Emily's First Christmas

Lucky for us we have lots of family around which means every year for Christmas we have lots of opportunities to celebrate. This year for Emily's first Christmas we enjoyed lots of food, fun, family, and surprisingly snow.

On Christmas Eve at my sister's house we enjoyed watching the snow fall, opening up presents, and creating gingerbread houses with graham crackers. We created everything from a tiny cottage to a rich fancy colonial house. It was fun to see everyone's creation and their version of the gingerbread house.

Richard's creation - the tiny cottage.



Grandma and Uncle Jonathan's creation - the traditional country colonial cottage.



Madeline and Aunt Sandra's creation - the rich fancy colonial house. They even had reindeer food out on their lawn...ooo la laa.




Anthony's creation - the RV (after all, the camping gingerbread folks need a house too).




Uncle Grant's creation - the redneck one room school house (you know, because redneck gingerbread kids need an education).




Emily opened up her first gifts - a worm that moves and makes noise from Aunt Sandra and Uncle Grant as well as an adorable set of headbands and bows from Grandma and Grandpa Jim.




However, I do believe in the end she enjoyed the wrapping paper more than any of her gifts (go figure).





Christmas Day

On Christmas day we enjoyed lounging around the house and watching Emily open up her gift from her Grandpa and Grandma Sharon.



(Yes, those might be boring socks and clothes, but that is what she wanted - she told me herself)



Finally, we ended the day with good food and great company at Richard's Aunt Marilyn's house.

In the end, I don't think we could have asked for a better couple of days. In fact, both days were absolutely wonderful!

Jumparoo

For Emily's Christmas present this year Richard and I found an awesome deal on a very cool Rainforest Jumparoo. This thing by far has been the best source of entertainment for Emily and I swear her little baby heart went nuts as soon as she laid eyes on it's bright lights and fun animal sounds. In fact, not long after she was in it was she screeching, playing, and jumping herself into paradise. All I can say is YAY for technology! I do believe it has saved this household from complete madness.




I couldn't resist making a video of her. I hope you all enjoy!

Poor Baby...

Emily has two different chairs. One of them lights up and makes noise when she kicks it with her feet and the other one is a less entertaining rocker that has three dangling toys attached (one of which makes noise). Because Emily mostly uses the chair which requires her to kick in order to activate the sounds and lights, she has become accustomed to moving her feet in order to make stuff work. The only problem with this, is her rocker does not quite work in the same way. Instead, one of the rocker's fairly large plastic toys hangs overhead and requires her to pull it's string in order for the music to start playing. In the past this hasn't been a big deal, but tonight as I was cleaning and as Emily was sitting in her rocker trying to entertain herself, she would periodically start crying her head off in pain. Of course as the brilliant mom that I am, I could not understand why I would see her kicking her feet happy one minute and then as soon as I turned my back she would be crying. Finally after several times it occurred to me what was going on. Every time this cutie would kick the chair for the music to play, the dangling toys would go flying around her head and inevitably the middle toy would end up landing smack dab into her face.

The poor thing probably thought she finally had it all figured out.

5 Months Old and Fabulous

Officially 5 months ago this little princess came into our life at a whopping 4 lbs 3 oz. Although she started out tiny, Emily is now about 14 lbs. with adorable chubby cheeks and the cutest little double chin ever. Her days are not only filled with lots of talking, squirming, rolling, and wiggling around on the living room floor, but whenever she gets a chance she loves to stand and bounce on her feet, watch her hands move, and observe closely the world around her. Currently her favorite things are Word World on PBS, toys with sounds and lights, sweet potatoes, and listening to Christmas music.

An Attitude of Gratitude

In light of Thanksgiving, I thought that I would express our gratitude for all the love ones that make such a big difference for this little family of ours.

Grandma (my mom), I don't think I can thank you enough for all the times that you have dropped everything in order to watch Emily. I know your schedule is busy with school and your business and yet you always lend a hand without asking for anything in return. You have been such a big help and we appreciate all the constant love you give and all the support you have shown us over the years.

Granny Annie and Papa (Richard's parents), thank you so much for all the little things you do and give. I know you hate living so far from Emily, but it never fails how special you make our visits. I don't think we could express how truly appreciative we are of your constant love, support, and sacrifice. You give so willingly - thank you, thank you, thank you!

Sandra (my sister), I know your life is very busy and yet you are always so willing to help us out by watching Emily. Thank you so much for your time and sacrifice! I know some days it has been a huge ordeal for you to take Emily along with you, but yet you do it without complaint. Your help has been such a blessing for our little family!


Fortunately for us my list could go on and on thanking everyone that has blessed our life and our family in one way or another. We are truly surrounded by so many wonderful people that share so much with us. Thank you again for your love and selflessness - it has not gone unnoticed!

