All about rashes...

Memorial Day weekend was very sunny so I slathered up Esther with sunscreen (hypo-allergenic, paba-free, SPF 50) and we headed out for some fun. Monday morning we noticed a rash on her face and then that night it was all over her arms and legs. We were pretty sure it was due to the sunscreen and our pediatrician agreed. I was trying to be a responsible mother and protect my little one from the sun but it backfired. So we'll have to try a lower SPF, different brand and only apply it in one little spot to make sure she doesn't breakout again. She's pretty itchy, so we've been giving her Claritin for kids, and using benadryl cream on her, which seems to help. She looks like she's contracted some horrible disease. Her once beautiful soft skin is now red and bumpy.

That same weekend, we headed to the zoo (with E completely covered up even though it was fairly warm out). Esther enjoyed all the animals and since there wasn't very many people out for some reason, I really enjoyed myself, too.

(These pictures are all out of order...oops!)

Dad and E scoping out some zebras in the distance.

E in her oatmeal bath, showing off her rashy arms.
E using bath paint (you can see both her bumpy arms and forehead in this picture).
She loves bubbles and catching "bigun" (big ones).
Finger painting.
Rubbing the baby elephants for good luck.

Bumpy forehead.
Blotchy cheek, beautiful girl.
She loves organizing her six little ducks.

Snow boots, PJ's, Nana, and a birthday wish....

A taste of Esther's fashion sense: wearing Mommy's snow boots with her summer dress.
Esther interpretation of Mr. Potatohead.
Hallelujah! We found PJ's that Esther cannot remove...well actually they found us. Mookimoo commented on our blog and told us what they had created: PJ's that zip up in the back. Awesome! So I ordered two and they work! No naked girl (unless we want her to be) and no wet crib.
Here's the back. If she figures out how to get out of this, I give up. Esther's too smart for me.
Nana Marilyn came and stayed the night with us on Saturday. And Esther had a blast! She even cried when she left. Nana watched E while Gene and I had a date...to see "Indiana Jones". (Thanks Marilyn!)****************************************************************************** This video is a birthday wish for my sister, Heidi. She moved to Alaska in December and we miss her. Sorry for the shakiness of the camera...Esther was trying to grab it out of my hands. As you'll hear, "Tommy" or "Thomas" is much easier for E to say than "Bela" or "Halie" because she loves Thomas the Tank Engine. Hope Heidi can see this all the way up there.

Here comes the sun.

I'm not one for hot weather. Maybe it's because I'm so pale (read incandescently white) or because I grew up in Alaska. I agree with Gene...give us 70 degrees with a nice breeze. But at least it means I can dress Esther in her summer clothes, which is awesome because I just love her beautiful skin. Below are some of her "cool" clothes.



Mommy's first attempt at braiding E's hair.

Another Mother's Day under my belt

Having experienced my second Mother's Day, I have to say I really enjoy the special day. And not because I get to be spoiled, get gifts, a whole made card, breakfast made for me by my awesome husband, my daughter saying "Happy Day, Mommy" and then dinner out later (although these make it pretty cool, too). It is a day full of joy, knowing I am the mother to a wonderful daughter. It's a day of remembering how blessed I am to have my family.

OK, here's some pictures from the last week or so:
Esther and Sydney lounging together. Don't they both look so comfortable.

Stealing my chair and apparently trying to finish my Sudoku.

Showing her little pink ducky a family picture.

We bought E a "chatter" phone. She loves walking around with it following her and watching it's eyes moving.

Do you think she'll ever use a real phone like this?

Funny face.

You can't tell from this still picture but Esther was drumming a beat on the empty litter container while moving her head from side-to-side. So hilarious!! She is such a ham. Look at that smile on her face.

E finally got a balloon...after always pointing them out wherever she sees them. She was so happy and would throw it around the car while shouting "wheeeeee."

Yesterday Gene and I decided that maybe Esther was ready for a toddler bed. We often see her trying to get her leg over the side of her crib (although she's still too short). She always throws all her stuff out of bed at night and then will cry because she doesn't have her blanket or toys anymore. Brilliant as we are, we decided last night, way too close to Esther's bedtime, to take apart her crib and set her mattress on the floor. She actually seemed to like it...until we left her alone, then she cried and cried and cried. So back we go to reinstall her crib...and hopefully soothe our scared/confused little girl. But by this time she was too exhausted and stimulated to settle down. Finally after much comforting and a little crying she finally went to sleep in her old crib. And in the morning, her blanket and all her toys were on the floor. For now, I guess that's how she likes it.

