ROAR! Happy Halloween!

It will be downright cold in these parts on Halloween, so I don't know if I'll be taking Estelle out...especially since she doesn't eat candy and we had the chance to dress her up for the daycare's Halloween party on Friday. She wasn't in her costume long -- I'm sure she kept thinking, "Why am I so hot?" -- but it was long enough to snap this photo.

She actually does a really good growl when you ask, "what does the lion say?"

1 year pics

A couple weeks ago we had a photo session for Estelle and for our family holiday card (yes, for the first time in 9 years of marriage, we'll be sending out a card this year). The photographer posted a sampling of the photos on her blog. I'm not especially excited about Estelle's expression in any of these pictures, but the photography is beautiful.

Les Miserables

My fierce, tough, bounce-back girl has been down for the count this week. Poor thing started out with both ears infected last weekend. The first antibiotic didn't work, so the ears got lots worse. Then she picked up some virus that had her running a fever for the last 4 days. I know babies can run higher temps than adults, but sheesh! 104 for 3 days is enough to make even the calmest parent anxious. Even with ibuprofen it only came down to 101. Finally, she seems to be feeling better today, but not well enough to go on the plane. Consequently, we're cancelling our trip to New York to attend a dear friend's wedding. I'm so disappointed! I know it will be a fabulous party...congrats, Tami and Paul! We'll make a visit to NY happen soon.

Fore!

Estelle has certainly taken a liking to the mini-golf club set. She especially likes to carry the putter around, which has us all ducking for cover. She understands that the ball and the club go together, so she usually walks around with one in each hand. She hasn't quite gotten the hang of hitting the ball with the club yet, but her dad is sure she will.

Dancing queen/Drama queen

All of a sudden, Estelle has an opinion...and personality...and a mind of her own. It's fascinating and frightening at the same time.

On the "I like to make mommy smile and laugh" side: This week, when music plays in the car (Beyonce seems to be a favorite) she bounces her head and dances in the car seat. It's very entertaining...and distracting to my driving, I must say.

On the "I'm asserting my own will and giving mommy a headache" side: Lately, almost every time I put her down, her body goes limp, she arches her back, throws her head back and screams in the most dramatic fashion possible. Of course, if I walk away and ignore her, it stops almost immediately. Ah, temper tantrums...not liking this part of parenting so much.

It's interesting how she fluctuates between wanting to be a baby and wanting to be independent. She wants to be held, yet squirms to get down. As soon as I put her down, she does the tantrum bit. I just try to maintain a sense of humor and distract her as much as possible. I know that this is just another phase. But that knowledge doesn't keep me from marveling: she's only been on the earth for a year...how does she know to do this already (the fascinating part)? What more is in store (the frightening part)? I still love it though.

Bath bubbles

Estelle's love for bathtime grows and grows. She's discovered she can get in all by herself if she bends at the waist and lets the weight of her head take her over the side. Unfortunately, this has landed her in the tub fully clothed at times.

Her dad is teaching her not to be afraid of putting her face in the water. Click here to see how far she's come!

Three generations

I love this photo with the weird angles of Estelle, my mom and me.

This one of Estelle and her "Auntie Wanti" is pretty cute too:

It's a happy, happy birthday!

Estelle is 1 today! In honor of her first birthday, she got her first real taste of dessert -- cake and ice cream. I'll interpret the photos:

"I guess I may as well try some of this stuff..."



"Holy cow, this stuff is good!"



"Man, I shoulda known you punks have been holding out on me."



"From now on, it's cake and ice cream at every meal!"

...and drop it like it's hot

Click here to see a 15 second video of Estelle wobbling...I mean, walking...

Walk this way

Estelle started walking last week, and already she'll walk across the room, turn around, and walk back. Her balance is improving rapidly, but she's still quite wobbly. Her dad says she looks like a drunken sailor. I'll attempt to get some video and post it.

Another first: she waved bye-bye last night to much cheering and clapping from us. In fact, when she saw the response it garnered, she planted her feet in a wide stance and kept waving bye-bye like a crazy person. However, when I was actually leaving the daycare this morning, she refused to wave bye-bye to me. I guess context is a concept that will come later.

Summer vacation in exotic Brainerd

So this is what it's come to...well, at least for the next few years. But we had a great time relaxing and playing at the lake and the pool. Regina, Darien and Estelle were as happy as 3 peas in a pod. In fact, I think Estelle enjoys their company more than mine or her dad's.

