Violet told me, "Call me, Annie."
"OK, Annie," I said. "I thought you were Violet."
Violet looked at me and said, "I got rid of my old name."
Monday, December 31, 2012
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Halloween Ideas
Out of nowhere, Violet told me, "I want to be Santa Claus for Halloween next year."
"That's a clever idea, Violet," I told her.
"Ho, ho, ho!" she yelled.
"That's a clever idea, Violet," I told her.
"Ho, ho, ho!" she yelled.
Monday, December 24, 2012
Surprises
Violet's not good at surprises. She likes being surprised, but for all the abstract concepts that she's picked up like nothing, she just doesn't understand how a surprise works.
We'll tell her, "Violet, I have a surprise for you."
Violet instantly says, "What is it?"
"Violet, it's a surprise," we say.
Undaunted, she says, "What is it?"
"No it's a surprise. You'll find out later."
"What is it?"
We'll tell her, "Violet, I have a surprise for you."
Violet instantly says, "What is it?"
"Violet, it's a surprise," we say.
Undaunted, she says, "What is it?"
"No it's a surprise. You'll find out later."
"What is it?"
Friday, November 30, 2012
Messing with you
Violet was at the breakfast table with Auntie Stephanie, while Christie and I were off at a doctor's appointment for Lila. Violet was eating her food, while watching her cartoons.
Out of nowhere she started this whining cry, basically blubbering at Aunt Stephanie.
Stephanie figured something was wrong. She asked Violet to please stop crying, and she asked what was wrong.
Violet instantly stopped her blubbering and said, "Nothing. I'm just messing with Ya!"
Pretty nefarious for a two year old.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Violet the Spider
"I'm a spider," Violet said, crawling around the living room.
"But, Violet, spiders have eight legs. How many legs do you have?"
She counted "One, two, three, four," since she was on all fours. She said, "I guess I lost some."
"But, Violet, spiders have eight legs. How many legs do you have?"
She counted "One, two, three, four," since she was on all fours. She said, "I guess I lost some."
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Heart barrette
Violet walked around the house with a heart shaped barrette.
She told us, "I have a heart full of love." So cute!
She told us, "I have a heart full of love." So cute!
Silly Lion
I put Violet down for a nap. She was a bit punchy, but tired, so I hoped it would go well.
She put her hand puppet lion, Leroy, onto her hand. As I left the room, I heard her say, "Leroy's licking me." She giggled madly.
"He thinks I'm made of chocolate!" she said. "I'm not chocolate!"
I was closing the door when she said, "He's a silly lion."
She put her hand puppet lion, Leroy, onto her hand. As I left the room, I heard her say, "Leroy's licking me." She giggled madly.
"He thinks I'm made of chocolate!" she said. "I'm not chocolate!"
I was closing the door when she said, "He's a silly lion."
Spaghetti dinosaur
"Dinosaurs eat spaghetti and meatballs," Violet announced when we were about to eat that same meal.
"Did they," I asked.
"Yep," she confirmed.
"Who made spaghetti and meatballs for the dinosaurs?" I wondered.
Violet told me, "Momma."
"Ah," I said.
"I'm a dinosaur," she said and dove into her meatballs.
Later, Violet dropped a piece of spaghetti on the table. "Look, it's a spaghetti snake," she told us.
She twisted it a teardrop shape. "The spaghetti snake looks like a leaf. But it's a carrot." She moved it again and said, "The carrot comes apart."
She looked down at the spaghetti snake and said, "He's dirty," noticing that it was covered in sauce.
Sometimes dinner with a dinosaur can be entertaining.
"Did they," I asked.
"Yep," she confirmed.
"Who made spaghetti and meatballs for the dinosaurs?" I wondered.
Violet told me, "Momma."
"Ah," I said.
"I'm a dinosaur," she said and dove into her meatballs.
Later, Violet dropped a piece of spaghetti on the table. "Look, it's a spaghetti snake," she told us.
She twisted it a teardrop shape. "The spaghetti snake looks like a leaf. But it's a carrot." She moved it again and said, "The carrot comes apart."
She looked down at the spaghetti snake and said, "He's dirty," noticing that it was covered in sauce.
Sometimes dinner with a dinosaur can be entertaining.
Violet's First Poem
During our pasta dinner Violet drafted her first poem. It's a bit short, but she's not yet three years old:
Prince Eddie,
Likes spaghetti
Prince Eddie,
Likes spaghetti
My Big Machine
We lost water a couple weeks ago, and with a newborn in the house needing clean water for formula and bottle washing, I bought several big 2.5 gallon jugs of water.
We just emptied one of the jugs recently, and, too big to fit in the bag of recyclables, it was on the floor beneath. Violet grabbed the plastic jug and went to throw it into the trash.
"Violet, Violet, don't throw that out. It's not trash. We're going to recycle it."
"It's not trash?" Violet said.
"No, it's not."
It's like that was the green light for Violet to play with it. She sat on it and dragged it around the kitchen. "This is my big machine," she told use.
"OK, drive your big machine into your room so we can put on your pajamas."
"OK," she said, happily. She tried to drag the "big machine" across the carpet, but it didn't move as well as on the floor. After a few more tries to drag it, she picked it up and ran it into her room. "Bringing, my big machine."
She drove it to our bedroom for storied and she wanted to put it into our closet "So Momma can have it, because it's a big, machine," but I talked her out of it. In the end, we drove it into her room and she "parked it" next to her bed. We covered it with an extra blanket for the night.
We just emptied one of the jugs recently, and, too big to fit in the bag of recyclables, it was on the floor beneath. Violet grabbed the plastic jug and went to throw it into the trash.
"Violet, Violet, don't throw that out. It's not trash. We're going to recycle it."
"It's not trash?" Violet said.
"No, it's not."
It's like that was the green light for Violet to play with it. She sat on it and dragged it around the kitchen. "This is my big machine," she told use.
"OK, drive your big machine into your room so we can put on your pajamas."
"OK," she said, happily. She tried to drag the "big machine" across the carpet, but it didn't move as well as on the floor. After a few more tries to drag it, she picked it up and ran it into her room. "Bringing, my big machine."
She drove it to our bedroom for storied and she wanted to put it into our closet "So Momma can have it, because it's a big, machine," but I talked her out of it. In the end, we drove it into her room and she "parked it" next to her bed. We covered it with an extra blanket for the night.
I'm Gonna Marry You!
I put on some songs during dinner and Violet and I got up from the table to dance a bit.
For the next song I put on Coldplay's "Yellow," and I told Violet, "This song is about a color. Can you tell me what color it is?"
I expected Violet to give me that "duh, that's too easy" face, but instead a few verses in she enthusiastically told me, "Yellow!"
"That's right," I said and picked her up to dance.
"No, don't pick me up. I want to marry you," she told me.
"Um, OK," I said. I knelt down to face her, figuring we'd be having a mock ceremony.
"No. I need you to stand up so I can marry you," she said patiently.
I did as she asked and she took my hands. We spun in a ring-around-the-rosie-type circle while "Yellow" played. It was fun.
I learned two things. First, according to Violet, marrying is spinning around in a circle with someone. Second, Violet seems to immune to dizziness. She can spin forever.
For the next song I put on Coldplay's "Yellow," and I told Violet, "This song is about a color. Can you tell me what color it is?"
I expected Violet to give me that "duh, that's too easy" face, but instead a few verses in she enthusiastically told me, "Yellow!"
"That's right," I said and picked her up to dance.
"No, don't pick me up. I want to marry you," she told me.
"Um, OK," I said. I knelt down to face her, figuring we'd be having a mock ceremony.
"No. I need you to stand up so I can marry you," she said patiently.
I did as she asked and she took my hands. We spun in a ring-around-the-rosie-type circle while "Yellow" played. It was fun.
I learned two things. First, according to Violet, marrying is spinning around in a circle with someone. Second, Violet seems to immune to dizziness. She can spin forever.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
The sky
Violet was kindof punchy at our lunch out. She flailed around in her highchair, loudly made observations about poop, chewed with her mouth open and ate fish by the handfuls. She was good, just a bit too boisterous for the pretty classy place we chose.
But as we headed out of the restaurant after lunch, Violet pointed to the colors in the clouds and said, "It looks like the sun painted the sky." And she was right. It did.
But as we headed out of the restaurant after lunch, Violet pointed to the colors in the clouds and said, "It looks like the sun painted the sky." And she was right. It did.
I-spy
We played I-spy in the car on the way up to Maine. Violet got the hang of the game and had a lot of good guesses.
I started the next round. "I spy with my little eye something green."
Quick as a wink, Violet said, "Is it that sign?" pointing to the highway sign.
"Yes it is," I said.
"Hey you beat me," Christie said to Violet. Then, she said, "Do another round now!" Apparently Momma didn't like beaten by her two-year-old daughter.
I started the next round. "I spy with my little eye something green."
Quick as a wink, Violet said, "Is it that sign?" pointing to the highway sign.
"Yes it is," I said.
"Hey you beat me," Christie said to Violet. Then, she said, "Do another round now!" Apparently Momma didn't like beaten by her two-year-old daughter.
Friday, November 23, 2012
New Mitten
Violet was in her bedroom, not sleeping. She was screaming and making noises, all perfectly normal.
She started yelling, "Momma, come in here," over and over again. All particularly normal, and all noises we typically ignore.
Then Violet yelled, "Momma, come in her. Come look at my new mitten."
That was interesting enough that Momma had to go check it out. Violet was wearing her stuffed lion hand puppet, Leroy.
When Momma comes in, Violet said, "Momma, do you like my new mitten?"
Momma laughed and said, "Yes, I do."
Violet laughed madly, incredibly pleased with her little joke.
She started yelling, "Momma, come in here," over and over again. All particularly normal, and all noises we typically ignore.
Then Violet yelled, "Momma, come in her. Come look at my new mitten."
That was interesting enough that Momma had to go check it out. Violet was wearing her stuffed lion hand puppet, Leroy.
When Momma comes in, Violet said, "Momma, do you like my new mitten?"
Momma laughed and said, "Yes, I do."
Violet laughed madly, incredibly pleased with her little joke.
Kitchen rug
Violet does a pretty good job of washing her hands, which probably shouldn't surprise me because she loves playing in water whenever possible. We usually have her do it in the kitchen where it's easy for us to pull a chair up to the sink. Standing on the chair, she can just about reach the soap and the faucet lever to turn it on. Now with some of that foaming soap, Violet will wash her hands for five minutes at a time.
But Violet is fiercely independent. She prefers to do everything herself, and would like it if she didn't need us to move the chair for her to stand on. The only trouble is that we have a small rug on the floor, and the rug is rubber bottomed so that it doesn't slip.
I was feeding baby Lila and Christie was cooking when we called Violet into the kitchen to get ready for dinner. Violet in pirate princess mode, wearing no shirt, pink tutu and green rain boots, came flying into the room.
"Violet, wash your hands, please," I told her.
"OK," she said enthusiastically, and grabbed the chair she usually stands on.
"Do you need help?" I asked.
"I can do it," she said and pushed the chair toward the sink. I watched the chair move and then stop, hung up on the rug. Violet pushed and pushed, but only ended up rocking the chair while its front legs were stuck.
The next part I particularly enjoyed watching. Violet pulled the chair away. She grabbed the rug from the floor, carried it to the doorway and threw it into the dining room. Obstruction removed, she pushed the chair into place and happily washed her hands for about three minutes until we told her she was done.
I laughed out loud at watching her take on a problem, hit a snag (literally), get frustrated, overcome the problem, and then enjoy her success. I was a proud dad. If only she's put the rug back, we'd be all set.
But Violet is fiercely independent. She prefers to do everything herself, and would like it if she didn't need us to move the chair for her to stand on. The only trouble is that we have a small rug on the floor, and the rug is rubber bottomed so that it doesn't slip.
I was feeding baby Lila and Christie was cooking when we called Violet into the kitchen to get ready for dinner. Violet in pirate princess mode, wearing no shirt, pink tutu and green rain boots, came flying into the room.
"Violet, wash your hands, please," I told her.
"OK," she said enthusiastically, and grabbed the chair she usually stands on.
"Do you need help?" I asked.
"I can do it," she said and pushed the chair toward the sink. I watched the chair move and then stop, hung up on the rug. Violet pushed and pushed, but only ended up rocking the chair while its front legs were stuck.
The next part I particularly enjoyed watching. Violet pulled the chair away. She grabbed the rug from the floor, carried it to the doorway and threw it into the dining room. Obstruction removed, she pushed the chair into place and happily washed her hands for about three minutes until we told her she was done.
I laughed out loud at watching her take on a problem, hit a snag (literally), get frustrated, overcome the problem, and then enjoy her success. I was a proud dad. If only she's put the rug back, we'd be all set.
Bear bear
Violet has a pink hooded bunny robe, complete with pink bunny ears. When Violet wears it she looks incredibly cute.
Often when she wears it, she puts one of her stuffed animals in it. She'll come out of her room with her robe bulging and Bear Bear sticking out under her neck.
The other day Violet looked at Christie's shirt for a long time. Christie wondered what Violet was thinking. Violet pointed to Christie's shirt and said, "There's space in there for Bear Bear."
Often when she wears it, she puts one of her stuffed animals in it. She'll come out of her room with her robe bulging and Bear Bear sticking out under her neck.
The other day Violet looked at Christie's shirt for a long time. Christie wondered what Violet was thinking. Violet pointed to Christie's shirt and said, "There's space in there for Bear Bear."
Princess outfits
Lately, Violet has adopted a pretty strange manner of dress. She's completely enamored with her princess dress costumes, especially the one that served as her Halloween costume.
She rocks the princess skirt and green and purple rubber rain boots. "I'm a pirate princess," she'll say with regard to her outfit. Oh, yeah, she's usually shirtless as well. Apparently you can't wear a shirt if you're a pirate princess.
She rocks the princess skirt and green and purple rubber rain boots. "I'm a pirate princess," she'll say with regard to her outfit. Oh, yeah, she's usually shirtless as well. Apparently you can't wear a shirt if you're a pirate princess.
Puzzle
We were driving in the car up to Maine. Violet was getting a bit punchy after a couple hours in the car so she started talking nonsense. Then, after a while she said, "The clouds made a puzzle."
We looked at the sky and saw that with a bit of imagination it was easy to see the clouds as interlocking puzzle pieces. It was another fun Violet observation that makes us see our world in another way.
We looked at the sky and saw that with a bit of imagination it was easy to see the clouds as interlocking puzzle pieces. It was another fun Violet observation that makes us see our world in another way.
Call me Davey
I was getting Violet up and for some reason "Call Me Maybe" was stuck in my head. I was singing it as I was changing her out of her pajamas.
Violet said, "It's not 'Call Me Maybe.' It's call me Davey."
"Oh, OK." I told her. Apparently she's now an authority on pop lyrics.
Violet said, "It's not 'Call Me Maybe.' It's call me Davey."
"Oh, OK." I told her. Apparently she's now an authority on pop lyrics.
