Fun in the Sun

We had a great weekend in the sun.  

For those of you who don't know, I have been an avid paddler on a local dragon boat team for a number of years.  Last year for the Salem race, I was very pregnant and couldn't participate (in fact I had Violet 3 days later- but went to support my team anyways), my friend Julie was also pregnant and sat on the front of the boat as the caller.  This year, Violet and Theo were able to hang out at the races again, this time not in their mommies tummies.  I won't bore you with my tales of racing, and how incredibly sore I am the day after this event.  If you want to know more about this sport: Dragon Boating

Violet did surprisingly well in the heat, her and Theo had some quality time together, and Nana and Grandad even came to cheer me on.  

Bossy Violet, she looks like she is explaining something very important to Theo, if only we could see their faces.

Little Theo has 4 teeth, yes 4 more teeth than Miss Violet.

The only shot I took of my team... Their back there behind Violet.

The Count Down is on!

If you can believe it Violet turns 1 year old in 12 days.  I'm still in a little bit of shock over this, she is certainly growing, and this week has decided she is in charge.  So what does this mean?  It means I'm exhausted, when will the rebellion end?  There is no controlling her, we moved our one house plant outside today, no matter how many times we said "no dirt, no mouth, no Violet" there was no listening, nope it all went straight to her mouth.  It will get better right?  

New Obsessions

Each week there is a new obsession, climbing the stairs, opening kitchen drawers (which have ALL been child proofed as of today), and now it's doors.  Opening the door, then closing the door, and making lots of noise while doing so.  She can actually amuse herself for a good amount of time with this new activity.  And Diego gets involved too, it's a family affair.

Off our back porch

It was a pretty day, warm and inviting at the Degroot house.  A slight breeze whisped through the yard and I caught a glimpse of this, a little hummingbird taking a breather between his nectar sucking sessions.

Deep thoughts by Randy Degroot.

Girlfriends

Violet received a very special visit from her friend Dalia today.  They tried to enjoy themselves in the back garden, but they couldn't sit still and kept crawling toward the rock fountain, and where there are rocks and babies mouths... there could be accidents, so we strapped in their strollers and took them on a walk.  Thanks for coming to visit Dalia, next time I will share my banana pancake with you.  Luv, Violet.

Mulnomah Falls for Fathers Day

Since the sun was shining, we thought it would be the perfect day to go to the falls (yes, along with 20,000 other Portlander's).  We climbed all the way up to the top, and Violet sang most of the way up, and then down again too.   And then we ate ice cream, and I think she enjoyed that the most.  Happy Fathers Day!

(ps that tooth is really coming in!)

Happy Fathers Day

Randy's first Fathers Day with a very special card that Violet made (all by herself - okay with a little help)

I Felt IT

So Violet just had her nightly bath, I stuck my finger in her mouth, and there was this sharp little nubbin.  Yep, a tooth, it's barely there, but I feel it.  I can stop obsessing that my child will be toothless her entire life.  Thank goodness.

Wobbly

Here she is standing on her own, she especially likes to stand up when outside on the grass, I think the fall is a little softer.  She seems very proud of herself, and Diego is always close by to make sure the landing is soft and easy.

New Noises are FUN

Dinner was lots of fun tonight (I say this with lots of oozing sarcasm....) Violet ate every piece of whole grain pasta and threw every piece of green been on the floor, then proceeded to do this for the rest of dinner. Why isn't she wearing a shirt you ask? She gets so dirty that I gave up and stripped her down for dinner... shshsh don't tell anyone....

Visits from friends

Violet and Theo had a little play time this weekend. They ate watermelon, and whatever else they could get their little hands on. Violet was very jealous that Theo had a tooth poking out, and she still has none.

Happy 11 months

Violet turned 11 months old this week, I can't believe how quickly time has gone by. This weekend last year was my baby shower, it's hard to imagine.
She growing so quickly and each week seems to be learning something new. This week we were sitting in the living room and she stood up right in front of me, not holding onto anything... I think she will attempt to walk soon. We also stopped with the pureed food this week, she insists on feeding herself, so it was becoming messy to feed her, so we gave her some kid tested favorites: pasta, pancakes, banana's, carrots, and whatever she can eat without teeth! She loved them all, but her current favorite is macaroni and cheese, in fact she will pick out the mac and cheese and eat only that... little stinker.
She also loves to wave, when I pick her up from daycare, she waves at everyone as we leave. She has her own language right now, none of it sounds like words, but she talks on and on and has lots of hand gestures to go along with her language.

Playing with Daddy

The video explains it all, she loves spending time with her dad.