Trick Or Treat!

Violet's First Halloween (Continued)!

 After a chili dinner with the neighbors (and a dozen other people) Sunday evening, we were back in costume and almost ready to hit the Halloween trail to get some candy! 

 Mmm, a tasty glowstick wand, fit for a princess and even better than candy!

 I want candy! (Dum dum dum, dumdum.) I want candy!

 Heading out for our first trick or treat stop. Violet collected a grand total of six pieces of candy before passing out cold in the stroller.

 Fortunately she caught her second wind just as we turned around to head home.

Boo!

Violet's First Halloween!

Saturday night we headed next door to the "adults only" Halloween costume party. However, I considered Violet an accessory to my outfit, so she got to come too. Here we are, 1/3 of the Musketeers, a Damsel in Distress, and a Pretty Pretty Princess. What this picture doesn't show is the way Violet flipped out after we first entered the party (the house was very dark and spooky, and I think seeing one of the guests dressed as Slash put her over the edge). However, she settled down and started enjoying herself after awhile.

The fourth Musketeer!

Once Violet went to the babysitter's, the real party got underway, complete with silly games (find the candy corn on the golf course, anyone?) and a costume contest. I've never really been to a Halloween costume party before, at least not one as elaborate as this one (have I mentioned my lack of experience when it comes to this holiday?) so I had a blast.

 The "Best Costume" winners - All for One and One for All! (Costumes handmade courtesy of my lovely and talented neighbor (and party hostess) K.)

 And the lovely ladies.

Now then, I guess it's time to start thinking of next year's costume... I'm thinking something that can incorporate wearing pj's... this holiday is exhausting!

Just for Fun

 5 Weeks

 15 Weeks

 25 Weeks

35 Weeks

Laughter

They say laughter is the best medicine...



Violet cracks up after bath time as Daddy does silly stuff in the background to make her laugh.

My Favorite Time of Year

 

Yep, it's my favorite time of year! Don't blink or you might miss it! I love fall, but we just don't get enough of it in Georgia. Still, I love those mornings with a chill in the air (some mornings at bus duty lately have been downright cold!) I love the brilliant colors the leaves put on. I love sipping hot chocolate to warm up in front of the tv... ahem, fireplace. And although today was actually hot and muggy, the world still looks like fall, so I'll take it.

Violet enjoyed some outside time while the weather is still warm enough. Yes, that is drool down the front of her outfit. And yes, she did attempt to eat the leaf she managed to snag. (I dug it out of her mouth and she was maaaaad!)

Fall also means my other favorite time of year is just around the corner... the holidays! Thanksgiving, Christmas, Boxing Day, I love them all! (Okay, I'm not really sure what we're celebrating on Boxing Day, so feel free to school me.) This year will be a whole new experience, thanks to our Friend here. I can't wait!

My Matt

This charming little announcement came from my dad, in honor of Matt's birthday. I liked it so much I thought I would share:

The parents of Kristine Fortunato Loughman are pleased to announce the birthday of their favorite son-in-law, Matthew Loughman, husband of their favorite birth daughter Kristine.

 Matthew is the youngest of three brothers and grew up in Ohio, and moved with his family to Georgia. Early in his life he exhibited intelligence in the classroom, athletic ability in golf and other sports, and musical ability on the guitar. He went to the University of Georgia where he excelled scholastically, graduated with a specialized degree in insurance, met and married Kristine, and moved to Dallas to start his career with a gigantic insurance company. Upon returning to Atlanta he and Kristine purchased a sizeable home north of Atlanta and started a family, welcoming Violet into the world several months ago.

It is estimated that Matthew’s earnings for his company is approaching $17.2469 trillion dollars, insuring everything that moves from oceanliners, missiles,  bombs, darts, frisbees and motorcycles.  His prize contracts were insuring every luggage push cart at airports along the East coast, and every Kroger and Publix grocery cart east of the Mississippi River. But he is most famous for insuring for his company the Big Four, also known in the industry as the “Big Fat S’s”—insuring skate boards, skis, strollers, and speed boats.

Of all Matt’s many talents, the one that excels above all is his easy, laid back, mild, soft-spoken manner that shows maturity beyond his years. The Fortunatos wish their favorite son-in-law many more decades of birthdays as he insures the planet, and is getting ready to offer bids to insure the other moving planets as well.

Is My Baby Too Fat?

