Happy Chinese New Year!
Esther enjoys the fireplace and always wants Daddy to make a fire.
E took this picture of her daddy with Mom & Dad's camera.
E's photo of the elusive Audrey.
Mickey Mouse is stylin'.
One of Esther's many master-pieces.
Would you like some grated blocks on your nachos?
Busy girl.
A few days ago, biting on the camera strap.
Ten and 1/2 months old, doing the same exact thing.
With her "Minnie Mouse" hair clips in, as she calls them.
Cautious friends.
It was a beautiful and crisp day today. Good day for Esther's favorite past-time: swinging. I swear that girl could swing forever. I asked her if she wanted to go down the slide, to which she responded, "No, I swinging." OK, then.
I finally persuaded her to run around.
Esther "fed" the cats. As our cats are pretty finicky, they turned their noses up to the magnets and the plastic popsicle set.
Yesterday, Esther made an army of little robots with her blocks. In fact, she is doing it again as I type.
OK, I haven't been as diligent lately about taking photos, so you'll have to make due with one measly picture of Esther and lots of blocks.
Still working on potty training. It's going pretty well and I think Esther enjoys wandering around without pants (or panties) most of the time. Still watching a lot of "Wall-E". Esther finally seems comfortable with her toddler bed, although we usually have to go in her room a few times a night to tell her to get into bed.
Hmm....
Another robot by Esther. I know I'm not the only one who enjoys these (right Nana Marilyn?).
E got some bath crayons for Christmas and decided they worked well for eye makeup. She wasn't too happy with me when I washed it off.
The rest of the photos were taken by Esther. Kinda interesting to me to see things from her perspective. We had to completely remove the lens cap because there were 152 black photos on her camera. 
Some of you know that Esther is a late riser, like her dad and mom. Usually E doesn't wake up until 9:30 (or later). This morning we were woken up bright and early at 8 am to our building's fire alarm. That sure is an exciting way to wake up! We had to stand outside for only a few minutes before the fire department told us it was a false alarm. Welcome 2009!
So far 2009 has already brought us a few changes. Today, without going into too much detail, Esther had a break-through experience with the potty. And tonight, she is sleeping in her big girl bed (which just means her crib has been converted into a toddler bed). So far I've had to go into her room twice to have her get back in bed, but it's going much smoother than the last time we tried this.
Esther got a Diego puzzle from her uncle Jerry and loves it. Most of the time she's pretty patient with figuring out where the pieces go.
Daddy and E pretending to sleep.
Close up of the sleep face.
This is her true tired look.
For Nana Marilyn's birthday, we went and visited for the night. Esther loved the little cradle her great-grand-father made, though she is a little big for it.
We finally got to see Cousin Chrissy playing basketball. She is on the varsity high school team and is so fun to watch. She is one tough chick. She even got fouled out of her game, but luckily it was at the end. And they won! Yahoo!
Esther got to help Nana put out nuts and seeds for the birds.
Later a blue jay came and enjoyed the treat.
Lounging with Mommy.
Look who's wearing panties!
She wanted her friend R2D2 to join her in the bathroom for a potty break.
