Chuy's Parade

Today I went to my first parade. It was the annual Chuy's Christmas Parade benefiting the Blue Santa program. We brought toys to load onto the designated trucks as they drove by. I really didn't want to hand the Barbie camera over, but I did. There were big balloons, decorated cars, floats with bands playing, animated characters, marching bands... and of course Santa was there! I have never really been a "shoulder sitter", but I sat on my daddy's shoulders happily as I watched the activity. I even used his head as a drum as the bands passed by!

Thanksgiving Celebrations

Politically incorrect Thanksgiving hat

Everything is fun at Aunt Cindy's

My cousins Anna, Garland and Aidan

I had a week long Thanksgiving party. First, I spent the past weekend at my BaBa's with my uncles, aunts and cousins. Then for Thanksgiving day, I went to Aunt Cindy's for another celebration. There were lots of people there and I even got to play football!

22 Months Old

Dearest Victoria Pearl,

I melted yesterday when you nodded that you loved me and then just hugged me for what felt like an eternity. Your hugs and kisses are the sweetest things in the world and make everything worthwhile.

This month has been all about singing! When you were born, I created an extra verse to the song You are my Sunshine. As you well know, it goes:

Victoria Pearl,

You're Mommy's sweet girl

I love you more and more

Each day.

I'll help you grow

Big and strong

And be there every step of the way.

It was the first song you heard, and I still sing it to you every day...in addition to many, many others. Your favorites are The Wheels on the Bus (with at least 15 verses - most just made-up, silly ones), The Barney Song (although you don't watch him on t.v.), the alphabet song and all the Aggie songs.

What else is going on with you? You have tried and liked several new foods this month, including turkey and dressing, chicken nuggets and sweet potatoes. You have a skip in your step as you walk and are becoming more secure with your physical abilities. You are asking for help less and less and can (finally!) climb the ladder to your slide in the yard. You are obsessed with playing in the car and have so much fun climbing from seat to seat, putting on the seat belt and pretending to drive. It's no wonder since you love pretend play. You are buying lots of groceries at the "store" and whipping up some tasty meals in your kitchen. It's so much fun to watch you! Your favorite books this month are Curious George books and photo albums. We have definitely seen you start to get upset when you don't get your way, but the instances are rare and over quickly.

Your joyous spirit lights up my life. I am so happy and fortunate to be your mommy.

Love,
Mommy

I Love Mommy

I have a great sense of humor and already like to tease Mommy and Daddy. Mommy asks me all the time if I love her, and I have always responded with a big "NO" followed by laughter. She tries to trick me, but I am sharp. Here's a typical conversation:

Mommy: Do you like to play at the park?
Me: Yes!
Mommy: Do you like your friends at school?
Me: Yes!
Mommy: Do you like Elmo?
Me: Yes (thinking, who doesn't like Elmo?)!
Mommy: Do you like to hold your dolls?
Me: Yes!
Mommy: Do you love Mommy?
Me: No!...hehehehe!!!!

Well, yesterday, I revealed that I actually DO love Mommy. We have known it all along, but it was quite a reaction I got from her when I nodded YES! I am usually the one squealing, but this time it was her.

Pumpkin Pie

I don't like vegetables. I am sure I said that before, but I need to say it again to stress just how much I don't like vegetables. Mommy and Daddy certainly model good veggie eating - in addition to the run-of-the-mill choices like broccoli and squash, they eat serious veggies like kale and brussel sprouts.

I recently ate dinner at my Aunt Cindy's and when it was time for dessert, I was asked if I wanted pumpkin pie. Of course I wanted pie! In fact, I continued to squeal with delight and repeat "pie! pie! pie!" until it was placed in front of me. As I waited for my fork, someone at the table mentioned that pumpkin...is...actually... a... VEGETABLE! Once I could make an educated decision, I refused to eat the veggie disguised as pie.

Parent-Teacher Conference

Today Mommy attended her first parent-teacher conference. She was interested in hearing someone else's perspective on my cognitive/physical/verbal/social development and quite impressed with the teacher's detailed written report and her feedback during the meeting. Cognitively, everything was assessed to be in the normal range, with some things I do well and others I have yet to master. Physically, I am improving, although I still have some "topples without provocation". I have more confidence in my ability to climb, run, etc...and don't ming getting my hands dirty anymore. Verbally, I am trying to form words, but with not a lot of success. I do; however, understand everything said to me. The area in which I excel (no surprise here) is social development. My teacher even said I was gifted in that area (Daddy says just like my big brother, Chris). I greet each of my classmates upon their arrival with a big hello and a hug if they let me. I initiate hide-and-seek and chase. I also try to comfort them when they are sad. My teacher described me as "spirited", and Mommy thinks that's right on target!

Shopping Cart Struggles

If the grocery stores wonder whether the fancy carts they provide for children really do draw people to their stores, the answer is YES! H.E.B. on Far West and the Whole Foods Gateway (not downtown) have fun car carts and Mommy goes out of her way to go to those places. You see, I don't like to ride in the regular cart...apparently unless it is my miniature one at home. Yes, I needed help getting out of it!

Play Date with Nash

Sharing a snack

The Christmas ornaments we made

Examining the produce at the "store"

Does he have what I think he has??

This morning my friend Nash came over to play. Being the only child that I am and the toddler that I am, I have been known to be protective of my toys. I; however, played and shared very well - except when he tried to take the doll stroller for a spin. Mommy let us figure it out, and after some tugging back and forth, with lots of groaning for effect, I decided to let him have it. I wish I could say I let him have it out of kindness, but the fact is he is bigger and stronger. We did some activities together - eating breakfast, shopping at the "grocery store" Mommy set up in the dining room, doing a really cool art project that Nash's Mommy sent for us to do, etc...but mostly we played next to each other. I played dress-up while he played with the hammer. I cared for my dolls while he drove the truck. Who is it that claims there is no difference between boys and girls??

