Bye, Bye Binky

At 13 months old, Esme has finally given up her bink. I thought it would be difficult to get her to give it up (she was a HUGE fan of her bink!) but it overly easy. We went to bed on the 19th of January and when we woke up on the 20th I put it away. I had anticipated having to give it to her at night time for a few months but she fell asleep without it and it has been history ever since! Well done Peepers! I also tried to get her to give up bottles at this time but was less successful. The sippy cup of milk got tossed at me more than once. I think I will choose my battles and try that one another month.

My timeline is a bit out of order but I wanted to mention that Esme received a lovely box of Christening/Birthday and Christmas presents from her God father Michael and Veronica. They sent her tons of presents including a framed photo of her and her godfather, prints from our visit in September, an Octobubble Orchestra (an instant bath time favorite!), and a lovely comb set for her christening. She loved it all and is thankful to have such a thoughtful God father!

Some pictures of Esme with her Octobubble Orchestra






A video of Ez with her bath toy


Ezzy also received a special birthday/Christmas box from her God mother Abbie! Abbie sent her clothes, books, a framed picture and a super cool first kitchen toy! Esme loves the kitchen and knows all of the songs really well. If you sing one of the songs from the toy, she will run over and push the button that plays that song. She is one smart cookie!

When Ez was about 13 months we made a trip down to Philadelphia for Stephen's bell ringing and to spend some time with family in the area. Stephen had fun ringing the bells and we all had fun at Dick and Miriam's house.

The two towers that Stephen rung at




Here is a video of Ez at Dick and Miriam's house. She loved all of the toys they had! In this video she says hi, does the all done hand gesture and points out people.


Esme with Uncle Dick and Aunt Miriam


Dick and Miriam are always such gracious hosts and we are truly blessed to have them near by. We look forward to visiting them again in the near future.

Ez has been busy learning where parts of her body are. She has the nose down pat...sometimes she even sticks her finger up it- just to be clear!

Ez also loves to play with the kitties. She bashes them over the head from time to time but they are just happy to have someone to play with! Here is a video of her playing with Beans. She thinks it is hilarious!!

Post Christmas in Seattle

We spent an afternoon at the Imagine! Children's Museum in Everett with Michelle, Avery and Uncle James. The girls had a really good time and were so cute together- they really are the cutest little girls I have ever seen!

Esme discovered stairs on our trip to Seattle and was sprinting for the stairs at the museum every chance she got. She is a complete daredevil and isn't afraid of anything.







The water room was a definite favorite!


Notice the matching shoes? Great moms think alike!



Aves and Michelle (we are due two days apart for baby #2!)



While we were there, we met up with my Aunt Peggy for breakfast at one of my favorite restaurants! She brought Ez birthday and Christmas pressies and treated us to breakfast- she really is the best Auntie in the world! Grandpa John surprised us and showed up, too! We all had to drive through miserable snow to get there but we all made it safely!




We had an evening at Tiffany and Paul's house! We didn't get many pictures but Esme had fun racing around the house and proving to her god mother that she is a dare devil! Paul had passed a very important exam that day and Esme was infatuated with his balloons!


We spent some more time with Grandma Gale and Grandpa John. Grandpa John plays the drums and Esme was very interested. She has a lot of musical blood so maybe she will play something someday :)


Here is a video of her playing drums with grandpa


We also spent some time on the hill with Great Grandpa and Grandma. Here is a very sweet picture of Esme asleep on Great Grandpa Wil's chest.



While we were in Seattle, Aunt Megan had an engagement party! The party was abosolutely fabulous and it was fun to celebrate such a great couple. My closest friends have ended up with the best guys and I am thankful for that. I was honored to be asked to be one of Meg's bridesmaids and I can't wait. I will have four months to lose baby weight...at least it will motivate me! Ezzy stayed home with Grandma but was there in spirit! Here are a few pictures.



The prego friends (due two days apart) and the bride to be!


We had a great two weeks in Seattle with family and friends and look forward to returning in July for Megan and Justin's wedding!