Someone had too much eggnog last night...

Christmas morning we went for a run and about 2 blocks from the house Elizabeth has us pull up the stroller blanket and she immediately went into a comma. Keep in mind this is not a kid that sleeps through things but I picked her up out of the stroller, carried her into the house, laid her down on the sofa, unzipped her coat, went and got the camera and snapped some shots. We then talked to her, rubbed her cheek and nothing.
Passed out sleeping child on the sofa means Mimosa time for the grown ups....

Merry Christmas from Maui Wowie

Well we are back in Seattle now enjoying a delightful Christmas Eve with friends and our little family. Maui was great but home is just the best even in the rain.
Each night I say a little prayer to Elizabeth and I send it your way as a blessing for your holidays and for 2011:
'May you have a healthy body, a healthy mind and a happy soul'.

School Performance

Elizabeth with one of her school friends.

School Party from kathleen mcgregor on Vimeo.

Elizabeth had her school party. She did great with her performance. There is really nothing Elizabeth enjoys more than singing and dancing. We have dance party at our house almost every night. Her teachers often comment that Elizabeth is the most enthusiastic performer during singing circle time. She is often at home doing various hand motions and singing away in Chinese. I'm telling you it is quite something to sit in your house with your white Jewish toddler and watch her sing Chinese songs.
As is her more timid personality she was initially quite nervous to join the rest of the kids in the circle with all these parents watching. Many other kiddos were not quite willing. Elizabeth was clinging to me. I then told her to just go sit with Gui, her teacher. That is all it toke. She feels safe, secure and loved by her teachers and doesn't need my lap if they are close. We are thrilled that she is so loved when we are at work.

Yep we are the sort that photographed the first hair cut

Now that hat season has descended Elizabeth is in dire need for a hair cut. Per her usual MO she was initially traumatized but quickly rallied once she realized the joy of the yellow car and the many pretty pink ponies to play with. Twenty dollars later she looks about the same. Perhaps a bit less frizzy.

The Best Thanksgiving Ever

For Thanksgiving this year we rented a 'cabin' on a lake up north with Sam, Lynn and Anneka. It was the best get away every. The girls have a blast together and spent much of their time in tutus dancing.
The bunk beds were a hit and provided much entertainment. That is until we heard Elizabeth screaming 'Daddy Daddy'. I come running in and she is hanging from the side. Poor Anneka was cowering in the corner in fear. Elizabeth then followed the new parental rule of only climbing the ladder with mommy or daddy there.
More dancing...
Once the snow melted we ventured out for some hikes.
The snow was a hit. The parentals enjoyed and kids enjoyed trash bag sledding.
Biking was even sort of possible.
Elizabeth managed a turn or two on this mega trike we found in the garage.

Celebrated Maeve last night and woke up to snow

Last night we celebrated Shauna and her daughter Maeve at their house. It was an Ethiopian smorgasbord. There were tons of kids and Elizabeth found her quieter corners to stockpile food and random dolls. She definitely doesn't like to get in the middle of it all but she can hold her own.

We woke up this morning to a light dusting of snow on the car with none on the ground. By 730am things changed and it was a winter wonderland. Elizabeth's comment was 'look momma it is snowmaning'.
In the morning we walked to the market and library but Elizabeth was not sure about playing in the snow. After nap time she had a change of heart and we were out in it until I couldn't feel my toes. We love snow now.

Soy Sauce with Rice

Untitled from kathleen mcgregor on Vimeo.

'Family of Choice' Thanksgiving

For eleven years this group has been gathering for Thanksgiving in one form or another. The tradition dictates that we never meet on the actual day as many have to work for the holiday. There have been additions of new friends, family, husbands and kids. The hangovers, for most, are less intense the next day but the food remains amazing.
This year we gathered at Cory's swanky new condo and utilized their large meeting area. This allowed much room for the youngin's and not so youngin's to run, play and dance. The plan was to take the kids for a dip in the pool however after Gil's spectacular chocolate pecan tart nobody was willing to dawn a swim suit however one little girl did some great running around with a bag on her head while her mom was a turkey head.
Elizabeth and Lila were busy busy and allowed grown ups to actually sit, drink wine and enjoy a real conversation.
What you see here (below) is the two naughtiest girls. Keely looks innocent as does Elizabeth but neither can be trusted. We love them both but nope don't trust them a bit.

Anneka's Birthday

When Elizabeth heard we were going to a birthday party she kept saying 'me go cake party'. Funny to think that just this June she wouldn't tough cake and now it is the hit.
Anneka was so cute. She was a little host offering drinks to the kids and thanking everyone for their gifts. Such a big girl! I love that Lynn and I have our girls to raise together. They just love spending time together.
With our new camera it takes photos FAST. It catches some great shots but also some very amusing ones. Is it just me or does she look like a little chipmunk devouring the cake.
Elizabeth was thrilled to see Alice again and they loved sitting together sharing toys.

