Merry White Christmas!

Misty and Heidi playing in the snow on Christmas morning.

Semira with her new doll

The fun new picnic table with her other new toys on top.

Merry Christmas, everyone! I hope your day was as wonderful as ours. Santa brought Semira a new picnic table just her size, some pink fuzzy slippers, a soft doll, a recorder, and several other small musical instruments. So what's that she's playing with as she sits at her new table with the doll and instruments behind her? Ground mustard from the spice drawer. But she traded it for a different toy later... Garlic salt.

She was kind of funny with her recorder this morning. We demonstrated how to use the recorder, then gave it to her. She put it up to her mouth but she kept blowing through her nose instead of her mouth. Around 3:30 this afternoon she figured out how to make it play. Every time she did it, she giggled. Toot! Giggle. Toot! Giggle. So fun.

Cozy

Semira, Ashley, and Misty investigating the back yard snow

Dad and Semira in front of the house.

Mom and Semira in the back yard

I can't believe this day... I woke up this morning and thought I saw some very big rain drops falling past the bathroom window as I was getting ready. As I opened the blinds in the living room, I saw huge snowflakes! The snow fell and the wind blew hard all day. So here in Texas we have the improbable... a white Christmas! We're snuggled in at home with hot chocolate in our tummies and chili on the stove. Semira will be going to bed in another hour or so, and we'll have our first chance to play Santa. Many more photos will be taken tomorrow. Until then, have a safe and Merry Christmas.

Tis the season!

What a month of adventures for Semira! Last weekend, we got a Christmas tree and decorated it. We also put up our Christmas Village. She isn't as dazzled by the lights on the tree or around the village as I thought she would be, but she loves those pretty glass balls on that tree.

We've had some cool weather, but had a couple of really nice, warm days this past weekend. Semira enjoyed some time on the patio with Dad Sunday morning. She loves to be outside.


Tonight Semira's day care center had a Christmas open house, and Santa made an appearance. We were unsure as to whether she'd greet Santa with a "Hi!" and blow him kisses like she does people in the grocery store or if she'd be terrified of him like most kids her age. We were kept in suspense for the first few minutes. She was 4th in line. Semira thought he was pretty neat while he was talking to the other kids. But when Gilbert put her on Santa's lap, she burst into tears. Every kid has to have a picture like this, right? I have the picture now... I won't be traumatizing her again... this year.

Dad and Semira at the Open House at "school."

Semira's first visit with Santa

Family

Semira had a wonderful first Thanksgiving. She helped cook a traditional feast that we shared with Gilbert and his family. Gilbert's sister and her family came to visit from Houston. Semira was the life of the party. What a wonderful, loving, happy family. They made me feel so welcome as a new member of the family.

The reindeer hat was a present from her uncle Jeremy.

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.

Happy Birthday, Baby Girl

Semira celebrated her first birthday over the weekend. She discovered that birthdays are fun. People sing and clap, Mom gives you a special new food called cake, and you get to rip paper without being told NO. She got beautiful clothes and new sippy cups from my friends.

I made Semira a Winnie the Pooh cake and discovered something for myself. Decorating cakes is nowhere near as easy as the people on TV make it look. I don't think it turned out too horrible for my first attempt at cake decorating, but he was kind of a neon orange Pooh. In any case, all but the red shirt part tasted good. I need to throw out my red food coloring and try the no-taste red when I do this cake again. I don't understand how such a small amount of food coloring can turn frosting, which is mostly sugar, into a bitter atrocity.

Semira's Aunt Merritt has told me multiple times that she needs a tiara (and baby nail polish and pierced ears...). I have a very different view of what she needs at this age. But her grandma and I gave in on the least intrusive of these "needs" and found her a Birthday Girl tiara by accident one day when we were out shopping. She left it on long enough (while distracted with a big strawberry) for a couple of photos.

Posing in her new Princess Pajamas, a birthday gift from her buddy Carol.

She's standing so well now. It takes her no time at all to pull herself up to standing. Here, she's watching her doggie sisters play in the back yard during her party. It's so neat to watch her learn new things every day. Who knew a little girl could be so fascinating? Her newfound mobility is making time in the kitchen much more challenging though. She either scoots around in her walker running over my feet or tripping me, or she pulls herself up by hanging onto the back of my pants so I can't move and I can't reach her to pick her up.

