The Raudababies

aka Vin

2012-01-15T13:34:00.001-08:00

I just realized that Violet sometimes shortens Vivian's name to "Vin" and I thought that should be documented.

So behind

2012-01-15T12:22:00.000-08:00

Been trying to catch up on a few photo projects for over a year now. Hoping the girls will stay napping long enough today for me to finally print Vivian's newborn photos and our family photos from last summer!

Time really does fly when you are having fun.

Milestone: Vivian Rides like a Big Girl

2012-01-15T11:31:00.000-08:00

Vivian outgrew her infant carrier (22 lbs.) and now rides in a big girl seat just like Violet's.

Good News, Bad News

2012-01-15T11:17:00.000-08:00

First the god news, Violet is officially potty trained! I'm so proud of her, and the cool thing is she is really proud of herself. Way to go, Violet! Without sharing TMI she can get the job done and we don't have to be afraid of leaving the house for fear of having an accident. It's nice not to have to think about the bathroom constantly.

Now for the bad, it goes something like this..."No! No! Noooooooooooooo!"

Just trying to execute a simple task, grocery shopping, which we have done countless times before without incident. Dare I say it's been fun in the past to have both of them with me. Today however was a totally different story.

First I cruised the parking lot looking for a parking spot close to a shopping cart corral with a special race car cart (the kind with the steering wheels for the kids). There were two - a blue one and a yellow one - so I thought everyone was going to be super happy. As I unloaded the girls I watched another mom claim the blue cart..."uh-oh. But we should still be fine there is that yellow one."...WRONG. Apparently today only the blue one would do. Violet proceeded to pitch a fit like I have only seen on rare occasions. There were lots of tears and screaming and kicking and turning stiff as a board, refusing to ride in the cart. After trying all my best tricks for calming a toddler I realized it just wasn't going to happen today. I loaded them back into the car and we went home with no groceries. Two words: Nap Time.

Potty Training Update

2012-01-01T06:25:00.000-08:00

The first time I blogged about potty training Violet was almost a year ago. We had some successes, but then a long string of not-havin-it. This week I decided to try the fast-track method, and now we're in it and not going back. We started 4 days ago by saying good-bye to Violet's diapers. She has been doing great and we'll keep at it.

We spend a lot of out time in the bathroom and talking about the bathroom. It's exhausting and it's taking its toll on both her and me, but she'll keep trying and I'll keep supporting her.

Playdough

2011-12-30T07:58:00.001-08:00

Dancing Queens

2011-12-30T07:51:00.001-08:00

Christmas Morning 2011

2011-12-30T05:30:00.000-08:00

Santa left a stocking on Violet's bed. I thought she'd be the first to wake up, but actually I was.

Violet asked Santa for a purple car this year, and she got a pink one. Apparently the elves ran out of purple paint.

Big sister helping little sister open her stocking

Thelma and Louis. Violet drives and Vivian works the radio.

Christmas Eve Anticipation

2011-12-30T05:24:00.000-08:00

More Pre-Christmas

2011-12-29T21:10:00.001-08:00

Pizza

2011-12-29T21:04:00.000-08:00

Pizza. She loved making it, and wouldn't eat a bite. This is the pattern lately. What happened to our good eater? I'm actually surprised by how rejected I feel when she won't eat my cooking. Doesn't she know it was made with love? And who doesn't want to eat LOVE?!

Park It

2011-12-29T21:00:00.001-08:00

Pre-Christmas

2011-12-29T20:57:00.000-08:00

Have your cake and sit on it too

2011-12-29T20:53:00.000-08:00

Violet Verbatim

2011-12-19T06:46:00.000-08:00

Me: "Grandpa Robillard is my daddy, just like Dad is your daddy."

Violet: "And 'Dark' Vadar is Luke's daddy."

I think she get it.

More From Thanksgiving Weekend

2011-12-08T19:07:00.001-08:00

Took her to Inner Space Cavern, but she'll never know...

