Violet at 26 Months

We are getting into a groove with the heat and Violet at this point in the summer and Violet seems to be happier.  We do not have central air conditioning but our window air conditioners do a very good job of keeping our house comfortable for Violet in our record breaking heat of a summer.  Here Violet is below, hanging out at her favorite spot in the house - in front of the air conditioner.

Violet was sick this past month with a fever and chills, and had lots of snuggles in front of the TV with a blanket.  Since then, whenever she feels sick from being overheated, she climbs up on the couch, tucks herself in with a blanket in front of the air conditioner and asks for a movie.  I usually let her, as her attention span with the movie is about 10 minutes and that is long enough for her to cool down and feel better.  She also took a pretty bad fall on the playground by our house and was left with a black and blue bruise on her forehead.  She told our chiropractor about it, and asked for some of his 'magic' tape for herself and her doll after she saw Lucy get her sprained ankle wrapped in it.  She was insistent that the tape be placed directly on her forehead.  

Violet has also gotten really good at bouncing around the house on her red donkey named Donkers and accidentally bounced into a wall and hurt her head.  I was able to get a smile out of her when I asked if she thought Donkers should get a time-out for hurting her.  Violet has spent many a time-out in that same chair this past month, so she really got a kick out of Donkers serving some time there too.

Before bed tonight, Violet and I were snuggling and she started pointing at my teeth.  Then she pointed at her own teeth and asked why, "Vivi's teeth no match?".  This about broke my heart and I couldn't think of anything to say.  I have been dreading the day when Violet realized that her teeth were different, but thinking about it tonight, I am feeling very grateful that she realized this while snuggling me and not from someone being mean to her.  The next time she brings up her teeth to me, I will have positive affirmations ready for my beautiful girl.  Violet had a dentist appointment this past month and she did a great job.  Our dentist is so very sweet and kind and always has positive affirmations for Violet.  She let Emma sit next to Violet in the chair for moral support and Violet did a great job.  We prepped for days about the visit, and Violet would tell me, "Vivi no bite dentist!" in a proud voice.  We left the office with great news - Violet has two more molars coming in and one more top front tooth - and I couldn't help but realize that a year ago almost to the date we had left that same office and I had called Will sobbing in the car with our new diagnosis.  This time I was calling Will, happy beyond belief that Violet was getting three more teeth!

What a year it has been and it is amazing to me how life is forever changing and something that seems so final and unfortunate can turn into a happy, regular life in time.  We have met some beautiful people also affected by Ectodermal Dysplasia and have found a wonderful support network among them.  To think that I didn't know any of them a year ago is really crazy and I am grateful to Violet for being the reason that we have found a completely new circle of friends that we never would have met before.  Our world has expanded, thanks to Violet, and that will have a positive impact on our family forever more.

In clockwise order from the top left below: Violet is such a goof, and loves to play outside in her "dip dops" (flip flops that aren't hers and are too big and not safe for walking or running on concrete driveways...), Violet noticing her reflection in the bottom of the trash can in our bathroom, Violet playing baby with Emma (usually she is a mom and makes a point to tell me that I am the Uma and Daddy is the Umpa), and finally, Violet playing outside with my favorite baby doll from when I was her age.

Violet's appetite has slowed down considerably this past month, but I am holding on to the fact that she isn't becoming pickier, she is just eating a lot less quantity.  In the below picture, she discovered how to get the milk out of her cereal bowl.  When she finished the milk, she was done with breakfast.  Our chickens finished the soggy cheerios.

This sweet girl is sassy, silly and sweet.  I love how she holds onto my pony tail when I carry her and how she answers most questions by saying, "Mmmmhmmm."  Everything in her world can be described by categorizing it into Mamas, Daddies and Babies.  Forget small, medium and large or boys or girls.  In Violet's world, family is everything.

There is nothing like a two year old to simultaneously make you crazy busy and yet force you to slow down and smell the flowers too.  I read something the other day about don't forget that every blessing has a burden.  Two is such a fun age, but also so very challenging.  I have decided that I love having a two year old, and her cute sayings, chubbiness and loyal love is a fair exchange for tantrums, painfully slow outings and no sleep.  Yup, totally worth it.  I yuv you ViVi!