Meet the newest gymnast...

or should I say gymnast want-to-be. Esther was a little too young to play with the big kids, but that didn't stop her from trying. Her cousin Bela had his belated birthday at a gymnastic center (can I say: GREAT IDEA!!! The kids get to blow off steam for an hour with the staff before partaking of cake and presents.)

Here's Pan Pan watching the older kids. Periodically she would let out a scream at them, as if to say, "look over here." They were obviously having lots of fun and she wanted to join in.

Aunt Heidi and Daddy helped Esther down the mat "slide."

Mom trying to keep Esther from making a break for it.

Here's Bela swinging on the rings. Man, I wish I had as much energy as these kids.

Time for the pit-o-foam, which Bela was quick to point out DOES have a bottom...even though it feels like it's never-ending. Esther was again looking longingly at the fun.

Bela's lounging in the sea of foam. I love this picture. Ahh! Finally Esther gets her chance although Daddy was holding her hands.

Sophie was the only other girl at Bela's party and is a natural baby-sitter. We saved her number so we can call her in a few years. She walked Esther around and around, and then would stop to find a napkin to wipe Esther's drool with...then continue walking. The boys were very energetic, even after the hour of exercise. When Heidi and I were serving them pizza they were pounding on the table shouting, "CHEESE, CHEESE, CHEESE." But we got our revenge...we only had pepperoni pizzas (a mix-up by the pizza place), so we ending up pealing the pepperoni off each slice. I hope no vegetarians read this.

Not much to write...but here's some pictures:

To Grandfather's house we go...

...over the water and through the woods. My dad and his wife have only met Esther once and that was the day we got back from China. So we made the arduous trek to Sequim to pay them a visit for the weekend. Esther, of course, was a champ with the drive and loved meeting Grandpa Neil and Grandma Suzi. She did give us a taste of what it would be like if she didn't sleep through the nights. I think being in a new place made her uneasy so she wanted to be near us all night, which meant in the middle of Gene and I. Needless to say, we didn't sleep much. However, tonight she's sleeping in her own crib and was obviously relieved to be home safe-and-sound. It makes me feel good to see how comforting her home is to her and how much she really needs us close. She is such an outgoing, independent little girl, but she still wants her mommy and daddy around.

Gene figured he would start early with the driving lessons. Pan Pan manouvered through traffic nicely, but still needs to be reminded to use her turn-signals.
"I love the wind in my hair."

Esther's first ferry ride...is it just me or does it seem like Esther and her dad always have similar expressions in photos:

Grandpa Neil and Pan Pan bonding over a good bottle of formula:

Uncle King helping Esther maintain her balance:

Enjoying a nice plastic bag full of air...life can't get any better than that:

Esther used her charm to get Grandma Suzi to walk her around a lot:

Me and my edamame...

Karin gave Pan Pan a Stumpytown edamame she made and look how cute they are together:

Esther has 5 teeth now and she can sign "more". She can take about 3 or 4 steps on her own and is starting to take bigger risks when moving to one piece of furniture to the next. She definitely knows what "no" means but our strong-willed darling usually ignores it. She still doesn't cuddle, but she'll let Gene kiss her when she is sleepy. She tries to make kisses with her lips, but she hasn't figured out the pucker thing yet. When she gets scared she'll come to one of us for protection. She loves Sydney (our cat) but isn't very gentle with him, so he lets her know he doesn't like it but nipping at her (without hurting her). She still tries to pet him, but usually wants daddy or mommy to do it for her by taking our hands and pushing them toward him, I figure it's so we'll be the ones bitten.

That's what I call the perfect present...

Dress up time:

"Daddy, again with the camera?"

"I'm crushing your head."

I guess I need to teach Esther how to sit like a lady:

Happy 1st Birthday, Esther!!

Cupcakes left over from the party: The Robertsons weren't able to make it on Saturday, but stopped by Sunday. Here's Sorrell and Esther getting to know each other:

What a beauty!!!

Sorrell helping Pan Pan stand up:

"The blood's rushing to my head and I think I like it!"

Esther is wearing her Supergirl PJ's:

Time flies when you're having fun...

or should I say time flies when you're cleaning all week for a 1st birthday shindig. Gene always laughs at me when I clean like a crazy woman when company's coming over. "No one is going to see that there." Yes, but I'll know it's there. Silly it's true, but it gives me piece of mind. If I were a better housekeeper to begin with I wouldn't have to have these cleaning frenzies, but alas it's not to be. One of the bonus', though, about having a little crawler living with you...who puts everything in her mouth... is that it makes you much more aware of what's on your floors. My floors have never been cleaner!

Esther made out like a bandit today with all her birthday gifts. And of course, like any kid this age, the thing that interested her the most was the wrapping.


Lots of people showed up to join in the festivities. Here's John, Eleanor (with the ball), Karin and Dev. Eleanor was so sweet and gives nice kisses (and she just learned how to say "pee, pee," yeah!)

Here's Pan Pan checking out some of her toys (this one's from Nana Marilyn and was a big hit!):

Here's my lovely mom with her grand-daughter:

She was enamored with Sally's necklace...and of course she wanted to chew on it.

Here's Michele and Esther (yep, ML I put you in my blog! I think that's payback for something, right?):

Ivy (looking very pretty in the dress she picked out to wear) and her mom, Jen:

My college roommate Valerie and her kids, Kate & Jared (can I just say I remember when they were just this big...ok now I sound like an old person):

Enjoying the toy from her Papa Jerry, which she loves because it has pretty lights which spin and change (and it apparently tastes good):

Wearing her feather boa..."aren't I so fabulous, darling?":