Jeanne in the cave

More cave dwellers

More baking. Cookies this time. Violet ate more sprinkles than she put on the cookies.

Sister love

Thanksgiving Visit From Grandpa & Grandma

2011-12-08T18:52:00.000-08:00

A day at the lake. Rare chance to walk across to Sometimes Island.

Violet had fun throwing rocks into the lake

I had been telling Violet for weeks that we would put up her Christmas tree when Grandma got here. So when Grandma arrived, not 5 minutes into the visit, Violet whispered "can we put up my tree now?" Don't tell this girl anything you don't want her to remember.

Lots of time in the kitchen. Violet helping mommy and Grandma bake a pie.

Vivian - 12 month well-check

2011-12-06T06:30:00.000-08:00

Weight: 20# 6oz (40%)

Height: 28" (20%)

Head Cir: 47cm (92%)!!

She's great!

Big Appetite

2011-12-01T12:28:00.001-08:00

The primary question I had for Vivian's pediatrician at her 12 month well visit is "Is it OK to feed her as much as she wants?" It's astounding the amount of food this small person can pack away - sometimes it just seems wrong! But apparently, what she wants she gets, so I'll keep serving it up and Vivian will let us know when she's had enough.

Violet Sings Happy Birthday to Vivian

2011-11-19T12:57:00.001-08:00

Vivian's Birthday Party

2011-11-19T12:47:00.001-08:00

This morning was Vivian's birthday party, and we celebrated with family - eating pink pancakes. It was a great celebration with her cousins, aunts, and great grandma.

Nana, Orion and Emily, Trevor and Laurel

Olivia, 5 months

Austin and Vivian

Hot cocoa party favors

Good Morning Birthday Girl

2011-11-19T12:37:00.000-08:00

Milestone: Vivian's 1!

2011-11-19T12:27:00.000-08:00

Good morning Birthday Girl!

Daddy and his helpers putting together Vivian's new ride

Scootin'

Happy Birthday Vivian

2011-11-17T19:25:00.000-08:00

Dear Vivian,

You are one year old today. I just put you and Violet to bed and I was thinking about what a crazy, hectic, fun year this has been. I'll never forget the day you came into this world...I was so sure you were going to be a boy, and so over-the-top happy that you were a girl. See, I have a big sister too and I can't imagine life any other way. You and Violet are going to have a lot of fun together. Now that you are able to do so many things, it's fun to see your relationship blossom. Already you guys talk to each other, laugh and make each other scream at the top of your lungs!

I can't believe it was a year ago that you came into my life, I'll never forget holding you for the first time and kissing your soft, warm, slimy head. I was the happiest person in the world because our family was perfect and complete. Since then you have brought me so much joy - you're a champion when it comes to everything like sleeping and eating, and you are so easy to take care of. You don't cry much and you never get sick. Come to think of it, for a 1 year old, you are pretty tough. You have a strong independence that is thrilling to watch.

Tonight you were playing with you daddy and trying to stand on your own. It won't be long now and you'll be doing that, then walking, then running and then I'll blink and you'll be grown. But if there is one thing I know for sure it is that I haven't wasted a moment of you. Every late night feeding, every diaper change, every meal, every mundane thing. I'm savoring every moment because it goes too fast. Now that you are one you'll stop taking formula from a bottle, which means I don't get to start my day holding you, studying your features and playing with your little toes while you drink your bottle. That's ok though, I'm soaking up these last few remaining days of it, then I will enjoy the next stage of your life.

I'm looking forward to the next year and watching all your first experiences and wide-eyed wonder as you really start to explore the world around you.

Today and always no one is more proud of you than me. Happy first birthday, baby girl.

I love you,

Mommy

San Francisco Treat

2011-11-15T03:53:00.000-08:00

I'm leaving for San Fran today. When I asked Violet what she wanted me to bring her she said "Some chocolate sticks. And maybe some q-tips and a toothbrush."

