1 year old!!!!

Emma is two days shy of her 1 year old birthday. She has 8 teeth (4 top/4bottom)! Emma is walking!!!! She will walk with you holding your finger or take a few of her own steps towards you. She takes two naps a day, but her daycare is transitioning her to just one nap a day. Emma has eaten many new things... Ravioli, cake, grilled cheese, hamburger, fish, waffles, etc.
23 pounds and 12.5 ounces was her weight last week. Her 1 year old appt is pushed to November because of our schedule.

It has been a crazy year with her getting sick almost weekly from these daycares. Hopefully her immune system will strengthen this year and protect her from these viruses!

I will definitely post many pictures of her birthday weekend!!

11 months... 29 days closer to Party Time!!!

Emma is 22 pounds. She was close to 25 pounds, but came down with a horrible virus that lasted a few weeks (lots of "stuff" leaving her body-to put it nicely). Anyways, she is back to normal and active as ever!! Emma is now walking parallel to anything she crawls up to and can walk along!!! She even lets go for a moment and stands solo! I can walk holding one of her hands and she will walk with me! She has eaten ravioli, bananas, peaches, spaghetti, English muffins, toast, crackers, potatoes, carrots, oatmeal, rice, eggs, macaroni and cheese, and a little birthday cake from daddy's birthday... She is making many different sounds when she communicates, and has begun shaking her head "no" when she isn't excited about a certain food, situation, or what you have to say! Haha... Not sure she knows what she is doing, but I'm sure you get what I mean. She gets pretty frustrated when she is tired and likes to pinch, grab, and tear at MY skin. She will grasp what she is holding or make a fist and just squeeze as hard as she can, hey, she is just figuring things out, it'll pass!!!!!!!!! Until she is at the terrible twos and possibly all the way until she is a teenager... Haha... On a more serious note she is the best thing that has ever happened to Bo and I and we couldn't be happier. We both look forward to spending as much with her as possible and love her to death! Until next time... 30 short days and the 1 year old blog post!!!!! Many more to come!

Emma banner!!

Still needs ribbon, but this part didn't take long! Only a little over a month until the big day!

Happy 10 months Emma!!

Emma is growing up so fast!!!!
She has mastered the following:
Clapping, waving, saying "dada", crawling-she is very adventurous, pulling up to stand and walking along the piece of furniture, using her sippy cup, and also has a habit of chewing on her thumb.
Emma has tried many new foods including pickles, turkey meatloaf, pineapple, snow cones, frozen yogurt, and rice cakes!!!

Also forgot to mention she has her 5th tooth, will give kisses, and really likes hummus!!!! Also she has started grabbing you at the waist to give hugs.... Can't wait for more!!!

Emma will be starting a new learning center on September 4th... It is close to home :). She actually started at her old daycare last week because I had to begin working in my classroom! Kids come back next week, ahhhhhhhh!

Birthday Party Essentials!

I found some ladybug birthday items at Arene's party store today! Getting so excited, and now to make a few more banners and order invitations! ;)

High chair banner

Finished!

Birthday party crafts!!

Here is the bow and a high chair banner I made for Emma's birthday!! Just need to put "I am 1" on her banner.
More to come :)

Crawling

Emma crawled all the way across the room this morning for her bottle!!! I'm a proud Mommy :)

9 months!!

Emma was 22 pounds and 12 ounces, and 28.5 inches long!!!! Her next visit will be at 12 months.
Her blood came back great, not anemic!!
She can use a sippy cup and loves these new Puff cereal treats her grandma introduced her to (great for mastering those pincher movements for fine motor skills)! She has mastered that.

New skill chart (Emma's skills are bolded)

Child's Age	Mastered Skills (most kids can do)	Emerging Skills (half of kids can do)	Advanced Skills (a few kids can do)
7 months	Sits without support Drags objects toward herself	Lunges forward or starts crawling Jabbers or combines syllables Starts to experience stranger anxiety	Waves goodbye (waves hello) Stands while holding onto something Bangs objects together Begins to understand object permanence
8 months	Says "mama" or "dada" to parents (isn't specific) Passes objects from hand to hand	Stands while holding onto something Crawls Points at objects Searches for hidden objects	Pulls self to standing, cruises Picks things up with thumb-finger pincer grasp Indicates wants with gestures
9 months	Stands while holding onto something Jabbers or combines syllables Understands object permanence	Cruises while holding onto furniture Drinks from a sippy cup Eats with fingers Bangs objects together	Plays patty-cake and peek-a-boo Says "mama" or "dada" to the correct parent
10 months	Waves goodbye Picks things up with pincer grasp Crawls well, with belly off the ground	Says "mama" or "dada" to the correct parent Indicates wants with gestures	Stands alone for a couple of seconds Puts objects into a container
11 months	Says "mama" or "dada" to the correct parent Plays patty-cake and peek-a-boo Stands alone for a couple of seconds Cruises	Understands "no" and simple instructions Puts objects into a container	Says one word besides "mama" or "dada" Stoops from standing position
12 months	Imitates others' activities Indicates wants with gestures	Takes a few steps Says one word besides "mama" or "dada"	Walks alone Scribbles with a crayon Says two words besides "mama" or "dada"

Emma is 8 months!