The Helper
Violet was sitting at the counter at Poppy and Gramma Kelley's house, enjoying some dried pear slices. Poppy was heading outside to do some work on chicken coop.
Between bites Violet says, "If you need any help, just give me a call."
"OK, Violet. Thanks," Poppy says with a laugh.
Between bites Violet says, "If you need any help, just give me a call."
"OK, Violet. Thanks," Poppy says with a laugh.
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Happy Nice-giving!
We've been enjoying our Thanksgiving holiday at our inlaws. Violet generally travels well, with the possible exception that she refuses to sleep in the car, and we've been having a good visit.
We started the day waking Violet up with a big, "Happy Thanksgiving." We've said it and she's said it a bunch of times today. At some point, "Thanksgiving," turned into "Nice-giving," on Violet's end.
So for the last half of the day, that's the greeting she's been giving. We talked to my parents on skype and Violet told them, "Happy Nice-giving." Super cute.
We started the day waking Violet up with a big, "Happy Thanksgiving." We've said it and she's said it a bunch of times today. At some point, "Thanksgiving," turned into "Nice-giving," on Violet's end.
So for the last half of the day, that's the greeting she's been giving. We talked to my parents on skype and Violet told them, "Happy Nice-giving." Super cute.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Style
We were trying to get Violet to wear these brown mule slip-on shoes. They looked like they'd be very warm and Violet's feet are often shockingly cold.
I went into her room and was glad to see her with the shoes on, but then realized that she was pulling them off. She looked at me and said, "They're not my own style, Daddy. I don't want to wear them."
She reached deep into her closet and pulled out a pair of sparkly purple shoes and she started to put them on. "These are my own style."
Apparently Violet's "own style" is pretty darn flashy.
I went into her room and was glad to see her with the shoes on, but then realized that she was pulling them off. She looked at me and said, "They're not my own style, Daddy. I don't want to wear them."
She reached deep into her closet and pulled out a pair of sparkly purple shoes and she started to put them on. "These are my own style."
Apparently Violet's "own style" is pretty darn flashy.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Belly Cake
It's funny how after eating, Violet's belly is noticeably bigger.
She got down from her chair after dinner and cake. I pointed to her belly. "That's a big belly, Violet."
She looked down and pulled up her shirt. "Yeah," she agreed.
I gave her belly a little squeeze. "I feel a lot of cake in there. How'd all that cake get in there?"
She looked at me and, totally deadpan, said, "With my fork."
She got down from her chair after dinner and cake. I pointed to her belly. "That's a big belly, Violet."
She looked down and pulled up her shirt. "Yeah," she agreed.
I gave her belly a little squeeze. "I feel a lot of cake in there. How'd all that cake get in there?"
She looked at me and, totally deadpan, said, "With my fork."
In there?
We were going through the drive-thru to get some junk food one day. I placed the order and began to pull up as instructed. Before I drove off, Violet pointed to the drive through speaker box. She said, "Daddy, is he in there?"
It's got to be neat to see the world like a two-year-old.
It's got to be neat to see the world like a two-year-old.
A princess, not a potato
To keep Violet entertained while Christie was feeding Lila, I had Violet "help" me cook the tater tots. I pulled the baking pan out of the cabinet and put it on the counter. Violet entered cooking mode, which is basically bringing a chair to the counter to stand on. I ripped open the bag of frozen tots and said, "OK, Violet, we have to put some of these on the pan here."
Violet grabbed the tots and one-by-one put them on the pan. The process was so slow it was painful for me to watch. A minute passed and only three tots sat on the sheet.
"Violet, maybe you should pour them out of the bag, you know, so it'll go faster." I stepped out of the room for a minute and came back to see the whole bag of tots piled up in a mound in one corner of the baking pan. I guess I was asking for that result, really, asking her to "pour."
"Violet, how many of these are you going to eat? This looks like a lot."
Lately, Violet always has some kind of answer, regardless of the question. "Two," she says.
"Well, two isn't very many. We'll have to cook more than that." I put a bunch away and she helped me spread the rest out on the baking pan.
For some reason, Violet got her face right down to the counter to look at the tots up close. I did the same. then I smelled the tater tots. Then I made a show of sniffing her. I sniffed the tots again. I sniffed her again. "Violet, you smell like the tater tots." She really didn't, but I had to play with her.
Violet became indignant and said, "No! I'm a princess and not a potato!"
Violet grabbed the tots and one-by-one put them on the pan. The process was so slow it was painful for me to watch. A minute passed and only three tots sat on the sheet.
"Violet, maybe you should pour them out of the bag, you know, so it'll go faster." I stepped out of the room for a minute and came back to see the whole bag of tots piled up in a mound in one corner of the baking pan. I guess I was asking for that result, really, asking her to "pour."
"Violet, how many of these are you going to eat? This looks like a lot."
Lately, Violet always has some kind of answer, regardless of the question. "Two," she says.
"Well, two isn't very many. We'll have to cook more than that." I put a bunch away and she helped me spread the rest out on the baking pan.
For some reason, Violet got her face right down to the counter to look at the tots up close. I did the same. then I smelled the tater tots. Then I made a show of sniffing her. I sniffed the tots again. I sniffed her again. "Violet, you smell like the tater tots." She really didn't, but I had to play with her.
Violet became indignant and said, "No! I'm a princess and not a potato!"
In the tub
Violet was in the tub and asked, "Can I have a washcloth?"
"To wash your bum?" I joked.
"No, for the walls. So I can keep them nice and clean." Violet wanted to give the inside of the shower a scrub.
"But, what about keeping your bum nice and clean?"
Violet gave me a serious face, "That's too hard, but I can clean the walls." How tough is it to clean her bum?
"To wash your bum?" I joked.
"No, for the walls. So I can keep them nice and clean." Violet wanted to give the inside of the shower a scrub.
"But, what about keeping your bum nice and clean?"
Violet gave me a serious face, "That's too hard, but I can clean the walls." How tough is it to clean her bum?
Whoppers
Violet has been slowly making a dent in her Halloween candy. She gets a piece or two a day, but she asks about having a piece of candy about ten times an hour.
She ate a good dinner and was generally a good listener tonight so we let her have a piece. She wanted a pack of Whoppers, so we opened the wrapper and gave them to her. She eats them with relish but at warp speed, with lots of Mmmms and Yummms.
Once she had finished she said, "The candy makes my body happy." It was great to see how much joy these three bits of candy gave her.
She ate a good dinner and was generally a good listener tonight so we let her have a piece. She wanted a pack of Whoppers, so we opened the wrapper and gave them to her. She eats them with relish but at warp speed, with lots of Mmmms and Yummms.
Once she had finished she said, "The candy makes my body happy." It was great to see how much joy these three bits of candy gave her.
Older for it
I was enjoying a vodka and tonic and I saw that Violet was fascinated by it. I think it's the crushed ice and the straw.
Violet looked as me and asked, "Can I have a sip of your drink?"
I said, "Oh, sorry Violet, but no you can't. It's alcohol."
Violet knows that alcohol means that she can't have it, because it's for adults and she's too young. She said, "I'm older for it," trying to tell me that she is all of a sudden old enough for it.
"Sorry kiddo, you can't have it."
Undaunted she made her plea passionately. "But I'm older for it and older for it and older for it. I'm old daddy." After a pause she added, "And I love it." Another pause, "OK, Daddy?"
"No."
Then the conversation took a turn. "Do you love alcohol daddy?" she asked.
"Well I like it," I suppose.
"Is it good in your belly?"
"Yeah, sure, kiddo."
Mommy, while drinking her Prosecco, said to Violet, "Violet, you know what you call someone who loves alcohol? A boozebag."
"Boozebag," Violet repeated, enjoying the sound of the word.
Our little family moment ended with Violet calling me a boozebag for a while.
Violet looked as me and asked, "Can I have a sip of your drink?"
I said, "Oh, sorry Violet, but no you can't. It's alcohol."
Violet knows that alcohol means that she can't have it, because it's for adults and she's too young. She said, "I'm older for it," trying to tell me that she is all of a sudden old enough for it.
"Sorry kiddo, you can't have it."
Undaunted she made her plea passionately. "But I'm older for it and older for it and older for it. I'm old daddy." After a pause she added, "And I love it." Another pause, "OK, Daddy?"
"No."
Then the conversation took a turn. "Do you love alcohol daddy?" she asked.
"Well I like it," I suppose.
"Is it good in your belly?"
"Yeah, sure, kiddo."
Mommy, while drinking her Prosecco, said to Violet, "Violet, you know what you call someone who loves alcohol? A boozebag."
"Boozebag," Violet repeated, enjoying the sound of the word.
Our little family moment ended with Violet calling me a boozebag for a while.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Don't Correct That One
Lately, Violet's realized when she needs to use the past tense and for regular verbs she sounds spot on. Sometimes, though, she tries to add an 'ed' for past tense in the wrong places. While it's super cute to hear Violet say something like, "I give-ed Monkey a piece of candy," and "I take-ed my boots off," I figure that if she knows enough to conjugate, maybe she can comprehend the irregular verbs. So I'll often correct her with the right word, gently, though. I try to keep her interested in learning new words and not to be a jerk about it.
When Violet wakes up in a good mood in the morning, she usually says, "Momma, I'm all waked up." Christie looked at me one day Violet said and told me, "Please don't correct that one. I love the 'all waked up.'"
When Violet wakes up in a good mood in the morning, she usually says, "Momma, I'm all waked up." Christie looked at me one day Violet said and told me, "Please don't correct that one. I love the 'all waked up.'"
Clouds
From the other room I hear, "That looks like the Earth." Curious, I go over to Violet and see she's pointing to a section of clouds between the trees. With an effort I can imagine that it looks like the Earth, sortof.
Then I think Violet's interpretations of the clouds got a bit more abstract. "That looks like a chicken," she said.
"Hmm. I'm not sure I see that. Where?"
She pointed, "There."
I still didn't see it, but rather than be contrary and stifle her creativity, I see the chicken. "Oh, there. OK."
Violet found Monkey and Bear-Bear amongst the cloud formations before she shifted back to her toys.
Then I think Violet's interpretations of the clouds got a bit more abstract. "That looks like a chicken," she said.
"Hmm. I'm not sure I see that. Where?"
She pointed, "There."
I still didn't see it, but rather than be contrary and stifle her creativity, I see the chicken. "Oh, there. OK."
Violet found Monkey and Bear-Bear amongst the cloud formations before she shifted back to her toys.
Presents
People have given us presents recently, with the arrival of the new baby. Violet has gotten about as many presents as new baby Lila has. I think receiving all of these gifts has sparked Violet to give random gifts to us. The gifts she gives us typically look like this one:
This is a mini-basketball of Violet's wrapped in a sheet of loose-leaf paper. OK, sure it doesn't look like much here in the photo, but watching how happy Violet gets making and giving these gifts to people is a great sight. Very heart-warming.
This is a mini-basketball of Violet's wrapped in a sheet of loose-leaf paper. OK, sure it doesn't look like much here in the photo, but watching how happy Violet gets making and giving these gifts to people is a great sight. Very heart-warming.
Really High
Violet disappeared into the other room. Two minutes later, Christie hears "Mommy, I'm very high!" She checked it out and found this scene:
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My favorite part is how proud Violet is of herself. No fear of heights, whatsoever.
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My favorite part is how proud Violet is of herself. No fear of heights, whatsoever.
Illustration
Violet, Momma and I were reading a book about cuddly animals. The book contained a bunch of neat illustrations.
Momma said, "Violet, do you like these great illustrations?"
Violet said, "Yeah."
I said, "Violet, do you know what the word illustration means?"
Violet said, "I think it means, anticipation." She had no idea, but decided to exchange big word for big word.
Momma said, "Violet, do you like these great illustrations?"
Violet said, "Yeah."
I said, "Violet, do you know what the word illustration means?"
Violet said, "I think it means, anticipation." She had no idea, but decided to exchange big word for big word.
Stuffed Animal Care
Violet's been a good stuffed animal Momma, lately, giving them lots of hugs and playing with them. She's also recently gotten a fluffy pink robe (with a bunny ears hood, naturally), which she also loves.
The cute part is that we put her robe on, and she immediately grabs one of her stuffed friends, usually Monkey or Bear-Bear, and stuffs them into the robe. The next time we see Violet, she's got her animal crammed in there with her, peeking out from her chest.
She's also been potty training her animals. I stepped into her room and hear her talking to Monkey. I saw that Monkey was perched on the edge of an open drawer. Violet said to Monkey, "That's awesome. You made an awesome poop! That's a big one." Such a positive Monkey Momma!
The cute part is that we put her robe on, and she immediately grabs one of her stuffed friends, usually Monkey or Bear-Bear, and stuffs them into the robe. The next time we see Violet, she's got her animal crammed in there with her, peeking out from her chest.
She's also been potty training her animals. I stepped into her room and hear her talking to Monkey. I saw that Monkey was perched on the edge of an open drawer. Violet said to Monkey, "That's awesome. You made an awesome poop! That's a big one." Such a positive Monkey Momma!
Salad Wars
I gave Violet a bowl of salad and sat down with my own plate of it. Violet started in on her plate and then decided to share with me. She put a bit of cucumber on my plate and said, "Here you go."
I told her, "Thank you," and then mostly because I didn't want her to give away her food, I immediately shared right back to her. I put a bit of tomato on her plate. "There you go," I said.
Magnanimously, Violet said, "Thank you," and then immediately consumed it. Violet was polite and ate something immediately, a double-win.
Not to be outdone, Violet immediately shared back a piece of lettuce. I returned with a bit of carrot.
The pace ramped, both of us politely, but aggressively, tossing food back onto each other's plate. We were polite to each other, but it was also like some weird kind of a fight. Easily the quickest I've ever gotten Violet to clear her plate.
I told her, "Thank you," and then mostly because I didn't want her to give away her food, I immediately shared right back to her. I put a bit of tomato on her plate. "There you go," I said.
Magnanimously, Violet said, "Thank you," and then immediately consumed it. Violet was polite and ate something immediately, a double-win.
Not to be outdone, Violet immediately shared back a piece of lettuce. I returned with a bit of carrot.
The pace ramped, both of us politely, but aggressively, tossing food back onto each other's plate. We were polite to each other, but it was also like some weird kind of a fight. Easily the quickest I've ever gotten Violet to clear her plate.
Special gift
Violet had been in a gift-giving mode lately. She's been giving little random things and toys of her wrapped in random pieces of paper.
Violet came up to Mommy and gave her this special gift:
No, it's not poop. What it is, though, is an empty lip balm pot we had given Violet, which she refilled with the guts of a chocolate doughnut. Mommy was very surprised when she took the lid off the pot to find this little gem.
Violet came up to Mommy and gave her this special gift:
No, it's not poop. What it is, though, is an empty lip balm pot we had given Violet, which she refilled with the guts of a chocolate doughnut. Mommy was very surprised when she took the lid off the pot to find this little gem.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Boobies
I was preoccupied doing something in the kitchen, probably holding the new baby and trying to make a formula bottle, when Violet came over to me.
