Salma is 4 months old!

Salma turned four months old and little by little, she is transforming from infant to baby girl. In particular, she does "talk" quite a bit. Nothing word like yet, just those heart-melting cooing sounds. She has also firmly figured out her left thumb as you'll see...

Here Salma and Jaleh-joon enjoy a sunny autumn afternoon on the deck.


When she's not sunning on the deck, Salma likes to relax in her crib :)



See what I mean about the thumb?


It's been great to have Ali M around.


And once in a while 'pesar khaleh' Bahman comes to visit from L.A.


We had a few more visitors in October... Lisa and Dave....
and Nora and Angie.

We were also excited to have a surprise visit from Eliza (Lisa) Livingston who is a long time family friend and most recently was instrumental in getting Zahra (and me) through labor and afterwards. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures to share. In in my shameless desire to plug my friend's good work...Let me mention that Lisa runs a cute bed and breakfast on Vancouver Island if you're ever thinking of going that way. It's called Villa Marco Polo Inn. She has also written an book called Living with Colon Cancer: Beating the Odds
inspired by her own experience as both nurse and cancer survivor.

Salma goes to Toronto

In early October we made our first trip as a family to Toronto for Rosh Hashana.

My parents organized a wonderful open house on Sunday so many people got to meet Salma for the first time.



Aunty Toby made friends with Salma right away...





as did cousin Joanne.

She laughs and the O-MAYA secret

First of all... Welcome back Bella!!!!
Bella has been away for months and this is the first time she and Salma have met. We're very excited to have her back and to have her in Salma's life. Salma doesn't know it yet, but she will come to know how lucky she is.









Now on to the rest of the show :)

Salma has just started to laugh and it's wonderful to watch. Mostly the laugh is silent, but then occasionally she actually lets out the beginnings of a real honest to goodness giggle.

But ok, it's not all fun and games. We're having a little bit of sleep issues. I really can't complain, but during the day she doesn't sleep so by the time the evening comes she's tired and a little cranky. And yet, she still doesn't want to fall asleep.
We've discovered the secret though. It's Afro-Latin Hip Hop!

Our friend Steve plays bass in a fantastic band O-MAYA. Even if Salma is screaming all I have to do is put on the their CD, and she quiets down. And then we start dancing. By the end of the second song...she's out. Works like a charm.

And the music is excellent! I highly recommend the CD.

Salma has a lot to say

Zahra had a little conversation with Salma... listen in :)

Friends etc.

Sriram and Renate came to visit last week.



Sri took some nice pictures of Zahra and Salma.



And here's a picture of Salma's new crib. Many thanks to Buby and Zaida.

Nine weeks

Not because she's mine... but isn't she cute? It's been a few weeks since my last post. She smiles a lot now, particular when she's getting her diaper changed and definitely not when she's in the car seat.
She hates the car seat.



Salma likes her tushy bare;
She likes to have no diaper there.
She also seems to like to pee
So we change her diaper constantly.
All she needs to do is call :)
But she'd rather there be no need at all.
Cuz Salma likes her tushy bare
And really wants no diaper there.

It seems we have a little routine on weekday mornings. Zahra will feed her and then I'll take Salma for a walk in the Bjorn. It's been a little chilly in the mornings so we've been dressing Salma up with the cardigan and a hat. She is very curious on our walks, leaning back and taking everything in... for a few blocks that is...At which point the coziness of the Bjorn wears her out and she drops into a deep sleep.

She's started to be able to entertain herself for longer periods of time, which is great. She'll sit for a while in the bouncy chair and you don't even have to bounce it any more. And her motor control has been improving. She can now reach out and grab the toys on the bouncy chair.

There have also been a few other changes. Salma has a new crib with a very fascinating mobile. She finds the zebra particularly interesting.

We've also started to use cloth diapers. It's an experiment of sorts. We know the case for environmental benefit is not clear cut, but it somehow feels better to be "reusing" rather than giving in to the convenience of disposability. Of course, it also gives us an opportunity to buy Froggy diaper covers.

Apparently, Buby Marlene is over the frog thing, but I bet she'll still think this is cute.

When she's not relaxing under the mobile or playing in her jimni, Salma likes to work out on her tummy surf board to get some safe tummy time in.

Check out that concentration.




Before Nersi left for Iran, he had a party at his place and Salma enjoyed herself very much. She found herself a very comfy spot in the living room. No matter what kind of activity or loud music is going on. She has sleep to do.


Today, Kerem and Natalya came to visit. Kerem braved the challenge of calming Salma during evening witching hours. He was most definitely up for the task with Salma melting in his arms.


On a previous evening, Simona chose to use "assisted method" and so is now the latest addition to the bouncy ball hall of fame.



Finally, here are a few more family pictures for you to enjoy.

Buby and Zaida come to visit

Salma's hair is of great interest these days. She's currently sporting a look that you might call "parakeet punk". Buby thinks that she just needs a good brush but Khale knows better.

Now seven weeks, Salma has gone fashonable, sporting Tommy Hilfiger as she explores the Gymini. She seems to like the meimun in particular. We're not reading anything into that just yet.

Actually today Salma may have laughed for the first time. It was a short burst, but both Zahra and I heard it. It happened while she was on Zahra's lap, just as she looked over at a pile of new clothes she had just received as gifts from my parents' friends. Again, we're ready to read anything into that just yet.

So Buby and Zaida came to visit. This was Zaida's first time meeting Salma. It didn't take them long for Salma to get them on to the bouncing ball.



On the other hand, Dayi Ali prefers "old school".

Salma gets her first bath

Sleeping beauties. Last time people were saying that Salma was looking more like me, but look at that picture, clearly the jury must still be out...







After five long weeks, Jaleh-joon finally got to give Salma her first bath. I've got a couple cute bath pictures, you can email me if you want to see them. She was very good. She seems to enjoy the warm water and all the attention.


Our good friends John (gOm) and Lara came to visit with Asa. Asa is practically the same age as Salma and we're excited that John, Lara and Asa are moving back to Berkeley in a few months so we can be neighbors again. We look forward to many happy times ahead.