Ashworth Alcove

We're moving across the country in a month and a half. I've started packing. In general, packing sucks. However, I don't really feel too sad about boxing our stuff up to be opened up once again in another home, another state, another time zone. I've done it multiple times by now. Then I got to the nursery. I walked in with a couple of boxes and some newspaper and just looked around. I tenderly touched her books and trinkets. The vintage cat figurines from Aunt Sissy. The delicate fabric we framed and hung above the crib. The handles on the dresser that was once mine than I left tarnished because I liked the character. That was three days ago and the boxes are still sitting in the corner of the room - empty. The nursery hasn't been touched. For whatever reason, I just don't want to pack it away. It's not like we're getting rid of Violet's things, but the thought of dismantling her room, her very first room, deeply disrupted my spirit. I do...

Yes, I let her put a pine needle in her mouth. I'm trying not to be the mother that freaks out about everything. Violet loves being outside. That is understated. Violet likes being outside more than my boobs (maybe). I always put a blanket or quilt down for her to play on, but there's no point. She shimmies her way to the edge in search of the magnificent ground covered in goodies - grass, dirt, pine needles, leaves. Luckily, no dog poop. Yet.

  Growth & Appearance: Your face is perfectly round. Your cheeks are so soft and squisy, I want to bite them. Your hair is a little longer. It's dark brown and soft. Your eyes seem bluer than ever. The pediatrician drew a punnet square at your 6 month checkup to show that both your Daddy and I must both carry a recessive gene for blue eyes for you have them. It still seems impossible, but it must be true because it's pretty obvious you're not the milkman's child. You weigh 18.5 lbs (90th percentile) and are 29 inches long (92nd percentile). You're still wearing size 3 diapers, size 9 month onesies/shirts, 9 month pants/bloomers, and 9-12 month sleepers. You got some news shoes recently and you wear size 2 - for a second, before they're kicked/ripped off.   Teeth: Two teeth still. I've been waiting for a top one to show up any day because you've been pa-retty grumpy in the evenings and you're drooling a lot again. Alas, still only two....

I struggled for a few weeks on what Violet would be for Halloween. I finally decided on a witch. It's a classic and one of my favorite costumes. Her costume was simple and was made up of several items we already had. She wore a black onesie, black tights, and black shoes. Items that are winter staples and that we already had. I made her hat out of felt and some trinkets. My mom made her a beautiful skirt, which I think made the whole costume. And lastly, I thought she needed some kind of prop, so I crafted her a felt broom. The weather was terrible on Halloween night, so the community observed the trick-or-treating festivities the following night. I actually dressed Violet up for some photos the day before Halloween so I wouldn't have to worry about that part when it was time to trick-or-treat. I suspect she's teething again, so she wasn't very cooperative for the photos. Smiles were scarce, but I suppose th...