VIVI AND HER DAMMA

There is a picture of the two of them in this hammock last year, in the same pose.  And, from day one we knew she had her Grandma's hands.  It's fun to see her relationships evolve, and to see how much her love for the people in her life grows.

BLOOPERS

It even seems as if dj lance gets the hilarity!

Here is Vivienne telling me that she will go to the bathroom "by MYSELF!" and "Mommy I wipe all by myself!"  Um...

Also, at our garden center, this is Viv stealing lettuce from the nearby plant and me telling her to RUN!  Heaven forbid we get caught.  Or break the rules.  Shut up Mitch.  :)

ps:  after many inquiries into V's dress - it's by Anais and I

AFTER SOCCER SILLIES.

Coach Dan allows the kids to "tickle" him sometimes at the end of practice as a fun way to get their energy out, and reward them with some silly time.  They are not hitting him aggressively.  This is my disclaimer.  ;)

ROLE MODELS.

It's been an incredible thing, watching this child of mine grow into a little girl.  I see it especially clear and in-my-FACE when we are on the soccer field and she wants/needs nothing to do with me.  She follows her coaches around with the respect and admiration of a great student.  Seriously, it's probably one of the sweetest things I've ever witnessed.  She is never more than a foot away from either Coach Laura or Coach Dan (mostly Coach Dan).  She'll place herself in the middle of them and sometimes she'll casually reach up and grab the hand of Coach Dan while he's standing there.  She'll kick the ball with him, chase him, follow their directions, all the while running back to me to make sure that I've seen her accomplishments.  She yells loudly, "Mommy I did it!"  or "Mommy, Thomas did it!" (she is Thomas) or "Mommy I kicked the ball in net!"  She gets so proud of herself.

I never would have dreamed that this could be so fun.  Watching her be proud of herself and to be confident and to run around and get sweaty and be a part of a team -- seeing the way her whole little body lights up to see these two adults that barely know her -- it's a glimpse into all the people and things that are going to come her way in this life.  Gosh, I love this little girl of mine.

LIFE, VIA INSTAGRAM

In order:  pushing daddy's baby on the swing.  flora grubb gardens.  mama snuggles.  best buddies.  joy.  monkey bars.  monkey bars, again.  haircut.


Here is the last week or so captured in Instagram.  I am a little bit obsessed.  It's a great, easy, and quick way to post about your goings on.  You can find me there @teamdub.  I am slowly but surely finding the time to blog more regularly again.  Thanks for the patience in the meantime!


A.

PHOTO POST

Most of these photos are from Instagram.  They're snapshots from the last few weeks.
Enjoy ;)

EYES.

I love the resemblance in these photos.  Daddy's eyebrows, Mama's eyes (or maybe, kinda, sorta my eyes), Vivi's view of the world.  Oh, and my scowl.

MITCH'S BIRTHDAY WALL

The chalk wall finally had to be erased this weekend, so that Viv could use it.  It was a bit bittersweet to take it all down, the memories were great!  At least these pictures will stay alive!  (Of course we did NOT erase Talia's message, because it says not to ;)...

A.