Violet's First Bite

One of the good things about living with Melissa, Jamie and Violet is that I get to witness firsts.

Today Violet had her first taste of rice cereal...I mean "organic" rice cereal. Although she didn't eat much she seemed to enjoy it.

After the second bite you can see her shudder a bit. It was so cute. Personally I'd add a little apple sauce to make it taste better. Even Melissa said it tasted a bit like throw up. But I don't think the book says you should do that and Melissa likes to follow the book.

I can remember with Michael, I went step by step. First rice cereal, then oatmeal. Slowly introduce the fruits and vegetables checking for any allergic reactions. With Melissa, I smashed up the leftovers on my plate and fed them to her. They both grew up strong and healthy so I couldn't have done anything too bad.

And then we caught Lola licking the leftovers off the bib. She didn't seem to mind the throw up taste.

Lunch with Friends - Happy Birthday Carol!

Sometimes it seems as though all I do is go to lunch and/or dinner with friends or family and today is no exception.

I've been friends with Debbie (center) for the past 16 years. I met her when I started working for KCP&L. A few years later I met Carol. Carol just returned to work after suffering from a concussion she received from tumbling down her basement steps while doing laundry. We met at Harrah's for lunch to celebrate Carol's birthday and catch up on all the KCP&L gossip that I've missed. Melissa joined us for lunch and Debbie and Carol were able to meet Violet. As much as I miss daily conversations with my friends, I don't regret retirement.

Shopping...Lunch...Dinner...Family

Wow, today was busy for me. Melissa, Violet and I went shopping to complete my outfit for my class reunion next weekend. We started at DSW for shoes (couldn't find any) then to Charming Charlie's for jewelry. We then stopped at McAlister's for a quick bite for lunch.

Violet is so good in restaurants especially since she's learned she can sit in the big girl high chair. As long as she has her krinkle book with her she's happy.

Later Michael and I took Dad to Longhorn Steakhouse for Thursday night dinner.

I was explaining to Michael if he ever happened to peek in Grandpa's wallet and could only see a $20 bill and a few crumpled ones and Grandpa offered to "trade him wallets", he should always accept the offer. As far as I can remember Dad has always been able to take a wallet and hide money inside the lining.

After dinner Michael stopped by my house to see his favorite niece.

She always has a big smile for her Uncle Michael.

Toys, Toys, Toys and Cheese Wrappers

I'm amazed at the variety of children's toys and their symbolism to learning. Melissa had a gift certificate to Babies "R" Us and Violet needed a new toy and some new pajamas - she's growing so fast. We bought her a Pop Top which is a spinning toy that plays music and has round animal figures that pop out sporadically every second or third time you push the plunger to make it spin. It scares Violet every time they pop out.  There's a ring stacker that is like the toys Michael and Melissa had as babies where you stack the different size plastic rings on a centered post.  In honor a Teresa, Violet has a Press and Go Pal we call Casey the Cow.

Violet has learned that if you push the yellow center of the cow it makes moo sounds and plays a couple different songs. The only problem - the orange circles on the cows legs are wheels that automatically spin so it rolls away from her when she pushes the button.

But my favorite is the teething book which I call the "krinkle" book. It's a plastic book that has three pages in it and sounds as though there is plastic inside the pages that is like the plastic used to wrap individual slices of cheese. We could have saved a fortune on toys if only Melissa would let Violet play with empty plastic water bottles and individual cheese wrappers. When Melissa isn't looking, that's what I give her to play with!

Good Bye - Dale Hunter Lane

To Violet,

You spent the first 5 months of your life at the house on Dale Hunter Lane that your Mom and Dad bought in 2006 just before they got married.

You wouldn't even recognize this house today from the day they bought it. Dad worked so hard to update the inside and out. He put in new landscaping around the front of the house, painted the house and installed new garage doors.

Inside he put in new carpeting, painted all the walls, remodeled the kitchen and bathroom and painted your bedroom a beautiful bright pink.

But now you're stuck at Grandma's until your new house is built. But you do have your new apartment downstairs. Maybe you'll be able to celebrate your first birthday in your new house. Is that my birthday wish or yours!

Project Runway

Melissa says a little TV is okay for babies. She lets Violet watch a little Bubble Guppies, Team Umizoomi or Meg on Fox 4 News in the mornings.

I'm teaching her to watch Project Runway and America's Next Top Model. As soon as she gets old enough, we'll add popcorn!

Big Girl Shopping!

