25 Months

Another month gone by....Emma is 25 months now.
I'm almost thinking I should give up on the monthly updates, as I think all I'll be talking about is how much Emma is growing, becoming more and more independant, expressive, talkative....

I'm really loving this age now, it's like we've really formed this mother/daugther bond - sounds weird, but it's true.  Emma will now ask for hugs, or just come up to me and place her head on my shoulder, or tummy, sometimes wrap her arms around my neck.  She's now starting to call me "mommy".  Funny how is started off with Ma, then Mama, now Mommy.  Rod has also noticed that he feels more loved by Emma and has some purpose to her life.  haha
 
There is no more walking for Emma, it's all about running lately, skipping, hopping.  Em has a new friend from across the road, Madelyn, she's almost 3, and Em just loves watching her and copying everything she does.  They have a ball together, Emma cannot wait till she sees her next.  It's kind of crazy how quick Em will catch onto the bad habits - I guess it's bound to happen eventually.  It's funny how you think, I've taught my child to never do things like that, and then there she is learning from someone else.  The two girls were drawing with chalk on our driveway, our garage has now become the driveway with their artwork on the floor and walls.  Then Madelyn decided to draw/color her legs, and there's Emma doing exactly the same.  Guess you can only control so much and they're just being kids.

With all the running and skipping and hopping, Em works up quite an appetite.  So sweet when I tell her it's lunch time or dinner time, she'll come running to the table saying, "Emma Eat, Emma hungry" and  get comfortable in her chair, waiting for her food.  Such a great feeling too, seeing your child actually enjoy your meal and ask for another mouthful after her first.  It's become soooo much easier having Emma eat what we eat now...and if I make sometihng that I don't think she'll like and give her something else, she'll want to try what we're eating.  Hesitant to take that first bite, she'll just put her lips to the food, taste it and if it appeals will open her mouth wide.  I can see she does not trust me fully, I've probably tried one to many times to force things into her mouth!!

Sweets and treats are a big thing with Emma right now.  Every now and again, if she's been really good, ate all her food, made a pee or poop on the potty, we reward with some treats.  This poor girl gets so excited about it,  you'd swear it were Christmas or her birthday.  We've been to the mall once to have some haagen daaz, now each time we walk past, Emma will shout, "ice cream, Emma want ice cream".  I'm glad to say that even tho we don't get it for her, even after asking so nicely, she won't throw a tantrum or keep asking.  Times like that I think, we have it too easy with Emma.  What will Baby #2 bring??
Em caught a bit of a cold the other day and thought I'd give her some apple juice to make sure she drinks her liquids.  So we're sitting in the car and I ask her to drink some water, Emma doesn't take a sip, I ask her again and nothing.  Eventually I tell her, take a sip Emma, maybe there's a surprise inside.  she looks at me confused and lifts her cup....I tell her to take a sip and try it, again she looks at me...then says, "apple juice?"
So I said to try and see, again the happiest girl in the world, because she gets to drink apple juice.

Like identifying the ice cream stand at the mall, Emma will mention things like, Mama driving on the highway or big truck infront of us, lots of cars infront of us, bulldozers digging sand, man sitting in bulldozer.  Emma will point out the obvious and it's so great to hear her string more and more words together.  We've been looking at photos from our Hong Kong trip in December 2010, we've looked at them so many times, she thinks that her Ma Ma and Yeh Yeh live in Disneyland.  There is also one photo of Yeh Yeh sticking a Tinkerbell sticker on her t shirt, so this morning when I put that particular tshirt on, I asked if she remembered this shirt, and she replied with "Tinkerbell sticker", I then asked "who stuck it on your shirt?", she replied, "Yeh Yeh", then I asked where were we?, Emma, "Disneyland", and my final question was "which Disneyland?", she said, "Hong Kong".  Obviously when I tried to repeat the conversation with Ma Ma and Yeh Yeh on skype, it didn't go as smoothly.

