I can't believe Violet is one already! She had a quiet day with Mummy, Daddy and (sick) big sister Bella at home, opening gifts including books, clothes, small toys, a baby pool and a ride- on bumblebee. There was lots of napping, lots of squealing, and lots of good food, including special birthday crepes with strawberries and her first cake- a coconut lime cupcake!

Our little baby, in addition to not being very little, is also not a baby any longer. She can walk well now, and her latest skill is spinning; it started with a funny turn where her arms turned first, followed by her body, head, and then legs, but now she has moved on to full turns, and no matter how many times she falls over she just keeps trying to master it. She also likes to dance, she bobs and shakes to any music, and loves to do so while moving the computer mouse around and standing on a chair at the desk. This has earned her the nickname "DJ Sootha". While Isobel was all about interacting with people. Violet can sit for a long time working away at something, intent and focused. She has excellent fine motor skills, and likes to place objects inside containers, or stack her toys, she is an organizer, just like her Mum. She waves, kisses (slimey wide-mouthed kisses, but still sweet) and claps enthusiastically, especially when she is doing something she knows she shouldn't. Violet is cheerful but determined, and knows exactly what she wants us to do at all times. Fortunately that is often her favourite cuddle, where she crawls into our lap and grabs each arm to wrap around herself. She is still really chatty, but her vocabulary has moved beyond "Mmmm" (food) and "Mummmmm" (Mum/food) to include "Dadda" and "Bella" as well as screeches, mumbles and humming.

Since she eats 4-5 big meals a day, plus breastfeeding 2-3 times daily, it is no surprise that she is still in the 95%+ for height and 68% for weight (down from 95%- she's a shrinking Violet!), but she is starting to slim out a bit. And I am happy to say she sleeps 11- 12 hours a night, with 2 long naps during the day. We are incredibly in love with our lovely Violet, and just think she is the most adorable, hilarious and intelligent baby ever (or at least since Isobel).