Pumpkins and more...

Exactly 12 days ago, I reared my little head (literally). Mom is anxious to get my announcements out so she is taking all sorts of random photos of me. Let me know if you think one picture is better than another. Lord knows I don't want my first publication to be shot in an unflattering light.

Halloween is approaching. I, folks, will be going as a pumpkin merely because there are no other costumes that fit my tiny frame. My sis will debut for the second time her ladybug fit-- she likes to pair her ladybug wings with gold shoes and striped pants. We will be a dynamo duo, if I don't say so myself. Mommy, Daddy, Auntie T and Stella carved up some fierce looking pumpkins last night. The whole family was over to admire the art. Here are some recent pics. Until next post... V.

GRANDPARENTS EVERYWHERE!

Mama Vi, BABA Bill, and Grammy and GRAMPY were in full effect this past week. We had the time of our lives. When Mommy says NO, the grandparents always say YES. Thank God for tradition!

Sisterly Love

My sister Violet is as cute as a button. I like to peek in on her while she sleeps and offer her toys, milk and other fun items like blocks and crayons. While I know she might be a bit young for these sorts of things, I just can't stop myself. My need to share is overwhelming... or, maybe I just like the reaction people give me when I do offer Violet something. Goes sort of like this, "Awwwww... did you just see what Stella did? That is so sweet, honey." I'm a glutton for attention. I have no shame. In fact, I demanded to wear my Halloween costume last night in order to collect my fair share of glory from the grandparents.

Violet Speaks...

After a long, hard in utero experience of 10 months, I am here for all the world to see. It was quite a day, October 17th... Mom went in for induction at 8am, but wasn't given her fair dosage of Pitocin (the drug that gets the show started) until 10am. By 12:30pm, Mommy hadn't had an epidural yet since her contractions were manageable. By 1pm, however, she was singing a very different tune. At 2:45pm, I was born. 7lbs, 12 oz, 19.5 inches long and a head of curly dark hair. I'm cute, people. Really cute.

Here are some of my first week pics. Stella and I will now share this lovely blog. I have signed on as a contributing writer so look forward to my spellbinding editorials in coming weeks...

Violet Angelina Kinney is here!!!

Violet was born on 10/17 at 2:45pm. Mommy was admitted at 9am, induced at 10am and delivered at 2:45pm. Violet was 7lbs, 12 oz, 19.5 inches long and has dark, curly hair. She is beautiful, if I don't say so myself! Love, Stella.

Apple Hill in all of its Glory

So, M&D, Uncle Mikey and his roommate Sofia, Auntie T, and Grammy & Grampy took me up "the Hill" for some pumpkin fun. I'll tell you, folks, it was quite a sight to be seen. Tons of young whipper snappers trolling down the hill in search of the coolest pumpkin. I entered Abel's Apples back forty and headed straight for the ponies. I know in-breeding of miniature livestock is very popular these days for all sorts of agricultural reasons, but people, this pony was as small as my dog Coco. Strange, I tell you, strange. In order to appease my parents, however, I took the tiny thing for a spin. As you can see from these shots, I was restrained in my approach. Daddy held me as I kept my hands to myself and tried to comprehend the unusual size of what would usually be my favorite animal.

After my pony adventure, I sat among the sea of pumpkins... and picked what will surely be this year's East Sacramento Pumpkin of the Year (or, at the very least... runner up). Mommy says we can't carve him until Halloween gets closer. In the meantime, I was allowed to take home some gords to keep me happy. Apple fritters, apple cider and several hours of bumper to bumper traffic and I'm home now and a little tuckered.

Mommy just hopes the adventure brings on labor!

Where is Violet?

So, my baby sister is due any minute and I really can hardly take it any more. I've heard so much about her pending birth that I've taken to putting on "shows" for my family just to hold on to whatever attention I can for as long as I can. Perfect example-- I will attempt to hug just about anything or anyone. Yesterday evening I took every pillow off of the couch and hugged each one individually making a cooing sound so as to show my sweetest, most docile side. When that failed to render the attention of the group, I screamed as loud as Uncle Mikey was talking (that's pretty loud) and managed to get a giggle out of my aunts. You see, folks, with Baby Benjamin and soon to be Baby Violet in my life, I really have to turn things up.

The whole fam came over yesterday for pizza and wine (classy) and some QT with Uncle Dave, Auntie Maria and Cuz BD before they took off for Maui today. Life is so hard, isn't it? Ben and I wore matching jammies. That makes him pretty cool even if it means I have to share some of the limelight with him...

Happy Early 50th Birthday, Grammy!

Mommy, Daddy, my aunts and my uncles and Grampy threw a 50th surprise party for Grammy Jo. It was outstanding, if I don't say so myself. Grammy's face was worth it's weight in gold... She had NO idea!

Here are some pics from the fete...