Overdue update

We've had an incredibly busy few weeks, so I've been negligent in posting Halloween photos and others pictures of the baby girl. So here are highlights from the last few weeks of photos.

Semira the elephant and Gilbert getting ready to trick-or-treat.

Grilled cheese makes her tired.

Ever seen a cuter skeleton?

Semira and Gilbert at the university's homecoming parade. She loved having a chair her own size. Thank you, Barths!

Halloween Preview

Semira picked out her first-ever Halloween costume this week. We were in the store, and I stopped next to the toddler costumes. She reached out for this one. When I handed her the package she started kissing the photo on the front. I don't think she could have told me any more clearly that she liked this costume. I'll state the obvious... Oh my gosh! She is so cute!

Not tired!

Semira made an appearance at her grandma's house over the weekend. Semira was the center of attention all day long. She had lots of visitors. She was so entertained (and entertaining) that she refused to take a nap. Doesn't look tired at all, does she?

Gilbert was brave and agreed to come along so he could meet my family. We toured the state capitol building while Grandma babysat. We also headed to Zilker Park for a walk and some ice cream. It was a nice visit.

Hat

Semira got a new hat and socks from her Aunt Merritt. She looks so cute!

We had a nice weekend. Yesterday we took Semira to the park where she tried out the swing and slide for the first time. What a little daredevil! She loved them both.

Semira also started taking steps today! Yay for walking! She doesn't realize yet that she can walk anywhere she wants. She's only walking to me or Gilbert. I don't expect that to last long. Then we're really in trouble.

In wedding news... today Gilbert and I nailed down our wedding and reception venue. We've decided on an outdoor wedding (as long as the weather is good). And the reception will be on the same property. Feels good to have that decision finalized. Now we get to move on to the next big decision... food. Semira definitely approves of the wedding location. They have horses and a swingset and a huge open space for her to play in. What more could a girl want? She loves Willemina the owner, too. Semira would have stayed with her today if I'd let her.

Good

Semira is modeling her first winter outfit of the year. Overnight it went from about 85 degrees to 48 degrees, so we had to put the shorts away for today. Her friend Marcy gave her this little sweater at her Welcome Home shower in May. This is the first chance she's had to wear it. Fall is my favorite season, so I'm happy the cool weather is finally here.

The second photo is of Semira and Gilbert at the first college rodeo of the year. Gilbert is an administrator at the university, and the rodeo team (yes, we actually have a rodeo team - and it's good!) reports to him now. So we went with him to the rodeo in early September. I took this photo as Semira and Gilbert were watching the students ride their horses around in a pasture, warming up. Semira is really fascinated but a bit scared by horses. If allowed, she'll pet a horse's nose with one finger, which she quickly pulls back as she grins. She enjoyed watching people ride horses, and petting them. She didn't like the bull riding at all. She cried any time a bull started bucking, and it got worse if someone was bucked off. My little sensitive baby girl. We had to leave the arena and go back outside to where the horses were before she calmed down.

Semira thinks Gilbert is pretty great, and I know he adores her. That's a good thing, since Gilbert and I are planning to be married in May! I give Semira credit for bringing us together. I'd known him for years, but he was intrigued when he found out I was adopting a little girl from Africa (he's Kenyan) as a single mom. He said he wanted to find out more about me when he heard that. So that's how it began... We're incredibly happy and are looking forward to our future as a family.

Beach Baby

We had a great Labor Day weekend at the beach. Semira LOVES the beach. She was fearless. (That's my girl!) She crawled through the surf. She sat in the sand and faced the waves coming toward her. She rolled around in the sand. She walked in the water with her best buddy Gilbert. She is truly a water-loving little girl.

State Fair

A very hot Semira with the famous Iowa State Fair butter cow

A stroll through the state fair sprinklers sure felt good!

Dancing with her great aunt Glennys

Semira and Mom at the wedding

Semira and I recently took a trip to Iowa to attend our cousin Gina's wedding and introduce Semira to the extended family. She was inundated with relatives, and she charmed every single one of them. She had lots of neat experiences while she was there. She attended the famous Iowa State Fair one day, where she had her first tastes of tenderloin and funnel cake and saw the butter cow. She had her first taste of fresh-picked corn on the cob. She got to dance with her great aunts at Gina's wedding reception. She entertained a whole row (maybe 2) of cousins during the wedding ceremony by playing peekaboo with them over the back of our pew. We had a nice time but it was really good to get back home.

Semira started day care last Thursday. Like most new moms, I was apprehensive about dropping her off that first day. I was sure we'd both be sobbing before I left. But she saw the other children and gladly went to her teacher so she could start playing. She loves "school," and starts squeaking every morning when she realizes that's where we're headed. School really takes it out of her. She slept 14 hrs that first night after coming home. She was back to her usual 12 hrs the next night. She's already looking tired this evening and it's only 5:30. I think it'll be an early dinner and bedtime for the baby girl.