One Year Old Esther

Unbelievable.  That's how it feels that our baby girl (if it's even fair to call her a baby anymore) is turning one year old today.  One year ago we had a normal Monday planned.  One year ago I woke up and continued to feel Braxton Hicks contractions as I had for several days but thought I'd ask my doctor about them at the next day's appointment.  One year ago we sat on the back porch and read the newspaper while Austin played in the yard.  One year ago we took an afternoon walk that ended by jogging up the hill towards our house because of a sudden light rain shower.  One year ago we ate dinner like usual and started to load the dishwasher.  One year ago my water broke in the middle of loading the dishwasher and we scrambled to find someone to watch Austin before we headed to the hospital.  One year ago our little Esther popped into the world after a short labor and two pushes.  One year ago we marveled at the miracle of a new baby as we gazed at her through the side of her isolette.

But today...

• Esther weighs about 19 pounds, according to the scale in my parents' bathroom.  That's the same weight the Wii gave her last month.  Hmm.  We won't have an official weight until her one year checkup on July 18.
• Esther has learned how to clap and wave.  She started doing that stuff right after she started crawling.  It was an exciting week.
• Esther can't quite pull up to standing yet but gosh she seems close.  Any day now.
• Esther's ability to feed herself has really taken off this month.  She can now eat pretty much whatever the rest of the family is eating.  Sometimes she hardly eats anything, then she'll surprise us one night and eat a huge meal.
• Esther starts flinging food off her tray when she's done.  I think she learned that from her cousin Milo.
• I find the variety of foods she eats impressive given that she STILL has no teeth.  She has continued to be fussy the last few days though.  They've got to come soon, right?
• Esther likes ice cream.  When the family got soft serve a few weeks ago, I gave her a little bit.  Then she went "ah ah ah ah" until given another.  And so on.  Sheesh.
• Esther does not like cow's milk much.  She is still nursed three times a day but I've been trying to give her a little additional whole milk with a morning snack.  She'll take a few sips then push the cup away.
• Esther has a toy cell phone.  She pushes the buttons and then holds it up by her head.  I don't remember teaching her to do that.  Kids these days!
• Esther also likes to play with Daddy's Ipod Touch.  She scoots her little finger over it like she was born with a piece of technology in her hand.  Good grief.
• Esther can play catch.  If you roll a ball to her, she'll pick it up, hold her arm out, and drop it.  Of course, she usually holds her arm out to the side so the ball generally rolls away from her playmate but it's fun nonetheless.
• Esther continues to be a mommy's girl.  When she wants me to pick her up she crawls over and butts her head against my leg.
• BUT...Esther happily spent an hour in the crawler's room at Pops and Gran's church and didn't cry.  Making progress.
• Although I think it's fair to say I'm Esther's favorite person, she has been saying "Daddy" semi-regularly for a few weeks.  She says "Mommy" occasionally but Daddy more often.  Needless to say, she is one of our favorite people.

Esther Bug, I love you more than words can say.  You bring joy to my life every day and I am so grateful that God gifted me with a daughter!

Esther's 1st Birthday, the Texas Edition

Although Esther's birthday is not until Tuesday, we celebrated with our Texas family this weekend.  (We will get to celebrate again with my side of the family in a few days, stay tuned!)  Our kids are blessed (as are we) to have such a big, loving extended family.  We really enjoyed the day with Gran and Pops, Uncle Heath, Granny and Grampa Collins (Zach's grandparents), Aunt Debbie and Uncle Paddy and their baby Faith (whom we met for the first time since God brought her to them through adoption), and Paddy's mom, "Mrs. Patty."  Unfortunately Esther seems to be on the verge of getting her first teeth and frankly, had one of her fussiest days ever, but there were lots of loving arms to hold and comfort her.

I used a ladybug theme, of course, for my little Esther Bug.  My friend Laura taught me how to make these cupcakes, and she also gave me the idea for the tablecloth.

They're watching you!

This one's watching you, too!

Esther had fun opening her presents and playing with her new toys.

It's not just me, right?  This girl is ADORABLE.

And then of course there was the cake.  Once she got going, this little chocoholic didn't stop until most of the cupcake was in her tummy or on her face.  Yeah, that's my girl!

Esther wasn't the only one covered in cupcake.  Austin took those frosting-covered hands and rubbed them in his hair!  Ah, that's what bathtubs are for.

Happy early birthday, Esther!  And fond remembrances of my Grandma Irene, from whom Esther gets her middle name, who died 18 years ago today.