Monday's Child

35 Weeks

Violet is 35 weeks old today! But more importantly, her Daddy is 31 years old today! Happy birthday, hubby! I love you! Seriously, I don't know what I would do without this wonderful man in my life. I'm glad we're on this journey together. We celebrated Matt's b-day with a cookout with the neighbors, followed by cupcakes and ice cream. Violet fed herself two crackers (such an independent girl!) and got a little ice cream as a reward.

Matt stayed home sick today, but still managed to install Violet's big girl car seat in my car. We've been making due with the infant carrier, but since she shot past the height limit a month ago and is sure to be pushing the weight limit (she's definitely pushing past my arm strength), we decided it was time to graduate her. 

(It should be noted that this decision was made before I "fumbled" her while attempting to put her in the carrier this morning. Fortunately, Matt was there for the recovery. I basically dropped her head first into his lap. I know, Mom of the Year.)

Say Cheese!

This weekend we got a chance to do something I've been wanting and meaning to do for a long time - family photos. We've never actually had professional pictures taken of Violet, or us as a family. Heck, the last time we had professional photos was our wedding. Now, there are several reasons why it has taken us so long. A) I'm lazy. I just haven't gotten around to finding a photographer. B) Photo shoots are expensive! I'm talking several hundred dollars a pop. I don't have that kind of money, or at least I have far more necessary things to spend it on. Still, I'm always jealous at the fun pictures that my other friends post.

Anyway, long story short, a friend of a friend turned out to be a photographer and offered to snap some pictures for us on the cheap, so we bit the bullet and booked a mini-session (baby steps, right?). We took Violet to the park today and had fun hamming it up in front of the camera. Hopefully some of them will turn out. (Daycare had picture day on Friday and Violet's were the worst! For a kid who smiles all the time - and this blog is proof, no? - she was stone-faced. I guess she didn't care for the photographers. But it makes me nervous about what these will look like.)

This weekend was also exciting for some other reasons. Mimi came up to hang out while I had another marathon grad school class in Athens. She brought with her gifts from Sweden, namely, several pounds of Swedish candy.

 Matt sent me this picture while I was at school to show me how much fun Violet was having with the new animal train Mimi brought up for her. I promptly showed it to all my classmates. Let it also be noted for the record that before Matt took Violet out to the store yesterday, he put a matching orange bow in her hair so everyone would know she was a girl, given her gender-neutral outfit. I gotta give him props for that one!

I'm also proud to say that my cousin Marcus is officially a children's book illustrator! I now have his first three books, autographed and all, and I actually managed to read them in Swedish. (Good thing they are written on a four-year-old's level!) Congrats, Marcus! They are adorable.

 How cute, right? And that's my cousin's name, right there on the front cover! I'm so proud. A little jealous, but mostly proud. I think this book is about Dojo going on a treasure hunt... (I never learned the word "treasure hunt" in Swedish, but I'm using our first grade reading strategy of looking for picture clues.)
 

Violet also learned to wave! We've been working on this for a while, and she's progressed to some frantic whole-arm flapping when she'd see someone coming (like her Daddy). But now she can do the finger wave! She still doesn't wave perfectly on command, but we've caught her at it enough to believe that yes, she knows what she's doing and it is intentional. She likes to wave at the cat a lot. (That is a one-sided relationship if I ever saw one.) Matt also got quite a few waves today, including a very sweet one at bedtime before I carried her up the stairs. "Bye bye Daddy," I said, and she opened and closed her hand at him with her head on my shoulder. Aww! 

8 Months

8 Months

Happy 8 months, Violet!

(And happy weekend, everyone!)

If You Seek...

There is a Regina Spektor song that has been running through my head since about noon today...

I found a wallet,
I found a wallet
Inside were pictures of your small family
You were so young, your hair dark brown
You had been born in 1953
Your winter birthday was stamped on the plastic
Of a license so recently expired
- Regina Spektor Far

That's right, I found my wallet! Well actually, The Loft found my wallet. When I called to check the store on Monday, they hadn't seen it. But apparently it was hiding in the safe, because today I got a call from my credit card company, letting me know that it had been found. They gave me the name of the store, the manager, the phone number, everything I needed. (Of course, I'd already canceled all my cards.) And when I called to verify, the store manager was so apologetic for not getting in touch with me sooner (like the day I called) and at least she went the extra mile of tracking me down.

So, I found a wallet! How perfectly do those lyrics match me, by the way, other than being born in 1953 (but I do have a winter birthday!)

