Dear Violet (On your first birthday)...

Dear Violet,

How can it be that one year ago today we first met? It was on that day that our souls were knit together forever. It was that day… I was ruined forever. The me I had known for 31 years was no more. A violet-colored wrecking ball had swiftly and perfectly demolished Alisa Marie Pierre Raney.  Wait! Before you think this is a bad thing, allow me to explain. You see, your mama has a bit of a selfish streak, a type A, get-out-of-my-way, get it done type attitude. You single-handedly broke down that part of me. I was no longer living as just me. My schedule and my needs were quite secondary now.  I was suddenly living one of my most important jobs ever…Violet’s mama.

When you were in my belly, Daddy and I would talk all the time about who you might be, what you might look like. We had decided it would be ideal if you looked more like mama but had daddy’s personality. I should have known when you did you nightly gymnastic routines while I was trying to sleep, that you were going to be spirited. God’s plan was different than ours (this happens a lot; get used to it!); it turns out, He thought it would be best that you look more like Daddy, but act more like mama!

Looking back, our first 24 hours together were quite telling. When you decided it was time to come out, there was no delay or dilly dally about it.  You knew what you wanted then and you still do now.  You held your head up with that tiny little neck; that told me you were strong. You let out a load roar when something didn’t go your way; that told me you were bold. You were only content in mama’s arms; that told me that you were mine.

We have spent every single day together for the past year, and let me tell you. It has been quite a journey. There have been a LOT of sleepless nights, a lot of bouncing, desperate cries for help (from both of us), babywearing galore, tons of smiles, a constant stream of prayer, and an exuberant amount of love. Until you become a mama yourself one day (and I pray that you get to experience this!), you will not understand the love that I have for you. Did you know that I didn’t understand Poppa and Nonna’s love for me until I had you? It’s true.

With each passing day, I know it won’t be the same as yesterday; you won’t be the same. This makes me both sad that my baby girl is growing up, but excited to see you learn and develop. You change way too fast for mama! You are super curious about everything; and always want to know what’s going on around you (this is like mama). You love to understand how things work or where things go (this is like Daddy). You are reserved in public, but a little crazy at home (mama again). Daddy and Mama have lots of wishes for you. We hope that you stay bold. We hope that you are brave.  We hope that you are strong. We hope that you are compassionate. We hope that you are kind. Most of all, we hope that your heart will be aware of your need for Jesus. He loves you even MORE than us (which is pretty hard for me to imagine), and He is absolutely your only salvation.

So, my sweet Violet Marie, thank you for ruining me that day. Thank you for giving me more joy than I ever knew was possible. Thank you for making each day new and exciting.  Lord willing, I will continue to help you grow and learn.  Although I don’t know how your life will unfold, your story has already been written by our loving and compassionate God. I will be forever grateful to be given the role of your mom; and I promise to keep working hard to be the best mom I can be for you.

Love,
Mama

The first time I held you

One of the few peaceful moments our first night together

Violet at Eleven Months

Another month of lots of discoveries for my little darling! Violet continues to grow and learn each day. This month's biggest development is that she is walking! She has been standing for a while now and walking with the help of walker toys or the couch, but not she goes off on her own and can walk about half of a room with confidence.

This past Sunday celebrates two weeks of Violet staying in the nursery the entire church service. May not seem like a big deal, but it is to her Mama who gets to listen to the entire sermon instead of 1/2 or 3/4 of it. She enjoys watching other children and LOVES dogs. Tim thinks this will eventually convince me to get a dog, but the idea of having to clean up the waste of another live thing is appalling at this point.

We continue to settle into our "new" home, and love the way the Lord has allowed us to make it our own. Violet and I have been very thankful to stay at home during the last couple weeks of cold weather and snow. I am grateful every day for the ability and opportunity to do my job from home. Violet has learned to play on her own and entertain herself for the most part. You may think we have a lot of toys, but toys are a necessary part of her rotation throughout the day when there are no other means of busy-ness.

Violet has taken to using a sipper cup for water during the day, but still uses bottles as well. She has started the horrific habit of grinding teeth, which is cringe-worthy. She somehow managed to chip her front tooth in the grinding process, which led us to her first dentist appointment (today). The tooth has no exposed nerve and is a strictly cosmetic defect.  She is still the cutest little thing that I ever did see, chip and all. I thank God that the only thing "wrong" with my child is a tiny chip on her tooth!

This month we are looking forward to her first Thanksgiving and I can't bring myself to admit that her 1st birthday is just one month away. This little girl has absolutely and incomparably stolen our hearts.

Loves to hold mama's hand during morning bottle.

Adorable snow bunny

Caught: climbing in the dishwasher

Mealtime smiles

Yep, I'm cute!

Here we go, walking!

Waiting for Christmas pictures

...and this is how they went.

poor gingerbread man.

