Little Strawberry...

Here is our little Strawberry .... She's 6 months old now!!! WE can hardly believe it. We just want to squeeze her all day long, her smile warms our heart and makes us smile, she makes us laugh with her funny faces and often furrowed and expressive eye brow.

Em and I went to the store early this morning, it has been cold and rainy, so I pulled this hat out for her. It was a gift from one of the d9 Dancers, isn't it adorable?

Anyway, we had a lazy day today. I just wanted to enjoy Emma before I start to work tomorrow. Nd now, I am STILL tired! It was a LONG night last night as Em was still having trouble breathing with her stuffy nose (she can't suck her thumb to get back to sleep!). She was up off an on until 12am. Poor thing! Poor us too:) We were TIRED! So, back to work tomorrow.... I'll miss the little bugger lik eI can't imagine, but I am SO excited for her to play with Jessica and her daughter Aliyah.

Ok, love to all...

Brother Roscoe

How cute is this? First of all, Em in El's lap just melts my heart. Second of all, Roscoe is SO tolerating! Elliott called him over to sit by him and then had Em pet him, pull his ears, try to put him in her mouth!!! So cute...

Poor thing, I think she must still be getting over her cold. She was SO sleepy today! Maybe her teeth are bothering her too, she has been grabbing at her ears a bit and they say that is a sign. But her nose is still all goopy and runny - gross!

El had to go into work for a little bit today, and I wanted to get the house cleaned so tomorrow we can just enjoy. Tonight El, Em, and I went grocery shopping!!! That NEVER happens.... And now I know why:) It took forever and we got a TON:) Em and I left El to finish up actually becasue she had a poo and was getting tired. El and I took turns wiping her nose with our sweatshirts!!!!!!!! WE are truely parents now:)

Em is asleep and El is making us Carne Asada Tacos for dinner. So, love to all....

Sippy Cup?

I thought maybe we'd see what Emma does with a Sippy Cup, as the cup thing sometimes gets REALLY messy/wet. Well, she pretty much just wanted to chew on it. She is seriously like a puppy - she is obsessed with chewing on EVERYTHING! Hands, the mail, her clothes, her carseat strap, the blanket, her bib... EVERYTHING!

Sorry so short! But gotta watch Ugly Betty while I have the chance! love to all...

Look what I found!

I came into Emma's room this morning when I heard her stirring, and look what I found! A Tom-Tom in her bed! I don't know why but her LOVES her room! I seriously can't keep him out of there. however this is the first time I've found him IN the crib when SHE was in it. I don't know if it means he is finally comfortable with her or if it means he is trying to claim his territory? Tom is pretty laid back so I am going to assume hta tit is the first and just keep and eye on him:)

Emma had her 6 month check-up today.... she is HUGE! Actually she is just really tall, but at a good weight for her height. She is 19lbs and 28 inches!!!!!!!!!!! Evidently I weighed 20 lbs when I was 1 year old. Holy crap! But the Dr. says she is good and not overweight at all, so we are fedding her right I guess.

She has started "marching" with her feet now, when you hold her up in front of the mirror. That is fun, and she is still rocking away on her hands and knees.

Ok, I am off to teach... Love to all

Attack!

Here is Emma attacking John's hand. Sometimes she seriously just dives right in and chomps away. And those teeth are sharp!

She seems to be doing a little better with her cold. We went into the ATtic again yesterday, but just for an hour. When we came home she slept for maybe an hour, but wouldn't sleep again until bedtime! Evn though we could tell she was exhausted; she was rubbing her eyes and really fussy. FINALLY at 6pm, when I put her in her chair for dinner, she had a HUGE poop:) She was happy and ready for bed afer that:)

This morning she's prety stuffy again.... She will stay with Dad this morning while I go to a meeting at the Attic, then again tonight when I teach. She goes in tomorow for her 6 MONTH check-up! Our lile girl is growing up!

Love to all...

First Cold!

It was a wonderful day yesterday.... even though Emma got her first cold:(

It is all cool and fall like. I got the house cleaned, and the lawn mowed, and El got ALL of the computer stuff put away and the living organized and cleaned.... It feels so good! THEN we had company over to BBQ and watch the UFC fights. John, Allison, and Mason came over (that is the two of them playing), and Andre and Fawn (BOTH girls are pregnant!!!!!!), and our neighbor Blake.

