Annabel has been obsessed with bicycles ever since she saw a clip of one of the muppets riding one on Sesame Street. When Mike’s parents asked us what they could get Annie for her birthday, we told them a tricycle would be perfect. We went online and found one that could grow with her. When she opened it she freeeeaaaaked out. “BICYCLE BICYCLE BICYCLE!!!” Since she got a bunch of other toys, we put the trike off to the side, and then we got sick, and yadda yadda I finally put it together a couple of days ago during her nap time.
It was love at first ride:
She is looking in the mirror, her favorite pastime.
We explained to her that she always has to wear her bike helmet when she’s on the trike. I’ve been putting it on her for short bursts of time for the last week, slowly tightening the chip strap so she gets used to it. She’s done surprisingly well with her “bicycle hat,” as she calls it. Yesterday afternoon, she walked over to me and said, “go on bicycle?” She’d put her helmet on, backwards. I couldn’t say no to that so into the backyard we went.
She doesn’t really understand the pedals yet, so Mike spent some time pushing her around (yay for an adjustable handle).
They started slow at first, and then he started going a little faster:
Mike stopped pushing at one point to take a breath, and Annie discovered the play phone attached to the handlebars. Nothing like sending the message that talking on the phone while operating a moving vehicle is ok!
I did NOT see that episode of Sesame Street!
This is extremely troubling news.
I put my camera down so I could take a turn pushing her, and Annie pointed at me and said, “Mama! NO! Annie PEEKSHURES.” I said back, “You want me to take your picture?” “Yes mama. Annie peekshures.” So I told her to smile and she gave me this:
Since I was appointed the peekshure taker, Mike had to continue pushing her around the backyard.
Every now and then we would stop and put her feet on the pedals to try to teach her how to make the trike go on her own power. She’d leave her feet there for a second, then turn to Mike and say, “Daddy push.” After doing this seven or eight times, she started to get cranky. I don’t know what her deal was, Mike was doing all the work. I decided it was nap time, and told Annie we were going inside. She JUMPED off the trike, but instead of going toward the back door she ran in the opposite direction.
Nonononononononononononononononono!
How did I get so unlucky to get the two of you as parents?
Of course, she immediately fell asleep for a nap. So did Mike. I love this tricycle.
Kate @ UpsideBackwards says:
I loooove the helmet! And your photos of her expressions are just perfect. No wonder she likes having her peekshure taken
Jenn says:
She’s so sweet with her helmet on, loving being a “dare devil” on the bike!!! I must admit, I did smile when I saw Mike pushing & running the trick with his slipper/shoes on!!
I’m so happy you guys are having so much fun together & are making memories that will last forever!!!
Becca says:
She’s adorable on her helmet!!
I was laughing out loud with “peekshure taken” LOOOOL
Shan says:
1. She is getting more beautiful by the day it seems.
2. That is the cutest helmet I have ever seen.
Sue says:
Annie,,,,the trike,,,,,the helmet,,, the cell phone,,,,Rigby getting into the action,,,,,,Mike in his SLIPPERS…….the Peekshures…absolutely the best!!!!!!!!!!
Tonya says:
Yes! What she said! Love it!!!
Norma says:
Yep. The whole thing is ADORABLE!
Amy says:
Two words: balance bike. We got our son a Stryder balance bike when he was 2 – it is beyond awesome. All kid power, no pedals and no need for parents to push. At 18 months my daughter was trying to use it, too (but seat was set for her brother).
And, love the bike helmet! Gotta be styling’ when cruising on your bike.
Rebecca says:
I second the balance bike! We have a strider bike also (for my daughter and daycare boy) and they are one of the best things we’ve ever bought! She would have a hang of one in no time (our kids started at 2) and they can scoot themselves around like you wouldn’t believe! Best part is no need for help from parents! And! They won’t ever need training wheels because it teaches them balance first. They will be able to go straight to a regular bike, which is amazing. Seriously, you gotta try one. Annie would LOVE it!
Kari weber says:
I totally third the balance bike! We got my 2.5 year old one… Uh about 6 months ago when his big brother got his first real bike. The little one was always climbing on it to try to ride it which made me nervous. We got the Specialized brand one and he rocks it! He pushes and glides for long distances with his feet pulled up. Even if he couldn’t do that, he just loved walking (and then running) while “riding” the bike. Totally safe, lightweight and awesome. I also love that you are getting her so used to the helmet. But seriously, look into the bike, she can totally do it herself, and she will nap great!
TamaraL says:
Awww, she is just so precious! Love that she loves looking at herself in the mirror…I would too if I was that cute! Good job for making that helmet mandatory! When my son was little he kept his helmet on ALL DAY LONG, bike or no bike. He would ride his bike then hop off and keep playing with his helmet on. I figured it kept him safe anyway!
Erin says:
That is the cutest helmet EVER. Love it!
Mommy says:
Love the bike and helmet! Where can I get them??? She is just adorable and you guys seem like amazing parents!
Karen says:
I’m just so happy to see that Mike is still enjoying his slippers!
Only in Louisiana ~ documenting the adventures of life! says:
This is an adorable post and made me smile….great way to start the morning! You captured her first bike ride perfectly!
Melli says:
So adorable. Love all of her expressions & your commentary too
MH says:
I think it’s super-cute, and this is totally not a reflection on you, as you’re completely ahead of the game by making a helmet mandatory – this is just a commentary on society…Oprah has this nationwide effort to get people to stop texting and talking while driving, and schools are engaging children to get their parents to never text/talk while driving, but toy companies are putting play cell phones on My First Tricycle?
Carrie says:
Annie is adorable, but I can’t help but laugh at Mike in those infamous slippers. Haha.
Kristin says:
What a ham!!! Love the bike and the helmet! Too cute!
Kristen @ The Chronicles of Dutch says:
Oh my! She is so cute. I love it!
Amy says:
We were just talking the other day about whether Nate will be riding a trike this spring. What a cutie!
Darcie says:
I NEED that helmet – where did you get it?
Amanda says:
A little patio road rage is totally appropriate.
So cute!
Kelly says:
My Mea is a bicycling fool, and has been since she was Annie’s age. We have been having unusually warm weather here in the mid-west, and she has been so happy that she has still been able to ride her bike.
Annie is adorable, as always. Your peeksures are beautiful as always.
Lauren says:
I love this post. It so sweet and I love you have this blog to document these kinds of memories. Enjoy that new trike and your sweet 2 year old!
Gabby says:
Oh, nap time. I love that last picture of her, pouting in her bumble bee helmet.
Jessica Makuh says:
Awesome post! Really enjoyed it!
Leigh Elliott says:
what a COOL bike!!!!! and another GREAT post! You Spohrs….you’re the best!
AmazingGreis says:
What a great bike and I love the bike helmet. I love that kid!
Norma says:
I love the comment on your last photo! Hilarious!
Kristin says:
Annie’s smart. I love your peekshures too!
Alexandra :) says:
The last one is my favorite, poor little Annie!
Deirdre says:
This is off topic, but I have to ask who makes that trike? My daughter is about two weeks older thn Annie and I’ve been trying to find one that has a pushbar and she can reach the peddles. (Her older brother had Kettler trike that I was going to pass down to her but it’s too tall for her for now),