Emma's Birthday Party

Wow! We have continued to be extremely busy. The weekend before this past I hosted playgroup with all of Emma's friends. We had a great time and even took the kids to the pond in the backyard to feed the ducks. Unfortunately I think we scared the ducks more than we fed them. Our friends Tony and Angela and Dave from Michigan also came to visit that weekend. They had stayed with friends in Houston a couple nights and then stayed with us for one night. The boys went to the casino in Louisiana and Angela and I stayed at home with Emma and relaxed. We also rented the movie "Rachel, Getting Married." It was the absolute worst movie that either of us had ever seen. Do NOT waste your time on this one!

This past Wednesday my parents flew into town to be here for Emma's big 1st birthday party. Whenever they are in town we also put them to work. Grandpa replaced an outdoor light and replaced a ballast in an indoor light so that it would work. He also cleaned out our garage for us. Grandma helped to plant some more flowers outdoors as well as a couple Hibiscus trees in the front yard. Of course they both helped to prepare the house and food for the big party as well. Maybe we really should move closer to home with all of this free labor!!!

We had a great turnout for Emma's birthday party. We had about 25 people for the ladybug themed party (because we call her our love bug.) It was very hot and humid outdoors - in the high 80's, but we spent most of the time there. Jay grilled hamburgers and hotdogs and we also had beans, macaroni salad, fruit salad, chips, and cheese dip. When it was time to dig into the cake Emma didn't quite know what to do with it. She hesitated for a long time and was very lady like. Although she managed to get filthy with frosting I am unsure if she really ate any.

After cake we opened gifts, with the help of Emma's new friend Grace. Among her wonderful assortment of gifts Emma received a wagon from Grandma and Grandpa Big John, a water table from Uncle Ryan and Aunt Becky, Darian and Kennedy, (that was the hit of the party since it was so warm outside), a scrapbook of her first year from Nana and Papa (along with toys), lots of other fun toys and clothes, books, money, a love bug sweatshirt from Uncle Seth and Aunt Jenny and Kole, and the list goes on. She also got a new swing that she loves and a baby pool from mommy and daddy. She also received a book from Aunt Jenny and Uncle Gary about a Mama and Papa duck raising little ducklings called "Make Way for Ducklings". The book is so appropriate because right now we have a mama duck sitting on its nest in the bush right next to our back porch. I think it was scared during the party because of all of the people so close to it and everyone coming in and out of the house. We can't wait to see how many babies it is going to have and when they are going to hatch. It is also appropriate because along with "mama" and "dada" and "baba" Emma can now point at the ducks in the backyard and say "duck". (It isn't quite that clear, but she points at them and says something that sounds like duck!)

Emma was very well behaved despite missing her afternoon nap. We did lay her down, but she kept talking and refused to fall asleep when there was fun to be had. She was in her glory with other kids here and played well with them. She was exhausted by 7pm and ready for a good nights sleep!

Emma has also had her first sippy cup and she loved it - because it was filled with apple juice. I haven't given her any juice yet and of course Grammy and Grampy comes into town and spoils her with juice. She is also eating a lot more table food. She loves mashed up bananas. She has also started an extremely annoying habit where she screams at the top of her lungs if anyone attempts to eat around her without sharing. If we are eating- she HAS to be eating. This is so embarrasing in restaurants when she shrieks if we don't feed her fast enough. She is also getting more efficient at standing and furniture walking. I think it could be anytime when she gets brave enough to take her first step.

We had a relaxing Mothers Day. We went out for coffee to Rao's in the morning with my parents. Jay then took them back to the airport and I stayed home with Emma. We relaxed and used her new swing and went for a wagon ride. I got a pedicure gift certificate and some money for my new camera from Jay and Emma. My mom got me a new pair of earrings. I am spoiled just like Emma!! Hope everyone else had a great mothers day!

Here are a ton of pics from the past couple weeks. It was so hard to keep them in order. It may make more sense to start from the bottom up. I do wish I would have had more pics from her party - especially with Emma and her friends. The day went by too fast and before I knew it everyone was gone! Enjoy! PS I am working on the captions that aren't right and the blurry video. It is clear on my computer - hopefully I can figure out the glitch!



