The Rat Race

On November 21st, I am returning back to work. Thankfully, it is part-time (MWF), and Michael (and my mom, occasionally) will be watching Violet, and I will get to be home with her while Michael is in school the rest of the week.

This past Tuesday and Wednesday, though, I had to attend training downtown so that I can perform the new work functions that I will have. My mom watched Violet on Tuesday, and Michael had her Wednesday. I was extremely anxious in the weeks leading up to it, as the longest I had ever been away from her before was MAYBE two hours. And in preparation for the Big Day, I have spent the last month staying up way too late every night in order to pump milk so that my little one wouldn't starve while I was away (thank GOODNESS she has always taken a bottle well).

To make a long story (and one that is probably interesting only to myself) short, it went great.

As in, she didn't cry at all, and I am not even entirely sure she even noticed I was gone. When I got home Tuesday, my mom said Violet got excited when she heard my voice, but there was no tearful reunion, reproachful looks, or desperation to nurse. Sure, she was happy, but just about as happy as she gets when I leave the room and return after a two minute absence.

Wednesday was Michael's first solo day with her, and it went off without a hitch as well. Lots of long walks and good ol' fashioned daddy time (and boy does that little girl love her daddy!).

Violet even napped both days (a feat I can never manage with her unless she is attached to me, if you know what I mean).

So, first off, an ENORMOUS thanks to my mom for watching Violet (and for the other million things she does every day for me and everyone else). And kudos to Michael for doing such a terrific job (not that I had my doubts--he is an amazing dad, which is why I married the man).

And I have to say that, while I am not exactly looking forward to it, I am now no longer dreading returning to work.

And no, no pictures right now. I have to find my camera cord to upload some pictures. So sorry. In all honesty, though, everyone says Violet looks exactly the same as she did four months ago, with the addition of her teeth.

OH! And in other exciting, Violet-centric news: she is on the verge of crawling! When we were in Disneyland a couple weeks ago, she started getting up on all fours for the first time. Since we've returned, she's done a couple crawls before collapsing, but she mostly either scoots along on her face, with her legs pushing, or she pulls herself forward with her hands. As with everything else she does, it is The Most Amazing Thing Ever and Absolutely Adorable. My baby is awesome.

I won!

So, I won that giveaway I posted about! I never win anything and so am SUPER excited. Here is a link to what my new house numbers will look like!

Check out this blog!

My former college roommate has started a DIY blog which I have really been enjoying. Check her out at The Turquoise Piano. She is also doing a great giveaway with awesome handmade plaques (perfect for your front door, house address, or wherever your creative heart desires!).

On a personal note, I will hopefully post some pictures of Violet this week! She has her front two bottom teeth, and she has been using them with gusto.

Six months!

Violet is six months old today! While it seems to have gone by quickly, our childless lives seem an eternity ago.

Violet brings more and more joy to our lives each day. I never new how all-consuming love could be!

Violet has been eating (and LOVING) baby cereal for a month now, and within the last couple weeks we have added bananas and olive oil to her diet (she's got to put some weight on somehow!). She enjoys chewing on anything she can get her hands on, drinking from a cup, babbling VERY coherently, giggling, nursing pretty much constantly, "helping" mom feed herself cereal, sitting in her new Bumbo (best invention EVER), listening to "Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree," and looking at books and magazines. She is still sleeping magnificently at night and is now regularly sleeping 2-3 naps during the day (as long as mom is holding her, of course).

Violet, we are so glad to have you in our family! We love you!

Three Years!

Today we celebrated our 3rd anniversary. The time has flown by and yet brought so many changes to our lives: graduation, a move to California, new careers, a new house, two dogs (and countless other livestock), and, of course, our beautiful baby girl.

I have to say that I couldn't have gotten luckier when it comes to marriage. Michael is absolutely wonderful in every way and I couldn't be happier! He is an amazing husband, a hard worker, and the best dad EVER (and an amazing fisherman, as evidenced by the photo below, courtesy of Becky):

We celebrated by eating delicious Indian food al fresco at my parents' house while Grandma Linda watched the little one.

Michael, here's to another three years, and another three years after that, and another three years after that, and another...

Happy Birthday, Camryn!

Today is Camryn Karen Taylor's 3rd birthday! She's the troublemaker on the left. I wish we could be there to celebrate with this little Golden Child, but reunions shall have to wait until October.

Camryn, the humans, canines, and assorted fowl from this household wish you a very happy birthday!

Updates

Violet has had a few "firsts" this past week. On June 7th, she giggled when I tickled her. It is so fun hearing these first real laughs of hers! And the next night she held up a bottle all on her own! She isn't super steady with it yet, but I was just impressed she could hold it.

She is also getting quite adept at grabbing onto things and manipulating them. It's pretty darn cute.

On the 9th, I ventured downtown with her to run some errands. I had to provide my work with a copy of her birth certificate, which meant I had to go to South Sac and get a copy of her birth certificate, in person. Everyone at work just loved her, of course, and it was so great to see everyone again. Even though it has only been 3.5 months, I feel like working full-time was another lifetime. It was pretty surreal going back in.

Afterward, I headed over to a co-worker's house. She is also on maternity leave and had her little boy 6 weeks after Violet was born. They sure had fun together, and immediately grabbed each other's hands when we put them next to each other:

Beau is 6 weeks younger but 3 lbs. heavier. I worry about Violet being too thin and Shannon worries about Beau being too chubby. I guess mothers always worry!

On the 10th, Violet sucked her thumb for the very fist time (as opposed to shoving her whole fist in her mouth). Today she even amazed us all by sucking BOTH thumbs at once!

And for the most amazing feat, Violet ROLLED OVER from her back to her tummy today while at Grandma's house! What a star! I will try to grab pictures of her next time she does it.