"Hey, Daddy?" she said.
"Yeah, kiddo, what's up?" I said.
She lifted her shirt up and said, "Did you see how big my boobies have gotten?"
I enjoy when she catches me off guard with something like this. "Um, yeah. Good kiddo!"
"They're getting big," she declared with joy.
"Yep, they are."
"Big and big and big!" she added and then ran out of the kitchen. It was definitely one of those moments that's funny and cute when she's two and that I hope she outgrows before her teen years.
"Hey, Daddy?" she said.
"Yeah, kiddo, what's up?" I said.
She lifted her shirt up and said, "Did you see how big my boobies have gotten?"
I enjoy when she catches me off guard with something like this. "Um, yeah. Good kiddo!"
"They're getting big," she declared with joy.
"Yep, they are."
"Big and big and big!" she added and then ran out of the kitchen. It was definitely one of those moments that's funny and cute when she's two and that I hope she outgrows before her teen years.
Friday, October 19, 2012
The End of Privacy
I was standing at the toilet relieving myself, when the bathroom door opened, and Violet came into the bathroom.
"Hi Kiddo, Daddy's peeing. Give me a minute."
Instead of giving me a minute, Violet came right up behind me.
"Hey, hey, come on," I said. The few times circumstances occurred when Violet ended up coming in when I was peeing, she'd seemed fascinated by the process.
Unabated, Violet started coming around to my side and extending her hand toward the stream.
I scooted to the left and blocked Violet with my butt. "Hey, that's pee. Violet, get out of here."
She backed away, and I thought she was leaving. But she was giving me the sneak attack. I saw her little hand under me between my knees heading to the pee stream.
I had hit the limit of my patience of Violet's antics and I abruptly stopped peeing. "Violet, get out of here, come on." Violet took off and I finished peeing, thinking that I need to start locking the door.
But, later on that night, when Violet used the potty, she told me, "Daddy, I need some privacy."
"OK," I said and left the room. "Let me know when you're done."
"Please close the door," she asked. I closed it, thinking about our double standard.
"Hi Kiddo, Daddy's peeing. Give me a minute."
Instead of giving me a minute, Violet came right up behind me.
"Hey, hey, come on," I said. The few times circumstances occurred when Violet ended up coming in when I was peeing, she'd seemed fascinated by the process.
Unabated, Violet started coming around to my side and extending her hand toward the stream.
I scooted to the left and blocked Violet with my butt. "Hey, that's pee. Violet, get out of here."
She backed away, and I thought she was leaving. But she was giving me the sneak attack. I saw her little hand under me between my knees heading to the pee stream.
I had hit the limit of my patience of Violet's antics and I abruptly stopped peeing. "Violet, get out of here, come on." Violet took off and I finished peeing, thinking that I need to start locking the door.
But, later on that night, when Violet used the potty, she told me, "Daddy, I need some privacy."
"OK," I said and left the room. "Let me know when you're done."
"Please close the door," she asked. I closed it, thinking about our double standard.
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Special Hugs
Violet, Mommy and I watched the second half of "Lilo and Stitch" sitting in our bed tonight. Violet was all lovey-dovey and cozy.
Momma or I or the both of us would have our arms behind Violet hugging her. Apparently Violet, big girl that she is, wanted to do that to.
"Daddy, will you please go forward?"
I had an idea what she was doing, so I leaned my body forward. She put her little arm in the space behind my back, and the other arm around my front and gave me a big hug. And, as is normal whenever she hugs, she gave the happy hug squeak noise.
She gave me a big hug for a minute or so. Then it was Mommy's turn. She gave Mommy a hug and then finally settled back and let us hug her while she watched the movie.
Momma or I or the both of us would have our arms behind Violet hugging her. Apparently Violet, big girl that she is, wanted to do that to.
"Daddy, will you please go forward?"
I had an idea what she was doing, so I leaned my body forward. She put her little arm in the space behind my back, and the other arm around my front and gave me a big hug. And, as is normal whenever she hugs, she gave the happy hug squeak noise.
She gave me a big hug for a minute or so. Then it was Mommy's turn. She gave Mommy a hug and then finally settled back and let us hug her while she watched the movie.
Not Crying Wolf
Violet had been taking naps for us every day since Baby Lila arrived. Today, of course, Violet was wound up and didn't settle in for a nap.
I had gone into her room once to "reset" her back to bed. But it didn't work. She was still jumping around and being crazy in her bed.
A little while later I heard Violet through the baby monitor saying, "Daddy, come in here." She said it over and over and over again. For a while I ignored it, but she persisted. The ill-fated nap had gone on long enough that I figured I'd give up and just get Violet up.
I went into her room and she just said, "Daddy," but her voice didn't have the normal "I'm glad to see you, nap is over, right?" tone. She sounded scared and upset. Then I noticed that she wasn't bouncing around the bed. She was staying in one spot.
I came further into the room and saw that she seemed to be stuck. She sleeps in her "big girl" bed, and the headboard and footboard of the bed have rows of white slats. I never thought anything of it, because the slats were slats like a crib. And she's two and a half.
Each of Violet's legs was stuck in a gap between slats. She looked freaked out, like she'd been trying to get out for a while and couldn't. "Daddy, I'm stuck."
I went a little bit into panic mode. "Oh, Jeez, Violet. OK, I'll get you out." I looked at her legs, and they didn't look too badly stuck, so I tried to just pull her free. I yanked her back away from the slats. She screamed and screamed but didn't pop free. I thought maybe if I pulled a bit harder I could free her that way, but she screams were too much.
Violet started screaming, "Mommy, mommy," trying to get some more gentle help.
I regrouped. "OK, kiddo. We'll figure this out." I looked at the situation, basically two little legs coming through the footboard and Violet from the thighs and up, sitting on the mattress. I tried to flex the slats but the didn't feel like they had any wiggle.
Finally, I slid Violet's legs down the slats toward the floor. In the middle of the slats, they had enough flex that I could push her kneecaps back through without causing very much more pain. With both knees in the side where they belong I picked her up and she clung onto me like a barnacle.
I brought her and some icepacks to her mother, and Nurse Mommy took over. She got Violet comfortable and soothed.
The saddest part for me was seeing Violet's legs after the bath. Each side of either knee had some kind of bruise, and the worse one was about the size of a quarter.
Certainly, Violet would have been just as stuck if I had gone into the nap sooner, but not for as long. What can you do? I really think she's petrified of the footboard and she won't do that again. We'll just have to look out for that for the second kid.
I had gone into her room once to "reset" her back to bed. But it didn't work. She was still jumping around and being crazy in her bed.
A little while later I heard Violet through the baby monitor saying, "Daddy, come in here." She said it over and over and over again. For a while I ignored it, but she persisted. The ill-fated nap had gone on long enough that I figured I'd give up and just get Violet up.
I went into her room and she just said, "Daddy," but her voice didn't have the normal "I'm glad to see you, nap is over, right?" tone. She sounded scared and upset. Then I noticed that she wasn't bouncing around the bed. She was staying in one spot.
I came further into the room and saw that she seemed to be stuck. She sleeps in her "big girl" bed, and the headboard and footboard of the bed have rows of white slats. I never thought anything of it, because the slats were slats like a crib. And she's two and a half.
Each of Violet's legs was stuck in a gap between slats. She looked freaked out, like she'd been trying to get out for a while and couldn't. "Daddy, I'm stuck."
I went a little bit into panic mode. "Oh, Jeez, Violet. OK, I'll get you out." I looked at her legs, and they didn't look too badly stuck, so I tried to just pull her free. I yanked her back away from the slats. She screamed and screamed but didn't pop free. I thought maybe if I pulled a bit harder I could free her that way, but she screams were too much.
Violet started screaming, "Mommy, mommy," trying to get some more gentle help.
I regrouped. "OK, kiddo. We'll figure this out." I looked at the situation, basically two little legs coming through the footboard and Violet from the thighs and up, sitting on the mattress. I tried to flex the slats but the didn't feel like they had any wiggle.
Finally, I slid Violet's legs down the slats toward the floor. In the middle of the slats, they had enough flex that I could push her kneecaps back through without causing very much more pain. With both knees in the side where they belong I picked her up and she clung onto me like a barnacle.
I brought her and some icepacks to her mother, and Nurse Mommy took over. She got Violet comfortable and soothed.
The saddest part for me was seeing Violet's legs after the bath. Each side of either knee had some kind of bruise, and the worse one was about the size of a quarter.
Certainly, Violet would have been just as stuck if I had gone into the nap sooner, but not for as long. What can you do? I really think she's petrified of the footboard and she won't do that again. We'll just have to look out for that for the second kid.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Farewell (from Gramma Kelley)
Today we had some family over, including grandparents Gramma Kelley and Poppy, for Poppy's birthday. We had a good meal, and birthday cake for Poppy. A good time overall.
Later that night Gramma Kelley shared with me a story about Violet wishing her farewell:
When I was getting ready to leave, I gathered Violet up in my arms and said over and over, "I LOVE you, I love you, I love you."
Then I told her we had to drive a long way home to Maine.
She took my face in her little hands, and brushed my hair away and looked me in the eye and said, "But you're leaving the cake, right?"
Later that night Gramma Kelley shared with me a story about Violet wishing her farewell:
When I was getting ready to leave, I gathered Violet up in my arms and said over and over, "I LOVE you, I love you, I love you."
Then I told her we had to drive a long way home to Maine.
She took my face in her little hands, and brushed my hair away and looked me in the eye and said, "But you're leaving the cake, right?"
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Library Class
Christie has told me about library class before, but until today, I hadn't seen this little slice of chaos for myself. Quite an interesting experience.
I'm working part-time while we get used things with the new baby, so I was watching Violet this morning. Today being Thursday, we had Library Class. Violet loves to go, so today I got to take her.
We parked on the street near the library and walked up. From there, I had to rely on Violet, since I don't know this branch of the library very well. She led me up stairs to the children's area of the library, and had a minor freakout when I put the Curious George Christmas book into the return slot. Once I assured her that we had lots of great books at home and that we could borrow another good book, she eased and she led me into a play room. The play room was a neat place, full of book cases, a kid-sized play castle, a kid-sized play house with kitchen, and lots of other toys scattered around.
It looked like Violet heaven. The only thing was that I didn't see enough empty space in the room to have the kind of singing and dancing class I had envisioned from my wife's descriptions of Library Class. I asked Violet, "Is this the room where we have library class?"
"Yup," Violet said, sifting through a shelf full of books.
I looked at the time and we were already a few minutes late, so class should have been beginning. I thought, Maybe they're a bit behind.
A few more minutes of playing, with no obvious class organizing, I grew suspicious. "Violet, are you sure this is where we have class?"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," she told me in sing-song voice, causing me to doubt her more.
Violet hadn't peed before we left the house, so I thought that maybe we should try again. I had bad visions of an accident in front of these dozens of kids and parents. "Violet, do you need to go to the potty?" I asked.
"No," she said.
"Well, let's try anyway," I said and led her out of the play room. I spotted the bathroom in far corner of the floor and pointed Violet that way.
On the way, there I saw a meeting room through a glass wall. Inside a bunch of adults and kids were dancing and singing. OK, that was obviously class. She's been to class here dozens of times, so I wondered if she'd misled me on purpose, or not.
We found the bathroom and tried to pee, but Violet declared, "It's not ready."
I put on the 'Christy and Violet' name tag and we opened the door into the class, only about fifteen minutes late. The scene before me was interesting, something that doesn't come up in my normal workweek.
The lights were dim, for no reason I could figure out. About a dozen kids were engaged in various types of play, from dancing and singing and hanging on parents. About half of the adults were dancing and singing along and having fun with the kids, and the other half sat in the chairs by the walls, unfazed by the show.
I sat in an empty chair in the corner. Violet jumped right into play, not exactly with any one kid or adult, but touring the room. It took a minute to get used to the dim light and the somewhat orchestrated chaos.
I kept an eye on Violet, but she was on autopilot, clearly a Library Class professional. I looked at the clock and saw I had about a half hour to kill, so I played along. I sang and made the hand motions to "Ran San San," the "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and some kind of song I'd never heard of about five little pumpkins. When Violet's laps of the room brought her by my chair I'd scoop her up into my lap for a bit of singing and play, but she never stayed long.
After the songs wrapped up, the instructor in charge of the chaos broke out the parachute. First the kids danced and crawled on the green, purple and pink plastic sheet. After a minute of that the kids seemed to all flock to the edges of the parachute and shake it up and down. From a closet somewhere, the instructor tossed a half dozen beach balls onto the parachute. We kept shaking the parachute up and down bouncing the balls back and forth. With the neon parachute undulating and the multi-colored beach balls bouncing, the scene was a trippy color overload. Shortly, the balls disappeared and the adults worked the parachute while the kids danced like nuts underneath the parachute.
After parachute time, the instructor dumped out two bins full of musical instruments. The kids jumped on the instruments like lions on a fallen gazelle. So much banging, clacking, ringing--quite a bit from Violet--filled the room. After the fray settles, the instructor begins the parade. I bet sometimes, it's a fun parade around the room. This class, however, the instructor and a couple others circled the pile of instruments, while most everyone else, banged and clanged in little pockets throughout the room.
As quickly as they appeared, the instruments found their way back into the bins and left the middle of the room. I knew what was coming. This was story time, also known as cheerio time. I knew about this part, but it's Violet's favorite, the part she mentions whenever I ask about library class.
The kids and most parents settled into cushions on the floor while the instructor doled out little paper cups of cheerios to the kids. The energy level in the room dropped from crazy nuts, immediately to mellow. I wish I could pull that trick off at home, actually. Maybe cheerios are the key.
Once each kid had a cup, the instructor went up to the front of the room to read a story. She read "Five Little Monkey's Jumping on the Bed." We often read that book at home, so Violet followed along closely. When the Doctor in the story said "No more monkey's jumping on the bed," Violet shouted, "No more Violets jumping on the bed!"
After story time, the instructor said goodbye to everyone, told everyone that they could stay and play in the room if they want to, and took off. I can't say I blame her. She'd been gently herding cats for the better part of an hour, and doing it enthusiastically, with a smile.
The kids were spent. I saw how much Violet loves it, even though she didn't really do what the instructor did. I'm glad that my wife takes pains to go every week, regardless of how exhausted she was with the pregnancy, and whatever else was going on in our busy lives.
Apple Monster
I was toweling Violet off after her bath and she told me, matter of factly, "I'm a monster."
"Oh, really? What kind of monster are you?" I asked.
"I'm an apple monster," she said.
"An apple monster? What does an apple monster do?"
In a raspy threatening voice she told a word that I took to be "store."
"An apple monster stores?" I asked. "What does an apple monster store?"
"No, I 'stroy," she rasped.
"Ah, you 'stroy, like destroy?"
She nodded from underneath her yellow duckie towel hood. "'Stroy. I 'stroy the light. I 'stroy the walls. 'Stroy!"
