of it.)

do you have any family sayings or habits or traditions? DO TELL.

*pulls up chair*

*sits*

*waits*

convos with strangers

conversations with strangers #55

April 2, 2013April 1, 2013 abby mumford

i talk to strangers. here’s why.

no matter if you commute by car, bus, plane, train, or foot, you tend to do so around the same time every morning and you probably see patterns in the faces surrounding you.

i do. this is probably due to the fact i wear sunglasses most days, a happy side effect of which allows me to ~~spy~~ peak at the passersby.

despite the fact i moved almost two years ago, i’m still able to walk to work and i still see this one lady at least once a week. she’s scurrying and i’m rushing and usually not paying too much attention to my surroundings other than what’s lying on the sidewalk in front of me. for some reason, whenever i’d see her in the distance, i’d studiously not look at her because it was awkward seeing the same person day after day and not saying anything.

little did i know that woman was thinking the same thing, and yet, the exact opposite.

she was thinking since we pass each other enough days of the week to recognize one another, we should say hi. in fact, she was trying to initiate a hello, but due to my downcast eyes, her smile was unrequited.

how rude i must have seemed.

at one point, a year ago, i happened to look up just as we were passing and she had a smile on her face. nothing too much because after all we don’t know each other and yet, not too small to risk going unseen. it was just right. like goldilocks (except she’s brunette) and the chair and the oatmeal and the bear and the bed.

my own mouth turned up in reflex, in surprise, in delight, in horror.

has she been smiling at me for years and i’ve never noticed it?!?

every time i see her now, i wait for the precise moment and then beam my smile at her. said beaming is certainly coming from my desire to make up for years of missed opportunities. she brightens my day without even a word and i hope to return the favor because even the smallest, wordless conversations can mean so much, especially since our smiles have grown into more genuine things as the days/weeks/months have passed.

and guess what? today, we both uttered a soft “hi.”

what next? world domination?

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