I had my appointment with the Genetics Clinic at the Seattle Children’s Hospital. I was super brave when they took my blood. And the phlebotomist was from Salem, OR. She’s been to Portland and over the Hawthorne Bridge!

I had my appointment with the Genetics Clinic at the Seattle Children’s Hospital. I was super brave when they took my blood. And the phlebotomist was from Salem, OR. She’s been to Portland and over the Hawthorne Bridge!

Aunt Lisa mixed up Kenji’s animals during the night, so Kenji had to fix them right away.

Did you know that Kenji really likes balloons?


I opened my gifts from the Taylor’s, which included this great book about the 50 states.

It had a whole bunch of facts about every state, all the state flags, capitals, and American presidents. Thanks, Taylor’s!

Kenji got some cool Disney cars, which he liked a lot. He reminds me of me when I was two!

Then we decorated some cookies. We are obviously naturals.



It was also the final night of Hanukkah. After sundown, I mustered up all of my concentration to light all eight candles.

From Mom and Dad, I got a book about a dinosaur named…Dexter!

And from Grandma and Grandpa, I got a spirograph set! Thanks, Grandma and Grandpa, for the gifts all Hanukkah long!

Then when it was time to go to bed, I found Kenji cuddling with Hugs. She is so loved…

Before heading back home, Kenji and I went to the Wunderkind LEGO cafe near the University district.

And after saying goodbye to the Taylor gang, we stopped at The Old School Pizzeria in Olympia, WA for lunch. And this is what their bathroom looked like.

While we were in Seattle over the weekend, Aunt Lisa and Uncle Ryan went out to dinner, so we took care of Kenji!
First, we had a big dance party.



Then Kenji took Mommy’s shoes and keys and tried to escape.

Eventually, Kenji wheeled in his Radio Flyer. I pulled him around for a little while…


…Then it was his turn to wheel me around. I think he had fun being my chauffeur!


Kenji is Seattle’s most infamous ice cream thief.



Kenji and I set a world speed record in present-opening after we finished what felt like the world’s slowest breakfast. Must grown-ups really eat breakfast on Christmas morning???


After we were done, Kenji and I decided to stand up on our boxes and scream.


Kenji liked all of his gifts, but I think the packing material was his favorite.

While Kenji napped, I opened up my new Playmobile airplane and got to some serious playing.

Also, we had snow! So I made the world’s tiniest snowman.


We headed up to Kenji’s house on Christmas Eve. The first order of business was to check out the presents.

Then I joined the boys in watching something riveting on TV. (I think it was either “The Polar Express” or “The Smurfs,” and in both cases, I had no idea what was going on.)

Chubs liked watching us eat dinner.

After Uncle Ryan’s delicious dinner (the soba was my favorite!), I did some drawing.

Meanwhile, Kenji wondered if his Uncle Eric actually tied poop bags around his arms.

Later, while the grown-ups were busy, I did a little babysitting until it was time to go to bed before Christmas.


Today we left Seattle to come back home, but enjoyed a little morning time with Kenji.

Kenji is my favorite cousin, so I gave him a little kiss.


Kenji really liked his birthday balloons!


Bye, Kenji. See you again soon!

Tuesday was Kenji’s first birthday, but we celebrated at his house today.




I taught him how to draw airplanes.

He really wanted to get into those cabinets!

I think he liked his cake! Happy 1st birthday, Kenji!


When I visited Kenji in Seattle last month, Mommy took lots of pictures of us together, but didn’t post them all. So here they are!



Kenji loves to pull blankets over his face. And mine, too.



I was pretty fascinated with Kenji’s head.


Happy Mother’s Day!
