Safety First!

Here's Dad putting safety latches on the cupboards today. We actually only put them on two cupboards with "bad" stuff in them. The others we want her to be able to play and explore in! Which she is already starting to do pretty well:)

Poor thing is still struggling with her cold and teeth. Otherwise not a whole lot else here! Just getting ready for christmas - tomorrow and Christmas Day with JAson, Holly, Grandma Patterson, and Holly's Dad Marve and Girlfriend Gail. So it shoudl be lovely! THEN off to Mn on Wednesday...

Love to all...

Everywhere Emma

Emma has learned how the cabinets work! She has only really explored them once though, it is not a habit by any means yet. That still gives us a little time to get the saftety latches on:) You can see in the second picture that she is just cruzin' down the hallway! She is ALL OVER and will follow us or the animals around the house. She is still waking up three times (at least) a night. PLEASE tell me that is going to stop soon:) Today we are all going Christmas shopping... Emma may have some "puffs" to feed herself for the first time, and she may have some chicken today too! Well, baby food chicken. Right now she has figured out how to get the scrap books off the shelves in the family room.... The exploring continues! Love to all

Dr, visit

Here is Emma walking with Grandpoa and playing/biting the cold sliding glass door (we think it felt good on her teeth!).

So Emma learned how to open the cupboard doors yesterday! That means the safety latches go on today at some point,

She also had her 9 month Dr. apt. yesterday. She is doing great! She is 21 pounds and 29 inches, so she is growing well:) She is now in the 96% for height and 90% for weight, so that is all good. She is ahead in her motor skills, and a just a bit behind in forming her consonant sounds, but sometimes that happens when a skill comes early (such as cruising all around the house! She might have the beginning of an ear infection so we have to keep an eye on that. Otherwise she is great!

We are assuming her teeth are really getting to her as she has been waking up THREE times a night this week!

Love to all...

Few more Pictures

Helping get things out of the fridge.....

How cute is she????

Wanted to tell you about one of her new favorite activities. She pulls herself up to standing next to the rocking chair in her room, then she proceeds to take all of her books out of her basket one by one. How fun it is to watch her learn and explore. Love to all.....

Home

WE made it home after a VERY long tavel day. Emma was teething, and NOT sleeping. Evryone on the flight was very kind. One flight attendant gave Em her glasses to play with, and the woman behind us took Emma for a walk and played Peek-a-Boo with her! So in that sense it was a goos flight.

Last night Emma and El had a great time. I guess they took an hour long bath! When I got home form teaching I found TONS of toys in the tub:) She is still waking up like three times in the night, so I hope that stops soon. Her one tooth has FINALLY broke through - thank goodness. But, I think she is still working on the other fron tooth. So, on we march.

Emma has her 9 month Check-up today (even though she won't be 9 months until the 31st). So we'll see how big she is!!!!!

Wish us luck.... Love to all...

Emma is EVERYWHERE!!!!

Oh my gosh... Emma is learning so fast! Before we know it she is going to be walking. She has learned how to stand agains just about anything and is getting very brave with just one hand. She has learned how to get back down to the floor and is even squatting and then standing right back up. This morning we noticed she was playing her "dropping" game with herslef - where she drops something and then bends down to pick it back up (she loves playing this with whoever will accommidate her). We also noticed this morning that she has learned to crwl with things in her hands, so can take things along with her (on purposenow!).

What else? Well, I am assuming that her cold and her teeth have been killing her because she has barely slept the past two nights. Last night was alittle better, but the night before was terrible! My arms were sore so I finally just brought her to bed with me, and last night was the same. That hasn't happened in the past 5 1/2 months! But, we got through the night that way. And it won't be happening in Seattle. But then we head to my mom''s in just over a week, so a whole new place for her to aclimate to again! But, you know she does well. We had Scott and his two boys over for the weekend, and then Jackie's daughters and their kids all in addition yesterday. It was so fun as I haven't seen them in forever. It was such a joy to watch them all with Emma, all such good care takers!

It has been such a WONDERFUL trip, it is hard to leave. Although I am sure Elliott is very excited to see Emma!

Well, we head out abouyt 2:45 today and get into SEattle at 7pm... Wish us luck again:)

Love to all...

