Two Dolls in One

Little Red Riding Hood and I have grandmas that look alike!

Today I got a new doll that is so cool! When you flip her skirt over one way, she becomes Little Red Riding Hood and when you flip her the other way, she becomes the Granny from the story. I insist that she be kept on the Granny side because I think she looks like my BaBa! I hug and kiss her and even go get my phones so we can talk...because that's how BaBa and I mostly communicate.

Chinese New Year

I made a new friend - surprise...surprise...

Working on my Art Project

My Finished Dragon

This morning I went to story time at Barnes and Noble. We read a book about the Chinese New Year, which started this week. I learned that this year is the year of the OX. After reading the book, we did an art project - we made a dragon. When Mommy first started taking me to story time, I just couldn't sit still, but now that I am all grown up, I am able to sit and listen much better.

My Big Two-Year-Old Girl

Dearest Victoria Pearl,

At this moment two years ago, you were one hour old. I held you in my arms and wept tears of joy. I traced every feature on your face and examined your tiny fingers, and I couldn't believe you were really here and that I had helped create something so perfect. Now, two all-too-short years later, I find myself even more amazed with you. You are an active, happy, friendly girl. You fill our home and life with love and laughter.

I know this next year will be one filled with incredible growth in many areas. There's much to do and explore when you are two - and I will be right there by your side loving you, teaching you, exploring with you, setting boundaries for you (sorry- it has to be done!) and continuing to be amazed by you.

Love,
Mommy

Today I Turned TWO!

My New Princess Crown

I love Fancy Nancy!

Tea with Tripp

One Down - One to Go

Yummy!

This morning I was greeted by Mommy (wielding the video camera) and Daddy singing Happy Birthday. After breakfast, Tripp came over for a play date. After playing at our house, we had lunch and played at Chuck E. Cheese's. Since the weather was lousy, I just stayed in the rest of the day and played with my birthday toys in my new (still in progress) playroom. I got my favorite dinner (mac-n-cheese, of course) and got to blow out candles again on a piece of my cake. I shouldn't say "again" because I really didn't get to do it at my party yesterday. Daddy reached his head over my shoulder and blew them out for me. He was attempting to help, but I didn't even get a chance! I had been practicing for a good month, and I didn't even get to show off my new skill. Tonight; however, they were all mine. After a birthday bubble bath, I fell fast asleep. I need my energy to gear up for the ornery year I have ahead...he he!!!!

Photos of my Birthday Party

My Birthday Party

Today was my birthday party at the Austin Children's Museum. My friends and family joined me for fun and exploration before sharing some cake with me. Thank you to everyone for making my party special and helping me kick-off my celebration!

First Day Back at School

After 49 days of break, I went back to school today. Mommy was quite worried about the transition since I have been having serious separation anxiety any time she even thinks about leaving me. I fooled her, though. She stayed with me for a few minutes and then she started her "Mommy is going to go for a while. You are going to stay here and play with your friends. I'll be back after you have your snack and play on the playground..." speech. Before she even finished saying "Mom..." I leaned up to kiss her and waved goodbye. I missed my friends and had a great time with them today!

Inauguration Day

-Austin American Statesman

Today, I watched the inauguration of Barrack Obama as our nation's 44th President. Nothing I did today could compare to this historic event!

Sweet Carsyn

Sweet Carsyn

Look at those blue eyes!

Hooray for DING DONGS!


I always find the hats when I visit people's homes.

My Birthday Balloon

Today we went to Copperas Cove to visit our friend Carsyn (and her family, too-Her grandma Judy is one of Daddy's best friends). Carsyn is seven months old and oh so cute and sweet. She sits up and kicks her legs with delight because she is such a happy girl. I enjoyed seeing her and playing with her cool toys. Why are toys so much more fun at someone else's house? Also, I ate my first cream-filled DING DONG (thanks, Gaelynn), which was delicious. They all gave me a Happy Birthday balloon, which was the perfect start to my birthday week. Yes, Mommy, no matter how much denial you're in, I will be turning 2 in a week.

Is there a ghost in the house?

I do this thing where I put something over my head (usually dirty clothes from the hamper, unfortunately) and walk around the room. I can find my way amazingly well around without using my sight. Occasionally, I hold my arms out for balance or peek out to confirm I am headed in the "right" direction. When I successfully reach Mommy or Daddy, I reveal myself to them. They always appear relieved to find out it was me and not a ghost.

Victoria Had a Little Lamb

Animals, you can't hide from me!

The Grand Champion Steer

An auction is loud, especially when you stand right next to the stage.

Daddy, let's bid on the lamb!

Here we are with the Grand Champion lamb - isn't it cute?

Today we went to the Guadalupe County Youth Livestock (Baked Goods & Crafts, too) Auction in Seguin. Guadalupe County is one of Daddy's clients so he goes to buy something in support of the youngsters there. The first year he went, he bought the grand champion baked good, which was a Pecan Pie Cake. He LOVED the cake, so luckily he got the recipe as part of the bargain (is $2100 a bargain?...yes, if it helped send that nice girl to A&M). This is no easy cake to make - The recipe came on nine 3x5 note cards! Since it is so labor intensive, Mommy makes it for Daddy only on very special occasions. Since then, Daddy has bought more baked goods (surprise! surprise!), some chickens, a lamb...