And just a quick as she was a monster, regular Violet came back. I gave her a new pair of underpants to put on and she said, "Oooh, Elmo squares."
I want to know where she picked up a word like destroy, to use in exactly the right context with monsters. Was there a destruction episode of Elmo's World last week?
"Oh, really? What kind of monster are you?" I asked.
"I'm an apple monster," she said.
"An apple monster? What does an apple monster do?"
In a raspy threatening voice she told a word that I took to be "store."
"An apple monster stores?" I asked. "What does an apple monster store?"
"No, I 'stroy," she rasped.
"Ah, you 'stroy, like destroy?"
She nodded from underneath her yellow duckie towel hood. "'Stroy. I 'stroy the light. I 'stroy the walls. 'Stroy!"
And just a quick as she was a monster, regular Violet came back. I gave her a new pair of underpants to put on and she said, "Oooh, Elmo squares."
I want to know where she picked up a word like destroy, to use in exactly the right context with monsters. Was there a destruction episode of Elmo's World last week?
Best Friend
Violet came up to me out of the blue and gave me a big hug. "You're my best friend," she told me.
"Aww. Thank you. You're my best friend," I told her.
"Yeah," she agreed.
I didn't want to leave Momma out, so I asked, "Is Mommy your best friend too?"
"Yeah, she's my best friend too." She noticed the dog and said, "And Doolin's my best friend too."
I changed the subject before the best friends list got any longer.
"Aww. Thank you. You're my best friend," I told her.
"Yeah," she agreed.
I didn't want to leave Momma out, so I asked, "Is Mommy your best friend too?"
"Yeah, she's my best friend too." She noticed the dog and said, "And Doolin's my best friend too."
I changed the subject before the best friends list got any longer.
Dancing Doolin
I was typing on the computer, half-hearing Violet and seeing her out of the corner of my eye. I witnessed this, though:
The dog is backing up, and I realize that he's backing away from Violet. He's just not doing a very good job of getting away, because he's backing up sort of in a circle.
"Stay still," she says, and she catches up with him and puts her green Mardi Gras beads around his neck.
She's pleased with herself so she says, with satisfaction, "He has my beads on him." But she's not really talk to me, just talking.
"Now you can dance!" she tells him. Apparently beads are a requirement for dancing, at least for the dog.
She tells him, "So you can have a nice day with you." Then she adds, "I almost forgot to dance with you," and executes a few spins around the kitchen with the dog.
"Those are my beads. Do you like them?" she asks the dog. "Oh my goodness, you look so pretty Doolin!"
After this, Violet moves on from the dog and comes over to see what I'm doing on the computer. The dog is a saint.
The dog is backing up, and I realize that he's backing away from Violet. He's just not doing a very good job of getting away, because he's backing up sort of in a circle.
"Stay still," she says, and she catches up with him and puts her green Mardi Gras beads around his neck.
She's pleased with herself so she says, with satisfaction, "He has my beads on him." But she's not really talk to me, just talking.
"Now you can dance!" she tells him. Apparently beads are a requirement for dancing, at least for the dog.
She tells him, "So you can have a nice day with you." Then she adds, "I almost forgot to dance with you," and executes a few spins around the kitchen with the dog.
"Those are my beads. Do you like them?" she asks the dog. "Oh my goodness, you look so pretty Doolin!"
After this, Violet moves on from the dog and comes over to see what I'm doing on the computer. The dog is a saint.
Milk or Water?
Violet had just gotten up from a nap. She had a bit of a runny nose so we wanted her to have lots of fluids. I asked her, "Violet, do you want water or milk to drink?"
"I don't really care," she said. I was surprised with the adult turn of phrase, a new one for her.
I got her water in a sippy cub, and gave it to her. She fumbled it and said, "Whoopsies!"
"Whoopsies?" I repeated.
I think she thought I was making fun of her. "I say it. I don't want you to say it." It's funny to me, the fine line between she finds to be fun and goofy, and what she finds irritations.
"I don't really care," she said. I was surprised with the adult turn of phrase, a new one for her.
I got her water in a sippy cub, and gave it to her. She fumbled it and said, "Whoopsies!"
"Whoopsies?" I repeated.
I think she thought I was making fun of her. "I say it. I don't want you to say it." It's funny to me, the fine line between she finds to be fun and goofy, and what she finds irritations.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Lunchtime Frustrations
We recently promoted Violet from her high chair to a booster seat at the table for meals. We finally traded the simplicity of the high chair forcing Violet to be a captive for the meal for the much more compact booster seat. While we were enjoying regaining about eight square feet of floor space in our kitchen, Violet's relative freedom adds a new challenge to mealtime.
Violet, Momma and I were eating lunch. In short, Violet was being a pain. She made a mess with her food, she kept nearly knocking over her water and was super fidgety in her chair.
It was getting under Christie's skin a lot more than mine. She told Violet, "Sit straight in your chair and pay attention. You're making a mess and almost knocking over your water." She gave an "Uhh" noise and finished with, "I'm sick of having to tell you."
Without a pause, Violet said, "I'm sick of it too," and accompanied it with her pouty face and sad eyes.
Violet, Momma and I were eating lunch. In short, Violet was being a pain. She made a mess with her food, she kept nearly knocking over her water and was super fidgety in her chair.
It was getting under Christie's skin a lot more than mine. She told Violet, "Sit straight in your chair and pay attention. You're making a mess and almost knocking over your water." She gave an "Uhh" noise and finished with, "I'm sick of having to tell you."
Without a pause, Violet said, "I'm sick of it too," and accompanied it with her pouty face and sad eyes.
Best Friend
I was driving to get food with Violet. She was holding and talking with her Monkey. For a while she talked with Monkey and I couldn't make out what she was saying. Suddenly she broke into a huge chorus of giggles and said, "You are my best friend."
It was sweet. She said it over and over again. "You are my best friend." "You are my best friend." More giggles. "You are my best friend!"
After a dozen or so times, I asked her, "Are you saying that to Monkey or is he saying that to you?"
"Monkey's saying that to me," she said.
More giggles. And another huge pile of "You are my best friend" repetitions.
"Now I say it to Monkey, 'You are my best friend.'" She made the hug noise, the happy squeak that she makes when she gives a good hug.
I realized that I had been smiling for the last few miles. There is something so completely heartwarming about having your two and a half year old declare her friendship unabashedly to her stuffed Monkey.
It was sweet. She said it over and over again. "You are my best friend." "You are my best friend." More giggles. "You are my best friend!"
After a dozen or so times, I asked her, "Are you saying that to Monkey or is he saying that to you?"
"Monkey's saying that to me," she said.
More giggles. And another huge pile of "You are my best friend" repetitions.
"Now I say it to Monkey, 'You are my best friend.'" She made the hug noise, the happy squeak that she makes when she gives a good hug.
I realized that I had been smiling for the last few miles. There is something so completely heartwarming about having your two and a half year old declare her friendship unabashedly to her stuffed Monkey.
A Typical Discussion with Violet
Violet said, "My nightgown is dirty."
It didn't exactly sound like a question, but I thought she was asking so I answered. "Yeah. You got your nightgown dirty yesterday. We haven't washed it yet."
"Can I wear the thin ones?" she asked, referring to her lightweight monkey pajamas.
"No, kiddo. We're going to wear the thick ones from last night. They're nice and warm. They're still good."
"They're not good."
"They are good," she said.
"Yes, Violet, they are still good."
"They're not tasty," she said shaking her head.
"No, but they're good."
It didn't exactly sound like a question, but I thought she was asking so I answered. "Yeah. You got your nightgown dirty yesterday. We haven't washed it yet."
"Can I wear the thin ones?" she asked, referring to her lightweight monkey pajamas.
"No, kiddo. We're going to wear the thick ones from last night. They're nice and warm. They're still good."
"They're not good."
"They are good," she said.
"Yes, Violet, they are still good."
"They're not tasty," she said shaking her head.
"No, but they're good."
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Fruit Train
We were driving home from some errands and we got crossed at the train tracks. Violet loves trains, so we made sure she looked up from her book to see it. "Look, Violet, there's a train in front of us."
"Yay, a train!" she yelled.
"Yeah, that's great, you got to see a train," I said.
"It's a fruit train," Violet told us.
Momma thought that Violet was mispronouncing the word, so she said, "That's right, it's a freight train."
"Momma, it's a fruit train."
"A fruit train?" I asked.
"Yeah. The train is full of red peppers," she told us. We didn't bother to correct her on the whole red pepper is a vegetable, not a fruit thing.
"Red peppers?" Momma asked.
"Yup, it's full of red peppers."
"You're saying that all of those train cars are full of red peppers?" I asked.
"Yep," she said, like it was no big deal.
"Yay, a train!" she yelled.
"Yeah, that's great, you got to see a train," I said.
"It's a fruit train," Violet told us.
Momma thought that Violet was mispronouncing the word, so she said, "That's right, it's a freight train."
"Momma, it's a fruit train."
"A fruit train?" I asked.
"Yeah. The train is full of red peppers," she told us. We didn't bother to correct her on the whole red pepper is a vegetable, not a fruit thing.
"Red peppers?" Momma asked.
"Yup, it's full of red peppers."
"You're saying that all of those train cars are full of red peppers?" I asked.
"Yep," she said, like it was no big deal.
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Pet the Fish
Violet likes to pretend that she's a fish at bathtime, which isn't really too crazy because she does try to swim around.
"Daddy, do you want to pet the fish?" she said from the tub.
"OK," I said, and I pet her head while she sat in the water.
"No, not yet." She apparently wasn't ready. She rolled over to her belly and stretched out in the tub. "Now. I'm ready." I guess she's not a fish until she's laying on her stomach pretending to swim. "I'm an American Happy Birthday Fish. Come pet me!"
How do you turn down an invitation like that? "OK," I said and pet her head, wondering where she gets this stuff.
"Daddy, do you want to pet the fish?" she said from the tub.
"OK," I said, and I pet her head while she sat in the water.
"No, not yet." She apparently wasn't ready. She rolled over to her belly and stretched out in the tub. "Now. I'm ready." I guess she's not a fish until she's laying on her stomach pretending to swim. "I'm an American Happy Birthday Fish. Come pet me!"
How do you turn down an invitation like that? "OK," I said and pet her head, wondering where she gets this stuff.
Simple Pleasures
For her 2nd birthday Violet received a rain coat that was purple with white flowers, with matching boots. It's the kind of outfit that toddlers can look so incredibly cute in, but adults can't really pull off.
Today was a raw, rainy day, but Violet was excited because she saw the opportunity to wear her rain gear. She wanted it on immediately, right out of bed. Violet walked around the house this morning with just her rain boots, rain coat and underpants, and a smile plastered to her face. She was so happy with her outfit.
I eventually got her to put on normal clothes and it was nearly dinnertime before we had to go outside. The rain was still coming down pretty hard, so she put on her rain gear. We got to the driveway and she stomped into every puddle possible.
We went to an outside redbox to rent a movie, and a couple of people were ahead of us. I thought this might not go well, and that Violet would start to complain about being rained on and would want to go to the car. It was just the opposite. She was so excited. She danced and spun and had a great time. The only time I had to reign her in was when she tried to pick a piece of gum off the sidewalk.
We got our movies, run another quick errand at the hardware store (where she passionate wanted me to buy green zip ties for some reason) and headed home. I let her out of the car and she just did not want to come up to the house. She stomped and danced in the puddles with wild abandon. I was happy for her so I just let her play for a while.
It was dinner time, though, so I needed to cut it short. I called after her and she ignored me. I'm not sure if she just wasn't listening thought it was a game or was having too much fun to care. I had to go down to the driveway to get her, and she ran away. We were halfway into the backyard before I napped her. She giggled the whole way. I carried her into the house and plopped her, raincoat and all, into timeout.
While I watched the clock on her sentence, I couldn't help marveling at how much joy she got out of stomping in the puddles in her raincoat.
Today was a raw, rainy day, but Violet was excited because she saw the opportunity to wear her rain gear. She wanted it on immediately, right out of bed. Violet walked around the house this morning with just her rain boots, rain coat and underpants, and a smile plastered to her face. She was so happy with her outfit.
I eventually got her to put on normal clothes and it was nearly dinnertime before we had to go outside. The rain was still coming down pretty hard, so she put on her rain gear. We got to the driveway and she stomped into every puddle possible.
We went to an outside redbox to rent a movie, and a couple of people were ahead of us. I thought this might not go well, and that Violet would start to complain about being rained on and would want to go to the car. It was just the opposite. She was so excited. She danced and spun and had a great time. The only time I had to reign her in was when she tried to pick a piece of gum off the sidewalk.
We got our movies, run another quick errand at the hardware store (where she passionate wanted me to buy green zip ties for some reason) and headed home. I let her out of the car and she just did not want to come up to the house. She stomped and danced in the puddles with wild abandon. I was happy for her so I just let her play for a while.
It was dinner time, though, so I needed to cut it short. I called after her and she ignored me. I'm not sure if she just wasn't listening thought it was a game or was having too much fun to care. I had to go down to the driveway to get her, and she ran away. We were halfway into the backyard before I napped her. She giggled the whole way. I carried her into the house and plopped her, raincoat and all, into timeout.
While I watched the clock on her sentence, I couldn't help marveling at how much joy she got out of stomping in the puddles in her raincoat.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Lila
This afternoon, Violet's sister, Lila was born. Christie and Lila were both doing very well after the pregnancy, while Uncle Jerry was minding Violet. The obstetrician gave us some good advice shortly after Lila was born, which was to considering waiting a bit before having the big sister visit in the hospital. The advice suggested that perhaps we wait, get cleaned up and situated, because seeing mommy spent and hooked up to tubes and wires in the hospital bed would freak out a two year old.
We took this advice gratefully, and Violet and Uncle Jerry came to the hospital after dinner. She exploded into the room like a tornado. She wore a combination t-shirt and frilly skirt that read "Big Sister," and some pink pants underneath. Uncle Jerry explained that they had argued about the pants, that Violet claimed her shirt-skirt was a dress and the she didn't need pants. Uncle Jerry was firm on this point because he could see her underwear.
After we gave Violet quick hugs, she bounced her way over to the baby, who was sleeping in the clear plastic bassinet the hospital uses. "Is that the new baby?" she asked.
"Yes," we told her.
"Can I pet her?" she asked. Awesome that that was her first instinct.
From there, Violet literally bounced from person to person in the room, talking to Auntie Gillian, Daddy, Mommy, Memere, Pepere, and Uncle Jerry. She was like a blur.
Auntie Gillian notice something on the floor, "What's that?" It was a small puddle beneath Violet. In her excited frenzy she had peed her pants, the first and so far only time that has happened. We felt bad for her, but she was unfazed. Auntie Gillian MacGyver'd up a skirt for Violet with an extra receiving blanket and a hair elastic, which had to keep being adjusted because Violet kept dancing out of it.
