A moment like this deserves a post of its own....
We just finished dinner and as I took Em out of her seat I told her to thank her daddy for dinner. I then asked for a hug. Em wrapped her arms around me then said...."I love you so much!" How I've been waiting for Em to say this on her own accord. Too sweet for words.
Rods response.....I've been training her to say that to me....and she goes and says it to you.....
I love you so much too Emma. Precious precious moments.
As the pregnancy is nearing it's end, I'm trying to do as much as I can with Emma, keeping her busy and enjoying this fall weather. Em has really been such a good girl and just keeps me entertained.
Yesterday morning I took Emma to Barnes and Noble, she normally enjoys playing with the train set there, and also looking at the water fountains at the mall. Surprisingly she wasn't too interested in the train set, instead chose books and wanted me to read to her. I happily obliged to read - it's so great to see her concentration span increasing these days, enjoying books by Dr Seuss, Curious George, Disney stories and the like.
So we get to Barnes and Noble, and the escalators aren't working. We decide to walk up the stairs, as we reached the top, the thought that ran through my mind was, gosh I feel so unfit, my legs were burning. Then Emma bends down and says, "Knees sore" and starts rubbing her leg. Obviously her little legs were burning too from climbing the stairs. Poor little dear. Then when it came to leaving I gave her the option of walking down the escalators or using the elevator, and she immediately replied with, "no, elavator". Too funny.
We then walk to the mall for lunch, and Emma gets all excited when she sees the escalators there working. Saying, "these ones working".
We had a nice little lunch with daddy, and we gave Emma a treat after lunch - ice cream. We are able to exchange the toy we get in Emma's meal for an ice cream - so I asked Emma is she wants the ice cream now (since she had eaten quite a big lunch), or if she'd like to have it another day. She looks at me and answers with, "Now". Like that's a silly question mom.
I/We can't not laugh at this little girl - the way her mind works and the responses that come out her mouth. Too funny.
With this great weather, we've tried to spend as much time outdoors as possible with Em, and just enjoying this one on one time with her. Such a great age, so much fun. Two more Saturdays till we meet our due date. Soon soon Em will be sharing her toys with a real baby, and not just balancing it on her mommys tummy saying, "here you go baby sister". I just wonder what her reaction will be like when she sees a real baby and I lose my tummy. It's become a favourite resting place for Emma's arms and head during storytime.
Some latest photos of Emma...and us!
enjoying a picnic at the gardens - eating grapes
Emma just loves her daddy - sweetest picture!
and a video - Emma playing "soccer" with her daddy - we received a flyer in the mail the other day showing kids playing soccer, after I explained the picture to her, she waited for her daddy to come downstairs waving the flyer saying, "Emma want to play soccer". We'll see how things go and maybe enrol her in a few classes, should be cute.
This weekend and today are part of the reasons why we love living in the States, and also having Emma around, so we actually get to see all these things too.
There is never a shortage of things to do with your kids. From storytime at the library, the variety of parks to play at, different music classes going on and other festivals that happen throughout the year.
This weekend we were busy with the Lego Expo and Hillridge Farm. Lego was more for Rod, but we knew Em would love it just the same, being able to build with lego and see all the amazing creations these lego people come up with.
I haven't seen so many lego pieces, they had different stations - duplo, monochrome bricks and then regular lego stations, where pieces were just dumped on the floor and everyone is free to build. Then other theme related areas where you can explore and build some more. Em seemed to enjoy the smaller pieces than the duplo.
amazing attention to detail
We also went to Hillridge Farm for the Fall Festival. Held every year, but this was our first visit. So great that Em is at an age that she can enjoy it. This farm is like an amusement park with so much for the kids to do, from jumping castles, to playground equipment, pony rides, farm animals to see, bunnies, mazes, pumpkin picking, hayrides, train rides and more.... It far exceeded my expectations, we couldn't believe how many people were there already when we arrived and the line to get in.
kids maze
Pony ride which Emma requested she go on
almost 3 feet
To get to Hillridge was almost an hours drive, Em fell asleep just as we got there and probably a good thing she did, as it gave us more time to enjoy it there. Em had a blast. She was most enthralled by the hayride and seeing the masses of pumpkins on the ground. This farm does not grow their own pumpkins, so we didn't get to pick our pumpkin off the vine, but still fun nonetheless searching thru all the pumpkins for the perfect one! Funny how everyone is looking for the biggest to get their monies worth.
Emma's reaction to seeing all the pumpkins from the hayride
so exciting
Ben and Emma
I had just got Emma a book about the Fall, which mentions hayrides and pumpkins etc, so I think for her to see it in real life was great. She was quite excited to pick her own pumpkin...we would ask her which pumpkin she'd want and she would point and say, "this one, this one, this one...." then be so adamant that she carry her pumpkin, but when she did and realised how heavy it was, she'd say, "daddy carry".
Emma's friend, Ben and his folks (Avi and Tom) joined us, so it was fun to see both kids enjoy themselves.
We were all wiped out after this....Em had a great 3 hour plus nap and Rod and I managed to get a good hour and a half nap too.
Then today, we met up with Avi and Ben again at Duke Gardens - we (Avi and I) were a little unsure how much fun the kids would have, since there are no jungle gyms to climb. But with all the space to run around, water fountains to see, fish and ducks to see too, the kids had a grand time. We had packed a few snacks and were able to have a small picnic, so it was another funfilled day
Another good napping day for Emma, over 2 hours! Bliss, gives me time to kick up my feet for a bit and have a nap of my own.
This video is from today at Duke Gardens - Emma just being Emma and having fun. It's so amazing to see the little things that we take for granted, being enjoyed...like walking up a step, jumping down a step, venturing up a hill and running back down, chasing a bird....really makes you realise to stop and smell the roses every once in a while.
About two weeks ago, we had photographer Sarah Elaine take a few family photos and maternity photos before our 3 becomes 4. Trust it to have been the coldest and wettest day! Days leading to it were glorious and sunny. After numerous calls and emails back and forth to the photographer and constant watch on the weather we decided to just go for it, and see what happens....worse case we reschedule.
But it didn't turn out too bad in the end, we all got soaked, wet jeans, wet feet, poor Em caught a bit of a cold from this session. But the end result were memories captured of our growing family. These moments with Emma are precious, she's brought so much joy and happiness to our lifes the past two years, we almost feel bad that she's not going to get ALL the attention, but we are so looking forward to another addition and experiencing life with two girls and seeing how much more joy and happiness...also chaos and tantrums can be added to our lives! :)
