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April 24, 2003

Mariners Babies

The little Mariners fans had a grand time and the Mariners won!

How do you like those matching hats?!! Estella loved the cheering and all the action. Probably her favorite thing was sharing hotdogs (mostly bun and cream cheese) with her mama and dada at the start of the game.

Posted by clappstar at 11:39 PM

April 22, 2003

Market Baby

Estella and dada at the Pike Street Market in Seattle. Photo by cousin Megan.

Posted by clappstar at 03:27 AM

April 19, 2003

Sleep Walker

Estella sometimes gets so tired that she can't fall asleep by simply rocking in her rocking chair. Sometimes she needs the soothing cadence of a walk around one or more blocks in our neighborhood in order to relax and fall asleep.

This was about 8 block worth of walking and she fell asleep just at the end. Wonderful.

Posted by clappstar at 09:41 PM

April 17, 2003

Profile

What a precious profile.

Posted by clappstar at 11:26 PM

April 13, 2003

Splash Time

Bath time was losing its fun for Estella, so mama had a good idea. She thought we should make it a more enjoyable and a safer time us both being there at the bathtub side to play with and encourage Estella.
Now bath time is splash time.
She has a blast moving around, pulling up, playing with toys, splashing, laughing, seeing her reflection in the fixtures, etc. I push her through the water and she giggles and sometimes after some splashes she dips her head down to taste the water, quickly realizing she dislikes bath water.
And when she is done she is happy and energized. This makes for a fun time of babbling and talking while getting dressed. The pictures above show her at that time.
Soon she is sleepy after a big day of being a baby. She curls up on her side while lying on my chest and we rock and rock until she is asleep.
She had a fun time with her aunt Sarah at the park.

In other news, Estella is blowing kisses, excitedly taking care of the neighbors chickens, waking up more at night and being about as much fun and exuding as much wonder and joy as I could imagine ever witnessing. She does practically crawl but only over obstacles. Scooting is still her favored means of transportation.
Her hair is mostly flat, but when she is working hard and a bit sweaty little curls form above her ears and on top of her head.

Posted by clappstar at 09:55 PM

April 12, 2003

Little Tear

A little tear appeared on her right cheek as she was swinging on the swingset at Seward Park with her little aunt Sarah. It was probably from the brisk, cool breeze coming off Lake Washington. We had a nice walk in one of Seattle's most beautiful parks Saturday morning and were practically alone as we travelled the gravel trails that cross through the old growth forest of cedar, western hemlock and douglas fir.

Posted by clappstar at 06:19 PM

April 09, 2003

Bath With A Boy

She takes a bath with her little friend, Maximilian.

Posted by clappstar at 04:41 PM

April 08, 2003

How Big

Estella responds to the question, "How big is Estella?" by raising her little arms above her head.

She has a new little tooth on the lower left and another causing her some pain breaking through on the lower right.
We have been caring for our neighbors chickens lately and this morning had some farm fresh eggs, except Estella just eats the yokes.

Eating time has changed a lot. She eats many more different foods and often wants what we are eating. She likes toast with cheese, yogurt, mango, blueberries, noodles, yams, sweet potato and more. She is very quick on her butt. She can scoot very fast.
I have had to tell her a firm "No!" regarding the cat food and their water. Whenever she is bored with her toys it is the first thing she goes for. In the yard on Sunday we were gardening and I had a challenge leaving her alone with any dirt or leaves or grass, because everything goes to the mouth. Her mouth was kept clean, but had to be washed a couple times to keep it that way.
She has a new carseat and is seldom in the mood to enter it. Though when she finally surrenders, she melts into it and falls fast asleep.
She is lovely and so fleeting. She is always moving, so when she falls asleep, Robyn and I often take a few minutes of watching her, enjoying her baby aroma and her gentle warmth. It makes you want to scream.

Posted by clappstar at 12:28 AM

April 04, 2003

One Thousand Days

Today is the one thousandth day of marriage between me and my beautiful wife, Robyn. I repeat, today commemorates 1000 days of marriage.
Wow.
Don't tell Robyn, but we're celebrating at Serafinas at 8PM.
Also, Tuesday was little Estella's 300th day birthday!

Posted by clappstar at 10:49 AM | Comments (3)

April 03, 2003

First Teeth

The first tooth has broken through and the secong is on the way. It is the lower fron tooth on the left that is through and sharp. The lower right front tooth is giving her a bit of pain I think. But here she is in high spirits joking with her mama.

Posted by clappstar at 10:28 PM

April 01, 2003

Pause And Remember

These Americans fought in battle and were lost while serving in the United States military within the last couple of weeks. The horror of their last moments haunts me when I look into their eyes. Great loss is followed now for their family by chilling absence. During the Vietnam war for 7 years, 150 such faces were lost each week.
I enjoin you to pause a moment today. And in the silence of your head amidst the chaos of the busy day, reflect on this sacrifice. Remove, for a second, the context your thoughts are born within, your politics, your ethics, your religion, your fears and your doubts. These guys were moving through a desert encountering the violence of the Saddam loyalists and the hope and depravity of innocent children ushered through broken streets by mothers and grandmas.
Their last days had more conflicting emotions than you and I may ever feel. Their last moments were far more violent than we can imagine, far more scary and lonely than anyone should suffer. More than six thousand miles away from their family, they perished.
I am so sad. Children lost their dads. More are missing. More will die. What lies in the future? Will Iraq ever cooperate? Will America be safer? Will the world seek a common peace? Will these soldiers have died in vain?

Posted by clappstar at 08:44 AM