I'm fine

This past weekend was Violet's second Thanksgiving. She wasn't a newborn for her last one (9 months) but she still wasn't as independent last year. This year she got to run around with the bigger kids a little bit - at least until they ditched her to go play hockey in the basement. She's also really getting Christmas this year. She loves Christmas trees and snowmen. I got her a Frosty stuffed animal from Build a Bear (which I think may be her favorite store). I think she may have been traumatized by the guy stuffing Frosty, though. We were about three people back in line, so I let her hold on to the un-stuffed Frosty while we waited. When we finally got up to the guy that puts the stuffing in, I asked her to hand him over - which she did, no problem. But when she saw him put Frosty up to the big metal pole and start the stuffing machine she started screaming. I kept telling her "no, honey, he's not hurting Frosty!!" She calmed down a little once she got him back. Now he sleeps in her crib with her, along with Emma her teddy bear - also from Build a Bear. I think maybe their dolls just make really good pillows for her. As for the Christmas tree part, I can now distract her in the car telling her to look for Christmas trees. After we've passed some, though, she'll make the sign for 'more' and say "More Christmas trees!" which is too cute. Santa - well, we'll see. Last year she cried when she got her picture taken, but this year I've got her saying "Santa" and when I ask her what Santa says she'll say "ho, ho, ho!" She saw the mall Santa and looked interested enough in meeting him, but looking over the prices of the photo packages they were offering we decided it would have to wait for another day - highway robbery I tell you!!
Oh - and as for the title of the post - the other day we were in Target and her feet got a little ahead of her and she fell in the middle of the aisle. Even when she doesn't cry, I always ask her if she's o.k. when she falls - this time she answered "I'm fine" and went on her merry way. I cracked up laughing. She did it again at my parent's house the next day and my mom and I were in tears we were laughing so hard. It's good that she can answer that question, it was just totally unexpected because she usually doesn't answer me.

Sickie

Violet is sick. AGAIN. That's now twice in the past three weeks. First Swine Flu, over Halloween Weekend of all times (sorry little one, trick or treating will have to wait until next year) and now a sinus infection. I think it makes little ones angry, too, because she doesn't seem to understand why daddy and I can't make her feel better immediately.

Poor little girl. Hopefully the antibiotics will work quickly.

My little parrot

It's been awhile since I posted anything new. Here are the latest updates -

Our trip to Disney World in Sept/Oct was a lot of fun. Violet had a blast. She loved meeting the characters - especially the Little Einsteins who she stalked at our character breakfast - and enjoyed the rides she could go on. She loved It's a Small World, so we rode that several times (and she will still sing along - or attempt to - when prompted). She did better on the plane than I expected. The flight out to FL was great, she slept most of the way. The flight home was a little touch and go. We had an early flight, which meant we had to be up super early to be at the airport. She slept a little on the plane, but when she woke up halfway through the flight it was hard to keep her entertained. She wanted to get up and move around. Thank goodness for short flights!!

As for recent updates, she is now learning to repeat pretty much anything you'll say to her. If she's looking at something and I tell her what it is, she'll usually at least try to say it back to me. She's got a really good memory, too. I'll tell her something once or twice and after that she'll remember what it is. She's learned most of her letters, numbers, colors and shapes. It's so much fun watching her learn. On the other end, the more she's learning to talk and how to communicate what she wants she's getting a little more pushy. Sometimes when I'm watching her I just let her play and do her own thing while I relax, but now she'll come over to me and say "momma play!" If she wants something, unless she's already really worked up about it and crying, she'll tell us what it is. We don't always understand what she's saying right away, but she tries!

I'm looking forward to how she'll enjoy Christmas this year. I think she'll have a lot of fun.