VIOLET: "Mommy, you love me, right? And you love Ozzy, too, right?"

ME: "Yep, Violet, I have enough room to love you both!"

VIOLET, puzzled: "So 'love' is a space?"

At this point, I should have responded something about love living in my heart, and that there is enough  'space' in my heart to love them both, but sometimes her questions momentarily flabbergast me.

Daddy Giraffe Of Destiny!

For Father's Day 2012, 3-year old Violet wrote a story as a gift for her Dad. It was such a fabulous story, I helped her turn her "script" into a crappy but heartwarming movie!

Violet's Lucky Star!

In January of 2012, while Mommy was 5 months pregnant with Ozzy, we went to Mexico!

Every evening, when Violet's "lucky star" appeared in the sky above the Sea Of Cortez, she made a wish.

She says the red planet Mars has the powers to grant her these requests; made solemnly with eyes closed tight.

1. I wish...I was a bunny rabbit

2. I wish...I was a bunny rabbit, again.

3. I wish...Grandma Ro wasn't sick anymore.

4. I wish...(she got distracted, no wish tonight)

5. I wish...the sky was blue so we could go to the pool!

6. I wish...I was bread, and Mommy and Daddy could eat me!

Violet & Lucia

This is what Violet gets up to with Lucia while Mom & Dad are at work....

Violet; The Blooming Poet.

Violet is blooming this Spring into a beautiful, caring, talented, imaginative...Poet!

Here are few of the gems she has given us at 2 and a half years old:

1. Violet: "I love you, Mama, and Daddy, too"
Mama: "What's Love, Violet?"
Violet: "It makes me feel good"

2. Mama: "Okay, Violet, it's time to get ready to go to Logan's House."
Violet: "Ya, Mama, I gotta get fresh for Logan. He's my best friend in all the land".

3. Violet: "Mama, I am SO EXCITED!!"
Mama: "What does 'excited' mean, Violet?"
Violet: "It's when I feel really good...in my mind."

xoxo; love her.

Baa Baa Black Sheep

This morning when I left for work, I gave Violet a mission to learn a new song to sing for me when I got home. She did learn a new song, at the Britania Community Centre. And she is amazing!

Happy Birthday, Grandma Jan!

Violet Insights.

*Violet surprises us daily with tiny insights into her mind...


-Violet, wearing a bedazzled sweater, spinning like a ballerina, says to her Dad, "Look, Da, I'm Fancy!"

-Every morning, I ask her what she dreamed about. She often says: Chickens, Horses, and Daddy".

-Yesterday, when I came home from work, she stood at the top of the stairs and asked me very earnestly, "How was your day, Mom?". I sat down with her on the couch and told her all about it in detail.

-She sleeps, most nights, okay, some nights, in her own little bed in our bedroom, but around sunrise she throws her pillow on top of me and climbs in with us, "Mom, I need a cuddle".

Violet's ABC's

While we were in Mexico in January we spent a lot of time hanging out on the balcony, filming Violet in all her wonder. After watching this video back home in Canada, I must admit, I should have perhaps put the camera down to teach her her alphabet correctly. But it's just so cute!

She will learn the alphabet correctly soon enough, no?

For now...let's enjoy this cutie-patootie!

Violet vs. Mexico

Violet is loving it down here in “Mechicho”. Day 10 and she is nearly fluent in Spanish…well, the essentials: Hola, Gracias, Agua, and Adios. And Derek and I are both delighted that the Mexicans and Americans we meet down here also think she is “super-cute”, so its official now that her beauty meets international standards.

For those of you readers who are not aware, my family has a house here in Sayulita, Nayarit (30 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta).



My Papa Ted, my Mom’s Dad, built this house over 30 years ago and we have been coming down here ever since. The village is...no longer a village, but a small town full of tourists, vendors on the beach, and late night parties. Violet loves to come to the plaza in the centre of town and run around with the other Mexican kids. They blow off fireworks, push each other down flights of stairs, and scream like wild animals....you know, kid stuff.

