Cruisin' and Walkin'

What we like to do now is cruise the furniture.  Also, I just like taking pictures of Sophie's adorable butt.

Cruisin'.
Also in the evening, before bed, Sophie goes and gets the mail with dad.  Big long walk to the foyer!

Milkshake Dance (Rough Cut)

Ah, we have figured out how to get video on this here thing! Well, much more and much more recent video to follow, but here is one of our favorite originals from times gone by. Warnng: Contains hilarious booty shaking of a minor to a slightly inappropriate song....also once the dance is over you will witness us a) unawares that the tape is still rolling and b) obviously still learning how to use this magic box. It's really all about the dance. Enjoy.

Busy busy busy

Today we went to Mosaics Coffeehouse in Wallingford. It's sort of an extension of the amazing 'First Weeks' Group Sophie and I went to, which eased into 'Next Months'. But soon we were all 'Sitters and Rollers' and on to 'Crawlers and Cruisers', which went from meeting every week to only once a month! Eek! So one of the moms (thanks, Zelda!), found this amazing coffeehouse with a playroom where we could continue to meet up every week to keep in touch and talk about our ever-changing challenges. Today Sophie spent some time with friend Alexa organizing some blocks. Cool.

Future Best Friend of America: Part Two

Today we had the joy and pleasure of meeting five day old little
Maddox Lee Alvarez Meuter, beautiful son of Rosa Alvarez and Mark Meuter. What a gorgeous little thing he is, and what an amazing set of parents he has! Congratulations, Meuterosa, and we look forward to years of making our kids play together!

What are Friends For?

Today we had movie day at Gena and Cooper's house. Many of us have been going to the "Mom Movies" at a theatre in Bellevue since the wee bitty baby days, on Thursday mornings where it's specifically for moms and babies, and it's been a lifesaver. But now that those wee ones are so "on the go", they have little patience for hanging out for two hours in the dark nursing and napping. Ah, those were the days! So we've ammended our movie enjoyment and now the babes can wrastle on the floor while moms munch on snacks and watch a flick. Sophie mostly spent the day getting tackled by Unity.



"No really, I can hold my own. Just gimme a minute...."

Thanks, Grandma Kathy

Today we are wearing a very adorable Valentine sweater from G. Kathy. We are at Tougo. As usual. Also there is this hat that mom loves at can't wait for Sophie's little noggin' to grow into. Oh, why wait?


Also, don't let this fool you. We are not crawling. We do not crawl. We stand, and cruise furniture, and will walk with the support of some helpful fingers, but we do not crawl. But our butt does look cute in this position.

Under the Sea

Today we went to the Seattle Aquarium with a whole gaggle of friends; Gillian and Nora, Amy and Sloane, and Gena and Cooper. It is Octopus Week, which makes mom very excited. Every year at this time, the Aquarium enlists the help of local divers to report Octopus sightings for their annual Octopus Census in the Puget Sound, and it took all the restraint I had not to grab the dive bag and go as soon as I heard! So while diving is still some months off, I can be satisfied with the sea through glass. Also then Sophie can join in. Whatever. Babies. hee!
Here we are with some Jellies!


Ah, the fishes.

At the end of our visit we watched a diver show in the main tank. Sophie got very excited, which of course makes mom proud!

Swingin'!

Today was one of those hint-o-spring days, and Sophie and I just couldn't stay away from the park. While we spent quite a lot of time standing around, staring at the wonders of Big Kids at Play (not such a good photo opportunity), we also took to the swings, which was a great photo opportunity! If only the photos could come with the soundtrack of Sophie's belly laughs at each push...!

A Typical Sunday

Ah, Sunday. Here is what usually happens; it's a work day for mom, I've been taking on more Contract Work with Cicada Bridal, where I worked for a couple years before this sweet little baby stole me away. I'm lucky enough to be able to do the sewing at home on my own schedule, and while I'm able to do more and more during the week with Sophie, it's nice to have a chunk of Sophie-free time to really get down to business! So she gets ready to go with dad for the day. Here she is sporting her brand new onesie from our most favorite neighborhood Coffee Shop, Tougo:

Tougo's fabulous owner, Brian, has set up a kid area in the back, where Sophie has spent lots of time since her very first days. Sweet napping newborn in the stroller, sitting on our laps at a few months old, watching all the action, and now sitting and playing on her own, it's been a wonderful place for Sophie to hang out, and get mom and dad some excellent coffee!



And here is Sophie with "Uncle" Brian, quite a pair!

Then it's usually off to Mercer Island for a visit to Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Bruce. Very important things happen there. Such as this evidence which resulted in a darling Valentine sweater for Sophie. Thank you, G. Kathy!

And finally home for bedtime. This is not a staged shot. This adorable scene happens every night, Sophie sits and listens to the story, and turns the pages. I love it!

More Reading and General Cuteness

Happy Birthday, Betty!

Today we joined Betty George with her mom and dad, Jen and Paul, for her Second Birthday at our favorite swimmin' spot, the Mountlake Terrace Pool. Here we are about to sing to Betty in the parking lot after, with Susannah and Tobin.


Happy Birthday, Betty! Yum, Cupcakes!

Hey...where's mine? (Maybe next time, bug!)

Vio's!

Just about every Friday, we walk to Vio's, a Greek restaurant that is super baby and kid friendly, and meet other moms and babes for lunch and play. Here we are having a cookie.

Not just now, I'm reading...

Sophie honestly just loves to flip through magazines. Occasionally she'll tear a page out, and toss it aside, but mostly she just looks and turns page after page, and likes to point at and comment on babies she sees. We'll get her into the Harper's next month.

Playtime

Naptime in the Pacific Northwest

If you look oh so closely, you can catch Sophie napping in the rearview mirror. This is something we see a lot. And when the errands are through and no more driving to be done but the nap ain't over, you head to the water, in this case Golden Gardens on the Puget Sound, and sit and listen to NPR and watch the world go by. My days really are quite wonderful.

A Very Politically Active Weekend!

So this is the only photo I have of our adventures this weekend, but it was great!
Friday we headed to Key Arena to go to Barack Obama's rally. Well, the Arena filled up in 15 minutes after the doors opened, so we didn't get in, cute baby or no! But we retired into the Center House for some lunch, and watched the speech on a live feed in a restaurant with a bunch of like-minded and spirited folks, and it felt good to be a part of it, even from outside!
Here we are outside the Arena contemplating a nap...



On Saturday, Sophie and I both attended our first Caucus. It was a wonderful experience, yours truly came away being an Alternate Delegate, and we are very excited for such a promising Election Year! Vote! Vote! Vote!

Paparazzi Shot

"Will you people just leave me alone?"

...but Yay for Visits from Nora!

Nothing speeds recovery from a terrible day after a terrible night's sleep like a best friends' visit! Mostly for mom (thank you, Gillian!), but I think Sophie and Nora (Future Best Friends of America) had fun, too. Wait. Is Nora sleeping? Oh, well, Sophie doesn't seem to mind.

Boo Teething!

Well, until now, you have seen pretty much most of what we have seen; the happiest little baby there could be! But as more teeth work their sharp, hard way through Sophie's soft little gums, we have seen some sad days and nights. Poor baby. Here we are working hard on number four...