22 Months

Little Miss Emma, 22 months and talking so much these days.

Everyday she's amazing us with new words she picks up.  Pointing things out to us and telling us what they are.  It's actually great with Emma speaking, we can understand so much more of what she wants, although we do have a good dose of her uh-uh-uh's, and whining!
Not only her speaking, but actions, like stepping over my legs, she no longer needs to hold on to me, she can easily lift her leg and step over.  She's walking down steps when a rail is available.  Before she would love to climb on my back and go downstairs with me, now she refuses and wants to do it herself, saying, "Emma self".  I'm not complaining, as the pregnancy progresses, Emma is getting heavier.
Drawing and coloring, Emma is no longer just scribbling all over the page, she actually tries to color in objects, scribbles in small spaces on a blank page and can draw her lines up and down, side to side and round.  She's so proud of herself when she accomplishes all this.

an example of her art work

Objects likes her stool that she stands on to wash her hands, was once heavy, now she can lift it easily and before I know it I have a Sous Chef standing  next to me at the kitchen counter or sink, willing to season the dinner or wash dishes.

We got back from LA on Sunday and quite surprisingly this is the first time that Emma has eased right back into her routine.  It's been great, either she's growing up, or just getting used to travelling.
It was great seeing Emma and Ruby together again.  The fun lasted for the predicted 3 days, then the pushing and pulling began.  A bit of mediating and negotiating required.  But there were good moments of laughs, Emma copying Ruby, the two of them running around and dancing together.  Poor Ruby having to share all her toys with Emma, showing her possession, and reluctantly letting Emma play with her toys "just for a little bit".  Emma learnt to say, "Emma's turn" very quick.  Just amazing out of all the toys available in the house, they both would want the same toy!  Ruby would try turn Emma's attention to something else, guiding her to a different section of the room, or even a different room.  You would just see Ruby behind Emma and Emma just walking wherever Ruby took her, but then following Ruby back to where they came from.  Guess that's kids for you. 

The girls opening Ruby's birthday gift

not sure why Emma was a little unsure of this hug

playing with the magnetic dress up dolls

Em got sick toward the end of the trip, so we didn't get to do as much as we hoped to do, but I'm glad it's wasn't more than a runny nose and congestion, we just stayed indoors and recovered.  I thought that with Emma being sick I might not have been able to join Kerwin, Janine and Rod at the U2 concert, but Emma allowed and Trevor and Vivien babysat the two girls - Thanks guys!  Actually thinking of it, this was Rod's and mine first night out alone since we've had Emma.  U2 was awesome.

Emma also had the opportunity to meet more family members.  My cousin Bronwyn and her boyfriend were roadtripping from the West Coast to the East Coast, they stopped over for one night.  It was great that we got that time to quickly catch up.  Emma warmed up to Bronwyn almost right away, and only the following day did Emma warm up to the friendly giant, Andrew!  So much fun when there are others around to entertain Emma.

blowing bubbles

showing Andrew how the iPad works

Thanks for visiting!

Pregnancy update - I'm 20 weeks pregnant already.  Reached the halfway mark and really fortunate that this pregnancy has been just as easy as it was with Emma, well so far.  One morning in LA Emma caught me by surprise when I asked Emma where her baby sister was, and she lifted my top and started kissing my tummy and saying morning.  That lasted for a few seconds, then Emma said, "All Done" and covered my belly back up.  Sweet moments.  The week that I was in LA my tummy just popped out, all the good food we ate contributed to the 8lb gain in 4 weeks - yikes!!!  The baby's movements (quickening) started around 16/18 weeks, so the feelings were very light, but I can feel they're get stronger and stronger.  The broken sleep has already started for me.