11-month self-portrait

Here we are looking at Doug make funny faces to get Kate smiling. This time, we are looking at the camera, but Doug is still making funny faces. To celebrate 11-months, Kate cut another tooth. I'm certain you can see it in the picture below. It's on her top right. Ha ha.

Finally, I just love it when Kate wears her overalls. They are so adorable.

Finish April Pictures

Kate's napping, so I have a chance to do a little blogging. Thought I'd start with finishing up commentary on April pictures, and came up with a nice little sequence.

First, Kate is busy playing. Then, she is with her daddy, getting her "good night" hugs, kisses, and laughs taken care of.

But clearly, the little one is ready for sleep, as she puts her head down, even if just for a second.

Okay, this picture is not from exactly the same sequence. But usually by the time I go to get Kate in the morning, she's already standing in the crib, waiting for me to get her. And as we all know, you can't have too many pictures of sleeping children.

Sleep tight, little girl!

KITTY!

Kate is so fond of the kitties. Especially Tinker (pictured below), because Tinker will actually let Kate pet her. We are teaching Kate to "pet nicely", which basically means don't grab handfuls of fur, ear, or tail. The petting is more a kin to spazzy light hitting, but Tinker tolerates it. I think it's because she is an older cat, is VERY patient, and willing to train the wee ones in correct cat etiquette.
This picture almost captures the sound Kate makes when she sees Tinker. It's a unique squeal of happiness, only heard when she is around the cat. Kate also says, "Kee-ee" to the cat. But in all honesty, she'll call the fridge "kee-ee" too.

Finally, I notice in looking at the pictures that Tinker is holding very still, facing the couch pillow. I think she's pouting, just barely tolerating the fact that we let Kate pet her. What Tinker is actually thinking, "Sure, I could get up and move. But I was here first, darn it! I was here first!"

Sun Hat

Two days ago, it was SOOO nice out. I donned the shorts and tank top. Strapped Kate into the front carrier (for which I am sure she is too big now). Got an M's floppy hat on her, and toured around the yard, looking at the trees, plants, and grass.

But before heading outdoors, we needed to get our picture taken!

Opening Day 2009

Okay. A little delayed, but here are a couple of pictures from last Tuesday's opening day for the Mariners. Kate did well. A little squirmy, but had fun. In this first picture, she'd cheering for the M's. She'd just wave and wave her arms in a little windmill when she got excited. Self portrait!

Easter Goodies

Kate got a variety of fun to play with goodies to celebrate the Easter holiday. Mom and dad had fun playing with them, too. AKA, what can we put on Kate's head and what will she do with it!

Here, the sock bunny from a previous blog entry makes an appearance.

Now I just need to catch her with the dolly from Grandma Terry!

Spring blooms

It's exciting to see the fruits of our efforts begining to bloom.

Apple blossom, on one of the older trees that came with the house. And a tree that we FINALLY got pruned a couple of months ago.

Pear blossom; tree planted last year

Apricot blossom; tree planted last year.

Walla-walla-bing-bang

In this video, you'll catch a glimpse of what Kate found to be much funnier when the camera wasn't running. And you'll hear my oh-so-lovely strep throat singing voice. (But I'm feeling much better now, due to the miracles of antibiotics!)

How many hands do I have?

I love watching Kate move from one play thing to another. And seeing her thought process as to what will stay in her hands, and what needs to be left behind for something new. At this moment, she's working with stacking cups, a 'lawn mower', and the noise maker on the lawn mower.

Sock Bunny

Kate received an adorable bunny made out of a sock from her Auntie Suzi. She loves playing with it - and sticking it in her mouth! (But then again, what doesn't go in her mouth these days?) You'll also note in this picture that Kate's mommy needed to do laundry. Purple polka dot socks match purple pants. Purple pants "go with" pink-striped shirt. Striped shirt and polka dot socks, not so much.

Fun with dad.

Kate really enjoys feeling Doug's hair. And playing with his head in general.

Crib time

Here's a look at Kate when she has woken up and is eagerly awaiting someone to set her free from her crib. I love the bed-head look she can create while she sleeps. One of the many sleeping positions of Kate.

