Father's Day

Happy Father's Day!!

Violet is growing by leaps and bounds. It amazes me everyday how many new things she is learning. On Saturday she learned how to give a kiss when asked to do so. It is one of the most precious things I have ever seen. Her face gets very serious and thoughtful and then she gently presses her mouth up against our cheek or face or mouth. She also kisses her doll and bear, Mahatma. I was so surprised yesterday when I asked her to kiss her baby doll, she picked her up and actually turned the doll over so that she could kiss her on her face. It was precious. One of the wonderful things about her learning to kiss is that yesterday was Father's Day. So we woke Daddy up with kisses. It was beautiful and I could see how happy it made Gabe. She was so focused on showing affection to Gabe yesterday, it was amazing. She kissed him at random times and also when we asked her to do so. She snuggled up to him during our morning family nap too. It was beautiful. She is so perceptive. Gabe said maybe she sensed that I was focusing on him yesterday and so she did the same. It reminded me how much she feeds off of our emotions. I pray that God will grant me the ability to teach Violet how to be loving to others at all times. Not just on special occasions but everyday. I pray she will love people for who they are each and every day. That means that Gabe and I have to provide that example for her to learn from. Thank you Gabe, for being a kind and loving father and husband. You teach me daily about tolerance toward others and patience and peace. You are an amazing Daddy to our Violet. I love you!

Heavenly Father, thank you for teaching us how to love and for loving us just as we are. As children we learn how to relate to our Father in heaven through the love of our father's on earth. I am so thankful that God blessed me with such a loving Daddy.

To my father on earth, Daddy, Thank you for loving me just as I am and for teaching me how to love. You are a wonderful man and father and I am so thankful for all that you sacrificed for me and our family. I love you!

To my Dad Craft, Thank you for accepting me into your family and for loving me as your own daughter. Your love means so much to me. Thank you for all that you do for all of us everyday. I love you!

more pics on facebook album

Touch

This week there were several beautiful moments with our Violet. Actually everyday there are beautiful moments, but I wanted to record this so that we could remember it.
It was Monday morning. Violet and I were on one of our daily walks around the block and we met one of our sweet neighbors in the road. She is an elderly woman who lives in the house behind us. She lives with her son and daughter-in-law and their dog Myuchan. Unfortunately, I do not know her name but she called herself "Baachan" with just means Grandma. So, Baachan was in her beautiful garden picking flowers for their family butsudan. Baachan had just finished collecting and arranging her flowers and saw us walking by. She approached us with a smile and we walked toward one another. When she saw Violet's face her own eyes lit up with joy. Violet also lit up with a warm smile. Baachan smiled and caressed Violet's cheek with the back of her hand and exclaimed how soft it was. She said that she could not hold a baby anymore because she was not strong enough. Then, in a timid voice, she asked me (in Japanese) if she could please touch her cheek to Violet's. Of course, I replied. Baachan then gently approached Violet with her head slightly tilted as if asking permission and lovingly pressed her cheek against Violet's. Violet smiled and remained still for as long as Baachan remained there. When Baachan stood back up she took a deep breath and smiled so beautifully and Violet giggled. It was as if she had breathed new life into her lungs. So often we forget the power of touch. And so often the elderly, bedridden and infirmed are not afforded the luxury we so often take for granted, the gentle caress of a child or loved one. After we shared this tender moment we walked up to her house together. After visiting with her daughter and myuchan (the dog) they gave us a dish of hotate (scallop) rice. It was absolutely delicious.
After I returned home and Violet fell asleep, before I laid her down in her crib I breathed her in and I pressed my cheek against her cheek. This is something I do on a daily basis but that time I moved ever so slowly so that I could truly appreciate this new life in my arms. I breathed in new life and I felt refreshed and rejuvenated. As we new parents become accustomed to our new lives , so often we get in to a ritual and lose sight of the precious moments or we are overcome with exhaustion or sometimes frustration. Baachan reminded me of the healing power of touch. Each day we have the opportunity to breath in life. It is all around us, in the flowers and the trees in the green grass and our own friends and family members. The Lord has given us the gift of new life with each day. Let us breathe Him in each day. He is in all that lives on this earth. Thank you Father for the beautiful flower you have planted in our hearts and lives. We are so grateful to breathe her in each day.

8 months

Our little flower is 8 months old! I can hardly believe it. She is such a happy baby and truly a joy to be around. She makes us smile and laugh every day. God has truly blessed us. We have really enjoyed getting to see her personality develop.
(I am going to list her accomplishments so that one day we can look back and show her how she grew)
At 8 months Violet
sits up from laying down
pulls up on everything!
she blows amazing raspberries on us, herself and her toys
she crawls
she talks in her own special way with smiles and giggles
she loves to be snuggled
she walks with help (we hold her hands up and she walks)
she cruises along things
she loves to jump
she sings when mommy plays the piano
she loves to play the piano (and "read" the music)
she loves books
she has this cute bashful way of throwing her head into my chest or the crook of my neck
she smiles at everyone
she gives long kisses
she strokes my face, arm or breast when she is eating
she loves to chew on everything

we started at 7.5 months on solids and so far she likes everything
first was cereal, avocado, zucchini,sweet potato, tofu, pumpkin, asparagus and also bananas
she eats breakfast and loves to try to feed herself with the spoon
she knows her favorite toys by name and remembers where she last left them
she loves to play peek-a-boo
since about 6 months she has been able to recognize colors if we ask her to touch them
I love that when we play she often stops for kissing and hugging breaks
she loves to go on walks outside in mommy's sling or daddy's carrier
she loves birds
she still nurses about ever 3-4 hours and 2 times at night
she still sleeps in bed beside mommy but that is ok. With out knowing what to call it we have developed a parenting style with is often called attachment parenting. It works well for us and Violet seems to be happy.
and 3 days ago we began experimenting with EC (elimination communication) and she has gone pee pee in the potty on average 3 times a day. Yesterday she even held it in while we were out and then happily pee peed in her potty when we got home. It was so cute. She gets so happy when she hears it coming out. :)
She is a very lovable and happy baby and we feel blessed beyond words.
Here are some fun pics from the past 2 months