Yesterday I told the admins at Violet's daycare that my wallet was gone and they commiserated most sincerely. One lady told me the story of how she lost her car keys for three weeks. After looking everywhere, she finally gave it up to God and said "Look, if I'm meant to find it, I'll find it." She found the keys the next day (in a shoe)! She was so encouraging that on that spot, I looked to Heaven (via the daycare ceiling) and released the situation into God's hands. Jan was convinced I'd be seeing that wallet again and I promised her if I did, she would be the first to know.

Well, she stopped me on my way in this afternoon to check on the progress and I got to tell her the happy news! And she got to give me a big "told ya so!" So, win win!

Yay! Mommy found her wallet!

An Orchestra of One

Violet conducts an orchestra of one, before she decides it's more fun to be the one holding the camera.

I Need a Weekend from My Weekend

As you can recall from my weekend preview post, we were jam-packed. It was exhausting, but a blast. Emily had a great time babysitting Violet (unlike the last time) while we enjoyed our concert (although it didn't end until 11:30, waaaay past my bedtime).

On Saturday we had a visit from Matt's parents, which was lovely. I snuck out and did some shopping by myself, for myself. And let me tell you, it was the best experience! I haven't really bought new clothes for myself since before I was pregnant, and I stumbled into The Loft during their "take an extra 40 percent off all clearance items" sale (have I told you I am physically unable to buy anything unless it's on clearance?) Then I had the sweetest sales women bringing me outfit after outfit (and complimenting me on everything). It was a nice experience, even though I only walked away with two things. (And apparently lost my wallet.)

While I was gone, Violet was having fun at home with Grandma and Grandpa (I got this picture as proof that she was not sleeping like she was supposed to be.) Look how happy!

On Sunday we went to Travis and Wendi's place so the boys could watch football. Violet just continued to be pleased as punch with all the attention that was lavished upon her.

  But even a star must get her beauty sleep. 

She is now completely spoiled rotten and the teachers at daycare are working overtime to remind her that she is an independent girl who can play nicely by herself or with others without an adult there to entertain her every minute of the day. (She is not buying it for a second!)

Monday's Child

34 Weeks

Violet is 34 weeks old today! And just look at those teeth! (The drool situation has not improved much.) Do you think I need to cut that one random wisp of hair that is almost in her eye?

In other news, I lost my wallet today. Or more correctly, realized it was missing today. I haven't technically seen it since Saturday. I still haven't recovered. Part of me (a teeny tiny part) still hopes it will turn up somewhere. But it's not in my purse, my car, Matt's car, the store I last had it in, the restaurant we went to afterward, Travis and Wendi's house, my classroom... I don't lose things, so when something is missing, I literally don't know where to look. Oh well. The credit cards haven't been used, there was no cash (although I lost about 50 bucks in gift cards). The biggest headache will be replacing my driver's license because I don't have three hours to spare sitting around the DMV on a Saturday. (Not to mention that this Saturday will be spent sitting around a classroom in Athens.) But such is life. I've never lost my wallet before, so I guess it was bound to happen eventually. Especially now that I have a child and have lost half my brain cells.

Fall, and Falling Behind

We are kicking off this weekend with a bang! One of Violet's bestest pals, Emily, is here to babysit while Matt and I head to the Richard Thompson concert at the Variety Playhouse to celebrate my hubby's early birthday.

The rest of the weekend should prove just as fun, as we have a visit from Grandma and Grandpa to look forward to on Saturday, and then we're off to Travis and Wendi's for some football watching on Sunday. (The only way Wendi and I get to hang out is if the boys are glued to the television so they can criticize their fantasy football players and trash talk each other to their hearts' content. Ah, football season.)

Our Punkin's first time in a restaurant high chair last night. Yeah, she rocked it! Although I should have brought some toys to keep her entertained while we ate. She settled for chewing on some Chick-fil-a sauce packets.

This week has had some ups and downs. When I picked Violet up from daycare on Wednesday, I got to see one of her classmates, of the same age, wave bye-bye and creep/crawl across the floor. Can my child do either of these things? Not even close. I was starting to freak out a little. All the other little girls were rolling around, playing happily by themselves. And what was Violet doing? Laying spread eagle on the floor, mad that no one was paying the appropriate amount of attention to her, refusing to be distracted by the toys being dangled over her. It was sad, actually. Then the show-off just sealed the deal. I know I've talked about milestones before, and how I'm trying not to worry if Violet doesn't progress at what I believe to be an appropriately advanced rate. But it's hard when there are a room full of babies to compare her to side-by-side.