As of yesterday Emma can count to 4, and today to 5....before it was always, 9, 10, 9, 10....now she's finally getting the hang of it.  Normally when Emma does not listen, I'll say something like "Emma I'm going to count to 5, and if you don't come over and change your diaper then we can't go for our walk." or whatever threat I need to use.  Then when I start to count, Emma will lift her fingers and start pointing to each finger as I count.  She takes all the seriousness out of it!!  Most times she'll then listen, just funny how she'll stop doing what she's doing and starting counting and pointing to her fingers.  "Oh this child!!"

Then reading...a few times I've caught Emma in her room "reading" her books.  She knows quite a few of her books, but the Dr Suess ones she knows pretty well.  So the one day I see her paging thru her books and memorizing a few words from the story.  Just such a sweet moment to watch.  You think, all my reading has not been done in vain.  Same with songs, I was cooking dinner the other night and she's sitting at the table waiting for her meal, and I hear her singing something, very quietly.  I listen hard and try make out what she's singing.  I finally figured it was "you are my sunshine", so when I started singing, she looked up at me and just gave his huge smile - big enough to melt my heart.  Emma will read, sing and repeat things back in whispers.

So much is said and done with this little one, it's quite amazing.  I try keep a journal of all the things she's done but with the lack of energy by the end of the day, I keep saying I'll write tomorrow and then a week later, I'm trying to remember everything, and obviously I've forgotten some things.

Rod has been travelling back and forth to Columbus for work, gone during the week and home for the weekend.  Rod's sister, Sharon is visiting this weekend and arrives tomorrow.  So I asked Emma this morning, "Do you know who's visitng you this weekend?"  Emma said, "Dada! Dada come play with Emma"
I had to laugh that she thinks dad is visiting, which is partly true, as he is likely to travel again next week.

Oh the cuteness.

Baby sister is 34 weeks tomorrow....and lately I've been feeling really excited about her arrival.  I cannot wait to meet her.  Em doesn't talk much about baby sister, but she knows she's in mommy's tummy and occassionally give her hugs and kisses.  I think though she's more fascinated by my belly button.  At times Em will be rough and push my tummy or accidently squash.  When I say, "becareful Emma", she'll say, "so so baby sister", thats, sorry baby sister and give a little kiss.

I've been blessed that this pregnancy has been really smooth, I haven't even felt the backache and other aches and pains as much as I did with Emma (besides by the pelvic area, when I lie down too long, or roll over too quick) - guess I don't have time to think of all the aches and pain with Emma keeping me on my toes.

Before I know it another month will pass, and I'll be close to popping, crazy to think.  Right now just trying to keep the energy levels up and keeping up with my little Emma.  Even tho I'm run off my feet by the end of the day, esp when Rod is out of town, I just love watching Emma enjoy being a kid, absorbing everything said and done around her, and being fascinated by the little things.

Our Morning walk on the American Tobacco Trail

Today was sadly, my first form of exercise since falling pregnant.  The weather has been great lately...not humid, not too hot - just right!!  (Sad to think that our summer has come to an end, and soon we'll be complaining about the cold.)  We didn't have any errands to run, or playdates to go on, I decided to go for a walk with Emma along the ATT.  Would be great for Emma to see other walkers/runners, bikers, dogs etc.

After about 30 minutes into the walk, Emma got antsy and did not want to sit in the stroller anymore, she wanted to walk.  Although she didn't walk...she started off running.  So she sure got her exercise this morning.  So sweet to see her little legs go and her arms at times tucked in at her sides while she waddles, I mean runs! 

And then, it was time to cool down....

Since turning 2 and Bald Head Island

Since Emma turned 2 it's like we have a new child on our hands.
One blink and we have this little girl who now seems so tall, talking endlessly, becoming so independent and really expressing herself.
I've lost track of how many words she can say now, it's endless words and trying to figure out what she's saying.  We're caught by surprise many times when she repeats something we've said either from a while back or instantly.

This past weekend we managed to go on our Summer Holiday.  Our first family beach holiday which I've been looking forward to for a long time!  You can imagine my dissapointment when I heard that Hurricane Irene was on it's way and we were right in her path.  With continuous calls to the lodge where we were to stay, they convinced me that we'd be arriving after the storm and we'd be good to go.  Still unsure about going. What the weather would be like after the storm? Will the beach be covered in debris?
It turned out beautifully, sunny skies everyday and it was so hot!  Just the getaway we needed with our little Emma before Baby sister arrives.

Emma showed so much excitement as we were packing the car before we left.  It was so cute to see, reminded me of how excited I would get going away on holiday, but I never thought a 2 year old would react that way.  She was very vocal, jumping around, shouting.  She had her little suitcase ready, sat by the stairs waiting for her shoes to be put on, then climbed in her carseat and was ready to be strapped in.  We eventually leave the house, and Emma asks to see Ella and Amy...hmmmm.....

So our first stop on Sunday was Wilmington, where we would visit the aquarium and try get to the beach before sunset.  Fort Fisher has a small aquarium, but adequate enough for Emma explore the sea life.  She seemed to have enjoyed herself, she got to touch a horseshoe crab, starfish and some urchin.
All excited about taking Emma to the beach later that day, turned out to be quite the ordeal for Emma.  We went to Wrightsville beach, Emma hated the sand, which I expected, as she never wants to play in the sandpit.  But thinking the water might entice her, it didn't.  Our little girl, squealed and whined about the sand in between her toes and on her hands, when we sat her on the towel she would continue to whine and have both hands and feet in the air.  Funny girl.  Dad tried to take her to the water, if Em could climb on top of her dads head she would have.  We knew we were in for a "good beach weekend" with Emma behaving this way! :)
That night we were all in bed by 9pm and fast asleep - Em loved being in her own bed, jumping up and down, so happy, and crying for just a bit before falling asleep.

Monday we made our way to Bald Head Island, this involved 2 ferry rides, one being a vehicle ferry, ie we take our car on the boat, and the other we had to park our car and catch the passenger ferry to Bald Head.
Once on Bald Head Island we were transported by tram to our place of accommodation - Marsh Harbor Inn.  We checked in and were assigned a golf cart, the only means of transport on this island.  This was fun for all us.  Em got to sit with mom and dad in the front, put the key in the starter and at times even helped dad drive.
Bald Head is a small island, that takes 15 minutes to get from one end to the other, has one little grocery store, one main restaurant (which sadly had poor reviews, so opted to not even eat there, luckily there were two deli's we could eat at and the grocery store), and just a few little boutique-ish stores which we didn't get to see.

So the next 2 days we spent exploring the island, trying to get Em used to the beach - which was not quite successful, we hope it's just an age thing.  As soon as Em walked on the sand she froze and would not move, as though she were stuck in concrete.  The only time she took a few steps was when I had her sneakers on, but obviously sand would eventually get in and Emma would hate it.  Only our girl wants to wear sneakers to the beach, and sit on her towel while digging in the sand.  I hope next summer will be a different story.

priceless!

We also rented bikes and rode around the island, Emma loved this sitting behind her daddy and just taking it all in.  She found it funny when Rod would stand and peddle going uphill as she would rock side to side.  An hour into the ride Em fell asleep, and we had to head back, poor girl was all slumped in the child seat.

All in all, a wonderful, relaxing little getaway.  Emma was so easy going, we just love how big she's gotten, expressing herself and commenting on things, showing her excitement and talking about things after.
She has become a little cheeky these days, but we hope to nip that in the bud.  Em got to fill up on lots of fries, chicken tenders and grilled cheeses, funny how this is all what eating places offer kids.  The night we got home, I steamed carrots and I was surprised that Emma went for them and said, "nice"!!  I guess she missed her veggies, we did too!

We got some really great shots this holiday - these being our favourites, so much love from our little Emma, we can't get enough!

Now we wait for our next exciting adventure, arrival of baby sister, just shy of 10 weeks to go....

Birthday Morning

Happy Birthday Emma

Video of Emma's birthday to share with you all.
Singing Happy Birthday and blowing the candles out.

Officially 2 Years Old

It's official we have a 2 year old on our hands!

