Tuesday, July 5, 2011

V's my Yankee Doodle Sweetheart...

It's July.  I can't believe it.  It's July, it's hot, I'm finally tan and now I'm ready for the fall.  Okay, not really, but I'm already tired of the humidity.  I thought summers used to be really hot...until I had to start lugging around a growing baby!  She may look petite, but she adds about 25 degrees to the hot temperature!  Good thing no one notices my sweaty gross face whenever Violet is with me.   

Violet's first 4th of July was absolutely perfect...because she was absolutely perfect!  We had fun swimming at Darin and Nicki's, hanging out with family and friends, and meeting Violet's future bestie, Tatum, for the first time!  It's crazy to think how much our 4th of July has now changed.  It used to be spent on the lake, soaking up the sun, soaking up some booze and stuffing our faces with 101 different types of cream cheese dips/snacks.  I can honestly say I don't miss those days!  

Violet had so much fun kicking her chubby little legs in the swimming pool!  Her dad just held her the whole time and she just smiled from ear to ear.  Her sweet little cheeks were getting pink from the heat and sun, but she never fussed all day!  She's a dream...   

Ready to show off her swimming legs!  
Such a happy baby!!
Hollywood

Can't take her eyes off the pool.  
She is seriously ready to dive right in!  
Getting used to the water.  

Just chillin' in the shallow end.  
She loved swimming with her daddy.  
Chatterbox
Time to reapply sunscreen.  
Okay!  Ready to get back in the pool!
Swim + Nap = Happy V




My parents came down for the weekend so we had fun hanging out with them!  Of course, they soaked up every second that they could with Violet.  I hardly get to hold her when they're in town!  I'm not complaining though...I get a break to get some things done and to just relax!  

Piggy back ride...Korean style!
Violet with her proud grandmas.  
A cute naked baby makes everyone smile!  

Violet got to meet her future best friend, Tatum.  Tatum's mom and I have been best friends since the second grade, so these two dumplins have no choice but to be besties!  Tatum, I hope V doesn't torture you like I tortured your mommy!  

V kind of looks guilty...like she's the reason why Tatum is crying!  

Uh oh...yep, looks like she just pinched poor Tatum!  

Love these two to pieces!!

Friday, July 1, 2011

5 Things I'm Obsessed With...

1.  Pictures from 4th of July 2009
With it being 4th of July weekend, I've been reminiscing about my summer in New York in 2009.  I was there for a couple of months doing an internship.  I had a wonderful time and would LOVE to go back someday...and even take V there!  I would love to take her to all the museums, Central Park and shopping!  It was actually after my NY summer that I realized I was ready to have kids.  And sure enough, we ended up getting pregnant the very next summer.

Rooftop at the Met.  

This was at the Statue of Liberty.  

Time for fireworks!  

I even got to watch the fireworks with my sissy!  



2.  Speaking of New York, I'm really happy about the legalization of gay marriage.  
I don't want to make this blog a political format, but it is something that I'm so happy about.  I have a lot of gay friends who deserve the same rights as every other human being.  I'm so proud of the concrete jungle and can't wait for the day that all 50 states recognize that love does not discriminate against race, gender, religion or sexuality.
Found these pins on Etsy.  Love them.  

This picture makes me fall even more in love with NYC...

3.  I'm totally obsessed with these shoes!!!  
How cute are these shoes from Zulily?  I almost ordered them for my little lady, but they didn't have her size.
Wouldn't V look so cute in these?

4.  Speaking of my little lady...
Who wouldn't be totally obsessed with this smile?!  She truly is the happiest little lady!


Already posin' with her hip out!  

5.  Totally in love with this dress...   
But not in love with the price...don't worry, Brad, just eye shopping...

I hope everyone has a safe and happy 4th of July!  Even though Violet is too young to watch the fireworks, holidays are just so much more exciting and happy with her around.  We plan on swimming at Darin and Nicki's, grilling out, visiting with friends and family, and just be a little bit lazy!  I hope you all get to do the same!

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Dear Violet...

Today marks your 4 month birthday!  I seriously CANNOT believe you are already 4 months old!  I thought you changed at lightening speed during your first 3 months...but the changes don't compare to your 4th month!  I can really start to see your personality shine through.  You're laid back, happy, energetic, snuggly, and overall, a very blissful and content little baby.

