school pics are in!

Hurrah! If you want to see them (and familia, let me know what pictures you want) log in to www.photogifts.lifetouch.com. The portrait ID number is N00035-43457 and the access code is HG3W. There are about 3 different poses but then they switch them around by making them black and white and sepia toned. Enjoy!

bury my heart at wounded hands

Today we took Emilia in for her allergy testing. Unbeknownst to us, we were supposed to have done this several weeks ago but due to a misunderstanding at the doctor's office we didn't go until today. We (Mama Mama & I) took Emilia to LCH for her labwork to be done. The facility is really outstanding - all new and beautiful and as calming as a hospital full of sick children can be. It made me oh so grateful that my girl is healthy and whole. In any case, we thought we were in for some skin allergy testing or something along those lines but we came to find out that Emilia would have to have 2 tubes of blood drawn. I almost passed out (and I am not at all squeemish about blood.) Fortunately our nurse was a wonderful woman who although she had to stick Emilia in both hands (the first one wouldn't bleed) jabbed her as quickly and as painlessly as possible. Mama Mama kept up an entertaining show with tape, blood vials, and a little windup toy Tita sent in Emilia's Halloween basket (thanks Tita - it was a lifesaver!) and I held on to my girl and cried on the inside. Most importantly, my brave brave girl cried just a very little bit (when they had to wiggle the needle around in her first hand to try to get the blood flowing) but other than that the only word to describe her was stoic.Not the best picture - but the best I could do to show her wounded little hands.

the arrival of fall

The weather is truly cool now. Today on our afternoon walk around the 'hood Emilia had to sport her hat and a sweater! (I can take credit for the cap - but not for the sweater.)

halloween preview

Bbbbbzzzzzzz......

the chair

So I bought this chair at the Harris Y consignment sale for Emilia about a month ago. I hadn't planned on giving it to her yet, but in a moment of desperation the other day I introduced it to her. She loves it even if the upholstery is a little less than desirable (never fear - it's one of Mama Mama's many jobs to do when she gets here!) I have finally (I think) managed to convince her to stop trying to stand up on it or sit on the arms of the chair (of course, a little tumble also helps to teach that lesson - ouch!) and now she really enjoys it, rocking back and forth.

Disclaimer: Yes, I realize the child's face is covered with dinner (bonus points if you can guess what she had eaten that night) - never fear - her face gets washed before bedtime. And yes, I also realize her pants and shirt don't exactly match, but her pink pants she had worn all day long had gotten very dirty out on the playground.

Hope Santa brings Marcus a new pair of slippers for Christmas!

Close up of the silly one.

Uh oh - someone's getting tired (and has found a travel pillow which is now apparently hers.

Very very tired.

For God's sake woman, stop taking my picture and put me to bed! (So I can wake up at 4:30 this morning - but that's a whole different posting.

baby signs

I was trying to get video this morning of Emilia saying "no" but no luck. Instead I managed to catch her making one of her signs. I was very late in starting the whole baby sign language thing mainly because I felt like we were already doing a lot of language stuff by speaking only Spanish with her, but I saw how well it was working with her friends from playgroup so I decided to try it and now I'm a believer! Emilia has about 5 signs (I'm sure if I'd started earlier she would have more by now but whatever) and she doesn't do all of them correctly but she's consistent with them and we know what they mean. The sign for "more" (we say "mas") is supposed to be fingers from both hands coming together but she does it by pointing with one finger to her open palm. It is kind of cool I must admit. (Note: I have no idea what she wanted more of when we were recording this).

outside

It became Fall very quickly this week. Emilia and her buddy Kyrie had fun running up and down the driveway (and making a break for the street) and playing outside.

Cuddles!