Just to end up at your door

Tessa, our big girl, has decided she wants to go from four legs (crawling) to two. We decided we needed to capture some of her first steps on film. The most steps she's taken in one go is nine. Nine! Enjoy!

 

Ten fingers and toes

Today I've been feeling pretty nostalgic about Tessa's birth. This little girl has completely changed our lives. Today I've just had an incredible urge to count her toes, and kiss her cheeks and breath her in. Thank you to my mother-in-law who thought to take pictures of that day.

 ^After a long night of hard work and just before an even longer night of hard work^

 ^Look how teeny-tiny!^

 And this last is probably my favorite from that day. She's so alert:

Hmmmm maybe we need another newborn in this house...

Bubbles

My little bubble round and bright

A floating bead that catches light.

The rainbow colors she displays

Glisten in the sunlight's rays.

And if I try and get too near

She'll run and pop and disappear.

This is currently my favorite picture. A few days ago Tessa saw bubbles for the first time and it was wonderful. I think we may have to get her some for her birthday! And yes, I wrote that poem. Just now. To go with the picture. 

Reunited and it feels so good

A couple of days ago I decided it had been too long since Tessa saw her favorite playmate, Tessa K. I pulled out our long mirror and told Tessa I had a big surprise for her. As soon as I turned the mirror around and she saw her reflection she squealed and crawled over as fast as she could. They had a lot to talk about and mom got pretty jealous of all the kisses Tessa K was getting. I think we're going to have to put a mirror up in her room so they can say good morning to each other every day! 

^Thanks for the surprise mom!^

It was a great little play date. 

The last days of Summer

Well, it's the 20th of September. I've already started school and Brady starts on Monday. We can feel summer coming to a close. Luckily, yesterday (thanks to the weather) we were able to soak up the last few sunny days in Seattle. It's made me realize what a wonderful summer it has been! So many exciting adventures and still more to come. So! Summer. What is it good for?

Summers are good for sitting on the back porch, nearly naked in the warm summer air

Summers are good for playing in adorable pools with a little friend

^As you can see they're still learning how to play 'with' each other but they sure are good at playing 'around' each other.^ 

^This may be the cutest pool I've ever seen.^

Summers are good for eating fresh tomatoes right off the vine:

Summers are good for making messes:

But most especially, summer is really good at making my baby smile:

Hopefully you get an opportunity to squeeze in some final "summer fun" days!

Happy weekend! 

White hearts, a duck, and some cheerios

^Wearing our very favorite rain coat. Check. Little friends for the road. Check. Snacks and refreshments. Check.^

Every day Tessa and I take a walk down the Burke-Gilman trail. I think both of us thrive on routine. She used to hate riding in her stroller but as you'll see in the pictures below, she's found other ways to occupy herself:

^Mom's eye view^

I know in a couple of years I may be singing a different tune but gosh thumb sucking is so cute!!!

Brady says that I put the "cut" in haircut

On Saturday Brady finally talked me into giving him a haircut. He normally has his littler sister do it because she's a professional and awesome and so willingly does it for free. Melissa, however, lives in Utah and we live states away, that means the task of haircutting has fallen into my not so willing hands. I looked at tutorial after tutorial and was feeling semi-confident when we got started. Then it all went down-hill from there. Luckily, the only girl he needs to impress is me and I think he's pretty cute no matter what he looks like!

Before:

^What a lot of hair!^

^I'd like you to meet our new pet, Todo.^

After:

^Ha! I had ya going didn't I! He calls this his "Curtis face" (that's his little brother).^

After after:

Occasionally I'll find a spot I missed or hairs that are longer than everything else but It really doesn't look that bad. Except for the chunk of hair I accidentally took off behind his ear...

Happy Monday!

Geese and fountains

Today we decided to go surprise daddy. The Washington campus is so beautiful this time of year.

^Tessa has been practicing walking a lot lately.^

^They sure love chasing geese.^

^If you look closely, you'll notice their hair flips exactly the same way. Like the only difference is the color. Crazy!^

Tonight we're taking Tessa camping. It'll be her very first time sleeping in a tent so wish us luck. Also, can you believe this used to be my baby girl? I mean, her face is still all mushed and everything. Gah, so cute! 

Happy Friday!

Flower gleam and glow...

Found these pictures from when Tessa was teeny-tiny. We still don't use a hairbrush. I'm probably setting myself up for some pretty epic wrestling-we-have-to-brush-that-rat's-nest matches by not getting her used to it. She won't wear bibs, or socks, or shoes either for that same reason. Silly little hipster and silly mama.

Through the looking glass

Tessa has loved our new home. When she's not outside playing she's spending most of her time looking through the big sliding glass door. I've never read Through The Looking Glass (the sequel to Alice in Wonderland) but one of my favorite movies as a kid was Magic In The Mirror. It. is. a. classic. I would watch it over and over again and then stand in front of my parents bedroom mirror waiting to enter my own magic world. I'd touch the glass with my hand, sit on my parents bed and wait a bit, then touch the glass again. I always hoped that just once my hand would go through. Tessa has found her own "magic mirror". She is so mesmerized by the world outside her "looking glass"(our big sliding door)- the trees, the birds, the grass and swings, and most especially the children.  

Today as I was sitting and watching Tessa press herself against the glass I saw myself, seventeen years ago, wanting to get through my parents mirror. I wrapped my arms around her and whispered, "That sure looks magical doesn't it? Let's get you through that glass." I took her little hand and pushed open the sliding door. We counted to three and then jumped into the world she so desperately wanted to explore. I love getting to play imagination with my daughter. 

This last picture is my favorite :) How can you say "no" to that? 

In this house we jump through a magic looking glass. And it is awesome.