Happy 8 months, only 4 more short months before her 1st birthday!!!! Love you bunches love bug!!

Emma loves biscuits!

Emma loves eating her Baby Mum-Mum biscuits for snack time!

Emma's changing sooo fast!

Ok, slow down love bug!
Emma will be 8 months this Thursday :)  Which means... I need to get busy planning her birthday party, ahhh!
She weighed 22 pounds and was 29 inches at a doctor appointment last Monday.  WOW, that means she is 98% and 99% percentile for weight and height!
Emma has accomplished so many developmental milestones since we have been home for summer.
She can:  roll tummy to back and back to tummy (that order), can play "patty cake", has two teeth- first tooth end of May and second tooth as of last week, tried mashed potatoes then rice this month, met her Great-Grampy, and this week started moving all over the crib in different directions (rolling, laying sideways, doing a complete 360 throughout the night)--time to remove the blankets!  This morning she was face down! 
She has pretty much outgrown the swing.  I guess we can remove that from the living area so we have more space.  She is almost bored with her jumperoo too!  It is probably time to invest with some more floor toys to get her crawling.  One of my "jobs" this summer will be to baby proof the house.  AND figure out how to add baby gates to the top and bottom of the two flights of stairs. 

 Swimming with Grandma and cousin Hailee

Pretty dress from Great-Grampy and Dorothy

Tummy time

Summer dress from Mommy and Daddy

Sweetest face!

Pool time with Grandma, Grandpa, Mommy and Daddy

Two new teeth

Eating with Grampy for Father's Day

Standing without support

Meeting her brother for the 1st time!

Emma met Caiden tonight!  We joined Shelli, Kent, Cody (their son), and Caiden at Chili's. 

We learned many things as they did about our recent lives.

Caiden won 1st place for an art drawing his teacher submitted against all the other elementary schools.  It was a drawing of a coffee mug, book, and candle on a side table.  I received a xeroxed copy of it and it was amazing.  Next, Caiden won a math competition at his school for reasoning on mathmetical problems.  Caiden made straight A's in 4th grade and works really hard in school.  Also, Caiden is teaching himself how to play the piano.  He says he can't actually read the music, but through trial/error and practice he is now able to play a few pieces by Beethoven!!!!!  He really enjoys playing his his three dogs (2 Boston Terrier's and 1 Dachshund).  They just returned this past Spring Break from Destin, Florida.  Caiden really wanted to go deep sea fishing because he had never been before, but became sea sick the whole way out.  He did catch one red snapper, but they had to throw it back because it wasn't in season.  He wasn't sick returning back to shore, and that was his favorite part!  Caiden is playing soccer right now, but he also loves to play baseball. 

The visit between Emma and Caiden was really good.  I compared Caiden and Emma at this stage-what both of their likes/dislikes were, what they enjoyed doing, how the deliveries were completely different, etc.  I brought Caiden a picture of Emma to keep, and also shared pictures I pulled from when Caiden was her age now and we looked at those.  Caiden was very attentive listening to the stories/memories.  Caiden gave Emma two gifts, a huge, soft, plush elephant she can lay on and a 100 First Baby Words book.

Caiden picked up her pacifier when she dropped it and went to wash it off for her, which was very sweet.  He also picked up other things she was dropping and handed them back to her.  It was bittersweet to watch them two together.  I have dreamed of this day since I became pregnant with Emma!!  Another thing, Kent and Shelli told me Caiden actually requested that they call me to set up a dinner date!!!!  That finally gives me the reassurance and proof I have been praying for to know that Caiden wants to see me, and that he wants to know Emma :) 

So many times I have sat back and waited for a return phone call time after time.  Eventually, I just told myself to be patient, as much as it hurt.  I have never wanted to interfere with his life or make him feel uncomfortable.  I've always wanted him to be happy, stable, healthy, and successful.  I know he already has everything he needs.  But, I want to be there for him IF he ever does need me and I want to be in his life and his in mine.  I want him to always know I love him as much as I love Emma

I hope this continues and grows!!!!!!!!