Violet's favorite Mexican foods include tortillas and…..and…tortillas, that’s pretty much her favorite. So its not so surprising that her favorite pastime here has quickly become making and selling pretend tortillas with her new 5-year old friend Alondra. Alondra is the granddaughter of family friends who live across the street. She has a wonderful imagination, and even with the language barrier she has taught Violet how to run an imaginary restaurant, serving us up “delicious” meals made up of leaves, dirt, and various flowers from our garden.

And, of course, Violet is really diggin’ the beach, but unfortunately the surf here in Sayulita is too rough for us to take her swimming, so she has resigned herself to playing in the wet sand on the shore. However, because of a rogue wave that hit her hard on our first day at the beach, she wisely runs for cover whenever a larger than normal wave comes roaring up the beach towards her. No harm done.

7 MORE DAYS TO GO....!

Violet in Legally Blonde In 60 Seconds!

The radio station I work for is having a $10,000 contest called Virgin Radio's "Fake Film Festival", where you remake a movie in 60 seconds or less. Vi and I made one for the fun of it. It's "Legally Blonde In 60 Seconds"!

Christmas Log 2010

Christmas is at home this year (although we will be leaving on our Mexico Vacation on New Year's Eve)!

*Here's how the days events went down:

9am - Violet wakes up. She doesn't remember immediately that it's a special day. But after we ask, "I wonder if Santa ate the cookies and milk we left out for him?", she screams, "Christmas!!".

9:05a - We meet Auntie in the living to investigate. It is quickly confirmed by Violet that Santa, indeed, did come in the night. He ate two of the three chocolate cookies, leaving crumbs trailing over some presents and into the fireplace. And, according to Violet, "Shanta Yilly Yikes Milt" (translation: Santa really likes milk). Then, then, Daddy said she could eat the leftover Santa cookie because, "It's Christmas today, Violet, you can eat whatever you want". This can't be good.

9:20 - Violet is covered in chocolate. She is screaming and crying, "Don't want Christmas dress, no, Mama, no!". I swear, if she hadn't had SUGAR for breakfast she would have been in the perfect frame of mind to wear her pretty Christmas dress. Alas. She's decided she would prefer "nudity", but since we have guests coming over, we compromise. She's now topless except for a pair jeans....and a smile.

10a - James has arrived with even more presents to put under the tree. Expensive coffee is being brewed.

{*UPDATE: I regret that my "Christmas Log 2010" was forgotten after this point, but all in all, it was a great day! tara jean}

Thank You For Tutu, Cousin Christy!

Happy Birthday, Auntie Trish!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Violet!

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Take Your Daughter To Work Day!

Violet's Television Debut!

Violet Loves "Sheep"!

Beacon Hill Petting Farm

Victoria, BC

Violet is 17 months old. She likes playing in the playroom at Oakridge Mall, eating pickles, and pretending she is a sheep. She L.O.V.E.S. sheep!

So, last weekend, while on a weekend getaway to Victoria with her Mommy and Grandma Jan, Violet visited the petting farm.

Happy 60th Birthday , Papa Al!

Violet loves to make up songs about the people and animals she loves...she loves making up songs for her Papa Al in particular. This is a special birthday song just for him...

New Year's Eve 2010!

Say Hello To Yourself.

I can't remember the last time I looked in a mirror and said "Hello" to myself. 

But I think I might pick up the habit again after seeing Violet do it so joyously for the first time today...

I'm watching her, right now. She's sitting in the winter sun near the living room windows.

She has just discovered her reflection in the glass door of a cabinet. 

She's waving and laughing, and periodically checking in with me so I can acknowledge how wondrous she is!

 

"Yes, Violet, that's you in there!"

1st Birthday = Cake

I know Daddy Derek was disappointed when I brought home Violet's much-anticipated "chocolate cake", although he was polite and didn't say anything. I somehow convinced myself it was a better idea to buy an "organic wheat-free chocolate cheesecake". I'll be the first to admit the cake was DISGUSTING. And, somehow, I think Violet knew she had been royally ripped off:

Sorry. Violet. But Mommy's birthday is in March. and she'll make it up to you then, 10 fold. 

