Footie Pajamas!!!

The boys have been asking for footie pajamas for a year, and we got them a set for Christmas. They match their little sister. All we need now is a mommy and daddy set.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

All three kids and the dog in front of the tree before we opened gifts up.

Maryam with one of her new "touch and feel" books.

Maryam and her shape-sorter bus.
Aidan and Wayne with their new Wii games.

And a Merry Christmas it was, for our household.

For Maryam, it meant waking up at 5 AM and greeting her brothers. We have a tradition here that the big kids sleep downstairs in their tee pee and sleeping bags, staying up as late as they wanted (with a warning that any crankiness the next day will be dealt with by a nap). So everyone except me were up. I managed to pull myself out of bed at 8.

I told the kids that they could get at their stockings when they first woke up, and eat however much candy in it they wanted to. It kept them quiet! Jim got upset that I gave Maryam a Hershey's Kiss in her stocking because she squeezed it in her hand and got chocolate everywhere. I just wanted to give my baby a kiss!

Maryam is very happy with her new toys and books. The boys are ecstatic with their new Wii. And I'm happy because they're happy and busy. For now.

A tasty combination

Spaghetti, cottage cheese, pear, and bread. Yummy!

Playing - in the snow and with Maryam's crazy brothers

We had some snow recently, and some friends have lent us the cutest bunny snow suit. Despite looking quite cute, Maryam isn't fond of being wrapped from head to toe. Seconds after this picture was taken, she became distressed and had to be taken back inside. She won't walk in the snow, either. So she sits and whines and is brought back inside. She does look cute, though, doesn't she?

Later in the day, Maryam's brothers were playing with her. Note Maryam's open mouth, as she attempts to bite her brother. A closer picture:And here as she sits on Aidan. Big brothers are so much fun!

Grandma and Grandpa, I miss you!

A letter from Maryam, as reported to her mommy:

Dear Grandma and Grandpa,

I miss you! I'm walking and talking and doing all sorts of cool things. I wish you could be here to see me. I know you would give me all the things I want that mommy doesn't, and so I would never cry again. I promise! She tried to keep me from eating her apple since she said I already had mine.

So, please,

pretty please, come here soon! Mommy and daddy say you're going to move here. I hope they're right. Oh, and mommy says that your bathroom doesn't really NEED to be redone. Just like Grandpa thinks. So you can sell your house fast and come play with me.

Love and kisses,

your granddaughter Maryam

p.s. I won't ever put your things in the garbage can like I do with mommy and daddy's things!

Visit at the Aquarium

It's been far too long since I've blogged - in part because of a broken computer, then a busted camera, then just laziness, I suppose.

Maryam is up and walking - running, usually! She says a number of words, but her first one was "this". She'll point and demand "this".

She signs quite a bit, including "more", "all done", and "nurse". She has said "yes", "nurse", "no", and a few others.

She waves hi and bye, and still smiles at everyone. She's such a social little thing.