Sniffle...Sniffle... Cough...Cough

Elizabeth,
I have to say that you are a very healthy girl. You've avoided the cough and sniffles that have gone around your friends in baby group until now. Yesterday though, you had a runny nose and the sniffles...the beginnings of a cold. By bedtime you were really congested, but still tired and fell asleep. It was a rough night for all 3 of us...its hard to breath when your nose is all stuffed up and you want your pacifier. You woke up a lot during the night and got to sleep in our bed. You were feeling much better in the morning and your Dad and I felt better after a long nap!

Advent Calendar

When we lived in Damascus, we bought a beautiful Advent calendar from our favorite Palestinian shop. We've had it now for 5 years and haven't opened the gift bags until this year with you. The calendar came with toys already and you are too little to play with some. At 6 months, the army men, stealth bomber, pencil sharpener, and superballs are choking hazards. Your favorites have been the noise makers of course and Dad is working on writing a song for you using the flutes! So we will buy 24 more things for next year and for now you don't have to share with any brothers
or sisters.

Ho Ho Ho!!!

Elizabeth,

We couldn't pass up the chance for you to meet Santa for the first time! Luckily he was at the American Club this weekend for the holiday party. You weren't so sure about Santa's beard and kept turning around to check it out. A few times gave it a good tug to see if it was real (it was). The parents sat around and giggled as we all snapped photos. In all, it was a good photo op and you reacted as you should with your first meeting of Saint Nick ... puzzlement and curiosity then uncertainty and mild terror but don't worry, soon you'll be singing the praises of Claus. Next year you can get your face painted and maybe decorate a cookie!

"What?" That's attitude for you!

Tongue's Away

E! Lately you've been going around with your tongue sticking out, which is both funny and cute at the same time. We are a little worried because you are also panting and drooling. Part schnauzer? NOOOOO .... It's just because you are learning to control your tongue and are experimenting with all the new sounds you can make. arghagrhmmmmmam

Boing Boing Boing

Elizabeth ... Zach lent you his bouncy chair, well at least until he's old enough to use it. You love it! The freedom, the new sounds, the bouncing, the spinning!

6 months

E ... A whole half a year under your belt already! Your mom and dad decided that they'd do a 1/2 year in review and spent a couple days sorting through pictures and music to make a movie. That's why it's almost 10 minutes long and 4 days late. In the end, we piled the photos on from the first minutes of your life till your 6 month B-day and enjoyed looking at how much you have grown. love love love mom and dad

A note for the purists: For the best quality viewing follow this link to youtube and then click "watch in high quality" near the bottom right of the video. The photos are much clearer. This is true of all the videos posted on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsU6Gt5dzzE&feature=channel_page

X-mas Party

E, you went to your first holiday party and you decided you would shun the traditional red and green for a pink cupcake sweater and jeans skirt. That's right! You show'em girl! Keep them guessing what you are going to do next. Anyhoo ... here's you with your Magnum look:

Here's a shot with you in a more jolly party mood.

eerrrrrrrrmmrrrrrmmmmemmmemmamm

That's the sound you make when you are straining the number 2 ... yes E ... we all knew this post was coming and you have been delivering. Face all scrunched up with all the wonderment of new experiences. What's better is that your ayah Milon (the nanny) has access to the camera. Before you get all weirded out I have to say that she really does a fabulous job. She thinks just like your dad ... get the camera. But there's more .... the Dutch couple that sold us their stash of baby furniture (crib, playpen, bouncing chair, stroller, playmat, and car seat) also had a training toliet. Dad remembers carrying it to the car months before you were born and the realization that you were coming really sunk in. And..you were going to poo too. So ... Milon heard you making the dookie ... quick grab the tolilet and the camera (so DAD) and there you go! Enjoy!

Well ... You and Milon must have been MIGHTY proud becuase you felt the urge to record the actually pooh (and I'm not talking "Winne the") ... click to enlarge if you dare!

Change in Sleep Patterns

Bubbles, after nearly 4 months of sleeping soundly at around 8pm and through the night you've been lately (at least the last 4 nights) been staying up late and testing the limits of your parents patience. Screaming with your face planted into your mattress until we pick you up and plant you in our bed where you lay down and smile up at us. You ARE tired but just refuse to stay down. Still we are enjoying the extra time with you and other than the freaking out in your crib ... you are a super happy late night baby!

Ouch!

Elizabeth,
After school today we took you for the second round of immunizations. This time, along with the oral vaccination and two other combination shots, you got a 3rd jab. The extra jab was called BCG...an immunization for TB. Apparently, this shot leaves a scar. You can thank Dad later...he told the nurse to give it to you on your leg, not your arm. You were so brave and only cried for a little bit. When you're older we'll treat you to McDonald's or ice cream for being so good.