Catching Up

I've been meaning to do another post these past couple weeks to catch up. But we have been too busy enjoying family time before the start of Matt's busy season of working seven days a week and nearly every weekend until April. What have we been doing you ask? Nothing and loving it. Seriously, we have just been hanging out around the house, running errands, going on walks and just being lazy. I've loved it. Because come January, I am going to be wishing for these quality family times.

So here is a little update via pictures on what Emma has been up to.....

Our little hoarder. 

I love that she just goes back to her room and "reads" books by herself. 

Since when did she start looking like a toddler and not like a baby anymore?  

I promise to get better with the updates. Next up is hopefully Emma's first Cyclone football game! 

Emma's (1st) Birthday Week

"Emma! Do you know what week it is? Birthday week! Birthday week!" Matt started saying this to her when he would get her up for the day or up from naps and Emma would get the biggest, open mouthed smile hearing him say that. (He usually through in a couple hand motions too).

The week of her birthday was extremely nostalgic and quite emotional for me. It's like Emma knew what I needed because she was extra cuddly. She is one that needs to lay in her crib and put herself to sleep, but two nights in a row she laid with me in bed and fell asleep while rubbing my face. Heart melting.

We fed Emma her last bottles and got her completely weaned from the bottle. She handled it all like a champ and didn't even seem to notice anything different.

Matt and I took the day off on Friday to spend it with Emma, but due to weather, our pool day was shot. So we had breakfast as a family while Emma entertained us with her blueberry face and enjoyed a  walk to the park. Later that evening grandma and grandpa Shoultz got to town and took us to dinner. Going to a restaurant is always hit or miss, but luckily on this particular outing she was fantastic and loved charming everyone. Later that evening, Matt and I each wrote a letter to Emma in the journal we got her. Matt had an idea when Emma was a couple of months old to get a journal and for us to write a letter to her each year until she is 18.

Saturday was her actual birthday and we spent the day celebrating! All day I kept reflecting on this day just a year ago and certain moments throughout that day. At 2:52 p.m. I made it a point to go outside to where she was and give her an extra hug and kiss.

We had good intentions of having her party start at 4:30 with the thinking that she would have had two good naps beforehand. Instead she took two shorter than usual naps and that showed. A combination of  bad naps and those dang molars, Emma was a bit crabby but did pretty well considering. We had Matt's parents, my family and family friends Chris and Becky over to celebrate little Miss Emma turning one.

Wagon from Nana and Papa/Car from Grandma and Grandpa

Cake eating went from this.....

to this.....

Which resulted in a full meltdown, followed by a bath and early bedtime. Poor girl had an eventful day.

We are beyond lucky with family and friends that love Emma as much as they do and took the time to come be with her on her birthday.

Emma: One Years Old

A year ago, on July 26, this beautiful, healthy girl came into our lives and took our breaths away. A year ago, Emma Grace made us parents and showed us the deepest meaning of love. It's hard to believe she was just this size last year. In one sense, it seems like just yesterday but then it feels like decades ago.

It’s amazing to see how much Emma has changed this past year. She went from this tiny little baby to a walking and talking one year old. She went from just lying there sleeping all day to this busy little girl. She went from a baby to being considered a toddler. Our girl has always been such a busy and inquisitive child, wanting to explore and move around. Probably why she started crawling right at six months and walking at 11 months. Emma is such a happy, sweet and silly girl that has a smile that just lights up a room and is contagious. At the same time, she is quite sassy and a little bit of a drama queen (her dad says she gets that from me). She has always let us know what she wants and that she wants it now. She can fake cry to get her way and the moment she does, she just smiles. Such a little diva. We can tell already that she is going to be a strong-willed woman, and that is perfectly fine! But, her sweetness melts our hearts with all of her hugs and opened mouth kisses. Our girl is also funny and very aware that she is. She makes faces and noises to get us to laugh, and when she does, she keeps doing them. She loves the attention. 

Our one year old is now mostly walking instead of crawling and is completely weaned off the bottle. She is growing more and more independent with each passing day, which I guess is now qualifying her as no longer being called a "baby". She has seven teeth and her molars are super swollen and causing her so much pain. Teething might be my new least favorite phase. Emma loves to dance, especially to any song played on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, which is also her favorite show. 

We had her one year doctor's appointment and our girl was hammin' it up for the nurse and doctor. I mean non stop charming them with her big smile and talking. Little did she know she was a short time away from four shots and a finger prick. She measured in at 30.5in (91st percentile) and 20lbs 9oz (63rd percentile).

My sweet Emma Grace - You bring so much joy to the smallest, everyday things. We love you more than we ever could possibly imagine. I pray that God gives you the most exciting journey in this lifetime, and gives you all the blessings that you so truly deserve. Life will not always be easy, but we are here to guide you. You are going to be amazing my sweet girl.

{Grow with Me} - One

We had Emma's one year pictures taken last week with Destri to round out her "Grow with Me" sessions. They turned out to be a combination of family pictures as well and we couldn't be happier with what was taken in the short 30 minutes. So many pictures captured us as we are as a family and Emma's silly personality. We are blessed. 

"Soooo big!"

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.