We had a wonderful party with just 5 of Emma's friends.  Such a small party, yet it felt like it took a bit of preparation.  Maybe the pregnancy adds to it??

Felt a bit bad, as I had the party all planned, but on her actual day I didn't really do anything special for or with her, instead took Emma on errands and in the evening left her with Dad as I had to go to my last cake decorating class - left dad to blow candles and eat cake with the birthday girl.  I did take her to Toys R Us to spend the birthday voucher she received.  Quite sweet, Emma got a crown and meant to have received a balloon, but they ran out.  Then they proceeded to make an announcement that someone special was in the store, and if you see Emma walking around with her birthday crown, please be sure to wish her Happy Birthday.  As the store associates walked past they would wish her.  My eyes just welled up hearing this announcement - my little girl is growin too fast!
Emma felt special and loved walking around the store with her crown - as for trying to select a gift -"buy this, buy this" - it took us about an hour to finally settle on something, a Disney wooden puzzle 4 in 1.

A very special moment - Cameron and Caitlyn connected on Skype and sang Happy Birthday to Emma, Emma loved their singing and frantically asked me for her birthday crown I made for her.  By the time she found it and put it on, they were done singing, so we asked them to sing again.  Emma was dancing around and so happy.  A priceless moment.

With Emma's reaction to the decorations on the day of her party, the reaction to her birthday gift from mom and dad, and then the Happy Birthday song by Cam and Cait - made everything worthwhile.

As I mentioned we organised a small get together on Sunday with just a few of Emma's friends.  Trying to think of a theme or idea of what to do for Emma, the  one day I asked what Emma wants for her birthday, she proceeded to tell me cupcakes and a pooh hat.  That got me going and I started searching for ideas, I felt ambitious to try a fancy Pooh Bear cake as I did cupcakes last year - I found all these fancy cakes, and I was thinking how am I going to get this done.  I'm glad I came across cake decorating classes offered at Michaels which I quickly signed up for and started learning.  Ended up being great, as I got to get out the house on Monday nights and do something by myself, and dad got 1 on 1 time with Emma.  Each Monday night Rod got to sample cake, and Tuesday mornings Emma got to see flowers and other cool stuff made with icing.  All she wanted to do was "Emma eat, Emma dip". 

Emma finally got full reign to dip her fingers in her birthday cake and got to eat as much as she wanted on her day.  She loved it, it seemed, and that made me happy.

Emma got so spoilt by her friends, also by family and friends that sent over gifts.  Emma couldn't wait to open her gifts - we spread the gifts out, so I think Emma still thinks it's her birthday!
And just as I finished up with the cake decorating classes last night, we had Emma saying "Bye Mama" even before I was ready to leave, with no tears!

Well here are a few special pics of Emma's birthday party......
 

 

Animal Marching

Emma has been going to Tumble Gym for a while now.  This is one song they get to dance and move to before getting started with the gym activities.
There are two videos - I was testing out my new Android phone and it's pretty cool I can upload videos straight from my phone onto youtube, I just can't edit them to make one video.  I'm sure they'll work on that and will be able to do that sometime.

Introduction to hopscotch

Dad decided to introduce Emma to hopscotch.

My baby girl Emma

Felt some inspiration to blog while Emma is napping.....

I can't believe in a weeks time, actually a week and 3 days, my baby girl is going to be 2!!
I cannot get over it, and lately been thinking about it and find my eyes welling up as I watch Emma go about her day or tasks (ie playing) or how she makes me laugh.

Yesterday after our morning out we came home and I took Emma out of her car seat, I held her in my arms like a baby and started rocking her.  She just giggled and said, no, down mama, then started to fuss.
When I saw her in my arms, I tried to imagine her as that little bundle we came home with, now so big and independent.  I think where did the time go?  But seeing how Emma has progressed, talking so much, wanting to do things herself, able to name colors, shapes and other arb objects that I randomly point out to her, I am quite happy with the child that we have moulded so far.  It's quite an accomplishment! I know there is still so much ahead, but this feels like a huge milestone.

