You're a Cousin!

Dear Vinny,

On the Sunday when Grandma and Grandpa were here, your newest cousin, Samuel, was born.  You were really excited about him being born because you wanted to hold him and shush him soothingly.  That next Wednesday, you got to do just that.

It was a big contrast to see you next to Cousin Samuel, and to think that four years ago, you weren't much bigger than Samuel is now!  You held him and kissed him and told him that you loved him, in addition to shushing him.

This was the first time you got to meet him, but you'll be seeing a lot more of Cousin Samuel.  I hope that the two of you will grow up to be great friends!

Love,
Mama

More Birthday Celebrations

Dear Vinny,

Yesterday we had your big birthday party for your friends.  You wanted it to be held at the children's museum, just like last year.  So we did.  There were about twenty kids at the party.

We had pizza, beverages, cake, and ice cream for the guests.  Everybody had a good time at the party.  You received a lot of nice presents from your guests.

At the end of the party, Granny and Granddad arrived, and also, the fire alarm went off and we had to evacuate the building.  You got to see the fire trucks, which was pretty exciting, and you spent most of the time we were evacuated out on the playground.

After we were done cleaning up from the party, we went home.  We took Granny and Granddad to the same Chinese buffet we went to last weekend with Grandma and Grandpa, and they liked it a lot too.  Then we came home and you got your gifts from Granny and Granddad, which included a Buzz Lightyear, Woody, and the horse from Toy Story, all of which you really enjoyed.

Today, you and Daddy went to visit Aunt Mary and Uncle Wayne with Granny and Granddad, while I stayed home.  I think you are having a good time with them!

Love,
Mama

Visit from Grandma and Grandpa

Dear Vinny,

Grandma and Grandpa came for a visit on Saturday.  They got here in the afternoon and we had fun talking to and playing with them.  Then we all went out for dinner at a super good Chinese buffet.  We came home and had some cake (chocolate zuh-cake, made in the Dora the Explorer cake mold but not decorated like last time) and then you opened your presents from Grandma and Grandpa, which included books about pumpkins, trees, and insects, and some actual insect specimens preserved in acrylic blocks.  They also got you some new clothes, which you weren't quite as enthusiastic about as the other stuff.

The next morning, we ate Special Oatmeal (oatmeal slow-cooked overnight in the crock pot) before going on a hike with Grandma and Grandpa on one of the local greenways.  You walked quite far -- the hike was almost four miles and you walked the majority of it, always on the lookout for the "hiking boys" (little placards nailed to the trees to help you navigate the path).

You had a blast with Grandma and Grandpa and were sad to see them go.  But you have decided to stay with them next month when Mama and Daddy go to New Orleans, so you'll see them again soon.

Love,
Mama

Happy Birthday!

Dear Vinny,

I can hardly believe that four years ago today, you were born.  You have grown into such an amazing little boy with a good sense of humor and fun personality!

We celebrated your birthday on Sunday, because today is a weekday.  I baked you a Dora the Explorer cake, as you requested.  It took me a really long time to decorate it, though.

For dinner we had homemade pizza.  You got to video chat with Cousin Theo for a little while, which was lots of fun.  Then you got to blow out the candles on your cake, eat some cake, and then open your presents after we were done video chatting.

The highlights of your gifts included Lego Rock Band, plus the instruments needed to play it; a book of the complete Curious George stories; a remote-controlled car; and a set of interlocking gears.

Happy birthday, sweet boy!

Love,
Mama

Mothers Day

Dear Vinny,

We had a fun Mothers Day. I spent the morning playing with you. We got out some tinkertoys (hand-me-downs from your cousins), which you really enjoyed playing with. You could make things that went round and round -- what's not to love about that?

Daddy cooked me a special feast this afternoon, including steak, chicken, corn on the cob, and several other items. I made the dessert -- strawberry shortcakes. We ate outside on the deck -- it was a nice day (the first in over a week). It was nice to get a chance to enjoy some sunshine with our meal.

What a great, leisurely day with my boys!

Love,
Mama

Atlanta/Aunt Laura

Dear Vinny,

We are spending this week in Atlanta, where Mama has a conference. When I told you we were going to Atlanta, you were very excited -- overly excited, perhaps. You said, "I see Grandpa too?"

I then realized that you thought we were going to see Aunt Laura, not Atlanta. But I think you're having fun here anyway!