Violet asked, "Can I hold the baby?" We were apprehensive, but said OK. We put Lila on Violet's lap with Daddy sitting nearby for assistance. Violet did in fact per her very gently on the head. And she gave the new baby lots of kisses. All in all, we really couldn't have asked for a better first interaction between the two girls.
Like a clock winding down, Violet visibly showed signs of slowing and being exhausted. She plopped into the floor on her hands and knees before we could stop her. "Violet, hospital floors are yucky," we told her and just about bathed her in hand sanitizer.
Violet gave everyone goodbye hugs and kisses and left for home with Uncle Jerry, but not before giving the baby one last hug, one last kiss, and, of course, one last pet.
We took this advice gratefully, and Violet and Uncle Jerry came to the hospital after dinner. She exploded into the room like a tornado. She wore a combination t-shirt and frilly skirt that read "Big Sister," and some pink pants underneath. Uncle Jerry explained that they had argued about the pants, that Violet claimed her shirt-skirt was a dress and the she didn't need pants. Uncle Jerry was firm on this point because he could see her underwear.
After we gave Violet quick hugs, she bounced her way over to the baby, who was sleeping in the clear plastic bassinet the hospital uses. "Is that the new baby?" she asked.
"Yes," we told her.
"Can I pet her?" she asked. Awesome that that was her first instinct.
From there, Violet literally bounced from person to person in the room, talking to Auntie Gillian, Daddy, Mommy, Memere, Pepere, and Uncle Jerry. She was like a blur.
Auntie Gillian notice something on the floor, "What's that?" It was a small puddle beneath Violet. In her excited frenzy she had peed her pants, the first and so far only time that has happened. We felt bad for her, but she was unfazed. Auntie Gillian MacGyver'd up a skirt for Violet with an extra receiving blanket and a hair elastic, which had to keep being adjusted because Violet kept dancing out of it.
Violet asked, "Can I hold the baby?" We were apprehensive, but said OK. We put Lila on Violet's lap with Daddy sitting nearby for assistance. Violet did in fact per her very gently on the head. And she gave the new baby lots of kisses. All in all, we really couldn't have asked for a better first interaction between the two girls.
Like a clock winding down, Violet visibly showed signs of slowing and being exhausted. She plopped into the floor on her hands and knees before we could stop her. "Violet, hospital floors are yucky," we told her and just about bathed her in hand sanitizer.
Violet gave everyone goodbye hugs and kisses and left for home with Uncle Jerry, but not before giving the baby one last hug, one last kiss, and, of course, one last pet.
Rapid Fire Synapses
Violet woke up very early this morning, so I went into her room to try to get her to go back to sleep. I thought she was upset, but when I got in there, I found her all smiles and in rapid-fire brain mode. When she's like this, it's like Violet's brain is going way too fast and the mouth is straining to keep up the speed.
She said "I can go to the library near the high school for library class. At the library I got the Christmas book and it was so good!" She spoke at a frantic pace.
She stopped, listened to my breathing and said, "You're making the snake noise."
I laughed. "I didn't mean to, but I guess I am making that noise."
No segue at all she said, "Bees make a buzz sound," and she made a long buzz noise to illustrate her point.
She went on to "Bumble Bee start with a 'B.'"
"That's right," I said and tucked her in the covers and tried to get her to go back to sleep, doubtful that it would work.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Ploblem
I was putting Violet down for a nap and she called me back before I could get to the door. She always dreams up some kind of issue as soon as you walk away, a pretty standard stall technique.
For today's stall, she called me back and said, "Dad, I've got a ploblem?"
That took me a minute, but I got it. "OK, problem. What's your problem?"
"Problem, yeah," she said. "I've got a problem." Excellent stalling.
"OK, what's the problem?"
"My problem is that I have all these animal friends, but they're bad," she said, holding her stuffed monkey.
"They're bad?"
"Yeah. They're bad," she said, looking really sad about it.
The only strategy is to fight irrationality with irrationality. "Well, just give them a big, big hug! That will make them good, right?"
"Yeah!" she said, and proceeded to crush her monkey in a hug of death.
"OK, have a good nap," I said and sneaked out before I could get roped into any more stalling.
For today's stall, she called me back and said, "Dad, I've got a ploblem?"
That took me a minute, but I got it. "OK, problem. What's your problem?"
"Problem, yeah," she said. "I've got a problem." Excellent stalling.
"OK, what's the problem?"
"My problem is that I have all these animal friends, but they're bad," she said, holding her stuffed monkey.
"They're bad?"
"Yeah. They're bad," she said, looking really sad about it.
The only strategy is to fight irrationality with irrationality. "Well, just give them a big, big hug! That will make them good, right?"
"Yeah!" she said, and proceeded to crush her monkey in a hug of death.
"OK, have a good nap," I said and sneaked out before I could get roped into any more stalling.
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Actually...
It was story time again and Violet was picking out a book to read. She selected a certain Sesame Street book that she really enjoys, but isn't a great story for us to read together.
She says, "I want to read this one."
Christie says, "Violet, Mommy doesn't like that one, can you pick another one?"
Violet says, "Actually, Momma, it's not always about you."
Where does she get this stuff?
She says, "I want to read this one."
Christie says, "Violet, Mommy doesn't like that one, can you pick another one?"
Violet says, "Actually, Momma, it's not always about you."
Where does she get this stuff?
Crazy Bert
We were reading one of Violet's Sesame Street books. This book had little flaps that you lift to see other characters doing other stuff.
She got transfixed on one page in particular, where everyone is in a laundromat. On the main page Bert is sitting on a washing machine while Ernie is washing clothes in the next machine, but the picture under the flap shows Bert drowning in a pile of suds. Apparently Violet loved Bert in the Suds.
"Bert's in the bubbles," Violet said, lifting the flap.
"Yes, he is," I said.
"Bert's out of the bubbles," Violet said, closing the flap.
Then she went off flipping and unflipping.
"Bert's in the bubbles."
"Bert's out of the bubbles."
"Bert's in the bubbles."
"Bert's out of the bubbles."
I thought she was going to wear the flap out. I really enjoy when something so silly gives her so much joy.
She got transfixed on one page in particular, where everyone is in a laundromat. On the main page Bert is sitting on a washing machine while Ernie is washing clothes in the next machine, but the picture under the flap shows Bert drowning in a pile of suds. Apparently Violet loved Bert in the Suds.
"Bert's in the bubbles," Violet said, lifting the flap.
"Yes, he is," I said.
"Bert's out of the bubbles," Violet said, closing the flap.
Then she went off flipping and unflipping.
"Bert's in the bubbles."
"Bert's out of the bubbles."
"Bert's in the bubbles."
"Bert's out of the bubbles."
I thought she was going to wear the flap out. I really enjoy when something so silly gives her so much joy.
Beer?
I was cutting up a piece of fruit for Violet's breakfast.
She was watching me and got really excited. She shrieked and clapped and almost screamed, "What I get to have is a beer? Yay, I get to have a beer, Yeah, beer."
She gave more claps and cheers.
I searched my memory as to where her sing-song beer excitement came from. Did I sing a "Hooray for Beer" song recently and it stuck to Violet's brain?
Then my idiot moment clears when I look back to the cutting board. I'm cutting a pear. Violet's not saying "beer," she's saying "pear." In my defense, I was not the only one who heard "beer," honest.
She was watching me and got really excited. She shrieked and clapped and almost screamed, "What I get to have is a beer? Yay, I get to have a beer, Yeah, beer."
She gave more claps and cheers.
I searched my memory as to where her sing-song beer excitement came from. Did I sing a "Hooray for Beer" song recently and it stuck to Violet's brain?
Then my idiot moment clears when I look back to the cutting board. I'm cutting a pear. Violet's not saying "beer," she's saying "pear." In my defense, I was not the only one who heard "beer," honest.
Friday, September 21, 2012
Snow?
Violet and I were reading the Dinosaurs book by Sandra Boynton. We got to a part of the book where both the left and right pages showed a bunch of dinosaurs playing in paint.
Violet asked, "Are they painting the snow?"
I didn't understand at first, but then I noticed that while the pages showed dinosaurs painting in different ways, there was no background behind them. They floated on a blank white page. Violet figured that the white background must be snow.
"Yeah, Violet, I guess they are painting the snow," I said. I couldn't argue that one.
Violet asked, "Are they painting the snow?"
I didn't understand at first, but then I noticed that while the pages showed dinosaurs painting in different ways, there was no background behind them. They floated on a blank white page. Violet figured that the white background must be snow.
"Yeah, Violet, I guess they are painting the snow," I said. I couldn't argue that one.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Acorn Corner
Violet took an acorn she collected on a walk and put it on the floor, right in the corner where the tub meets the wall. She looks at the acorn at tells it, "OK, stay there 'til I'm done with the bath."
After a few minutes in the tub she decides that she has to go pee. For some reason she decides that she's got to move the acorn. She takes it and moves it to the floor where the tub meets the other wall. She tells it, "OK, there you go."
I have no idea what goes on in her mind sometimes.
After a few minutes in the tub she decides that she has to go pee. For some reason she decides that she's got to move the acorn. She takes it and moves it to the floor where the tub meets the other wall. She tells it, "OK, there you go."
I have no idea what goes on in her mind sometimes.
That Damned Backson!
A few weeks ago we first watch the Winnie the Pooh movie by Disney. It's a cute flick and Violet enjoyed it. At one point pretty early in the movie, Owl blames the disappearance of Eeyore's tail on "the Backson." The characters launch into big song about the Backson and all of its misdeeds.
I didn't think much of it because the tone of the song struck me as not being really scary. Violet surprised me that night, then, when she started screaming at bedtime because a Backson was in the room. I calmed her down and explained that all she had to do was tell the Backson to leave and he had to because it was her room. After a loud declaration of "Backson get out!" by Violet, she seemed calmed and slept fine.
We had a few more upset bedtimes when I had to remind her to tell the Backson to leave, but then she'd quietly go to sleep. After a week or so of Backson evictions, Violet seemed to have forgotten about the monster and we returned to normal at bedtime.
Last night I woke at about four in the morning because Christie was returning to bed. Christie is 38 weeks pregnant, so she gets up from bed a bunch of times at night while the fetus pounds on her bladder. I got the sense this time, though, that she had been up for a while.
"Is everything OK?" I asked her?
"Violet was crying. She had a nightmare. I went in there and she just hugged me so tight," she said.
"That's so sad," I said.
"Yeah. She said that the Backson's in her room. And we had to kick him out."
That one damn song from the Winnie the Pooh movie keeps upsetting our kiddo.
I didn't think much of it because the tone of the song struck me as not being really scary. Violet surprised me that night, then, when she started screaming at bedtime because a Backson was in the room. I calmed her down and explained that all she had to do was tell the Backson to leave and he had to because it was her room. After a loud declaration of "Backson get out!" by Violet, she seemed calmed and slept fine.
We had a few more upset bedtimes when I had to remind her to tell the Backson to leave, but then she'd quietly go to sleep. After a week or so of Backson evictions, Violet seemed to have forgotten about the monster and we returned to normal at bedtime.
Last night I woke at about four in the morning because Christie was returning to bed. Christie is 38 weeks pregnant, so she gets up from bed a bunch of times at night while the fetus pounds on her bladder. I got the sense this time, though, that she had been up for a while.
"Is everything OK?" I asked her?
"Violet was crying. She had a nightmare. I went in there and she just hugged me so tight," she said.
"That's so sad," I said.
"Yeah. She said that the Backson's in her room. And we had to kick him out."
That one damn song from the Winnie the Pooh movie keeps upsetting our kiddo.
Mommy's Bed
We were wrapping up the hair combing after bath time when Violet said, "Are we gonna read stories?"
I said, "Yeah, but it's getting late, so probably only two stories."
"We can read them in my bed?" she asked.
"Yeah, if you want we can read them in your bed."
"I want to read them in Mommy's bed."
"You know that's Daddy's bed, too, right?" I asked.
"Yeah," she said. After a pause she asks, "Can we read books in Mommy's bed?"
I said, "Yeah, but it's getting late, so probably only two stories."
"We can read them in my bed?" she asked.
"Yeah, if you want we can read them in your bed."
"I want to read them in Mommy's bed."
"You know that's Daddy's bed, too, right?" I asked.
"Yeah," she said. After a pause she asks, "Can we read books in Mommy's bed?"
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Website
Violet came over to my chair with a piece of paper. When she showed it to me I saw that a few straight lines done in red crayon in the middle.
She said, "Daddy, see the website I made?" She showed the paper proudly.
"Yes, Violet. That's a great website."
She's a lot of fun.
She said, "Daddy, see the website I made?" She showed the paper proudly.
"Yes, Violet. That's a great website."
She's a lot of fun.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Go Like This
I was using the toilet and Violet barged in on me. "Are you making poops?" she asked.
"Yes," I said.
"Go like this then," she said and made a grunt like GRRRRRRR.
I tried to repeat the noise as best I could, GRRRRRR.
Apparently appeased, she said, "Good," and left the bathroom.
"Yes," I said.
"Go like this then," she said and made a grunt like GRRRRRRR.
I tried to repeat the noise as best I could, GRRRRRR.
Apparently appeased, she said, "Good," and left the bathroom.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Bunny House
Violet is a terrible napper. We've tried to make her comfy for naps, we've tried different times of day, but nothing has led to a regular daily nap. She naps maybe two days a week.
We try everyday, though, largely because being pregnant, Christie generally needs the afternoon rest if Violet will give it to her.
We would typically put her in her bed, and she would squirm. Then she would fight sleep and get out of her bed and terrorize her room. Christie can't sleep herself if Violet's not sleeping. You really can't trust her not to do something to really crazy and hurt herself.
Shortly, we eased up onto the fight and decided that as long as Violet was on her bed, she could do whatever, even if she didn't sleep. That seemed to ease up nap time and make it a lot less contentious.
One day, early in nap time, Violet grabbed all of her blankets and pillows and dragged them to the foot of the bed. She put them together in a big pile. She wasn't sleeping, so Christie went in to try to "reset" her back to sleep.
Christie said, "Violet, what are you doing with all of the blankets." We didn't care what Violet did, as long as she was on her bed, but we were curious.
"It's my bunny house."
"Your bunny house?" Christie asked.
"Yeah, I nap in my bunny house."
We try everyday, though, largely because being pregnant, Christie generally needs the afternoon rest if Violet will give it to her.
We would typically put her in her bed, and she would squirm. Then she would fight sleep and get out of her bed and terrorize her room. Christie can't sleep herself if Violet's not sleeping. You really can't trust her not to do something to really crazy and hurt herself.
Shortly, we eased up onto the fight and decided that as long as Violet was on her bed, she could do whatever, even if she didn't sleep. That seemed to ease up nap time and make it a lot less contentious.
One day, early in nap time, Violet grabbed all of her blankets and pillows and dragged them to the foot of the bed. She put them together in a big pile. She wasn't sleeping, so Christie went in to try to "reset" her back to sleep.
Christie said, "Violet, what are you doing with all of the blankets." We didn't care what Violet did, as long as she was on her bed, but we were curious.
