9 month check-up

Damian and I took Vivi in for her 9 month check-up this morning.  She is tracking along just like her past visits.  Dr. Gregory says she's tall and skinny.  She gets that from her daddy.

Length: 28 inches (75th percentile)

Weight: 17lbs 1oz (25th percentile)

Head Circumference: 45cm

Vivi got two shots today (one was a flu shot) and they produced the saddest cries!  After all was said and done, we heard Vivi sniffle for the first time ever!  This lasted for about ten minutes.  She got lots of kisses and hugs after all the trauma.

Here is a picture of Vivi with the band-aid she got today...

We've taken a picture of Vivi after each of her check-ups.  

2 months...

4 months...
6 months...

Vivian Grace is 9 months old today!

Our little princess turned 9 months old today!  She has grown up so much.  Vivi is very independent and super energetic.  She loves scooting around and pulling herself up.  She's balancing for about ten seconds.  Vivi babbles a little and squeals even more!  She is very sweet.  She gives hugs and open mouth kisses.  She's beginning to learn how to wave.  She loves to be outside and around Max, Ashley, and Huggy.  Her favorite foods are purple -- prunes and blueberries.

Here are a few pics of Vivi playing when we got home this afternoon...    

Vivi's New Hat

Every Saturday during spring, summer, and fall, we wake up and look forward to walking to the Farmer's Market.  This weekend, there was a lady selling hand-knit hats.  We couldn't resist getting Vivi ready for the cold weather.  She seems to like it, too!

After the trip to the market, we headed to Ft. Smith to visit Abby, Ron, Emma, and Sam.  Emily, who lives in Memphis, was in town for her 10 year high school reunion.  We were also able to see Sarah, Brad, and Kate who drove in from Tulsa for a friend's engagement party.

Vivi with Auntie Em...

Auntie Em with Vivi and Cousin Emma...
Cousin Sam...
Aunt Abby and Vivi...
Emily and Damian...
The girls with Emily's friend Brian...

Our First Family Vacation

In July, Damian, Vivi, and I went to Florida for a vacation just outside of Seaside, with Abby, Ron, Emma, and Sam.  On our first day there, we were able to see Amy, Will, Amy's mom (who was visiting from PA), and Ysella.  Drew was in Iraq.  It was great to be able to visit with them and see where they live in Destin.  

Vivi was always entertained by Sam.  He sure knows how to crack her up.  He does a cute little dance and talks to her...she LOVES it!

At the beach...

We were able to catch a play in Seaside...

Dinner at a great little Italian place...

One of the nights, we were able to get a baby-sitter (Vivi's first!) with the help of our friend Amy.  Abby, Ron, Damian and I got to have drinks and appetizers at Cafe 30-A, which was wonderful!  We had to take our entrees to go (probably the most expensive take-out we've ever had) because Vivi was not feeling well that night.  

It was a great week away from home and we're looking forward to many more family vacations!

We Got Suckered

We had a surprise Monday when we got home from work/school...my friend Jessica showed up to "sucker" us.  She is part of Circle of Friends, which is a group that raises money to support the Arkansas Children's Hospital.  We are happy to support this cause, so thanks for suckering us, Jessica!

One of Vivi's favorite things to do when Damian gets home from work is give him lots of hugs and play with his name tag.  I think the name tag falls into her top ten favorite toys.

Auntie Em asked to see Vivi in the pink caddy that Aunt Les, Uncle Tom, and Will gave her...so here she is driving around with her giggly girlfriends!

Vivi saw her first Harley tonight.  Bikes, Blues, and BBQ has kicked off, so Damian suggested that we walk over to Dickson Street to check out the action.  It was pretty tame this evening, but it's going to get crazy, loud, and crowded as the weekend nears.

As for something new, Vivi recently discovered the bubbles in her bath this week.  She pats the water so that it splashes and makes lots of bubbles.  Then, she concentrates really hard trying to touch the bubbles and hold them in her hands.  It's really cute!

And tonight, she held her bottle all by herself.  Well, I should clarify that since she's been holding her bottle for awhile now...she has finally figured out how to tilt her bottle upward all by herself.  What a big girl!

Saturday Required Power Tools!

This weekend was a game weekend, so Sarah, Brad, Kate, my mom, Sheila, and Stephen were in Fayetteville on Saturday.  While Brad, Sheila, Stephen, and Damian went to the game, my mom watched Vivi and Kate, so Sarah and I could run some errands around town.  Thanks, mom!

Uncle Brad and Vivi...

Vivi practicing walking and chewing on her finger with Aunt SheShe...

Sarah and Kate...

When Sarah and I got home from shopping, everything was great.  We got a good report on the girls from Lola Grace.  After a little while, we noticed that my mom was gone for quite a while and there was a clicking noise down the hallway...she was LOCKED in the bathroom and couldn't get the lock to turn!  About 10 minutes later, everybody made it home from the game so the engineer and two sales guys worked on the lock.

They tried everything (using a screwdriver, WD-40, etc.), but the lock wouldn't budge.  Soooooo, they broke out the Skilsaw.

If anybody has any suggestions on what we can do with the big hole in Vivi's bathroom door, let us know!  We are thinking of having some sort of glass panel put in it.

Lola Grace after the rescue operation...

Me and my sweet girl...

We followed up our crazy Saturday with a quiet Sunday.  We went to church where Vivi was a squirmy worm, ate lunch out for a change, and went hunting for furniture.

Small Steps for Vivi

What a great Friday!  Here is Vivi all packed up and ready to go to school.  She has her "Sophie" that Aunt Sarah, Uncle Brad, and Kate gave her to distract her while I get her buckled into her car seat.  Her shoes also work really well, too.

Here is Vivi at school with her friend Bennett.  She goes to Montessori.  The classroom that she's in has wooden furniture placed around the room so that they can pull themselves up and move around on their own.

Today was the first time Vivi has ever worn jeans!

Vivi pulls up on her own and can balance for about 10 seconds.  She's still working on taking steps...

Damian was a very handy daddy this evening.  He put together Vivi's Playskool activity tent (thanks Tara and Karie for the great gift!) and her dollhouse book case.

Ashley and Huggy have already made it their little home...

It was beautiful this evening, so we took Vivi and Max for a walk around Wilson park.

Big fun this weekend with family and friends in town for the Razorback game.  Go Hogs!!