Look at me, look at me, look at me now!!

You're now sitting by yourself, and quite proud of it all - although you don't yet know how to get up to or down from that position on your own.

You're also raising your arms up to be picked up, cooing to yourself in the mirror, squirming all over your play area - still more reverse than forward action - and mastering the use of basic kitchen utensils as your keep me company in the afternoons.

Seeing as you've mastered sitting, it seems you want to pull yourself up to standing. It's your new goal. You can slow down a bit now, love - sitting is fine. I'm in no rush for all that crawling and walking. You hardly leave me time now to write. Besides, Give me some time to enjoy you just as you are.

Nov. 9 - 15

So many changes -

Five months bring a host of changes. You are now staying home with me in the afternoons. You've become a bit too active and vocal to stay quietly in your chair at the travel agency, and I can connect to the office from the house, so I don't miss out on much. You really want to move around and are on the brink of sitting up by yourself. No more of that reclining rocker which you have loved for most of your short life. You wiggle around to get your toys, and you want them ALL at once. I admire your energy.
I put an old quilt down in the TV room so you can move about as I work on the computer. No matter how big it is you always manage to get off onto the floor, but at least I don't have to worry about you falling off the bed. I've been taking pictures of everything, so your Mom knows what we are up to.

We went to Lluba and Hernan's on the night of the World Series final game and urged the Yankees on to victory. You were appropriately attired, as were your Uncle Randy and your Mom. You also got to acquaint yourself with Bandido and Ramses, Lluba's dogs. Seems you are especially interested in dogs this week.

Oh yes, another first. Since you are now five whole months old, your Tio Luis decided you were sturdy enough for him to pick you up, and suprised us all by taking you out of your crib when you cried a bit on Sunday.

Nov. 2 - 8

Your First Halloween -

As with most holidays in this family, your first Halloween tended to take over most of the week.

On the 31st you dressed in your pumpkin outfit to go to spend the afternoon in the agency.

Then on Saturday you donned your friendly ghost apparel for the Halloween party at the club.

And on Sunday (once more a pumpkin) you were visited by a PowerRanger and a green-haired witch, among other friends. You seemed to enjoy the whole thing almost as much as your Mom enjoyed dressing you up.

You filled the rest of the week with bouncing, trying out your new sippy cup trainer - experiencing your first car-jacking - and going to church for the Sunday service. Never a dull moment.

I know, I know, too many pics. But which ones would I eliminate??

Halloween

Oct 26 - Nov. 1

A Busy Social Calendar -

You didn't stop this week. On Monday you helped play hostess to Grandpa's "viejitos" who came to have pizza at the house.





Later in the week you dressed to the nine's to attend a "piñata" where your Mom got to reconnect with friends from high school...





... and on Saturday we shuttled back and forth between a lunch at Lluba and Hernan's and Jim's birthday celebration where you were suitably impressed with Paloma's ability to enjoy birthday cake. Just give it a few months more and you can join in, too.


Oh, yes. You also sported your Crocs for the first time. (They were a real hit.)

Oct 19 - 25

You started your 5th month out with an international getaway. You and your Mom accompanied Tia China and Tio Luis to Orlando, visited with Dad and your two madrinas and had your first merry-go-round ride. A busy week. On the way back you and Mom were on your own - a big first. You did fine, already a seasoned traveller.

The Saturday after you returned your Mom attended an all day conference and so you spent the day at home with me. She ran home at noon to feed you, and back as soon as the afternoon session was over, but after being on top of each other for a week while travelling it was a stride towards independence for you both. You accompanied me happily around the house and we set your swing up in the kitchen for the first time so I could get my Saturday chores done while you hung out with your pals, "Abu" and "Octo".

Seemed to be your week for hats. Sophia played dress-up with you in Miami and Uncle Randy lent you his "blanco y negro" when you returned.

Oct 6 - 18

Four months old -

We stayed home for your four month anniversary and had a quiet celebration. You are presently fascinated with glasses and the idea of drinking - or scratching your gums on the rim.

note: no alcohol was actually consumed while taking these pictures.

Happy 4 months, Emma, my love.

Oct 5

Catching up -

I have been falling behind on my posts. It's just more fun to play with you and watch you grow and learn than it is to write about it.

The last two weeks of September were a time of fascination with "Pepto" the pink pig; of visits to Nina's, Irunu's and Rosanna's; of accompanying Mommy to the office in the afternoons; and enjoying the company of visitors on Sunday nights.

You also made your first political statement - influenced a bit by your Mom., of course.

Sept 21 - 27

Sept 28 - Oct 4