No smiles but still sweet

Yummy ornaments

What is going on, mama?

A little walking before church

Happy girl!

Love my sipper cup!

Daddy wanted to pack her up for lunch!

Reading with Daddy

My newest toy (good thing mama is good at garage sales)

My new habit: pulling my hair right here!

This month's stats:

• 18 lbs
• Two bottom teeth in, four top teeth (one chipped!)
• Walking!
• Saying "mama" and "dada"
• Laughing
• Favorite food: Banana Rice wafers, apples
• size 3 diapers
• wearing 9-12 month size clothes
• Still a super sleeper

Violet at Ten Months

It is getting increasingly harder to get these photos!

Today my sweet princess is 10 months old. It goes without saying that I can't believe it. She gives me so much joy I can't imagine a single day without her.

Violet has been very "busy" this month. She has always been a curious little girl, but now she is able to explore some of those curiosities! "What was that noise? Oh, i'll go check! What is that object? Oh, i'll grab it." She is an expert crawler and is extremely fast. She learned to climb stairs, and stands on her own for up to 10 seconds. No walking on her own yet, but she does love her walker toy, which makes her feel like a big girl.

Her teeth are moving down and becoming much more obvious. She has been experimenting with more foods. She loves little chunks of apples, pasta, and green beans. During the day, she will, without fail, lose one sock. She is still a great night sleeper, but our naps are not as consistent. Just sort of depends on how she feels that day. We've been fighting a cold this week, so that has thrown us off a bit. She hates getting her nose wiped, but I would't like someone coming at me with a tissue either :)

Violet has started to laugh at things this month. She loves when I tickle her face with a toy, or we discovered one day she just started cracking up when Tim would rip a piece of paper. It's so fun to see the things she gets a kick out of. She loves her big sister and is highly entertained by pretty much anything she does. It warms my heart to see them loving each other and bonding.

This month we attended Tim's family's reunion in Cincinnati, picked out pumpkins, played with our friends Livi, Jackson, and Luke, had family pictures, and received a fun visit from Poppa and Nonna. Cousin Sarah and Amanda are still her favorite babysitters.

Hanging out with Luke

Corynne loves reading to Violet

Pumpkin picking!

My little Vio-lantern!

Violet and Mommy

We had a fun little photoshoot

finky faced funny girl

Violet love her Poppa and Nonna

Work day kisses

Tumbling in all the wrong places

First taste of pasta!

Runny nose/feeling sicky

I'm done with my nap, mommy!

Fighting Jackson for the ball popper!

Busy bee

Doggy kisses from cousin Turbo

Daddy installed my new car swing!

I also got a new butterfly rocker and love to drive aggressively!

Checking out the progress on Daddy's new workshop

This month's stats:

• 18 lbs
• Two bottom teeth in, four top teeth moving down
• "Dances" with her arms to a musical toy
• Laughing, reacting
• Favorite food: Cheerios and toast
• size 3 diapers
• wearing 6-9 and 9 month size clothes
• Fast crawler, walking with a toy. She can stand for several seconds by herself.

Violet at Nine Months

Yep, lil' lady is 9 months old today. It's getting increasingly difficult to take these photos because she is a major wiggle worm and all she wants to do is crawl/shuffle/get into something inappropriate. It hit me today that I only have a couple more photos until we hit 12 months....gulp....not even going to go there yet! :)

This month, Violet has been teething like crazy! Her bottom two teeth are now in full view, and she has four top teeth that are poking through. It won't be long til that gummy smile I love is totally replaced with a toothy smile!

Violet is extremely active, and as soon as her eyes are open, she wants to be on the move! There is very little "relaxing" with her while awake. Thankfully, she can entertain and play by herself while I work. On Wednesdays, my niece, Sarah, comes to spend the day with us and is a HUGE help. Needless to say, I enjoy Wednesdays :) 

She is still sleeping well, with a few minor hiccups due to the teething pain. I'm still getting solid rest for which I am grateful. 

Violet was dedicated at church last week. We stood before God and the congregation and promised to give Violet spiritual direction, loving correction, and emotional development. It is such an amazing responsibility to be a parent. One in which I find great joy!

Dedicating our babies together, Sept 21, 2014
Violet Marie and Luke Thomas

Unthrilled

Bath time monster

Hanging out with Daddy outside

Lots of standing going on!

Oh, hi mama!

Climbing on everything

Sweetie pie

Standard Violet face

This just makes me laugh

Stuck baby!

Yep, I'm trying to walk!

This month's stats:

• 17.7 lbs, 27 3/4 in long (per doctor visit this morning!)
• Two bottom teeth in, four top teeth breaking through
• Shaking head, "spitting," babbling
• Favorite food: Veggie straws
• size 3 diapers
• wearing 6-9 and 9 month size clothes
• Expert crawler, pulling herself up to a stand, and even takes steps with the help of a walker toy