My mommy, daddy, sister, Gammy Brenda (my birth mommy Val's mommy) and I visited the zoo animals in Baltimore. I had the most luxurious ride of all throughout the park, see? I hope my Gammy's back is feeling okay!

My sissy looked on in amazement as daddy helped me to "walk"... I looked like a little cowgirl walking.

I pet a cow! I ran my little fingers through her hair and then fussed when Gammy pulled me away... gammy had to let me do it a little more :)

Gammy carried me through a few short naps, too... I really enjoyed them. But I made sure to keep them very short, so that I did not miss anything :)

~~~ KEIRA ~~~

This is my new name!

I have been in name "limbo" for a little while now... my first temporary name (given by my dear birth mommy Val) was "Faith" (and it is now my middle name, everyone loves it and it is so appropriate). Then my parents' name for me was going to be "Mia", but somehow I just never ended up looking like a Mia! You see, I have this beautiful reddish blond hair and a wonderfully creamy complexion that just screams for an Irish name.

So... drumroll, please... my name (to be made official when I go before the judge shortly) will be Keira Faith Smith. Doesn't that just roll so nicely off your tongue? We hope you love it as much as we do! :)

love, Keira and family

Thanksgiving was very enjoyable! I did not want to sleep so I ended up taking only one real nap (usually it is 3 or 4!), what a special day. My uncle Chris and my Omi (my mommy's brother and mommy) came for a visit. My Omi has a very sing-song, animated, and lilting (German) accent and I just could not take my eyes off of her... I was so fascinated by her.

And my Gammy and grandpa came over to love me up, too.

I kept insisting that I simply *must* be with my sissie when she is doing fun things, so eventually I conned mommy into putting my bouncy IN the bathtub with Ava. We both very happy with that. Mommy is certain there were high fives all around when she wasn't looking :)

On my way to the gym with my daddy...

... to all of our blog friends, to my big extended family and friends, and especially to my birth family: mommy Val, Paul, gammy Brenda, and grandpa Gerry. We love you!!!

Look at how big and beautiful I am becoming :)

I am almost 4 months old...

I *ROLLED OVER* for the first time this morning - stomach to back! I was so surprised by it, I yelled for my mommy, and then I learned that it was a *good thing*. I might practise it some more now :)

Last week my birth family came to visit. Here is a wonderful photo, we just adore it! My grandpa Gerry and I - I so enjoyed chomping on his shoulder :)

My gammy was excited that Val arrived a few minutes later than she because that meant that she could snuggle and cuddle me a few extra minutes... I was so comfy that I fell right asleep (with 3 fingers in my mouth).

My birth mommy and I have a very special connection. She is amazed at how fast I am growing and asked if I could please slow down so that she could enjoy my infancy even more! It is true that I am getting very big - I am over 14 pounds now, and 3.5 months old. Some of my clothes are already 6-9 months! One thing that is very funny about me is that I am very *very* ticklish (I wonder if Val is too?) - every time mommy dresses me it becomes a giggle fest.

This is my birth mommy Val when she was a baby, just about my age. My family is simply *amazed* at the resemblance. We are almost identical!!!

Still leaning on my sis for support, but not much longer, I am getting so strong!

Hello all!

My sister *loves* to help me with my baths. I am not sure I don't prefer my mommy though, she doesn't put the washcloth ON my face :) By the way, I still LOVE my baths - I just smile and coo and gurgle throughout...

~~~ close-up of ME ~~~

Here I am with my sister, in the same photo.

It was one of the warmest Halloween's in recent history, but mommy still dressed me warm (isn't that what mommies do? that and "wash" our faces with spit - eek!). Both of my costumes were bovine, and mommy thought I was SO adorable in them. So did the neighborhood ladies, Patti and Jodi carried me around the whole night!

Mommy is teaching my sister how to touch me gently, while I just yawn!!!