Can you find Emma with all of her new toys?



















Grammy and Grandpa Big John with Emma


















Grampy blowing zerberts with Emma


















Mommy and Daddy with Emma and her new swing


















The duck nesting on its eggs under the bushes right next to our porch. We can't wait to see how many babies it is going to have. Maybe they will be born on Emma's birthday?


























Emma posing with the ribbon from her new gift


















Emma and Grammy opening yet another gift the morning after the party

Sam with Grace - Laura and Jenni in the background

Emma with Grace's sunglasses on

Emma and Brynne at the water table

Can you find Emma amidst the gifts?

Mommy and Grace helping Emma open her gifts

Emma with her new purse

This is fun!!

Yummy!

What do I do with this thing??

Stylin and profilin in her birthday hat

Posing with Mommy

Sarah, Ben and Avery at the water table

Grace holding Emma

Emma with her ladybug dress and antennae

Happy Birthday flag with ladybug balloons

Emma's ladybug smash cake

Decorations

The Yummy cake

Playgroup

Tony and Angela with Emma

Emma riding in her new wagon - she loves it - and loves to take Eddie with her.

Emma Standing

As I said before, Emma is standing ALL the time now. The other day when I went to go and get her from her nap I saw her standing in her crib for the first time. I was so happy for her, cheering her on, telling her she is such a strong girl. I couldn't help but cheer for her and think she was so adorable standing on her own. Since then there are many reasons why the standing is no longer cute and adorable. Here are just a few:
1) Today during her nap I heard a loud crash followed by crying. I ran in to see what happened. While standing in her crib, Emma reached for her mobile and proceeded to pull it down and it broke and fell on top of her in the crib.
2) Yesterday as I was trying to scrub the bathroom floor (don't ever try to do this with your toddler near - BIG mistake) she couldn't help but want to pull up to stand on the bucket of water. Then she wanted to keep dipping her fingers into the Lysol water - UCK!
3) Also as I was trying to scrub the floor, and when I could get her away from the bucket, she was pulling to stand at the tub. Now that she can proficiently stand she was also able to crawl up onto the first step into the tub. I had to keep stopping the scrubbing and pulling her down because the next step was actually taking a header into the tub.
4) As I am trying to type this on the couch she has pulled up to stand next to me to visit and keeps reaching for the computer keys so that she can play with the big shiny toy.
5)Now she can open the cupboards and not only reach the bottom shelf, but can reach the second and third shelf up as well. It is way past time for us to get the child safety locks on the cupboards.
6) Our kitchen trash doesn't have a lid and we don't have a closet to keep it in. Now that she stands, Emma like to stand up at the trash and pick out anything that is on top and throw it onto the floor. EUWW!

With all that being said, Jay and I still find it amazing how fast our love bug is growing and changing. It is so much fun to watch her development. We are extremely blessed to have such a healthy, beautiful little girl. We both are excited for when she can walk. Will she be able to by her first birthday?????
Here are a couple pictures and video of her standing to see her toys:

Mommy and Emma were playing. She was rocking and I surrounded her with her toys. She couldn't figure out what was going on.

Her favorite place - looking out the back window

Emma's 11 month checkup

Emma had her 11 month checkup with the pediatrician on Friday. He said that she seems to be right on target developmentally. Here are her stats - she is a bit short for her age:

weight: 19lb 15oz 45th percentile
height: 28 inches 25th percentile
head circumference: 171/2 inches 45th percentile

He also said that we can start switching her from formula to whole milk. We are most excited about this since whole milk is quite a bit easier on the pocketbook!!

Just this weekend she has started pulling up to stand on anything and everything. (She was very lazy before and would only rarely pull to stand) She has found that she can stand at the fireplace hearth, the couch, the tv stand, the chair and her music table. I have attached a few pictures from the weekend.

Again showing her love for crawling through obstacles - with Eddie in tow
Standing at her lego table

Playing with mommy's shoes

Standing at the fireplace - with Eddie!!

Her first time pulling up at the couch

Happy Easter!!

