Violet at Three Months

Yesterday, my little darling turned three months old. It sure was an eventful month full of firsts for our Violet. Anyone close to me knows how rough the past few months have been adjusting to life with a spirited and needy newborn. With quality sleep and down time scarce and stress levels high, it has been really hard. I am so grateful for the encouragement and love from friends and family during this transition! I am just now starting to feel as though the fog is lifting and I am actually getting the hang of this mom thing. I am able to read Violet so much better now than even last week. I kept hearing "don't worry, it gets better!" and I am thankful to say that is is indeed true. Every day, my heart expands a little bigger as my love grows for Violet. I still stare at her and can't believe she's mine. I love Tim more and more as I watch him loving and caring for our daughter. I am so blessed.

Violet went on several trips this month. The first one was a drive up to Poppa and Nonna Pierre's house a couple hours north. First, we introduced her to Poppa's restaurant. I think Poppa was dying to feed Violet her first meatball. That day will be here before we know it!  We attended the church I grew up in that Sunday, and it was such a strange feeling to be holding my child in the building where I had been a child in what seems like not so long ago. She got to meet her great Uncle Marty and great Aunt Kyong, too! She had her first piano lesson with Nonna and got to spend time with some of her (many) cousins and uncles/aunts.

The next weekend, we had our annual friend's trip to Hocking Hills. The cabin was beautiful, we enjoyed yummy food, and I think Violet enjoyed having so many arms to hold her during our stay. I was able to get in some crafting (which I have really missed) and relaxation time.  We look forward to that weekend every year, and it was special to have our girl with us this time. Last year on that trip we had no idea that we would bring a baby the next time we returned. We are so excited for our friends' new addition to join us next year!






We saved the biggest trip for last - celebrating Grandma Raney's 80th birthday in New Orleans! I was pretty nervous to take Violet on her first plane trip, but she did amazingly well! We had four flights (two there and two back) and she slept through 3 of them, and was awake but happy for the last one. What a relief! We didn't even need to break into the bag of earplugs we brought for the people sitting around us. The entire Delta staff was very accommodating and helpful for our maiden voyage. Violet received her first wings pin, and even got VIP treatment from the pilot.









We had such a wonderful time with Tim's extended family in New Orleans. It warmed my heart to know that so many people loved Violet before they even met her. Tim's Aunt Vicki planned lots of fun activities including a steam boat tour, delicious meals, shopping, professional photographs, and even a visit to the spa for the ladies! It was totally awesome to get a manicure while my wonderful sister-in-law's tended to Violet. New Orleans is such a cool city with so much history. We had great weather, too. Tim and I are both so glad we were able to be part of such a memorable weekend. I think Grandma knows how much she is loved and it was a wonderful way to celebrate 80 years.

Violet and her great Grandma (she doesn't look 80, does she?!)

Violet and her Grandma

Sweet little girl in eyelet

Walking through the streets of NOLA

Bonding with Daddy

Just being cute

Two peas in a pod

This month's stats:

• 11 lb, 8 oz (approximate from bathroom scale since she doesn't go back to doctor until 4 months)
• wearing 3 month size clothes
• Lots of smiles and coos
• On the verge of giving us a real laugh
• Still kicking her legs like crazy (it looks like she's dancing when she does it!)
• Loves to gnaw on her fists
• Sleeping better, usually only wakes twice during the night.
• Looks over when we call her name
• Rolled from her back to her side (that just happened last night so I have to investigate further :) )