Sandbox

2011-11-15T03:50:00.001-08:00

Halloween 2011

2011-11-02T05:56:00.000-07:00

Neighbors Rule!

2011-11-02T05:47:00.000-07:00

We have the very best neighbors. Here are pics from the second neighborhood picnic of 2011!

Jeff scratching his head; probably overwhelmed by the 6 little girls taking over the backyard.

Action shot, impossible to get a picture of any one of 'em standing still

Vivian playing with her Halloween treat from Allen and Stacy

We need real deck furniture

Jeff brought out the guitar and all the girls were playing it together
Can't wait for the next one!

Pumpkin Patch

2011-10-30T19:44:00.001-07:00

Milestone: Violet's First Haircut

2011-10-30T19:37:00.000-07:00

Snip-It's. This place is awesome. Violet got the star treatment for her first haircut: Animal crackers, cartoons to watch, fairy dust (glitter), spray that made her hair smell like a cupcake, a hair bow, and a prize! You can tell she loved it by the tears and pouty face.

Pink Pancakes

2011-10-30T19:34:00.000-07:00

Tunnel Time

2011-10-30T19:33:00.001-07:00

Aghhhhhhhhhhhh!

2011-10-30T19:24:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite mom moments. Not favorite as in a moment I'm proud of. More like favorite as in unforgettable.

It was a typical evening after work. Dinner time and I'm home alone with the girls. Violet is standing on a chair in the kitchen "helping" make dinner and Vivian is in her highchair eating a banana I'm cutting up for her. I see something out of the corner of my eye - it is Violet falling off the chair, face down on the tile floor. Now she's screaming so I instinctively drop what I'm doing and grab her up off the ground to make sure nothing is broken or bleeding. After I get her calmed down, I turn my attention back to Vivian, who is playing with the STEAK KNIFE I dropped on her tray. Yikes!

PS Everyone is fine and there was no blood, but GEEZ!

Morning With The Sedota's

2011-10-30T19:15:00.000-07:00

We spent a beautiful morning at the park with my friend Cheryl and her family. Violet and Cheryl's son Dion have been friends since they were born, and I love to see them together.

Here is a picture of Vivian, waiting for the train. She has a black eye from a fight she lost with the cupboard and a scowl to match.

Dion peeking at Violet peeking at me

This is the corner flag on the soccer field, these two hoodlums ripped it out of the ground.

Vivian - 11 Months Old

2011-10-30T19:14:00.000-07:00

Vivian - 11 Months, Violet - 32 months

2011-10-30T19:08:00.000-07:00

Sumo Wrestler Baby

2011-10-30T19:04:00.001-07:00

Begger

2011-10-22T17:12:00.001-07:00

Coconut!

2011-10-22T17:09:00.002-07:00

Violet asked what it was at the store so we bought one to try.

I think this one could earn us $100k on AFV

2011-10-22T17:09:00.001-07:00

Strollin'

2011-10-22T17:08:00.001-07:00

Picasso

2011-10-22T17:05:00.001-07:00

Violet painting with paint, Vivian painting with food.

Race Car Cart

2011-10-20T05:47:00.001-07:00

Taking two little girls to the grocery store is a challenge unto itself. Now we have the added pressure of snagging one of the 3 race car carts. I cruise the parking lot looking in the cart corrals. The other day I saw one, and parked near it, but by the time we unloaded from the car someone had already grabbed it. Major disappointment, but we keep trying.

Vivian - 10 Months Old

2011-10-20T05:44:00.000-07:00

She still doesn't have much hair. Good news is there is no such thing as a "bad hair day".

Morning at the Park

2011-10-20T05:43:00.001-07:00

Pizza Party

2011-10-20T05:40:00.001-07:00

This looked much better than it tasted. Sadly, my first try at making pizza crust was an epic FAIL. We had fun making it anyway.

A Morning with Leah

2011-10-20T05:35:00.000-07:00

Here's Violet, dressed as a Belly Dancer, feeding the peacocks at Leah's house. She also picked and sampled fresh basil and other edible plants, and met all 8 kitties. She loved it!

