Monday, June 4, 2012

18 months

Our precious Vivian isn't a baby anymore! She turned 18 months old a few weeks ago. It's hard to believe that she has been in our lives for a year and a half, but it's even harder to remember what life was like without her. She is an absolute joy. We are excited to see her change and grow each and every day. She LOVES her family. Every morning when I come into her room, her first words are "Mama, Dadden, Sis, Loula, Woof!" She says our names in succession like this repeatedly throughout the day. Although I admit she is mostly a mama's girl, she really just likes all of us to be together. If Paul leaves, she cries. If Emma Jane leaves, she cries. If mama leaves, she has a meltdown! She doesn't like Loula to be outside without her. She stares at Loula through the backdoor and tries to let her in.

Vivian is a very enthusiastic dancer. As soon as she hears music, she starts shaking her hips! She's also beginning to sing a little bit. It's so cute to hear her trying to carry a tune. Some of her favorite songs are "Baa Baa Black Sheep" and "Old MacDonald". Of course, like most babies her age, she loves to say all of the animal sounds. Viv loves reading books with us and has really become opinionated about which books we read to her at naptime and bedtime. She will plow through her baskets of books until she finds just the one she wants. We hope that this love of reading continues like it has for her big sis. One of her favorite books right now is "Doggies" by Sandra Boynton.

Viv's vocabulary has really taken off. She is parroting most of the one and two syllable words we say and has begun to piece words together into short sentences. She'll say, "Come on, Sis!" or "Hi Loula!" We are proud of her sweet manners. She almost always says "Pease!" when asking for something and says "Tanks!" when you give it to her. Lately she's been counting everything. It's so cute to hear her saying "one, two, free..." we haven't gotten any further than that just yet!

Vivian knows how to throw a temper tantrum! She is definitely learning how to let us know when she is upset or frustrated. She's even had a few time-outs and is learning how to say she's sorry. From her temper tantrums to her infectious laughter and unexpected hugs, we love our sweet Vivian to pieces!












Thursday, May 31, 2012

a day for mom

Since Paul had to work on Mothers' Day this year, he and the girls took me on a picnic at the capitol the day before. We enjoyed a yummy lunch and had a "ball" exploring the grounds. Emma Jane loves to climb the trees on the capitol grounds and Paul took some great pictures of the girls with their mama! We stopped for icecream on the way home. I've never seen little Vivian so excited! She impatiently boo-hooed while waiting at the table for her icecream, but as soon as she spotted her daddy coming towards her with it, those tears turned into giggles and bounces of pure joy!








































Wednesday, May 16, 2012

grooving girls

We have been going to the Rhythm and Blooms concerts since we moved to Columbia.  The concerts are held at the botanical gardens every Thursday night in the month of May.  Last Thursday we met some good friends for another night of music and fun.  This was the first time we attended a concert that was actually held in the outdoor amphitheater they have in the gardens.  Emma Jane and Vivian had a ball dancing with their friends.  Vivian danced her little heart out ALL night long.  It's hilarious to watch her groove to the music! 





 








Wednesday, May 9, 2012

this little pigtail

Vivian proudly wore her first pigtails earlier this week...


Say cheese!


Pat your knees!


Touch your toes!


Off she goes!
 

Out and about to show everyone her new do!

pink pup

   While researching dogs a few weeks before Loula joined our family, Emma Jane told us she wanted a pink puppy.  Of course, we told her that this request just wasn't possible.  Little did we know, her wish would come true!  Emma Jane's pink chalk drawings were obviously very interesting to our curious pup.  Loula came over to check them out, rolled all over them (which did NOT make Emma Jane very happy!), and instantly became a pink lab puppy!  The centipede crawling along the sidewalk also became victim to the pink dust.  Little Miss Pink Princess was thrilled! 






Friday, May 4, 2012

sticking together

A walk in the park is always nice with your sister by your side.




Sisters who swing together...stay together!


Snack time!