Here’s what happened when dropping off Alaire this morning…

“Is this Alaire?” says a nice looking women.

“Yes it is,” I reply.

“My son, Arrow, has a crush on Alaire! He follows her around and gives her kisses and hugs all day.” says Arrow’s mom.

“WOW!” I reply. “I’ll have to meet Arrow!”

Arrow’s mom is names Mel and we introduce ourselves. I think, sorry Watts, the girl seems to be moving on…

Then, when I take Alaire into the toddler room, she runs to sit down right next to Arrow to eat breakfast. I just giggle.

Then, when I leave. I say, “Goodbye!” and blow a kiss. Not kidding, I am rewarded with about 10 little people screaming “Bu-Buy!” and blowing me kiss after kiss!!  Not a bad way to start the day.

A new family tradition began this year! Our family, my parents, F.A. & U.G. all congregated in Bend to visit the Zink Family (my brother, Nicky, Katelyn & Colton) and to enjoy a stunning fall day at the Pumpkin Patch. Alaire rode her first pony! In fact, when the ponies stopped, Alaire signed and said “more!,” and then had a small tantrum when I pulled her off the pony. Fun to see she felt absolutely no fear about the new experience.

Grandpa Don enjoyed spoiling the kids when more tokens were needed. Those things go fast! Thanks Grandpa!

Cousins, Katelyn & Colton, showed Alaire a pretty darn good time! They pulled her in the wagon, on the bean bag and politely jumped at toddler speed so she could enjoy the big trampoline. We love our cousins!

Another treat, Gramma Sally & Grandpa Hank surprised us all and came over for the afternoon to enjoy lunch at Deschutes Brewing.

To cap off the weekend, we watched cousin Colton’s pee-wee football game (equally fun to watch my brother coach). Colton scored his team’s only touchdown!
Good thing Katelyn & I made fancy signs!

Our dear friends, Jessie & Zach welcomed their sweet little bundle of joy, Pepper LeDoux Farnes  into the world on Monday September 30th. Pretty sure these two will be life long friends…

At 18 months, Alaire already loves to play dress-up! Her favorite accessories are a bit curious however; she L-O-V-E-S to drape herself in Kenzie’s dog collars (all collars received a cleaning when this phase began). Kenzie’s collars live in a basket by the back door and almost on a daily basis, Alaire picks through the basket like it’s a magical treasure chest. Although we don’t encourage the activity, it gives us a chuckle and begs the question, what does go on in that little brain of hers anyway?!

 

Captured July 1st…apparently eating is when she’s most entertaining. I’m sure when she’s a teenager, this content will go over real well.  In fact…I was having a conversation with a coworker about this subject earlier this month…are you breaking your kid’s future privacy by posting baby photo/videos/stories on a blog? I guess the appropriate answer is, “not while you’re under MY roof!!!”

Yes. Once again, blogging stalls while daily life paces at the speed of light. At least that’s how it feels. Alaire turns 18 months in a little over two weeks; and, with legs almost as speedy as light, in the rare moments I catch her in a snuggly moment,oh my goodness, do I hold on tight.

The last two months brought a little crazy into the Vail household. Both Graham & I started new jobs. Graham took on a special full time project in e-com (still at adidas), and continues to soar, adored and respect by his co-workers and leadership team. He’s even done some public speaking! Hey – this blog ain’t all about Alaire’s new skills! I started at Kinesis (going to work for a long-time mentor) and found myself maneuvering a pretty steep learning curve, but dang if I’m not figuring it out, the complexity and nuance of it all. And, Graham the AMAZINGLY patient husband that he is, takes up the slack as I dedicate each morning to marathon training (PDX Marathon this weekend). How I love and appreciate my Gvail….Alaire, if you could only be so lucky when you find love. But, I digress. I promised stories of erratic eating habits and other fun stuff.

So. In the last couple of months, Alaire’s eating preferences have mirrored the ups and downs of a really scary roller coaster. Sometimes we nail it, sometimes we fail. The mainstays consist of grapes, blackberries, applesauce, yogurt, and ketchup. At first I felt like a terrible parent (feeding my baby applesauce for dinner and all), until babycenter.com assured me that toddler eating habits are quite erratic, so not to worry. I did feel a little better after a co-worker’s five year old announced that he only eats cheese after dark (maybe this should make feel worse? for what’s coming?). I guess, in the end, it’s all pretty entertaining.

What’s In: Ketchup, lots of it
What’s Out: eating the fry that feeds the ketchup (I just want ketchup mom)

What’s In: Milk, Milk and more Milk
What’s Out: Food (why bother eating when milk taste so good?)

What’s In: Saying apple (it’s my new favorite word)
What’s Out: Eating apple

What’s In: Biting the top off my sippy
What’s Out: Drinking out of my sippy like a nice little girl
What’s In: Mommy shopping for a new brand of sippies!

What’s In: Fork
What’s Out: Spoon (things seem to taste better on a fork)

What’s In: Wearing my plate as a hat WITH food still on it (pictured below)
What’s Out: Throwing my food on the floor when I’m done (which is the lesser of two evils? We just aren’t sure)

What’s In: Anything that’s not green
What’s Out: Everything green (except green grapes)

What’s In: Left Hand w/ utensil
What’s Out: Right Hand w/ utensil
30 seconds later…
What’s In: Left Hand w/ utensil
What’s Out: Right Hand w/ utensil

What’s In: Still being the sweetest girl around
What’s Out: Tantrums at restaurants (as long as I can eat ketchup)

So, what you’ve really all been waiting for…photos & videos!

My first chocolate pudding:

Plate = Hat, Doh

 

“Alaire had a good day with friends. She is getting used to new friends. She loves to give new friends hugs. She is learning not to sit on the younger kids.”

Well phew! Guess we can consider this a proud parent moment!?