This guy is NOT Santa!

 

Holiday kiss

A lot of teething this week. Looks like Santa will be bringing her two front teeth. She also figured out how to climb the stairs. I followed behind her to see her technique. She did well, except for the times when she fell backwards, and I had to catch her. Just as I suspected. The saftey gates are up, so don't worry. She won't be climbing un-supervised. 

Erika's 1st Birthday Party!

She was quite hesitant to approach a cake with a stick of fire on it. Probably a good thing.

Erika is serious about cake. 

Lots of friends came to help with the wrapping paper. 

Cupcake toddles

Erika has not done any appreciable walking ever since we left grandma's house this weekend - until tonight. Tonight she was standing up, leaning with her back to the couch holding a hat, of all things, in her hands. She was very concentrated on the hat. Then she arched her back, pushing off from the couch and started walking across the room looking like a chubby businessman puzzling over the Wall Street Journal while walking down the sidewalk. Those were her first true steps of independence. She doesn't seem that worried about the stopping part. I had to grab her before she crashed into some wooden toys, but from then on she wanted to walk on her own between Jackie and me. We spent at least an hour laughing and hugging and toddling back and forth. It's quite amazing to see her on her own feet out there in a sea of carpet. So much for all those who told us we had to make her crawl for some reason.

Thanksgiving: First three steps

We spent Thanksgiving day with the Hayatsu family, and then Friday morning made our way down to Portland to stay with my mom. Erika is at that phase in which she does not like to be held by anyone but her parents. So Grandma was a bit bummed out, but Erika made it up by taking her first three steps on her own! Not just controlled falling, but three actual steps! 

Untitled Cuteness

Erika likes tissue packages

 

Fussy weekend

Cupcake has been quite fussy this weekend. I think she is fighting a cold, and she has more teeth poking out. We tried getting a picture of the mysterious third tooth but it came out blurry as you might imagine. Here in this picture, Erika is unwinding by pulling everything out of the office storage area. This really did seem to improve her mood. She does not crawl, but she can spin on her rear end.
There are those who think that crawling is a big deal, but Wetzels are not necessarily crawlers. We usually walk, and then crawl only in emergencies. My nephew, Andy, went from rolling right to running and never looked back.
He's 30 years old now and we don't know where the heck he is.

Return from Ohio, research, eye.

Jackie and Erika have returned from Ohio. After a lot of sleeping, they seemed to have recovered, and Erika has a lot more clothing in her suit case than when she left! It sounds like they had a very nice time.

Other than that, today Erika was invited to participate in another study at UW. This one on hearing. Except that she would not permit the researcher to put the earpiece in her ear. She would just give him the look. I need not elaborate on the details of the look for those familiar with Hughes women. Still, she got $15, and a tiny UW shirt, and mommy got free parking in the U district on a nice day for walking around.

This evening we had some pre-dinner drama as Erika poked my finger with her eye while I was strapping her in the high-chair. My finger was just sitting there minding it's own business, when out of no where this little eye flies into it. Of course, I had just finished eating a salted almond, so I think she got salt in her eye to make matters worse. This time I got the look for about a full 2 seconds before the crying started. She eventually forgave me.

Jackie and Erika in Ohio

Jackie and Erika flew to Ohio today; they will return Saturday. Apparently, this is a quasi-Thanksgiving visit since it is rather challenging to travel over the holiday proper even without a wiggly 10-month-old. As for me, I'm staying home leaving dishes out on the counter and possibly leaving the toilet seat up if I'm feeling really independent. We'll just have to see what happens.

Erika warms up her brain before an experiment

Today Erika participated in scientific research at the University of Washington. They do all sorts of interesting things relating to the cognitive skills of infants and children.
See: The Scientist in the Crib
This time she participated in some tests which involved retrieving a toy just out of reach using other things as tools.
When the tests first started, Erika was somewhat shy. She looked to the experimenter quite a bit as if to ask, "is it ok to touch this?" She seemed to figure out every test they gave her and grew in confidence with each try. Too bad they don't have a relentless nose biting test. She would set the gold standard. That brain in there must be doing something.

Pumpkin patch photo

Jackie & Erika cavorting in a pumpkin patch.

First posting

Well, here you have it. Our little corner of the wild, wild internet.
It has been said that any technology invented before you turn 18 is the natural way of things.
Any technology to come around when you are between 18 and 35 is probably something you could get a job doing.
Any technology appearing after you hit 35 is simply unnatural.
I learned about Blogs when I was 35.01 years old. This is my first attempt. I'm more alarmed than intrigued, and I doubt I will get the hang of it.