THIS is called "The Smortuary" and there will be enough for you and ALL your friends:

xoxo, Mommy.

Violet and Jade's First Play Date!

Happy Halloween!

I wanted Violet to be a little lamb for her first Halloween, but, alas, I was too lazy to make the costume. There was also talk from Derek and "Auntie" Trish about making her into Cartman from South Park. However, all's well that end's well, as she looked very sweet as a little pumpkin:

"Violet Stevens Wins Prize Home!"

Crawling?! Already?

She's gone and done it. She's crawling!

We're now in baby-proofing mode: Derek has lined the fireplace mantel with hard foam, we're reorganizing our living room furniture to create a baby-barrier, I've moved all the plants to higher ground, and I'm trying to figure out how to hide all the cables and wires (she loves USB cords; LOVES). 

Some of my friends have described her style of crawling as "the wounded soldier", because she looks like her legs have been injured and she is dragging herself through enemy fire. But if you look closely, she is actually using quite a bit of leg/toe strength to get the job done: 

In the Land of Violet: 6 months old

Violet is sleeping beside me...snoring. 

She is exhausted after a long day of picnicking in the park at Trout Lake:

I wish she would wake up, because I want to feed her. Lately, she has been needing a little less breast-milk because we have started her on solids. Even though I plan on breast-feeding her until at least 2 (the recommendation of the W.H.O.), it seems the weening process has begun. It makes me...sad. I remember when she was first born, she was soooo tiny, and all she wanted was her Mommy's milk and lots of cuddles. Look at her sweet angel face on her first day of life:

Violet is quickly becoming a "Daddy's Girl"; so cute! She freezes when she hears his keys in the front door, and lights up like a firecracker when she sees his face! Last week, we went to a Sock-Hop themed wedding reception. We danced the night away! And when it was Violet's bedtime, she fell asleep in her Daddy's arms (even with the 50's music blaring!): 

Violet is quickly developing new skills. She is a rolling-over machine. She sits up, without support. She loves singing and clapping! And a few days ago, Grandpa Dennis and Grandma Rowena started teaching her the basics of crawling, she is catching on quickly! 

Go, Violet, Go!

In other news, Violet's on-again-off-again boyfriend Charlie has asked her to be his date at an upcoming wedding we will be attending, Violet has GLADLY excepted:

Remain Calm! Do not panic!

Moment ago, Violet started choking on a cheerio.

*ugh. scary.

I did not panic---well, maybe just a little.

All of the things that people told me to do if a baby started choking went off like firecrackers in my brain. 

The first thing that came to mind was to put the baby "upside down" and bang them on the back(?)! I quickly dropped her head below her stomach and gave her a few whacks; didn't work!

 By now, she was not making noise and her face was turning red----!

Oh my god, it was scary!

Then, I think, natural instinct took over.

I plopped her down on my knee, opened her mouth, and fought her tongue to stick my finger down her throat.

BOOM! POW! PUKE!

The cheerio had lodged itself in a mound of rice cereal that she still had in her mouth. I thought she was swallowing, but I guess she was just letting the cereal collect in the back of her throat. We'll have to stick to just one food/snack at a time until she gets a better hang of this "swallowing" idea.

A few seconds later, she was laughing and giggling as if it had all been a very scary, but extremely exciting game(?)! I think we have a thrill-seeker on our hands:

(Auntie Trisha and Violet)

I just found an "Illustrated Baby First Aid Guide" online, I should have looked at the choking chapter months ago.

 

Adventures in Rolling Over!

5 Months old!

Today is Violet's FIVE month birthday! 

And she is 17.5lbs of screeching, hilarious joy!

In honor of Violet (aka 'Lamby") and her special day, Auntie Trish planted a "Little Lamb Hydrangea" in our garden!  

The Heartbreaker

*WANTED: 

Charlie "The Heartbreaker" Devine

Dear Charlie, 

You've got some explaining to do...Lilia? What about Jade? What about ME?