Love,
Mama

Another Sad Occurrence

Dear Vinny,

Sadly, your other great-grandma, great-Grandma Laura, has also passed away.  She was over 100 years old!  It's nice that she was able to live such a long life, but I am sad to see her go.  She was the grandparent I felt the closest to when I was growing up, especially as a teenager.  I hope that your relationships with your four grandparents are similarly close and rewarding.

Love,

Mama

Swimming

Dear Vinny,

We traveled to Evansville, Indiana last week under sad circumstances.  Sadly, your great-grandma Mary passed away the previous weekend, and we went to Evansville for her funeral.

We were staying in a hotel with a pool.  On Friday evening, I persuaded your Grandpa John to borrow some swim trunks from one of his brothers and help me take you on your first swim, in the hotel swimming pool. At first, you didn't quite know what to make of the swimming pool, so we just sat you on the side and let you kick and splash. But after you saw Grandpa get in the water, you decided to try it too. Mostly, Grandpa and I just held you and jumped up and down in the water. We also let you "swim" between us by passing you from person to person. You had the greatest time, and cried a lot when it was time to go. The next morning, you were asking to go swimming again. This tells me that I need to sign you and myself up for baby/parent swimming lessons!

Love,

Mama

Big Boy Bed

Dear Vinny,

We set up your big boy bed on New Year's Day, and it has been quite a hit.  The first night, you slept quite soundly in it and I was so glad.  One problem is that it takes up more room than your crib/toddler bed, so we've had to clean out your room.

You spent Saturday afternoon and overnight until Sunday morning with Tia and Uncle, which gave Mama and Daddy some time to clean up your room.  Mama removed all the boxes of clothes that were too small for you, resorted the clothes, and put them away.  We still need to get some storage containers for your toys, to place in the closet where the boxes of clothes were.

A couple of nights ago, you were crying and calling for me in the middle of the night, so I went into your room and lay with you on your big boy bed.  I can say, it is pretty comfortable, so I understand why you like it.

Love,

Mama

Fun with Tia and Uncle

Dear Vinny,

You spent yesterday afternoon and all night at Tia and Uncle Adam's house. You had a great time with them!

Tia cooked you some quesadillas for dinner. You played a lot with Tia and Uncle's dog, Fox. You went to bed easily and when you woke up, the first thing you said to Tia was, "What a beautiful lamp!"

You had a great time and I hope you can spend another night with them soon!

Love,
Mama

Long Lapse

Dear Vinny,

It has been quite some time since I last wrote a letter to you.  I'm sorry that I've been so busy with other things.  I will try to fill in some of the gaps here.

First, we had a wonderful birthday party for you the weekend of October 17-19.  We invited your four grandparents down to spend the weekend all together at a cabin at Big Ridge State Park.  We all had a really good time and you were the center of everyone's attention.  Your grandparents brought you a lot of presents, including a Vinny-sized table and two chairs, a submarine bath toy, and a whole new fall/winter wardrobe.  We had a nice birthday party for you, complete with a chocolate cake with raspberry filling made by me, and party decorations supplied and put up by Grandma Marvis.

We took you trick-or-treating on Halloween, which you enjoyed, but you didn't quite understand.  We dressed you in a park ranger outfit that we had bought for you at the Grand Canyon.  You thought that the purpose of knocking on doors or ringing doorbells was to enter people's houses, so you did, several times.  I had to chase after you many times, and I got to see the interior of some neighbors' houses.

In November, you spent a week with Grandpa and Grandma, while Mama and Daddy went to Austin, Texas for Mama's supercomputing conference.  You had a good time with Grandpa during the day.  The day before Mama and Daddy left, we all went and saw your Great-Grandma Laura who had just turned 100.  While you were there with Grandpa and Grandma, Grandpa took you on a trip to see his mother, your Great-Grandma Mary.  He said you really enjoyed the trip, pointing out all the bridges that you saw.

We stayed home for Thanksgiving so it was just the three of us for Thanksgiving dinner.  You have become fascinated by the mixer, so I took the opportunity to have you help me make rolls for Thanksgiving dinner using the mixer.  You got a big kick out of turning on the mixer, except for the time that you turned it on high and the flour was thrown out into your face.  "I finished!" you declared.  Unfortunately, the rolls burned, so I whipped up some cornbread instead.  You ate only cornbread and cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving dinner.  You are a huge fan of cranberry sauce.  That's my boy!

