Grandma visit

Semira and I went to Austin to visit Grandma for part of the weekend. She looks like an angel, doesn't she? Maybe. Thanks to our experience this weekend, I like to think of her as a little demon. With insomnia. She refused to sleep until after midnight on Saturday night, then was up at 4am Sunday morning. I'm still recovering.

Semira with her new hair bow from cousin Erin.

Showing Merritt her teeth.

Discovering the joys of an Easter basket, delivered by Erin the Easter Bunny

Erin reading Semira the book about bunnies she got her. It must be a good book because everyone's smiling, even Barkley.

Ok, ok, ok... new pictures!

Sorry to have taken so long to post new Semira photos. Blame it on a new job, new camera, wedding planning, Semira's octopus act while I'm on the computer... Anyway, here are the long-awaited Semira updates.

Semira is talking up a storm these days. Words of the month are NO, alright(!), excellent, bath, walk, up, down, Ashley, Heidi, dog, cat, meow, cow, moo, grapes, and spaghettios. Her dad is also teaching her to respond to his question "Why do we go to school?" with "To stamp out ignorance!" She's got the "stamp out!" down. With hand motions. And enthusiasm.

Semira on Christmas looking pretty in her dress.

Semira in her tutu on New Year's Eve. I promise she hadn't had anything to drink!

Looking cute in her overalls.

Semira showing off her new purse and her new teeth on Valentine's Day. Grandma bought her the purse when she came to Semira-sit. I understand she carried it with her all weekend.

All scrubbed and clean after her bath.

She missed her dad one day, so she pulled his jacket off the hanger and put it on.

Semira loves Ashley. She covers her with washcloths on laundry day, snuggles next to her and uses her as a lounge chair others, and here... well, ride 'em cowgirl. Ashley is a really good sport.

Semira and Gilbert hangin' on the back patio on a gorgeous March 19. She's so proud she can get up in a big-girl chair all by herself now. See Heidi's back half hanging out of the doggie door? Semira also learned how to use the doggie door this week. She was upset the other evening because I wouldn't let her go outside in her pajamas. So she waited until I had my back turned and crawled out the doggie door. Ugh. She didn't like it when she got out there so she came right back in. Through the doggie door. Crazy kid.

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!