A New Buddy

Oooh, Stella has a new friend.

Luke (2) and his little brother, Kirk (3 months), popped by for a lovely visit earlier this week with their fabulous parents, Nancy and Chris. Mama went to middle and high school Nancy, and it was wonderful to catch up with such a dear friend.

Stella was pretty entranced by Luke and was totally perplexed by Kirk - is he a doll or a real baby? - and seemed to enjoy showing them around her digs.

Thanks to the Walker family for taking time to visit us in the 'ham. We can't wait to see you next month when we visit the Bay Area!

Biker Babe

Two wheels are better than four.

Our neighbors, Brian and Lisa, have been fabulous about handing down baby gear since their kids are a bit older than Stella. We were thrilled to find this fantastic bike seat on our porch recently. With a spanky new helmet (which she tolerates surprisingly well), Stella motored around yesterday with a huge grin on her face. We stopped by the Farmers Market and then headed down to the Marina to see some friends. She loved it.

The best part of my day, as Stella's Mama, was hearing her hum and sing behind me as I pedalled around. What fun.

Little Bird

Last week, we were lucky enough to have a quick visit with Auntie Ann and Uncle Pat who were visiting from New Jersey. It was great to catch up and visit as Stella played and ate lunch. She loves her new birdie toy - a red cardinal that Ann and Pat often see in their backyard. Thank you!

We love you guys!

(There's no actual picture of Stella with her Great Aunt and Uncle because Mama was enjoying her visit too much and forgot to grab the camera. Oops.)

A Cow Says Curly Fries

Stella had her first taste of the county Fair last week. Despite high temperatures, Stella reveled in seeing all the critters brought to show and loved having Grandpa and Grandma Jannie take turns holding her. Lucky kid.

Stella also had her first official taste of curly fries. Cautious at first...

...she quickly seemed devastated that we waited an entire year before introducing her to this fine delicacy.

Stella was quite mesmerized by the cows. Mama never thought she'd find bovine so beautiful. Go figure.

Samuel Kennedy had grand plans for this potato in the Fair's vegetable animal-figure contest. (At least that's what we're calling the contest. We're not really sure what's going on here.)

He had visions of grandeur. He drew upon a divine source of creativity. He plotted. He planned. He prayed.

He submitted this.

An island perhaps? A botched nose job? An ancient Viking relic?

Blessed be kind Fair judges.

Hoopy Birthday

Happy Birthday, Eva Maria and Olivia! Stella got to see her big girl cousins for a belated birthday celebration this weekend. While Stella is used to running around with her wee buds, it was hilarious to see her making the rounds with the big kids. She was mesmerized. She especially loved the girls' hula hoop.

And while it looks like Poppy is sitting in a hula hoop here, he's actually showing Stella the girls' new Nature Encyclopedia. It's never too early, right?

Rain Exists. And So Do We.

It's raining again.

Instead of moping around the house (a plausible and appealing option to some of us), we bundled up and headed out to our local farmers market. We stopped at a street fair along the way and eventually realized that a warm August rain ain't so bad.

Stella loves the Bellingham Farmers Market. People to watch, veggies to eat, jugglers to... juggle. Life is good.

We brought home some delicious and local organic corn, and Stella pretty much demanded that she eat hers on the cob. Cautious at first, Stella dove in like a pro and ate the whole cob with bravado.

She then used the spent cob as a spoon for her yogurt.
We're thinking she's onto something.

Sustainable and compostable cutlery. Hmmmm.

Now That I'm One...

I wear big girl boots.

I handle the stick like a pro while working the runway.

I help with the laundry.

I push Papa to the limit with a strict fitness regimen.

I give Sheila E. a run for her money.

I entrance my parents more and more.