Queen Bee turns one.

Friends

Last Saturday, chaos reigned supreme as Rachel celebrated her first birthday.

8 kids, 8 adults and it would have been more if Ethan and Reid were healthy. A good time was had by all. Rachel made the expected mess out of the lasagna and cake, and all of the kids played well together, and until later than the parents expected.


Some gender stereotyping was on display in that she got a play kitchen set and a baby doll to play with. Rachel's not one for easy categorizations, though - when it was time to open the box with the doll, she went to get Daniel's toy drill to help.


Her one-year appointment was earlier this week, and she is, of course, perfect. Five shots were no fun, though. She weighed in at 20lbs, 11oz (40th percentile), 30 inches tall (75th percentile) and 18,125" head (also 75th). So she's tall and skinny, but no longer with a little head.


And that has to be because there's a lot going on in there. The doctor was impressed that she's both walking and has some verbal skills/words. She signs mama, papa, dog, hat, food, more, eat and what is basically "gimme that" and probably some additional signs (possibly "book"). She also understands a lot of things she can't verbalize yet. When we sing "the cleanup song" she starts putting things in boxes, when we sing "bathtime song" she goes to the stairs and climbs up. If you say "Daniel" she finds him.
















Daniel has been a great sport lately. He's been helping out with the party preparations, and he ground the nuts for Papa's hazelnut birthday cake.

"See you later Nuts. You're going to be cake.."

From the rear left:
Daniel, Harrison, Carly, Rachel, Eli, Ella, Carlos and Sergio.

That's about it for now. We'll have some fun things to report next week, but until then we'll have to leave it as a surprise.

Hasta Luego, Amigos. A.D.R.E