In Michigan

Here is Emma and Grandma H having a one-on-one, and Emma playing under the christmas tree. She was really into all of the boxes! We made it here Thursday morning all in one piece (well, for me that was a relative term as I'd slept MAYBE 2 hours:)) Emma did OK on the all night flight. She was pretty would up by all of the lights and sounds, and then she just couldn't get comfortable and would almot fall asleep and then try and move around, but didn't have enough room. She never actually really cried or freaked out, but she was working towards it!!!!! The people next to me were so nice though, as was the flight attendant. Emma finally fell asleep with about 1 1/2 hours to go.... I napped off and on./ She took another nap during our lay-over in Cincinnatti, then proceeded to flirght with the man across the aisle from us on the flight to Grand Rapids. It was hilarious.

She played and played and played all day once we got to Grandma and Grandpa's. Took a couple of naps but nothing serious (as I was seriuously delirious all day!!!). She finally went to bed about 10pm.

YEsterday we went to visit all of the Patterson's - Great Grams, Grams, Unlce Ron and Aunt Deb, Uncle Charlie and Aunt Mary. Everyone came! IT made me and Emma feel so good. So that was quite the visit. We headed back to Grand Rapids to pick up
Grandpa H from work (1 1/2 hour drive) .. we were 1/2 hour late! Oops.... Emma slept well, but then couldn't get to sleep last night until 11:30!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She is the energizer bunny sometimes. WE know her teeth are driving her crazy, but even SEattle time that would be a late bedtime. Then she was up chirping at me at 8:15 am this mornoing. She is goofy.

We are having a wonderful time and I have SO many pictures I could post, so maybe will do one tomorrow. Today we are going to run and spend a Bath and Body GC I got for my birthday:) Then to the grocery store, then some family are coming tonight, and ALL of the kids and grandkids (except for Justin!) will be here tomorrow! WOW!

Love to all....

See-Food?

Emma just could not pass on showing Elliott her food last night! Every time he fed her she would open her mouth and push out the food. So, see-food:) She did it again tonight but not quite as bad. I haven't had the chance to feed her since she has been doin git, so we will see if she does it with me.

The other picture is what I found when I walked in to the family room from the kithchen. We knew she was pulling herself up to standing on EVERYTHING. But, the coffee table was new, and there isn't really anything for her to grab on to, so it is a BIG step. She is just going crazy with all the new things she is learning, she isn't taking a nap in the morning st Jessica's! But she is ehausted so sleeps all afternoon.

Tonight - at 11:50pm (!!!!!) Elliott is dropping Emma nd I off at the airport so we can go visit my dad in Michigan.... Why did I get a red-eye ticket with a lay-over in Ohio? Who in the world knows, but it was a Frequent Flyer miles, in addition to the fact that there are no direct flights there, and I would spend ALL DAY tomorrow traveling if I waited to leave then. SO we will see! Wish us the best...

Love to all

Flirt

Yup, she's a flirt! I brought out the camera and she started smiling IMMEDIATELY! Serously.... And at the store, she is just smiling at everyone, and they are all making faces and smiling at her. Oh it is SO fun.

The poor thing was just exhausted yesterday. I don't know why though. She might be fighting off a cold, but she fell asleep last night at 6pm, didn't wake up to eat until 6:30 am, then went back to bed until 8:30 when I went in and woke her up becasue I was worried! Mean mom.... Well, she was a bit fussy this morning, did eat breakfast, but then went back to bed at about 10:30 and is STILL asleep now. Of course I checked her temperature but it is fine. Grandma L says maybe she is growing. Lord help us if that is the case:)

Love to all...

Toys?

The silly girl can be surrounded by toys.....and all she realy wants is anything that ISN'T a toy! Tags, you know, pieces of paper, are her favorite thing! She also loves cords, Elvis's kong, she went after his plastic food bowl today. She also loves tags on clothing and toys, the newspaper, anything Elliott or I are looking at!

ANYWAY.... We are going to do a little shopping today for a few kids we "adopted" for christmas. We are also going to Costco to pickup our christams cards - can't wait for everyone to see them:)
OK, love to all...

