Happy Easter (belated)

We went to Lucy's house for Easter, and Scarlett had her first potato pancakes.  I ate an unbelievable amount of deviled eggs.  Charlie had ham.  There were mimosas, of course.  So everyone was happy.  Except maybe Lucy, in this picture below, because Scarlett is creeping up behind her to steal her soul.

Last year on Easter, Lucy and family came to our house, along with Scarlett's cousin, aunt and uncle (and cousin-on-the-way).  Scarlett was two months old and grumpy with me that day.  I remember it was really hot.  No matter what I did, she cried every time I got near her.  So that day, Charlie made homemade perogis while holding Scarlett in the sling, because he is a Renaissance Man.

Happy Easter to my sweet little girl.

Scarlett's first concert tix

Such a Grown Up

I can already picture Scarlett as a teenager.

This smiling face

So, the Blazers are stinking the place up again, but at least I have this gorgeous face to come home to:

Would it kill her to wear a barrette for longer than 10 minutes?

One of the greatest comebacks in NBA history

This afternoon, Charlie and I went to the most unbelievable Blazers game.  For most of the 3rd quarter, I was sitting there with my head in my lap, wishing we could leave already, wishing we were out enjoying the sunniest day we've had all year (68 degrees) instead of stuck inside watching the basketball massacre of 2011.  We were down 23 points.  But miracles happened in the fourth quarter, and the Blazers came back for a win.  We scored 35 points to their 15.  I still can't believe it happened, but we're still in the playoffs and there are a lot of happy Portlanders today.  Like these two kids, for example.

And our attendance at the game was brought to you by Amber, Shaggy and Lucy, who hung out with Scarlett all afternoon and allowed her to do her favorite things: look at dogs, sit on the sidewalk, and play with sticks.

Bike ride

Ride downtown today with Scarlett.

Components of a happy evening

1. Baby sleeping peacefully
2. Tuna melt
3. Blazers playoff win

Also, Scarlett had her first Jamba Juice today.  I always thought Jamba would be a good name for a baby.

And lastly, Scar tried to hit Lucy with a stick twice this week.  In fairness, at least one instance was accidental.  The other might have been self-defense.  Here is Jamba Dickerson herself, looking for something new to hit with a stick.

Working out

Scarlett lifting weights

Rip City Baby

Ready for the Playoffs.  Go Blazers!!

14 months

My dear Scarlett,

This month, you've been smiling nonstop.  You laugh.  You run to us with arms open wide for big hugs.  You kiss.   You are so happy and playful, I can't help but feel like as your parents, we've done something right.

On walks, your dad and I will hold your hands and swing you in between us.  So now, if you want us to swing you, you'll stop and lift up one leg.  You also do this when you want us to carry you, or pick you up to put you in the bath tub.  Stop, lift one leg, then look up at us as in 'you do the next step mom'. 

I showed you how to skip and march.  But when you try, you just squat in one place.

You know the sounds made by cows, owls and lions.  But ask what a dog says, you just answer 'dog'.

After work, if it's sunny, we've been walking up the street to visit the three dogs that live around the corner.  Next to them is a backyard full of chickens, so we've started looking at those too.  The other day, you reached through the fence to pat one little dog on his nose.

One really exciting development is that you will now sit on our laps, looking at books for a long time. Sometimes we read the same book 4 times in a row.  Other times, you get bored after the first page and reach for a new one.  Your favorite books lately are 100 First Words, where you point at all the pictures because you know so many of them, and Animal Kisses, where you like to touch the velvety cow lips and kiss all the animals.  Sometimes, you love on your books too much.

Bedtime routine has changed.  I no longer get to hold you at night- you're too squirmy and want to lay down in your crib, so I sit next to it and sing to you, and I put my hand through the slats in the crib and you reach out for it.

My car hit 100,000 miles this month too.

Thank you for being my happy little girl.  Happy 14 months!
Love mama

More about teeth

Upon further investigation, it appears that the two teeth in the aforementioned post are actually four teeth, one in each corner of the mouth.  Four teeth at once! My vote is that the lower right will be the first one to pop through. 

I wonder if this beautiful smile is going to change?

Abe

The dark days ahead

Yesterday I discovered two puffy, swollen spots on each of Scarlett lower gums.  Those illusive back teeth are finally arriving. 

We haven't dealt with teeth since November, so it feels brand new, and I'm nervous about the immediate road ahead though I'm also excited for Scar to finally be able to chew crunchier foods.

We've had night-wakings on two of the past three nights.  And Scarlett has been chewing on Arnie's foot, something she has never done before.  This is where I take a deep breath and say, this too shall pass.

Scar and honest Abe, in a happier moment

Odds & Ends

Scarlett has been really into giving kisses lately, like this sweet exchange with Tavish.  She's always willing to give kisses to a stuffed animal or a dog.  With mom and dad though, we only get the love occasionally.

And of course, she likes to spend time catching up on current events.  But who doesn't, really?

Eh Uh

Scarlett's newest word is 'Esther', which sounds like 'Eh Uh' when she says it.  Today, she and grandma pretended to call Eh Uh on the phone.  And can you blame them- look at how cute that Esther is!

And speaking of cute baby friends, Scarlett had a fun time with Lucy this week also.  And by 'fun time with' I mean that Scarlett would grab every toy from Lucy and take it from her.

And check out this dog friend!

Weeding