Bloomin' Seattle

Somehow, we wound up taking a lot of photos during our Seattle trip. So, rather than bestowing them all upon you at once, I going to try and group them around themes. The one thing about all the rain is that there are a lot of beautiful flowers. Ella likes flowers. Sarah does too. Here are some photos.

Mom and Sarah at the English Gardens at the Ballard Locks.


Sarah is wondering to which phylum these Irises belong.


Ella is drawn to the "hot pink" flowers.


Here are some other flowers we saw at the English Garden.



We also went to the Rose Garden at the University of Washington. Ella went exploring. Here's your chance to play "Where's Ella?"


Finally, there were a lot of pretty wild flowers at the parking lot for Snoqualmie Falls. Like these, for instance.


Ella enjoyed picking them.

10 months

Dear Sarah,



This was a big month for you! You are now mobile. And I now have to sweep a lot more often and more thoroughly. (Darn that pincer grip!) The first thing you like to do in the morning is crawl to Big Sister’s room. That’s where all the cool toys (and kids) are. In the same week, you started pulling yourself up to standing. You like to help me unload the dishwasher.



In other milestone news, you’ve cut your first tooth. Following in the footsteps of your big sister, you had the unfortunate timing to teethe while on vacation. We flew up to Seattle to visit Stacy and Kara over the 4th of July and had a great time exploring the Emerald City. Here we are at the Ballard Locks.



So this month also marked your first airplane ride -- and our first flight as a family of four. (I heart curbside check-in!) You’re a great traveler – a real trooper, to put up with a wacky lack of a schedule, too few naps in your crib and too many late nights – all with minimal complaint and a smile on your face.



We bid adieu to the beloved “baby bucket” this month – the car seat that pops in and out of the car and into the stroller. It was a sad day that was long overdue. But you’re much happier sitting up in the big kid car seat. And now I just have to plan my errands around your naps as best I can.



Much love,
Mama