"It's my bunny house."
"Your bunny house?" Christie asked.
"Yeah, I nap in my bunny house."
Monday, September 10, 2012
On Purpose
Violet was pushing her toy vacuum around the room. She got to the middle of the room and found our dog Doolin beached on the carpet having a snooze. Violet bumped him in the butt with her vacuum.
She didn't really do it hard, so I just said, "Violet come on. Doolin's trying to have a nap."
"I'm only doing it on purpose," she said, which as a phase caught me by surprise. With the "I'm only doing it" part, I expected a "by accident" to follow, not an "on purpose." It took me a minute to get my brain around that.
"Violet come on. Be nice to your doggie."
"But Daddy, I'm only doing it on purpose." Such a weird turn of phrase. It makes literal and logical sense, but it's a phrase an adult would never say.
As weird and kindof cute as it was, that dog is a saint with what he puts up with, so I had to threaten to take her vacuum away if she didn't work on another spot of the carpet away from the dog.
It still sticks in my head, though, like maybe I can say "but I'm only doing it on purpose" to shift attention away from something bad I'm doing. Or maybe you have to be two and a half and cute to pull it off.
She didn't really do it hard, so I just said, "Violet come on. Doolin's trying to have a nap."
"I'm only doing it on purpose," she said, which as a phase caught me by surprise. With the "I'm only doing it" part, I expected a "by accident" to follow, not an "on purpose." It took me a minute to get my brain around that.
"Violet come on. Be nice to your doggie."
"But Daddy, I'm only doing it on purpose." Such a weird turn of phrase. It makes literal and logical sense, but it's a phrase an adult would never say.
As weird and kindof cute as it was, that dog is a saint with what he puts up with, so I had to threaten to take her vacuum away if she didn't work on another spot of the carpet away from the dog.
It still sticks in my head, though, like maybe I can say "but I'm only doing it on purpose" to shift attention away from something bad I'm doing. Or maybe you have to be two and a half and cute to pull it off.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Dance
Violet just got up from poorly trying to nap and joined Christie and me to watch the Patriots game. Violet was all cute in only her big-girl undies. She had totally slimed her pre-nap clothes in ice cream at the fair, so she hadn't yet gotten a new outfit. She came over with her Fisher price piano, which has about eight keys and pressing any of them gives the correct next note in a couple of canned songs like the Muffin Man and this Old Man.
She has her little stuffed bear start playing the piano. "Bear-bear's going to play," she declared. She repeated rammed her bears head into the keyboard making a song. Cute and funny at once.
Then Violet decided that sitting and watching the football games wasn't enough of enjoying the music for us. "Momma, Daddy, dance while I play my piano."
"You want us to get up and dance?" Christie asked.
"Yeah," Violet said.
"OK," we said.
Together Christie and I danced in our TV room to the drone of the football game and the tune of Pop Goes the Weasel, played by our nearly-naked daughter smashing the head of her teddy bear into a Fisher Price piano. Such romance!
She has her little stuffed bear start playing the piano. "Bear-bear's going to play," she declared. She repeated rammed her bears head into the keyboard making a song. Cute and funny at once.
Then Violet decided that sitting and watching the football games wasn't enough of enjoying the music for us. "Momma, Daddy, dance while I play my piano."
"You want us to get up and dance?" Christie asked.
"Yeah," Violet said.
"OK," we said.
Together Christie and I danced in our TV room to the drone of the football game and the tune of Pop Goes the Weasel, played by our nearly-naked daughter smashing the head of her teddy bear into a Fisher Price piano. Such romance!
Holy crap
Three years ago I used to swear like a sailor. To me swears were words, and somewhat often the right word for the job. While not nearly so surly as me, Christie was also a fan of the well time four letter word.
Then Violet arrived and for her first few months, we had a free pass because she didn't repeat what we said. After she gave her first "Dah" and "Mah" of communication, however, Christie and I have done a good job of not swearing in front of the kid.
We even had a phase of replacing every swear word with the word "cuss" a la the Fantastic Mr. Fox. I think that phase ended after a week or so because it sounded too absurd and not nearly as satisfying as the real word.
And yes, I screamed the f-word at the guy who blindly turned out of the Dunkin' Donuts parking lot right in front of me and almost hit me (all without even looking). Violet was in the car and must've heard it. But thankfully no repeating. Maybe because I shouted so angrily it was more of a weird f sounding grunt than a formed word. Regardless, she didn't seem to pick it up, so no harm, no foul.
Despite our best efforts Violet gave a bit of a swear today. Yes, it was fairly PG. She didn't say one of the big ones, but she said one, one that we were trying to keep her from saying.
I was removing her nap-time diaper so that she could go to her potty and do her business. She looked past me to the light fixture. She said, "Holy crap, Daddy. What's going on with the light?"
I was stunned, I wasn't sure I heard what I thought I had heard. "Violet, what did you say?" I asked.
She repeated it clear as day. "Holy crap, Daddy. What's going on with the light?"
I figured if I make big deal about it then she would learn that the word had some power. I nonchalantly asked, "What's wrong with light?" I didn't see anything.
"There a bug," she said. I looked and looked and didn't see one. I told her so and she said, "Oh, OK," and let it drop.
As I mentioned, "Holy crap," is no big deal. They probably say it on Sesame street now. But we tried so hard. Did it happen during one of our (most likely my) screw ups? If not, where did it come from? A mystery.
Then Violet arrived and for her first few months, we had a free pass because she didn't repeat what we said. After she gave her first "Dah" and "Mah" of communication, however, Christie and I have done a good job of not swearing in front of the kid.
We even had a phase of replacing every swear word with the word "cuss" a la the Fantastic Mr. Fox. I think that phase ended after a week or so because it sounded too absurd and not nearly as satisfying as the real word.
And yes, I screamed the f-word at the guy who blindly turned out of the Dunkin' Donuts parking lot right in front of me and almost hit me (all without even looking). Violet was in the car and must've heard it. But thankfully no repeating. Maybe because I shouted so angrily it was more of a weird f sounding grunt than a formed word. Regardless, she didn't seem to pick it up, so no harm, no foul.
Despite our best efforts Violet gave a bit of a swear today. Yes, it was fairly PG. She didn't say one of the big ones, but she said one, one that we were trying to keep her from saying.
I was removing her nap-time diaper so that she could go to her potty and do her business. She looked past me to the light fixture. She said, "Holy crap, Daddy. What's going on with the light?"
I was stunned, I wasn't sure I heard what I thought I had heard. "Violet, what did you say?" I asked.
She repeated it clear as day. "Holy crap, Daddy. What's going on with the light?"
I figured if I make big deal about it then she would learn that the word had some power. I nonchalantly asked, "What's wrong with light?" I didn't see anything.
"There a bug," she said. I looked and looked and didn't see one. I told her so and she said, "Oh, OK," and let it drop.
As I mentioned, "Holy crap," is no big deal. They probably say it on Sesame street now. But we tried so hard. Did it happen during one of our (most likely my) screw ups? If not, where did it come from? A mystery.
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Lipstick
Violet came over to Christie and said, "Momma, I need more lipstick."
Christie said, "No, Violet, you've already put a ton on."
Violet replied, "But Momma, I can't dance without lipstick."
What kind of dancing has she been learning?
Christie said, "No, Violet, you've already put a ton on."
Violet replied, "But Momma, I can't dance without lipstick."
What kind of dancing has she been learning?
Princess Rules
Christie was going through Violet's fall clothes to see what still fit. She said to Violet, "Come here so I can try these on you."
Violet same over and saw that Christie wanted her to put on leggings. She said to Christie, "Mummuh, a princess doesn't wear pants.
Good to know.
Violet same over and saw that Christie wanted her to put on leggings. She said to Christie, "Mummuh, a princess doesn't wear pants.
Good to know.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Spoon Tracks
Memere and Pepere were watching Violet for dinner today. Violet had done a good enough job eating that she'd earned an ice cream treat. Memere went into the freezer and grabbed a Hoodsie cup. Memere pulled the cover off and handed it to her.
Violet said, "I need a spoon. I can't eat it with my fingers. That would be gross!"
When Violet received her spoon she scraped a big spoonful off of the ice cream. She looked at the pattern in the little ice cream and said, "I made spoon tracks!"
Violet said, "I need a spoon. I can't eat it with my fingers. That would be gross!"
When Violet received her spoon she scraped a big spoonful off of the ice cream. She looked at the pattern in the little ice cream and said, "I made spoon tracks!"
Lollipop
Last night, during one of our nighttime storybooks, Violet saw Zoe sucking on a lollipop. "What's that?" she asked. Daddy and I explained that was a green lollipop. I realized she hadn't had one yet. I told her we would get her one someday soon to try. Violet replied, "I want a red one."
Today, without fail, Violet told me she wanted a red lollipop. I told her we can't have candy all the time because it is bad for our teeth. She responded, "Bad for my teeth?" I reiterated, "Yes, candy is bad for your teeth." She quickly responded, "But good for my tongue!"
Nothing gets past this child. Nothing!
Today, without fail, Violet told me she wanted a red lollipop. I told her we can't have candy all the time because it is bad for our teeth. She responded, "Bad for my teeth?" I reiterated, "Yes, candy is bad for your teeth." She quickly responded, "But good for my tongue!"
Nothing gets past this child. Nothing!
Hate Myself
I like to capture all of the standout moments with Violet here, not just the good and funny ones. Here's one that's particularly sad.
I was working on the computer and Violet was being a haunt. She said she was going into the living room to play and I encouraged that. "Good. Go in there an play. I'll be in in a few minutes."
But she didn't. She kept being a haunt and climbing on me.
I got loud and said, "Violet! Please go into the living room and play. I'll be there in a couple minutes."
Violet's face clouded into a frown. Violet started some dry sobbing. She said, "I hate myself."
I was saddened and stunned. "Violet did you say that you hate yourself?"
"Yes," she said through puppy dog eyes.
So sad for me. I pulled her up into my lap and tried to explain that we always love her even when she's bad, and that she shouldn't hate herself for any reason.
And just as quickly as our sad moment came on, we blew on Violet's pinwheels and watched them spin, sadness forgotten.
Superhero Jacket
Violet came up to me and said, "Daddy, I'm ready to fly."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
She pointed up toward the ceiling and said, "I want to fly into the air."
I went to pick her up so to fly her around the living room, and she said, "Wait."
"Wait? I thought you were ready."
"But I need my jacket," she said as I put her down. She ran over to her blanket, which was sitting on the floor. She grabbed it and put it around her neck. "There. Now I can fly because I've got a superhero jacket." It's not a superhero cape, but rather a superhero jacket.
With her jacket in place we had a good time flying around the living room.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
She pointed up toward the ceiling and said, "I want to fly into the air."
I went to pick her up so to fly her around the living room, and she said, "Wait."
"Wait? I thought you were ready."
"But I need my jacket," she said as I put her down. She ran over to her blanket, which was sitting on the floor. She grabbed it and put it around her neck. "There. Now I can fly because I've got a superhero jacket." It's not a superhero cape, but rather a superhero jacket.
With her jacket in place we had a good time flying around the living room.
Grapes
I was taking Violet out of her carseat, and I was playing with her before unbuckled her.
"Violet, can I eat your knee?" I asked, and I moved in as if I was going to bite it.
"No," she said.
"Can I eat your shin?"
"No"
"Can I eat your thigh?"
"No."
"Can I eat your foot?"
"No."
I put on my exasperated face. "Well, Violet, what can I eat then?"
"Grapes," she said.
"Violet, can I eat your knee?" I asked, and I moved in as if I was going to bite it.
"No," she said.
"Can I eat your shin?"
"No"
"Can I eat your thigh?"
"No."
"Can I eat your foot?"
"No."
I put on my exasperated face. "Well, Violet, what can I eat then?"
"Grapes," she said.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Violet Magic
Violet was in the bath tub, splashing around, enjoying herself. I was getting ready to wash her. I grabbed her soap and conditioner from the closet. The soap is a big bottle so it's by itself, but the conditioner bottle is small and it hides in the big orange cup that we use to help rinse Violet off.
I said to Violet, "Do you want to see a good trick?"
She's two and a half so naturally, she said, "Yeah!"
I said, "OK, watch this." I took our big orange cup with the conditioner bottle hiding in it, and I shook it up into the air, so the conditioner bottle went flying a couple feet into the air. I grabbed it with my other hand.
I've done this trick a few times but today for some reason, I said, "Ta-da!" afterward.
Violet clapped her hands. She asked, "Can I do it?"
I told her, "Sure," and we did it together. She held the cup and "helped" me toss the cup and I grabbed the conditioner bottle before it dropped into the tub. When I caught it, we both yelled, "Ta-da!"
We did it a couple times and she loved it each time. But then I started to wash her.
But Violet wasn't done with magic. She said, "Do you want to see a trick?"
"Sure," I said.
She took her little toy boat from the water and held it in front of her face. "I'm gonna do magic," she said and counted "One, two, three" and then threw the boat away. She yelled, "Ta-da!" extremely pleased with herself. I didn't point out that I could see the boat bobbing on the water.
Violet "vanished" the boat a few more times, getting more and more excited and giving louder and louder "Ta-da"s.
She doesn't get how magic tricks work, but I can't beat her enthusiastic showmanship.
I said to Violet, "Do you want to see a good trick?"
She's two and a half so naturally, she said, "Yeah!"
I said, "OK, watch this." I took our big orange cup with the conditioner bottle hiding in it, and I shook it up into the air, so the conditioner bottle went flying a couple feet into the air. I grabbed it with my other hand.
I've done this trick a few times but today for some reason, I said, "Ta-da!" afterward.
Violet clapped her hands. She asked, "Can I do it?"
I told her, "Sure," and we did it together. She held the cup and "helped" me toss the cup and I grabbed the conditioner bottle before it dropped into the tub. When I caught it, we both yelled, "Ta-da!"
We did it a couple times and she loved it each time. But then I started to wash her.
But Violet wasn't done with magic. She said, "Do you want to see a trick?"
"Sure," I said.
She took her little toy boat from the water and held it in front of her face. "I'm gonna do magic," she said and counted "One, two, three" and then threw the boat away. She yelled, "Ta-da!" extremely pleased with herself. I didn't point out that I could see the boat bobbing on the water.
Violet "vanished" the boat a few more times, getting more and more excited and giving louder and louder "Ta-da"s.
She doesn't get how magic tricks work, but I can't beat her enthusiastic showmanship.
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Love... and Play-Doh
Violet came over to me just before her bedtime and gave me a really nice hug.
"I love you, Violet," I said.
"I love... Play-Doh," she said.
"I love you, Violet," I said.
"I love... Play-Doh," she said.
Naptime-out
I was working from home yesterday. I was on a conference call, and I heard Momma yelling and Violet crying. Once my call ended I went upstairs to see what had happened. Christie was at the top of the stairs.
I said to her, "Is everything alright?"
"No," she said.
"Why? What happened?" I asked.
