First Christmas

So I kind of forgot all about Christmas but Emerson had a great first one if I do say so myself. We stayed in town on Christmas Eve for our first round of festivities.

Unfortunately Emerson was a present thief and had little interest in her own presents. Luckily her cousin was pretty understanding.

Somehow we managed to only get a Christmas Eve family picture but none of us on Christmas Day. But, anyways Emerson was in a great mood for staying up so late.

Emerson and her Grandparents

We've had a Christmas tree since the first week in December and somehow Emerson just discovered how neat they are on Christmas Eve. Since then she has been squealing and pointing at them with excitement. Too bad the tree is coming down soon.

On Christmas morning Emerson had a shocked look on her face when she saw all the fun stuff out. She went straight for her musical table and really enjoyed playing with it. We had to really coax her to open other gifts. Ok, we will pretty much opened them ourselves.

But, she had fun looking at the wrapping.

Baby toy or Dog toy?

Although Santa was very good to Emerson she would rather have what Mia got. Mia disagreed.

The rest of the weekend was full of family festivities and yummy food. Here is Emerson walking all over her Grandpa. We were really blessed this year and we're very thankful for all the love Emerson received. Our living room now looks like a toy store. Maybe we should just rewrap some things for her birthday because honestly the child has more than enough to play with and still I have said several times today, "Emerson, do not go up those stairs!" I guess nothing can keep her that occupied.

Emerson enjoyed a visit from her Great Aunt Reba. Can you tell we're related?

She also got to spend some time with her Great Grandma. I was impressed with her super social behavior but not surprised she pretty much resisted naps all weekend. With Emerson, not Grandma. Ha. We are still recovering. She is on her fourth nap today.

She also had a blast playing with her cousins. She is just fascinated by older children and is thoroughly entertained by them. I have no kidding hundreds more pictures I hope to post on facebook if it ever cooperates with me. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas!

Is it spring time yet?

Since we are so over our winter clothes (or should I say growing out of them?) I let Emerson try on some of her spring time gear. Apparently she loves her outfit because is the most still she has ever been for a photo in the last 4 months.

Adding an accessory from Mom doesn't hurt either.

Do I look cute or what?

I can tell we are going to have so much fun in the future with her flair for fashion and affection for the color pink.

This is it. Her new expression. I have no idea what it means but it's hilarious just the same.

Maybe she's thinking, "Why oh why can't I wear sundresses year round?" My thoughts exactly my dear. If only we lived in Florida.

"Snowed" in

Last Friday afternoon when we were suppose to be snowed in Emerson found ways to keep herself occupied. I had been running errands all morning in the attempt to avoid the "winter weather" and she fell asleep so I placed the carseat in the living room. After she woke up, not thinking anything of it, I left it there. I was busy wrapping Christmas presents, etc when I turned to see this.

Apparently she likes her carseat if she is not confined to it.

Oops, I've been caught!!

She had a blast entertaining herself as you can see.

Emerson is really into buckles. I think she is just practicing to unfasten herself when I put her in.

Like any good dog, Mia lent a hand.

It might be hard to see but she flipped the carseat over. Yes, she flipped it. Then proceeded to make it a rocking horse. I think Mia is a little jealous that Emerson created a new toy.

The dog also helps out with dirty diaper patrol.

Am I in trouble?

Ok, then I will continue!

This creation of non-toys into toys has become very common. I'm rethinking all those presents she has under the tree.....

Jump around

"Jump around, jump around. Jump up, jump up and get down. Jump, jump, jump!"

Is it in your head yet? That's the classic lullabye I sing to Emerson because I'm a dork like that. Lately Emerson has turned everything into her personal trampoline so when our neighbor offered up their jumperoo we "jumped" at the chance.

It has a little kangeroo on the front that she find hysterical and it plays the same 5 notes over and over again. But, hey kids like it!

She has even been standing up on the outside and jumping up and down. Which you usually ends in her feet flying out from under her or a face plant. But, honestly you can't deter her from anything. She's fearless unfortunately.

Check out this goofball face!

Uh oh. Back to the fierce Emerson stare down. I guess picture time is over.

Food Take 2

What could make Emerson's face look like this?

An apple of course.

I put a few dices of apple out and she really didn't care. But, when I put out full slices she thought she would give it a try.

I will not swallow this.

Seriously, food again?!?!

It was entertaining to see her investigate the apple.

Even more entertaining was seeing the worst faces I have ever seen.

Yet, she kept putting the apple slice back in

and making this awful face.

Again and

again. So, I guess this is progress even if it looks kind of scary.

Baby's First Christmas Festivities

This past weekend was jam packed with christmas festivities. Emerson was still quite the trooper I thought toughing out 5 separate activities on Saturday alone. Although she didn't have a good nap at all on Saturday which I'm afraid has become all too common. But, I learned several things about Emerson this weekend.

1. She really hates Santa Claus in person
2. She loves Christmas music!
3. She likes Santa if he is in the minature dancing form.

We took Emerson to Mark's work Christmas party where the little kiddies were allowed to scream sit on Santa's lap. I wasn't going to go the mall for Emerson to see Santa so we figured this was a good opportunity. One look at the big guy in red and she had a complete meltdown. We even have a picture to document the baby torture. I'm talking all out crying and streaming tears.

You would think after we removed her from Santa's arms it would fix the problem but she was left traumatized. The rest of our time there she kept leering over her shoulder to keep an eye on that creepy Santa guy. At least she got a stuffed little gingerbread man out of it.

On a happier note it seems Emerson is a dancing queen. Remember way back when I said I thought she maybe into music? Of course I was right. :) She has been dancing and clapping to all kinds of music including Christmas. It is perhaps the cutest thing I have ever seen. This brings me to my third point where she likes the dancing form of Santa. She enjoyed a lot of time dancing to the tune of Jingle Bell Rock and giving Santa some applause. I really didn't think Emerson would be into Christmas this year but it has been so much fun seeing her experience it for the first time. Speaking of first she just tried to get into her stocking. Oh dear.