Odds and Ends

I was feeling guilty after I talked to my sisters on the phone today because they were looking for pictures of Vivien on facebook and I'm afraid there are few to be found there.  I probably won't start posting more on facebook any time soon, but I do want you to see her (because she is very cute) so I thought I'd remedy my guilt by starting a blog for you.  She's been a little camera shy lately so I haven't been able to capture many smiles on film, but here's a little taste of what she's been up to.

Physical Feats

She loves to play with her Daddy!  Drew is training her as a trapeze artist, I think.  Grandma Paula, you probably don't want to watch this one.  

We go explore lots of parks while Daddy is at school.  This is the path to Meadowbrook Pond that's a mile or two from our house.  She is getting much better at walking in specific directions, but she still has to stop every time she hears a raven or a dog.

This is one of her favorite things to do right now.  She stands on the drawer and hoists herself up so she can see what's happening on the stove.  It is not one of Mom's favorite things for her to do, for obvious safety reasons.  

 Adventures in Eating

I am including this picture so you can see her funny bite marks.  She bit the banana in the middle with her top teeth and the bread with her two little bottom teeth.  

 A representation of Vivien's mouth right now.   I would have a hard time eating carrots too.  

The other day at breakfast she just wasn't getting enough cream of wheat with her spoon, so she tried to drink out of the bowl and got a face full of mush.  

She really likes to push herself back from the table with her feet.  Unsurprisingly, she is frustrated when she can no longer reach her food.  I do like her stabilizing toe though :)

 Valentine's Day Feasting

I bought a heart-shaped pan at Target and made us a Pepperoni and Red Pepper Pizza with Rosemary Garlic crust, a Caesar Salad with "hearts" of Romaine . . .

. . . and some chocolate dipped strawberries!

Vivi liked them especially well and used the chocolate to style her hair.  

We hope you all had a Happy Valentine's Day and we love you very much!

P.S. from 2017  I played in a concert around this time with the Northwest Symphony Orchestra.  See look:
 

We played one concert at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in West Seattle.  It was kind of awkward seating with that railing and the steps and my big pregnant belly, but always fun!