Ten months old!

Amara is ten months old and lovin' life! Last week our family took a trip to Detroit to visit Brian's relatives. Grandpa Joe ("Ja Ja") met Amara for the first time as did many special family members! We also took a recent trip to Los Angeles for Brian's work and got to connect with Kate and Scott and their new dog, Chance. Amara loves dogs and was very pleased! Here are some of Amara's recent developments: SENSE OF HUMOR: Amara is showing a fun-loving sense of humor these days. She laughs when playing "peek a boo", when it is time to dance, when Mom drops something or makes a silly face, and at many other random times. Last night she found it hilarious to watch Dad walking up the stairs right behind Mom. SIGNING: Amara claps her hands frequently, showing us what she really likes. She also makes the sign for milk frequently. We have come to realize this means "I want something". It could be milk or food or a toy. MOVING AROUND: Amara is very close to crawling. She has many cleaver movements to "get around", including scooting on her bottom while sitting up (hard to explain but she can move across the room this way). Amara likes to practice crawling on the bed where it it is soft. She can get up on all fours this way and push herself to a seated position. OTHER FUN STUFF: Amara LOVES her music class and sings in a soft high voice at times. Mom and Dad use many of her music class songs to bring a smile when Amara is tired of being in the car. Amara is eating a greater variety of foods in increasing amounts. She LOVES to feed herself "finger foods" such as Os, cut up blueberries, and yogurt melts. I could keep writing and writing about how this little girl fills our life with joy and excitement but I better move on to the photos!

Nine months old!

Amara is 9 months old! She is growing taller by the day (and getting longer hair) and she is moving around much more. She practices crawling (scooting around on her belly and rolling over and over) and is getting closer every day. She especially loves to practice on soft surfaces (like the bed) so Mom and Dad have to watch closely! Amara loves being around people and watching kids of all ages crawl, walk and play. FIRST WORD: Mamma -- Amara started saying Mamma at about 8 months while we were in Hawaii. She talks in baby language often -- adorably making new sounds and using different intonations. Amara is definitely a vocal child! FAVORITE FOODS: Amara has started eating yogurt and she loves it. She also has tried "puffs", blueberries cut in half, beans, oh yes and a couple of french fries! Really she loves to feed herself and has developed a great "pincer grasp" to get objects to her mouth. FAVORITE TOYS: Anything new is fun to play with! Amara was given some wooden blocks and funny animals recently. She was also given a colorful lama. Sometimes the most exciting toys are not toys! Amara loves to play with spoons or straws at restaurants and she loves tupperware! Who knew? FAVORITE OUTINGS: Amara has been to the San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park recently. She likes to sit on a blanket and play with another baby. She loved seeing the fish and the gorillas at the Zoo. She also enjoys looking and listening to the fountains at Balboa Park and visiting the artists in the art studio village. We are so happy and proud and love watching Amara grow!

Trip to Kauai!!

At 8 and a half months Amara took her first trip to Kauai with Mom, Dad, Grandma Patty, and Grandpa Hamid. She had a fantastic time! Amara enjoyed playing in the water at the beach, pool, seeing new plants and animals (birds, geese), and most of all-- spending time with her grandparents. It was a great chance to "bond with a view". We stayed in a condo in the Princeville area and had the most beautiful view of the "mountain" and ocean. It was lovely falling asleep to the sound of the waves!

8 months old!

Amara Grace just turned 8 months! We can't believe it. We met our friends' baby, Mela, who is a newborn and were reminded of just how much Amara has grown and changed since birth. She is spending more time on her tummy by choice. It looks like she is imagining what it will feel like to crawl. Amara also cut her first 2 teeth (lower incisors). The first one "appeared" (Mom felt it) on August 9th and the second surprised us 2 weeks later. The double tooth whammy also seemed to have contributed to Amara's first fever (which lasted 3 days) followed by a rash. It was super uncomfortable but Amara handled it well. It helped to be distracted with snuggles and her favorite Baby Einstein DVDs. Photos from teething are weekend below. Notice the yummy cake which was a remake of Mom and Dad's wedding cake topper. Amara did not eat any cake-- she had prunes! We celebrated our wedding anniversary last weekend as well.

Last but not least, once Amara felt better she had a play date with Colton!

Swimming lessons and a country wedding!

In her 7th month Amara started swimming lessons at Murray Callan Swim School in Pacific Beach. This is a special place where the water is 93 degrees and the instructors are trained to work with even tiny babies. Amara is able to go under water with her instructor's help for a brief moment. She knows how not to breathe when under water.

Amara also attended her first wedding this month. Our family went to Toni and Dave's wedding in Escondido. It was in a beautiful outdoor setting. Amara loved seeing the wind chimes that were hung on a large oak tree and the lights that twinkled at night. She was also the star of the party (other than the bride of course!) and by far, the youngest guest.

Seven months

Amara is 7 months old and changing by the day. She has developed good fine motor skills and can use her hands and fingers to pick up objects, push buttons, touch and feel different textures. Several times recently Amara appeared to be waving "hi" by opening and closing her hand when greeting a new person. Amara continues to eat more and try more solid foods. She loved a puree of spinach, pea, and pears that was tried yesterday. We also went to the beach for the first time as a family and Daddy helped Amara get her feet wet in the ocean. She was cautious (smart girl!) but seemed to enjoy it, especially the part where she got to ride on Daddy's shoulders.

A few photos from "play dates". By the way Amara sat in the high chair for the first time today (see below)!

Six and a half months

Summer is here! Amara has been enjoying her first "play dates" with a couple of Moms and babies from a Meet Up group. The weather has been NICE and not too hot. Mom and Amara have been taking long walks at the beach, in the neighborhood and at Balboa Park. Amara continues to get more stable sitting up and she continues to experiment with first foods. She has tried purees of peas, prunes and apple. Fruits seem to be preferred to vegetables.

Amara loves to hold the spoon and feed herself. She even decided to drink milk from her bottle which has not wanted to do in months!

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