Remember me? Your sweet Violet? 

Remember me? Your FIRST love...??

Remember those days of innocent, unbridled love?

You are breaking my heart, Charlie Devine. Come back to me!

I LOVE YOU, CHARLIE! 

xoxo

Violet

P.S. Just so you're aware, my Mommy says her friend is about to give birth to a baby boy. I got a sneak peak at his ultra-sound photos; handsome, very handsome. His mommy thinks we will make a "fabulous match"....just sayin'.

Anyway, don't worry about me, I'll be just fine because I have a couple of very supportive girlfriends who are helping me nurse my broken heart and dry my endless tears:

(Ainsley Rose, Violet, Charlotte)

The INFAMOUS Bottle

After numerous failed attempts, Violet has finally taken to the bottle. My boobs are jealous---okay, "I" am jealous. Even though it's still MY milk she is drinking, honestly, I had to hold back a pout as I watched proud papa Derek feed her for the first time:  

I eventually felt my feeding-control-frenzy melt away as I saw Derek and Violet experiencing a beautiful bonding moment. Here's a photo of Violet bathing in the afterglow of her first bottle feed:

And of course, now that Violet will take a bottle...so can I:

 

In the Land of Violet

What's new in the Land of Violet?

-She is 3 months old; 13lbs.

-She repeats after me when I say "goo". Although, I seem to be the only one who believes she is actually doing this on purpose.  

-She has a gigantic smile, and her laugh sounds a lot like a goose honk. Hopefully that will transform into a ladylike giggle by the time she goes to school, but knowing her Mother's cackle there's not much hope for that.

-Just this morning she started "howling" when I sang to her. Maybe she will be a singer like her Daddy!

-Her nickname is "Lamby". We're pretty sure we call her "Lamby" more than her real name, and we wonder how long a nickname like that can stick: 3 years old? 12? 40...? 

-She sleeps through the night (already!); 8 hour stretch. But she snores something fierce. 

-She can't wait to meet Grandma Rowena and Papa Dennis! They'll be coming for their first visit very, very soon. But for now she makes due with LIVE chats on *Skype.

-Although she still looks like a delicate, girly version of her Father...people are now starting to comment that she looks more and more like me. Yeah! Is it terribly egotistical that I want her to look a little something like me? 

-She hasn't seen much of her "boyfriend" Charlie lately, and she is dreadfully concerned he is off cavorting with beautiful baby Jade. OR! Maybe he has been snagged up by some cougar-ish toddler and she will have to fight to win his love back! *Stay Tuned...

  

A First Time For Everything

    This is a picture of Violet on her very first ferry ride, a pivotal moment in the life of any west Coast girl. Violet is now 9 weeks old and she has new and exciting first time experiences everyday (Last week she had her [*gasp] first cold). 

     But it was on Violet's first ferry ride that her Mommy experienced a first as well - the first time breast-feeding in public. That's been a weird one for me. Not because I am shy about anyone seeing my boob either. It's weird for me because breast-feeding is such an intimate time between me and Vi and I thought it would feel wrong sharing that moment in the presence of strangers ---- but it didn't. It was liberating. 

       It was Derek that actually encouraged me to relax and do it in the ferry lounge, rather than hide away in some bathroom stall or dark corner. He sat beside us, using his 6'4 frame to give us a touch of privacy. He's such a good papa, (but that's a whole other blog in itself)... 

Let's Talk Rude!

*This song was taught to me by my Mom...Grandma Jan!

Violet's Love Life (so far)

*Violet and Charlie's courtship began at a VERY early age. 

Violet was only a few days old when she received

 her first piece of mail - from Charlie Devine:

"HELLO VIOLET!

Welcome to the World! It's a pretty cool place. I think the best part is getting warm snuggles and like 8-10 meals a day. So my mom thinks we should "hook up", she says you're real pretty. I've enclosed a photo of myself to give you an idea...

(charlie)

Anyways it would be swell to meet you one day. We could drool and sleep and stare with amazement at the ceiling. Oh, and my Mom and Dad wanted me to say that they think your Mom and Dad are awesome! And especially how great your Mom is for doing it "au naturelle", whatever that means. Apparently, we have something in common.

