Peace out!

Out of the blue, over the weekend when family was sitting around the table talking, Semira exclaimed "Peace out!" I suspect it's something she learned at school, but it became her theme for the remainder of the weekend. Her aunt Merritt dressed her up in her shades and new panda hat and posed her on Daddy's lap for this photo. Priceless.

Fairy princess

Happy Halloween! We had a successful evening with the fairy princess. She scored a decent amount of candy and dazzled all who opened their doors to her.

Purple

Semira accompanied me and her daddy to a university celebration during Homecoming week. I LOVE this photo. My whole world is right here in this picture. Many, many thanks to Karole Schroeder for taking and posting this photo.

Semira's October so far

Ready for a swim or opening a very dangerous banana

On the bouncy ball with foggy goggles and a half-eaten banana. Makes it difficult to bounce but she doesn't care. She's a daredevil!

My little Frankenstein after dance class.

"I sit Mommy!" at the state fair

Ever seen a happier kid? She talked about riding the crocodile for days.

Sitting on Daddy's shoulders listening to the Texas state song, played by the Marine band.

Daddy, Semira, and Big Tex at the state fair.

Rah Rah Rah!!!!

I know, I know... this is totally against everything her mommy stands for. But isn't she cute? What can I say? I couldn't resist. We were specially invited to the first football game of the season and Mommy went a little overboard in getting Semira ready for it. Go team!

Denver trip part 2

The world's cutest, youngest geologist at Garden of the Gods

Semira with Backpack and The Map

"I ride train!"

at Belleview Park

Semira with The Amazing Allison-- our contact at the adoption agency-- at the picnic.

Backpack, Backpack...

Hi Daddy! I'm buckled in but I can still squirm!

My budding geologist clutching a rock.

Backpack, backpack... on the bus!

Yummy birthday dinner for mommy at Fogo de Chao. Mmmmmm.

We had a wonderful time at IAN's annual family picnic in Denver. Semira was fascinated with the various forms of transportation we took. She enjoyed flying through clouds on the airplane. Then she loved the train in the Denver airport. And best of all was the shuttle bus to the rental car place. She loved buses so much that she pointed out every single one she saw.

We also decided that for those times when she wasn't exactly in the mood to hold someone's hand, she probably needed a special backpack with a tether. I was very pleasantly surprised when she was thrilled to have her very own backpack, just like Dora the Explorer. She sang Dora's backpack song all weekend.

Happy Birthday Semira!

Semira with her Dora cake

Once she opened the gift with the ball in it, it couldn't lose contact with her hand.



"Gamma" and Semira

"Gamma Gappa," Daddy, and Semira

The baby girl turned 2 today. Happy birthday, my baby girl.

The Potty

We've officially begun potty training at our house. After a few weeks of the shiny new potty chair being scary, Semira gladly sat down on it yesterday and used it for the first time! Yay Semira!!! Unfortunately, she wasn't in the mood for a repeat later in the day. But I'm counting this as a major victory!

I know every kid goes through this phase, but she'd also decided now that she likes to be naked. I don't mind the clothes coming off so much. It's the diaper/pull-ups that are the problem. I spent a ridiculous amount of time last night asking her to put her pants back on. I tried to ask her to go sit on the potty if she really wanted to pull her pants down. But she happily told me no, ignored me, or went into the other room where I couldn't see her take them off. It was a very fun game. For her. Thankfully no accidents on the floor that I noticed. The same can't be said for Grandma's house this weekend...

Any seasoned parents out there have tips for potty-training a little girl?

Diva

Posing at the mall with her new 'Hollywood Baby' sunglasses.
"Mom, you should have dressed me in pants today!"

The cutest little girl in the cutest clothes ever.

"Gamma Gappa" and Fossil Rim

Semira's new grandma and grandpa came to visit for a week at the end of June. We had a very nice time, and Semira really enjoyed having them around. She couldn't stop talking about "Gamma Gappa." In the photo above she's helping her dad escort "Gamma" to the car.

We spent the early morning of July 4 at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center doing their Crack o Dawn Tour. Semira thought the animals were really neat. Except the ostrich... she was scary. We got to feed European red deer and giraffes by hand, and the ostriches took food we put on the side of the bus. If you've never been there, consider a trip!

Mommy and Semira feeding a giraffe!!!

" Giraffe? Giraffe? Giraffe? Giraffe? Giraffe? Giraffe?..."

Feeding the European red deer.

Dad and Semira watching the white rhinos.

Mom and Semira in front of our tour bus.

More cute Semira photos

Semira in the pool with upside down goggles. And Aunt Merritt.
Not entirely sure the water is warm enough.

Doing her nails.

Blowing on her nails.

Semira and mommy.

More photos from wedding weekend... I love this little girl! So does the rest of the family.

Wedding!!!

Semira being seated with her aunt Merritt and uncle Jeremy.

After dancing to Copacabana with her daddy

The happy couple with Semira and family

Semira thoroughly enjoyed the wedding. She got to have her photo taken a zillion times, be the center of attention for family and friends, and dance with her daddy.

Weekend in Houston

Semira enjoyed her weekend. She spent Saturday at her Aunt Pauline's graduation and after-party. She also acquired her first black eye while running through Aunt Pauline's house. She tripped and landed face first on a stair. It doesn't seem to be bothering her, but I had to document this first for posterity.




She spent today firmly entrenched in her terrible twos, as you can see from the doggie door photo. But I did manage to catch her practicing naming body parts... shoulders, hips, and toes!