This was my first time, and I was super excited about seeing the animals. They are kept behind some curtains before they are brought into the pen for auction. When the auction started, I marched right up in the middle of it all and stuck my head in the pen to see the grand champion steer up close and personal. Mommy wouldn't let me do that again, but we did stay close enough to see the pig and lamb, which Daddy bid on and WON! We didn't really get to take the lamb home with us (shucks!). Instead, we donated it back so the young man could take it to the San Antonio Livestock Show in a month. Although we didn't leave with a new pet (Mary thought a lamb made a good pet - there's a song about it!), we did get a nice gift basket and cap, which I have worn most of the day.

Budding Photographer

When Mommy and Daddy speculate about my future occupation, store greeter or hostess is never far from their minds due to my friendly nature. They should add photographer to their list. Here are a few shots I took with Mommy's camera (before dropping it and breaking the battery cover, but that's neither here nor there...).

Cupcakes for Lunch

Look at the size of that thing!

The best decisions are often ones that are spur-of-the-moment. Today we had an example of that. Mommy and I were driving down Burnet Road around noon, when what to our wandering eyes should appear, but a huge cupcake twirling around on top of a building. I spotted it and started squealing and thrashing about in my carseat. Mommy asked me if I wanted a cupcake, to which I responded with an "uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh"! Mommy pulled in and bought two cupcakes (okay, three). We brought them home and ate them for LUNCH! Mommy, who works so hard to give me nutritious food (no Eggo buttermilk waffles for me - I get the organic, whole wheat, flax seed ones and so on and so on), let me eat cupcakes for lunch...on a Thursday...for no special reason...and it was SPLENDID! Shhh!!! Don't tell Daddy - there are none left!

Whose High Chair is it?

I know this high chair is for my dolls, but I fit! It's funny how I don't want to sit in MY high chair at the table anymore, but I can't stay out of this one.

Playroom in Progress

Daddy and I watched the football play-offs while Mommy worked.

My new toy chest - one of Mommy's projects

Mommy has been working on a playroom for me for a while now. She worked on it in her head for the longest time, but now she's actually doing the labor. She spent this past weekend putting together the furniture that arrived last week. The UPS man no longer likes us (if you know our driveway, you know what I am talking about). Mommy loves projects like this, especially when it means pulling out the power tools. She's unusual in that she actually LOVED when Daddy got her a drill for her birthday one year. I'll keep you updated on the progress of the room.

Thank You, Mommy

As I may have mentioned, I am still not saying many words. I understand them all...I just can't quite say them yet. Every time Mommy gives me something, she says, "Say thank you, Mommy" to which I respond with a crunch of my cracker or the slurp of my straw. Yesterday, I asked for (pointed to) the salt shaker - I just love to make messes - and when Mommy handed it to me, I said, "Thank you, Mommy" as clear as a bell. Mommy and Daddy were so proud of my new words and my good manners!

Smile for the Camera

Mommy often has a difficult time taking photos of me during her (many) photo sessions, but on this day, I was most cooperative.

Binky Love

Mommy planned to take away my binky when I was six months old because that's what the book says to do. It was extended for various reasons...some legitimate (who would take away the binky of a baby whose mother can't hold her because she just had surgery??) and some trivial (who would take away the binky of a baby during the vernal equinox??). Here we are a year and a half past that six month point, and here I am with my binky. It is reserved for bedtime only, but occasionally I find one (Mommy thinks I hide them for later use) in places other than my bed. I get soooo excited, and then I flash Mommy or Daddy this "I've got my binky grin" and run because I know they will be chasing me to get it. I know I'll have to give it up completely one day. In the meantime, I'll relish every moment I get with it.

The Book is Working...Kind of

I recently told you Mommy was reading the book How to Say No to Your Toddler. It must be working because here's a conversation we had today:

Mommy: What does the sheep say?
Me: Baaa

Mommy: What does the cow say?
Me: Moo

Mommy: What does the cat say?
Me: Meow

Mommy: What does Mommy say?
Me: No

She was hoping for "I love you" or something like that....ouch!

First Real Injury

Vaughan and Nash going down the slide.

I was their cheerleader.

Don't let them fool you - they are MEAN!

Feeding the Ducks

The boys are keeping watch so they don't get goosed!

Today started off really well. I had swimming for the first time in three weeks, and I always have fun there. Then, after donuts with my friends Tripp and Gaby, I met up with my friends Nash and Vaughan at Zilker Park. We played on the playground, fed the ducks and geese (On a sidenote - Geese are mean, so watch out if you ever get near one!) and ate lunch at Flip Happy Crepes (which is one of the cool little eateries in South Austin run out of an Air Stream trailer - they were featured on the Food Channel in a throw-down with Bobby Flay). Anyway, at the very end of our time together, Mommy noticed that I was holding my arm, but assumed I had just hit myself with the big stick I was wielding in the direction of Nash. When we got home, I continued to either hold my arm or let it hand limp at my side. Mommy rushed me to see Dr. Terwelp, who diagnosed me with "Nursemaid's" elbow., which means my elbow popped out of place. He proceeded to pop it back into place, and I was fine! Mommy is not sure how it happened, but she feels guilty all the same.

Tea Anyone?

My favorite toy at the moment is an "entertaining set" of plastic dishes, untensils and serving pieces. I like to invite Mommy and Daddy over to the floor, showing them exactly where they are to sit. Sometimes we also include Elmo, monkey or one of my dolls. I then serve them tea or food, which we all agree is wonderfully prepared and simply delicious. When I go to bed for a nap or at nighttime, I usually round up one or two dolls/stuffed animals to take to bed wtih me. Last night, when Daddy asked me what I wanted to sleep with, I got a plate, spoon and pitcher from the set.

Mooning You

Mommy says she's going to break out the duck tape if I keep taking off my bottoms!