World's cutest bumble bee

Halloween 2011... Semira was the cutest bumble bee in town. Possibly in the whole world. Ashley and Heidi trick-or-treated with us too. Dangerous crowd...

Semira's acting debut

We were asked (with Semira) to participate in a beginning-of-the-year ceremony at the university. It consisted of us sitting onstage, reading a book to Semira, and taking her off stage. As you can see from some of the photos, she was an active participant in the reading.

Getting ready for the show to start

"Who's that tramping over my bridge?" roared the Troll!

Enjoying the applause following her performance.

Easter

Semira participated in the city Easter egg hunt last evening. At the time of the egg hunt, it was 100 degrees and there were hundreds of kids and their parents on 3 different fields to join in the fun. She made a decent haul and we all had fun.

New words

The scene in our house the other night... Semira is dancing around like a crazy person when she's supposed to be getting ready for her bath. Gilbert: "Semira, what are you doing?" Semira: "I'm shakin' my booty!" I couldn't resist getting out the video camera the next day.

Paw Ball

Photo by Amanda Kimble. Semira is seen petting a puppy at the Paw Ball benefitting our local humane society. We attended because her daddy is part of the group that organized the ball. This photo made it into our local paper... no doubt because of the gorgeous little girl with such interest in the puppy. By the way, the puppy did find a new home that evening with one of our town's many animal lovers.

Cute shoes

It was picture day today at Semira's school. She's wearing her new outfit, complete with her new purple shoes. I don't know what brand they are, but they sure look like crocs to me!

Family of 3

It looks like for right now we'll remain a family of 3... at our routine doctor visit yesterday, we found out the baby has no heart beat. We were blindsided by the news and are working through our sadness.

Semira's big news

Semira has news for everyone...

Yes, that says she's going to be a big sister!!!

The newest member of the family is due to arrive in early September.

At long last...

New photos! Taken by Merritt's former roommate Emily in Austin just after Christmas.

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.