Photos from winter 2008 and spring 2009

2008

New pictures - finally!

Random Hugs

Something adorable that we have been able to enjoy is that Anni and Mara are starting to hug each other randomly for a few seconds. It doesn't last to long and afterwards they are apart again playing seperately but it is amazing to watch the love grow between them. They have a new game where Amara pushes Annika around on the riding bus. I know it should be the other way around but even at 12 months Amara is the stronger and more coordinated one.

Also, if one is awake while the other is asleep they are always watching the door of the sleeping sibling waiting for them to awake. Yesterday, Amara said "Didi!" clear as day (this means big sister in Gujurati) when she heard Annika waking up on the monitor.

Amara's speech is starting to blossom. We have "Gun" for all done. "Didi" for Annika. "dada" for Dad. "Mama" for mommy. "Maaaaa" for mine and I want it. "Daaaa" for dog. A few days ago she signed "all gone" when she wanted Leo to stop licking her. She was pretty mad when he did not understand her sign for wanting to be left alone. : )

Free Makeovers

Why didn't I learn the first time. In a desperate attempt to distract Amara while I loaded laundry, I gave her my purse to go through. I thought to myself, "Ami - that is dangerous, what if there is something she gets into that can create a mess?" but since I could not think of anything dangerous in my purse at that very moment I gave it to her. She had been pulling out of the washer anything I was trying to put in and I just needed 30 seconds. I finished the laundry and the forboding feeling of maternal instinct told me disaster was in the air. Luckily no one was hurt except the carpet. Amara found a blush container in my purse that I forgot about and was amazingly able to unscrew the cap and smear it all over her and all over the staircase carpet. Those thirty seconds will now cost me $116.49 according to Widmers Carpet Cleaning.

The worst part of this story is that the same thing happened with Annika when she was around a year old. Except her story was red lipstick all over a white couch. However, widmers did their magic then as well so this time I wasn't scared of the consequences just mad at myself for not learning the lesson the first time. Lesson - There is never a situation dire enough that kids should play in your purse!

Pics of Amara

We were going through our pictures and realized that Amara doesn't have much face time on our blog, so we present Amara in technicolor (I'm not sure that I really know what technicolor is, but it sounds impressive).

We are really glad that she is our daughter, and the pictures actually do a good job of showing off some of her personality. She is always laughing or getting into trouble and then laughing when we catch her. She starting walking right around her first birthday on January 5th and now confidently teeters all over the house. Today she teetered off from a playgroup we were chatting with at B&N and for a second we could not find her. Me - Samir where is Amara? Samir - I thought she was with you Stage Left - Crash-Bang-Boom! Samir - I am pretty sure that she is source of the crashing sound. She managed to disassemble a 25 book display in .5 seconds. Hence, why Samir has named her CDO, Chief Demolition Officer.


 

 

 

 

Our SouthPark Alter Egos

 

 

Our 2008 Holiday Letter

I cannot believe that I have misplaced my virtual christmas letter and that I have not posted anything yet. It was typed in word on one of our computers but which computer is the question! Mine, Samir's, or the home computer? I will find it soon but first I am publicly chastising myself for somehow slipping into disorganization and chaos over the holidays. In 2009 I will focus on stepping up my organization and clear communication up a level. At least back to what it was when I was working. They say if you don't use it you lose it and it seems that is what has happened to me. - A