And to the Virginia Aquarium We Go

Yesterday, Chelsea and I took Emmy to the aquarium. We couldn't tell if Emmy was excited or scared to see all the sea critters. Emmy got a nervous laugh, and made all sorts of funny noises. She was most nervous about the sea turtles, the most fascinating animals there! After we went through the exhibits, we decided to take the nature walk to the next building to see the otters. After what seemed like 10 miles, we got there. We saw the cute otters, and an exhibit of snakes... not so cute. We made our way back once more, and took some pictures of the seals. Well, we tried to take their picture. We had a great time, and I can't wait to take Emmy back when she's older.

Checking out the sting rays


Look Emmy!

Wave to the fishies!

Emmy and Aunt Chelsea checking out the seals


On the nature walk


This walk's not so bad when you're in a stroller!


I brought home quite a tired baby who passed out on Daddy as soon as we got home, sweet girl.

Light of My Life

Emmy's going to be 10 months old next week. I can't believe it! She is quite a character. She's babbling and making up all kinds of sounds. She's been saying "Dada" for so long now, I've been patiently, or I should say impatiently, waiting for "Mama." And finally, after 9 1/2 long months, she said it! Yesterday, was the first day, she started rattling off "Mom." A matter of fact, right now, Emmy's playing on the floor next to me repeating, "mom mom mom mom mom." Life is sweet! I feel so much more fulfilled just by the sound of my own name. She's not into rolling over, crawling, scooting, or pulling up. She prefers to sit, and sometimes do an occasional sit-to-belly flop move. It's like she knows that she's supposed to be able to get around on her tummy, but just can't quite figure out the motions yet. Even with Aunt Chelsea's assistance, it proves much difficulty. But we're working on it with everyone's help. Chelsea put her down for a nap yesterday on my bed. One second she was sound asleep, and the next second, she was sitting up on the bed just looking around. So, she's got the muscles, she just prefers not to use them I suppose. I never crawled as a baby, so she may be taking after me. And I know that she's going to be sitting one day, and walking the next. And my life will be forever changed, as everyone tells me. I'll be chasing my baby all around the house. I'm enjoying every moment with her. Her favorite game is peek-a-boo. She pulls a blanket over her head, and waits for us to say, "Where's Emmy?" And then she pulls it down, and we'll say, "Peek-a-Boo!" She gets a kick out of it! Oh and sometimes she pulls the blanket too high, and we can see her, but we still say, "Where's Emmy?" It's hilarious. Or sometimes she'll forget to pull the blanket over her head and instead she'll just curl her head down. She's a goofy one. These changes seem to happen overnight, so I can't wait to see what she's going to be like in her oh-so-mature 10 months. Emmy we love you! You are the light of my life!

Such a big girl!


Who's that pretty baby in the mirror?

No More Baby Food!

If Emberlyn could talk, I know that she'd be telling me, "No more baby food!" She is really into feeding herself and prefers the texture of table food rather than runny baby food. She's been eating sliced fruits, veggies, breads, and meats for a couple weeks now. And she's so excited about it. When my mom was in town, she really helped me phase in all the new foods. And she turned Emmy into a watermelon monster! This girl can't get enough watermelon! She loves turkey and ham. Her favorite fruits, well EVERYTHING I've introduced so far: strawberries, canteloupe, bananas, watermelon, pears, mandarin oranges, and peaches. Veggies... she's not very enthusiastic about, but she'll eat them. She eats carrots, squash, tomatoes, green beans, and potatoes. And, of course, she's a fan of her Gerber puffs, Cheerios, animal crackers, and goldfish.

July = Our Month of Visitors

This month is a month of visitors. My mom and sister flew out on the 1st. My mom helped me accomplish many projects while she was here. Our biggest, was the landscaping project. My sister and I ripped out our front bush, and we replaced it with a stone path and plants. It turned out so great! Thanks mom for your impeccable design and strenuous labor! My sister will be with us the whole month, thank goodness! She is a HUGE help, and Emberlyn just LOVES her! Chelsea can get Emmy to laugh like no other! My mother-in-law flew out last week. We went to the beach, and Emberlyn was NOT a happy camper. I don't know if it was the waves against her feet that she didn't like, or the sand. But she was howling! She prefered sitting under the umbrella on my lap and playing while watching all the kids around her. Emmy also got to go on her first merry-go-round with Mimi. And then Wade's dad and stepmom fly out late next week to see us. So, it's been one crazy month so far. Emberlyn just loves the attention, and we most certainly feel spoiled from all the help. But it's wonderful! We only get to see our families a few times a year, and now with Emberlyn, it's even more difficult not seeing them. So, we're having an absolute ball now, and I'm sad to see July go. We love you and can't wait to see you all at the end of the year!