Look, Ma. No Hands!

Kate's balance is getting better and better each day. Bruise on the forehead that she earned today not withstanding. Here she is standing tall, while leaning on a chair. Now, as she's reaching for mom. And the camera!

But at last, here she is standing on her own. And I caught it on camera. She can stand for anywhere from a 5 to a 20 count.

And now, she's done.

10-month self-portrait

Hi. My name is Kate. Holding still for a self-portrait is not a strength of mine today. But I can offer a bit of a smile. And show you my top two teeth. I worked really hard for them.

Hey, we are both looking at the camera!

Ears

No pictures just yet today. Little Kate has not been so photogenic. A side effect of being sick, though she is doing a lot better.

So, you know the saying, "Did you wash behind your ears?" I used to think it was a funny thing to ask. After all, while you are washing your hair, doesn't the area behind your ears get clean at the same time?

And that logic may be true. But when you are a small child, you aren't shampooing your hair every day. And apparently, some kids like to hide food behind their ears. For their mommies to find a day or two later, once it has crusted on and begun to cause a small amount of skin irritation.

Chalk it up to a new mom learning experience. (Similar to finding the toe jam when she was really little.) I now know the cleaning up after meal checklist is, at minimum, face, hands and EARS!

Sleeping duo

Kate had a bit of a fever this morning, so she and Doug stayed home today. When I walked in the door, this is how I found them. Both asleep. And Kate NEVER falls asleep in one's arms. The little bug must really not be feeling well.

Baby Mum-Mum

I was looking for some sort of "teething biscuit" at Fred Meyer on Sunday. What I found were "Baby Mum-Mums". Think of it as a gigantic rice crispy. Kate loves them.

What's missing is the picture of mushy rice all over her face and fingers. But you can imagine.

TEETH

Kate was giving out lots of smiles today. I'm sure it's because she wanted to show off her new teeth! Top left cut through Sunday morning, and top right was apparent today.

Someday you'll be even able to see them in the pictures!

Dance machine

I don't know what Kate ate today, but she was feeling the music today. She was cracking Doug and me up with the exaggerated movements and sound effects.

At one point, she paused, looked at Doug, and pointed her finger at him, as if to say, "This one goes out to you, Daddy." Unfortunately, not caught on film.

Latte stands

There are any number of drive through latte stands in the couple of mile drive I take to get from work to day care each day. aAnd a high proportion of stands use sex to market themselves. As if caffeine itself isn't a draw.

First, you can be sure that these places will not earn one penny of my business.

There are 2 Bikini Huts, where the baristas freeze their tushies off as they serve up people's double-tall mochas.

But my current favorite is a third spot that has a reader board advertising the "Hotest" baristas. Okay, I recognize that I've misspelled "hotest". But the reason why this is so memorable is that they didn't space it very well on the board, so it looks more like "ho test". Or maybe the additional "t" fell down.

Either way, in this scenario, is having a ho test so far off?

Reading

Kate loves to pull books and DVDs off of the shelves. Though mainly she contains herself to this section here. The book she's reading right now is from Doug's Aunt Mary. It has different animals with textured pages. Kate loves it, and will talk to the fuzzy pages.

9-month stats

Kate is happy and healthy, which we knew. :)

Today she measured 28 inches (62nd percentile) and weighed 20 pounds-6 ounces (74th percentile.)

Pictures later. This kid needs to go to bed. The loss of an hour is kickin' me.

Playin' in Leavenworth

We went overnight to Doug's friends Colie and Danica's cabin near Leavenworth. It was great to hang out with their family (as always).

Here, Kate and Cobin are "sharing" toys. Marianne was very good about finding toys that were appropriate for Kate to play with.

Maggie and Kate played with a baby doll this morning.

Then, this morning, we went for a walk. Danica had a 24-month size snow-bib for Kate to wear. It was sooo big on her. She put up with it well enough.

It was a fun and relaxing time. Now, off to correct tests!

9-month self-portrait

Here are a couple of pictures of Kate on her celebration of being alive 9 months.