School Pictures

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Happy / Sad

This is from about a month ago, but it brings me such joy, I thought I'd upload it to the cloud for posterity (?) The iPad front facing video camera is pretty brilliant for making kids ham it up on the screen because they can see themselves.

V-I-O-L-E-T

Violet always gets her groove on when I sing her her song, "V-I-O-L-E-T" (to the tune of BINGO. I haven't sung it to her in a while though, but I guess it had an impact as apparently she can now spell her name!

Yoga

Violet: "Mama, I do yoga." (Puts hands in prayer like position) "Mmmmm"
Mama: "Ah nice! What other poses do you know?"
Violet: Does triangle pose
Mama: Puts hands at third eye center and bows "Namaste"
Violet: Puts hands at third eye center and bows "Mama stay"

That's quality day care.

2!

Dear Violet,
Today you are 2 years old! We had a great birthday bash for you in our back yard on Saturday. You had a blast with all your friends, Andma, Uncle David, Aunt Leslie, and all the pizza, juice boxes, and cup cakes you could eat. For fun, we had swings, a dinosaur dig, a pool, bubbles, balloons, toys, drawing, stickers- all your favorite things. Your favorite part (besides the juice boxes and pizza) was running through the garden paths with your friends. The look on your face when you run is so vibrant and full of life. I love it when you tell me "My run FAST, Mama!"

Today I left on a trip to Mexico with my UVA friends. It is very very hard to leave you, especially today. I worry that you will be sad and not understand that I am coming back soon. However I know that you are going to be very well taken care of by your Andma and I'm so happy that two of my favorite people in the world will get to know each other so well. I will be home soon bear. Mamas always come back! I love you, my grown up girl!
Love,
Mom

My kayak!

V and I went kayaking on the Charles River this weekend. At first, V's bottom lip was stucking out a lot in a big pout and she whimpered every time she got splashed with a little water from the paddle. However, after a little time, a little repositioning, and few snacks, she had a great time. She even wanted a turn paddling. "My kayak!!" That's my girl!

New family member

Violet and I have adopted a furry red homeless guy we found outside on the street. He has to eat everything Violet eats, drink everything Violet drinks, and use all the same utensils Violet uses. Luckily he is pretty neat and doesn't throw a lot of food on the floor. Tonight I discovered that this guy likes snow peas and carrots and when he eats them Violet wants some too.

So unfortunately, the angel light fell off the wall. The "as advertised on TV" super double stick tape apparently isn't so great. She didn't really understand what I was going for anyway, but she did coincidently start sleeping until at least 7am most mornings, so we're back in a good place. I'm happy to report on the sleeping front that night wakings have finally seemed to have stopped. I can say this without jinxing myself because V did wake up last night at 4am crying, which she hadn't done in at least a month, but it was only because she was cold. I went in and instead of jumping into my arms like she used to do, she just said in a very sleepy voice, "cover me up Mommy" which I did and she promptly went back to sleep. Ahhhh. We've pretty much stopped nursing now. Not sure if those 2 things went hand in hand, but it sure is nice to get a little more sleep now. Nursing is definitely something that I'll miss, but the weaning process was so gradual I think it worked for both of us.