Vacation

I am feeling rather lazy of late but why not?  We're on vacation!  Nine days ago we packed up our van and began the long journey to visit our family in Texas.  Three days later we arrived, after a pit stop in the Kansas City area to surprise my mom for her birthday.  (Props to my sister for arranging everything so Mom was completely shocked to see us.  So fun.)  When people hear we drive to places as far away as Texas they tend to  react like we're a bit crazy but to us crazy is being strapped into an airplane with two little ones and no way out.  At least in the car if they fuss no one hears but us. :)  Actually, I think our kids do pretty well in the car and Zach and I enjoy road trips ourselves.  Esther keeps herself occupied with toys and besides asking for snacks ("sumpin to eat an sumpin to dwink") every two minutes, Austin handles himself well, too.

But here we are and it has certainly been nice to NOT be in the car all the time for the last five days.  We have been staying quite busy: a Rangers game on Monday, the science and technology museum on Tuesday, the zoo yesterday...and of course lots of rock throwing in the pond out back.  I have been loving all the time to read while the kids nap or after bedtime.  Just finished In the Company of Others by Jan Karon (from her Father Tim series; if you haven't read her stuff I highly recommend it) and have started the Duggars' book plus my book group's July selection, Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah.  I don't think that last one is a book I'd choose on my own but since I'm hosting next month's meeting I figured reading the book would be nice.

Zach and I have enjoyed some child-free evenings revisiting places from our past.  There's a mile-long walking/jogging path near Bill and Becky's old house on which Zach and I took many late evening walks the first year we were married; we did two loops Sunday night at 9pm in the 95 degree heat.  Of course that called for strawberry limeades at Sonic afterward.  Then last night we had dinner at Razzoo's in downtown Fort Worth and just wandered around a bit.  Lots of good downtown memories from college.  We do love this town.

I have been pretty good about taking pictures but haven't put them on the computer yet.  Later, I promise.

A Little Explanation

A few people asked why Austin is in physical therapy so I thought I'd give a word of explanation.  He is a toe walker.  We asked our pediatrician about it at his two year and two and a half year checkups and was told "it's just a habit" but at three years we felt like it was something that needed to be addressed before the habit became unbreakable.  So we've been going to PT for about two months.  Although he was wary at first, Austin loves it now.  He gets to climb and jump on all sorts of fun equipment and Carole usually lets him drop a parachute-wearing "Buzz Lightenyear" over the lobby's second floor railing before we go home.  Carole thinks Austin's issue was initially due to both habit and some muscle weakness but she thinks his strength is improving and we're mostly dealing with the habit now.  So if you see my son, feel free to remind him to walk on his whole foot. :)

Just a Few Cute Things I Don't Want to Forget

Austin has said some awfully cute things this week and I don't want to forget them.

• Austin calls physical therapy "mickle serapy."  This always brings a smile to my face.
• At physical therapy this week, Carole (the physical therapist) asked if Austin was going to do anything fun this weekend.  Zach prompted him to talk about our upcoming trip to Texas, asking "Who are we going to see in Texas?"  Austin replied "The Wan-gers!  And we gonna wear our hats!"  (Zach and Austin have matching Rangers hats and Zach had told him that we'll probably go to a game while we're there.)
• At the park a few days ago Austin desperately wanted Zach to play with him instead of Esther.  He said "Daddy, I think you need me!  You neeeeed me!  You neeeeed me!"  Projecting his feelings a bit, hmm?

Anniversary Outing

Zach and I celebrated nine years of marriage this week!  Our wonderful and generous date night-swapping friends Liz and Scott said they would watch our kids for a longer-than-usual date if we wanted to do something special.  A few days later I found out that the Duggars were going to be in Pittsburgh to sign their new book.  I'm a fan so this was exciting news for me!

Obviously people have differing opinions about this particular family, but I think they're fantastic.  Although we don't agree with 100% of their beliefs, I think we share all the essentials of the Christian faith.  They are genuine, loving, and glorify God with their words and actions.  And in person, they seem pretty much the same as they do on TV.

The whole family is on tour so Barnes and Noble had four tables set up full of Duggars.  We were directed to a table with Anna, Jessa, Jeremiah, and Johannah.  (I was kind of disappointed that you were only allowed to go one table, especially since there was not a huge crowd but oh well, you take what you get.)  I could hardly believe that Anna came on this tour; she is due to have a baby in a couple of weeks!  Now I don't personally know what it is like to be 38 weeks pregnant but I'm pretty sure traveling hundreds of miles from home wouldn't have been on my to-do list!  She said she and Josh were very excited to be there, though.

We were told that posed pictures at the table wouldn't be allowed and it was hard to get good shots from the line but here are a few I managed to snap.

The family sang before going to the table to sign books.  It was sweet to hear all the little ones' voices joining in loud and proud.

Don't you just love Johannah's signature?

I took this in the parking lot when Zach and I came out of P.F. Chang's where we ate lunch after the signing.  It's hard to see, but John David, Jinger, Josh, and one of the little boys were throwing a football around.  I thought that was so neat--I have heard them talk about their siblings being their best friends and I think this shows that they really mean it.

A Few Cute Pictures

Just thought the grandparents would like to see the family this week. :)