Sneaky Sneaky Little Girl...

For those of you who don't already know, Richard and I struggle some days to get Emily to go to sleep. For the most part she sleeps just fine on her own, but on her really bad days when Richard and I are together Emily sees me as the mean one who enforces bed time and Richard as "Mr. Fun Time".

The first time we realized this was a few month's ago when we were in the middle of Emily's "colic" stage. At the time, I was trying to get her through one of her daily episodes of crying and screaming by rocking her to sleep in her bedroom. After listening to her scream in my ear for about 15 minutes straight I decided to take a break and hand her over to Richard (after all he might have more success). However, as soon as she saw him and before I could really hand her over to him, Emily leaned out away from me and reached out for her dad. Well as you could imagine both Richard and I were ecstatic - she leaned out for her daddy! What we didn't realize at the moment was that she was totally playing us. Almost as soon as Richard had her in his arms the biggest smile came across her face followed by instant screaming as he reentered her bedroom. Oh yes, she might have only been a few month's old at the time, but she had the cunning idea that if she got into her daddy's arms bed time would be over and play time would begin. Unfortunately, her plan had backfired!

Roll forward a few months to now and this ritual is still going on in this house. In fact, the other night once again Emily tried to implement her plan (as if we somehow forgot the past) and like the times before we saw through it leaving her to cry in defeat in her daddy's arms.

Now, after watching her try this several times and failing at it several times I have come to the conclusion that I have to give her credit - she is one determined little girl. I just hope one day she will finally learn that the "Wicked Witch of Bedtime" comes in many forms...not just mommy's.

First Photo

At Emily's four month mark she was treated to her first photo shoot and first official photo. Thanks again Grandma!!

4 Months

This week we had Emily's 4 month doctor visit. As an update, our little fuss fuss is 12 lbs 4 oz, and although she is only 25% for her weight, her head is huge at a whopping 50-75%. Currently she is a major wiggle worm, loves to talk and screech, and today she finally figured out how to roll over on her own.

Emily's First Solids

We have now started Emily on solids and today was our first adventure on eating with a spoon.







Although only half of the food made it into her mouth, the venture was successful and we had a satisfied customer.

The Real Itsy Bitsy Spider

For Halloween this year Emily went as a spider and I the web. We really didn't do any trick or treating, but I had lots of fun designing and sewing the costume and she just had fun being in my arms.







She was by far the cutest spider I have ever seen and the only one that I ever wanted to have crawl all over me.

Jibber Jabber

As expected, the days of silence in our home are now long gone. Instead the house is constantly filled with Emily talking, laughing, and screeching with excitement. She can some days talk your ear off and she especially starts screeching when her favorite show comes on - Word World. Funny thing is when we are in public she appears to be quiet. Well folks, I hate to break it to you but she really isn't. In fact, if you ignore her when she is talking to you, she will quickly tell you exactly how she feels and her feelings are loud!!

Emily

I know there isn't much to say about this picture, but I love it. I realize now as I look at those eyes that they are going to be big trouble for us. How can you say no to them?

3 Months

Look how much we have grown!!

6 Weeks Old



3 Months Old


We are now officially 11 lbs 6 oz. and we have been upgraded to big girl status - we no longer require the car seat supports. Woo hoo!!

Gotcha!!

After weeks of trying to catch on camera Emily's smile, I was finally successful!

Random Pictures

I have started working on Emily's scrapbook and for the past few days have had the fun task of flipping through LOTS of photos. I thought I would share with everyone some of the fun ones.

Enjoy!!


Quite an exhausted baby...



I just wasn't fast enough with her bottle, so she grabbed the next best thing - her thumb.



Can we say unhappy...


I don't know about everyone else, but I think I see some slight resemblance.

You be the judge.



She is already learning how to express herself...oh boy!






You can't beat a soft fluffy "Oscar" pillow.

Look at That Baby Grow!!

As we passed the one month mark I couldn't help but look at how much Emily has grown and changed. She hardly seems like the same little girl.

2 Weeks Old



6 Weeks Old

Emily's Blessing

After waiting for what has seemed like forever, this past month we finally got our chance to have our own baby blessing. On August 2nd we dressed up Emily in her very first little white dress and set out for a wonderful day with family. Of course the best part was how cute she looked when her daddy held her up for everyone to see. If only cameras were allowed in church.

Coming Home

On July 8th Emily offically came home from the NICU. It was by far a very exciting day for Richard and me; now for Emily, it was just another day to sleep. It was fun to see her in her crib though - to me she just looked like a little doll.




Now some of us enjoyed the day more than others. For my cats it was the first day of the end of their life and happiness. In the end they just keep their distance and try to tolerate her and the "noise" she makes.