You love going to the children's museum here in town.  Aunt Laura and Aunt Anne renewed your membership to the museum for your birthday, which was just wonderful of them, because you love that place.  The major highlights include a room with nests recessed in the floor, which you can push buttons and illuminate (it's the push-button/light combination that you love!); a room full of trains and an elaborate model train layout that you love to watch; and an exhibit about Appalachian life with various instrumental parts playing "Turkey in the Straw" at the push of a button -- you particularly enjoy the string bass part.  You have been known to run down the hall squealing in excitement.  If you could live in the museum, I think you would!

The first weekend in December, we took you to the museum twice, and in the evening after it closed we took you to see the outdoor train garden there illuminated with Christmas lights.  Although it was really cold, you enjoyed the trains a lot and were very disappointed to leave.

You've become interested in the potty (which you pronounce "polly") but you haven't yet figured out when you need to use it.  You really enjoy watching the "Elmo Potty Time" DVD, and sitting on the toilet reading the Elmo potty book complete with buttons to push that make various sounds.  And speaking of television, you really love the show "Oswald."  Your love of Oswald has eclipsed your love of "Jack's Big Music Show" and "Lazytown."  You've also started watching "Blue's Clues" sometimes, which led to the following funny incident.  Daddy was playing a computer game, and suddenly you started shouting, "A clue!  I see clue!"  We didn't know what in the world you were talking about until we saw a pawprint in the game.  You are a very observant boy!

Another thing that shows your advanced powers of observation is that today, when we were watching Oswald say goodbye to his pet fish, you said "I feel sad Oswald" -- Vinny-speak for "Oswald is sad."  I was impressed that you noticed Oswald's sadness and possessed that kind of empathy for him.

For Christmas, we went to Kentucky.  During the week before Christmas, we were at Grandma and Grandpa's house, and got to see your Aunt Rachel, Uncle Scott, Cousin Byron, and Aunt Laura.  Also we saw your cousin Maya, Aunt Vaughan, Uncle Austin, Aunt Kristin, and Uncle Andy.  You also got a chance to meet Mama and Daddy's friends Carrie and Chad, and their kids Alex and Annika, and to jump on their bounce house in the basement.  You really enjoyed that jumping.  You also enjoyed helping Grandpa cut down and decorate a Christmas tree.

On Christmas Day, we went to Granny and Granddad's house, and got to have dinner with them and Aunt Ginger and Uncle Johnny.  Then, Aunt Mary and Uncle Wayne came for a visit too.  You had a great time with all those relatives, and your presence gave great joy to them too.

You got all kinds of presents for Christmas.  From Mama and Daddy you got a big boy bed, although we haven't set it up for you yet.  It's a twin mattress, plus sheets, a blanket, and a comforter, and some decorative pillows.  The sheets, comforter, and decorative pillows are an underwater theme, with sea creatures playing musical instruments.  It seems like the perfect theme for you, because you love fish and music.

From Grandma and Grandpa, you got a fish tank.  We also haven't set that up for you yet.  They provided the tank and accessories, but we need to get some fish.  Aunt Laura and Aunt Rachel's family both gave you some books.  I know you will love to read them, because you are an avid reader.  From Aunt Ginger and Uncle Johnny you got some more Curious George stuff (book and video), to go with the book and Curious George stuffed animal they gave you for your birthday.  And Granny and Granddad gave you many gifts; your favorite one was a set of eight bells upon which one could play tunes.  But you prefer just ringing them as fast as you can.  Fair enough.

Your vocabulary has expanded a lot.  You are pronouncing words better and better, and you are forming more advanced and complicated sentences.  You are very polite and basically always say please and thank you.  Also, when you ask for things, you generally say "I'd like some [whatever], please."  You're repeating more and more of what Mama and Daddy say to you, such as "Let's do it!" and "That's a boy!" (which is Grandpa's influence, not ours).

Every day you bring such joy into my life, sweet boy.  Thank you for all your love.

Love,

Mama

Fun with Grandpa and Grandma

Dear Vinny,

You had a great time with Grandpa and Grandma. Grandpa said that when you two dropped Mama and Daddy off at the airport, you didn't cry at all. While you were there, Grandpa took care of you during the day while Grandma was at work, and he took you on a lot of different outings.

One day you went to the Lexington Children's Museum, which you really enjoyed. He also took you to his office to help him clean it out. Grandpa and Grandma took you to the pumpkin patch over the weekend, where you rode on a little train and enjoyed it immensely. You also went to Grandpa's departmental picnic together, along with Aunt Vaughan and Cousin Maya, and got a chance to play with a lot of other little kids.