Some days I remember how blessed I am

Not all days are care free but we are so blessed that most are. My prayer each night for Elizabeth is to grow up with a healthy body, a healthy mind and a happy soul. We are so blessed that life is just a fun swing at the park.

Me Happy Girl

She is a pistol. When upset she will say 'me no happy girl, me no want happy girl'. Her other line is 'me no say no thank you, me no like no thank you' which is often declared in response to our request for a polite 'no thank you' instead of the 'NO NO'.


I have to say that she really is an easy kiddo most of the time and my angst is often linked to my frustration with preconceived expectations. Sometimes she just doesn't want to do what we had in mind. Imagine that she has her own will and wants to assert her desires. You go girl!

Today on the way home from school while singing 'Sunny Day' aka the theme to Sesame Street she stops and says 'me a happy girl momma' and really most of the time she is such an amazingly happy girl. If I just had a bit of notice to when 'me no want happy girl'.

Halloween with Lila

I had no idea that Halloween would actually be this fun. Elizabeth has loved putting on her puppy dog costume this week although it sort of has started to get old. I was not sure what she would actually do for Halloween night and didn't really have any plans except having Lila over and perhaps just seeing other kids come to the door.
The girls were great sports and thrilled to get their costumes on. We went to four houses where they both actually carried their bags and said 'Trick or Treat'. Elizabeth had a lollipop for the first time which she called a 'juice' and deemed as 'dis is good momma'.
The houses were a bit overwhelming but both girls still made it to the door and said their lines. We kept telling them 'look at the happy monsters they are just laughing'. Not sure what sort of questions will be asked about this in the days to follow.
Just as fun was answering the door and seeing the other kids costumes. They would both just stare down the street after the kids left. I am sure it is all so freakin' odd in their little heads.
Yep like I said odd.

What is Halloween??

Halloween from kathleen mcgregor on Vimeo.

It all goes by so fast

After 26 months of breastfeeding it is now over. I have been somewhat eagerly awaiting this day and we have slowly stopped only doing naptime and bedtime nursing for quite a while. Last Thursday I told her the 'milk' was all gone. She sort of accepted this fact and kept saying 'boobs is sick' and then she would pat pat my boob with this longing expression.

After bath each night she still asks 'mama milk' and when I say it's all gone she then banishes me from the room saying 'daddy reads book'. So I sit here blogging while they giggle over her books and Jeff gives her the last kisses of the day. I know I can't have a four year old breastfeeding, I know I want my body back but I miss what has ended and I look forward to again being allowed to give those last kisses of the day.

Alice Turns Three

We celebrated Alice's 3rd birthday this weekend. Elizabeth proved she finally loves cake and now asks at any gathering of friends 'me want cake at party'.


Despite both living in Seattle, Katie and I actually got to know each other 10 years ago in Thailand and I have not stopped laughing yet. When we parted ways I remember telling her that we were going to have to be best friends once I got home. Luckily she listened.

Katie is the consummate hostess and can truly make everyone in a room feel welcome and engaged. Even between contractions, taking breaths while pushing her daughter into the world, Katie would exhale and introduce the nurse or offer someone a snack. I love that I shared that day with her and will certainly be at birthdays for years to come.

A new camera was purchased so we could catch these gorgeous spontaneous smiles.

This is what you get when you ask her to smile.

Natural smile.... yep camera was worth the price. Oh and above you will notice our chalk kids. Our driveway often looks like there was a school full of children that were drawn where they fell.

Let the Sun Shine

Had the best sunny weekend ever. Managed to get to the Zoo, Ballard Market and quite a few park visits. What you see here is how we play hide and go seek. I run somewhere, cover my eyes (aka hiding) and she seeks. It is fun for all.









Notice the matching stylish sunglasses.
























She loves the 'dizzy'. I get nauseated just watching her go round and round.








See ya'll next time.

Hello!

Hi my name is 'ebisbis'. I like talking about potty and poop. I went for a walk with mom and dad and I pretend to poop just like above. It is so much fun. When I go poop in my diaper I have to see it every time and I say 'me see me poop, me poop'. Sometimes it is really stinky and me mom makes a funny face.
At night I sit on my potty and eat my 'two vimens' (vitamins). Then I walk over to the tub and sometimes I go pee pee on the floor. Sometimes I also pee pee in the tub. I don't go pee pee in that potty. Nope not me.

Run of Hope

This weekend we met up with a bunch of friends at the Run of Hope for Pediatric Brain Tumor Research. Fun to catch up with some great families that I have not seen in quite a while. Elizabeth did her part by sleeping through the entire run.
Maria and I actually staffed the First Aid tent together and had relaxing morning sipping coffee and catching up. Marie did have to be reminded that it is ONLY a 5K... IV fluids, ice for cooling are not needed. She has typically been the nurse for Ironman's. Not quite the same folks at this event.