Movie Time!

About a week ago, some people were filming a movie in the alleyway right outside our house! I don't know what the movie was about--all I know is that there were bright lights and people saying things like, "Scene 26, Take 6"  and "Cut!" Anyway, I slept through most of it.

But I decided that, hey, if they can do that here in Weibdeh: so can I! So attached are some of my movies. You'll notice that I'm expanding my repertoire of sounds and that I am quite adept at the whole "shoving my fist into my mouth" thing.

Cheers!

Direct from Mom

 This week both Jim and I had the whole week off for Eid-al-Adha, and it has been a real treat to just have time to hang out together as a family. Yes, I have been back at work for less than two weeks, but still: I don't know when I've enjoyed time off more!!

Katie is definitely growing up and is starting to interact with her world more--which is a lot of fun! Just today she laid on her play mat for nearly twenty minutes, "talking" animatedly with the other little baby looking back at her from her mirror: she was delighted  that the other person smiled back at her so consistently!

Molly & Katie, Sara & Laila

This week we also had a chance to connect with a number of friends and get Katie out a bit more: we had a barbecue (despite the rain) and got to meet up with some friends who used to live her but now live and teach in Saudi Arabia. Their daughter, Grace (2 1/2) was quite excited to meet "baby Katie"! We also spent some good time with the Bridges and their kids--they were Katie's first visitors when she was born and are still delighted by Baby Karis. It's also a great opportunity for Katie to learn about "real life" with other kids running all around!!

At one point during our visit with the
Bridges, Katie got fussy. Jim was walking
her to calm her down, and Sara (the
Bridges'  3 year old) joined in,
walking her "baby" as well!

Monday Katie and I had another "play date" with Sara, a friend from my pre-natal class, and her daughter Laila, who is only one month older than Katie. It was fun to see how much the two girls have changed since their last play date. And this time they even looked at each other: Katie babbling away while Laila calmly took it all in (except when she was demonstrating her great little laugh!).

And Tuesday we took a trip up north to Jerash, giving Katie her first chance to get out of Amman and "smell the air" (Molly's translation of a common Arabic saying). She did great and we were even able to eat lunch at a restaurant with a friend.

By Thursday we were all pretty tired, and we've been taking it easy. Katie has a slight cold . . . but a good friend of ours who is a doctor (thanks, Cal!) once told us that it's actually really good for babies to get sick quite a few times in their first year--it helps build their immune system . . . so Katie's getting started!

Tomorrow we're back to work and a bit more "normal" schedule . . . but we are now counting down the days til Thanksgiving break (11 days!) and then to Christmas (one week, nine days until we get to meet the grandparents!!).

We're Back!

Good news. Mom now has a working camera again, so we're back!

Bad news. Mom now has a working camera again. Seriously: how many camera flashes in a day can one little girl stand?!!

But just to catch you up on the last few weeks: I'm now over 2 1/2 months old, and it's amazing how much more of life I'm able to see and experience! Fortunately, Mom and Dad have learned that sometimes I need to just be left alone to play in my crib or on my mat so that I can experience the world and take in all the sights and sounds and smells.

We are going out more: I've been to Mommy's work, to a barbecue (in the rain!), and over to friends' houses. I've even learned how to take naps at other people's houses . . . it's not all that bad, though it is a bit disorienting to wake up and not see all of my familiar things around me!

Mom has gone back to work, which means that I spend more time with Malou, my nanny. Not sure if I've introduced her yet or not, so I'll include a picture of her on this post. Yeah, I'm little in the picture so I've changed a lot since then, but she hasn't! Malou has been here in Jordan for a long time, and she's got a granddaughter in the Philippines who is only two weeks younger than I am, so she knows all about taking care of babies! She sings to me and holds me and helps me "fly" through the air . . . and also does all of those normal things like feed me and help me go to sleep.

Right now Mom, Dad, and I are enjoying a week-long holiday  which means more time relaxing at home and more time to visit friends. I'll write more later . . . just wanted to make sure you knew that I'm still growing and doing well . . . and I should be writing more soon!