It's summer time with Mommy!!!!!

This past Monday, June 4, 2012 started summer where I get to stay home with Emma!!!  So far it has been a busy one.  We have lots planned this summer including relaxing, shopping, witnessing her firsts, enjoying some pool time, planning her 1st birthday, and just spending time together!

Emma is now 7 1/2 months old!!!!!  At her 6 month appointment she weighed a little over 21 lbs. and was 27 in. long!  She can sit up by herself!!!  She still loves to jump around in her jumperoo. She has enjoyed some baby pool time with Grandma/Grandpa, cousins and family. She is not crawling yet... but I did witness her roll over from her tummy to her back yesterday!!!  It sort of freaked her out though and she started to cry, but not for long.  Her legs are SUPER strong.  She would rather stand with support than enjoy tummy time.  She is laughing a lot, smiles ALL the time, and has been cooing.  She is growing up so fast.  I hope this summer slows down so I can soak it all in!!
She loves to eat yogurt for breakfast, enjoy chicken/turkey (not so much beef), veggies, and fruit for lunch and dinner.  She still eats a bottle every 4 hours, but not as many ounces of formula as before. 

This past Monday we woke up pretty early.  I think Emma knew it was time to stay home because she woke up at 5am and wanted to play!!!  We played with toys on the floor, did some jumperoo, ate/drank breakfast, took a nap, and then it was time for Mommy to workout.  We went to the gym and she played in the Kid's Klub.  Next, we went grocery shopping!  We came home and unpacked, enjoyed some lunch, and took a nap together.  I did some cleaning and made dinner.  The day sure does go fast!
Tuesday was really busy!  I had a morning doctor appointment at 8:40am, so we had to leave pretty early because I rode in with all the work traffic to the Medical Center.  We went to the gym again after the appointment.  Emma was really tired (she took a nap in the car), but not in her bed which she (actually Mommy, haha) prefers!  We came home right after that and met Daddy for lunch at home.  I originally planned on doing some shopping, but Emma had such a busy morning I cancelled that.  I did things around the house the rest of the day and made dinner.  Emma and I read some books and played again in the afternoon.  This is when she rolled over for the 1st time!!!! GOOOO EMMA!
Today we played this morning.  We met Grandma at Lone Stare College where she works so she could visit, have lunch, and show her Granddaughter off to some work friends.  The visit was really nice.  Emma was told she was beautiful so many times.  I think Emma doesn't know her real name!! haha...Later, we went to Janie and Jack and I purchased 4 outfits and a bathing suit for her... they were having a SUPER sale!  Emma is now napping while I record this week's adventures!

Pics to follow!

Emma is 5 months--latest pictures

Emma is 5 months today!  She has her 5 month check up this Saturday, March 24th at 9:30am.

Emma went to the park for the 1st time on Monday this week.  The weather was pretty nice, not too hot/cold, and finally clear skies instead of rain!  I walked around with her to show her the different play areas and then we sat on the big swing together.  After swinging together I put her in the baby swing and we played, took pictures, and enjoyed being outside.

Recently, Bo and I had our first trip together since having Emma over Spring Break.  We went to Las Vegas for 3 nights.  Emma stayed with Grandma and Grandpa, and she also visited with her Great Grandma (Gran) who drove in from Nachitoches, LA.  Emma has such a loving family and Grandma and Grandpa definitely know how to give her the best love and care!!  Emma went to lunch, shopping for clothes, and played-played-played!  She came home with very cute Easter outfits and a crawfish outfit!!  We survived our first trip without Emma, though it was hard and I was anxious to get back to her immediately. 

Emma is eating baby food now!!!  She has recently developed a liking for peas, carrots, sweet potatoes, pears, peaches, and prunes.  Just this past week she began moving her tongue around more.  I think it helped her figure out how to move the food to the back of her throat to swallow.  I feed her two small tastings of one veggie and one fruit (afternoon and evening).  She still receives her normal milk serving about every 4 hours.

Here are some pictures that go along with the update.  I will post her 5 month checkinup stats over the weekend!!  Happy 5 months Emma!

Emma's new stats, and likes/dislikes!

Emma is now 17.8 lbs, 25.5 in, and 42 cm head circumference, AKA: OFF THE CHARTS/95%/75%!

She can do a nice airplane in the air when you hold her above you, pull herself up if you hold her arms, stand if you assist her, and was pretty strong all around. These days they don't predict that you will be "this tall or this weights" because there are many factors that come into play, but they said she is the size of most 7.5-8 month old, but is proportioned so they don't worry at all. 

