Done :)

I feel very productive today :) Amidst playing and spending quality time with my Violet, working on advancing her motor skills, taking Odie on a doggy play date, perusing the party supply store aisles for this weekend, and running 3 miles (see earlier post 'ugh to you daylight savings'), I've completed 3 projects today :) 1) Decor for Matt's birthday party that will hang from trees 2) Our take-off-your-shoes sign 3) A little crocheted cardigan I made for Sara's baby, Thomas :) Although... It IS 10:50 pm and I'm exhausted :) Violet fell asleep at 7:18, Matt fell asleep at 9:50, and Odie has drifted in and out of sleep since we came back from our run :) Time for me to sleep, too :)

One last moment to share :) Matt and I have noticed over the weekend that Violets personality is REALLY making a grand appearance :) She laughs hysterically at the smallest things, smiles at everything, tries to get our attention by making funny sounds, and she's been crazy chatter-boxy :) Such a happy baby :) And she's a smarty pants, too :) In her carseat the sun sometimes shines RIGHT in her face even with her visor and our sun shade. So, she's learned to cover her eyes with her blanket! Then she peeks over it to see if the sun is gone (example: if we're at a light under the freeway or a tree). If its gone, she pulls the blanket down until the sun shines in her face again :) Oh you little baby girl :)

Ps- I know I said you'd have to wait to see our sign until you visit, but I couldn't NOT share a picture :)

'Ugh' to you daylight savings!

After seeing the scale at the Vets office on Saturday I vowed to get Odie back in shape (he's gained 4 lbs since Violet was born... That's a lot for a 4-legged creature!). So I took him and Violet on a short 3 mile run tonight. We had to wait till it cooled off though because for those of you that live in SoCal, today was HOT! But I waited too long! We started at 5:00... At 5:14 it started getting dark... Really dark... And I was with my 2 babies. Now those of you that know me, know that I'll pretty much run ANY time, day or night, regardless of ANYTHING. But I guess having a baby changes people :) At 5:14 I called Matt, gave him my location, and asked him to come and follow Violet, Odie, and I till we got home (which he happily did). That was a first for me :)

Sunday at Home

This weekend has been the first weekend we haven't had any plans with friends or family in months! We love being busy, but sometimes nothing beats a relaxing and productive weekend :)

Violet was SUPER chatty in church and pastor Curtis lost his place 2x! How do I know it was Violet? Well, he looked DIRECTLY at us the moment she started gabbing, made eye contact, then started getting sermon-spacey. In any other circumstance we would have kept her there, but Matt and I felt like we were being a little rude the 2nd time he stared at us... So Matt took her to the foyer. Good thing too because she started to get real ornery about 5 min later! What a trooper though because she made it till the end!

Then we ran some errands (translation: Costco!) :) And we had Red Robin for the first time! 2 things we found out: 1) their steak fries are amazing 2) Violet loves bread :)

And nothing caps off a Sunday like oatmeal chocolate chip cookies!!

Please Remove Your Shoes

I'm in the process of making another 'mahalo for removing your shoes' sign for our front door :) This morning Matt humored me while I took pictures of him, Violet, and Odie all barefoot :) I think photography is truly an art when you're working with 2 legged and 4 legged creatures that won't stay still!! We did get a usable shot for the sign :) You'll have to visit us to see it in all it's glory :) It's not done yet, but soon!

Vaccines

Odie got his annual vaccines this morning :) He's quite the unusual pup since he LOVES the vets office!!! He wants to greet everyone and say hi to EVERY animal, no matter how scared, happy, or mad they are to be there. He's just a love :)

Flu Season

About 20 minutes ago Violet got her 2nd flu shot and just slightly flinched. She turned to me and gave me a stern look, but when no more shots came she smiled :) I guess it didn't hurt that she was holding James the giraffe and I was smiling like a ridiculous clown RIGHT in her face the entire time :) I'm determined to NOT have her be a child that's terrified of the doctors office... But I think in some cases it's inevitable. Maybe if Matt and I slap perma-smiles on our faces while we're there she'll do the same?

I'm hoping Violet stays clear of flu and cold season this year. We've been fortunate so far because ALL of her baby friends have been sick at least 1x, but she's been solid as gold... And she's in day care. Maybe she got a turbo immune system? All my girlfriends nurse their babies, too! But Violet IS the chunkiest :) Take that flu season :)

Miller Moments

As most of you know, I work as a pediatric speech language pathologist at Miller Children's Hospital here in Long Beach. Amongst the patients I treat with traumatic brain injuries, brain tumors, cerebral palsy, cleft lip and palate, varieties of speech and language issues related to developmental diagnosis (down syndrome, autism, etc.), one of my most favorite areas are my kiddos with language delays. I lead a group of little ones ages 18 months - 3 years who don't have any other diagnosis besides language delay. Amidst all of the heart wrenching things I see each week, these kiddos are often refreshing and bring me back to my language basics :) I see them in a group of 4-6 kiddos for 90 min 2x a week :) They're the happiest cutest group of wee ones! Its truly one of my favorite age groups :) They have sooooo much energy, spunk, and spice! The spunkier the better, too :) Once they are discharged, I often wonder how they're doing. I get a Christmas card here and there, but most often they leave and don't look back.

Today I got a phone call from one of my favorite Chit Chat graduates (Chit Chat is the name of the group). He gave me an update on my kiddo and is even going to stop by next Tuesday! I can't wait to see this little guy and see how much he's changed :) He only discharged this past February, but when you're 3 years old, every month brings new changes :)

I wish there was a way to get bi-annual updates :)