January stuff

Hello again after a couple of weeks off the grid. We are all doing well and hope you are, too.

Ella is getting closer and closer to walking, standing up by herself and pushing a large toy car while walking behind. As you'll see from the videos below, she's a good talker. Nate is practically running now, is a bit more shy than Ella but is cute as ever.

We're just now getting them off bottles (a bit later than recommended). Last night was pretty rough for both and we're thinking that is why; they just aren't big fans of milk from sippy cups. But we are getting them milk/calcium in other ways, and they are drinking lots of water.

Here are some recent pictures and a series of short videos, shot by Karin in a somewhat "Blair Witch Project" style ...

Getting tickled on the couch:














Ella puts her baby to bed (Daddy finally had a moment to put the crib together):














Video vignettes:

Kids Think the Darndest Things Are Funny ...

Hope everyone had a happy New Year's! Nate continues to hone his walking skills. Ella stood up by herself without pulling on anything the other day. But the biggest Ella news is that she strung a couple of words together into her first sentence today, while looking up at the sky: "Bye bye plane."

Here, Nate enjoys a laugh during supper:


And here's a shot of Ella with her good buddy Lila:

Christmas 2009

Hello everyone! Just a quick post-Christmas note and a couple of photos. We had a nice with with Grandma and Grandpa T., Uncle Colin, Aunt Erin and Uncle Kevin in Spokane. The kids received many wonderful Christmas presents (thanks everyone!) We actually had a bit of a second Christmas back in Seattle this morning, opening gifts which we hadn't taken to Spokane. Nate and Ella are having a great time playing with all their presents. Thanks to Aunt Erin who took some of the photos below:

Nate is still fighting a cold but doing better. He continues to walk all over. Ella particularly loves her new baby doll.

Nate checks out the tree in Spokane a few days before Christmas:














Hello dolly: Ella meets her new baby on Christmas:














... and Elmo, who she calls "Melmo":














Nate meets Cookie Monster:














Back in Seattle, Nate plays with his new farm while Ella looks on:

Nate practices walking; more shots from Christmas party ...

Here's a video of Nate taking some steps (sorry for the sideways-ness, again):


And here are more nice shots from the recent family Christmas party, courtesy of Auntie Erin:

Maybe next year.....

The kids and I (along with our friends Sara and Lila) went to UVillage this year for Santa pictures. It didn't go so well.

15-month check-up, family Christmas party

Lots of photos in this one as we've had a lot of fun ones pile up on us. First things first: Nate and Ella got a clean bill of health at their slightly late 15-month check-up last week. Nate is just shy of 25 pounds now, and Ella broke the 20-pound barrier at 20-9. Dr. Nyweide seems very pleased with their progress, which is always reassuring to hear. Nate has been taking some steps! Ella is still cruising but already has about 20 words in vocabulary!

Here are a few shots from a family Christmas party just today!

Nate and Ella share some Christmas cheer with Grandma and Grandpa T.:














Family picture:














Nate gets a boost from Aunt Erin and goes for an ornament:














Still to come: Pictures from last month's Portland trip!

Shots from Thanksgiving and more ...

Hello Nate and Ella fans! We have had a busy couple of weeks, including a fun-but-tiring trip to California for Thanksgiving. It was great to see many family members down there, including Grandpa. H. Here are some shots:

Cousin Rosie with Ella:














Cousin Jake with Ella:














Grandpa H., Nate and Aunt Julie:














Ella shares and Elmo with Grandpa H.:














Nate and cousin Mimi (aka Miriam)














Uncle Tim and cousin Rosie:














First Thanksgiving solids!














Nate, Aunt Mary and cousin Rosie:


And some more recent shots. Cold weather has really hit here, and Nate and Ella have donned winter coats: