DECEMBER - The holidays

It's hard to believe how fast this year has flown by!  Last December we knew we were having a baby, but we didn't even know that she would be a she.  Now we have this amazing girl who smiles and laughs and lights up every day with her presence!  We have so much to be grateful for.

December 5th - 5 months!

The princess frog sits in her first highchair

Pooh-ette

You want me to what?

Oh...roll over.  Yeah, I can do that.  

Teeny Yogini - So flexible!

Tasty triceratops!  A delicious present from
Laura and Will

Best seat in the house!

Summer dress in December...It's nice to live in CA.

Winter dress

The number seven tastes just like...

The number 4!

HAHAHA!  Uncle Ben is funny :)

Amira with the pink ball - a size comparison.

Proud parents...

and proud grandparents

Amira's first night of Chanukkah

Piano lessons from Amira

Frustration?  Or gustation?

Pompom and Ami in matching accessories

All of us getting our caffeine fix ;-)

Christmas morning!

The bow is definitely the most interesting part.

Best Christmas present ever!

Liam plays with Ami - such a sweet boy!

November - Autumn Angel

It's autumn, my favorite time of year.  I love the leaves turning, the rainy days spent inside, and of course, pumpkin pie.  

Autumn angel

November 5th - 4 months old!

I love ALL my Aunties

Biff watches over the sleeping baby...
from a safe distance.

Southwestern Blackbean Chili -
What all pediatricians recommendas a first food
(Don't worry, it was mild.)

 Proud Dadoo (grandpa) with Ami

Pompom (grandma) with Ami

A little bit of Jewish humor

Nick's point of view

Some day we will be able to choose our own clothes.
For now, we are subject to the whims of of our mothers...

Luau - a warm day in October 

Ami's Office

This hat was crocheted, with love, by Nichole

We want to start her early

Dancing feet!

These trees are taller than my dad!

Tio Andres enjoys that new baby smell

Uncle Ben calls her "chubby."

A psychedelic circle of babies

Rachael and Ami - A comparison

I look at Amira and I see a lot of Nick in her.  But sometimes looking at her is like looking in a mirror.  

Amira at 3 months

Rachael at 3 months

Amira with Nick - 2011

Me with my dad - 1980

October 5th - Three months old!

It's hard to believe she is already three months old!  Then again, I can barely remember what life was like without her.

Ami and Cypher, just hangin' out.  

Cypher's big man foot and Ami's tiny pointy foot

A game of footsie

I scream you scream!  

Clean and coy

Perfect Palladian proportions

Architecture - zzzzzzzzzzzzz....

Bed Bug

Yakimo, Kimono

Daddy always makes her smile!

Action shot with mobile

Camouflage - Biff will never see me...

Ami's first BART ride...she's now officially contaminated ;-)

October 5th - Three months old!

AND, for your viewing pleasure...

Ami talking and giggling

Mobile madness

Naming Ami - A trip to Southern California

We went down to Southern California at the beginning of September to introduce Amira to all the friends and family down there.  We had a wonderful naming ceremony at my parents' house.  Rabbi Haim, who married us, blessed out little girl.  My mother sang a song, and Todd Mills read a poem.  

Here is the meaning of her name:  

Amira May - "Ami" (ah-mee) for short.  Her great grandmother (Brian's grandmother) was named Mira.  "May" comes from both of Nick's grandmothers: Mary on his mother's side, and Barbara May on his father's.  

In hebrew "Amira" means "princess"...and "treetop."  

"Mir" is "peace AND "world" in russian.   мир во всем мире!

"Ami" is, of course, "friend" en francais!  

Amira May is also a play on "mira me"..."look at me" in spanish.  

We call her "little bug".

Five lovely ladies

Uncle Ben is a good influence.

Tickle tickle!

Beth and Bug

The first great grand child

Howard and the treefrog pose

I'll take this one to go!

Lara, Lance, Rachael and Amira

Marina holding Ami

Rabbi Haim blessing the baby

Uncle Ben gives fashion advice

Tio Andres