I see you smilin'!

Carmela's happiness. :)

L'shana Tovah!

Carmela celebrated her first Erev Rosh Hashanah by screaming her head off at dinner. We're still not sure what the problem was, but have narrowed the list of possibilities:

a. Earache

b. Overstimulation and anger at loud noises

c. Teething

d. Diaper rash

e. Tummy ache

f. Some of the above

g. All of the above

Today was much better. We drove to Tacoma for the family service at Beth El; Carmela was very good through the whole thing. Then to Nana and Grandpa's for a late breakfast and some visiting before going to Jill and George's for the annual Rosh Hashanah potluck. By that time, Carmela was starting to get tired and a little cranky (see b., above), so we headed home. She still hasn't taken her afternoon nap and she's fussy, but hopefully she'll sleep well tonight.

Ela playing with Moo

One of her favorite things. It's pretty cute ... so long as you turn your computer sideways to see it. Hm. Functionality concerns noted ....

Hellooo 1967!

Carmela was a little fussy today. Was it maybe because Mom dressed her up as David Cassidy? Maybe. The pants she's wearing are long and sort of belled, with trim on the cuffs. And that *is* a LOT of salmon ....

Also, this picture is a little blurry, but here's my girl at 3 months.

Carmela's naming ceremony.

Carmela's naming ceremony was held at our house on August 13. Rabbi Nussbaum came over to do the ceremony, and we had a dessert reception afterward — "Follow sweetness with sweetness," as Rabbi Nussbaum said. Carmela's Hebrew name is Carmela Jael (pronounced "ya-el"); she was named for her great-great-grandpa Carmelo and her great-great-grandma June. She wore a beautiful white dress and white booties that her mom will save forever.

Welcome to Carmela's blog!

Carmela is doing so many exciting new things. For starters, she's fighting her first head cold! Alright! (At least it's not the flu.) She and Mom are staying home from school and daycare this week to get better. Dad's picking up soup.

She's getting bigger and bigger — she's grown out of lots of clothes and her bouncy chair (almost). And she's learning so many new things. She's really excited about sitting up, and she loves to look around at things and play with her toys from the seated position. She's getting much better at using her hands — she sort of scoops things towards herself with both hands, and tries to get whatever it is she's hanging onto into her mouth. She loves closing her little fists around crinkly things. She also really loves batting at the toys that dangle in her play gym. These days she gets a lot out of going for walks — she really likes to watch tree branches and leaves sway in the wind, and she loves watching other people. Her daycare provider, Bella, says she loves to go outside and watch all the little kids play in the yard. Ela also really loves to watch her bird mobile when she gets her diaper changed.