Check it Out!

Hey, check out this book....I've read it and thoroughly enjoyed it...

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1578567947


Violette Between by
Alison Strobel

5 months...and counting

We simply don't know where the time has gone. Viv is 5 months old already! She is an absolute delight---we love watching her explore and observe the world around her. She is so innocent and full of wonder! Vivian is eager to sit up/stand/MOVE like the big kids and like us. She likes to sit at the dinner table and play with our napkins. Right now, she likes holding objects, but doesn't prefer putting things in her mouth. We're thankful of that right now, because that might limit her colds a little bit. (I'm sure being at daycare will bring on her first cold...hopefully not anywhere in the near future!)

Vivi and I completed our first 5K race together on Saturday morning. We race walked in "Race for the Cure" to raise money to help cure breast cancer. The race was through the Animal Kingdom park which was cool because we got to see the animals along the way. It was a great experience and I can't wait to do it again. I'd like to run it next time. Our teacher group raised over $600 dollars for the cause. The only bummer was getting up at 5:30 in the morning to be at the race by 6:30. Vivian doesn't usually get up until 6:30 and then goes back to bed for awhile after that, so she wore pink pajamas in honor of BC Awareness!

We're excited to get up to Chicago to visit and for the baptism. We'll be at dad and Rose's from Thurs.-Sat. and then at mom's Sat.-Tues. We have to be at the church by 9:30am on Sun. Hopefully everyone has gotten their invitations. If not, hopefully by Mon.

Dang...

Tried to post new pics, but blogger isn't cooperating....maybe tomorrow!

Daycare started on Monday. Vivian loves it, we're having a much harder time....although it helps that she is so smiley everyday when we drop her off and pick her up.

She is so worn out from all the activity all day, that she is knocked out by 8:00/8:15 or so and is sleeping through the night again. This is in addition to TWO, yes, TWO naps that she takes at daycare everyday!

More pics....

What's that smell?


Doesn't my new brown knit hat look cute? Thanks grandma and grandpa! It matches my winter coat perfectly!

Laughin' with mom....

Watching football with daddy....with me around, daddy is a lot calmer during the games! Grandma and Grandpa from Minnesota made sure I have a Vikings outfit to cheer on the best team! I'll have to get a little Twins outfit for next summer....I hope mom and dad take me to some games.

When grandma came to visit, she bought me this really fun balloon. Good thing mommy cut my fingernails because I love to grab on to it!

Carrots, "The Office", and the Best Invention!

I've promised pictures, and pictures you will receive!

Vivian has been busy this past week. Today she tried carrots for the first time and seemed to like them! She has started waking up at night again for food, so we've introduced rice cereal and carrots to hopefully have a little more lasting power.

My mom was here visiting---had a great time and definitely some quality grandma time! I started back to work on Thursday---it went fine, the kids are great, I just missed Vivian terribly all day long. Vivian did a little trial run at daycare last week. She was only there for a couple of hours, but did great and Stephanie (the daycare provider) really enjoys her.

Adam and I bought Viv an early Christmas present....Meg and Joel fondly term it, "The Office", aka Evenflo Exersaucer. It is GREAT! Vivian can spin herself around and play with a gajillion toys. The best part for her is that she can sit up by herself. Apparantly, laying down is for babies!

Lastly, the best invention ever! Some of you know that Vivi HATES riding in the car. We're not sure if it is riding backwards, not being able to see out the windows or what, but we have a solution....sorta. I found a REMOTE CONTROL operated mirror that lights up and plays songs, the whole 9 yards. I can control it from a garage door-like remote in the front seat. This keeps her highly entertained for about a half hour, which makes trips to the mall and Target (and school) much more enjoyable!

Oh, What A Night!!!

It was late (at night) September back in '06....


As most of you know, Adam plays softball on Wed. nights....this weekwas no different...except that he had to go to the ER because he popped his shoulder out. No worries, it is back where it belongs. Unfortunately, it is also in a sling and out of commision for two weeks, at least. Kinda puts a damper on his parenting skills---no lifting! no diaper changing (which I'm sure he's sad about!) No bath-giving...etc...etc...