Grandpa told me a couple of funny stories about you. The first was that you are very geographically aware. He and Grandma had taken you out for pizza one night, but accidentally left your sippy cup there. So the next day, he went back to the pizza place with you to retrieve the sippy cup. Apparently you recognized the restaurant and said, "Pizza? Eat pizza?"

Another time, Grandma did something clever and Grandpa congratulated her by calling her a genius. You then did something clever and said "I'm a genius!"

You were happy to see Mama and Daddy when we got back, but I think you had a really good time with Grandpa and Grandma. They are looking forward to another visit from you in November!

Love,
Mama

Vacation Time for Mama and Daddy

Dear Vinny,

Tomorrow, we will all travel to Kentucky, where you will spend a week with Grandpa and Grandma while Mama and Daddy go on a trip to see the Grand Canyon. We will miss you a lot, but I know that you will have lots of fun with Grandpa and Grandma. They are crazy about you and they will spoil you rotten while we are gone.

Hopefully you will get a chance to see Aunt Vaughan and your cousin Maya while you are there. I know Grandpa is planning to take you to a picnic and to do some fun stuff around Lexington. I have no doubt that you will have a great time.

Love,
Mama

Back Together Again

Dear Vinny,

I was gone for a long time and I'm glad to be back home with you and Daddy. I missed you both lots and lots. While I was gone, Daddy took you to see Granny and Granddad, who really enjoyed getting the chance to see you. You went to the park to watch birds with Granny, and you got to play with Granddad and his trains.

Daddy said that you really started speaking in sentences regularly while you were at Granny and Granddad's. I was surprised when I saw you how much more you were saying. At dinner last night, you said to me, "Mama, I missed you all day!" I tell you that same thing when I come home from work every day, but I hadn't said that yesterday so I was really impressed when you said it!

I missed you all day, every day, too.

Love,
Mama

Travel Time

Dear Vinny,

Tomorrow morning, I leave for a long trip. First I'm going to Vancouver to see your cousin Byron, Aunt Rachel, and Uncle Scott for a few days. Then I will go to a conference in Seattle. I'll be gone for a total of ten days.

While I'm gone, Daddy will take you to see Granny and Granddad for a few days. I know they are looking forward to seeing you, almost as much as I will miss you every day that I am gone.

I can't wait to see you again.

Love,
Mama

Grandpa's Retirement Party

Dear Vinny,

On Thursday, we got in the car and drove to Kentucky. Grandpa was having a big party the next day, celebrating his retirement.

You got to see a lot of relatives: Aunt Laura arrived soon after we did. The next day, you, Aunt Laura, and I went and saw Mommy's grandma, your great-Grandma Laura, at her home. She was really pleased to see you -- she brightens up at the sight of young children. That afternoon, your cousin Maya and Aunt Vaughan attended Grandpa's party, as did his mother (your great-Grandma Mary) and several of Grandpa's siblings: Uncle Grant, Uncle Paul and Aunt Ann, Aunt Sally, Uncle Glen, Aunt Barb, and Mommy's cousin Glenna.

Your Grandma got a chance to dote over you, and had several brand-new outfits waiting for you when we got there. (She'd told us not to bring very many clothes for you.) When Grandpa was being honored at his retirement party, he was holding you very proudly by his side!

On Saturday, we celebrated Father's Day with Grandpa. We went out for pizza (your latest favorite food) and gave him a card signed by you and a picture of you. Afterwards we went to play in the park. You had a great time playing and were disappointed when we had to leave.

We came home on Sunday, and I know Grandma and Grandpa were sad to see you go. I'm glad you got the chance to spend some time with them.

Love,
Mommy

Travel to Virginia

Dear Vinny,

This past weekend we traveled to Virginia for Aunt Laura's dissertation defense. We left on Thursday, arriving at Aunt Laura's in time for dinner. You were a little bit fussy in the car, but not too bad. It can't be much fun to be all cooped up in that seat for six hours.

Aunt Anne's mother graciously let us stay at her house. She has a dog called Daisy, a young golden retriever, whom you really enjoyed. Daisy would lick your fingers and you would laugh and laugh that belly laugh of yours. It was so fun to watch you!

On Friday, Aunt Laura held an informal colloquium about her research. You lasted for about 10-15 minutes of it, which is pretty good, but Daddy took you out after that because you were fast becoming the center of attention. You're far more interesting than an esoteric discussion of ethics, no offense to Aunt Laura!

