The Washington County Fair

We took Violet to the fair today.  Both Randy and I grew up going to the fair, he used to raise sheep (and was in 4H) and when I was in band we often marched in the parade to kick off the Tulare county fair.  Those were the days when you went to the fair to see Santana, and Willie Nelson, things have changed a bit.  In general Violet enjoyed herself.  She was in a bit of awe with the goats, horses, and cows.  We ate a corn-dog (she wanted more) then some ice cream (her new favorite), as soon as we buckled her into her car seat, she laid her head back and was fast asleep.  

My Little Surfer

For the first time ever, we went out to buy Violet a pair of shoes, as you can see from below she is much more confident on her feet.  We are off to Mexico in a week, and we don't have any shoes that would work for hot weather and sandy beaches (I am so ready for this vacation!)  

She is also teething pretty bad this week, her mouth is a very painful spot right now, she will sign "no more" over and over, which I think means she is done with the pain and wants no more of it.  I feel really bad for her.

Thanks everyone for the kind words about the possibility of being laid off.  I'm actually feeling much better about it this weekend, and am ready for the changes that could come my way.  It's kind of exciting, and Violet and I could spend the rest of the summer hanging out together.  What could be so bad about that?

surfer stance

where are those  teeth?

In Limbo

I'm so sorry I haven't been posting, it has been a stressful week. 

Violet is great, she is growing and learning so many new things.  Her top tooth is slowly coming in (I can feel it!) and those bottom two are barely there.  Soon she may look normal.  She is slowly attempting to walk, it's very slow.  She likes to hold my hand and walk across the room, but isn't quite as interested all by herself.  I went to dinner with friends tonight and apparently she ate all of her dinner then proceeded to eat Randy's as well.  She loves food!

I promise that once my fate at the company I have put my heart and soul into is decided upon I will post some more.  I'm just in limbo and need to wait.  Keep your fingers crossed.

First Steps

Here are few little steps.  The video makes me crack up every time: not because Violet is so determined to walk, but because my loving husband is singing to the DOG in the background.  Robin and John will get a kick out of it (lucky buddy)

It's a weekend of firsts

I have lots of fun photos to share from our weekend.  We spent 2 days with friends at a cabin, and Violet was an angel.  She took her first steps this weekend, and spent most moments showing off her new skill to as many people as she could.  

Then Monday night Violet, Randy, & I camped at Clear Lake.  It was our first family camping trip.  After the easy time we had at the cabin with Violet we thought it would be no big deal.  Well, let me tell you something I learned.  All my friends who said camping was easy with a baby:  LIED.  Easy?  Nothing is easy when you have a very mobile 1 year old, who is obsessed with dirt, rocks, sticks, and believes that all of the above can be placed in her mouth.  Nothing is easy when you hate dirty children (still trying to get over that one..) and all your child wants to do is crawl in the dirt.  Not very easy to put an overly tired dirty baby to sleep in a camper van.  Okay maybe it sounds worse than it was.  We did really have a good time.  Violet kept us very busy, she may have eaten a bug or two but she went swimming with her dad in a lake (my attempt at cleaning her up, which lasted all of 4 minutes of clean baby), which was probably the highlight of her weekend.  I think we made it through in one piece.  But, again I reiterate.  It is not easy to take a baby camping, but we will be more prepared for the next time and we won't let us stop us from continuing the tradition.  But repeat after me all you mothers "I will not lie to my friends"

Click HERE to see the photos (look at those dirty pants!)

STATS

We had our 1 year appointment on Monday, so I thought I would share her stats, I was a little surprised (honestly I thought she weighed more!)

WEIGHT: 20 lbs (32.74 Percentile)
HEIGHT: 28.75 (39.63 Percentile)
HEAD: 17.25 (16.58 Percentile)

She also got a couple more shots, but handled it like a champ.

Champoeg State Park

We took Violet for a nice stroll on Sunday to Champoeg Park, it was a perfect day.  She proceeded to point at everything (or tell us all that she is one- it's up to you) She had a great time and eventually passed out from all of the excitement.

Randy reading the trail guide book, on the exact direction we needed to take.

I'm ONE

See the finger?  She's letting you know she's one now...

What a smart girl

More Cake

And more video of the wonderful cake moment.  What you can't see in the other photos is that Violet is surrounded by everyone, and she just doesn't care, she just wants that cake.

What is this thing called "CAKE"?

If you know me at all, you know I have a major sweet tooth (look at my job- that should explain a lot).  We have been very careful with Violet with sugar, in fact I'm not sure she's really had much at all... but as you can see from the photo's below she took no time at all in devouring her birthday cake.  I eventually had to pull some of it away from her, I think she would have eaten the whole piece in one sitting.  The sweet tooth lives on.

My Friends

The first picture is from November.  Cute babies don't you think?

Here are Violet's friends 8 months later!  In exactly the same order.  They all showed up for 

Violet's special day to celebrate.  They have grown so much in that short amount of time.   Violet looks so confused, and in the end started to cry (which is exactly what she did last time, so sensitive!)

Happy Birthday

Well we made it.  One year, I think Violet is officially a toddler today.  We had a great birthday with friends and family.  I have lots of photos to share, but honestly I'm exhausted.  I have been planning this party for weeks.... I wanted it to be just perfect.  I was really excited for this special day.  So when I have some more energy tomorrow I will post the rest, for now I'm going to put my feet up and watch a cheesy movie.  Thanks to everyone who came over to celebrate, and make this day even more special.   It took a little more effort to put Violet to bed tonight, when you see the pictures of her eating cake, you will understand.  Too much sugar, for such a little baby.  I mean toddler.

Happy Birthday Violet Rae!