Little Miss Chatterbox

Little Emma is talking up a storm with some major mimicking going on. Her two favorite words are "this" and "that." Always spoken with a pointed finger. It's so funny!! She usually alternates them.

Today at Noah's swim lesson, she was pointing to the wall saying, "this, this," but then I realized she was saying, "fish." And then she pointed to a picture of a starfish and said "this?" Not to be confused with "fish." We have inflection, people. I said "starfish" and then she pointed to the fish and said "fish" and to the starfish and said "starfish." Awesome job baby girl.

A few other words she's saying are crocs, cracker, lights, hat, go, out, up. All awesome first words! And, today my sweet baby girl said, "Pa Pa." For the record, first person she calls by name. Even before Momma, Daddy and Noah.

She also makes great kissing sounds. "Muh." Brother will come in to give her a kiss, and she'll try to kiss him back. Squatting and peering into his downturned face. Trying to get some eye contact for those smooches. Precious!

She's also starting to do bit of crying when she doesn't get her way. She's exhibiting some typical toddler behavior by tossing everything on the floor while sitting in her highchair. Asking for it back and then dropping it down again. Then if I don't give it back. Lots of crying. And, just tonight she was refusing to eat until I handed her the spoon. Then she kept pointing to the applesauce saying, "this, this." So, I gave it to her, and she ate it while she made a huge mess. No sensory problems here, but what a feisty personality.

Summer Yum!

Her Best Girl...

Emma & Molly, June 2012

Summer Nights

Noah insisted I put together his fish tent late this evening, and then went to bed all by himself in the tent. Battles picked! Happy Summer!

Another Bounce House Birthday

The birthday party at the bounce house is kind of our thing.  It's a private room, a definite time frame and very little prep and clean-up.  It's pretty much party perfection in my book, and so, for the third year in a row, the bounce house was booked.  Noah was pretty pumped when we started talking about the theme.  I suggested a rocket ship party, and he jumped on board.  "I'm having a rocketship party at the bounce house.  I'm going to be five days old."  Sweet boy!

 

The boys are back.  Pre-party.  Noah is so ready for party time.

Noah was nonstop and had such a great time.

 

So many friends were there.  Playgroup friends.

School friends.

Even his teacher and therapist stopped by. Noah and Mrs. J.

Noah and Ms. Mer.  So blessed to have family and friends to help celebrate our sweet boy's milestone birthday!

The rocketship cake.  Ordered from our favorite local bakery.  We went with white on white this year.  Next year we're back to the chocolate with chocolate ganache filling.  To quote a friend on her RSVP, "will you be having 'the' chocolate cake?"  We didn't realize how much it would be missed.  Definitely next year friends.

Happy birthday dear Noah!

We added a pinata to the party this year.  Kudos to Blake and Zak for holding it up.  Noah did so great taking and waiting his turn.  So proud of how he did at his party this year!

The party loot.  Thanks friends for the great gifts.

This was the first year that Noah was really into the presents.  What they were, who they came from, and how many he had.  All lined up and counted for.

Yay for super fun parties and happy, happy birthdays!!

Paging Doctor Noah

One of Noah's therapist changed clinics, and it just so happens that her new office is adjacent to Daddy's hospital. Daddy is forewarned that he can expect some visitors twice a week around lunchtime for Noah's hour break before therapy.

Today both Noah and Daddy were super excited to see each other. 

Noah enjoyed some chocolate milk while playing with Daddy's paperweights.

Then Daddy took Noah back to see the machines.

Then Ms. Nora took Noah back to get a quick ultrasound of his wrist.

Then Noah got his very own hat and mask, "Just like Daddy."

Then, he announced, "I need something else!" So, gloves and some lead were added to his ensemble.

Someone asked Noah, "What kind of doctor are you?" "I'm a Noah doctor," he replied.

Daddy said as we headed off to therapy, "Best day of work ever!"

Happy Birthday Emma

On your birthday, I caught a cold and your big brother decided to start waking up at 5:30AM.  And, then we had some electrical work done in our house, and coincidentally, our a/c went out the same day.  So, let’s just say… I’ve got my reasons why your 12 month/happy birthday post is a week late. 

Happy day to our sweet baby Emma. How fast this year has flown by and yet it's hard to remember what life was like without you.

Although I haven't consulted a single developmental chart, you are meeting and exceeding all milestones. Pointing. Mimicking. Socializing. You continue to amaze me every day.  I can’t help but think how hard we worked with Noah to do all those social things that you observe and imitate so easily.  It’s hard to put it into words.  Maybe bittersweet.  I love how easy it is for you to pick up things and how increasingly verbal, social and aware you are. You point, share toys, wave. You pay attention to everyone around you, and your focus and attention completely change when someone new enters a room.

