Pretty Please

She's growing so fast, and I'm trying like hell to take a mental snapshot of each month as it goes by. Unfortunately, no matter how hard I try to freeze each individual moment in time, it's already hard to remember, yet impossible to forget. I write this blog as much for the family and friends who don't get to see Violet every day, as I do for Violet so she'll have a record of her first year, and for me - so I can look back whenever I want to. Good news is, there will only be more and more to look back at and remember.

Kind of like a movie with a really intricate plot, I feel like the past 6 months have been so amazing and so intense. And while I feel like I've been in the moment for all of it, I still feel like I want to rewind, and watch the movie again, so I can pick up on all the little subtleties that I might have missed the first time around.

Tonight while I was rocking Violet, getting her ready to sleep, she started smiling at me and touching my face. She was grabbing my mouth and my nose and smiling. As we played and giggled I was saying to her "Are you going to be my Little Bitty Baby forever?". I don't know if I was asking or begging.

Dion's Forward Gesture

I'm as shocked as you are, Violet.

Tickling the (rainbow-colored) Ivories

Balls, Carrots and Kids

That about sums up Violet's weekend.

Good friend Cheryl and her "heartbreaker" of a son, Dion came over to play yesterday. Neither kid was much into playing with the other, but at least the moms got to catch up. Violet loves the nifty pink wiffle balls Dion brought her, they're easy to hold and just right to try and fit in her mouth.

Saturday night, we visited Uncle Colby, Aunt Kayla, Cole, Ben, and Baby X (my tiny niece to come in October). It was great to hang out. Special thanks to Ben for letting Aunt Gigi ride his 4-wheeler (just barely under the weight limit).

Violet has been luke warm on rice cereal since we started trying her on "solid" foods. So today I boiled the heck out of some carrots, pureed them and tried a little carrot flavored rice cereal. She loved it! Grabbed at the spoon, stuck her hands in the bowl and had an orange, messy, good-tasting great time. I'm curious what her next diaper is going to look like. Yes, I know I'm sick.

Good friend, Gina, and her three precious kids Gabriella, Isabella and Landon came over today to visit and meet Violet. Good friend doesn't even begin to describe it...Gina and I have been friends for 16 years and I am honored that she takes the time to come visit when she comes to Texas. I'm so happy you guys are so nicely settled in Washington, but I still miss having you close by. Especially now that I see what good little baby sitters you are raising (wink). Violet loved watching the older kid's energy, and it was fun for me to see her so happily entertained.

The center of attention (as usual)

Peek-A-Boo with Landon

Gina and the Jordan Kids

She Wakes Up Happy

Whenever we go to get Violet out of her crib in the morning or after a nap she is SO HAPPY! I tried to capture the smiles here.

Peek-a-Boo

Laughing it up while playing peek-a-boo with daddy.

Visit from Grandpa Ned

Violet had a great time with her Grandpa Ned last weekend.