So Proud!

SHe was so proud of herself when I walked in and found her standing in her crib! Good lord we think she is so dang cute and such a ham. But we are just a little biased I am sure:) Elliott lowered her crib tonight, becasue I was certain she was going to pull herself overboard at any minute.

Last night was another milestone, as she figured out how to use her "sippy-cup". Elliott said she drank so much water tonight that she kept spitting up -oops! She is so excited to have the option to choose to have something I am sure. I guess he said that tonight she crawled over to her Jumperoo, pulled herself up to standing (which she has been doing repeatedly the past couple of days), and then kept looking over at him like she wanted to get in it. So, he put her in it and she went crazy! Our little girl is growing up:) She'll be asking for the keys any day now...

Love to all...

Standing

Here is Emma out in the snowfall we had, and hamming it up with Grandma.

Sot his afternoon I walked into Emma's room and I found her STANDING inher crib!!! It was just a matter of time. So now just one thing for her mother to worry about:)

Love toa ll...

Emma and Grandma L

FInally here we are! We had a WONDERFUL visit with Grandam L. We went shopping on two different days, once to the outlet mall where Emma and I made a haul. Carter's had 70% off. Emma had one freakout becasue she couldn't get to sleep, but we finally got it figured out. I did have to feed her in the car on the way home while Grandma drove. But otherwise she did well. We also had two photo shoots with Emma!!!! To get Christmas cards ready. She cooperated SO well and had smile after smile for us.

Emma is pulling herself up to standing now, and getting around where she wants to go on her hands and knees. She coninues to make us laugh and smile ALL the time.

We had MAJOR snow over the weekend, then warm air and rain with A LOT of flooding. It took us almost 2 hours to get home yesterday. BUT we are safe and sound - with a late start for school! So We'll take that.

Guess that's all for now. Love to all...

Grandma L is here!

HEre is a picture of Em playing in her car seat! She loves it - so many things to chew on. The other is of her and Nick (notice the very safe Advil bottle she is chewing on:)

GRandma Loerch got here last night!!! Very exciting... She was layden with clothes for our little one of course! Even a jacket that she made for her. Today we went to Top Foods for lunch, enjoyed the Holiday decorations at Molnak's a gardening store similar to Bachman's for you Minnesotans. Then we went to TJ MAxx and I got myself a few B-day gifts. Emma cried the whole way home:(

Tomorrow we'll probably hit the outlet mall!

Love to all....

Baptism

Here are a few pictures of Emma's Christening/Baptism. I'll write more abou tit and the trip later.... The ceremony took place at Jan and Ivan Cendese's and it was just lovely.
Love to all....

Lovin' My Dad

How cute is the first picture with El and Em making the same face at each other? I went to the gym las tnight and Em stayed home with dad becasue of her cold (which has now moved down to her chest also and is giving her a nasty cough!). When I came home theyw ere practicing standing. She has been pulling herself up to standing onher knees the past few days and has really mastered the army crawl.

We had a long evening last night, she just couldn't get to sleep. We worked on it from 6:30-9pm!!!! Poor girl. Once she got downt hough she slept OK.

Well, off to look for a dress today for her christening, and a few other chores:)
love to all...

So Sick

Poor girl is just feeling terrible. When I came home from Seattle, about 1:45pm, this is how I found Em and El. However they were both sound asleep (she was leavinga little puddle of drool on his shirt:)). When the pre-flash went off Emma opened her eyes, so that is why you see them peeking out in the first picture. Then I think I really took her by surprise in the second. How cute though, huh?

Anyway, El said she didn't want to eat anything and everytime he went to put her to bed she started crying, so they finally just took a nap together. She hasn't done that in MONTHS! So, she didn't eat from 8am until I nursed her at 2pm. Even then I couldn't get her to eat anything else. Fianlly about 5:30 she ate some squash and cereal, but even then it was small amount.