In Vivi-land, you'll be happy to know that she likes food....so far she has managed to put a piece of prime rib from brunch in her mouth and on Wed. she grabbed my (sugar-free) jello and got a taste....little stinker!

New pictures will be posted this weekend!

4 Month Checkup

Yesterday Vivian had her 4 month checkup....all is well!

Stats:

14 lbs. 14 oz.-----75th percentile
Head is 42 cm---75th percentile
Length is 25 3/4 in.---90th percentile

Daddy's stats when he was 4 months:

13lbs. 7 oz.
26 inches

Developmentally she is right on track (if not a little ahead).
She can hold her bottle now if it is light enough.
She has found her toes and puts them into her mouth (Thanks, Peg, for teaching her this! :)
I gave her a little rice cereal today. The Drs. were on the fence about it but I thought it was rather successful. She gobbled down all of it with little problem (it was VERY soupy). I think I'll continue giving it to her once a day. I'll post pics of her first tastings soon.

I had a Dr's appointment today.
It went well, all things considering. Dr. Napolitano answered a lot of my questions...she is changing my medication from Zoloft to Cymbalta....since there is a withdrawal period I am doing what is called a crossover. I take less of one, more of the other in 7 day increments until I have completely switched meds. Cymbalta deals more with the anxiety, rather than focusing solely on the depression. I also have Ambien CR to help me sleep (even though Viv sleeps through the night, I don't!) She also ordered up another Thyroid test---she thinks it is a continuing cause of the depression.
Otherwise, she cleared me to start working again on Sept. 21, 3 days later than originally expected. Oh....so sad....like I'm really in a hurry to go back....sheah...right.

Quick update...

Viv and I spent another week in Chicago...had another fantastic time! We stayed with the grandparents in Crystal Lake, went to Septemberfest out in Schaumburg with grandma, visited with the great-grandparents, and went to brunch at the fabulous Port Edwards (yum!!) amongst other things!

Vivian is mastering the art of chubbiness. She is so cute with those thighs and cheeks!

She has recently found her toes--I'm sure it won't be too long before the toes find the mouth. She continues rolling and can stay propped up on her tummy for longer periods of time. Laughing has become a daily thing now, but she mostly laughs at daddy. (Who doesn't?!?!)

We will go to the doctor for her 4 month checkup and shots tomorrow morning. Maybe he'll recommend some rice cereal for the big eater!

She's still sleeping!

Viv went to bed last night at 8:30...woke up at 6:00, Adam fed her....went back to sleep.... it is now 8:15 and the little bugger is still sleeping! It would be great except I have a doctor's appt. at 9:00.

She's such a little cutie patootie!

Long Time..No Post...

It's been awhile since the last post. We've been extremely busy lately....

Let's see...Adam started back up at school this month. He says the classes are fairly large and he doesn't like the new start time (8:30 instead of 7:30), but other than that, he likes his job!

Viv and I went to Crystal Lake, IL to visit my dad, Rose, Laura, Olivia and Marc...oh, Lizzy too! We had a great time and enjoyed catching up/reminiscing/shopping/eating/swimming. Yep, Vivian LOVES the water---she kicks and wiggles like crazy in her little floatie and doesn't mind (much) if water gets in her face.

Milestones this month: She likes her nuk a little more now and is starting to eat more at a crack. Smiling is a way of life. She likes TV and peoples' faces. She knows how to blow bubbles and yesterday learned how to spit. No, not spit up, just spit. She thinks it is hilarious. Vivian is growing like a weed....somewhere around 15 lbs and 26 inches long. We'll find out for sure when we go to see the doctor for her 4 month checkup.

Other than that, we're finally settling into somewhat of a routine and I'm really starting to enjoy my mommy status. Adam is an amazing father and husband--I couldn't have gone through these last few months without him....love you, Adam!

XOXO to all! Call/write and let me know what's new with you!

She ROLLS!

The Vivster rolled over! Ahh! So big!

Fun at Gatorland!

If you are a grandma or grandpa....DON'T freak! But.....your little granddaughter sat on a REAL LIVE 8 foot gator today!!

Another Crocodile Hunter in the making?!?!?!