Going to WalMart was getting a little difficult to do. Not only was Violet getting cranky having to sit in her car seat all the time but that car seat was heavy and hard to carry. Plus it never set on the cart just the right way.

Well now shopping is a whole new experience now that we can sit in the cart like a big girl. I think they make a shopping cart seat cover to help protect from previous cart users. Melissa? Where's her seat cover? Check out the blue WalMart strap around Violet's waist. Is that to keep her from crawling out or falling over?  :)

Michael is Styling Now

Michael starts his new job as VIP Host for Harrah's the first of September. I'm helping him create a whole new wardrobe style for his job - suits, shirts, ties, sports coats. Even Grandpa is going to check his dresser for cuff links and tie clips. He's already donated his entire box of ties to Michael.

I always thought women's clothes were rather expensive, but men's clothes aren't much better. But unlike women, men don't have to worry about wearing the same suit every couple of days. Just change the shirt and tie and it looks as though you have a whole new look. The sales associate at Men's Wearhouse has been extremely helpful.

Our Baby Violet is 5 Months Old

A few days late with the picture, but our baby Violet is now 5 months old.

Melissa gets sad when she thinks how fast she is growing up. But even if we put a book on her head, it's now going to stop her growth.

I may have to get a little more sophisticated app than Pic Stitch in order to show her monthly pictures. I'm not sure if it goes higher than 5 pictures to stitch together. Violet has her two bottom teeth and now her two top teeth are poking through. She's a master at sitting up and doing the "wiggle, wiggle, wiggle" when she stands. Violet loves to watch Khloe and Lola play but watch out if you get too close. She likes to grab on to your hair. I notice that she tries very hard to mimic a lot of things that you do. The other day I was moving my feet around. She watched for quite a while, then began moving her feet. Melissa is trying to teach her to clap and do the "touchdown" gesture (arms over your head). I'll update at 6 months to see if Violet has achieved that goal.

The Taylors Move In

Wow! The past couple of days have been so hectic. Melissa and Jamie have sold their house and moved in to the finished basement this weekend. They moved their main pieces of furniture and their clothes and put everything else in storage.

They now have a kitchen/dining room.

Combination master bedroom and nursery.

And living room.

Oh, I almost forgot. Violet has taken over the 2nd bathroom upstairs. It's now Violet's bathroom.

After spending the morning helping Melissa finish packing up her kitchen and bedroom, I had a little quiet time while Melissa, Jamie and Violet went to Great Grandpa Taylors birthday party. I believe Jamie said it was his 90th birthday (and Great Grandpa John thinks he's old. He's only 86!).

Although they forgot to take a picture of Great Grandpa Taylor, they were able to get a family picture.

Then it was off to Harrah's buffet where Grandma Laura bought dinner for everyone - Will, Julie, Paige, Gentry, Kanon, Jamie, Melissa and Violet.

Violet had a little chance to chill and show Grandma Laura her new home before bedtime.

I can hardly wait to see what develops tomorrow!

Michele and Bruce - Retirement Cruise

Michele and Bruce are on a Viking River Cruise down the Volga River in Russia. She always seems to find the most exciting vacation spots.

And fun! I haven't heard from her for a week except to get a picture entitled "The Vodka Museum". Now if I went to Russia on a River Cruise, vodka would sure be at the top of my list. I think she's bragging that she's there and I'm home. Can't wait to hear all the details when she gets back in another week.

Jamie and Mini Me

Today is one of those "I really look like my Dad" days.

Jamie caught this picture of Violet checking the WalMart ads. Now I know she's like her Dad because Melissa doesn't do much grocery shopping. Express or Baby Gap is a different story!! Love you Mis!

Violet and Miles - Update

Today Violet got to visit with her future boyfriend, Miles. The first time they met was back in the early part of June. Miles was much bigger than Violet.

But now Violet - at just under 5 months old - is growing faster than Miles. Miles was born in December. But aren't girls supposed to mature faster than boys? I'll continue to check progress on these two and see what develops!

Melissa and Jamie - Date Night

Last night Jamie and Melissa were able to go out for the first time since Violet was born. They went to dinner with friends then to a Bruno Mars concert at the Sprint Center.

So who was enlisted to babysit? Why me, of course. There is absolutely a good reason why you have babies when you're young. Even though she's not quite 5 months old, poor Violet was so confused because Melissa wasn't there.