Emmy and Chelsea on their computers

Emmy and Mimi K

Emmy and her Auntie

Emmy and Mimi on the merry-go-round

A Day at the Beach

Emmy and Her Toes

9 Months and Growing Like a Weed

Emberlyn is 9 months today! Yay! She had her check-up this morning. She weighs 18 lb. 8 oz. Which is in the 45th percentile. And she's 29 1/2 inches long, which is in the 97th percentile! We've got a basketball player on our hands! The doctor was asking if she's crawling or pulling up yet. Emberlyn enjoys sitting, just sitting. She's been doing a belly flop from the sitting position. She flops on her belly and just lies there. She doesn't roll over, or try and move her arms or legs. I try and hold toys out of her reach, to get her to move, but the battle usually ends after a couple minutes of fussing. So, needless to say, she's a little behind in the area of mobility. I never crawled either, so I'm thinking that she's just going to take after her mommy; straight from sitting to walking. She's just a laid back baby that likes to sit and play with a mammoth pile of toys sprawled out in front of her. The doctor wasn't too worried, but said to work with her on her tummy. Fortunately, my mom and sister are flying in on Tuesday. So, they can help work with her too. We can't wait to see you! Happy 9 months Emmy! Mommy and Daddy love you!!!

Where Does the Time Go

It's been awhile since my last update. Life is good! And BUSY! We had a great Father's Day. We went to Buffalo Beach for lunch. Then we grilled with Derek and Lindsay that night. It was a great day! So, here's a happy late Father's Day to the BEST and most FABULOUS Daddy! We've been doing project after project since Wade's been back. Which has been fun, but TONS of work! We put in new carpet upstairs, which has been so nice! What a difference new carpet makes. We got new bedroom furniture, FINALLY! It's been a long time coming. We went from a full-size hand-me-down bed and dressers, to a king-size black antique sleigh bed, dressers, and night stands. We redid the downstairs bathroom with paint and new fixtures, and did some other small painting projects on a few other walls. And we're now in the middle of painting our kitchen cabinets. Does it ever end? Fortunately, Wade's gone this week to North Carolina for training. So, he can get a break, away from his project happy wife! I blame it on HGTV. I'll post pictures soon of our newest endeavors. And of course, our little Emmy who turns 9 months on Thursday!!!

She's a Fish!

We went to the pool with Emmy for the first time yesterday afternoon. The weather's been incredibly hot, so what a time to refresh in the pool! The second she got in the water, she had a blast! She was splashing, kicking, and swimming on her tummy, with Daddy's help of course. She had such a good time, that she cried when we got her out! We'll have to bring her back soon!

8 Months and Clapping

Emmy turned 8 months last week! Since we are no longer in Texas, I have to give my family a daily update of what she's doing. And I thought, what is she going to be doing differently day by day? But, to my surprise, she IS changing...EVERYDAY! She is up to so many new things, it's unbelievable!!! She still says "dada" all the time. Still working on "mama." =) She finally learned how to bring her hands together. When I clap my hands and say "Yaaaaay," she copies and does the same thing. It's so funny, we've actually been working on that for awhile. So, that's tons of fun now. Everything she does, I say "Yay!" And then she claps, and says "Aaaaa". Which is her "yay." She is also becoming tired of her runny baby food. She gets much more excited AND hungry, when I put cut-up fruit, veggies, or animal crackers on her tray. Which is actually a REALLY good thing! She's letting me know that it's time for big girl food. It's also been so much fun having Daddy to ourselves this last week. We've gotten so much done in our house with painting and organizing. He's gotten to spend TONS of time with Emberlyn. Which has made her so happy! She LOVES Wade! I knew she was going to be a Daddy's girl! He's back to work this week, so it's back to being just Emmy and me. Man, that time went by fast! But fortunately, he's home around 4, at least for the next couple weeks. When he got back from work this afternoon, Emmy looked at him and waved. It was adorable! She's still sleeping in her crib! I'm SO proud of her! AND ME, for keeping her in there! She wakes up once or twice, but goes back to sleep rather easily. Quite a smooth transition, which is so relieving! I thought it would be much more difficult. Her and I have been in the same room, and the same bed, for most of her life! Wade and I are so in love with her. There's nothing like being a mom! Well, summer's finally here! I'm thrilled that it's finally heating up! I can't wait to stick Em in her turtle float and go swimming! I think she's going to be a fish like her Daddy. Speaking of Daddy, I also want to give Wade a shout-out for putting on Lieutenant this last Saturday. Way to go babe!

Congrats honey on the LT bars!!! I LOVE YOU!!!

So proud of my Daddy!