Metal Meredith

I hate to do it, but it must be done.
On June 1st, I will be re-joining the ranks of Starbucks. I will be working 20 hours a week in order to provide Health Insurance for the family. Although I am not very excited to work, I am looking forward to working again with my friend Ronni, who I have missed very much since becoming a Mom.

This week in Vivienne’s world:
*Waves Bye Bye and even says it very clearly.
*Finally is calling me Mama. Finally!
*Is walking 80% of the time.
*Got her first pair of shoes.

Vivienne is going to my friend Stacey’s house for daycare while I am working. She has 3 great kids, Brian, Jacob and Lilly. They have been so great with Vivienne so far. We are so lucky to have Stacey in our lives.

The most exciting news, we not only have a nest of baby birds in the plant at our front door, but we seem to have a family of chipmunks residing under the house. So far I have seen 3 babies. They act like little kids playing all over my plants and back steps. Isn’t that fun for us? It’s like a nature preserve over here.

Have a great week!
Meredith

Thats Right! Vivienne took her first real steps on May 17th. Eleven months and one day after she was born. She is getting to be more like a kid every day.

She now does so much fun stuff:
*You chase her, she runs
*You run, she chases you
*She doesn’t stop babbling all day
*She says Mama and looks right at me....FINALLY
*She knows who Daddy is and that he always comes in the front door
*She has a lovely fake smile (pictured at right) and uses it on strangers
*She loves Sesame Street and Teletubbies
*She always says “Thank You” when handing you half eaten food

She will be one year soon. I am not sure what I will do. It’s all going by so fast.
Go visit the “Spring 2004” Photo Page to see fun pics of the Park and her new pool.
Happy Spring!
Meredith

Ok folks, we are less than 2 months away from Vivienne’s 1 year Birthday. Can you believe it? Things are going so fast.

New Accomplishments:
*Standing all by herself for minutes at a time
*Now not only meows, but mimicks all the cats different voices
*Calls everything MAMA except me
*Likes to page through books and talk to herself while doing so
*Won’t touch babyfood, but loves pesto (?)
*Learned how to turn the light off and on

Fun things huh? Walking is really only a matter of time. And I think we are talking days and not weeks. Just in time for Grandma to move here.

Good news from my end! Next week, the 1965 Rambler that has loomed its broken soul in my backyard for 5 years, will be towed away. I have finally donated it to the National Kidney Foundation. Both Phil and I are surprised that we feel a little sadness, but we know its for the best. Now I have to figure out a way to get grass to grow where it has not for 5 years. Ugh.

Last but not least, we want to offer our condolences to a good friend that was lost this week: Here’s to you Morris! 20 years old and the smallest cat we have ever had the good fortune of knowing (3.5 lbs!). Best wishes in your long journey ahead! Hope you are doing well, Nancy!

Love,
Meredith, Phil and Vivienne

Thank goodness its Spring. I am so happy that we can get outside a little now (and most of you know how I feel about the ‘outdoors’.)

Vivienne is discovering all the fun outside things, like grass (which she tries to eat), leaves (which she also eats), dirt (eats), pine needles (attempts to eat), and squirrels (not fast enough to eat.) She crawls back and forth across the lawn like she doesn’t know how to take it all in. I, on the other hand, saw my future and bought some Spray and Wash. I am now the Eradicator of Grass Stains.

Fun things about Vivienne this week:
*She meows at the cats
*She now takes baths in the ‘big tub’ and just stands up the whole time
*She loves carrots and broccoli- go figure
*She won’t shut up
*She loves dogs (however, Phil and I still don’t!)

Looking forward to having some babysitting help in the way of Vivienne’s grandma moving back to town. Phil and I are looking forward to maybe a grown up night out a month. Lucky us. We actually don’t remember our last meal out alone. Such is the life of the new parent.

New pictures are arriving weekly. Professional Spring pics will be added this week.
Happy Easter Everyone!
Meredith