Toothy Grin

Violet was having a happy day today so Melissa was able to get a picture of her first tooth. Look real close and you'll see it on the bottom left (actually Violet's right).

I tried to look and I think I see the second one coming in. We should know in the next few days.

Violet Has Her First Tooth

Today Melissa discovered that Violet has her first tooth. Melissa is torn between Violet's discomfort at getting her first tooth and her daughter growing up way too fast.

When I got out the camera to take a picture of Violet today, she wouldn't put on her happy face. This is her new Baby Sophie teething ring. She's able to grab both sides of Sophie and get it to her mouth...although she does gag herself a lot! We're on the lookout for tooth number 2.

Basement Remodel

Time for updated pictures of the basement remodel. I thought we were going to have a big set back. Yesterday afternoon after the big storm, there was water in the basement. Between fixing the water heater and plugging the hole where the HVAC pipe enters the basement, I believe the water problem has been solved.

The doors are up and the trim is complete. This is the living area with a door to a small storage closet and the bathroom to the right.

The bathroom is harder to see because there are not lighting fixtures installed yet. The linen closet next to the shower is huge.

Around the corner from the living room is the kitchen. Cabinets have been set and the counter top installed.

Looking from the west side to the east, you can see the kitchen and living room with the bedroom door to the left.

I love the trim around the bedroom window and the walk-in closet has 3 sets of shelves and lots of storage room. I'm not sure if it will hold all Melissa's clothes. I'm sure Jamie is going to have to build a clothes rack in the storage room for his clothes.

I went to Lowes and Home Depot to buy lighting and ceiling fans. My list of things to get was long and I immediately got confused about what I wanted. Jamie gets upset with me and Melissa because we're not visual people. And it doesn't matter what I pick out, it's always the most expensive thing. I'm torn between my champagne taste and beer wallet. After paying several bills for the remodel today - drywall, paint, carpet - I think I'm going to have to find someone to buy my drinks!

Dinner and a Storm

Wow! I thought the wind was blowing awfully hard here at my house but it wasn't nearly as bad as at the Taylor house.

Jamie even took a couple hours off from work and bribed one of his buddies to help cut down branches and put the fence back up.

The rain stopped and we were able to have Thursday night dinner with Dad/Grandpa/Great Grandpa.

Outback Steakhouse was our choice  (Dad had a coupon) and Violet and Melissa were able to join us. Towards the end of dinner, Violet did get a little fussy. Dad said he thought it was the first time he ever saw her shed a tear. I think it was because she wanted a French fry but Melissa said no!

Dad's Doctor Visit

I took Dad to the orthopedic doctor for a follow up visit from his broken arm. The waiting room is usually pretty bare when we get there but today it was very busy. We were called back after a small wait but you wouldn't believe the room they put us in.

I still don't know whether this was an additional exam room or the supply closet. I kept watching the time just in case they forgot we were here. By the way, the wrist is healed completely. The shoulder is still not 100% but what can you expect from an 86 year old man who breaks his arm in 3 places.

Bubbles

Boy, you miss a few days of posting and then it takes several posts to get caught up.

I left Melissa earlier on Tuesday for a dentist appointment. When I left she was headed to WalMart for a few items. The next thing I know she sends me a picture and video of Violet watching the bubbles. Only Melissa would think of entertaining a 3 month old with bubbles.

Violet has also discovered the puppies. She watches them when they walk by. Khloe checks on her and licks her fingers and Violet tries to pet her. Lola is still waiting for someone to come pick up Violet. She's starting to realize she's not the center of attention and she tends to take it out on Khloe.

Violet - 14 Weeks

It's already been 14 weeks since Violet was born.

I can't believe how much she has changed. Even though I want to say she looks like Melissa, some say she looks much more like Jamie. I still think she got the best of both her parents. She wasn't very happy this day. Could be because Melissa spent so much time selecting an outfit for her 3 month formal picture.

Violet Turns 3 Months Old

Turning 3 months old in the Taylor house not only involves taking pictures at home but also involves scheduling a formal picture sitting.

This is the picture using the Etsy stickers. I picked the one of Violet standing because this is her new favorite thing to do. Hold her hands and she immediately goes into a standing position whether she's on the floor, in your lap or in her bouncer. Melissa thinks this makes her look thinner.

It took about 4 hours to get just the right outfit for formal pictures.

This was the original outfit selected for the sitting. After Melissa sent me several pictures of Violet in these shorts, Violet decided they were way too big. Plus by this time she was tired of playing dress-up.

This is the final outfit and formal picture of Violet turning 3 months old.