Christie told me about how she told Violet that it was time for a nap, but Violet didn't want to stop playing. Christie had put Violet in her bed, and Violet had instantly stood up and tried to get out. After two repetition of trying to put Violet in bed, and Violet popping out defiantly, Violet got a time out. Her stint in time-out didn't change her attitude, however. She kept telling Christie, "No. No nap."
While I had been on the call, a total of three time-outs happened, and some yelling on both sides.
I asked Christie, "Where's she now?"
"In her room," she said.
"In her bed?"
"Ahh, no," she said. "I don't know what else to do. The time-outs aren't phasing her."
I told Christie I'd take care of it. I brought my computer up into the dining room, so I could be near to Violet's room, in case I gave her a timeout.
After setting up work, I went into Violet's room. I found her playing in the closet.
"Violet, what are you doing?" I asked.
"Playing," she said.
"OK, but it's nap time. You don't need to sleep, but you've got to stay in your bed and try."
"But I don't want to," she said.
I got tough. "OK, Violet, you can't play, you can either stay in your bed or do timeout until naptime is over."
"I don't want to be in bed," she said.
"Well, it's not playtime, it's naptime. Your only other option is to spend naptime in timeout. Do you want to do that?" I said it like she'd be crazy to pick time-out over bed.
To my surprise, she said, "Yeah."
"You want to do naptime in time-out?"
"Yeah."
"OK," I said. I put her into the corner I use for time-outs. "You're in timeout. You have to stay there until naptime is done. If you change your mind and decide you want to go into your bed for the rest of naptime, just tell me."
Violet nodded and started to do her time in the corner. Now, for time-outs we typically follow the recommended duration of one minute per year of age. So Violet typically stays in the corner for two to three minutes.
I thought for sure Violet would get bored with time-out and be begging to go into her bed. Once again, I was wrong. Twenty minutes passed, and I decided to check on her. She was still standing in the corner where I'd left her.
I asked, "Do you want to go into your bed now?"
"Yeah," she said.
I put her into her bed, but saw from the monitor that she instantly got out of bed. I collected her and put her back into her time-out corner.
In the end I had tried one more attempt to get her to stay in bed. That attempt ended the same way the first one had. Excluding the two brief attempts to get her to stay in bed, Violet was in time-out for a whole hour. At some points, she was making a pathetic fake cry noise, but she never moved. She never sat down. She just stood there and did her time.
At no point did laying down in her bed seem like a better options than staring into that blank corner.
Sometimes I'm sortof proud of what a strong little woman she is. And sometimes the fact that Violet did a one hour time-out like it was no big deal scares the crap out of me. She's only two and a half, and still stubborn as a mule. What happens when she gets a few years older?
I said to her, "Is everything alright?"
"No," she said.
"Why? What happened?" I asked.
Christie told me about how she told Violet that it was time for a nap, but Violet didn't want to stop playing. Christie had put Violet in her bed, and Violet had instantly stood up and tried to get out. After two repetition of trying to put Violet in bed, and Violet popping out defiantly, Violet got a time out. Her stint in time-out didn't change her attitude, however. She kept telling Christie, "No. No nap."
While I had been on the call, a total of three time-outs happened, and some yelling on both sides.
I asked Christie, "Where's she now?"
"In her room," she said.
"In her bed?"
"Ahh, no," she said. "I don't know what else to do. The time-outs aren't phasing her."
I told Christie I'd take care of it. I brought my computer up into the dining room, so I could be near to Violet's room, in case I gave her a timeout.
After setting up work, I went into Violet's room. I found her playing in the closet.
"Violet, what are you doing?" I asked.
"Playing," she said.
"OK, but it's nap time. You don't need to sleep, but you've got to stay in your bed and try."
"But I don't want to," she said.
I got tough. "OK, Violet, you can't play, you can either stay in your bed or do timeout until naptime is over."
"I don't want to be in bed," she said.
"Well, it's not playtime, it's naptime. Your only other option is to spend naptime in timeout. Do you want to do that?" I said it like she'd be crazy to pick time-out over bed.
To my surprise, she said, "Yeah."
"You want to do naptime in time-out?"
"Yeah."
"OK," I said. I put her into the corner I use for time-outs. "You're in timeout. You have to stay there until naptime is done. If you change your mind and decide you want to go into your bed for the rest of naptime, just tell me."
Violet nodded and started to do her time in the corner. Now, for time-outs we typically follow the recommended duration of one minute per year of age. So Violet typically stays in the corner for two to three minutes.
I thought for sure Violet would get bored with time-out and be begging to go into her bed. Once again, I was wrong. Twenty minutes passed, and I decided to check on her. She was still standing in the corner where I'd left her.
I asked, "Do you want to go into your bed now?"
"Yeah," she said.
I put her into her bed, but saw from the monitor that she instantly got out of bed. I collected her and put her back into her time-out corner.
In the end I had tried one more attempt to get her to stay in bed. That attempt ended the same way the first one had. Excluding the two brief attempts to get her to stay in bed, Violet was in time-out for a whole hour. At some points, she was making a pathetic fake cry noise, but she never moved. She never sat down. She just stood there and did her time.
At no point did laying down in her bed seem like a better options than staring into that blank corner.
Sometimes I'm sortof proud of what a strong little woman she is. And sometimes the fact that Violet did a one hour time-out like it was no big deal scares the crap out of me. She's only two and a half, and still stubborn as a mule. What happens when she gets a few years older?
Big and Little
We walked into Violet's room to change her diaper and put her down for a nap. She had quite a bit to say.
She told me, "Next time, you can be little and I can be big. I can change your diaper. And you can go on my potty. Won't that be good?"
Before I could say anything she continued. "And then you can be big, big so you can play with the window." We're trying to keep her from playing with the window in her room, which explains that part.
Sometimes, it amazes me how fast that little brain works.
She told me, "Next time, you can be little and I can be big. I can change your diaper. And you can go on my potty. Won't that be good?"
Before I could say anything she continued. "And then you can be big, big so you can play with the window." We're trying to keep her from playing with the window in her room, which explains that part.
Sometimes, it amazes me how fast that little brain works.
Pimple Care
I went to get Violet out of bed this morning. I unfortunately had a pimple just under my lip.
"You got a pimple?" Violet said.
"Yes, unfortunately I do," I said.
The first level of care in Violet's world was to call upon her animals. Her favorite stuffed animals each gave it a kiss in turn. "Bear-bear will give your pimple a kiss," she said and shoved him in my face.
"Thank you," I said.
"And Monkey will give your pimple a kiss." She shoved Monkey into my face.
"Thank you," I said again.
After the stuffed animal curative session was through, Violet was going to help. She jumped out of bed and headed to her dresser. I didn't know what she was going to do. She pulled out one of her favorite pink sweaters and climbed back into bed toward me.
"Here you go, Daddy."
"What's this for?" I asked.
"It for your pimple," she said and thrust it into my face.
"Thank you," I said, yet again.
"There you go. Does it feel better?"
"Yes," I said. "That's very nice of you." Then she complained when I took the sweater off my face in a minute. I wonder if she really thought I should wear a pink sweater on my face all day.
"You got a pimple?" Violet said.
"Yes, unfortunately I do," I said.
The first level of care in Violet's world was to call upon her animals. Her favorite stuffed animals each gave it a kiss in turn. "Bear-bear will give your pimple a kiss," she said and shoved him in my face.
"Thank you," I said.
"And Monkey will give your pimple a kiss." She shoved Monkey into my face.
"Thank you," I said again.
After the stuffed animal curative session was through, Violet was going to help. She jumped out of bed and headed to her dresser. I didn't know what she was going to do. She pulled out one of her favorite pink sweaters and climbed back into bed toward me.
"Here you go, Daddy."
"What's this for?" I asked.
"It for your pimple," she said and thrust it into my face.
"Thank you," I said, yet again.
"There you go. Does it feel better?"
"Yes," I said. "That's very nice of you." Then she complained when I took the sweater off my face in a minute. I wonder if she really thought I should wear a pink sweater on my face all day.
Leg Violin
Violet was in the tub. She looked down at her legs in the water. She kept her left leg straight and bent her right leg across it. She moved her right leg back and forth across her left one and started making violin sounds.
I saw this and asked her if she was playing her violin.
She said, "No, I'm playing my regular violin," and kept making violin sounds.
I saw this and asked her if she was playing her violin.
She said, "No, I'm playing my regular violin," and kept making violin sounds.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Waiting on you
Auntie Coles, Violet and I were out to eat. Coles and I had finished our meals a bit ahead of Violet's.
The waitress came over to the table and asked if we wanted some dessert. I said, "Maybe in a few minutes, she's not quite through yet."
The waitress left and I said, "Violet, we're waiting on you for dessert."
Instantly, Violet shoved the remaining chicken nugget and a half and half dozen grapes into her mouth all at once. Her cheeks were full to bursting like a greedy chipmunk's.
The waitress came over to the table and asked if we wanted some dessert. I said, "Maybe in a few minutes, she's not quite through yet."
The waitress left and I said, "Violet, we're waiting on you for dessert."
Instantly, Violet shoved the remaining chicken nugget and a half and half dozen grapes into her mouth all at once. Her cheeks were full to bursting like a greedy chipmunk's.
Vacuum Cheers
Auntie Coles decided that she would help us out by vacuuming the living room, while she was babysitting Violet. So she corralled Violet's toys and proceeded to push the vacuum around. And because she wanted to "help" Violet pushed her toy vacuum around as well.
Violet would bump her vacuum in the big vacuum that Coles was pushing. "Vacuum cheers!" Violet said.
Coles said that Violet did vacuum cheers the whole time she was vacuuming.
Violet would bump her vacuum in the big vacuum that Coles was pushing. "Vacuum cheers!" Violet said.
Coles said that Violet did vacuum cheers the whole time she was vacuuming.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Old
Violet was in the tub having a bath. Out of nowhere, she looked down at her legs, examining them. She looked up from her legs and said, "I'm getting old daddy."
Corn
We were in the middle of dinner and Violet was getting punchy. She grabbed my arm "I have some corn." She held it like an ear of corn, so I followed what she was doing. And then she bit me.
What I'm thinking
Christie and Violet were having breakfast. Out of nowhere, Violet said, "Momma, are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
Christie laughed and said, "I don't know, what are you thinking?"
Violet didn't seem to know how to respond. She spun it back on Christie, "What are you thinking, Momma?"
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Potatoes and Singing
We went to Memere's and Pepere's house for the afternoon. Pepere had made a beef stew for lunch. He had made it before and Violet had eaten a surprisingly large amount, so he made it again today.
We got Violet into her highchair and put the bowl in front of her. Unlike the first time when she devoured a surprising amount, this time she just picked. She ate a few carrots, but not much else.
I asked, "Violet, don't you like the stew? Pepere made this for us."
Pepere said, "Violet, did you try the potatoes?"
Violet said, "The potatoes are too slippery. I can't eat them." I'm not sure what that means, but there you go.
Later on, Violet ran around like a nut around the living room and eventually started to seem tired. We put her down for a nap. As tired as she seemed, she wasn't going to sleep. From the other room I heard her say, "Daddy, I can hear you're voice. You didn't sing me any songs." So it was my fault that she didn't nap?
We got Violet into her highchair and put the bowl in front of her. Unlike the first time when she devoured a surprising amount, this time she just picked. She ate a few carrots, but not much else.
I asked, "Violet, don't you like the stew? Pepere made this for us."
Pepere said, "Violet, did you try the potatoes?"
Violet said, "The potatoes are too slippery. I can't eat them." I'm not sure what that means, but there you go.
Later on, Violet ran around like a nut around the living room and eventually started to seem tired. We put her down for a nap. As tired as she seemed, she wasn't going to sleep. From the other room I heard her say, "Daddy, I can hear you're voice. You didn't sing me any songs." So it was my fault that she didn't nap?
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Hiding
Violet doesn't exactly understand how to play hide or how to play hide and go seek.
She'll say, "Go hide in the living room!" and stand in the living room and watch you hide.
Auntie Coles and I were "hiding" from her, and she watched and directed us in placed to hide. "No, not there Auntie Coles, go behind the chair." "No, Daddy, hide behind the table."
It would be really bossy and rude if it wasn't so funny and cute.
The other day Christie, Violet and I were in the kitchen one night while we were cooking dinner. Violet hid behind the hand towel that was hanging from the oven handle. From the chest down it was Violet, clear as day, from the neck up, it was blue hand towel.
"I'm hiding. Can you find me?"
We lifted the towel and "found" her.
Violet doesn't understand hiding exactly, but I think she'll figure it out eventually.
She'll say, "Go hide in the living room!" and stand in the living room and watch you hide.
Auntie Coles and I were "hiding" from her, and she watched and directed us in placed to hide. "No, not there Auntie Coles, go behind the chair." "No, Daddy, hide behind the table."
It would be really bossy and rude if it wasn't so funny and cute.
The other day Christie, Violet and I were in the kitchen one night while we were cooking dinner. Violet hid behind the hand towel that was hanging from the oven handle. From the chest down it was Violet, clear as day, from the neck up, it was blue hand towel.
"I'm hiding. Can you find me?"
We lifted the towel and "found" her.
Violet doesn't understand hiding exactly, but I think she'll figure it out eventually.
I don't care
We had gotten pizza for dinner. Auntie Coles opened up the box and pulled out a slide. She started to prepare it for Violet, since we don't just throw a whole slice on her plate.
Coles said, "Violet, do you want you pizza in bits or strips?" as she started to cut.
Violet said, "I don't care."
I said, "What? you don't care?" This was a new turn of phrase for the two-and-a-half-year-old.
"I don't care," she repeated.
Christie and I discussed this phrase and tried to determine where it came from. We had been hosting Lily, Christie's 13 year old niece. We think it's quite likely that Violet's phrase came from Lily's teenage apathy.
Coles said, "Violet, do you want you pizza in bits or strips?" as she started to cut.
Violet said, "I don't care."
I said, "What? you don't care?" This was a new turn of phrase for the two-and-a-half-year-old.
"I don't care," she repeated.
Christie and I discussed this phrase and tried to determine where it came from. We had been hosting Lily, Christie's 13 year old niece. We think it's quite likely that Violet's phrase came from Lily's teenage apathy.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Up!
We were wrapping up dinner, and Violet took a last bite of dinner. She hadn't had much milk to drink, so I handed her her milk cup and said, "Here. Wash it down."
Violet took a sip and said, "I'm gonna wash it up!"
She didn't throw up or anything, that her comment might suggest.
Violet took a sip and said, "I'm gonna wash it up!"
She didn't throw up or anything, that her comment might suggest.
Kitty Meat?
Violet, Christie, Lily and I went to dinner at the Chinese food restaurant. We ordered a bunch of different plates to share. When the food arrived, we chowed down. Violet picked at the chicken fingers and fried rice. Christie really wanted the boneless spare ribs, so we got an order. The ribs were really good, artificially red and sweet.
Christie said, "Mmm, this is good candied meat," and took another one.
Not to be left out, Violet said, "I want some Kitty Meat, too!"
