Folie A Deux

Dear Violet

Three years, three houses, and three states have come and gone since we met you. It seems like just a minute ago that I was holding you tight against my chest, more fatigued than I have ever been in my life, desperately bouncing up and down while singing tuneless, unenthusiastic Christmas carols. You cried a lot. It’s all I remember from those early months. That and buying you loads and loads of clothes that you wore once and outgrew. I guess shopping was probably a more socially acceptable and responsible way to relieve stress than getting drunk in the early afternoon. Plus you always looked really cute.

It seems like a minute ago that we were in Albuquerque, but I look at you now and it’s hard to believe you were that little red-faced squalling baby. I certainly would never have guessed that you would turn into a sweet, good natured, social butterfly who thrives on attention. Well, maybe I would have believed the thriving on attention part. But your willingness to share and your concern for the well being and happiness of others is constantly surprising me and making me swell up with pride. I hope your caring nature extends to your little sister, who will be making her appearance this spring. I have a feeling it’s not going to be so smooth. But I know you’ll be a great big sister. Eventually.

This year, like every year and more with every passing day, I’m thankful for you. Happy Thanksgiving and Happy 3rd Birthday, Violet.

I love you.

Mama

I haven’t taken a ton of pictures lately because the days are getting shorter and colder. But I’ve acquired some mad new photography skillz that I really need to try out, so I’m going to have to buck up and bundle up for some time outdoors. I learned a little about composition, but all it’s done for me is make me hate all the pictures I take. It is next to impossible to place a constantly moving three year old in the most visually pleasing part of a photograph. I was happier when I didn’t know that my pictures were badly composed. Here’s what I’ve got for you:

The only picture from Halloween (sorry Karen!) She wouldn’t get off her trike, and was way too excited about trick or treating and trick or treaters to hold still for even a second

Dear Violet:

This month has been a busy one. I’m working a lot now, which is good, because we need to be able to eat and buy necessities like designer jeans. I also took a photography class, which took up several evenings but was wonderful. I learned a ton about the functions of my fancy new camera and photography in general, though you have become a bit frustrated with being the object of my experimentation with F-stops and shutter speeds. You’ve become very adept at turning your back toward me, and it’s become a little harder to get a good picture than it was with my point and shoot camera. I may need to switch to landscapes to test out my skills. But you are so much more inspiring as a subject. Maybe I’ll stoop to bribes.

We had Halloween, and that was a trip. Salt Lake was always a bust at Halloween, but I thought we got a lot of trick or treaters in Albuquerque. This was insanity. We went around the neighborhood and had to wait in lines of wizards, superheroes, a pretty awesome kitchen table and even a couple of Hooters girls to get you some candy. We couldn’t keep up with the demand at our house and had to go back to the store twice for restocking. We had to shut it down at 8pm when we finally got you down from your sugar high, and the droves were still coming in.

You started preschool last week! And you have been earning a high C average with the potty training lately! No accidents at school (yet), and you’ve done really well with going in the potty there. So incredibly proud of you. You are so happy when you’re around other kids, it makes me happy. You also love spending time at your Nona and gramps’ house. We have been taking full and excessive advantage of their proximity for date nights and overnights. It’s been great and you love it. I think they still like us, but we are going to have to be a little more careful not to outstay our welcome.

I am so happy with our lives right now. All of our hard work has allowed us to be here now, and it is perfect. We are going to be able to give you a wonderful childhood.

Happy birthday, Violet.

I love you so much.

Mama

Dear Violet:

Wow, a month and no postings! Well, we have a lot of catching up. The long good summer is long over. I started back to work, and I’ve been busy busy busy. But things are different now. Your daddy is staying at home with you, which is the most awesome thing ever. During the days, you go to the park, cook, color, and make macaroni necklaces and balloon animals. You’re not going to day care anymore, but your daddy is doing an amazing job of keeping you entertained. On top of that, now you’re potty trained! A year of struggling and it only took a couple of weeks with daddy. I think it’s going pretty great. So far, my job is pretty good for us, but I do miss being at home with you all the time. I guess I need to win the lottery to have it all.

There is one good thing about going to work though, and that’s coming home at the end of the day. You are so happy to see me, and it makes me incredibly happy. The other day, I came to the front door and you were standing in the window, pounding your fists and screaming “MOMMY!!” I don’t think I’ve ever got a reaction like that, even from Hallie when she was a puppy.I was worried that it would be like before when I was working a lot, when you were less than enthusiastic to spend time with me when I had it to spend. But so far, you’re still president of my fan club.

This month has been all about your identity. You’re differentiating yourself from babies and describing yourself as a kid. We’re big and you’re little but you’re bigger than a baby. Little things are for babies and big things are for you. I think this came about because you’re so excited to go to pre school. You still miss your friends from Salt Lake and talk about them all the time. (Though not quite as much as you talk about your cousin Etta). You can’t wait to go back to class, and you know that only big kids get to go to pre school. I think you’re going to like school.

I miss you a ton while I’m at work, but life’s pretty good right now. I love you, Violet.

Happy Birthday

Love,
Mama

And now for a Princess Dance

V had some friends over the other night, and as often happens when V has a play date, there was a spontaneous partially clothed dance party.