Violet is Coming Home

Melissa is finding out that taking a 3 month old baby on a one week car trip isn't always full of smiles.

This smile lasted a few minutes before the tears began.

Violet is so tired of sitting in her car seat so Jamie and Melissa decided to skip staying the night in St. Louis and are headed home. Plus the air conditioning in the car isn't working properly and Violet doesn't like going 80 mph down the highway with the windows open.

Enough of the Beach

Dauphin Island didn't quite turn out to be the vacation Melissa and Jamie thought it might be so they decided to head home by way of Birmingham, Alabama.

Long car rides aren't exactly Violet's favorite, so Dad stops so Violet can get out of her car seat and stretch.

But once they're back on the road, she can't help but fall asleep.

Once they get to their hotel in Birmingham, Violet wants to go to the hotel pool so she shows off her new swimsuit. Don't tell anyone this is an 18 month size. Melissa just cringes when she hears that. But at least Violet doesn't hunch over when she wears it.

The whole family has a good time at the pool before having dinner, going to bed and heading to Nashville tomorrow.

Back at home I was taking the puppies for their last walk this evening. On our way home this GIANT dog (bigger than me) came charging across the street. I swear I thought it was a horse. I just shut my eyes and turned my back and hoped the dog wouldn't eat me or the puppies. The dog's owner came running outside apologizing and telling me the dog was "very friendly". Khloe got real brave and started barking at the dog which scared me because I thought that would make the dog mad. Lola put her tail between her legs and ran home. I wish I would have had my camera!

Baby Violet is 3 Months Old

Today baby Violet turned 3 months old.

I hear she gave Mom and Dad quite a run for their money today. She was a bit fussy. But she put that pout away when Mom took her picture. I understand when Melissa and Jamie get back from their vacation, Melissa is taking Violet for professional pictures. America's Next Top Model be prepared!

LOLA!!!!!!

I haven't had a good Lola story for quite some time. But Lola never disappoints when it comes to writing about her. I think she realizes something hasn't been said about her so she needs to add excitement to our lives. Today Lola decided she needed a little extra snack. I guess she wasn't happy with the bacon, French fries, crackers and snacks I was giving her.

So she decided to eat my flip flops. Now Khloe, on the other hand, will do anything not to get in trouble. So when I screamed "LOLA, BAD DOG!", Khloe went straight to her bed. Now I have to keep my shoes on top of the piano between walks.

Violet at the Beach

Violet is on her first vacation at the beach at Dauphin Island.

She was happy just sitting in her stroller at the beach but when Mom and/or Dad took her into the water...well that was a different story.

Twelve years ago Melissa went to South Padre for her senior trip and she wrote Jamie's name in the sand.

Today Violet got her name written in the sand.

 

Me, I'm in Kansas City with Lola and Khloe. We've had a couple of hours of storms. Lola hides under the chair and Khloe sits in her pen. On our walk this morning there was a clap of thunder. Lola put her tail between her legs and ran home. But it cleared up this evening and we went for our fifth walk of the day. After a week of all this exercise I should be able to shed a few pounds...hopefully!

Jamie's First Father's Day

Jamie celebrated his first Father's Day by taking his family to the beach.

I know he spent most of the day driving. I hope he has a great evening with Melissa and baby Violet. He's a great Dad!

Father's Day #60

Today is Father's Day and Dad has now celebrated 60 Father's Days. Karen and I took him to breakfast this morning to the grill at Harrah's under the stairs.

After breakfast, Dad did his best to try and win himself a little Father's Day gift. But no luck for any of us. Karen, Dad and I met up with Teresa and Brad later to take Dad to dinner at the Rib Crib.

Basement Remodel

Before the dry wall guys show up again in the morning I thought I post a few updated pictures of the basement remodel.

This is looking to the west window. On the left and straight ahead is the kitchen and dining/living area. The door on the far left leads to the storage room. The door on the right is the bedroom.

This is the bathroom. There's no light fixture right now so it's a little darker. The shower head will come out of the small hole at the top on the right. To the left of the shower is a linen closet.

This is the bedroom with a small alcove for Violet's bed or when the kids move out, a sitting room. The door leads to a walk in closet.

This is looking to the east. On the right is the kitchen area. To the left is the bedroom and straight ahead is the main living area. This would also make a good media room.

The basement stairs lead directly to the living area. The door to the right of the stairs is a small storage area.

And finally my nightmare. The unorganized storage room. Behind the stack of items to the right is a whole lot more storage area.

Violet to the Beach

I barely got home from my trip to the beach when Jamie and Melissa whisked Violet off to Dauphin Island off the gulf coast near Golf Shores, Alabama.