We had a great time, good friends, and good ribs:)

Poor Emma though.... I thought a couple of days ago I noticed her nose getting a little runny... Yesterday it exploded!!! She would sneeze and snot would shoot out.... Poor thing! I went to check in on her after everyone left about 10pm and she was having such a hard time breathing, and then trying to suck on her thumb, but then couldn't breath. So we looked on line at what stores were still open and I amde the 11pm run to get her cold medicine. Only when I was in line did I think to call the pediatrition. The nurse called me back within 5 minutes so that makes me feel good for the future too, when I need to call. Anyway, they don't recommend cold medicine until they are at least a year of age. Instead you give them saline drops in the nose, then suction. So I made a warm salt water concoction, pulled out the dropped (from the Shower gift of "beauty" supplies that Caine gave us - it has come in handy so many times!) and the snot suction. El was already holdin gher when I got home, so he had her lie on the the big chair and held her hands (because of course she wants to grab everything and put it in her mouth - she is like a chewing puppy!) and I put in the drops and then suctioned.... She didn't even cry!

Now it is almost 8am and she still hasn't woken up since then. Of course el and I have checked on her all night long!!!! I'll get her up here in about 1/2 hour to clean her again and feed her -otherwise I'm going to burst!

So, we'll see how she does today. The nurse said she may develop a fever but that is common and I can give her Tylenol if I want. Good thing we were going to have a relaxing day anyway as we worked yesterday!

Love to all....

Here She Is...

Sorry I have been lax on th epictures lately! I am just busier so I seem to spend less time thinking about pictures and the what-not. BUT, I did get DVD's made last night, so will get those sent out to the Grand's today! Elliott got a really good one the other night of her playing in her "Jeep".

NOTE: you can see her 2 bottom teeth finally in the picture!!!!

It is a beautiful foggy morning here. That is one thing I do like about it here in Monroe, it is often foggy in the moring and evening and it is just beautiful with all of the trees behind our house!

Emma and I went into the Attic about 10am yesterday to help direct Fall set-Up. She was "oooed and awwwed" over:) We took a break about 12 so she could take a nap (she was too stimulated there I guess) and I went and read at Barnes and Noble and then fed her when she woke up. We headed back to the Attic about 1pm and were there until about 2:30.... The poor thing was exhausted and she fell asleep JUST before we got home! She did really well though and was Ok with letting other people hold her (she is entering the stage where she might just want me.... but I know many parents who said their kids didn't go through that, so I am hoping!!!!!!!).

EL decided to spend another night on Portland so he could spend one more morning with the client this morning (he is there already!). So it was just us girls again, but Em was SO tired I couldn't keep her up past 7:30! I fell asleep by 9:30 and slept SO good. Actually, I woke up at 5am (slept all night long!) and realized that the plug-in had fell out of the monitor, so she might have woke up crying and I didn't hear her!!!!!! But I went in to check and she wasn't "scruggeled" (that is what I call it when she gets all turned around in her crib or up close to the sides, usually becasue she was upet fallling asleep).... So who knows!

Today I hope to get my resume together, then who knows! We'll see when El get's home.... Love to all...

Goin' Along

I went to teach last night from 3:30-7 (it is my most exhausting night as it is the youngest kids 3-11 years all night long).... and Emma came along! Eliott was on his first overnight trip for his new job last night and went I took the job she said I could bring Emma with me. So I did! The owner Teresa and her friend Suzy (who's daughter is ina few of my classes) watched Emma. I brought with a bottle and food and toys and a blanket. I went and checked after one of my classes and Emma was just taking the bottle, and afer the next class she was asleep! That was what I tought would be hardest. I really didn't think she would take a nap with all of the people in and out (there are two-way mirrors so parents can watch). Then DURING another class I could hear her crying, I ran out and said "it's her dinner time!".... I guess she only took about 10 bites (as opposed to the enormous amounts that she usually eats). Apparently she was really unhappy throuh my last class, crying, unless she was actually outside!). But she was surrounded by Mom's who understood and just wanted to help- how wonderful is that? I was so grateful that I didn't tell Suzy that really she was probably just hungry! She usually eats ALL of her food, and I stop while she is still opening her mouth for more:) ANYWAY, I should have fed her before we left becasue the poor thing was SCREAMING the whole ride home while I aplogized to her over and over for not listening to what I knew she needed!!!!! Of Course we got in the door, I heated her food, and she ate every single bite, and smiled at me. So all was forgiven:)

Sorry no pictures, I will work on that!