We all fell into hysterics. It was just not the right thing to say at the Chinese Food place.
Christie said, "Mmm, this is good candied meat," and took another one.
Not to be left out, Violet said, "I want some Kitty Meat, too!"
We all fell into hysterics. It was just not the right thing to say at the Chinese Food place.
Friday, August 10, 2012
A bite
After dinner, Violet asked for a brownie. She'd been good throughout the day and had eaten a good dinner so we gave her one. She devoured it, of course.
Pretty much as soon as she was done with it she asked, "Can I have another one?"
Momma said, "No Violet, you had your one. That's all you get."
Without a pause, Violet asked Momma, "Can I have a bite of yours?"
Smooth Violet. Very smooth.
Pretty much as soon as she was done with it she asked, "Can I have another one?"
Momma said, "No Violet, you had your one. That's all you get."
Without a pause, Violet asked Momma, "Can I have a bite of yours?"
Smooth Violet. Very smooth.
Bugs
Violet walked up to her older cousin Lilly and started making a show of sniffing her. Violet sniffed her all over.
Lilly asked, "Violet, what are you doing?"
"I'm sniffing for bugs!" she said.
Lilly asked, "Violet, what are you doing?"
"I'm sniffing for bugs!" she said.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Thanks
Violet, Uncle Jerry and I had just eaten dinner and we were driving to the bookstore to pick out a few titles to add to Violet's library.
Violet said, "Daddy, can you make a cow noise?"
I was feeling silly so I started dog barking, "Woof, woof, woof."
Uncle Jerry asked, "Violet, is that the sound a cow makes?"
"No, it's not," Violet said. Then she said, "Daddy, can you make a doggie noise?"
Again, being silly, and playing with her, I said, "Moo."
Violet just said, "Thanks." As soon as she'd said it, I knew I'd been played, and she just wanted me to make a cow noise. Whenever I make the wrong animal noise, she always corrects me, or tells me I'm wrong. She didn't, so I knew she got what she wanted out of me.
You can think I'm crazy all you want, but I'm convinced I just lost a battle of wits to my two and a half year old.
Violet said, "Daddy, can you make a cow noise?"
I was feeling silly so I started dog barking, "Woof, woof, woof."
Uncle Jerry asked, "Violet, is that the sound a cow makes?"
"No, it's not," Violet said. Then she said, "Daddy, can you make a doggie noise?"
Again, being silly, and playing with her, I said, "Moo."
Violet just said, "Thanks." As soon as she'd said it, I knew I'd been played, and she just wanted me to make a cow noise. Whenever I make the wrong animal noise, she always corrects me, or tells me I'm wrong. She didn't, so I knew she got what she wanted out of me.
You can think I'm crazy all you want, but I'm convinced I just lost a battle of wits to my two and a half year old.
Sunday, August 5, 2012
A Break
We saw on the baby monitor that Violet was not napping, but rather was roaming around in her room. I went in to give her a nap "reset." When I opened the door I found her sitting on her tiny pink loveseat.
"You're supposed to be napping. What are you doing?" I asked.
"I needed to take a break," she said.
"A break from your nap?" I said.
"Yeah."
"You're supposed to be napping. What are you doing?" I asked.
"I needed to take a break," she said.
"A break from your nap?" I said.
"Yeah."
Just Do It
While we were up at Ma's house for the weekend, our friend Kelly stayed at our place and watched Doolin, our dog. Doolin gave Kelly a really tough time. To put it briefly, Doolin made a "messes" in the house and did some destruction. By the time we got home at the end of the weekend, Kelly was totally fed up with Doolin and refused to watch him ever again.
Kelly came by on Monday to hang out with Christie and Violet. They all went out and had lunch and generally had a good time. After they got back to our house, Violet noticed a spot of Doolin puke behind a chair. She pointed to the stain and said to Kelly, "Clean it up."
Kelly looked stunned so Violet added, "Just do it."
Kelly launched into a diatribe about how all she did was clean up after Doolin and she's not doing that again.
Violet was unmoved. She looked Kelly in the eye and said, "Just do it."
OK, so Violet was lippy and disrespectful of her elders, not a demonstration of good behavior. It's something we need to work on. But it was a funny moment. I think Auntie Kelly found it funny, stunned as she was.
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Some Love
Violet was overdue for a nap this afternoon, so she was kindof punchy. She wanted some goldfish crackers. I got her some, but apparently not fast enough, so she was not quite crying, but blubbering, by the time I handed her crackers to her. Having gotten her snack, I thought she was all set, so I walked away into the living room.
Apparently, she was not, though. She came over to me, still not quite crying, but almost. She came over to me with her arms outstretched and said, "Daddy, please give me some love."
So sad and so cute at the same time.
Apparently, she was not, though. She came over to me, still not quite crying, but almost. She came over to me with her arms outstretched and said, "Daddy, please give me some love."
So sad and so cute at the same time.
Right?
We did a test of how Violet's carseat and the soon to arrive baby's carseat would fit in the car together. So I had the infant seat on the living room floor. Violet asked if it was her seat. We told her that it was for the new baby.
Violet asked, "When the new baby wants to go in the carseat, it'll come out right?"
Violet asked, "When the new baby wants to go in the carseat, it'll come out right?"
Friday, August 3, 2012
Hmm...
Violet has a couple of pocketbooks. She tends to fill them with tons of small toys and then close them and forget about them.
She and Auntie Coles were going through one of them and they were pulling out all sorts of forgotten small toys.
Auntie Coles reached in and pulled out a small votive candle. She said, "Where did you get that to Violet."
Violet grabbed the candle and said, "Hmmm." She quickly put the candle back into the bag before Auntie Coles could take it away, and changed the subject.
Very sneaky, Violet. We're on to you.
Kiddo Roulette
Violet, Auntie Coles and I went to get ice cream, so Violet was happy. We got our order and went to sit down. I picked a table with a toy carousel on it, figuring that it would occupy Violet if she finished her ice cream before us.
She consumed about half of her cup of ice cream, which is pretty much her typical dessert ration. Then she started in on the toy carousel. It was plastic circus tent about the size of a basketball with animals in a carousel track under it. On top of the tent was a large button that when pressed started the animals running on the carousel track.
Violet started pressing the button and was fascinated watching the animals. She started and watched it run dozens of times in the few minutes after her ice cream, while Auntie Coles and I consumed ours.
After a while, it started to be a kind of roulette, Violet would get excited about which animal finished facing her. "Yay, rabbit," or "Yah, duck," she'd say.
Auntie coles hit the button and started the roulette. She and Violet watched as the carousel landed on the duck. "The duck? I don't want the duck," Auntie Coles said, and she started the carousel again.
The carousel came up duck again. "Why do I keep getting the duck?" Auntie Coles asked.
Violet took the carousel and manually spun it until the rabbit faced them. "There, I fixed it!" she said.
Princess
I normally like to capture Violet's funny antics and sayings, rather show pictures. But I had to share this one. Our little princess!
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Boobies
The conversation took a weird turn at
dinner time. Violet Christie and I were having dinner with Ma,
Violet's great-grandmother.
Out of the blue, Ma says, “Does your
Momma have big boobies or little boobies?”
Violet looks at Christie and says,
“Big Boobies.”
Being funny, Christie asked Violet,
“Does Daddy have big boobies or little boobies?”
Violet looks at me and says, “Little
boobies.” Well, I guess that's better than the alternative.
Christie asked Violet, “Does Ma have
big boobies or little boobies?”
Violet looked at Ma and said, “Big
boobies.”
Apparently Ma didn't like that answer
so she said, “I think I have medium boobies.”
Christie and I realized that “medium”
probably wasn't yet in Violet's vocabulary. We explained that
“medium” was in between big and little. She seemed to get it so
we asked her again. “Violet, does Ma have big boobies, little
boobies, or medium boobies?”
“Medium boobies,” she said.
Ma decided to play with Violet a bit.
She said, “Well you don't have any boobies at all.”
Without any hesitation, Violet said,
“But I'm growing.”
We all laughed. We weren't sure that
we had heard her right. She repeated, “But I'm still growing,
right?”
Yes Violet. You're still growing.
And so are your boobies.
Break
Violet was "helping" her great-grandmother shell peas. She was being a good helper, but quickly after finishing all the peas she went and sat down. "I need a break," she said.
Hammer
I bought Violet a little stick helicopter, the kind that you spin in your hand and it flies a few feet before hitting the ground. I spun it and Violet watched. She ran to get it where it landed.
"Bring it back, Violet."
"No, I'm gonna do it," she said.
"But you don't know how. Bring it here and I'll show you."
"No, I show you," she said and ran off with it.
When I caught up to her, she was banging it into trees. "I'm fixing this tree." After a few more taps, she declared the tree fixed and moved on to the next one. A few taps to that tree she said, "It's perfect."
She fixed a couple more trees, fixed the deck and then came over to me with her "hammer." "I'm gonna fix you," she said. She gave me a few taps of the hammer and told me that I was "all better."
I think it's great when a toy gets used in a totally unusual way, but it's still a hit.
"Bring it back, Violet."
"No, I'm gonna do it," she said.
"But you don't know how. Bring it here and I'll show you."
"No, I show you," she said and ran off with it.
When I caught up to her, she was banging it into trees. "I'm fixing this tree." After a few more taps, she declared the tree fixed and moved on to the next one. A few taps to that tree she said, "It's perfect."
She fixed a couple more trees, fixed the deck and then came over to me with her "hammer." "I'm gonna fix you," she said. She gave me a few taps of the hammer and told me that I was "all better."
I think it's great when a toy gets used in a totally unusual way, but it's still a hit.
At the Beach
We were having fun at the beach, Momma, Violet and I. There were some older kids in the water shrieking. So naturally, Violet started shrieking back at them, happy to have an excuse to make noise. After a while we figured that she was starting to bother the family next to us. We asked, "Hey Violet, how about you be quiet for a little while?"
Violet said, "But I don't want to be quiet, I just want to be yelling," finishing with a yell.
After a trip into the water, which made Violet very cold, and a while digging in the sand it was time to go. We told her, "Violet, it's time to go."
She said, "But I want to make some more new friends." So sweet.
On the way out, I starting making silly noises. Momma said, "Daddy's crazy, isn't he?"
"Yes he is," Violet said somberly, completely unsurprised.
Violet said, "But I don't want to be quiet, I just want to be yelling," finishing with a yell.
After a trip into the water, which made Violet very cold, and a while digging in the sand it was time to go. We told her, "Violet, it's time to go."
She said, "But I want to make some more new friends." So sweet.
On the way out, I starting making silly noises. Momma said, "Daddy's crazy, isn't he?"
"Yes he is," Violet said somberly, completely unsurprised.
Friday, July 27, 2012
Doolin
We were driving up to Maine to see Christie's grandmother, Ma. Violet was good in the car, but by three and a half or so hours, she was beginning to get punchy. After a rest stop, I ended up sitting next to her to keep her entertained and to feed her some snacks.
My seat, behind the driver, is typically occupied by our dog, Doolin, when we take drives, though Doolin wasn't with us on this trip.
A little while after I occupied that seat, Violet looked at me in the car and said, "Are you OK, Doolin?"
I didn't understand what she meant.
She cleared it up, though, and it became clear that she was joking. "You're not Doolin, you're daddy," she said. Not the best joke ever, but at 2 years old I get her a lot of credit.
My seat, behind the driver, is typically occupied by our dog, Doolin, when we take drives, though Doolin wasn't with us on this trip.
A little while after I occupied that seat, Violet looked at me in the car and said, "Are you OK, Doolin?"
I didn't understand what she meant.
She cleared it up, though, and it became clear that she was joking. "You're not Doolin, you're daddy," she said. Not the best joke ever, but at 2 years old I get her a lot of credit.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Not Quite
Christie was on the phone with her grandmother. On speakerphone she asked Violet, "Are you excited to go up to Ma's house in Maine this weekend?"
Violet answered, "Um....not quite."
Sometimes her word choice kills me.
Violet answered, "Um....not quite."
Sometimes her word choice kills me.
Dangerous!
Violet disappears for a minute. It was breakfast time, so Momma told Violet to go in the kitchen and get in her highchair so they could eat. When Momma got to the kitchen, she found Violet on her highchair. Not really "in" the highchair, but "on" it. The tray was still fastened and Violet was sitting precariously on top of the tray.
Momma said," What are you doing up there?"
Violet answered with a sly smile, "Is it dangerous?" No fear sometimes.
Momma said," What are you doing up there?"
Violet answered with a sly smile, "Is it dangerous?" No fear sometimes.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Puzzle Patience
We started making a puzzle on vacation. Having 1000 little pieces on a low coffee table, just Violet's height may not have been our best idea. But actually, Violet was really well behaved around it. I think someone told her to be gentle with it before I started helping, but just the same I was surprised when Violet said to me, "There's a lot of little pieces so you have to be patient." I love getting advice on patience from my 2 year old.
Chasin' Time
It was late and time for bed. Unfortunately, Violet and Pepere had been running around the yard, so she was seriously wound up.
We went outside where Violet was playing. I said to her, "Violet, it's time for bed."
She said to Christie, "No, Momma, it's Chasin' time!" Naturally she ran away from us as soon as she said it.
We went outside where Violet was playing. I said to her, "Violet, it's time for bed."
She said to Christie, "No, Momma, it's Chasin' time!" Naturally she ran away from us as soon as she said it.
At the beach
We went to the beach today and Violet had a blast. She had collected a nice handful of rocks. She went to the edge of the water and held her hand out and said, "Come get it." She said this a couple times before she gingerly dropped the rocks in the ocean.
On the way back from a walk, Auntie Nicole said, "Hey Violet, look at
the boys over here."
Violet walked over to them and in a voice several years too old for
her said, "Hi, boys!". Love the two year old confidence.
On the way back from a walk, Auntie Nicole said, "Hey Violet, look at
the boys over here."
Violet walked over to them and in a voice several years too old for
her said, "Hi, boys!". Love the two year old confidence.
Listener
We were packing for Vacation and it was going to be a big job. A lot of the house was coming with us on vacation. I knelt down and explained to Violet that we needed her to help and to be a good listener while we worked. Violet didn't indicate that she understood, but she was well behaved. Shortly after she came over to me and said, "I'm not being a not good listener." Totally true.
Leafs
While on vacation, we took a hike to a beach that's a nature preserve, not a frisbee and beach umbrella place. It was actually a fun change, seeing a more natural place with less people.
I carried Violet in her baby backpack, so she got a pleasant ride on the hikes to and from the car. One the hike back she said, "Good job leafs."
I didn't get it, so I asked, "What're they doing a good job with?"
I guess these were brushing past her, but not harshly. She answered, "They"re being very gentle."
I carried Violet in her baby backpack, so she got a pleasant ride on the hikes to and from the car. One the hike back she said, "Good job leafs."
I didn't get it, so I asked, "What're they doing a good job with?"
I guess these were brushing past her, but not harshly. She answered, "They"re being very gentle."
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