Did you hear?

Violet got word, did you?

 

 

Sam has his first set of law finals these next two weeks. Send your prayers and good vibrations!

Beanstalk Baby-4 months

Well, the Seasons are changing and so are Violet's....everything! She is growing ever larger and more playful each day!What a doll baby! Anyway, we went to the doc, here's the verdict:
                                             Wt: 16lbs 11 oz (93rd percentile)
                                                      Ht:  26 in (96th)
                                                  OFC: 41.4 cm (75th)    

On  the skills front, Violet is developing and refining many. To showcase some of her little tricks:

She is very good at standing, with help of course

She loves to snuggle with blankets and toys

She likes to practice her karate moves, with bumbo's help

Her feet are her favorite toy

She'll do anything to get to them

But she also loves her ducky

Though, they do sometimes fight

She always seems to have a finger, or two, or five in her mouth

She is very smiley and social, and loves her bath!

She will look around and find us then watch us

And she's getting better at not hating tummy time!

                   

But she is best at being a Diva!

For the Beauty of the Earth

One of the (many) blessings of marrying Sam is his wonderful family. We just spent a weekend with them in St. George and I was reminded of what an incredible photographer his uncle is. I spent a good part of the weekend admiring his photos hanging in his house and another good part daydreaming about having them in mine! We are trying to pick one now, and it's basically impossible! Too many to choose!


Anyway-enjoy!

Bandits

 As I've mentioned before, one of my very favorite things is getting fresh local fruits and veggies. Thanks to my other fresh local find (Sam) we spotted an apple tree on our walk to church. It was in the yard of a house that was for sale and the apples were all falling and rotting! And they were delicious apples! (We may have sneaked a few on our walks). Anyway, I finally called the realtor and asked if we could pick them and they said "go ahead!" And go ahead we did! To our delight we found it was actually 3 apple trees and a pear tree! The apples were past their prime picking, so we didn't get as many of those. But we got TONS of pears-enough to give away lots and keep lots too! It was a fun little family activity-and the fruit was most delicious!

Sam climbing and collecting--quel homme!

These are the most delicious pears I've ever had!

Violet patiently observing 'neath apple trees

Family with fruits of our harvest

 

 

 

 

 

 

It really was some of the best apple and pear fruit I've ever had. Someone bought the house-we hope they don't let these gems go to waste! Happy Harvest!

Cry baby

Well, I am heading back to work this week. Which is leaving me feeling a bit like this:

    Once I start I'll probably wish I could do more of this:

    But I'll probably be looking more like this:

Fortunately though, I will be working nights, so hopefully I won't miss out on too much of this:

Story Time

We like to read to our little flower child, but she doesn't always take much interest. Some times she even makes an effort to look away ! But she does love her book about bumble bees-it always catches her eye:

      I think it's because this book has lots of flowers...some violets perhaps?

My Little Utopia

One of my very favorite places on Earth is my Grandma Paxton's place on Gaston Lake in North Carolina.

We finally got back out there again and this time brought Violet with us! I was glad to get her off to a good start by bringing her so early. I have been going to "The Lake" my whole life--I think my children should do the same! In fact, the Lake is the one place that has been constant-my parents, my aunts and uncles and other Grandma have all moved multiple times through my life-but the Lake has always been around. It has some of my fondest memories. If they were to make a movie during which I run away Sam would say "I know where to go..." and would find me sitting at the end of the pier at Gaston Lake. My personal little Utopia.

Dad trying to make up for closing his eyes in every picture (note the pier from my movie in the background)

Been swinging on the swing my whole life

Grandma Paxton bonding with Violet, aka "meowing" at her

Violet charming everyone

The charming continues

Ministering to the sick and the widows

4 generations, in chronological order (dad struggling with closed eyes again).

Snuggling with cousin Lexie on Grandpa's old recliner

My favorite place with my favorite people!

I was so glad to get to see Aunt June, Grandma Paxton, Ben and Susan and their daughter Lexie. But I am sad we didn't get to show Violet the pleasures and beauty of the farm where my Grandma Cromwell lives! Hopefully next time... we love our Grandmamas!

Beanstalk Baby-2 months

Like any good baby, Violet is getting nice and porky. She had her 2 month appointment on Monday and weighed in at :

13lbs 14oz 

23 inches long

Perfectly charming

These days this little babe holds her head up so high when she's on her belly, and holds it up like a champ when sitting on mom's or dad's lap. She gurgles, cooes, squeaks and squawks. She sleeps through the night and caws like a little birdy in the morning when she's ready for breakfast. She smiles lots and makes friends with everyone. She gave the doctor lots of smiles and coos. I think I've heard her giggle, just one or two. Her very favorite place in the world is her changing table and she loves being changed.

And this is just a little shot of her precious hiney in her new  jeggings. I just want to munch those cheeks!!

Rise and Shout

We took Violet to her first football game last week. Hopefully she won't remember it though, because BYU was a little embarrassing. It was still fun, except for the tears-not Violet's. Violet actually did great and didn't cry at all. She even smiled and cooed to our bench neighbor, she was quite the charmer! Bringing good cheer to the weeping Cougar hears.

This picture is a little icky, but we had like 10 seconds before Sam was out of picture commission.

We were a little worried though about Violet's little ears, since football games aren't  exactly lulling. So we had to improvise with some socks secured over her ears with a head band. She rocked the look, and as far as we can tell-no harm done! Mission accomplished (we hope!)

Won't You Be My Neighbor?

One of the best parts of living in Provo is living so near to some of my very favorite ladies! 

Lauren and I enjoy getting together on a regular basis these days and doing the mommy thing. 

Hopefully it doesn't change once I have to go back to work.

Lauren and Violet hanging out in the park (pre-snot rocket, courtesy of Violet. Ew.)

Michaelle making friends the old fashioned way, playing in their water fountain drippings.

Couch Potato

Well, perhaps not a "couch" potato per se. My grandma sent me some money for my birthday, we we used to buy us a nice leather rocking recliner, courtesy of Craigslist of course.

Family Fun

After little Violetta was born, my whole family came out for a quick little visit and we got family pictures taken.

We took them at this hold decrepit barn. Also in attendance there: a family in all black, a family also in white and a family all in red. Good grief!

  It was fun to have "The Packards" taking a family picture. We love our little Vi baby!

Nature's Bounty

One of my very favorite pastimes is buying local produce from roadside stands, farmer's markets or friendly neighbors. And Summer is a great time to stock up on those opportunities.

I figured Violet should get an early start on this good habit, so we took a little trip!

All the goodies I got from local farms and gardens. Yum!

Violet's first, but certainly not last, experience

What a helpful girl!

That night I made spaghetti sauce, salad and peach crumble from my local buys.

It truly makes my heart sing!