First Narna

All clean

First Taste

Getting the hang of it...

A Family Affair

Stooofed

Oh no, room for more...

All clean again, and just for kicks, my Palin imitation!

Today's over... Tomorrow's very exciting!

Samara had her 4 month old shots this morning and has been sleeping for 3 hours this afternoon already. The last time she had a nap this long was... well, after her 2 month old shots! But, wonderful as napping is, I just hate her shots and already dread the next ones in 2 months. I am a tearful wreck every time and my heart breaks for her as she shrieks and then whimpers for several minutes afterwards. Being my amazing, strong and cheerful little girl, she is soon all smiles again, but the bloody band-aids are sad reminders of this unfortunate childhood necessity. The doctor said she might have to get her tooth (that she was born with) extracted, in which case she'd have to be sedated. Just the thought of it brings tears to my eyes. Please pray that she doesn't have to. It's not loose and I don't see why but upon her referral, the doctor thinks the dentist will say she must. That apart, Samara is perfect. She's now in the 65 percentile for weight! Do you know that at her 4 week appointment she was in the... 0 percentile! I am so proud of her. And now you can believe me when I tell you how much she eats! We have the doctor's blessing to introduce her to solids which is excellent as she's still so hungry and definitely fulfills all the criteria for this giant milestone: She chews on her tongue, drewls less, holds her head perfectly, gets googly eyed over our food, swipes at my fork, sometimes cries for it, and basically is just always hungry! We're going to wait until tomorrow, just to make sure we don't confuse her reaction to the shots and her reaction to her first banana, but I'm just so excited to see my little girl eating! She deserves this so much and I am quite positive she'll love it! I'll let you know...

Me and my girl

So, me and Sammy (not really Sammy) go everywhere together, obviously. It is so fun. She talks to me and sings for me, smiles and laughs so much. She takes her baths in the big tub now and it is so funny to watch her swim, putting her head back as far as she can. She loves a mirror and even manages to see her reflection in the oven. But most of all, what I love is how she makes my world kind. Babies have no prejudice. You can have bad breath, big hair or nothing to wear and she loves you just the same. Your jokes can be terrible, you timing all wrong, your intelligence minimal, yet she looks at you like you're worth a million bucks. Instantly, you are. Samara loves everyone. She smiles at fat and thin, black and white, friend and foe. She clutches at the hands of strangers and coos without inhibition at the slightest joy. I wonder how great it would feel to love this much....well, I am slowly learning from my little girl.

Too cute

Samara in her big girl's outfit!

Clever girl

Samara is just starting to hold things. Rattles, bottles, toys... it's great fun. She can finally reach for a finger and grab it without missing. She can also rub her eyes when she's tired, which for some reason breaks my heart every time. It makes me laugh when scratches her head or tugs on my cheeks. She is so expressive and smiles like we all should, with her entire body.

All mouth

Everything's going straight into the mouth these days, and these two fingers are permanent residents, sometimes, skillfully, even while feeding. We love her too much!!!

Oh Mr. Sun

So those 8 hour nights are long gone. We're lucky to get three these days. I'm not sure what's going on, but the Sox are still alive, and amazing, Obama is pushing ahead, and less conceited than before, Steve's had two interviews this week (with second rounds next week) and we put an offer on a house on Wednesday, so life is otherwise very entertaining. Samara's not missing a beat, or a sunrise. She's asleep now on my lap, cuddled in her beautiful Frances Original. I really need to learn how to make stuff!

#1

This is a lovely age. The noises and eagerness to speak are incredible, the smiles so divine. The nights may still be very interrupted, but just when you think you can't possible open your eyes, you're in 3am hysteria, because she's just so stinking cute! We have little conversations now and one day, she's going to actually reply - I just know it! For now, she is my constant perfect company, never-bashful hug, always biggest fan, and beautiful little girl.

Samara's First Fall

Life Is Good - Samara's First Apple-Picking

I'll sleep when I'm...

Some nights, when we can't sleep, we come upstairs, so that Daddy can sleep. We know that he works hard and has long days and can't nap ever, not like us, who only can't nap sometimes. Samara usually falls asleep on my tummy and I marvel at the memory of her once fitting inside. She moves up and down with my breathing and no cough or rumble can wake her. Then, when she's slept enough, she squeezes me as tight as she can, gives me on those deep intestinal/bladder type kicks, for old time's sake, and smiles when she remembers I'm right there. I pray we always have the time for this kind of perfect nothingness.

Big Blue

Samara gets a lot of compliments on her deep blue eyes and long eye lashes. She's even been nicknamed Big Blue by some of our friends. They didn't realize that's what they call the rival football team in the neighboring town, so Squirrel and Marina weren't too amused. She's a lucky girl! But boy, does she drewl!

Just as I dreamt it, now forever...

My clever girl is over her first cold in just two days, while her Mummy sits here, more congested than the Bogota backroads. As quick as it was, it was heartbreaking to hear her snorting and coughing her weay through the nights, almost unable to breastfeed as it blocked her only air passage. I'm so glad it's over. A baby's nose is just too darn small to pick easily!
Samara spends more and more time on her blanket, staring up, talking so much, glued to the TV whenever it's on. I still hold her a good 90% of the time, but those minutes, up to 45 sometimes, are welcome and so sweet. Here's a shot of her pulling my hair, saying, I hope, "please don't go!"

Papa

Together again...

Papa died on Friday, October 3rd, at the age of 93. That night, while I dreamed of he and Nana holding hands in heaven, Antonia dreamed of them on an airplane, reunited with friends also passed. While there is some peace knowing that he is no longer in any pain, that he is no longer lonely, nor heartbroken, for those of us left behind, especially my poor father, the prospect of life without them is very hard. I dread that next visit to England. The A1 always seemed to be made to take us to them and last time we were there, knowing Nana was not on the other side made the journey so terrible. Today, the A1 serves me no purpose and while it might take us to a land of memories and shadows, I know where Nana and Papa are, and I can only smile that they are together. We love you, Papa. I know you are better there than here, but we miss you so very much.

"If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day, so I never have to live without you." Winnie the Pooh

Chilly days have arrived!

Besos

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