On Saturday, we went to a park and cooked out for breakfast. It was a little cold, but I think you enjoyed your first-ever taste of pancakes with maple syrup. That afternoon, Aunt Laura held a party to celebrate her successful defense. You attended the party and charmed everyone who saw you. That evening, you stayed with Aunt Anne's mother while Daddy, Aunt Rachel, Aunt Laura, Aunt Anne, and I went to a play.

On Sunday, we had a nice Easter dinner with Aunt Anne's family. You woke up from your nap at the very end of it and got a chance to enjoy some delicious corn pudding, spinach, and turkey breast. For breakfast, you'd had a biscuit with jam for the first time. You found that to be incredibly delicious, and gave me a look that seemed to ask why I had hidden this delicacy from you for so long.

You won the hearts of everybody who saw you. Aunt Rachel and Aunt Laura hadn't seen you since the summer, so they were very happy to see you again. You'd never met Aunt Anne before, but you both seemed to be happy to be together. Aunt Anne's mother enjoyed you so much that she said we had to bring you back to visit her again. Maybe we will!

Love,
Mommy

Visiting Family

Dear Vinny,

This past weekend Daddy took you to visit Granny and Granddad. I think you all really had a good time.

You're becoming more and more verbal, and it's really exciting. You've learned that words get you somewhere. Over the weekend, you and Daddy were sleeping in the same room (Daddy in the bed, you in the Pack-n-Play). Daddy told me that he was awakened on Saturday morning by you, standing in your crib, staring at him, and reciting all the words you know for food. Daddy got the hint, fed you, and all was well.

You've also learned to say the word "no." Your first negative word was "Ning-ning," which meant that you were unhappy. That morphed into "nay-nay," and it's now "no-no."

You're learning even more body parts: you can identify your tongue, arm, and knee in addition to your mouth, nose, eyes, and ears.

I missed you a lot while you were gone, but I was glad that Granny and Granddad got a chance to see their wonderful grandson!

Love,
Mommy

Happy New Year!

Dear Vinny,

Happy New Year! We had a fun time with Grandma and Grandpa, who came down to see you this past weekend. They came on Saturday and they left this morning. You enjoyed spending time with your grandparents. They brought you a gigantic present: a slide and swing set, that is just your size. It can be used inside or outside, depending on our preferences. We have it in the living room.

You don't seem to understand what the slide is all about, but you like the swing a lot. You also enjoy standing on the platform above the slide, where there's a captain's wheel that you can spin around.

On Sunday, we all went on a trip to Cherokee, North Carolina. You were a very good sport about traveling in the car for so long. We went to the museum there, and you enjoyed it at first but you got a little bit impatient by the end. That evening, on our way home, we stopped for dinner at a restaurant, and we ordered you a sweet potato but you weren't very interested in letting us feed it to you. You are becoming more independent and you like to do things on your own.

On Monday, you enjoyed spending the day with Grandma and Grandpa. We didn't do much of anything, just enjoyed each other's company. One thing we did do is take a walk in the park, along the trail beside the lake. Grandpa carried you in the backpack baby carrier. I think he got a little tired by the end!

Every night that he was here, Grandpa put you to bed. I think he really enjoyed getting a chance to sing to you and rock you in the rocking chair. I know that I enjoy doing that too. I know that Grandma and Grandpa had a really good time with you, and are looking forward to seeing you again!

Love,
Mommy

Holiday Fun with Tia and Uncle Furry

Dear Vinny,

On Saturday, Tia and Uncle came over to celebrate an early Christmas with us. Daddy made the adults some beef barbecue, and you had a lot of fruit and crackers.

We had a good time watching you open your presents. You didn't quite understand how the present thing works. We provided you with positive reinforcement when you did an action that helped progress towards the present being opened, to encourage you to open the presents. Tia had given you some toys in a bag with tissue paper, so we applauded when you pulled a piece of tissue paper out. After the paper was all gone, the bag was on its side, and you got down on your belly and looked inside the bag. It was cute and we laughed. You got some little cars and a giraffe on wheels with a clear plastic belly with flowers in it. It sounds strange, but you have two of the other animals in the collection and you enjoy them. Tia and Uncle also gave you some pajamas, but you were the most excited about the toys.

You are such a sweet baby and I know that Tia and Uncle Furry love you very much!

Love,
Mommy