Emma: Eleven Months

One month separates us from having a baby and a one year old. Where did the time go? Will it always go this fast? I have been super nostalgic this week thinking how fast (yet slow at times) it has all gone. I wish time would slow down, but know it just keeps going faster. So I am relishing in this time and trying to soak in every moment.

I don't even know where to begin on this last month. Emma has changed so much in terms of things she is learning and more of her personality shining through. I started calling her "queen bee" because she certainly thinks she is. All of a sudden she started doing this fake cry/whine to get what she wants or get someone's attention. The moment she gets it, she smiles or laughs. I'm afraid to say it, but she may already have started throwing little fits. I thought this didn't start until she was two? She has us all wrapped around her little finger and she knows it. With that being said, she is still as sweet as ever with giving kisses and cuddles.

My mom started teaching Emma to sign "more" and "please" and she surprisingly picked it up fast. Does she know the true meaning? Probably not. But when she wants more food, she will sign for it. She also started doing "so big" when you ask how big she is. It's funny because she has to hold her hands, and then raises them above her head. Her cousin Maddy taught her how to give fives too. Her biggest accomplishment this month? Taking her first steps! She only takes 2-3 steps and then plops down, which is just fine for us. But, try and get her to do any of this when she is in a "mood" and she refuses. Like everything, she does things when and how she wants.

She LOVES looking at books. It's sometimes the first thing she does when she wakes up or when she gets to my mom's. 

Smile

These pictures of Emma were taken by my sister and mom while we were in Mexico a few weeks ago and they just make me smile. How can you not?  

Paradise

Last week, Matt and I got to spend a relaxing, much needed vacation at Secrets Capri to celebrate our first anniversary, surviving (almost) Emma's first year and basketball season being done. After two solid days of raining, we got to enjoy three days laying out at the pool all day while being handed drink after drink. I read three (!!!) books, Matt read, we napped every day and we enjoyed three course (uninterrupted) meals. This trip was so needed and was everything we hoped for. If you recently had a baby, or have kids, I highly suggest taking some time as husband and wife to reconnect and just truly enjoy each other. We of course missed Emma and talked about her all the time, but we knew we needed this. 

By 8:30 every morning, this is where you could find us.

Celebrating our second anniversary at the bar after a delicious dinner. 

That view behind us was the view from our room. Waking up to the ocean every morning = bliss. 

Meanwhile, Emma was enjoying her own version of paradise (being spoiled) back here at home. We are very lucky that Emma has four loving and great grandparents. Grandparents that want to spend time with her and are involved in her life. Ken and Dianne came down to spend the first three days with her. I am so glad that they got this time alone with her and got to bond one on one. We hear she was great for them and they enjoyed lots of walks and time outside (her favorite). The other time was spent with my family where she chased the dogs around, played in the pool, did a photo shoot and watched Wheel of Fortune with aunt Alaina.

We can't thank our parents enough for this time away and taking such good care of our sweet Emma.

Splish Splash

Emma has been enjoying a lot of pool time lately at grandma and grandpa Porth's house and a few times here at home. She loves splashing around, playing with toys and then throwing them on the outside of the pool. Loving this weather and that we are getting to spend so much time outside.

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.