We are in Trouble

I'm not sure why this picture is shocking to me considering we have known how wild and crazy Emma can be. But this is a whole other story. She has always tried to "climb" up on things by lifting her leg. It is more humorous than anything.

Emma has recently started liking the dishwasher when we unload it and often takes things out to play with. Last night while unloading the dishwasher, I turned to dry off some dishes and put them away. My back was literally turned for 20 seconds and I turned back around to this!

I said "Emma Grace!" and she didn't even react and kept going about her business. Of course my phone was in my back pocket and I had to get proof to send to Matt.

{Grow with Me} - 9 Months

Emma is such a ham for us and totally plays it up for friends and family. That is, everyone except for Destri who is doing her "Grow with Me" package. Another session of Emma having absolutely no interest in pictures or even looking at the camera. We had high hopes: she had a great nap, was talking on the way to the session and was super happy when we got her out of the car. Oh well, she's still a ham and just a little (or a lot) stubborn.

Emma: Nine Months

Nine months. Three quarters of the way done with her first year. Almost one. Where in the heck has the time gone?

I often find myself just staring at her. Staring at her wondering how she got to be so big. Yes, I realize I have MANY years to wonder how she got so big. But she no longer looks like this little baby, she looks more and more like a little toddler. I could just watch her explore, play and wonder.

These pictures my mom took are the first ones that I truly thought how big she looked

This month, like last, has been busy. Where did April go? Emma's keeping us on our toes (which she probably will our entire life) and challenging us to see if we will say no to whatever she is doing. She knows what she can and can't get into, but still will look back to see if we are watching and shoots us a little grin. What. A. Stinker.

Not too much has changed drastically from last month to this. She does now have four teeth! She cut three in six days last month and has two more top ones that should be through in the next week or so. Emma seems to be cutting these ones easier than her first four. Thank goodness. Emma plays peek-a-boo when pulling herself up on something. It is actually quite funny because it looks like she is doing little squats. Speaking of funny, Emma finds Matt hilarious. No one can make her laugh as hard or for as long more than what Matt can. It is the best sound and sweetest thing.

We are loving the nice weather and are trying to get out as much as possible. She's been going on walks and to the park with my mom during the day and we have been going on walks after work. She just lounges back and enjoys the scenery.

Emma enjoyed (no shots!) her nine month doctor's appointment this week. As always, blessed to leave that place with a healthy and happy girl. She's weighing in at 19 pounds 1 ounce (64th percentile) and is 29 inches (94th percentile). Next appointment: her one year! :(

She doesn't know this yet, but this will be a future chore. 

Wild Child

Wild child. Animal. Monkey. Dare devil. These are words to describe Emma as of recent.

Seriously though, this girl has so much energy and curiosity into everything. Give her some kitchen chairs and it is an instant jungle gym. I don't know why we even have toys for her as she would much rather explore.

Rylee's dog kennel is also a favorite. If you can't find Emma in the chairs at grandma and grandpa's, she is more than likely playing with the kennel and trying to "climb" it. She thinks that lifting her leg will somehow get her up on top of it. Last week, my mom was in the kitchen and could hear Emma playing with the kennel and didn't think anything of it. A couple minutes later she found her in the kennel WITH Rylee trying to sleep. We always say thank goodness Rylee is such a good dog and takes all of Emma's shenanigans. She just lays there and lets her pull her hair, climb all over her and interrupt her naps.

I have no doubt that she will continue to keep us on our toes.

Easter Sunday

Emma's first Easter couldn't have had better weather than what we had today. 80 degrees: we will take it! We started off our morning with a beautiful church service. Emma was great and took a 30 minute snooze during the sermon, but was wide awake and loving the worship time (her favorite time). 

My mom got Emma her first Christmas dress and also bought her first Easter dress (although Matt picked it out), while I made a matching headband. Having a child makes holidays so much more fun, I can't wait for next year in hopes that she will be finding some eggs in the yard.