From the beginning Emma has been such an easy going child, so happy and full of smiles.  All the time and energy I've put into Emma, is well worth it, and I cannot be thankful enough that I have had this opportunity to be at home with Emma for 2 years and enjoy every moment with her.  It's funny how I thought I'd probably only want to stay at home for 3 or 6 months before wanting to go back to work and earn money.  Yes I definitely miss the interaction with colleagues, getting the extra income and just being able to do my own thing for a part of the day.  But nothing can pay for or replace this valuable time with your child, before I know it Emma will be in school and not too interested in spending time with mom.  I just love it when Emma says, Mama come, Mama play and places her hand on my arm and pulls me in the direction she wants me to go, even tho I am dead tired and just want to sit and watch her instead.

This past week I've taken advantage of Emma and Me time, enjoying ice cream late at night, or ordering fast food and eating that for lunch today.  Just so sweet to be able to sit and enjoy a meal with my little one, having a little conversation about all the things she sees, and tells me what people are doing around us.  I think daddy thinks he gets the raw end of the deal  being at work and not being able to join us, but I know his time with Emma will come where he'll have plenty of daddy and daugther time when my hands are busy with baby #2.

As Rod has said and I totally agree, nothing can prepare you for parenthood, and there are no words to describe how wonderful it is to be a mama and a dada.

To our little baby girl, you're turning into such a beautiful little girl, Mama and Dada loves you so much!  Can't wait to celebrate your 2nd birthday!

Capturing Emma on Video

Seems like video is better than words these days.  I constantly have to have the camera ready for all the things Emma does and says.  Thought I'd post a few recent videos of Emma to share with you all.  For all the family and friends that we miss having around and being part of Emma's life and seeing the things she does.

Emma loves our Jazz CD and her new song is "I can't take my eyes off of you."  We have some family fun playing our trumpets and just the other night Emma joined in and made her trumpet sound.  She then went on to mention Jasik (Jason) as he gave her the white teddy bear, telling us that Uncle Jason is going to visit one day and play with Emma.  Then ending off with how she likes her dolls to dance together.

Emma loves playing Hide and Seek, although she prefers to hide than to seek.  I managed to capture her trying to find Pooh Bear.  So funny how she reenacts the things we do, like trying to find Emma and we say is she behind the couch?  is she in her room?  Emma looks in draws, under the ottoman all odd places.  And when it comes to counting, she'll count, 6, 8, 9,  TEN!!!! and partly cover her eyes, peeking between her fingers, else opening and closing her eyes (unfortunately she did not do this on the video)

Emma hiding from Pooh Bear.  Note how she can't remain hidden for too long.  Definitely gives her hiding place away.

Emma is getting pretty good at doing puzzles.  She can complete a few of her 6 piece puzzles with hardly any help.

I guess a 6 piece puzzle isn't challenging enough.  Em loves doing her 24 piece Pooh Bear puzzle.  She has to do it just about every night before bedtime, amazing to see her improve everyday requiring a little less help each time.

Emma's Dance moves

As you know Emma loves to dance, more and more each time.
Tonight she learnt the running man, then came up with some funky moves herself, she also knows which song she wants to listen to.  She's such a character!
From Mack the Knife we went to Ice Ice baby - that was her daddy's doing!  It's funny how she'll ask for the song......

Emma Eating Ice Cream

This is the video we took of Emma enjoying her treat after eating all her dinner.

23 Month Update

I went for my 24 week OB appointment yesterday and was surprised that at my next appointment in 4 weeks they'll be doing the Gestational Diabetes testing, and after that I'll be seen every 2 weeks!  Already!
I can't believe how fast this pregnancy is flying by and that in one month my baby girl will be 2 years old!!!
Guess Emma has been keeping me really busy that I haven't really had much time to concentrate on the pregnancy.  I think I only remember I'm pregnant when mypelvic region feels like it's falling apart, or Em climbs all over me and wants to sit on my lap, which is getting a little difficult.  I think she even finds it uncomfortable sitting on my lap that she opts to sit next to me and at times will rest her head on my tummy.   Which is quite cute.