Today we are going to go to the Attic for just a little bit to help direct parents as they work to get our classrooms set-up (one of the great things about a small private school!). Then... we'll see! Maybe I will work on getting some video's out to the Grandpaents!

Love to all....

Changin'

Here is Emma sittin' on the couch, watching as we moved all of our computer stuff around yesterday. We got a MAC so El is learninga ll of that and getting everything organized and into the family room (so we can paint the spare room sometime in the near future:)).

Emma is really rocking on her hands and knees. She has also progressed from her "panting" into this thing where she breaths in and out really fast through her nose and scrugles her mouth around. She seems to prefer stnading to sitting most of the time. She is eating her green beans well!!! And last night she had couple bites of banana.

Dad is watching her this morning as I go to a work meeting, and then again tonight when I go to the studio.... I'm going to miss her today!!!!!

Love to all...

Seriously - it's a GIR!!!

Ok Ok, I know she looks like her Dad. But seriously, she is wearing a DRESS and it is PINK and STILL people say "what a cute little boy" and then they correct themselves , "or is it a girl" For crying out loud! I am starting to develop a complex:) These pictures are what she was wearing yesterday when it happened.

The two of us went to Marlene's, who will be my co-teacher this year at the Atiic, for a work meting yesterday. She did so good! Jus played on the floor or let me hold her. She barely slept on the way home (she was SO tired though) then took about an hour nap at home. She ate and then we went to Costco, then she slept a little on the way home from there. That was the only napping she did yesterday and sTILL she woke up twice in the middle of the night. They say their sleeping patterns will change, but this is a little rediculous! Anyway, we'll see how she does today. Maybe her teeth are bugging her (I almost can't let her chew on my hands anymore becasue ehr two front teeth are so sharp!).

El and I watched a movie alst night (second night in a row!!!) and tonight I have cooerced himinto going to Chili's with me:) Rocoe will get a bath today, while El play's with emma. he has gotten a walking boot on his foot (did I share here that it is briken in three places? they found out after the MRI last week!!! so he'll have that on for 4 weeks....)

Hmm.... what else? Emma is a rockin' on her hands and knees. LItterally they do that rocking thing front and back and she was going to town last ngiht... God help us!

That's it from here. Love to all...

Bonnett

Em and I went for a run on monday and i put this bonnett on her... she was none to happy about it!

yesterday she had prunes for the first time and seemed to love them. dad also gave her sweet peas for the first time... she is an esating machine! as you can see in the picture she looks like she's two!

she has a new "panting" thing she's learned withher breath, i'll try and get it on video and get those out asap.

love to all!

Hands and Knees!!!

Yup, it's true!!!! On saturday she pushed herself up just once or twice and by monday she was doing it over and over again. Now whenever we go in to get her out of her crib she is on her hands and knes rocking a little back and forth. In no time at all we are going to be chasing after her!!!!!

Sorry it took so long to get pictures up. El got a new Mac for us and I haven't figured out getting pictures onto it yet (really I just haven't taken the time).

I started teaching monday night at the studio and that has been very refreshing, but I am so dang out of shape so will need to start working on that!

I guess that's about it from here. OH!!!! How could I forget? The sprain that Elliott had? Well, it is actually THREE fractures in his foot!!!!! He went to have and MRI yesterday to see if the ligaments were torn, but no, instead they found three fractures. So he is getting a wlaking boot fitted for it today. He has to wear that for 4 weeks - guess the remodeling will start in October instead:)

Ok, all for now.... Love to all...

Flying Baby

Sorry the video didn't work... I guess I have to change it to an MPEG or something, I don't know. I'll work on it.

Here is Emma last night doing her "flying baby" impression. I think this helps strengthen her back. Dad was assistiong her to her hands and kness, just lifting her off the ground a bit and he would bring her knees underneath herself. Then she would faceplant, but it's a start!

We had a good day yesterday as we started to get things moved from upstairs to down, to begin work on the house. The spare bedroom is almost cleaned out, just the bed is left. Then we played some basketball "PIG" and I won both times!!! El made a good dinner while I tried to get Emma down, but she wasn't rewady so came back downstairs while we ate. Then tried again and she was ready this time and went right to sleep. El an I enjoyed a nigth together watching UFC! It was nice....

