The latest edition of Vivi's favorite things (links found in margin to the right):

(1) Balls: Vivi has a little kickball (a bit smaller than the version pictured above) that I bought from a local baby boutique.  I can't find the manufacturer online, which is just as well because I paid too much for it.  We walked in the store, I showed it to her, and she promptly licked the whole thing.  So I had to buy it.  Lesson learned.  Anyway, it's become a favorite.  She calls it the "ba".

(2) Booties: Ok, maybe these are my favorites.  She received these as a Christmas gift, and they fit so well.  These shoes have a soft but durable sole, and the velcro holds them securely on her feet, making them great for walking.

(3) Elephants:  I taught her how to make an elephant noise (kind of by accident - it was one of my tricks to keep her happy on the changing table) and now whenever she sees one, she makes the elephant noise.  She has two stuffed elephants and several books with elephant pictures and she just loves them!

(4) House: It pains me a little to put this up, but these Leapfrog people know what they are doing.  She adores this house.  Seriously.  There are these little birds in the chimney and one sounds like an old man, which is kind of hilarious.  The birds also sing a couple of songs, and for whatever reason, the melody and the rhythm are just right for her and make her do the baby dance.  I can't say enough good things about it, and it's also quite small, so I give it to her in the car sometimes, and it also can be put away nicely at bedtime (at which point I go to bed singing the song in my head because it won't go away).  We also saw another baby carrying one around Ikea, so she isn't the only fan!

(5) Kicks: Ok, another one of my favorites.  I bought these in a fit of desperation when we were out of shoes after she threw one of her Target booties out of the stroller to be lost forever.  I actually bought her some of the Riley Roo mary janes, but I would have gotten these if they had been in the store.  They had boy versions of this style, which come in red and dark blue, and they looked so adorable but wouldn't go with any of her clothes.  Since these shoes are pricey, I had to get some she would wear more often, and I love them.  They fit well, stay on her feet, are easy to walk in, and I feel like they will last for a good while because she has room to grow.

(6) Records: My parents brought up my old Fisher Price record player, and Vivi thinks it is the greatest.  She doesn't really get how to change the records, but she likes handing them to me to change out, and the songs make her dance.  She also likes to carry it around the house by the handle.  Apparently, the re-released version isn't quite the same, so finding a vintage player might be a good idea.  It's always a good distraction and makes her happy if she is a bit cranky.

(She is wearing my favorite tee of hers in this photo - from Farm Burger.)