We Survived!

It's hard to imagine that in just a few short days, our sweet little Emma will be one. You know what that means? We survived! Matt and I are still married and Emma is alive, healthy and as happy as can be! Like I have said (and every other parent says), this last year has been the most challenging and rewarding year of our lives. Parenting is hard, anyone that says it isn't is lying. But what has made this last year doable is having an amazing husband to go through it all with.

Being parents while still trying to be husband and wife is hard. Really hard. We were tired and we had no idea what the heck we were doing (we still don't). We were devoting every waking moment to this little thing that came into our lives. But would I want to go through this with anyone else? Absolutely not. Matt has been the absolute best partner for me and daddy for Emma. From the moment she was born, he has been incredibly hands on with changing diapers, waking up in the middle of the night with me, playing with her and reading to her. The list goes on.

There is no greater feeling than to see your husband with your child, the two loves of my life. Each day spent with them and as a family has been a true blessing, no matter how chaotic or easy the day has been.

This week we celebrate Emma, but I am secretly celebrating that we survived and that I get to go through this journey with a fantastic husband.

Watercade Weekend

We headed back to Litchfield last weekend for their annual Watercade festival. As always, it's great to get up to Minnesota and see Matt's family and friends. We aren't able to get up there enough because of his job, but when we do it is always fun seeing everyone.

Emma and I took a short drive to Hutchinson on Friday to see my good friend Mackenzie and attempt to have a delicious lunch.....until Emma decided to have an epic meltdown because I wouldn't let her stuff all her food in her mouth at once. Thankful that I have friends that understand we are on Emma's time and attitude! That evening we were able to enjoy more time with Matt's family and Emma got to put her new birthday present to use (thanks Chad, Stacy and Maddy).

On Saturday we were able to get together with all of the cousins and see four generations together. We are fortunate to have gotten these pictures taken.

Later that evening Emma got to experience her first parade.

Crazy to think that the next time we make it up to Litchfield won't be until Christmas and Emma will be walking everywhere!

Celebrating the Red, White and Blue

We enjoyed a simple, relaxing long 4th of July weekend complete with a cookout with friends and family. 

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.