Fun with Family...and other goings on.

Esther's artful arranging of bungee cords on her dresser.

A new way to sit in her highchair. We probably shouldn't encourage this.

Uncle King read Esther her favorite book,

"Little Hoot".

Enjoying time with Uncle King (Esther has renamed him

"Cooking"), Grandma Suzi, and Grandpa Neil. She definitely enjoys all the attention.

Waiting for the ferry, we caught a glimpse of some otters frolicking.

Cute shot of Daddy and E.

Her hair is getting so long...we're thinking of cutting it because it's getting in to her mouth when she eats. She hated having her hair cut last time...so we'll see how it goes.

Looking cool in Papa Jerry's sunglasses.

Visiting with Cousin Sierra. Sydney, the cat, loved the quality time.

And here's Cousin Nikkie. Again Esther enjoyed all the attention. She's not spoiled at all. Nope! That's E's new favorite word by the way...that and "I can't!"

Bungee cords, condo-hunting, and of course Father's Day!

I've fallen in love with bungee cords. They are not very attractive but boy are the functional. They've come in handy so many ways. Exhibit A: as a halter for a drum.

Exhibit B: as a way to thwart my smart daughter from getting into or climbing on the dishwasher. However, she still figured out that she could use her drum as a stool.

We've been house-hunting the last few days, well, really condo-hunting, which has been so fun. Esther even enjoyed the experience. We love our realtor; if you need a good one in the Seattle area let me know.

Esther loved running around the open spaces and trying all the doors and closets. We have an offer out there, so we'll keep you posted.

Our realtor had a minivan that had "magic" doors which opened by remote. E loved driving in it and even Gene enjoyed all of it's gadgets. By the end of day two, Esther was a little tired of house-hunting.

Loungin' with Daddy after a busy day.

I just love her little feet in her flip flops!

"I LOVE YOU!!! Just in case you didn't know."

Esther's unique shoe style.

"Look, Mom, no hands." She attached her cup to her overalls snap and walked around like that. She would take a sip, then put it back.

Trying on mom's mascara. Check out her right eyebrow (left in the picture, in case your confused).

"I'm open!" (playing basketball with cousin Chrissy). We spent Sunday afternoon at Gene's parents and got to visit with Nana, Papa, aunts, an uncle and some cousins.

"Chrissy, that's where the ball goes."

"Oh, I guess you already knew that."

It's a bird, it's a plane...no, it's Super Esther!

Trying to chase the ball and ending up kicking it across the street with each step.

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.