Ashworth Alcove

Ben and I usually keep it low-key for Valentines Day. This year Violet and I opened some packages from my mother and grandmother. Inside were lots of treats, but her favorites were some rubber balls from my mother and a bear from my grandmother. Violet had a doctor's appointment for her check up, then that night we went out to eat at a nice local restaurant we'd never tried before. Ben had a long four-day weekend, so on Sunday we used the tickets my mother-in-law got us for the zoo. Going to the zoo stirs a child-like excitement in me. When you're little a day at the zoo is always such a special day. It's no different now. We took our time in the aquarium. Violet would put her little hands on the glass and follow the fish with her eyes as they floated by. We petted some stingrays before exploring the zoo. The wind was cold, so we moved quickly and didn't linger with the exception of the walruses. They gargled and huffed at us in a way that w...

Growth & Appearance: Your hair is soft and stick straight. It's medium brown. There's enough to make a little turbo pony on top. Your eyelashes are getting longer and your eyebrows darker. You seem slimmer, especially when you're standing. You still have booty for days and soft biscuit thighs. I hope they never leave, but I'm sure you won't want biscuit legs when you're a teenager. We've been affectionately calling you Biscuit for a month now, especially when you pant and act like a puppy. You weigh 21.5 lbs and are 29 inches long. You can still wear most of your 9 month clothing, but you're clearly better off in 12 month clothing. Size 4 diapers. Teeth: You cut four teeth in two weeks. You were in surprisingly good spirits throughout the process. You now have four pearly whites on top. Fourth tooth: January 20 Fifth and sixth tooth: January 22. You have a whole new look. Development: You like to play chase. We'll get down in the f...

Violet, Your 9 month checkup was yesterday, Valentines Day. 21 lb. 5oz. -  87% 29 in. - 93% To my relief, there were no shots this time. They did poke your heel to check for anemia, which I was a little anxious about. I expected you to cry. The nurse poked you and started milking your foot for blood and you simply furrowed your brow and looked at him like he was cuckoo. I was proud. You're blood work was great, by the way. Your head circumference is in the 99th percentile. You've got a big old noggin full of brains. I know you're going to change the world in your own special way. You just woke up from a nap and your hair is crazed. You make me happier than you will ever know. Love, Mama

"Out of all the babies in the world, you're probably number one. Okay?" - Ben to Violet It's the truth. Violet is (usually) a good baby. Nay, a great baby. I took her shopping with me today. We rarely go shopping and when we do it's to weird smelling thrift shops and consignment stores. Our finds today: an old-fashioned baby dress, a mug that's older than me that reads "you are the best mom ever", and a children's book that's completely in German - something about a crocodile and a house. Das Krokodil findet ein Zuhause.

Don't worry, Violet has on fifteen pairs of pants. We sat her down for what was meant to be just briefly for a photo, but she crawled all around in the most pure form of amazement. She licked snow off of her mittens and made funny faces. Do you know how hard it is to put mittens on a baby? Snow brings out the childlike spirit in me. It makes me feel giddy and silly. We got several inches last night and it was the good stuff. It stuck together so easily and crunched beneath my feet as I walked. Clumps of snow festooned the beautiful evergreen trees. It truly is indicative of spiritual peace and tranquility. "The way a crow Shook down on me The dust of snow From a hemlock tree Has given my heart A change of mood And saved some part Of a day I had rued." - Robert Frost

Violet is in extreme exploration mode, has been for a while. She is right behind me everywhere I go, trying to do everything I do. Watching her learn is special. She's quite domesticated.