The paper stage

Violet is fully in a stage I love to call, "the paper stage." It basically means that your baby loves anything having to do with paper. All toys are ditched for a chance to play with paper. Ava's peak was when she attacked a phone book. It is so cute!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving morning we were welcomed by southeast Michigan's first snowfall of the year. Ava was really excited and stayed outside for a half hour just playing by herself. Mom doesn't like the cold too much. Ava liked eating the snow and pushing it around. Violet was sleeping.

Hope you think of a few extra things to be thankful for. We are especially thankful this year that Violet is happy and healthy. We are also thankful for all our family and friends that bring joy to us each day.

How well do you know Sarah and Tyler?

Can you guess which websites are Tyler's and which are Sarah's from the list on the right?

Our Trip to Windsor, Ontario

Tyler had a business trip to Ontario this week and Violet and I decided it would be a nice break to tag along. Ava stayed with Grandma and Grandpa Paxton where she could run around and play with her aunt and uncles. Windsor is just across the river from Detroit, so it only took us 40 minutes to get there. The hotel was nice and was just across from a "custom knife show" taking place across the street. See picture below.

Each morning we had another 40 minute drive to drop Tyler off at the airbag manufacturing facility in Tilbury. Tilbury is a very small town with only one B&B that had two rooms. This would have been too weird for Sarah. The drive was especially tiring because Violet wanted to party every two hours at night. The first day we got to Tilbury we needed to get gas, or, petro, as they call it. When we pulled up to the full-service gas station a guy came out and said, "No hydro here." We assumed hydro was gas, so when we asked if they had any across the overpass, he didn't know. So we drove across the bridge. Another gas station attendant came out and said, "No hydro here, No hydro till Sunnydale." We had no idea what he was talking about. Sarah thought maybe the small town pooled their gas in the ground somewhere. As Tyler began the training, he asked about "hydro." Turns out the town calls electricity hydro after the electric plants. The locals had a good laugh.

Other highlights included going to a local restaurant called, "Spooters," driving along the Lake St. Clair Shoreline, and trying to go to an underground railroad museum. The museum was a total bust - but at least Sarah got to see where the underground railroad ended.

The GM HQ and partial skyline of Detroit Sarah and Violet freezing in the cold wind.

Family Picture

We needed a family picture over the weekend for some friends who are moving. I looked everywhere and sadly, since Violet's birth we have not had a picture with the four of us in it! We hastily took the above pic and went to Walgreen's to get it printed. Since so much work went into this picture, I figured I had better post it. Ava looks so cute!

P.S. Never put a pyrex dish on a hot burner. They EXPLODE.

Feeding "Vilet"

Although "Vilet" (this is how Ava says Violet) has not started eating solid foods, Ava thinks it's about time. While helping mom put away dishes she got a big colander and spoon and pretended to feed Violet. I think it's almost time to begin the rice cereal. Violet is eating every two or three hours and is waking up at night again. She is also grabbing everything in her sight and shoving it into her mouth. Her sitting is also coming along very well. She has not had any food allergy issues like Ava did so we'll probably start within the next week or so. Happy eating everyone!

Four Month Photo Shoot

What do you get when you combine two hours, a diaper change, one feeding, one trashed onesie and a bag full of animal crackers? A four month photo shoot of course. All turned out well despite the horrendous wait (all moms were there because it's voting day taking c-mas pics). Ava was so good she got a happy meal on the way home. She likes the chicken nuggets with apple dippers and a juice.

If you want to view the pictures go to www.mykkstudio.com and enter sitting code # 546034700 and code # 73WA4FA.

I love Rock and Roll!

Well, not really. Violet doesn't really respond to music like Ava does, but you'd never guess it by her favorite pose! Note two fingers, not one, does the trick to pacify this little girl.