Camping Shots and a Stemming Tree

Jeff and I met in the mountains climbing and since having our daughter we have had to find new ways to enjoy the mountains. There are no 100 mile bike rides through the hills or summits over glaciers but with Elizabeth we are discovering new pacific northwest adventures. Hiking, gentle rolling hills pulling her in the burley and simply chilling at the campsite.
We are also learning the ways of campgrounds and the Westie campervan culture. Here are some Westie rules:

• when passing another Westie on the road wave or better yet hand out the window with the peace sign
• always say hello to other westie campers when setting up camp
  
• important questions that are always asked... what year is yours? is it a standard or automatic? how many miles? No other topics are really discussed, just the status of your van. It is a new world.
  

Jeff and Eliz napping

She is napping on her daddy but hard to spot. See that little tuft of her pink jacket...
Just opening her eyes...
and waking.

Hiking - Olympic Peninsula

We headed out in the Westie to explore the Olympic Peninsula for five days. It is an amazing area with hikes in the rain forest...
Beaches...
and high alpine. Wish we were there now as Seattle is being hit with 100 degrees today and nobody has air conditioning. I think we will head out to the lake with the rest of the city.

Swimming is still a highlight

She still loves swimming and manages to sort of float on her back. Time at the pool results in exhaustion and good sleep which makes for happy happy parents.

Brunch at Maria's with Lila

The girls are so different. Alison and I are having so much fun watching them change. Lila is all over the place climbing stairs and just on the edge of walking. We can not believe they are almost a year old. CRAZY!

Bike Riding

OK so she does not look happy but really she just woke from a long bike riding nap. We had a nice hot weekend and went out riding a few times. Jeff is really getting a work out riding Seattle's hills.

Lucia and Elizabeth... so sweet

Elizabeth and Lucia

Fun week with Carolina and Lucia in town. We have seen Mavis Staples at the park, taken in the Pride Parade and lots of fun nights just chillin'. So wished they lived next door.

Pulling up to standing

Her newest talent. She is just constantly on the move and can go FAST.

The mess after only 5 minutes

I'm still getting used to her being in motion. She can rip apart a room in no time which is overwhelming when the house needs to be in top shape to show.

Three Years Later - Things have changed

On the beach where we were married 3 years ago. Love that it is a mere mile from our house.

Screeching Pterodactyl returns

We were back east visiting Jeff's folks and she had hours of fun with this box.

DAD IS HOME

This is from a couple of months ago but I just love her reaction to Jeff's arrival home.  She loves her daddy.

Nine Months

The little light of our life is officially nine months. We spent the actual day out camping (post below) and are welcoming the Seattle sun.

She is 20lb 12 ounces and 27 inches of love. She crawls slowly, rolls and flops forward quickly and pulls up on things. She understands milk and eat. She also performs by clapping and throws her arms up with glee for 'so big'.

Amazing Hike

Jeff and Elizabeth about to pass under the most amazing waterfall. She just talked and talked and talked the whole hike.

Westie trip to St. Helen's

The happy camper tucked in with Dad reading her stories.
Morning coffee... an essential

Scott, Carolina, Lucia, Kathleen, Elizabeth, Jeff and Dakota wandering in below. Only one missing is Bryce.

Opening drawers and frustration

'OK it is open, I see the bright books, now how do I let go and get in there and why is she not helping me, can't she see my despiration!'


'That is it... I know if I scream she will get those books'

She leads the way

For us having a child is about letting go of expectations, plans, agendas, schedules, housework... someone else is leading the way now and most of the time it is beyond wonderful. It is truly the practice of living in the moment.
The past two days she has had one 30 minute nap and has required 2 hours of coaxing to sleep at night with many waking during the night. Yesterday I said to my sister "I am ready to sell her on ebay for maybe a buck fifty". Then today there was a 45 minute nap in the morning, two hours in the afternoon, much giggling all day and right to bed. I'm here now enjoying the NYT on-line and a glass of wine. Who knows what the next moment will bring but isn't she gorgeous.

Mothers Day in the Mountains

She spent a good five hours in the pack with breaks for diaper changes. Even fed her a banana on the fly while hiking. She LOVES backpacking and we loved getting back out in the mountains.

ElizaBear in a Block

I'm in the kitchen and hear her giggling and this is what I find. She has managed to get her head in the block and it cracked her up. Great belly laughs.

SPLASH!!!

Click on this photo and view close up... Eliz has the best expression.

Lovin' their bottles

Jeff and Eliz out with cousin Lee... that is true priority setting and multitasking.

Visit to Hotlanta

Had a sick baby in Hotlanta and these photos basically sum up all of out activities. Mom and Laura rocked and held her the entire visit. She may of been a bit sick but she LOVED it.

Dancin' Fool

Visit from Jeff's Folks

Visit from Caro, Scott and Lucia

Lucia and Eliz looking up at the world.  Caro and I met the first day of college, we are both living in the pacific northwest and had daughters exactly 7 months apart.
Eliz LOVES visits especially from other little people.

A watched pot never....