Good Morning from The Raudababies

2011-10-20T05:34:00.001-07:00

Violet & Alli Dance Party

2011-10-20T05:33:00.000-07:00

Violet & Vivian Tea Party

2011-10-20T05:04:00.000-07:00

I suspect this is the first of many tea parties. Violet (2 1/2), Vivian (10 months).

Potty Training: Phase 2

2011-10-20T05:01:00.000-07:00

I think my first post about potty training was 10 months go, and today it doesn't seem any closer to a reality as it did then. Just like everything else with Violet, she'll do it when she's good and ready. This image of her clutching her diapers while sitting on the potty tells it all.

Breaking news...M&M's are a great motivator.

A Month Worth of V's

2011-10-20T04:54:00.000-07:00

11 days until Halloween

35 days until Thanksgiving

66 days until Christmas

Hard to believe summer is over and we're about to launch into the holiday season. Time is truly flying and juggling it all is more than a full time job - oh and we've both got one of those too.

We've been so busy enjoying our summer that I haven't had a chance to post the last pics from summer. So prepare yourself, here comes a flurry of images of the girls from the last month. Topics range from potty training, to tea parties,to black eyes. Now get going - you only have 65 shopping days left before Christmas. Ahhhhhhhh!

Milestone: Vivian's First Tooth

2011-10-11T17:05:00.000-07:00

It's white and it's tiny and it's cute and it's sharp. It's Vivian's first tooth!

Storm Trooper Poop

2011-09-17T04:30:00.000-07:00

Lately, Violet seems to be at least somewhat interested in her potty. She's willing to sit and read, but that where it ends - until yesterday! Yesterday she "made a deposit", and as a reward for her success she got a shiny new Star Wars action figure. She was so proud of herself and that was the best part.

Pre-Preschool

2011-09-11T12:31:00.000-07:00

Last week I started visiting potential preschools for Violet. We are thinking about enrolling her for next fall when she is 3 1/2. I just know that she will love school and do great. She is very social and likes to make new friends. I visited a school I really like, and saw one that I didn't like, and one that was in between.

I am finding the process much more time consuming and emotional than I would have expected. Visualizing her spending her day in an honest-to-goodness classroom where she is part of a larger group, while I know this is developmentally important, is heart-wrenching for me. What if she is has a bad day? Will the teacher recognize this? How will she cope? I know in my heart that she will be fine and probably will do better than me with the transition. Still it means she's growing up and it all happens so fast.

Definitely looking for a half day program. Something about not wanting her to nap at school. I can't explain why, but I only want her sleeping in her bed at home and not on a cot in a classroom. Plus, since napping is not part of "real" school, it's not something she has to practice before Kindergarten so better that she do it at home where she can get a good rest.

There are several more schools on my list to visit and lots of logistical and practical things to consider, so we're not planning to make a decision for a few more months. Still it's an important next step for Violet (and for me).

Violet Verbatim

2011-09-11T12:30:00.000-07:00

This morning Jeff was playing with Violet and swinging her around. Violet told him "Be very careful with me, Daddy."

Sisters and Friends

2011-09-11T12:23:00.000-07:00

Over the last week I have noticed Violet and Vivian playing together. It's not only incredibly sweet to see and heartwarming, but it's a welcome relief for me. I no longer have to be Violet's or Vivian's sole source of entertainment. Now they entertain each other. As long we we keep an eye out to ensure that Violet isn't bopping Vivian over the head with a toy (she went through a 2 week phase of this), or wrestling too hard, they get along great.

We have a play tunnel that they like to chase each other through. Lots of laughs and it's fun to watch.

Violet Verbatim

2011-09-01T16:46:00.000-07:00

This evening while we were playing in the pool in the backyard Violet said "We are family." I said "We sure are. What does it mean to be family?" and she said "We're all going to be Jessie."