Smart, strong and funny

Many of you know that I have an aversion (even before I was pregnant) to the pink-pink-pink obsession for little girls. Mind you, I'm not categorically opposed to putting pink on Estelle (or wearing pink myself, for that matter). I just believe that little girls should be able to wear ALL colors, and with the exception of a few retailers, all colors are not easy to find. And this is not girl-specific -- the gender stereotyping for boys is just as bad. I'd like to lay out my principle objections to clothing options for kids, girls, specifically:

1. Must everything be pink? For crying out loud!

2. If it's not pink, it's pastel. Perhaps studies have been done that if you dress girls in bright colors, they spontaneously combust. Ergo, all girls should be dressed in soft, soothing, nonflammable colors?

3. "Hi, my name is ________________ (fill in your favorite little girl's name). I signed a contract in utero to provide free advertising space for Disney, Baby Einstein, Dora the Explorer, Winnie the Pooh, Barbie and Strawberry Shortcake. Unfortunately, the only way to get out of a contract signed prenatally is to be a walking billboard for American Eagle and J. Crew as a teenager."

4. Note to clothing designers: can you wait until my kid is, say, at least 15 before you try to put her in a halter top with cups? Oh, wait, you've already got that covered.

5. (And this is, perhaps, my biggest complaint.) Daddy's little princess. Sweet. Cutie. Cupcake. Pretty Pretty Pretty. How can we be surprised when little girls grow up to be obsessed with their looks, obsessed with their weight, and more concerned about makeup than math? Again, I'm not against putting Estelle in something that says "Cutie pie" on it. If only I could find JUST ONE t-shirt or onesie that says Daddy's smart girl, or Strong, or Funny.

Look, I know it's just clothing and, in the end, it's way more important what behavior and attitudes you model for your child. But it bugs me... a lot. Thank God for Hanna Andersson. Otherwise, Estelle would be naked most of the time, and we live in a cold state so that wouldn't be a good thing.

So one of my favorite pastimes these days is to fantasize about designing a children's clothing line... a bit more empowering, a bit less nauseating, than practically everything you find in stores. Comments and suggestions about this idea are welcome.

My first BBQ

It was a special moment last weekend -- Estelle had her first taste of her dad's BBQ ribs. As you can see, she enjoyed herself immensely. It wouldn't have been my first choice to feed her ribs, but her grandmas (sitting across from each other at the table) were in cahoots. After she finished with this rib, she dove into her grandma's plate of food, shoving potato salad into her mouth with her hands. When she had a rib bone and half a piece of bread hanging out of her mouth at the same time, I had to put a stop to the feasting.

Salt n' Pepa reprise

Estelle is totally digging the push toys lately. The toys move a little faster than she expects so her little legs work like crazy to catch up with the wheels. As soon as she runs into something, she screams at me to turn her around, and off she goes again. She giggles the whole time.

The Climber strikes again

Say, Say, Oh Playmate

Estelle had a great time on Saturday playing with her friend, Annika. Annika's mommy and daddy were nice enough to watch Estelle for us for a few hours. The girls had a grand time playing in the tupperware drawer, eating dinner in high chairs side-by-side, and swinging at the park. Annika also showed Estelle that her puppy, Abby, was nothing to be afraid of. It's nice to have friends!

Next stop: Everest

On Saturday I was hurriedly trying to pull things together so we could head out to a destination and placed Estelle in care of her father, who was in front of the television. Rushing madly about upstairs, I heard Estelle babbling to herself as if she was getting closer to me. Strangely, I did not hear Bryan coming up the stairs with her. I peeked over the railing, only to see her making her way up the stairs to the landing at the front door. Bryan was contentedly watching his movie, unaware The Climber had escaped the TV room and was confidently making her way up to find me.

After scooping her up, I thanked my lucky stars that she didn't fall backwards on her quest to the top. Bryan was surprised with her first successful attempt at the stairs, but noted that, after all, he WAS the youngest kid on his block to make it all the way across the monkey bars...sigh...

Me and D

Darien and Estelle are such good buds. She's lucky to have a big cousin who loves seeing her and giving her hugs. When I drop her at daycare and Darien is there, he has to say hello to Estelle and give her love.

Hungry baby

This is the face that Estelle makes when she thinks she hasn't had enough dinner yet...often, it's after she's already eaten meat, vegetables, bread and fruit. She leans forward and screams, "EEeeeee!"

Have I mentioned that she has a mind of her own?

Before and after

A few of you who can't make the open house have asked for a final picture of the joint. Finally, we have grass, so I'm posting one. Please let us know when you'll be in town so we can have you over for dinner, or even better, Bryan's infamous "smoke-smoke" ribs.