Violet's 1st Birthday

The violets are blooming all over our yard right now, and I love how the timing is the same as our Violet's birthday.  Violet turned one at the beginning of this month, and is a very active little girl.  Here she is below, climbing into things, onto things and stuck in things.

She loves looking out of the windows and playing the piano and doesn't let vertical challenges stop her from pursuing these interests.

Violet also loves things that begin with the letter "B" - balls (bah), babies (bee bee), bath  (bah?), books (buh), blueberries (boo), bird (buh!) and balloons (ba?).

She can walk a couple of steps now before falling down, and even tried walking in the girls dress up high heels the other day.  She has enjoyed her first experiences at playgrounds too this past month, where she had more fun eating wood chips than playing on the structures with me in hot pursuit.

Violet is very loving to her baby dolls, and has shown compassion this past month to her family members when they are sad or hurt.  Mostly this translates to showing concern and love towards Emma, who is sad and hurt quite often.  Violet will go over to Emma and pat her repeatedly while saying "Ma?  Ma?  Ma?" until Emma can't help but smile.  It is amazing to me how much Violet comprehends.  Will reassures me that I felt this way about each of our kids, but it is truly remarkable how if I ask Violet a question she will answer by nodding her head up and down vigorously, or by shaking her hands for "all done" in sign language.  In the top left picture she is indicating that she is all done eating, and in the top right picture she went and got her shoes when I asked her if she wanted to go outside.  In the bottom left hand picture I asked her if she was hungry and she went to her chair at the table and tried to climb up.

Violet also waves bye bye now and I swear sings the Heartbeat Song by Kelly Clarkson and Wiggle Wiggle Hold Still from Yo Gabba Gabba.  As if I wasn't amazed enough by Violet's budding intelligence, the other day one of the wheels fell off of her push toy and she squatted down next to it and tried to put the wheel back on.  It is truly miraculous the changes that take place over the course of one year from newborn infant to a full-fledged toddler.

Will was able to take the day off for Violet's birthday and we decided to celebrate by going to the zoo.  It was Violet's first trip to the zoo...

…her first train ride…

…and her first carousel ride.  I think the carousel was her favorite.

Her favorite presents included her own snack cup filled with Cheerios to match her older sisters snack cups that she is always swiping, and her own water bottle - also to match her sisters that she is always sneaking sips from.  She also loved the little Duplo baby with a stroller and bottle that we got her.  In the top right hand picture she is hugging the little baby.

It has been quite a year with our Violet from her feeding issues, her mouth surgery and recovery, breaking my tailbone when she was six days old and not being able to sit for months, a third kid with acid reflux and of course, her horrific sleep.  I feel like we have been through the ringer and I am both exhausted and resigned.  I know all of these challenges will eventually resolve themselves - some already have.  In the meantime, I have gotten rid of all of my books on sleep.  After three kids - each one progressively worse with sleep - I give up.  I am throwing up the white flag of surrender.  I have no explanation as to why my kids sleep so badly and I can honestly say I have tried EVERYTHING.  At this point I still hold Violet for her naps, and I've decided that after fighting it for three kids, I will just embrace my fate and enjoy it.  It gives me a chance to relax, put my feet up, soak in my baby cuddles and read a good book that has nothing to do with trying to get your baby to sleep.

Violet, you have taught me so many things in this past year, including perseverance and the ability to live life in the moment - without thought to the future or past.  This perhaps is the greatest thing I have learned so far - to live life in the moment without worry or guilt and to really be present.  Because of you Violet, I have found strength I didn't know I had, and a feeling of being so very blessed to watch my beautiful third daughter, my Violet, blossom.  I am still in awe that I have been blessed with a third daughter, and I love how you fit into our lives, your already apparent sense of humor, your love and care for the ones you love, your relentless curiosity and your certainty as to what you like and don't like.  I love you Violet Rose!!!