To Vivian, 2 1/2

Somehow in the past two weeks, you've grown up so much. You really feel way more like a little girl than a baby. The other day as we were coming home from the park (we went to two playgrounds after your AMNH class), you asked if i was going to go to work. This was clearly a loaded question because you know I just finished a job and am not really working now. And when I told you that I had things to do at home before I had to leave you replied, "I thought you didn't have to go to work".  You keep pretty good track of me and my schedule. (In case you are wondering what I could possibly have to do that wasn't work and wasn't hanging out waiting for you to wake up from your nap -- I had to pick up Stella and take her to gymnastics.)   As attached as you are to me,  you are now finally almost always happy as can be to go off with Dad. If you call "Mommy mommy" when you wake up but Daddy goes to get you, you no longer cry or ask for me or Stella. And, in fact, plenty of mornings you call "Daddy" instead which he loves (even in the wee hours) and which is also fine by me.  One morning not too long ago, you woke up earlier than usual (around 6am) and called "Mommy". I thought that there was a tiny chance you might fall back to sleep. We call that wishful thinking. But I didn't go to you right away as I usually do. I waited and a few minutes later you called again, "Mommy. Mommy" and then a little louder, "Carolyn". Needless to say, that got me out of bed. A few favorite stories from the past few months: You and i were looking at letters --maybe an alphabet puzzle or something. I pointed to the V and said, "V for Vivian". You replied, "I'm not v, im two." Not too long ago, I was changing your diaper and when we finished and I picked you up you said, "You didn't get poop on the changing table. Good job mommy!" Your favorite drink is a "Swirly temple". You frequently come up to me and with a hopeful face ask, " Mommy, do you have a swirly thing that's minty." You are still such a good greeter. When I come home you always run to me and are so happy. Then, if Stella is with me, you usually ask her if she has gum. You love reading books and we usually read a lot of them before bed. Now you will generally read the ones you know like Little Pea and Caterpillar. It's so cute. My current favorite for you to read is Where's Maisy? Your expression is just so adorable. Sometimes you don't really know the words and I try to help you but then you go back and repeat the part I read. And sometimes I read most of the book and then leave out a word for you to fill in. You will also point to the pictures in the books and, if there are two people or animals or anything on the page you will say, "That's me. And that's Mommy." Reading to you at night is really special. You are cuddly and funny and we have a great time.  Here are two good recent stories from Daddy. One morning when he got up with you, you, he and Stella were playing. Then you told Daddy, "Theres something under the pillows. Mommy's computer, a bowl and some crap." and indeed, under the pillows on the couch, he found my computer, a bowl and some paper napkins. He also told me that when you said" crap", it sounded like "cwap". That same morning, he asked you if you could be any animal what would you be choose. In response you sang, " Elephant, monkey, big fat dude." It sure is fun having you around. 

Love, Mommy

Wizard of Oz

Watching the "Wizard of Oz" with Vivian for the first time. Remembering how Stella loved this movie so much when she was two.

"Oh Mommy, look. The bubble turned into a pretty person."