Last Few Weeks

I'm behind on blogging about our life as of late, but that's because we have been enjoying this beautiful weather and time as a family.

We have been going on walks every night during the week and a couple times a day on the weekends. Emma could be in her stroller all day just taking in the scenery and not mind one bit.

On Mother's Day we had parent/child dedication at church and enjoyed a lunch with my family. As every day, Matt and Emma made me feel so special and loved. I'm so lucky that I get to be her mom and go through this journey with Matt as my husband and daddy for Emma.

All I needed to see on Mother's Day. Heart is so full. 

Matt and Emma met me on central campus for lunch and we enjoyed a picnic and a nice walk. I don't know why we don't take advantage of the campus more often. Next on our list: taking her to the horse barns. 

Memorial Day weekend was filled celebrating Alaina as she graduated high school. It is so crazy to think that my little sister is going on to college in the fall! I still vividly remember her as a little girl cutting her own hair (multiple times) and her playing dress up. Alaina has grown up into a strong, loving and beautiful young woman. We are beyond proud of her.

Matt and I head out next weekend for a much needed vacation to celebrate our second anniversary/basketball season being done/surviving Emma's first year. Emma will be hanging out back in Ames with Matt's parents the first half of the week and my parents the second half of the week. I'm sure she won't be spoiled at all. 

Emma: Ten Months

What a month it has been! We have been trying to keep up with this active little girl and have had some eventful weekends. 

Sweet and silly. That is our little Emma and we just love her. We have been so lucky to have such a sweet girl who gives us kisses all the time, buries her head into our laps and wants to just be held sometimes. On the flip side, this girl is silly and knows it! If we laugh at her, she will continue doing whatever it was that got a laugh out of us. She started making this silly face a couple weeks ago and we laughed so hard that she continues to do it. If we make the face, she will mock us or just do it on her own. Anyone that sees her do it cannot stop laughing.

She finally started clapping and waving "hi" and "bye", although she does it on her own accord and usually not on demand :) I was told that she would be probably be walking by 10 months since she started crawling so early, but thankfully she hasn't yet! Emma just cruises along furniture and for now, that is fine by us.

Remember last month when I said that the teething process wasn't that bad? I spoke too soon. Within a matter of hours of that post, it went all down hill. Teething sucks. Emma cut her sixth tooth last week and the constant nose drainage and crabbiness this past month made us all ready for a break.

She plays so well by herself

Visiting dad at work

We have since upgraded to a nice trash can that locks! Thanks mom!

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!