Jessie is her favorite character from Toy Story, and she has already told us several times that's what she will be for Halloween.I guess that's what we'll all be for Halloween.

Flubber

2011-08-30T18:13:00.000-07:00

Aunt Jen introduced us to Flubber. Tonight we made our own batch and we babysat Alli. The girls played with it for hours. This stuff is amazing, Thanks Aunt Jen!!

Cook Visit - Day 4

2011-08-30T17:56:00.001-07:00

The last day of the Cook visit and we had a BBQ with lots of aunts, uncles and cousins. It was a great visit. So fun watching all the kiddos play together. Grandma had three of her grand children there and five great grand children!

As an extra special treat we got to celebrate Aunt Rene's 40th birthday. Happy Birthday Ne!!

Cook Visit - Day 3

2011-08-30T17:47:00.001-07:00

Lake Travis!

Cook Visit - Day 2

2011-08-30T17:27:00.001-07:00

What do you do when it's 108 degrees in Austin and you've already been to Deep Eddy? You go to Schiltterbahn!!!! This is a great place to take 10 and 12 year old boys. 3 year old Austin had a great time too. Violet wasn't so sure about it all so she and I spent most of the day in the kiddie pool.

Two generations of cousins

Ashna and Vivian played together with Aunt Jenny, they'll get to go when they are a little older.

Cook Visit - Day 1

2011-08-30T17:06:00.000-07:00

It's 108 degrees and you're in Austin...what do you do? You go to Deep Eddy pool!

Aunt Rene and Vivian
My nephews
Trevor's mean face
Violet blowing bubbles

Bring Your Child to Work Day at frog

2011-08-30T17:00:00.000-07:00

We call her Sticker Girl

Lunch Break

Corner Office

Milestone: Vivian Eats Table Food

2011-08-30T09:58:00.001-07:00

Vivian had her first official non-mashed up, not pureed table food dinner last night. She loved feeding herself chicken, ravioli and peas!

Sadly Quiet

2011-08-30T09:54:00.000-07:00

Aunt Rene and the boys left yesterday morning after an amazingly action-packed and fun visit. We swam in Deep Eddy Pool, ate lunch at Chuy's, enjoyed a day at Schlitterbahn and dinner with cousins, rode Jet Skis and swam at Lake Travis (named after Travis Cook, of course), and had a BBQ with lots of family. We all miss them and wish we could play together like that every day. Counting the days until we'll see them again in February.

Milestone: Vivian Pulls Up

2011-08-05T11:07:00.001-07:00

Vivian hit two major milestones this week! The previous post describes her able to sit up on her own - found her sitting up in her crib this morning (time to lower the mattress) - and now she can also pull up to standing! I'm trying to get this one on video, but she's like the singing frog and will only do it when I don't have the camera.

The train table is no longer safe from her curious little hands...

Milestone: Vivian Sits Up

2011-08-05T11:04:00.000-07:00

Vivian is able to push herself up to sitting from a lying down position This is great because before she could do this proficiently she would get very mad about being "stuck" on the floor and throw a fit. Happy to be at this new stage.

Vivian - 8 Months Old

2011-08-01T20:56:00.001-07:00

Tutu's at the playground

2011-08-01T20:50:00.001-07:00

I ain't gonna lie...it's been hot. Real hot. But we still go to the playground and have fun. 'Cause no one minds the heat when you're at the playground.

Best Toys Ever

2011-08-01T20:47:00.000-07:00

Pretty Little Ballarinas

2011-08-01T20:43:00.000-07:00

J-E-L-L-O

2011-08-01T20:40:00.001-07:00

Olivia and I had the same idea. We both bought Jello because we thought Violet would love it. We were both wrong.

Dinner and a Movie

2011-08-01T20:29:00.000-07:00

Bubbles

2011-08-01T20:26:00.000-07:00

Dancing Queen

2011-08-01T20:21:00.000-07:00

A couple of clips of Violet dancing to a country band at a friend's wedding:

Pool Party

2011-08-01T20:07:00.000-07:00

4th of July Festival

2011-08-01T19:53:00.000-07:00

I guess we've been a little busy because it's August now and I'm just posting the 4th of July pictures. They're cute so it's worth the wait.

