Happy BFP Day!

A year ago today I found out I was pregnant with Little Emerson. It only took 3 pregnancy tests and somehow I was convinced they probably weren't that accurate. That was until I called the Dr. to ask for a test. Here is how it went. "Hi, I think I'm pregnant. Can I come in for a test?" Dr. office, "Did you take a home test?" Me, "Ummm, yeah. About 3." Dr. office, " Well, they are pretty accurate. Congratulations!" So word to the wise. If you have a positive pregnancy test there is a 95% chance you are pregnant. Especially if it is a digital test that spell it out for you. :)

This was my first baby bump "bloat" photo probably around 5 weeks. I remember feeling completely huge. Don't you just want to smack this girl? Ha. I do.

This is when I felt like I was starting to show to everyone else. Around 16 weeks. By then my bump was hard not just a bunch of squish.

Then by 20 weeks I looked like I had smuggled a basketball. Darn small torso. Believe it or not this was around the time I was most uncomfortable with hip, and round ligament pain.

By the beginning of my third trimester I was feeling heavy. This was around 28-29 weeks. This is my SIL I guess at about 19 weeks pregnant. One way to make a pregnant woman fell huge is put her beside someone who isn't as far along as she is. Haha.

By 34 weeks I was feeling pretty good thanks to regular chiropractor appointments. Unless I walked up a hill or stairs and I felt like my baby might fall out. Ha. We took my maternity pictures in a hurry because Emerson had already dropped and we were told she would be early. Little did we know that meant eviction. I miss that belly. It was a good armrest.

This is my last "official" belly shot. We took a few while waiting at the hospital. This is the night we drove to the hospital. I cried the whole way there. Very emotional night full of fear,

and uncertainty.

But, this little face made it all worth it. This past year has been a roller coaster full of change, and emotions. But, I'm so glad things have turned out the way they did. Emerson is just proof that God truly has a plan for us.

Birth Center Article

"The Article"

Here is an article a ran across about the birth center where I went during my pregnancy. I think she sums up the pros pretty nicely and it coincides with what I experienced there. Even though we didn't end up delivering there I would consider it an awesome experience. I love midwives!

Roley Poley

She can't be stopped. She rolled from tummy-to-back pretty early but only did it every so often. But, I guess since now she can roll the other way it is much more fun. Anytime I have place her on her back today she has rolled over. Which leaves for difficult diaper changes. I usually put on her baby gym for entertainment while I fix some food, etc. But, today when I look over she is 3 feet from where I put her in a completely different direction. Plus she would keep rolling until she end up stuck up against a piece of furniture. We've started a whole new chapter in babyhood.

The Giraffe didn't see it coming

Recap of Growth

Birthday

March 27th, 2009

April 27th, 2009

May 27th, 2009

June 27, 2009

I was trying to have the giraffe sit beside her each month to show her grow but Emerson disagrees. This month she decided attacking the poor giraffe would be more fun. 

What? Is this not what you wanted?

I think I'll just lay down for this one. Thanks.

We had Emerson's check-up today and she weighs a whopping 10lb 12oz and is 24 inches long. Her weight gain has been so on track the past few months, at almost a pound exactly each month. I had to take a 4 month development assessment and Emerson is achieving all her goals. Why wouldn't our little wonder baby? Oh, and by the way she rolled from back to tummy this morning. So she now is able to keep going. Dangerous for us, fun for her. This month has been entertaining for us. Emerson has started to laugh and really seems to enjoy our company. She always smiles at me first thing in the morning when we wake up. Such a morning girl. ( She doesn't get that from me! ) Even at 6am I feel some eyes staring at me so I wake up and she is grinning from ear to ear like, "Oh good you're up!" It's the best feeling in the world to have your baby be happy you just looked at her. This month she has also been super grabby. She pulls her toys, or pretty much anything in her perimeter and puts them in her mouth. She even pulled a dress off the clearance rack at target. I like to start shopping training pretty early. Emerson has two favorite toys at the moment. Her yellow duck, and her Blue Octopus which plays music that will drive an adult nuts but entertain a baby for "minutes" on end. It's hilarious to see her get so excited at her toys and bring them in for a little hug and nibble. I have also found Emerson to be a dog lover. She stares at Mia and babbles. Today she even reached out at her and started laughing. Mia's reaction was, "Oh crap, she is after me now!" Emerson also loves music of any kind, and silly singing. Mark sings to her in spanish. I think he forgets speaking english is also favorable to children living in the US. :) But, all in all she is the perfect baby. I still insist she is super easy to take care of, rarely cries (If she does there IS a reason), and is a pleasure to be around. Right now I'm holding my sweet baby while she recovers from her vaccines. She's a trooper!