Our little cuddlebug

Esther has had a breakthrough on the listening front. This has made clean up so much easier. She will actually help clean up fairly eagerly now. She knows where her things are supposed to go and likes to put them in their places.
Another new thing she's started doing is shouting "MAMA" at me if I'm not paying attention to her when she wants me to. Not in a snotty way, just louder. I know this may quickly become annoying but right now it makes me laugh.
She's also becoming more cuddly. Up until now, the only time she would let us cuddle her was at bedtime or before nap time. But recently she's wanted to be hugged on at different times during the day, she will even lay her head on our shoulders and stay that way for a while. Or to sit on our lap quietly, which is huge for our ever-busy daughter. These small tokens of her affection of course melt our hearts every time.
Apparently Mr. Potatohead's arm tastes yummy.
Showing mommy how it's done.

The last few weeks the weather has been very sporadic. So trying to "catch" the sun is a challenge. However, when we can, we try to make it to the park right near our apartment.
No kids around on this day, but E made the most of it anyway.

She's becoming very agile on the playground.
And adventurous.

This is a very high slide, and Esther made me very nervous. But she made it down safe and sound.

My little Houdini

Recently, it seems half the time I get Esther up in the morning or from a nap, I find her naked...completely stark naked. I've tried everything to at least keep a diaper on her. I've tried putting the diaper on backwards so she can't undo the tabs. I've tried putting onesies on underneath her pajamas. I've tried different kind of sleepwear...to no avail. Our girl is too smart for me. Most of the time she's soaking wet as well (luckily that's all she is). Do you know where I can purchase a straight-jacket? Or maybe I could try duct taping her diaper to her.
"Look, Mom, the sun's out."

Esther let me dress her in her tutu. She wore it for a little while....

...but then wanted it off.

We visited with Jen, Adam and Ivy this weekend. Ivy has a big girl bed, and Esther decided she liked it. As you can see, she made herself at home.

Ivy and Esther both love "Choo Choo Soul"! Here they are watching one of the videos.

Who needs water to enjoy a bath?

Crafts are fun. (Right, Gene?!)

This past Friday, we headed to craft night at our church. Gene vowed that if they brought out fake leather wallets and made us sew them together, we were leaving. Gene's not such a big fan of "crafts". However, he did have fun when he saw Esther enjoying herself. It was a tie between who had more fun, Esther or I (or is it Esther and me?). I was in craft bliss...playing with beads, paints and sand and not having to clean it up!

Critiquing her handiwork.

Saturday was gloriously sunny. So we headed to the very packed downtown Kirkland to explore.

Esther wasn't too sure about getting her feet wet. Maybe it had something to do with all the duck poop.

"Ewww. Look Mom."

E kept stealing balls from poor defenseless children. We had to "help" her give them back.

She loves little boys.

Our future soccer player. Again, she took another little boy's ball, but he was very patient with Esther (and very interested in Gene's tattoos).

My dad and his wife made it back safe and sound from their trip abroad. And brought back this cute fairy princess outfit for Esther. OK, so I put it on over her PJs, but it still looks really cute.

Wow, I guess it's time to update the blog.

Anything that involves dirt is always fun.

Esther helped Mommy replant some flowers. Sydney, the cat, supervised (like always).

After I put Esther down for a nap, this is what I found. They were staring longingly out at our deck.

Soup is good.

E's figured out that Sydney will chase her if she has rope or string.

Esther loves jumping and thinks the trampoline is the best thing ever. So we caught her on video. We've also found in the last few weeks, Esther can't say certain words without making them sound like she's swearing. It is very adolescent of us to laugh at this and I would like to blame it all on Gene, but I have to admit I find this just as funny as he does. We don't swear in our house, I promise. Well, except for the occasional one that has slipped out in times of pain or distress but they aren't as shocking as the one Esther says for "funky", "fork", and "frog". If you need help figuring out which word she replaces these with, it starts with an f and has four letters. Still confused? Watch and learn.