And I don't even blame Violet. Now I'm starting to worry that she's not progressing because I'm not doing something right. She reflects on me, and I'm apparently a crappy mom! (Talk about mind games!) I don't give her enough tummy time, or I carry her around too much, or I don't provide enough motivation. 

Fortunately, yesterday I picked her up and got the report that she had a great day (and it was a different baby who caused all the fuss), so that made me feel a little better. We've had lots of tummy time and she's moving her legs and pushing her little butt up and reaching for toys just out of grasp. (Matt think her overly round belly is keeping her from creeping along... she just rolls and wobbles on it.) And I'm sure one of these days she'll have it all figured out and I'll be fondly wishing for the days when she wasn't so mobile. I don't know... I'm wondering if I'll forever worry about how my kiddo measures up with everyone else. Maybe that just a parenting thing.

Anyway, I'm feeling a bit better about the whole thing. It's hard not to feel positive when the weather is a perfect mid-70's, the sun is shining, the leaves are starting to turn and there is a weekend ahead to enjoy. I hope ya'll do the same!

Car and Driver

Stay off the roads, Violet is behind the wheel! I took this video a while ago, I just suck at getting them uploaded in a timely fashion. Mimi and Violet had the best time driving all over the house one afternoon as they took the car for a spin for the first time. Now, we just have to teach her to keep her hands on the wheel...

Celebrity

Have people ever told you that you look like a celebrity? I have never really gotten any comparisons. (Well, there was the one time I was told I looked like Angelina Jolie, which a) so NOT, but b) I'll take!)

But for the second time, someone has told me Violet resembles baby Sophia from the MTV show Teen Mom. Today it was the random cashier at Target. The first time, it was the girls who work the infant room at daycare (and they actually brought in a magazine with Sophia and Farrah on the cover to prove it). Well, you be the judge. Here's Sophia...

And perhaps more importantly, here is Sophia with her teen mom Farrah:

See, it's my theory that people think Violet looks like this baby because I sort of look like the mom - we both have dark, curly hair, olive skin, I've got the young, nubile body of a seventeen-year-old... Ahem. Anyway. You be the judge. Do you think Violet looks like baby Sophia?

Cheerios? More like Yuckios!

Like I said, we're working on the Cheerios...

Monday's Child

33 Weeks

Ah, another Monday come and gone. Violet just had her bath and is all squeaky clean. She's playing a little in her exersaucer with Daddy while I write this posting, then it's a bottle and off to bed. She's been sleeping great these days, and eating even better. This girl hasn't met a food she doesn't like yet. We're making slow progress with the Cheerios, though. She can pick them up, but can't quite seem to get them into her mouth yet. I might have to get her some crackers and see if that works any better for her. I'm eagerly anticipating the day when she can feed herself! Right now Matt and I have to take turns eating while the other one feeds Violet... she is impatient when it comes to her food!

Violet had her ear re-check today and everything looks great. She weighed in at 20 pounds (but to be fair, she had just eaten) and while we were there I went ahead and got her a flu shot. My brave girl didn't even cry! Hopefully this will be the last visit we make to the pediatrician until her nine month well-check.

Lots of Little Stuff

Sorry for the long blog absence. I don't really have a good excuse except to say life in general has kept us pretty busy. Also, I don't have any new pictures of Violet and I hate posting without pics. Sorry, folks. Here's the dilemma. I have this fancy new phone that takes pictures, but I can't figure out how to get them from the phone to the blog. And since I have the phone, I'm not toting the camera around as much as usual, so hence, no pictures.

So you know I'm in this dinner club where the neighbors and I all cook dinner for each other. Well, this week I hit the wall. I'd used up all my recipes multiple times and was feeling quite uninspired. I asked Matt for advice and his suggestion? An early Thanksgiving dinner, complete with turkey and stuffing! I told him if he wanted Thanksgiving, he would have to do it himself. And he did! We had turkey, stuffing, green beans, rolls and finished it off with pumpkin pie! I even had a Thankgiving centerpiece to liven up the table! Everyone loved it, and hey, I didn't have to cook! So here's to Matt for ushering in the fall season for us.

Friday was poker night at the neighbors, an event that has been the sole topic of conversation the entire week. The guys brought their A-games, with dark sunglasses and poker shirts (or in one case, the poker robe) and us ladies merely tried to stay awake as the game stretched into the wee hours. It was my first time playing, but I've watched enough World Series of Poker on tv to feel pretty confident. I won a few hands, then went all in when my eyes wouldn't stay open any longer. When Matt wandered home a few hours later, I learned he had, indeed, taken the pot. Whoo-hoo!

