I can't believe this day is here. Two years ago I met the most amazing little girl, and she has continued to amaze me each day since then. Violet is truly the sunshine of our world. She is our comic relief, our curious cat, and our sweet little snuggle bug. Before she was born, I didn't know I could love another human being as much as I do her (sorry Tim, but it's different!).
This year has been so much fun! Violet learns new things every day it seems, and she is a smart little cookie. She can say her ABC's and count from 1-10 flawlessly. She knows all of the main animals and the sounds they make, as well as some obscure ones that her books highlight (Newt, Yak, Xenops, seriously?) She loves songs and continually wants us to sing to her. She points out letters wherever we go. One time we were walking into Giant Eagle and she suddenly shouts out "G!!!!!" It was adorable. She is very proud of herself when she locates letters while we're out and about.
She is still a very picky little eater. She survives on yogurt and milk. She will only eat meat if it's chicken from my chicken and broccoli when we order chinese. She will not touch cheese, and don't you dare offer her peanut butter, that's just ludicrous! She LOVES fruit snacks, vitamins, and veggie straws.
Violet is still my excellent sleeper, and I'm so thankful for that! She goes to bed between 7 and 7:30pm and wakes up around 8am. She is in her toddler bed now and she hasn't tried to get out, she always waits for Daddy or Mommy to come get her.
Her one true love is still lambie. She has warmed up to "other Lambie," which is a duplicate of original lambie that I bought when original lambie started looking too embarassing to take out into public. Violet knows original lambie has to stay in her bed. Other lambie gets to roam the house and go to church and other outings with us. It has worked out nicely! She doesn't know it yet, but I purchased a third lambie to eventually phase out original lambie if something happens like a rip or irreversible stain.
The biggest thing that happened for Violet this year is becoming a big sister. She has taken to it like a dream. She hasn't displayed jealousy or anger towards "sissy" as she calls her. She likes to inform me when Juliet is crying "sissy cry" as if I already didn't know.. :) and she likes to randomly throw pacifiers or blankets onto Juliet. It's quite adorable and I can't wait to watch her grow even more into her role as a big sister.
Violet weighs 24 lbs (22nd percentile) and measures 34 inches (50th percentile). She is wearing 18 months and 24 months clothes. Some of the 18s are becoming too short now. She wears size 5 and 6 shoes. She isn't interested in the potty very much yet, but she does tell me when she is about to go #2 (she says "potty") which is a good start. I've sat her on the potty but she hasn't done anything yet. We'll keep trying and hope she catches on quickly! One less butt to wipe is OK in my book!
Looking back on the last two years, it has been such a fun ride. I have been stretched further than I ever thought possible, physically, emotionally, and mentally. But the good times are much easier to recall than the hard ones. This little girl, my beloved Violet Marie, has stretched my heart; and will never go back. I can't wait to see what the next year holds for my sweet baby girl. Thank you, Lord, for this precious gift.
