6 Month Photoshoot

Okay, I'm ready for ya...
Whatdaya think? Too much?
Uh ma, can you turn the flash down a bit ? Just hit that button on the top.
Fe, Fi, Foe, Fum
Okay...I can't hold this waxy smile much longer.
For real, this is getting old. I guess I'll mix it up a bit.
Come on, is this a joke, 50 shots of the same pose?!?!
Seriously, I'm not smiling again until you put that thing away.

Precious Cargo

Violet is now old enough to go for rides in Abel's backpack carrier. I know Abel had many, great adventures in it - I hope Violet has just as many!

I don't remember Abel's cheeks puffing out over the sides though...

6 Months Old

Hi guys!
Wha?
Is that your attempt at fish lips Violet or an imitation of Nana without her teeth?
I know that darn bottle is around here somewhere.
SOOO Big!
Violet happy to meet her Aunt Denise!

It was Violet's half-birthday on Saturday. Man, six months ago, she was one day old! She's beginning to sit up by herself - slowly but surely. I predict she'll be an expert in a few weeks. She likes to pat her knees when I sing patty cake and stretch out her arms when she hears the words, "Soooo BIG!" She's tried many fruits and veggies over the past week or so. Clear favorites are apples, sweet potatoes and pears.
Peas - shmeeze.

Violet's First Labor Day Weekend

Charlotte Beach

I'm 1!

I just had on my cranky pants, but now I'm ready to party!

Violet's Cuzzins: Maytal, Shellie & Danielle

The cream of this year's crop

The annual sand sculpture at the NYS Fair

Mmmm...not as good as sweet taters, but they'll do

Calgon, take me away

Violet really enjoyed her long weekend. It all started with a trip on Friday to Sringdale Farms. Violet was more interested in playing with the netting on the inside of her stroller than looking at the sheep and goats with her pal Mallory. Then from Ella's 1st birthday party at the beach to attending the NYS Fair with the Downie clan, the term 'overstimulation' just doesn't seem to cover it. Oh, and we also squeezed in a visit with Aunt Nan and a picnic at the park where Violet had fun swinging (her new favorite pastime).

It was all topped off with a meal of pureed carrots and a warm sudsy bath. She was in bed by 6pm tonight...most likely dreaming about all of her adventures.

Boogie Monster

Poor Vi. Due to TWO clogged tear ducts, she's had to deal with some pretty annoying eye boogs over the past 5 months. Happy to report that one has cleared! One down, one to go. She has also had to endure multiple nick-names during this trying time. Booger, sugar booger, shug, boogs, boogie monster...

Doesn't Violet have loving, caring, and unbelievably supportive parents?

Breakfast of Champions

Vi's first tournie

We enjoyed a beautiful day at the Irondequoit CC yesterday watching PGA players compete for the title of the Xerox Classic champion. Violet had a great time sleeping in her stroller. She woke up just as one of the golfers was beginning his putting ritual and the volunteers raised their 'Quiet Please' signs. Luckily I pushed her stroller a few yards down the path before she started commenting (loudly) about his technique.

Um, Mom...

I think it's time to spring for some new pj's.

5 Months Old

Violet is 5 months old today. I know EVERYONE says that time goes quickly when they are this little. Well, I'm not so sure it's the time that goes quickly - I think it's the fact that babies change so fast! When I look at pictures of Vi when she was only a few days old - it's hard to believe that she is now this happy, chubby, little girl! Over the past few weeks she has really developed a sense of humor. She laughs now if you just look at her funny. I find myself doing some pretty insane things to make her smile. The other day we were shopping at Wegmans and a woman came up to me and said, "You were just making such goofy faces, I had to come over and see the baby". I didn't even realize I was making faces...

Happy 5 month birthday Violet! We love you!

E.A.S.Y.

During the first few weeks of Violet's life, I read the book 'The Baby Whisperer'. Members of my online message board raved about it and a few friends highy recommended it - so how could I possiby enter motherhood without reading it?! To be honest, the only valuable take-away was the author's recommendation to put your infant on an E.A.S.Y. program/schedule. This means that throughout the day your baby should Eat, be At play, Sleep, repeat. The Y stands for 'your time' - meaning mom should have time for herself to nap, read, relax (hmmm...). Here is our interpretation of the E.A.S.Y. program:

Eat - Often

Bathe - Less often

(considered 'At play' - go figure) Play - Frequently
Sleep - Barely

This is Violet during her nap time yesterday.
My time - working ;)

And Repeat...

Life is good

Violet Trailers

Here is a glimpse of a day in the life of V Downie.

Skiing lessons...

Playing with Ted (her pink bear that Grandma gave her)...

Talking to Ted...

Weekend of Firsts

First time she wore this hat. I put it on her and ran to get something, came back and she was talking to herself - like this.

First time she liked her bumbo
First time I made her a bowl of cereal

She loved it.

A new toy

Wow - look at all of this new stuff!

Look at me, mommy!
Holding up a big noggin like this takes it outta ya! Relaxing with Daddy.

Violet can sit in her exer-saucer unassisted now. It's so strange. I remember looking at it when she was first born thinking she would NEVER be big enough to play in it! Now everyday it seems she's doing something new! She also started making raspberries with her lips today. Cutie-patootie (as Abel says).

Fun Weekend!

Violet had fun at Grandma and Grandpa's Anniversary Party in Cazenovia. She spent most of the time sleeping, eating and playing with her cousins, as well as Pop-pop and Grandma G who came up for the occasion. Happy Anniversary to Grandma and Grandpa D on their 40th year and Pop-pop and Grandma G on their 35th year, both on July 15th.

Happy Belated 4th of July!

You mess with me - you get the horns

My grandparent's good friend gave us this outfit. Shawnie, Tracey and I used to go boating with them when we were little. So cute. ;)

Photomontage -- Part Duex

Sleepy Violet, hugging her moose
Hanging out with Maytal, her newest cuz-buz

Taking a walk on a sunny afternoon

Waking up from a nap

Chillin' with Charlie

Watching Dora with her scuz

Playing with her favorite stuffed animal

My purple plaid dress

Poor Violet. I think I put her in this cute, little dress my friend bought her at least once a week (please excuse the oversized bib covering 60% of it. V has what you would call a major drooling problem). I just think she looks so cute in it, I can't help myself. I fear she won't fit in it much longer though!

Violet is getting so big. It's hard to believe the doctor once described her as 'long and lean'. Now we are convinced she must be big boned. ;)

Violet has experienced many milestones in the past few weeks; first batting at and now playing with her toys, pulling with all of her might on her rings hanging from the big stuffed giraffe on her play mat , rolling from her belly to her back and trying so hard to do it in reverse, and belly laughing when we tickle her sides. It's amazing to watch her become more baby like.

Now if we could just get the little booger to go to sleep at night...