Dreams from a toddler

Me: did you have a nice nap?

V: umhum

Me: what did you dream about?

V:Cows

Me: what were the cows doing in your dream?

V:jumping over the moon

She cracks me up. 

Video updates

Just a couple videos to share from the last week.

Pumpkin patch

Or what is left of one 2 days before Halloween!

Nap time?

Yesterday I had to tell Violet to get back in bed and to leave her clothes on, all thanks to our camera in her room. One day last week she got out to grab a fire truck, nice and cuddly. Today she brought her tote of socks. That crazy kid!

Fall

It is cold here now. Our low of 45 is now our high. Jeanne came to visit and here are some pics from the weekend! 

It's a pity party

It's only 8:30 here so too early to call back home and I'm not close enough to anyone here and I just couldn't keep Bob home. Jeanne comes tonight and I'm excited, Debi comes in 2 weeks and I look forward to that too, but I'm very sad. I slept terribly, my back seized again and I miss home. I know everything is just compounding but my need to sob over it is ridiculous. I'm sorry. Virtual hugs appreciated. 

Full name!

Violet has taken a greater interest in letters and now knows her full name! We didn't believe it when we first heard it. So we've been playing with letters on the fridge. 

Should I be concerned she groups them by colors?

She also told me she was 5 when I asked her how old she was, although she quickly changed her mind. 

Second half of her second birthday

We opened presents in front of two laptops skyping! 

I have a time lapse that I'll try to get up here too. Thanks for all the wishes and packages. We all felt and feel very loved. 

Not a baby any more

Violet is definitely a little girl. We have almost full sentences, we have requests to sit on the toilet, wear certain clothes and read specific books. We have a runner and a climber and we've moved out of the crib. We have been asked to 'let go' in both safe and unsafe locations. She tells her animal friends what to do. She sings the alphabet, happy birthday and pieces of other songs. She asks for her songs. She tries to put on and take off her clothes and shoes. She helps feed and walk Lulu and unload the dishwasher. 

This morning we met another family to take a look at Pittsburgh's giant duck (it's an art thing). This afternoon we'll Skype the family for cupcakes (I still have to frost) and presents. 

Part of me feels bad for not doing more. There are no balloons, no other people in the house squealing for cake. For her first birthday I planned everything so far ahead and we were surrounded by friends and family over the whole weekend. Maybe this year is more normal? Or maybe I'll just always feel I could have done more and that is normal. 

Big changes coming!

Tomorrow Violet turns two. 

We're working on using the toilet and teaching our stuffed animals too. 

And we just switched the crib for a bed! Now to see if she stays in it. 

How a toddler sleeps

The crazy positions make me laugh, yet others are just sweet.