November 2007 and the Marking of Luciana's First Year of Life

Hello Family and Friends,

Luciana wishes to announce her first birthday. She was very happy to celebrate it with many of her friends here in San Antonio. She decidedly likes cake. She also dressed as a pumpkin for Halloween (she makes for a very cute pumpkin). She continues to impress her parents with her increasing speed and her ability to get into places like cabinets and drawers to locate potentially dangerous objects. Luciana wishes everyone a very happy holiday season!

The Great Pumpkin

This one's more my size.

Dinah, Marty and Luciana

Luciana and Ree

Having a Happy Birthday

I don't know about this...

On second thought, let's make it a tradition!

Luciana's First Birthday Party!

Marnie and Luciana Playing Outside

Look at the teeth!

Still working on this reading thing...

Summer's End, 2007

Greetings and Salutations,

Luciana has been learning very quickly over the past three months. In a few short weeks, she graduated from crawling to cruising. She began walking at the tender age of 9 and 1/2 months. She is now waddling all over the house and getting into trouble. She went to Seattle and then to Cincinnati in August to visit the Krymans. She will soon need her own frequent flier card. She seems to have invented her own language - she enjoys babbling to people on the phone. She can understand a few words and signs (we're working on baby sign language). She can say "Mama" and "Dada" and "Dog". I'm pretty sure that she has made the signs for "food" and "milk". I doubt it will be long before she starts using more words. She wishes all of you a happy Fall!

Swimming with Mom

Stacey and Lou

Looking Outside

Let's Play!

Jon and Lou

Cousins

Jakob and Lou

Getting Spoiled by Grandpa

Fritz and Lou

Emily and Lou

Maybe I should have sent a different one in for the Gerber baby contest.

Bath Time

Never again will a kitchen sink be this much fun.

Amy and Lou

Summer, 2007

Hello Gentle Reader,

Little Lou has been very busy since my last update. She can now crawl (rather quickly), sit independently, and even stand without holding on to things for short periods. Much to the joy of her father, she is able to say "dada" now (although our panel of judges cannot agree whether she can use this word purposefully). Officially, her first word is still "hi." She took her first flight to visit the Hemphill family on Hilton Head Island in May. She has also started "school" at the Jewish Community Center. They don't seem to mind much that she's not Jewish. However, don't call it "daycare" or they will be very offended. They are doing a wonderful job. Luciana is very happy there and now has several new little friends. Luciana hopes this update finds all of her family and friends happy and well.

Fun with Starch

The First Girl Standing

Jackson Pollock would be proud.

The Mother of all Strollers

Fun With Contact Paper

Loungelizard

Playing in the Water

Luciana at Paul and Sarah Barowski's Wedding

She may have a future in politics.

Stephanie, Annie, and Josie Lee and the Hemphills

You never know when you're going to run into one of these - which is why I always carry a big gigging stick.

Lou's First Day at the Beach

Eye protection is recommended.

The Hemphill Clan

Courtney, Randy and Luciana

Great Grandma and Grandpa Hemphill with Lou

Nana and Luciana