LOVE CHARLIE"

*As a new and protective parent, I felt the need to respond to this letter immediately:

"Dear Alexa and Sean Devine,

I would like to bring to your attention an issue of extreme importance.

In today's mail, my 9-day old daughter Violet received a very 'suggestive' holiday greeting card from your son Charlie. Although I am fully aware that my daughter's beauty is utterly irresistible to your son and his refined taste, myself and Derek would appreciate it if you would curb his enthusiasm until Violet is at least, let's say, 1 month old..."

*Two weeks later, Derek and I caved to Violet's demands and allowed her and Charlie to meet in person for the first time. 

I have to admit, there was clearly chemistry between them:

(Charlie and Violet)

*However, within a month of their initial meeting, their destiny was put in jeopardy by the birth of the far too beautiful Jade Winter Loring:

(Violet continues to contemplate whether or not three's a crowd.)

   

Smooth Move, Ex-Lax

*Double-Click on Video to see it in full-view.

Thank You!

Our brand new Violet has brought out the most generous spirit in our our family and friends. Among the most precious gifts we have received is this homemade blanket made by one of Derek's Mom's closest friends, the amazing Flo!

So THIS is who was in my belly!

I can't believe it! 

Only two short weeks ago, I was 9 months pregnant; ready to pop...

Violet's First Shower

Derek has been SO excited about VIOLET'S FIRST SHOWER, but we had to hold off on it a little longer than expected...

Last week, when Violet's umbilical stump fell off, her little belly button had a *minor hernia (I'll spare you the descriptive details). 

Anyway, we had to keep that wee belly button desert dry - UNTIL TODAY!

Like Father, Like Daughter.

Derek told me months ago, "When baby's are born they look just like the father, so the fathers won't eat them". With that theory in mind, Derek warned me that our baby was sure to look just like him. Well, it's true, Violet DOES look just like her Daddy, but he still says to her, "Oh, you are so cute, I just want to eat you up". 

Please, Daddy, although you are clearly tempted, don't eat our baby.

 

Violet - 2008

Derek - 1974

What's In A Name?

VIOLET. ROWENA. JEAN. STEVENS.

"What's in a name....?"

Violet Letitia Smitheringale (nee Hoole)

(Tara Jean's Maternal Great Grandmother)

Rowena Carol Stevens (nee Schneider)

(Derek's Mom)

Aileen Jean Smitheringale (nee Temple)

(Tara Jean's Maternal Grandma)

Jean Walker Cox (nee Forsyth)

(Tara Jean's Great Great Grandmother)

And...

Tara Jean Wilkin

(Violet's Mommy)

100% All Natural!

I watched *many water-birth videos during my pregnancy, really digging how peaceful the water-babies were when born. It was one of the many labor options I had in my fabulous, private birthing suite at BC Women's Hospital:

There are so many different labor options and SO many important decisions to be made. But one thing was certain...NO DRUGS! That's right, Ladies, I said "No" to epidurals, to morphine, to all of it. Luckily, "Nitrous Oxide" (Laughing Gas) is not a drug:

But, believe me, I wasn't laughing. Although...Derek managed to keep HIS sense of humor:  

My Doula: Norah

The word 'Doula' actually comes from the Greek word for the most important female slave in an ancient Greek household...but the word has now come to mean something closer to "a woman who offers continuous emotional and physical support during childbirth".

My doula, Norah, was a magician...

The Full Moon

I went into labor on the morning of December 13th, 2008, as the full moon set and the Pacific tide was high.

The ocean's tides are the strongest on the full moon.

And Since human beings are made up of mostly water, I don't find it hard to believe that we too are powerfully affected by the moon's gravitational pull.

My first contraction woke me from a lucid dream at 4:15am...

Although the contractions were consistently 15 min. apart throughout the rest of the morning and afternoon, I was in a sort of denial that THIS was IT.

BUT IT WAS...!!!