In the spirit of football

Header!

"Look where our daughter runs each morning!" - Mitch

Rosy cheeks

Seriously, my baby kills me. I know every parent says that, so I'm just going to say it and not worry about sounding like a braggy, vomit-inducing, twerp. Cause that kind of person REALLY bugs me. Oh, by the way, we are inside Mitch's parents trailer in this clip. A TRAILER. It's nicer than my house. Camping rocks!

Sleepyheads

Why am I always holding the camera? I need to get in on some of this action!

Goin' Campin'!

Somebody got a new pack for our camping trip tomorrow in the Sierras. Silver Lake here we come! I can't wait to take Vivienne to the mountains...

Father's Day blooper

The hilarious part is when I start gagging around 15 or so seconds, real classy of me. Temporarily forgot I was being recorded. I never said carousels don't make me sick! Enjoy.

Father's Day

We really had a fabulous day, Mitch, Toots and I. We started the day out with Brunch at our favorite spot Serpentine, wandered over to Yerba Buena Gardens for a carousel ride, and then ended the day with a nice long walk on the Embarcadero followed by a barbeque at home. It really was nice and relaxing and most of all, Mitch had a fabulous day. It goes without saying that he is an amazing dad. And the fact that it was Father's Day meant I got to shout it from the rooftops (and still do)! I couldn't have been smarter than the day I married Mitch and the subsequent 11 years it took me to let him knock me up. Best thing we ever did.

Dad Days of Summer

For the last two weeks, and the next 7 or so, Vivienne and Daddy are hanging out 3 days/week while I am at work. This is so great! Mitch has been taking lots of mug shots and sending them to me at work. This makes sitting behind a desk so much more appealing! While I am wasting the day at work, they are at the park, or watching soccer, or going on runs, or playing "climb the Daddy mountain!", or walking the SF neighborhoods, and always reading books. They are so sweet together and sometimes when I get home it's like I'm coming in on their little affair. I love it, and I feel so fortunate that my baby girl gets to spend these precious times with her Daddy. And I'm not bitter at all, not AT ALL! They kill me. I mean, look at these ADORABLE FACES will you! Can you stand it?!

Inspecting sand

In Viv's expression: "Hey! That kid took my shovel? Mommy, why he do that?"

Pizza night

I KNOW this is blurry. It's just that it was one of those nights I want to remember forever, so there you have it, it's on here. Documented. It was one of those times when Mitch was drinking half the pitcher of beer, Vivienne was teething and miserable and like a ZOMBIE on crack, and I have this glazed over expression. You know, typical night out! I kid - barely. For some reasons I won't go into on here, I am SO THANKFUL for this night. Mitch, I love you.

Making music

One of the things Vivienne loves to do lately is "make music" as we call it. She takes two puzzle pieces, and claps them together, while we cheer and dance along. She is quite a good musician if I don't say so myself. Mitch took this picture while I was at work last week. The two of them have been making a lot of music and going on lots of runs while I sit at my computer and miss them.

Chase!

You can run, but you can't hide.

Cat-in-a-box

Poor Sammy. Nothing like finding a sweet spot, and immediately getting evicted. She can't help herself. He's better than any toy!

Out and about!

This weekend was busy with all kinds of fun in the sun. It's finally not raining as much in California! We had beers and sausages at our favorite German restaurant and then hit up a street fair in our neighborhood. All of it helping Vivienne to forget about her top two teeth that are trying to BURST out of her sore little gums.

Month: 9

Dear Vivienne,

You are getting more and more beautiful with each passing day. You feel so grown up to us now, we can hardly remember a life without you in it. Every day it seems you are learning new things and proving to me how amazing that little brain inside your head is. Your new things this month are: eating a lot more table foods (although you still don't love eating in general), crawling on hands and knees (instead of dragging yourself) pretty much all the time, waving bye bye, lots of babble that sounds like BAABAADABABAADADABABADADABABA, turning the pages constantly in your books and bringing books over to Mommy to read to you, pulling yourself up and standing on everything, and many many more adventurous things. You had your first "go to see the doctor" illness last month and he pretty much told me to go back home and wait it out. Just a cold but still, I was worried. Between that and the two new teeth plus the two you are getting now, it's been a bit rough for you. You really do weather it well (no pun intended). Your newest trick is raising your little arms up high when I ask you "How big is Vivienne?" You did this all day for Grandma and Grandpa, who thought you were pretty stinking adorable too. You ABSOLUTELY know that you get a reaction from people when you act cute and you do this all the time. Your smiling face will light up any strangers day, and you want to make friends with everyone.

Well, my little pterodactyl, you are getting so big. I still can't stop analyzing every little thing about you and every little detail about all your little parts. They amaze me, and I still can't believe something so perfect came out of me! A certain little look from you, or when you simply nuzzle into my chest for a hug can literally send me into tears. I adore you my little Tootie and I'm sorry you've had a rough month. If I could "make it all better" I would, but I'm afraid you're gonna need your teeth. I'm sorry I potentially gave you my asthma (although you can blame Nono too). I'm sorry that we have to sleep train you right now, and you've been crying yourself to sleep the last week. I'm sorry for leaving you in that poopie diaper a little TOO long the other day. I'm sorry that June STILL won't let you pet her, despite your unwavering commitment to try every time you see her. Most of all, I'm sorry that one day I won't be rocking you to sleep anymore and letting you lay in my arms well after you've gone to sleep. I love you, love you, love you.

Mommy x

Protective eye gear

This is too funny not to showcase! Awhile back when I purchased Vivienne's box of swim diapers, inside was a "gift" of baby sunglasses. They even say "Pampers" on them right across the middle. CLASSY. You all should run out and get a pair, QUICK! Vivienne cannot get enough of these glasses. She does not want to take them off ever and even tries to put them back on her head after she pulls them off by gouging her eyes out with the plastic arms, (yes to my HORROR). Did I mention that they are ORANGE and go so well with her red hair? Last night when we took the new stroller for a ride (Mitch got the king of all joggers, a Chariot, finally, and will start running with her on Monday!), she insisted on wearing her sunglasses. She kills me. Isn't she the most beautiful thing you've ever seen? And that little curl she is starting to get on top of her head? I CAN'T HANDLE THE CUTENESS.

Houston, we have a CRAWLER!

Vivienne has been crawling for over a month now by dragging herself with her arms. Have I mentioned she is hovering around 25 pounds? I don't know how she does it. The "army crawl" we've been calling it. I was starting to think maybe she would just go from army crawl to walking since she is already trying her hardest to take steps whenever she can. She STANDS in her crib now when she wants out. Today is the first day where she has been getting around SOLELY on her hands and knees. It's so cute to see how careful she is about it too. Go Vivi!

Vivienne, I mean Mitch!

Thanks Jim (or Jeff) or whoever scanned this! My daughter is her dad. That tongue expression! Wow...

Catholic School NERD

It's obviously St. Patties Day. Go Irish Jig! Thanks dad. The guy on the right with the red hair and freckles was my first "boyfriend". We look like brother and sister. Wow, and I thought I had SUCH style.