Today he goes to the Seahawks home opener. Em and I haven't decided what we are going to do yet. She is napping now. We might go do a little galavanting, we'll ssee what we get inspired to do...

love to all

First Video?

I THINK I have a video uploaded here. If it woarks, it is of the first time we/I saw Emma moving her knees under herself! Probably just about 2 weeks ago.

I went to go down to take class again this morning.... SKUNKED AGAIN!!!! I don't know why, but usually there is no traffic on sat. mornings, but for some reason there was ahuge backup and it listed as 30 minutes longer than usual.... The gods are agains me:)

I'll keep trying:) love ot al..

Mmmmm... Squash!

Yup, so we've moved on to squash! And doesn't it look tastey? She is doing so good, just taking to whatever we give her so far. We'll see when we get to the green veggies though:) Dad tried to give ehr some of his baked potatoe the other night and it just came right back out on to my jeans:)

I can't remember if I mentioned eysterday, but she is reaching for EVERYTHING! Whatever I have in my hands she wants, so that is fun to see her reacting in that way...

I went to class last night, well, attempted! I left at 4:45 and was expecting slow traffic at a certain point and I wasn't let sown. BUT, I was not expecting one of the off-ramps that I take to get directly into downtown, to take a 1/2 hour. Needless to say I sat on the ramp watching the minutes tick by on the time/temp clock of the building next to me. I was 15 minutes late when I pulled into the parking lot at the dance center, and you just don't go into a class that late.... SO I turned around and got back into traffic going home! I called El and said I'd go back on Saturday, so that is the plan. I did stop at BArnes and Noble on the way home but they didn't have the book I wanted:( It was a bust of a night. HOwever, I guess Elliott must have fed Emma REALLY well becasue she slept through the night!!! I asked how much he fed her and he said "A LOT" with a smirk on his face. He said she just wanted to eat! So, maybe I need to give her more at night, I don't know, ut it certainly felt good. Of course, I work up before she did this morning all worried:) But, at about 6:45 my little alarm clock (otherwise known as Emma) woke up and ate. SO it was a good night all in all:)


This mornig we will got to Jessica's and visit with her and her girl;s Ella nd Aliyah (who is 2 months older than Emma). Jessica will be watching Emma while I am at the Attic (where her daughter Ell ais a student). So it should bea good morning. El is going to the MEgadeath concert tonight downtown so we get a girls night.... Who knows what that means?!

Love to all...

Toeses

She loves her toes! Here she is in her carseat suckin' on her toes. It is so funny because they are like a second pacifier to her. YEsterday El was upstairs playing with her while I was working in the yard and he said "she crawled!" Evicently she got on all fours to quickly boosy herself over closer to him. She is very close and is always working with her legs, but most of the time she is pushing up on her face! She does get her arms up every once in a while. It will be soon! That being said, we lowered her crib down a notch yesterday! She's growing upo! I coul;d just imagine her propelling herself out of it accidentally...

We went yesterday to a meeting for going back to The Attic, and the woman who will be watching Emma had her daughter along who is 2 months older than Emma. We held them up next to each other and Emma is as tall as her!!! IT is fun to watch her and compare enxt to another baby though, it reallya comes across that Emma is quite the observer. She is relatively quiet but sits and watches and really takes everything in.


What else? She is still enjoying her sweet potatoes and oatmeal.... I guess that's about it for now... love to all...

Sittin' Around

WE made it back, a day early actually, as Elliott had a mid sized accident on his birt-bike. He fell off.... Sprained his foot, road rash, his bum is honestly black. So, it was an interesting weekend! BUT, we did catch this picture of Emma sittin' on her own. It only happens every once in a while and as you can see she has some falls, but we're working on it!

She did great in her new PAck-n-Play and slept really well in a new place. SHe even ate her oatmeal on the road!

She had a bit of a rough day yesterday, as she hasn't quite grown accustomed to sleeping on her stomach yet. She does suck her thukmb though as she gets herself to sleep on her stoma ch and it is dang cute.

OH! And she tried Sweet Potatoes last night and really eemed to like them. I mixed it off and on with her oatmeal. SO we are on our way!

She is also making the "aaaa" sound now ALL the time, no more "whoo-ing" - our little girl is growing up!

I hear her screaching now.... love to all...