It was a fun morning, and I hope Nash comes back to visit soon!

Ben's Birthday

Making Music with the Maraca

Here I am!

Happy Birthday to you!

Riding in the cart with Zachary and Ben

My friend Kayla-she's in my class at school

Yesterday was my friend Ben's birthday party. It was at Gymboree, so I got to play with my friends for two hours...and of course, I got to eat CAKE! Happy Birthday, Ben!

Sweet Tooth

Eating Ben & Jerry's Brownie Batter Ice Cream with Daddy

In addition to his looks, I also got my daddy's sweet tooth. Anyone who knows Daddy, knows the rules, such as even if you don't want dessert at the end of your meal, order it anyway because Daddy will eat it. While I don't like most foods, give me a cupcake, brownie, piece of candy, etc...and I'll be your best friend.

Progress Report

Many of you have asked how school is going and if Mommy is still watching me all the time. Well, school continues to be great! My teacher, Amy, sends us the plan for each week, so Mommy talks to me about what I'll be doing, the songs I'll be singing, the books I'll be reading, etc...The activities are switched each week so that we are exposed to new, interesting things to explore. I have the most fun during the last hour, which is outside time. I am proud to say I now go down the tunnel slide without fear. We help water some vegetables (while we try really hard to not step on them!) the older kids planted. As much fun as I have, I start getting tired and am ready to see Mommy after a couple of hours. Mommy is usually the first one to arrive (because, yes, she is usually right there...hovering, peeking, hanging around, watching...), and I run to her open arms. I haven't told her that I love her with words yet, but I communicate it at times like those.

Miss Fancy Pants

Who says you can't accessorize pajamas?

My Cow

I don't really have a "lovey" that I have attached myself to above all others, but if I had to choose my favorite, it would be my cow (actually cows, since I do have a back-up). A few days ago when I went to the playground, I insisted that I take both of them. One was dropped within a few seconds and the other was discarded shortly thereafter. Unfortunately, the mulchy ground cover got tangled in every piece of fur they have. Mommy, who usually spends my nap time getting caught up on laundry, cooking dinner, etc. had to spend the entire time picking out the dirt and twigs from my cows. Mommy sure loves me!

The Circus

Mommy and Daddy went to the Aggie game without me today. I stayed with Connie, who took me to the CIRCUS! I clapped throughout the performances and especially liked the elephants and dogs. Being away from Mommy for that long was hard, but, hey, I got to go to the CIRCUS!

Who's Your Daddy?

Mommy's prized possession - her signed photo with Willie

The story I have been told is this: as they wheeled me into the nursery when I was about five minutes old, there was a collective gasp in the hallway from my family and friends. The gasp was because I looked so much like my daddy. Given that I have been told about a million times since then that I look just like my daddy, I know they were right. Paternity could (not that it ever would be) never be in question...Having said that, there is a running joke in our house. You see, Mommy loves Willie Nelson and it just so happened that after every Willie Nelson concert, Mommy would find herself expecting! Also, if the light catches my hair just right, there is a tinge of red there. To top things off, and to keep the joke running, I recently saw Willie on t.v. and guess what I said? I pointed to him and said, "Daddy!"

Christmas Photo

Pretty as a picture

No More!!!

I love M&M's

Mommy dressed me in my red dress this morning and we set out to take a photo for our Christmas card. Since I can't sit still longer than two seconds, she knew this would be a difficult task...so she brought M&M's with her.

Magic Touch

Monday night, our friend Richard was in town from Abilene. He came by to see us (me!), and we had a nice visit. He took some pictures, read me a book and then helped me relax for the evening by stroking my head ever so gently. I, who had been literally running around just seconds before, went into a trance. Mommy and Daddy have since tried to duplicate this, but to no avail. Anyone who can make me slow down definitely has a magic touch!

My Friend Tripp

Tripp's famous bucket photo

Here I am in the same bucket - a year later

First Kiss - September 2007

2007 Aggie Football Season (I'm really bald!)


Goofing Around


2008 Football Season


There he goes again!

My friend Tripp came over today to play with me. I know I have mentioned him in my blog before, but he deserves a full entry. Tripp (who's Tate's brother) is one year older than I am. Since our moms are good friends, we get to hang out quite a bit. He is described by Mommy as an unusually well-behaved, kind boy. She is absolutely on target. He usually comes bearing a flower for me and wants to hug/kiss me all the time. When I was younger, I was more receptive to his attention. In fact, I gave him the honor of my first kiss. I; however, have started practicing playing hard-to-get, so he is usually met with indifference or just plain meanness. I can be nice as evidenced by my recent behavior: This past weekend, he was playing with our friend Jennifer's cell phone (I love phones - call me sometime!). I promptly walked over to him, put my arm around him, laid my head on his shoulder and cooed in his ear. He handed the phone over immediately. Daddy asked, " Where did she learn to do that?" Daddy doesn't realize that HE is where I learned to do that!

Race for the Cure

Mommy and Aunt Cindy

Today Mommy walked in her second Susan Komen Race for the Cure. Last year the race was the day before her big surgery, so her head was a bit foggy, and she wanted to rush home to me since she wouldn't get to hold me for a while. This year she really got to enjoy the experience - walking alongside other survivors and all their supporters (25, 000 of them!). I stayed with Daddy (we supported Mommy from home) and had a great time reading and playing.