In some ways you do remind me of Noah. If I had to use three adjectives to describe each of you, i think they'd be the same three. Happy, independent, and busy.  It's hard to believe you are as busy of a baby as your brother. I put you down in one spot, and you are off and running.  There is many a time, I put you down and turn to do something in the kitchen/bathroom/laundry and when I’m done, and I have to do a bit of searching for you.  You can usually be found in your brother’s room, in our mess of a study or in the pantry. 

You love food.  Despite a pretty rough start in the eating department... you remember, not taking a bottle, not gaining weight, visit with gi specialist, magic powder in your food.  You are now eating everything in sight. It's been fairly easy to cut back on bottles since I don't think you were much of a fan to begin with. We had your final visit with the pedi GI doctor a few weeks ago, and you have been discharged. I'm pretty sure we won't have weight gain issues moving forward. You've started on whole milk, and you love it as long as it’s room temp.  I’m still working out the dynamics of that one.  You especially love the big girl cups with straws.  At your one-year check-up, your weight and height were around the 30-40%.

You have the prettiest brown eyes that always look happy and full of humor, even when you are not smiling.  I think you get the exact color from your Daddy.  I just know you are going to have beautiful hair when you get older, but right now, it’s sort of a hot mess.  I’m pretty sure your hair comes straight from Momma with its tendency to frizz in humid temps.  I spray and clip it back, but you are usually pulling out bows and trying to eat them.  On a recent trip back from Louisiana, you actually managed to pull one out and rip it apart with your two front teeth.  Grammy had to climb into the back seat to take it out your mouth because I spied you in the rear view mirror starting to choke.  Hair bows have now been banned from all car travel.  As for those two teeth, they are all you have “grown” so far as you close out year number one.  They didn’t seem to cause you much trouble coming in, so I can only hope the rest are the same.

You love your big brother, and you have no idea how important you're going to be in his life. If Noah's playing in his room, you want to be in there too. If Noah steals a toy, you make sure I know about it. If you're riding in the car and Noah waves to you, you get the giggles and wave back with so much enthusiasm.  I love watching you together.  Tonight during bath, I swear I heard you say “No-ah.”  I couldn’t get you to say it again.  I have no doubt it will be a favorite word very soon. 

You brighten our lives, and I can't wait to see how you continue to grow and develop next year.

Newborn Baby - June 2011

One Month - July 2011

Two Months - August 2011

Three Months - September 2011

Four Months - October 2011

Five Months - November 2011

Six Months - December 2011

Seven Months - January 2012

Eight Months - February 2012

Nine Months - March 2012

Ten Months - April 2012

Eleven Months - May 2012

Hot Fun in the Summertime

With this Texas heat, swimsuits and water play are a must in the summer. Here's a little iPhone purge of some recent fun in the sun.

Ready for splash day at school.

Heading to the neighborhood pool

Fun at the splash pad.

Time to fill up the backyard pool.

Emma's first trip to the splash park.

Brother showing her the ropes.

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She's loving in, and following in her big bros footsteps with the toy swiping.

One Year Photo Shoot - Emma

Because I am a huge sucker for useless consumerism, I had a Groupon about to expire for a photo shoot at the Picture People.  I decided to use it for Emma's one year pictures.  Since we are taking family beach pictures this summer with a professional photographer, I figured I could get a quick in studio shot to memoralize sweet Emma at age one.  I am so happy with the resulting pictures.  I guess I shouldn't see surprised with such a precious little subject.  Here are a few of my favorites. 

I could have done without the black background.

So funny.  Am I too young for Glamour Shots, Mom?

My favorite photo of the bunch.

Love those little piggies.

Now this is how I'll remember Emma at age one.

Let Her Eat Cake

I picked up a little 5" birthday cake just for Emma to celebrate her first birthday.  She was a bit tentative at first, but then got her hands all gooey in the icing.  And, ate quite a bit.  I'm pretty sure the trouble I had getting her to bed tonight was on account of a major sugar high. 

The Cake

Happy Birthday, Baby Emma!

The party guests

It's possible she was a little wary after eating a mouthful of sand today.  Her little mind is thinking, "is this stuff edible?"

Hmmm... tastes pretty good to me.

Delicious!

Noah looks over at Emma, and says, "Emma is making a mess."

Touche' little man.  Touche'