Ordering Molly

Violet has been playing on her purple rocking chair for about 20 minutes now. She just got Molly (the dolly), sat her on the chair and said, "Sleep dolly". She then blew her a kiss and walked away. ;)

2 to 3 words together

Words are now being grouped together into phrases (to use the term loosely):

• Hi (insert person or object here)
• Bye (insert person or object here)
• Airplane see it
• No Daddy book (telling her father that he can't read the book because she wants to do it by herself)
• Blue car
• Blue sky
• Blue grass
• Sit stroller
• Push stroller
• Cereal please
• Outside please

And my favorite...

• Pop-pop fish (now said everytime she sees a fish, referring to the fact that Pop-pop has fish and that he was nice enough to walk her down to the basement during her last visit so she could say 'hi' and 'bye' to them)

Cya

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Cute summer clothes are being packed away.

During our walk this eve...

A-bay

Chair (r pronounced 'woo')

Dear Violet (18 months),

You're a walkin'! After your first two steps...you took a little break to absorb the magnitude of this milestone and now you're using your feet to get most places. ;) As you work to perfect this new ability we continue to walk around the block almost everyday to strengthen your legs and build your endurance. It's amazing how quickly your balance has improved (even though you still topple over at least 99 times a day).

You had a very busy month! Including camping at the Dow's camp in Alex Bay, a visit with your new boyfriend (Gabe, talkin about you buddy), and visiting family. We visited Grandpa D at his new home and Grandma G to celebrate her 57th bday. In both instances you had fun playing with your cousins and exploring.

Your list of new words now include:

pasta

upstairs

cereal
hair
teeth
mouth
arm
elbow
booger
pigtail
two
three
train
abel
shellie
mal
sydney
mia
horse
OK
no way
tomatoes
yogurt
water

Oh, and you love to sing songs now. You fill in a few blanks when we sing ABC's, twinkle twinkle little star, jesus loves me, and itsy bitsy spider.

You are a joy, Viley. We love playing with you and spending time with you.

2 little steps

As Rich walked out the back door to get our dinner off the grill tonight, Violet stood up in the middle of the kitchen and took two little steps toward me! ;)

We unsuccessfully tried to replicate the scenario throughout the night.
;(

Dear Violet, (17 months)

What a difference a month makes. You are now cruising around and feeling the excitement of anticipated independence. You watch your cousins and friends walk by and instantly pop up to do the same. You stand, smile and start to giggle with pride - then drop on your bottom and crawl as fast as a hermit crab.

Your sense of humor unfolds with each passing day. When we eat dinner, you'll catch our eye and make a funny face, just to see our reaction. You also think 'scaring' us is pretty hilarious, and take every opportunity to say 'boo'. Dancing the jig, playing ring around the rosie, and duck-duck-goose are now your most favorite pastimes.

This month has also marked a milestone since you've begun to have what most doctors refer to as 'tantrums'. We can be at a restaurant, or your buddy's baptism brunch, or a cafe' with your cuzzin, and suddenly you have a tough time because you're either over-tired or frustrated (or both) and it's difficult to calm you. It's okay though, because one day soon you'll be able to speak very clearly and you can tell us how you're feeling and what we can do to help you. It isn't your fault and we love you tantrums or no tantrums (just don't get used to it! Once you're two, your daddy has already said that he's going to 'give you something to cry about'). ;)

Your love for your Dora car has increased tremendously and one of your favorite parts of the day involves pushing Dora up and down the sidewalk in front of our house. You also love your little Dora ball. You played 'catch' with Aunt Nan this weekend and thought it was the coolest.

You continue to be a 'healthy' eater and receive sideways glances from most onlookers when you 'house' a huge pile of broccoli and proceed to say 'Peas, please, please please' with the urgency of an ambulance. You now say 'down, please' and kick your feet with glee when cheese, yogurt, veggie booty, bananas or mango's are in sight. you also find it completely unacceptable that others can eat ice cream (or anything) in your presence and not offer you a bite (you left your bud, Lauren, stranded at Roman Holiday last Friday due to that very reason).

You've become quite cuddly in your 17th month, but you still remain painfully shy around people you have never met, people you haven't seen in a while, people you saw yesterday, and well...everyone. You still prefer Mom's arms over other's who want to hold you. It does get frustrating at times but then I think about how fast you're growing and I cherish the time when you want to be close to me.

We love you Violet - and we always will!

This little piggy...

Has two tails. ;)

Thanks DD, you've given me the courage to attempt elastic hairbands. Now we have two of the cutest pigtails...ever.

swimming w/Anna

We were lucky to hang out with the Dow clan this weekend. Vi had fun watching the big kids and especially enjoyed the pool (as seen in the shots below) and Chad & Laura's little dogs (once she warmed up to them and realized she wasn't on their lunch menu).

I love this shot because it reminds me of a full profile portrait that my mom captured (with me and T) at about the same age. Yes, that belly is hereditary...poor kid.
Anna showing off her disco moves. Vi still taking the water temp. ...and she's in!

Focus on the snack

V: Man Hannah, wheaties and water? I got better grub during my stint in Folsom.

Cuz

Untitled from Rich Downie on Vimeo.

Play time
Cutie
Tango with a mango (pit)
Where's dad? I better finish this thing before I have to share it.
Holy cow, this is goood...

In motion

Making progress

As most of you know, we have a slow mover on our hands. Violet has spent most of her 16 months on earth perfecting her fine motor skills (the better to eat FOOD with, my dear). Since she started crawling (at 14 months) she has actually done quite well with progressing in the vertical direction.

We've had a physical therapist visit every week for the past 6 weeks to give us guidance on how to help her gain confidence and muscle strength (since she was diagnosed with low muscle tone at her assessment). Vi also needed inserts in her shoes since she tends to roll her foot outward when she walks and attempts to walk only on the side of her foot. Today Vi was all smiles when she crawled up to her Dora car (which I strategically packed with bags of rice to weigh it down for a shaky walker), pulled to standing, put her two chubby paws on the 'crash' bar on the back and took 3-4 steps across the living room - completely independent of any adult in the room.

If you know Vi, you know this is a HUGE accomplishment. She has made an enormous amount of progress over the past two weeks and for the first time - I really think she IS going to walk before her 3rd birthday! I would be lying if I said I haven't been worrying about her throughout this entire process.

Today I realized just how proud I am of our Viley bag of donuts. ;)

4 cousins

Shellie, Danielle, and Maytal all celebrate their birthdays together because of the proximity of their special days. This was cause for a major celebration (as well as Aunt Nan and Danielle sharing the same birthday!)! Viley had a great time playing with Maytal (who's only 4 months younger) and getting endless hugs and kisses from Shellie and Danielle.

Notice Maytal's cake erroneously placed in front of Vi? This mistake was quickly corrected, with good reason. ;)

Stoneybrook and Grimes Glen

Vi saw two NY waterfalls this weekend. Both beautiful examples of God's creation.Hikin' VileyTrekking up to the waterfall.

Neither the cold temps, nor the roaring rapids detered her from enjoying the falls.

Aunt T and Vi refueling with a picnic lunch.

Beans are good...

Fun-fetti is better.

Trying to keep up with Abel at the playground.

Aunt T and 'muscle man' Abel.

Grimes Glen - a hidden gem. ;)

Vi - where's your belly button? Um, Dad, I think I squished a bug...Hmm, that's kinda cool.Lots of fun memories were made on this gorgeous three-day weekend.