12-month self-portrait

Happy Birthday, Kate!

3 videos

Kate and her daddy, laughing it up.

Kate's walking skills have really taken off in the last week. Here are a couple of peeks. She has actually walked a lot further than what you see here, but it's hard to catch on video. In the first one, note that Beatrix is in the background.

Fun with Hats

We enjoy putting adult hats on Kate. And she likes to take them off! We took about 15 pictures in this series. Here are the highlights.

Visit from Boise

Suzi and Beatrix are visiting for the weekend. It's been much fun to watch the kids play together. Kate sometimes gets a little too excited, and attempts to squish Beatrix. But little B handles it with the grace of someone who has 3 older siblings.

We promise that no children were dropped or harmed in the creation of this video.

Recent Investments

Our old BBQ died. The slow and painful way, when in the end, it just didn't heat up and cook. (The last meal we tried ended up needing to be cooked in the oven!) Which leads to investment #1 - A new BBQ. Okay, I'm a girl, so no picutre of it, but rather of the 1st meal which came off of it. Salmon. Ymmmmm. Salad with cranberries and blue cheese, sourdough bread, and wine. Which I picked purely because of the label. It's called "Writer's block" and has a pic of Shakespeare. How cool is that?!? Of course, choosing wine by the label has led me wrong. Really just once, but "El Gato Blanco" - the one with the cat on the label - is just another name for hang-over.Next investment? Sold to us by a door-to-door saleman. No joke! Yeah, we got taken in by the Kirby sales pitch. However, when you see that your vacuum hasn't picked up the sawdust from DECEMBER, even though you HAD vacuumed a lot since then, it's kinda convincing. Having it ALMOST makes me WANT to clean. Almost.

All this being an investment for Kate, of course, so she can have a clean floor to play on and yummy food to eat.

Fun with Grandma

Kate and Grandma were getting some last minute quality time before Terry flew out to Arizona. Among the reasons for the smiles - Terry was wearing a different necklace, and Kate just had to check it out!

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.