jessica mcdougall

I found this Sprout organic baby food yesterday at Whole Foods in Las Vegas. 

Gabrielle loved it and I was ready to eat it myself - it tasted that good. I'm checking out their website today and looks like there are all kinds of other delicious options. 

 

And the first time I saw these Boogie Wipes I thought "Cute name, unnecessary product." But Ali told me how great they are, so I picked up a package and now I'm so glad that I did because I have a cold and I'm using them myself. They have just a hint of saline in them and a nice refreshing scent - a much better alternative to rough, drying tissues!

We're nearing the end of our visit to the Seattle area - departing tomorrow for Las Vegas. What an incredible time it's been to be here and see family and great friends, enjoy delicious food, see the sights, and be thankful for where I grew up.

This is a wonderful time of year to visit because you can experience all kinds of weather.

I'm grateful that in addition to the stormy, rainy days...

the sun did shine!  

I got to look out on the city of Seattle from the Space Needle and say to myself, "Wow, what a beautiful and delightful place." And I'm glad to have gotten to share it with Bruna, and Lourdes, Belen and Thadeo who made the trip to Seattle to join in the fun.

A visit to the Seattle Aquarium.

Rebekah and Gabrielle checking out the octopus.

Hello Mr. Fish.

Cousins Lucy and Gabrielle on the prowl in their strollers.

So sweet to have Gabrielle in her scarf from Makie.

Beautiful landscaping at the aquarium.

And don't you love the positioning of gift shops just at the end!     

Feast your eyes on these.

Fresh strawberries at Tacoma Boys.

A grilled ham sandwich at Urbane.

Jeffrey's short rib roll at Urbane.

Refreshing lemonade.

A Beecher's grilled cheese and fresh salad.

Arguably Seattle's best pizza at Italian Spaghetti House on Lake City Way.

Italian salad served family style.

And there's nothing more delightful than an orange sherbet finish.

Guacamole at Cactus on Alki Beach.

The football-size meat calzone.

Simple side salad.

Hot, fresh, mini donuts!

Incredible color inspiration at Pike Place Market.

Leeks.

And Gabrielle will have one banana puff, please.

Man, I love these sweet little humans.

Henry McDougall.

Lucy McDougall.

Anna Edwards.

Simon Edwards.

Just drove by this car charging station at the Sea-Tac Airport!

An interesting glimpse of what our future world will be like.

It's such a delight to come to an age of realization and discovery in which you know what incredible people your siblings are. This is definitely the current case for me in regards to my sister, Ali. Wow, what a gem she is. What a daily inspiration to so many people whose lives she has touched through her actions, her images, and her words. I'm pretty sure I've admired her since before I can remember - and that's a good feeling to have.

I'm so proud of you, Ali. And I'm proud to be your sister and your friend. Happy Birthday!

Super cute new Stella McCartney for Gap kid's items available online today!

What a delightful day! Your first Halloween. 

I dressed you in your "Bad TUTU the Bone" costume to go with Hip (Mama) Bone and Milk (Bruna) Bone. You loved the fluffy neon yellow tutu. I found it while shopping with Grandma and Grandpa on your first trip to South Park Mall after you were born. When I saw the tutu, I didn't know what would ever come of it - but this is better than any vision I could have imagined. I paired the tutu with the skeleton pajamas and challenged Jeffrey to come up with a name for it. Your papa is brilliant.

Your cousins Henry (Buzz Lightyear), Lucy (monkey), Simon (Harry Potter), and Anna (sleeping monkey) were such great companions for your first trick or treating adventure on Proctor Street in Tacoma, Washington. Grandpa Al and Grandma Pati accompanied all of us and we returned to Uncle John and Aunt Liz's home after the outing for homemade chili and mac and cheese with popcorn balls and caramel apples. 

You were such a splendid baby the entire day. And before we left for the drive home, Bruna and I put you into your Halloween pajamas (thanks Liz and Lucy!) and you smiled and cooed and were happy as can be. I love you to pieces, Gabrielle.

Happy Halloween! 

Love, Bad TUTU the Bone

We all gathered at my brother John and Liz's home for lunch with my dad's cousin Yvonne (in blue) and her friend Mary (in the pink vest) before the big festival of costumes that will occur in a few short hours! It's so nice to have everyone together.

Wise owl pumpkins from Martha Stewart Living.

Wise ladies excited for Halloween tomorrow!

So fun to see Gabrielle's cousins Lucia and Henry and Auntie Liz yesterday!

Gabrielle is going to have such fun growing up with Lucy! 

Which one catches your eye first?