More. Please!

Vivian's language is developing. I think she can say more than I give her credit for, because she chatters a lot, too. Sometimes it takes a few repeats before I realize that something is not idle chatter, but actually resembles words. And makes sense at the time, too.

My favorite is still her (two) signs that she uses. "More" means food. As in, even if she still has her mouth full, food in her hands AND on the tray in front of her, she wants more. Then, when more is not forthcoming within a split-second, Vivian will do this other sign I didn't recognize for a while. I finally looked it up. It's "please". She is so polite. They must've taught her that one at daycare. Thank goodness for daycare!

Other new words (not all of which are consistent yet):

• "Woo woo" every time we see or hear a dog. Sometimes, a dog isn't even required. Lately, it's sometimes even "woof woof"
• "Choo choo" for the train
• "Pease" for please (once or twice)
• "Ah do" for "all done"
• "NEY" [emphasis hers] for "nein" or "my". They seem to be interchangeable
• "Da" for "danke"
• "Buh-bye"
• "Hey"
  

A Good Read

Vivian, just chillin', reading a book.

I'm Sorry, Man ...

... that you are another year older! ;)

Vivian and I tried to take a Birthday photo for Uncle Sebastian today ... not much success. Vivian did not like the "banner" to stand up. She wanted to flatten it. Now. I hope you had a wonderful birthday, anyway, little brother!

Baby Love

We have a term in our house. "Baby love". It's those snuggly, cuddly hugs from Vivian. She's probably tired of constantly being asked for some baby love from one parent or the other. Or maybe not?

This morning, we were standing in line to pay for a new CD for Vivian. She turned to the lady behind us, looked up at her, and then hugged her legs. Big smile from the lady. Vivian came back to me. Turned around, looked at the lady again, and went over and hugged her again. I joked "She clearly doesn't get enough love at home." The lady responded "Oh, no, I think she gets so much she has to share". What a lovely thing to say.

We paid, and, as we left, Vivian waved and said "bye-bye". (She actually said "bye-bye" all the way to the car :)

I think Vivian totally made that lady's day with her baby love. And mine, too.

Smile

I like how you can see almost all of Vivian's teeth (except the molars) in this one. I've given up checking if she's getting any more because she uses every tooth she has on my finger any time I try!

Punk!

People still constantly ask me if Vivian is a boy or a girl. She was mistaken for a boy just the other day; even though she wore a pink polka-dotted dress! How much more girlie can I dress her?

She does have a lot more hair then she used to, though, so there IS hope.

Ee-I-Ee-I-Oo

Please ignore my singing and focus on Vivian's instead :)

Difference

What a difference a year makes!

February 2008

February 2009

Repurpose

1. Original use: Contain Mommy's birthday present
2. New purpose: Occupy your toddler by letting her drag it around
   

Kiss And Make Up

It looks like Felix survived the attempt on his life and he and Vivian have settled their differences. Although, considering that Vivian is now rubbing her snotty nose on his face all the time, Felix might actually miss the "good old days" ...

Tom Girl

It takes a certain skill to pull off a pink dress on a motorcycle!

Meet The Neighbors

We've had two absolutely beautiful spring days in a row. Which means that we have spent a good amount of time outside. I've had comments from no less than five neighbors along the lines of "Oh, goodness. Vivian's walking. When did that happen?". Yes. We don't see the neighbors much during the winter. In spring/summer/fall, this changes. The kids all hang out in the street, and, therefore, so do the parents. It was nice before we had Vivian, but I predict an even more fun outside time for us this year. Except for those occasions where we want Vivian to (a) come inside or (b) get into the car instead of running into the street. Oh, and we need to work on that running into the street habit.

Today, Vivian and one of the neighbor kids (who is about 2 1/2) sat on a bench together and showed everyone their belly buttons. Vivian borrowed one of the kid's plasma car and actually did very well, both propelling herself forward (and backward) and steering.

She dug through a neighbors gravel (little stones, the texture, ooooh!); eyed one of the dogs suspiciously and ran toward another one. In the meantime, I got to chat and catch up with everyone.

Let's just hope winter doesn't come back. I'm done with it. Happy spring!

An Afternoon In The Park

We had a beautiful, spring-like day today, with temperatures in the 70s. So Vivian and I met our friends Emma and Katherine for a walk in the park.

Looking at the photos, climbing seemed to be the preferred past-time.

Felix Part II

If I knew nothing about Vivian's relationship with Felix, I'd say "Ah, she's trying to put her doll to bed" when watching this video. But, knowing of their rocky past, I'm wondering if she's disposing of a body instead ;)

To be continued ...

Every.Single.Time

Remember how I mentioned that Vivian likes to prove me wrong as soon as I make any kind of statement about her? Well, after yesterday's post about milk and sippy cups ... guess what she did tonight.

Yup.

She drank her milk out of the sippy cup.

Switcheroo

We are in the process of switching from milk in a bottle to milk in a sippy cup during the day (we are still keeping the early morning and bed-time bottles).

While Vivian happily drinks milk out of a bottle, and water out of a sippy cup, and even water out of a bottle; milk out of a sippy cup is flat out refused every.single.time.

I read the other day that some children refuse to let parents substitute one similar things for another. Apparently, those children are insulted that the parents would think they can pull the wool over their eyes. So, yesterday and today, we took the lid off the sippy cup and Vivian drank her milk right out of the cup. Almost smacked her lips with enjoyment. It is messy, and I still don't know what we'll do when we are not at home with a towel to catch the excess milk streaming down her chin, but I guess it's a start...

This girl is just too smart for her own good (or ours, for that matter).

The Beatings Will Continue Until Morale Improves

I have no idea what it is that poor Felix has done to be the recipient of frequent disciplinary action recently, but I will be avoiding similar transgressions at all costs!