Happy belated Easter to everyone!! Easter also happened to be Emma's 11 month birthday. Only one more month until the big day! Jay, Emma, and I went to a brunch Easter day at a restaurant in town named Suga's. It was very good. We then came home and Emma opened her basket from the Easter Bunny. He was very good to her this year. He brought clothes, new hair bows, a new touch and feel book about baby animals, bubbles and plastic easter eggs filled with coins. Of course the cheapest item - the plastic eggs - were her favorite gift. She took an egg in each hand and kept shaking it over and over. She would throw the egg across the room, chase after it, pick them up and throw them again.

We then changed into our comfy clothes, Jay and I watched Marley and Me, and Emma took a nap. Emma enjoyed playing with her bubbles later in the afternoon. I have attached a bunch of pictures from the last week or so and a video of Emma getting into her basket. Enjoy!

Emma with her two favorite toys that go everywhere with her - Eddie and Jerry
Emma opening her Easter gift from Grammy and Grampy. Thanks for the cute outfit and bathing suit

She LOVES crawling around and through objects like an obstacle course - this is crawling over the leg on her high chair

This picture doesn't capture the beauty of how she was sleeping. She was pushed against the side of the crib, laying on her side with her foot in between the rungs

Another favorite playing spot - in the curtains

Emma and Mommy on Easter

Emma and Daddy at brunch

Isn't she adorable??

Showing off her new book and outfit

Vegas Baby!

We have continued to be very busy as we have had company the last 4 weekends. Jay's parents - Nana and Papa - came to visit this past week. We spent the first weekend with them and on Wednesday Jay and I flew to Vegas for a little R and R while Nana and Papa babysat Emma. It was the first time that we spent more than a night away from her.

Emma has had a tough time kicking her double ear infection. We had to take her back to the doctor - AGAIN . He said that the antibiotic (which was the second one) wasn't working and that Emma would have to have a series of three high dose shots of antibiotic. I took her Monday and Wednesday and Nana and Papa took her Friday. She is feeling much better and is back to her normal, happy self. We do have to go back to the doctor in two weeks because he wants to make sure that her ears are all clear of infection. This will also be her 9 month regular checkup (even though she is almost 11 months) as we have had to keep pushing the appointment back due to the doctors schedule and Emma continually being sick. They don't want to give her regular immunizations when she is on antibiotic and already not feeling well. She had a great time spending time with Nana and Papa and showing them all of her new tricks - including dumping out her toy basket and throwing each toy across the room.

Jay and I had a great time in Vegas. It was the first vacation with just the two of us since our honeymoon over 5 years ago! We stayed at MGM which was very nice. Jay played a lot of poker and I layed by the pool, did some shopping and played the slot machines. We both felt bad for the poor economy in Vegas and decided to leave a little money behind as our own stimulus package.

We did go to the David Copperfield show which was amazing! Jay even got to go up on stage with him!! They asked Jay before the show if he would be willing and he said yes. They took him backstage to show him what he would be doing. Basically he helped to prove to the audience that this clear box on stage was indeed a box and had all 6 sides. He had to imitate David and tap all the sides. They also gave hime a red tie to wear and David asked to borrow it. He made the tie dance on end to the music and dance inside the box. We even inspected the tie ahead of time to see if it was normal. We think he had to change the tie out as some point but still don't have any idea how he did it. He made cars and motorcycles magically appear. I would definately recommend it to anyone headed to Vegas.

One of my favorite things in Vegas is the gardens inside Bellagio. They are beautiful - see the pics below. I also love the chocolate fountain and the amazing looking pastries at the Jean Phillipe chocolate shop in Bellagio. After a couple days away and after losing my money I was extremely homesick for Emma. I really missed her and couldn't wait to give her a big squeeze and kiss. It didn't help that she was sick and had to go to the doctor without me. I just wanted to be with her to comfort her after her shot. Anyway, it was great to see her when we got home. Jay and I both thought that her two bottom teeth grew quite a bit while we were gone. Isn't that weird to notice teeth growing in just 4 days?

Jay with Spongebob
Keri with Mr Yellow M&M

The chocolate pastries - mmmmm

The chocolate fountain

The snail made out of roses in the garden

The ladybug made out of flowers

Nana and Papa and Emma

Papa playing with Emma