Vivian Raspberries

2011-08-01T19:41:00.000-07:00

A walk in the park with Violet

2011-08-01T19:36:00.000-07:00

I love seeing Violet's confidence at the park. It's her territory, the place she explores everyday, and she knows every inch of it. She showed me where the duck laid her egg. She follows her nose, and I just follow.

Conversations with Grandpa Ned

2011-08-01T19:33:00.000-07:00

We didn't have video conference with the grandparents when I was growing up. It's interesting to me that the girls will never know life without it. I wonder what else will define their times.

7 Month Old Texan

2011-08-01T19:30:00.000-07:00

Did you know they makes boots in size adorable?

Violet Verbatim

2011-07-31T07:45:00.000-07:00

"Kermit The Frog."

"Kermit The Frog was walking down the aisle."

"The monkey has a hat."

[the end]

You're giving me a complex!

2011-07-18T14:11:00.000-07:00

This morning I was dressed for a work party that is beach-themed - my finest seersucker. When Violet woke up and found me she took one look and said "What are you wearing?" I told her "Pants. Do you like them?", she said "no". I said "Do you think I should change?" and she said "yes".

Big words coming from someone wearing pants with monkeys on them!

Violet, and Vivian (7 mos)

2011-06-15T20:47:00.001-07:00

The Shining?I love that both our girls are Texans, here's proof...pint-sized cowboy boots.

All Dressed Up...

2011-06-15T20:40:00.001-07:00

...and ready for storytime at the library.

Twice the fun

2011-06-15T20:38:00.001-07:00

Violet's Cookies

2011-06-15T20:35:00.000-07:00

Visit from Grandpa Ned

2011-06-15T20:26:00.000-07:00

Wearing pjs and a tutu, watching Grandpa make HCRs

Not sure who's in charge here

Feeding the ducks with daddy, The Birthday Boy!

Memorial Day weekend at South Padre Island

2011-06-15T20:10:00.000-07:00

ROAD TRIP!!!! The portable DVD player was a lifesaver. However, since this trip Violet resists riding in the car and thinks that every car ride is going to be 6 hours long.

Digging a big hole
Playing in the surf
Building sand castles
If you're happy and you know it raise your arms!

Milestone: Violet gets her toenails painted

2011-06-15T20:04:00.000-07:00

They make a great nail polish that dries in 60 seconds, so I thought it might be possible to get Violet to sit still for at least that long. She's a true girly girl and loves having her toenails painted. The next morning the first thing she said was "where my toes?"

We let them sleep wherever they fall

2011-06-15T20:01:00.001-07:00

Play Date

2011-06-15T19:58:00.001-07:00

Same great taste in clothesVivian's friends

Milestone: Vivian Eats Vegetables

2011-06-15T19:47:00.000-07:00

A little late getting this posted, Vivian has been eating "solids" for a month now. This was her first taste of carrots. She has also tried peas, sweet potato, corn and green beans. She loves it all.

A day at the lake

2011-06-15T19:29:00.000-07:00

Alli and Violet, BFFs

Vivian, 6 months
This is what they did ALL DAY
The baby tent
Game over!

Dolls

2011-06-15T19:24:00.000-07:00

Beating the heat at the splash park

2011-06-15T19:21:00.000-07:00

A Walk In The Park

2011-06-15T19:16:00.000-07:00

Baby turtleFeeding the ducks with our neighbors Carrie and Alli

Vivian - Baptism

2011-06-12T06:53:00.001-07:00

Cousins" Vivian (5 mo), Austin (2.5 yr), Violet (2 yr), Ashna (8 mo)

Pretty girls

Nap with grandpa at the pool

Swimming

We're gonna need a bigger pool

2011-06-12T06:44:00.000-07:00

Typical week night on Emmett Parkway