I posted a few updates this past month, so you've been kept pretty much up to date with what Emma's been up to.  Talking more and more everyday.  Saying new words like Mayonnaise, Chicago, swimming costume, sun block, hairband, the list goes on....
She constantly talking in the 3rd person, Emma this and Emma that.  She will get confused and even though I've done something, or she wants me to do someting she'll say, Emma drop, Emma mess, Emma stand.
We correct her and tell her, no mommy dropped it, or daddy did that.  She'll think about it, then say, Em um Mommy mess.  Other funnies that she'll say, we ask her to say please, when she says please, we say please who?  she'll say back to us, "who?".  Or I say, Emma you know what?, she'll respond with "what".  When I forget something, she'll respond with, "Oh shucks".

Last night Emma ate so well at dinner, I was so excited that I said she'll get a treat.  At first she said, "apples" but I told her she could choose between a sweet or ice cream.  She couldn't make up her mind and kept going between the two, eventually she settled for ice cream.  Tonight again she ate well, that I said she could get another treat, when I mentioned this, she shouted, "ice cream!"  Guess we've set an expectation now everytime she cleans her plate, don't know if it's a good or bad thing.  Maybe I should have stuck to her request of apples!

Emma has become scared of a lot of things.  She'll even pull this face and say "Scary".  From things on TV (the news - we discovered that this morning), Disney films (Bugs Life, Nemo), noises (radio turning on if she doesn't expect it, dump truck), weird moving objects (bulldozer) and people (the guys that delivered her furniture).  It's weird that things that never bothered now do.  At first a little worried why all of a sudden, but I'm sure it's all normal.  There are even some books (as we discovered tonight) that we cannot read as the pictures weren't to her liking. she kept saying, scary, scary, I asked if I must stop reading and she said yes.  So we moved onto a different book.  Great thing to do just before bedtime and just when she's moved to a big girl bed and we're still transitioning her!

So we've made the transition of moving Emma to a big girl bed.  She hasn't outgrown her crib, nor was she asking for a big girl bed, but we knew we'd need it eventually and saw a special, so ordered it.  Her furniture arrived on Wednesday, leading up to that I've been getting all the bedding accessories to make it special for her, getting her involved with choosing things.  Initially I wanted to do a slow transition having both the crib and the bed in her room, so she'd get used to the idea of a big girl bed.  But while moving furniture the night before, Rod said lets just move everything out of her room and just put her in the big girl bed when it arrives.  We asked Emma if she wanted to sleep on the floor on her big girl mattress that night, and she said yes.  Surprisingly she slept, had difficulty falling asleep, stalling, asking me to lie with her etc etc, but she didn't roll off the mattress and slept right through.  When I went in to get her the following morning she was still laying there the way she does in her crib.  When her bed arrived the following day, we had a successful nap in the day, and night sleep.  We're on our third night now, and still all good.  We just hope it stays this way.  I was worried the first night, questioning if we did the right thing.   Rod was the one that said he has faith in our daugther and knows she'll adapt just fine, so far he's right.  I said to Rod, Emma makes everything seem so easy, it really makes me worried about baby#2, what surprises she'll have in store for us, as I don't think we'll be as lucky to have two Emma's!  Would definitely be a dream!  Watch tomorrow will probably be a tantrum day! haha.

So next month we're celebrating or welcoming the terrible twos!  Fun!  I asked Emma what she would like for her birthday and her requests we're chocolate cupcakes with white icing.  This was after giving her options.  She keeps asking for Pooh Bear, and a hat with Eeyore and Piglet.  So we've decided on the Pooh Bear theme.  We're hoping the two's won't be too terrible, but you never know, you'll be sure to hear all about it.

Emma enjoying her new duvet

Emma in her big girl bed - loves jumping on her bed

Other part of her big girl furniture

Uncle Jasik's visit

As mentioned in my previous post we had my cousin Jason visit us while travelling around the US for business.
Emma grew fond of him pretty quickly, calling him Jasik.
So sweet to hear her call him, "Jasik, Jasik". Jasik stand, Jasik come and pull him to come upstairs to watch her bath, to dance, to play.

