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!

Uuuuup!!!

It took her a few tries and several minutes, but Semira sat up all by herself today!! Yay!!!

Supervised playtime

The dogs love Semira. They help me tuck her in at night and run in front of me in the morning, tails wagging, when I go to her room to get her out of bed. During the day they supervise playtime. In this photo, Ashley (right) and Misty (foreground) are listening intently to a concert on the alligator xylophone.

I'm feeding myself...

... and some of the food actually makes it into my mouth!

Miss Semira has finally decided that it's ok to feed herself. The trade-off is that I am no longer allowed to feed her anything with a spoon. The aftermath of an attempted feeding is found on her high chair tray and face. And clothes too. So I've been looking for different foods that she can feed herself without interference from me and a spoon. Her lack of teeth makes it a little bit more challenging, but we went to the store today and got some Gerber puffs, frozen veggies we can steam and cut up, frozen fruit (which I thawed and gave her and she immediately spit out), bananas, crackers that get mushy in her mouth, teething biscuits, vanilla wafers, and some mild cheese. I think she's set for now.


We spent the weekend at Semira's grandma's house in Austin. Her grandma and Aunt Merritt threw a fantastic Welcome Home Semira party. I was once again overwhelmed by people's generosity. Her gifts filled the back of our car. She got some beautiful clothes, a few toys, lots of dishes and utensils, and lots of pool accessories including a pink life jacket, sunscreen, some cool shades, and a chair for the patio.

It was fantastic to see everyone who attended, including a few representatives from the Iowa part of the family. Semira loves a party. She entertained everyone. Since I was busy juggling Semira and a drink and gifts, my sister and aunt took photos. I'll post some when I'm able.

The photos below are of Semira and her Aunt Merritt, and with her Uncle Jeremy the morning after her party. She's wearing the dress Jeremy's girlfriend CP gave her, and the headband her grandma made her.