Here are some of the things you're doing right now:

--You are a chatterbox.  And you've moved on from 'goo'.  You talk so much and so loud now!  I absolutely love it!  You especially love talking to your ceiling fan while lying in your crib...
--You don't scream as much in the car.  Thank God!
--Your hair in the back (or as Katie likes to describe it as your "rat tail") is so long that I can put a ponytail in it!  Have I mentioned that you're 4 MONTHS and not 4 YEARS old??
--I refuse to talk about your sleep habits right now for fear of jinxing it.  It seems that every time I start to brag about what a great sleeper you are, you always try to prove me wrong!
--You met your future husband (according to your Daddy and Uncle Wil) a few weeks ago.  He made you cry the first time you met him.  I really hope you toughen up when it comes to boys!  You're the one that's supposed to make HIM cry!  
--I had to take you to the doctor a couple of weeks ago because I was afraid you had an ear infection.  Nope.  Just dry skin!  
--When they weighed you at the appointment, you were 12 pounds and 5 ounces.  You're such a petite lil thing!  
--You have your 4 month doctor's appointment next week where you'll get your second round of shots.  Boo.  I predict you'll be 13 pounds by then.  
--You aren't eating as often as you were last month.  That means your growing!
--Your chubby little legs are getting stronger and stronger everyday.  You LOVE to stand and just look all around.
--You now enjoy tummy time!  Whoo hoo!  When you lay on your tummy, you look like you're so proud that you can hold your head up high.  You just look all around as if you see things from a different perspective now.  
--We still swaddle you at night but you always bust through the swaddle.  
--You only want your binky when you're sleepy.  
--The bathroom exhaust fan still seems to calm you down when you're mad and help us put you to sleep!  I kinda wish we had an exhaust in every room so I don't have to spend time in the bathroom!  
--You prefer to be cradled when we're trying to put you down for a nap or bedtime.  You used to want to be held on our shoulders, but now, you want to be cradled, with a binky and with a blanket over your face.  The blanket on your face/head may or may not make you look like you're a member of a white supremacist group....hey, whatever works! 
--It takes you a bit to warm up to strangers.  You still prefer to be held by me or Daddy.
--Your Eemo got to visit us last month and you were sooo funny when you first saw her!  You would look at her, then look at me, then look at her, then look at me.  You were totally thinking, "Ummmm...why are there 2 mommys???"  Eemo said, "Ummm...you need to introduce her to more Asians, because clearly she's confused as to why there are TWO Asians!"  
--You haven't rolled over yet, but I think you'll start to roll any day now.  
--You took your first dip in a swimming pool at Uncle Darin and Aunt Nicki's last weekend.  We only dipped your feet in and you just couldn't stop staring at the water.  
--You don't hate the sunlight anymore.  I was beginning to think you were a vampire!  I'm glad you're getting used to the bright sun b/c mama needs to lay out this summer! 
--You can say, "Omma," which is "Mom" in Korean...okay, so you may be saying it on accident, but my heart still skips a beat when I hear you say it.
--You laugh a lot.  And it makes me laugh a lot.   
--You reach and grab for anything and everything.  And when you get your little hands on it, it goes straight to your mouth.  

This has been the most incredible four months and the best part is, I know it's only going to get better.  You've brought so much joy into our lives.  You bring happiness and sunshine into a room no matter where you're at.  You're so beautiful on the outside and I hope you grow to be as beautiful on the inside.  I've never been so exhausted in my life, but it's all worth it.  I would never trade a sleepless night for anything.  Time spent with you is always cherished and I don't even complain if I have to get up in the middle of the night.  My friends have changed my attitude on that and instead, I love being able to hold you and cuddle you no matter if it's 3 in the afternoon or 3 in the morning.  I love you more than anything and I'm so proud to be called your mom.  

Love,
Mommy





Distracted by your bling.  



You are just the sweetest lil thing...  

You truly are the happiest little lady!

Thursday, June 2, 2011

20 Summer Goals

1.  Lose the remaining baby weight (4 pounds) that is stuck to my ass and thighs.
2.  Have V sleep trained...just in time for her to teeth and break every rule of the sleep training!  (Ugh.  Teething...I think I hate that word more than "blowouts"...but not more than "dump.")
3.  Go to at least 2 Cardinals games this summer.  Bud Light just tastes better at Busch Stadium...  
4.  Get a nice tan!
5.  Go to my nephew's tee ball games.
6.  Try not to cut my hair.  (This is going to be a hard one.  I want to grow my hair out, but the longer it gets, the more spit-up it catches when I'm burping V...)  
7.  Read this book.
8.  Find an organization that I can volunteer for.
9.  Try to spend more time away from V.  (Just typing this out makes me very anxious!!!)
10.  Make this dessert.  (Yes, this counteracts with goal #1.)
11.  Find a cheap flight to Boston for V and me.
12.  Go the farmer's market at least every other week.  
13.  Learn the tricks to my Nikon camera.  And by learn, I mean have my brother in law fly out from Boston and teach me how to use it...again...  
14.  Try to get all the pineapples, bananas and watermelon on Angry Birds Rio.  
15.  Try not to get bitten by any mosquitos.  
16.  Spend more time with Connor Kleinschmidt.  
17.  Make a lot of homemade ice cream.  
18.  Go on evening walks with V and B.  
19.  Go on early morning walks with Bridget, Brooke and Deb.  (This should help with #10 and #17.)
20.  Try to get more sleep!!!  (In my dreams.)

(I gotta throw in some pics of V with every post!  :)


 
Yes folks, her hair is long enough for a pony tail!


 Hasn't quite mastered sitting up yet!

Babies like to wear jeggings, too!