She is scrappy looking with red eyes, a runny nose, a little cough, and even a little fever, and drool... But she is still cute to us:)

Love to all...

tEETHING AND oTHER meSSY sTUFF

Sweet little girl is a small disaster:) She really is teething terribly and working so hard to get those upper teeth in. The drool is constant and she is chewing like a puppy dog on EVERYTHING - belt buckles and chair legs included:)

Add onto that that she has a COLD. She barely ate yesterday (although we do think he growth spurt has slowed nad is eating lessin general), and was fussy and tired most of the day/ She just slept and slept and by 5:30 was so sad, not hungry and just went to bed! She did wake up at 7 and elliott was able to get her to eat, but then she went right back to bed! And woke up numerous times in the night, and had to had her nose plunged... Poor girl....

This morning I am going to meet Holly and some of her friends, to celebrate her birthday, and do a walking/food tour of SEattle. So that should be fun and tasty. El and Em will hang out.... At some point I hiope to find Ema a dress for her christening next Friday, and we leave for SLC Tuesday night.

Well, I will try and get more pictures up:) Love to all...

Emma's Phone

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Hinrichs!!!!! Emma now has a phone of her very own (she is OBSESSED with our silver home phones, to the point that if I am feeding her in our bedroom I have to HIDE the phone!!!). So, G and G Hinrichs sent Emma her very own Fisher Price phone - and she LOVES it. You can see in the pictures that it passed the taste test:)

Thanks to John and Allison too - who watched Em tonight while I taught class. Poor John though - as soon as Allison left (she had a prior engagement) Emma started crying and she cried for 45 minutes straight! When I knocked on the door I could hear her, eyes all red and puffy, but John was calm as good be just walking around with her.... I felt bad for the both of them! So thankful they could watch her though. Allison is pregnant with their second child though, so I told him it was good practice:)

Ok, I gotta go to bed.. I was asleep las tnihgt by this time. I have had a cold since Halloween and it just won't let up! Love to all...

Look at my belly!!

How funny! Can you see her belly poking over her pants in the first picture? Ha ha! She LOVES chewing on her "stand" for her stacking circles. Really, she loves chewing on just about anything. I say this all the time, but I REALLY think her teeth are coming in now. She has been MAJORLY chewing and was almost biting me last night as I was trying to get her to sleep (she likes my collar bone!!!!!). And she has had problems sleeping inthe afternoon,a nd getting to bed at night she is so wound up and just CHEWING on her hands, sometimes both hands at the same time!!!! Ok, gotta get to work. Love to all...

Babblin'

She is just babbling away and it is so dang cute!! She also figured out how to get herself to a sitiing position from her stomach, today. I had turned away, then looked back and all of a sudden she was sitting! She only did it that one time, but she'll have it figured out soon.

I painted the spare room today,a nd we ran to fred Meyer, that seems a daily routine. It is just nice to get out of the house sometimes. I got her a new sleeper - Carter's 12 month size!!!!!! It fits in the torso and arms, but a little long in the legs. Hmm... I think she is still awake, I better go get her... love to all...

Standin'

Is it Elvis? No, just Emma!! She is preparing for her imprssion of Elvis though, getting her hips a swingin' and her wide stance. She has been doing this quite a bit lately. When I was posting this I just noticed that in the second picture you can see her drool going ALL the way to the FLOOR!!! Hope those teeth comein soon.

I fell asleep last night at 8:15!!!!!!!!!!! AND Emma slept through the night - didn't wake until 6:30 am. Thank goodness, I felt the most awake today that I have felt in MONTHS!

Hmm... not a lot else today. Hopefully to paint the spare room tomorrow. Love to all...

Almost...

Every day she is closer and closer to the "real" crawl! Our little girl is growing up. Today she moved on to Step 2 in foods, that means larger servings (like she needs it!), more texture, and different flavors. Today she tried corn for the frist time (Sweet Potatoes and Corn). She also has Prunes and Apples, Pears and Pineapple, Apples and Blueberries... So hopefully that will all go well. She seems fairly easly going about food, so we will see. She has also started to make razz-berries with her mouth (basically big slobber noises).

More later.. Love to all...

The Reward

After crawling and scooting for the phone for a long time (beacuse Mom and DAd kept moving it away from her!) she FINALLY got her "reward"! She loves the phone... if I am nursing her upstairs on the bed I have to HIDE the phone or she will just reach for it the whole time!!!!!

Love to all...