If you look real close you can see how red her eyes are from crying. And she wasn't crying because she was mad. She actually looked very sad. She did stop crying for about 20 minutes and was very happy. But then the tears came again until she finally got so tired she fell asleep. She was sitting in my lap and her head fell forward. Reminded me of how old people fall asleep while sitting in their easy chairs watching Jeopardy! I slowly walked back to her bedroom and put her in her bed. I was so glad when Melissa and Jamie came home.

Today I continued my babysitting efforts. But this time with Khloe and Lola. Soooooooo much easier. They slept most of the day. But this evening they're barking at all the people taking their evening walks. We'll be joining them shortly.

Happy Birthday Brian - Number 1 Son, Grandson, Nephew and Cousin

Dad, most of the time, refers to his children and grandchildren and now great granddaughter by numbers. Michele is number 1, I'm number 2, Karen is number 3, and Teresa is number 4. It's not unusual to go with Dad to one of his Railway events and have some elderly gentleman call out "Are you number 2?" I just smile and nod my head. Dad's grandchildren have numbers - although this can be a bit confusing unless you know Dad. Brian is number 1 grandson and Michael is number 2 grandson. But Melissa is also a number 1 granddaughter while Courtney is number 2 granddaughter even though Melissa and Courtney are numbers 3 and 4 in grandchildren order. Now Violet is number 1 great granddaughter.

But Brian is also number 1 son born to my number 1 sister, Michele, who is the number 1 daughter born to my number 1 Mother who was Grandma Vi's number 1 daughter. Confused yet? I really don't know where I'm going with this except to say "Happy Birthday, Brian!" I can't believe you're 35 today, but then I can't believe I have a 32 year old son and a 30 year old daughter and a granddaughter. Yikes! Again, I digress.

 Happy Birthday, Brian. I hope your day is filled with fun and excitement. If you happen to find yourself traveling around the country and come close to Kansas City, stop by and I'll take you to dinner.

Five Guys - Thursday Dinner

Michael and Jamie were working on Michael's bathroom, so we decided to meet in Lee's Summit at Five Guys hamburgers for our Thursday night dinner with Dad.

Violet was able to join us but she was so tired she fell asleep during dinner.

Violet Chills in her High Chair

Believe it or not, this is a high chair. Whatever happened to the wooden high chair with the tray that would never slide on correctly?

Violet Graduates to Big Girl Bath

I can remember when Michael and Melissa were babies and I had to give them a bath. At one point I believe I had one of those foam mats that you put in the kitchen sink or bathtub. If that was not available, I can remember folding a bath towel and putting that in the sink just in case the soapy baby slipped a bit. But now they have baby bathtubs that actually tell the temperature of the water so you know the baby will not be scalded or frozen.

Now that Violet has learned to sit, she has graduated from her smart baby bathtub to a seat that can be put in the bathtub. Next they'll probably invent a way for "smart" hands to bathe the baby.

Michele and Violet - First Borns

Michele found a break in her busy work schedule to come to Kansas City. We went to our favorite Mexican restaurant for lunch, Salty Iguana, and had Fun House Pizza for dinner.

Michele also got to visit with Violet. She was going on and on about how first born children were so independent and smart. Although I wouldn't get too excited about that smart stuff.

At dinner, Violet was going crazy trying to get Karen's water bottle in her mouth. I guess you could call that smart. At least Violet knew there was something in that bottle that you could drink.

Baby Violet Sits Up

Just the other day I was posting that I had to hurry to take a picture of Baby Violet sitting before she fell over.

Well today she can sit up by herself. With just the blink of an eye things change with babies. But she's so advanced. Maybe tomorrow she'll be crawling.

Thursday Night Dinner - Famous Dave's

Famous Dave's opened this Monday so we had to check it out for our Thursday night dinner - plus I had a coupon.

Melissa, Dad, Michael, Jamie and baby Violet were all available for dinner. I thought the food was good but I'm not sure if it's as good as Smokehouse Bar-B-Cue just down the street. We went at just the right time. As we were leaving I heard people talking across the parking lot that there was an hour wait.

Michael's Interview

Michael has been working for Harrah's since December and is ready for another position. I hate to talk to much about this because I don't want to jinx his chances. He just finished his interview in round 2 for a VIP Host. If he gets the job, his entire wardrobe will change.

Instead of wearing his usual jeans and T-shirt or mechanics uniform, he'll be wearing suits and ties. But the interaction with big time gamblers and taking them to sporting events is well worth the clothes.

He looks good even without the jacket. He should hear sometime tomorrow if he made it to the third and final interview. Let's keep our fingers crossed.