But first Melissa had to make sure Violet's sunglasses fit well. I'm sure if Coach made sunglasses for babies, she'd have Coach sunglasses instead of this cheap pair of knock-offs.

Even though Melissa was nervous about Violet being in her car seat for several hours at a time, she seems to be taking the trip well.

Melissa sits in the back seat with Violet, plays with her toys and reads her books. She even has a giggle or two.

Meanwhile back in Kansas City, guess what I get to do? Puppy sit!

Melissa just let me know they made it to Memphis and Violet is exhausted. 

Videos

 I received these videos when I was on vacation. Violet is getting very vocal and loves to scream.

This video Violet will tell you about her day. The giggle in the middle is the best part.

And here we have Violet singing Here Comes Peter Cottontail. She's getting so big so fast.

Basement Remodel

I now have a ceiling in my basement and the rest of the walls are going up tomorrow.

I was hoping most of this work would be done by the time I got home but it looks like I'll get to be part of the noise, dust and excitement. The open door on the right is the bedroom. Across from that in the back is the storage room. The bathroom is in the near left corner of the picture. I wonder what Jamie did with all my Christmas stuff. Hopefully it's all stored NEATLY in the storage room!

Tunica - Wednesday

The hotel across the drive from our hotel is called the Tunica Roadhouse.

This is also a Harrah's property but we decided to stay at the Horseshoe instead of the Roadhouse. I'm not sure what the rooms look like but the ambience of the casino floor is very "western".

I'm not sure where they get the western flare here in Mississippi but they're really trying. The bathrooms are marked "Chicks" and "Dudes". Even the felt on the Blackjack tables looks like wood - I ran my hand over it and didn't get a splinter.

Tunica - Tuesday

I've been gone from home for 23 days now. I've tried to write something everyday about my trip. I noticed I missed yesterday and today isn't much better. Maybe I should have planned a shorter trip. Maybe I should have thought about the drive home. Maybe I should have considered flying. Today was spent driving from Biloxi to Tunica. Not much excitement on the highway. But Melissa is keeping me entertained with pictures of Violet.

Melissa, Jamie and Violet are leaving the day after I get back for their vacation to Gulf Shores so I'll only have one day to see my baby Violet.

Biloxi - Sunday

What a difference in today than my last 3 weeks. I'm so tired that the best I can do for a picture of today is the bar where I'm having a snack before heading to bed. 

It's just now 8:30. That's my purse on the chair. I'm so tired I don't even want to take the time to ask someone to take a picture with me in it.

Even baby Violet is having a tiring day. Melissa said she took her to a birthday party and spent most of the time soothing her. She's very leery of strangers right now. I hope she hasn't forgotten me.

Good Bye Vero Beach - Saturday

We left Vero Beach and drove nearly 10 hours to Biloxi. I remember how excited I was when we first began this adventure. Now, not so much. But we'll be in Biloxi in my fabulous suite and the beautiful pool for 3 nights before we start driving again.

Four weeks is a long time to be away from home, especially when I keep getting pictures like this.

Happy Birthday My Michael

For the first time in 32 years I did not see my son on his birthday.

But Violet made sure her uncle had a special day. Michael will probably be able to cash in on my guilt when I get home and we go shopping for his birthday. Happy Birthday My Michael.

Vero Beach - Friday

The weather finally cooperated today and the sun was back so Sonia and I headed back to the beach for our last day in Florida. Instead of sitting in the sand on the beach, we decided to sneak into the Vero Beach Resort and sit by their pool. But Florida is not very forgiving with its weather. It was so hot we only lasted about an hour. 

We went back to the same resort for our final night to dance the night away.

Vero Beach - Thursday

Another stormy day so Sonia and I took off for Melbourne (about 45 miles north) to go to the dog races.

Dog racing is not the most popular event in Florida - at least not in Melbourne. There were more dogs racing than people watching. At one time Sonia and I were the only spectators. Small crowds make for small winning pots but I consider the day profitable because I only lost $2.00. By the way, our fabulous lunch today was racetrack nachos - yuk!

Violet's First Bandaid

Poor baby Violet got her first bandaid today when Dad got a little too close with the nail clippers.

But later she was happy and singing along with Peter Cottontail. Melissa sent me the video which I'll try and post when I get back home.

New Faucet in Garage

One of the best things about Jamie is all you have to do is mention something that you want, he puts it on his mental list and when it gets to the top of his list - it's done.

On Mother's Day we talked about there not being a faucet in the garage to connect the hose. Today I received a picture and text message saying "look what showed up in your garage". Now maybe he'll detail my car!