Extended Family Birthday Party = Extensive Post

We had another birthday party for Rachel on Saturday the 24th of April.  We loved having the extended family over.  Everybody took turns holding Rachel and helping her open gifts.  Thank you for all the wonderful presents!  You are too kind.

Then came cake!

It doesn't matter what she is eating.  Rachel almost always unloads her plate

"See Mom?  It's a plate!"

Her attempt at eating the cake in one bite didn't work out so well.

 And ended up under her legs.

She LOVES cake.

And doesn't really care what's going on around her when she's eating it.

 Her eating reverie was disrupted by Grandpa Goodwin's farewell.

She enjoyed quite a sugar high.

Which was quickly followed by her sugar crash.

She was done with her cake and done with partying.

The "after-party" started with a quick dip.

Then we got busy opening the last remaining presents.  (Yes, she was spoiled this year.  But, most everything she got was something that she needed anyway.)

TJ jumped in and began putting her "Walk 'n Ride" together.  Rachel thought she'd help.

She loved it.

I practically had to pry her away to open her last remaining gift.

Doug quickly put her "Busy Ball Popper" together.

We played with it until Rachel crashed.

Happy Birthday Rachel!  We love you!

April 12th

Rachel woke up at 5:30am.  I turned on "Baby Einstein" to keep her quiet until 6:30.  I muted it, but you can still see flashes of light when you are trying to sleep. 

We had a leisurely breakfast of oatmeal and pears. 

From that point on Rachel was on the move.

Meanwhile, Zoe basked in her favorite sunspot.

Rachel didn't take a morning nap.  So, she fell asleep before we were finished with lunch.

I blogged, facebooked and organized pictures while Rachel slept. 

After her nap she watched some "Sesame Street."

Then I corralled her in her playpen so that I could put pictures in frames and hang artwork.

Doug and Kaleb finished up the guest room (Kaleb's room) closet.  Doug painted the ceiling and trim.  I'll be able to decorate once the walls are painted, the outlets finished, and the rug down.  Then Kaleb can move in.  I think he'll be glad to have a space of his own. 

After her bath Rachel and I read books together.  At bedtime she went right to sleep without even stirring.

Doug and I had a few minutes to ourselves.  We watched "Big Bang Theory" and went to bed.