Yesterday, while Iain and I got Violet and her stuff ready to go to the market, I asked Isobel to please grab a couple of things from upstairs for me.  She made it halfway up the stairs before sitting down in a huff.  "Why do I always have to be your slave?" she said, "I don't want to always do all your work for you.  I'm sick of it."  Which was a good point, she HAS been very helpful in fetching things for us, and entertaining her sister upon request, etc.  However, when Iain said no problem, we would stop asking her to help us, but, while we were on the subject, just what was she going to make for dinner, and had she done any laundry yet? she was quick to let it drop.  She is such a good kid, before bath tantrums and being a little rough with her sister (despite all the yelling of "be gentle, Bella!!!") excepted.

Violet has been very alert lately, and wanting to practice standing all the time.  We have been helping her do her baby sit-ups, but now she won't sit-up, she just raises herself on her feet instead.  And she laughs too, little chortles along with the frequent smiles she graces us with.  The personality-less newborn is gone, replaced with the first glimpses of what she will be like as a person.  And she's huge!  She has rolls on top of rolls, and we are worried we won't be able to carry her around if she keeps growing like this!  So unlike her slender sister.  After a week or two of constant hands in her mouth and slobber everywhere, she discovered her little feet the other day, which was exciting for everyone.  I had forgotten how quickly the milestones pass.