The birthday girl is working on her bigger teeth now so she's been a bit cranky and clingy. I can feel bumps on her gums all the way back to where her molars are, so it's likely to be a few weeks before those pesky gums stop hurting her. It appears that after waiting until she was 11 months old to start teething, she's going to continue non-stop until all of her teeth are in. Poor kid. I think I need to buy stock in Infant Tylenol and Baby Orajel.

Equestrian

Semira had quite a week. She's pulling up to things all over the place and dances in place while she's holding on to the table, couch, chair, etc. She sprouted another couple of teeth as well, so now she has 4 teeth that have broken through. That last one was rough on her, but it appears that the worst (for that tooth anyway) is over.

She's enjoying her new horsey, as you can see. Grandma had to help her stay on, but I don't think it'll take her long to figure out how to ride him all by herself.

It's now one week and one day until Semira's first birthday. I'm planning what I intended to be a small party of close friends and family. But as I started making the invitation list I realized we have lots of close friends who love Semira and are looking forward to celebrating with her. So we'll have a big houseful of company next weekend. Semira loves a crowd, so we'll just plan on having a huge cake and lots of fun.

Horsey!

I received a fantastic treat today... my good friend Mr. Tom Rice came by for a visit. I hadn't seen him in a couple of years, so it was great to catch up with him. He brought this gorgeous rocking horse he made for Semira. I can just see her playing racehorse jockey! Mr. Rice is a wonderful, wonderful man. I'm so honored that he thought enough of us to make this beautiful horse for Semira and drive all the way here to give it to us.

He also brought her a beautiful homemade stepstool. So when Semira starts walking, she'll be able to reach the sink to wash her hands and brush her teeth, and she'll also be able to see the counter and help me in the kitchen. Thank you, Mr. Rice!!! I hope you know how much these gifts mean to me.

Two new firsts!

Semira had two big firsts today. I noticed when she got up this morning that her first tooth has cut through her gums. She now has a brand spanking new sparkly white left upper front tooth. The right one is a few days behind. Yay teeth! Once again, I feel like the luckiest mom in the world. She didn't show any signs of teething agony over the last few days. She's sleeping through the night like a champ, "dancing" anytime music is on, and enjoying eating as much as ever. This is just the first one... hopefully the others will be this easy on her.

She also figured out this afternoon how to crawl on her hands and knees. Not the commando crawl on her elbows and belly that she's been doing for a few weeks, but a real crawl. It was so cute-- she was lifting her hands and knees a few inches off the floor, like she was march-crawling. This is the only shot I got of Miss Droopy Diaper while she was on the move. I'll be sure to save this photo for an appropriately embarrassing moment when she's a teenager. :-)

Pretty

Semira recently received a gift of a beautiful little pearl and gold bracelet from Marta in Puerto Rico. Semira's buddy Peter holds her as she models it. Thank you, Marta! It's beautiful!

Semira's first Independence Day was celebrated at home. But Friday night we had a dinner to attend with some friends, and she got dressed up in honor of the holiday. I love her in this dress.

Ashley

Ashley seems to be the dog that enjoys hanging out with Semira most. She's so easy-going--almost maternal. Semira can "read" to her, show off her toys, or pet her and climb on her and Ashley's happy. What a sweet pup.

My little engineer

Semira and I spent much of last week helping with Engineering Camp for high school girls taught by my friend Denise. Semira had a good time interacting with the high school girls, and Denise's daughter Sierrah kept her company much of the rest of the time. Semira's favorite part was the freedom I gave her to empty the complete contents of her diaper bag.

A friend I've known since junior high came to visit for the weekend. We had a really nice visit, and Semira loved her. We went out to dinner Saturday evening, and Semira got dressed up in her cute little pink sparkly tennis shoes her Auntie CP gave her for Christmas, months before she even arrived. They finally fit! It was Semira's first outing wearing shoes.

Hi Mama

Semira had a big week last week. She very clearly said "Bye bye" while waving when my friends left Sunday evening. Then Tuesday morning she said "Hi Mama" while she waved at me when I put her in her high chair for breakfast! That was SOOOOO cool. In the photo, she's playing in her nest of toys wearing the pretty pink dress Agnes got her.

New old friends

Semira got to meet some of her mom's best friends from her college days this weekend. John, Melinda, and their daughter Abbie came to visit for a couple of days. Abbie thought Semira was a fun playmate. On Sunday, they played a game in which Abbie tried to fill Semira's high chair tray with all her soft blocks before Semira threw any off. My camera was on the wrong setting for the photo with Abbie, but here are the results. Abbie won! Yay Abbie!