Violet and her long-lost pal Jen at book club. Jen has been busy getting buff in the US Airforce and is home for a split second before taking off to work on big planes at her new base. We planned our book club meeting around her visit and had a most happy reunion.

 

Yesterday was another installment of book club, and we watched the movie adaptation of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. It was good, but a serious downer. I'd expect nothing less from a Holocaust movie, but it was especially hard since the main characters are innocent little eight-year-olds.

Next up, we're reading Coraline [Mass Market Paperback] and I'm super excited to get to November's pick, Crazy Heart: A Novel. Anyone have any suggestions for our December book/movie?

Finally, I have two shout-outs. The first goes to my newest blog follower Amanda, my Texas pal who recently had her own sweet baby boy. Hello, my friend! Next, to my dear UGA Bulldogs, who finally pulled out a decent win and made it fun to be a Georgia Bulldog again. Keep it up, boys!

Monday's Child

32 Weeks!

In honor of my mom's upcoming trip to Sweden, here is Miss Violet in some finery straight from the Land of the Midnight Sun, courtesy of my wonderful relatives. Beautiful, no?

We had quite a morning here. Matt had to leave way early for a daytrip, so it was just me and Violet getting ready. First I had to sneak past her on the way to the shower. She was awake and wanting some company and I just didn't have a second to spare. Of course, then I could barely prop her awake to eat her breakfast and get her dressed for the day. The bottles spilled everywhere in the car on the short trip to daycare, and we arrived to find out that Violet's favorite teacher was out sick. Not a stellar start, especially considering I'm still barely functioning.

The day has improved, however. Apparently Violet got to take a fieldtrip over the half wall today to where the big(ger) kids play. She joined in circle time and was said to really enjoy watching everything going on around her. And she went nuts when we came home to find Daddy waiting for us. She is such a Daddy's girl, it's ridiculous. 

A peek at those elusive chompers!

Wasted Weekend

...and not that kind of wasted, either. Alas, I really wanted to enjoy this awesome weekend with the lovely fall weather, one last Braves game, catching up on some school work... Instead I laid in bed the entire time, suffering from this blasted sinus infection. The pain continues. I don't think my antibiotics are making a dent. Only a carefully crafted cocktail of sudafed, ibuprofen and said antibiotics are keeping me on my feet, and not happily. Both grandmas came up on Saturday to babysit (both Violet and me) while Matt enjoyed the ballgame sans wife, so that was nice. And I got to play with my fancy new phone (we finally bit the bullet and bought new phones that have data plans, and internet capabilities, and the ability to update our facebook pages while on the go...we're so modern!) And at least Violet was golden the entire weekend. But seriously, I'm going to want a do-over on this one.

Violet in the 'hood.

And a quick shout out goes to my newest follower (and cousin-in-law) Megan! Hey girl! Okay, more (and hopefully happier) posts to come this week. For now, I'm going to bed.

Hello October!

Hello October! Isn't it nice that it finally feels like fall? I was downright cold when I woke up this morning, and Violet has been sent to school in long pants and sleeves each day this week. In fact, I might have to stock up on some more clothes for her. She's in her 9 month outfits now, but many of them are still frilly summer dresses. Speaking of outfits, I might be jumping the gun on Halloween a bit, but I just couldn't help it.

Putting her in the car before school, Matt discovered that the hat glows in the dark!

 

Her teachers at daycare couldn't get over how adorable Violet was. They found a matching pumpkin bib for her to wear, and then insisted everyone come take a look at her. I'm thinking Violet did not mind the attention.

So I stayed home from work today because I have a raging sinus infection. Seriously, I feel like someone has punched me in the face. My ears hurt so bad, I can really sympathize with Violet and her ear infection. Brutal. I tried my hardest not to call in, but the fever of 101 pretty much sealed the deal. I hate flaking out like that, especially because I was subbing for three different first grade teachers today! But the school actually got a sub to replace me, which was a first. Almost makes me feel like a real teacher! Too bad I had no lesson plans written out or anything, seeing as they've never had a sub for me before! Hopefully my antibiotics will kick in soon, because this is not a fun feeling, and I have a weekend to enjoy!

The worst part about being sick is you can't even be productive. I have so much work to do for my grad school class, but my head isn't letting me think straight. I can barely focus on the tv! (It's a miracle I'm even posting this, right?) Anyway, I'll just have to trust that it will all work out. In the meantime, try to enjoy the beautiful weather and have a lovely weekend!