It was a short visit, but we did some good catching up.  Ate lots and Rod had someone to enjoy a few whiskey's with and finally got to play a round of golf.

We didn't get to do an awful lot of sightseeing, but managed to take Jay to the University campuses of Duke and UNC.

When it came to Jay leaving, Em insisted she take her suitcase to the airport.  She was all ready to travel.  She's a true jetsetter.  The day after I had to take her back to the airport to see the airplanes.  She thought we were fetching Jasik again and of course the suitcase came along too.

Thanks for visiting Jay!

A few other pics from the weekend.

outside Duke "K Court" where all games are played

The cheering squad!

Center Court

Misters at Duke

American Tobacco Campus

Sitting in the stands at UNC Kenan Stadium

Emma's new song

We have Jason visiting us this weekend.  As always, so good to have the company and time to catch up.  Also great for Emma to get to know more family members.  We are noticing that it's gets better and better as she grows older, able to talk and interact better.  She warmed up to Jay pretty quick the night he arrived.  Quite sweet that she'll call his name now.  Tonight was a good night, we had a yummy steak dinner and we listened to one of our Jazz cd's.  After dinner Mack the Knife played.  I decided to dance with Emma and once the song was done she asked for more.  So we replayed it.

Em made sure everyone (everyone being Jason and Rod) was standing on their feet dancing.  Thankfully she wasn't too phased about mommy, so that I could capture this very cute moment!

I couldn't get over how she took Jay's iPhone away from him to get him to stand up, and wouldn't take it that he stayed on his knees.

Emma's Golf Swing

Emma's latest thing is her golf swing.  She had just woken up from her nap and when I came downstairs with her, she saw her daddy practising his golf swing.  She got all excited and said "swing, swing", "Whooosh" and imitated her dad.  I got the tail end of this.....

Our budding artist

Emma is loving her easel.

"Emma Paint" - as said by Emma





"Emma wipe" - she doesn't like her hands dirty




Smile for Mommy - "cheese!!!!"




Smile nicely now....




back at painting



I Love My Family!

We took this photo the other night and I just LOVE Emma's smile!  Such a fun photo.

Reminds me/us over and over again how lucky we are to have Emma in our lives and how much fun it is!

She's growing up so quickly and so well in our books, we couldn't be prouder.

And if Emma passes on everything she's learning to her little sister, I'll be a very happy mommy, and Rod a very happy daddy!

The days just get more and more fun.  The way she talks, calls us to play with her, draw with her, sit with her.  And when she gets excited about something she starts to almost stutter, saying, EmmaEmmaEmma draw, EmmaEmmaEmma paint....we hope it's not a speech problem and she'll grow out of it, for now it's cute! hehe

Love for your child is really like no other!  We tell you 100 times a day, but it doesn't hurt to say it again, We Love You Emma!

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.

Travel Bug

Someone has obviously travelled a little too much.

Today after some grocery shopping, we get back home and Emma plays with her toys.
While I'm in the kitchen washing the fruit, Emma comes into the kitchen with her little pull case and says, "Bye!!" and waves at me.  I wave and say Bye back.  I also say, See you soon and I'm going to miss you.
When I said this, she came running up to me and gave my leg a hug, then said, "Miss" and ran back to her case and said Bye again, waves and walks around our kitchen counter.

When she went around once, she saw me again and said, "Hi!".  I said Hi back and welcome back, hope you had a good time.  Told her too that lunch will be ready soon, but she must just make herself at home.  So she dissapears and comes back a few minutes later, again with her case and saying, "Bye", waves, gives me a hug, says "Miss" and does the sign for, "I Love You".  And so she repeated her Hellos, Goodbyes, miss you's, hugs and I Love You's over and over, until she grew bored and decided to play with her basket of eggs.

Oh she just makes my heart melt.  I count my blessings that I have this opportunity to be at home with Emma and see all these special things about Emma.