4 Month Pictures

Classy in Pearls

My favorite thing~sweet baby feet

Why is she smiling?

Because her Daddy is singing to her probably in spanish.

Here are some of the best pictures from Emerson's photoshoot on Saturday to commemorate her 4 month birthday. Can you believe it? Because I can't! I must say she is an excellent model. I'll have her official 4 month post later today once we go to the Dr. for her check-up. :)  I have my post-it ready with about 10 questions. I'm so glad we have the nicest most attentive Ped. in the triangle, in my opinion. We might possibly get one vaccine today so pray for no tears. My tears I mean. ;)

** Adjustment- Some of the pictures are getting cut off. I'm not that bad at taking pictures. Ha. Sorry about the clipping. Mark is really in that one picture, not just his nose. :)

She hearts her thumb

Emerson has taken to her thumb in the past couple of days. She decided it's 10x better than a paci. Which can be good and bad. A self-soothing baby that can put themselves to sleep is a thumbs up in my book. No pun intended. But, then again thumb sucking can be a very long habit. I won't dwell on that now because it is very cute. Even better in the car I won't have to strain myself trying to put her paci back in for her when she loses it.  Not only is she putting her thumb in her mouth it's basically anything within grabbing radius. 

Mia, watch out! Emerson is coming for ya!

By the way. Look how big she has gotten!

But, she is still just one happy baby. 

Charleston Part 1

Don't they look handsome?

Our new friend

Church downtown

This was pretty much Emerson's reaction to the giant fish at the aqarium

Or this.

That is face of a very tired baby. She let me have it soon after. :)

Here are a few pictures from Charleston. I'm working on editing more. We just have a lot and it can be time consuming. But, I do enjoy doing it when you know I'm not taking care of my baby.I I use to always be jealous of everyone's great pictures. But, now I know 90% of them don't come out looking that way. They are perfected in post production. Anyways, Mark took most of these, so we'll give him credit. :) Except for the one he is in of course, and the goat. 

Whos Bad? Emerson's Bad

Whoa, someone is watching

I'm sure everyone has heard the shocking news of Michael Jackson's passing. In our house we are pretty big fans. If you've ever been at a wedding with us you have probably seen my husband break it down MJ style. So of course we wanted to celebrate this huge music icon. Mark and Emerson danced away to some classic Jackson tunes. 

A few of my new favorites

A borrowed bow from cousin Avery

Sweet little smiles

Her serious pose

Not sure what she is looking at?

I just love taking pictures of Emerson. She makes it so easy. Have you ever seen a better model? As you can see I've got sucked in to all the unnecessary girly bows. The top green one is barely hanging on to one hair but since she was sleeping it allowed for a perfect photo opt. I've already decided she will wear something like this for her 6-8 month old photo shoot. A little ridiculous but, if you can't be ridiculous as a baby when can you? Emerson can pull it off while I cannot sadly. :) I hope to take some fun pics on Friday for her 4 month birthday. So I'll have to ponder something cute. 

Been around the world

Well, more like around the south. It's been awhile since my last post because we have been busy! We have been home for a total of 3 days out of the past 9.  We got back at 11:30 last night, Emerson woke up at 9am today and is on her second nap. Insisting on sleeping in my lap cuddled up because she is just plain wore out. I'm just going to give a little summary of all we did since I'm suffering from heat exhaustion and honestly it would take forever to tell everything. :) So here it goes. 

-Emerson went to the beach for the first time

-We all went to the OBX for the first time

-Emerson endured (4) four hour car rides (pretty successfully I might add)

-Emerson met her cousins and Aunt Brandy for the 1st time

-We went to Charleston

-Rode in a horse drawn carriage

-Saw dolphins

-Went to a wedding

-Emerson blew bubbles and made rasberries for hours on end

-We were constantly stopped by baby adorers, obviously.

-We visited 2 national parks and 1 plantation

-I had to say my almost 4 month, old not 3 month old :(

-Mark celebrated his 1st Fathers Day

-Endured days in 100 degree weather

-Emerson put her paci back in herself

-I smuggled M&M's in my sling creating a choclate mess on my baby

-Emerson chuckled away at her Grandpa ( I don't get a laugh bc I'm merely her food supply)

-I finally fitted into my regular shorts! Woo hoo. 

So as you can see we were super busy. We're looking forward to doing absolutely nothing this w.e. but laying on the couch. Recovery time is much needed.