Since we knew Emma would be spoiled by Matt's parents and mine, we kept her Easter basket simple with the movie Frozen, a book and a little outfit.

My mom made a yummy lunch and we were joined by my cousin Maddy and her friends that were unable to go home for Easter. How great of a hostess is my mom to invite three college girls we don't even know because she would hope that if it were her kids, someone would extend an invite! We opened our Easter baskets and hurried home as Emma was fading fast for a nap. Our day was capped off with enjoying some fresh air and a family walk. Like I said, we will gladly take this gorgeous weather and are looking forward to much more of it!

Emma: Eight Months

One word: busy. Both Emma and us. Emma has reached the stage of getting into everything, can't sit still and moving from thing to thing every 30 seconds. We joke and say she has baby ADD. 

She is not scared to try anything! All of a sudden one day she started climbing up the stairs at my parents and a couple days later she started trying to climb on other things. Last week she started scooting on her knees with her walker and then hours later she was taking steps with it! I couldn't believe it. What happened to the little girl that would just lay there and lay on her play mat? 

The lovely (note sarcasm) teething process is still a struggle. She cut her second tooth and since this photo was taken, she cut a third. There's one more tooth close behind that should be through this weekend. Her teething effects her feeding on certain days, but nothing terrible. After trying to teach her to pick things up herself and feed herself for what seemed like weeks, she just got it one day and now picks up her puffs, crunchies, etc. and puts them in her mouth. I don't know what it is about seeing a baby feed themselves that is so funny, but it is quite amusing. 

Emma went through about a two month phase where she would only moan and grunt. I'm not going to lie, I was growing concerned. Then just one random day she started talking again, squealing and clicking her tongue. This last week she will mock us if we click our tongue or squeal, she finds it hilarious. She loves being able to FaceTime with Matt lately because she will usually chime in on our conversations. 

Enjoying a nice day (finally!) at the park with friends. Emma, 7 months; Taylie, 6 months; and Harper 10 months.

Kisses with her friend Cole. Matt had a talk with her after this. 

March Madness

"We interrupt this marriage to bring you basketball season"

This sign is a true representation of our life right now. I saw it a couple weeks ago at the Hoiberg's house and couldn't help but laugh. All of us wives that were there agreed that we all needed this in our house. It is "March Madness" and that means we hardly see our husbands. In the last 15 days, Matt has been home five of them. Thank God for my family and friends in the area for their help with Emma and my sanity :)

Matt's job is extremely time-intensive, demanding and at times, stressful. During season, he works seven days a week for roughly five months of the year. But, what he is doing now is what he has lived for, what he has dreamed of doing. His job has taken him (and us as a family) to some pretty amazing places and get to experience once in a lifetime opportunities. Today he gets to experience another memorable trip, as him and the team leave (yet again) to head to New York City to play at Madison Square Garden in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament in hope of making it to the Elite Eight. This opportunity for him and his career is huge and I am so excited he gets to experience this, even if it means it takes him away from us.

Because I get asked a lot what Matt actually does in his job, I figured now will be as good as time as any to explain. Hang with me, it's long. A sports information director, or SID, serves as a liaison to local and national media, usually the first point of contact to all media inquiries. All interviews (newspaper, radio, tv or phone) he schedules and makes sure the players and coaches know about them. Did you see him on tv after the Big XII tournament or after their last game in San Antonio grabbing coach and players to get them to interviews quickly? Matt is also responsible for everything from stories on Cyclones.com to social media accounts to statistics to historical records. He is in charge of press releases, media guides, game programs and game notes. Those Big XII weekly player awards? Matt nominates his players based on their game that week. Plus, he then works all home games and travels to all away games and post season tournaments. Whew, told you it was long.

Hope everyone is able to tune in on Friday night to watch the Iowa State Cyclones take on the UConn Huskies in the Sweet Sixteen! Go State!

With Naz Long and Georges Niang at Selection Show Sunday.

Trying to get packed to head to San Antonio for the NCAA tournament.