Every day is a new smile

A lot has happened since the last post. Here are the highlights:

Sara, Mark and Paul came for a visit. Oddly enough, it was the first real cold snap of the winter season- and it was the end of January! We had a lovely visit and it was really nice to have them up.

The cousins enjoyed their first meeting. Miriam and Paul were curious about eachother. I think (hope?) it's the start of a good friendship. Paul had a lot to share with Miriam- from how to clap, kick, share and smile. And also his favorite bird. Miriam did a lot of watching.

Paul and Miriam got along as best as they could. All they could really say to eachother was a series of "ahhs" and "ooh's". The most entertaining moment of the weekend from my perspective is when I was burping Miriam on my shoulder. Paul looked over and saw that I was patting Miriam on her back. He turned to his Mom and started patting her. It was pretty funny. Paul was very good at comforting Miriam when she cried.

Then it was better!

Later, I snapped one of the first pictures of Miriam truly smiling- usually I miss the opportunity because the camera isn't handy or the expression changes. This is a sweater that my Aunt Mary made for Miriam. It fits her really well right now. It makes my day to see this face!

It's quite amazing to notice subtle, almost indistinguishable changes in her looks and expressions.

Her personality is really starting to show up as well. She is smiling a lot- and sometimes getting her whole body in on the action: kicking legs, waving arms, broadly smiling from ear to ear. It just makes John and I so joyful to see her like this. Thankfully, she's not too much of a crier (unless she's REALLY desperate or we did her wrong!). And she settles pretty quickly and returns to her calm self. John and I have started calling her "Happy".

Bye for now!:)

Mary