Violet Smiles!

Today is Violet's 7 week birthday, and she is smiling! I've been suspicious for a few days now, but she is definitely smiling and almost laughing now. It is so cute; she's missing out on naps becuase Mom is so bedazzled by her smile!

Here's a smile from yesterday:

Celebrating her 7 week birthday:

Bummer, she still cries, too:

"Studio" Pictures

Last week Violet and I went to JC Penny's to have her first official (6 week) photographs taken. I finally felt confident in my ability to get both of us clean, dressed, and buckled in the car in a reasonable amount of time, so I made an appointment. The photo studio seemed to be really organized, because someone called me the evening before our appointment, and reminded us to be there ten minutes early for our 10:20 "call time"... which is 10:10, right? So Violet and I arrive at the photo studio clean and dressed, with a diaper bag full of ironed outfits for baby at 10:07. Score one point for New Mom! I made it on time to an appointment!

The photographer showed up at 10:25 to open shop.

Why did I stay? Why did I wait around, you ask? (Unless you've tried to get a six-week-old to a portrait studio, because then you know.) Because it was, in actuality, a TWO day event to get the timing right, the stroller in the car, the baby clean, the outfits ready... we were there, and I wasn't leaving until someone took pictures of my cute little baby. So the photographer, without apologizing, took pictures of my baby long, long after our appointment... after two diaper changes, a spit-up disaster, and a feeding.

We waited for about 15 minutes while she uploaded all of our pictures, then we picked the ones we wanted, then we left. And I had a nagging feeling... the pictures were cute, but... I could do that, right? And save myself some stress and a day of traveling? So here is MY attempt to take "studio" pictures of Violet from Monday.



And next time we go to Penny's, I'm taking Erik, too.

Cute Six Week Pictures

That's all, really... I just wanted to post some pictures of six-week-old Violet!

Congratulations, Locke Grads

For the last three years, I've taught 11th and 12th grade English at Locke High School in South Central Los Angeles. I learned so much more than I taught, and I have my students to thank for that. With Violet's birth and Locke converting to charter status, I will not be returning next year, but Erik, Violet, and I did go to graduation to wish my seniors good luck and say goodbye. It was so hot! I felt really bad for dressing Violet in PJs... but she was sound asleep when we left the house!

To my illustrious scholars: Congratulations! You have overcome, and I look forward to hearing of your future successes. You have made me so proud. If you can humble, teach, and inspire one person so deeply, imagine what you will do for multitudes in the future.

Erik is 30!

Well, Erik is finally 30! Sounds distinguished, doesn't it? We had fun celebrating in the park last Saturday with friends and family... good thing, because his actual birthday (Thursday 6/19) was a drag! He went to work in the morning, chaperoned Violet and me at the Locke High graduation, then started a new class that night. I'm so proud of what Erik has accomplished in his first 30 years, and I can't wait to see what the next 30 hold.

Five Weeks

We can't believe that we've had Violet for over a month now, but at the same time it feels like we've had her forever! We're getting used to sleeping less, although she's slept 3 seven-hour nights, and 3 five-hour nights (fingers crossed for more of those!). She's getting very big, and I think (weighing her on my scale) she's almost 9 lbs! I'm finally retiring some of her smallest newborn clothes, and can't believe that she's already growing up :) Here she is in her "Violet" outfit!

Fashion Show!

I'm so glad I have a little girl! Here she is at about four weeks wearing some new headbands from Grandma LaDonna and a pretty dress, too!