Emma and food:
Emma loves her milk.  Now we have her bottle filled to 8oz so that she can have as much as she wants to fill her up (obviously she will leave about 1-2 oz left over).  This way she will stay fuller longer, instead of every 3 hours she should be eating about every 4 hours. 
Emma is still experimenting with pureed food.  I am making the pureed food for Emma.  I have a baby food maker that Bo's parents got us for Christmas that will steam and puree the food all in one.  She has tasted butternut squash, sweet potatoes, and prunes!  So far, she likes sweet potatoes and prunes.  I am going to make her some carrots this week to see how well she does with them.  I did buy one organic jar of pears to test those out soon before I buy a ton of fruit that will go bad fast. 
Emma prefers milk over food right now... I think the texture still feels pretty weird on her tongue.  

Emma and developmental milestones:
Emma is doing great!  She loves her jumperoo that has really got her exercising those thighs hehe!  Her legs are very strong!  She loves to stand with assistance or hang out for about 30 minutes in her jumperoo.  Also, she can take a few steps forward before she kneels to the ground. 
Emma loves to watch you communicate with her and then attempt to talk back.  She coo's many different sounds!  She loves to be active at home doing tummy time, hanging out in your lap, pretending to walk around, moving about the house with you, etc..., rather than sitting around in her bouncer or swing (she does like to be in her swing to begin the nap process!!).
Emma still loves her pacifier... she has not yet begun to suck her thumb.  Sometimes she does chew on her fingers/hand.  I think she might begin teething soon, but she doesn't like to chew on teethers just yet. 
Rolling over hasn't happened thus far, but she has tried to kick her legs over to roll onto her side. 

Emma and clothes:
Emma is in 6 month clothes now!  She is too long for 3 months... BIG GIRL!

Emma and school:
Emma has done great at her daycare.  I receive a daily "report card" on her feeding, naps, and diaper changes, plus any extra info.  They are very nice there and always welcoming me at any time.  She just had her school pictures done on Tuesday, and I can't wait to order the package and share!

Emma and sleeping at home:
Emma just moved from the bassinet to her very own room and crib last night!!!  She did absolutely wonderful.  She went to bed pretty easily at 9pm and woke up at 2:30am.  Daddy went down there to feed her a bottle and she fell right asleep after eating.  Emma, Mommy, and Daddy slept so good that we almost didn't wake up in time to get ready, and on the road for Mommy to get us to daycare and work!  We have a great baby monitor that acts as a video camera with sound for us to watch her at night and hear her if she needs to be checked on.

That is all I can think of right now!  Will post more soon!  Hope you all are having a great day <3


 

Emma's new luggage

With her name embroidered on it... going to be perfect for her over night stays with grandparents or furture trips with Mommy and Daddy!  I had some Pottery Barn gift cards that I needed to put to use!

4 months! Wow!

Emma is 4 months, already!  She weighed 16.8 oz and was 25.25 inches long at an appointment on February 10th!  She has her 4 month appointment to get her second round of shots this Saturday, so we will see what she has gained (in weight and length).  She was/is in the 95th for weight and 90th for height... so she is still doing great!  I will update after Saturday with more pictures and information after her appointment!  Hard to find extra time these days :(

3 months, already-really!?!

I know this is late, almost by a week!!!! AHHH...

Anyways, Emma's report for her 3 month checkup said that she was 15.8 lbs, 24 1/4 in, and 40 head circumference!  We can slowly start introducing food to her (veggies: yellow-green, then fruit).  We are a week into her being 3 months and haven't began that process yet.  Emma will receive her next round of shots at her 4 month checkup, and then again at 6 months.

Her first week of daycare has been great.  Her teachers really love her, especially because she is the ONLY girl in her class!  Daddy has lots of "boyfriends" he is going to have to fight off soon!!  hehe
Emma hasn't been sleeping through the entire night like she did a few times before I went back to work---go figure!  So, I get up with her around 12:30 to feed, and then she is ready for the morning about 4:30 each day--EXHAUSTION!  Luckily, her bedtime is 9:00pm so we at least get enough sleep to function. Thank you love buggie <3 

She has changed so much!! She is holding her head up great, enjoying the "Jumperoo", loving bath time with Mommy, and cooing/smiling so much.  She loves playing with her tongue.  Emma tries to duplicate the things she watches you do with your tongue, smiles, and coos!  She has been drooling more these days so she might be cutting a tooth here in the next month.  I look forward to end of the day when I can run out of work and see her smiling face when I pick her up from daycare!   

She just recently rolled over on the bed!!  Now, that is not something she can do on a flat surface, such as the floor-but she is getting there! 

I will post some more recent pictures this weekend!!!