Vivi Girl turned 17 months old right after we celebrated our Quarantine Easter and our Five Year Wedding Anniversary. Mike and I are loving the fact that we get to spend so much more time with both of our little ones during this bizarre and scary time. We have more leisurely mornings, we can pop in around lunchtime to see what they are up to, and if I hear a little one fussing at naptime, I can sneak into the nursery for some much-needed baby snuggles. As soon as the work day is over, we dart outside, with scooters and bubbles and kites, and have fun adventures around the neighborhood petting all of the ceramic zoo animals in our neighbors’ yards. It’s been a really sweet way to spend what will be the last month of Vivi as my baby. Her promotion to Middle Child is rapidly approaching!

Vivi is so expressive and cuddly. She will give you a “sneak attack hug” when you are washing dishes or brushing your teeth, grabbing your legs and squeezing them. She has perfected her “hi” and “goodbye” waves and always add a “hi–eeee!!” when she first sees you (or a ceramic lion or doggie or bird for that matter).

Things Vivi is loving:

• Books: especially the aquarium book where you can slide the cardboard and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.
• Buckles: on her high chair, Finny’s leash, her scooter helmet, her turtle. She feels very proud when she can fasten them (but still can’t unfasten them).
• Babushka dolls: Mike and I brought a set of these home from St. Petersburg, Russia and Vivi plays with them each morning when we all snuggle in bed.
• Her baby doll: she will hug and snuggle and kiss it and it’s so cute.
• Her scooter: the faster I push her (she doesnt actually move her feet, just stays still for the ride) the longer she will let me. If the ride is too boring, she demands independence and won’t let you push her any longer. This usually results in having to carry her (and her scooter) home.
• Trying to play with my phone (ughhhh) and the monitor and basically anything electronic (tv remote, the robot vacuum remote, etc.).
• Standing on her own chair in the kitchen and making her own waffles.
• Playing with whisks, Pyrex lids, small change purses full of chapstick, her shopping cart, and Mr. Quackers.
• Feeding Finny his food (and sneaking kibble for herself, yes it’s true).
• Her pacifier (oh boy) and bows in her hair.
• Most of all–her Big Sister Caroline!

Here they are, ready for action–the Spead Sister Scooter Squad 🙂

Miss Independence:

Ready for a day of kite flying! Lookin’ good, Hollywood…

Someone enjoyed her very first smoothie:

Vivi discovered how fun it is to splash in mud puddles…Welcome, Spring!

Happy 17 months, Vivi Kate!