Naptime

I haven't posted in a week because shockingly I haven't taken any pictures. Crazy, right? Oh well I am cheating and posting these pictures from last week. Isn't she sweet?

I wish I slept this peacefully.

Who knew a bean bag and a boppy was so comfy?

Anyways, we have almost finished christmas shopping for Emerson. I've never been this ahead on holiday shopping. We visited a local boutique and got her a wooden xylophone and a wooden caterpillar that you can move around. There was a little play area there where kids could play and Emerson had a blast. I tried to introduce some toys to her that I was thinking of getting and she more interested in a big monster truck. Go figure!

I was a little bummed they didn't have these Haba Discovery Blocks. I just think they are so adorable and fun. Besides, Dr. Sears says blocks are the best toys for babies so I hope it holds true for us. I'm still on the lookout to find them locally and if not I'll just order online. Christmas has come a little early this year for Little E. bringing her 3 bumgenius diapers. So hopefully we can say see ya to disposables. No leaks last night trying them out for the first time and of course the night before when I used a sposie she had a blow-out! Hopefully I can sneak a picture of her cute new bum very soon.

Rainy Days

Man, this rain has thrown us for a loop! Although we couldn't go outside and play all week Emerson still enjoyed the rain. She stood at the door for almost 30 minutes watching the rain drops beat down.

Who knew rain was so entertaining?

Since outside play was a wash out, we took a trip to Target.

I've come to expect Emerson to scream in the carseat to voice her objection. To my surprise I didn't hear a peep out of her. I thought surely she is passed out but, nope. She was wide awake, relaxed as can be.

She was an angel on our shopping trip.

On the way home she fell asleep with the rain beating against the window. She then proceeded to nap for 2 hours! E. never takes a very long afternoon nap. So I was sure thankful. She made a few whimpers and I got her out. She slept on my chest and I was brought back to those newborn days.

So maybe rain isn't so bad after all. But, next time we can do without the 4 day downpour.

Cloth diaper success!

It's probably not what you're thinking. We've been using cloth diapers for 8 months now and I've been very pleased. But, last night we used a cloth diaper at night and IT WORKED! Of course we didn't use our usual prefolds but we used Emerson's new Happy Heiny diaper. It's a pocket diaper and I put two of the inserts in it with a fleece liner. Her behind was sooo huge. That is not an exaggeration. We wondered how she could sleep with her butt so round but, she did. This is a picture of the diaper she has although I don't have velcro on mine. I had to put it one the smallest size possible. Really? Is Emerson still that small? I guess so.

This was our nighttime test run before I bought anymore. So we might get two more so we can cloth diaper every night and say goodbye to disposables. I'm thinking getting the bumgenius pocket or maybe another happy heiny. Since we can use these until she is potty trained we'll definitely save some money in the long run.

Next up we have to get a new size run of our prefolds. I'm kind of dreading prepping a whole thing of diapers all over again but, I'm very thankful we have used the other ones for going on 8 months. Far past what I ever expected. I'm thinking we will get 18 prefolds, 3 fitteds, and 4-5 covers. Maybe three bummis brites and one thirstie. I like the bummis brites because they have leg gussets, as do the thirsties. Thirsties don't fit Emerson as well as Bummis but hold up awesome. We could survive on 4 covers but 5 is definitely better. That should last until she is potty trained because I don't see my 14 pounder reaching 30 pounds anytime soon. Do you?

Since I am sure you would rather see Emerson than diapers I'll leave you with this picture. I didn't take it so I'm left to wonder what is going on just as much as you are.

Looking like Christmas?

Well, not exactly. It was 75 degrees here yesterday and if the leaves weren't turning I would have sworn it was a beautiful spring morning. But, despite that I have Christmas on the mind. Perhaps it's because this year I have a little one and I've gotten all excited for her. I'm usually starting to shop two weeks before Christmas and I'm hugely irritated by decorations and marketing before Thanksgiving. But, this year I've been planning our christmas card for a month, searching for gifts for Emerson, and worrying about how we can actually have a tree this year. Anyways I've already got Emerson's first gift! It kind feels good to have something done. Maybe procrastination isn't all it's cracked up to be? I got her this...

A Leap Frog Musical Table. I think she will enjoy. It plays music obviously and is very interactive. It was listed as one of the toys that actually gets played with and I got it for a awesome deal. Since she doesn't stay on the ground much anymore I think it's perfect. So that is her "main gift." Haven't gotten anything else but I would like to look into some natural toys for her if the bank account will allow it. Ha. I'm also thinking of making her some things.

I found this free pattern online for a stacker. Pretty cute, huh? It says easy but I've learned that easy listed on patterns really means nothing. It might as well say easy if you're an expert. So maybe I'll try it and be super domestic and crafty. Next I'm on the hunt for a Christmas Stocking for Little E. But, I'm not going to pay $30 for one. Ouch! Maybe I'll make that too. I was thinking of buying little toys that she can get out of the stocking since she will absolutely eat wrapping paper. I'm going to try to not go overboard considering she doesn't know what Christmas is and her birthday is 2 months later. So what are you doing for Christmas? Are you in the spirit yet? Don't worry I won't force Christmas music on you in my playlist until after Thanksgiving.

Changes

Emerson has been changing a lot lately. As I had her posing for my mock newborn shots above I realized how different she is than just a month ago. She is even more on the go if that is possible, literally getting into everything.

See how she got all the bags out for me? Such a good helper. She is constantly standing up on things I didn't even think she could get to. The dining room table, chairs, the oven, cabinets, stairs. You name it! Nothing is off limits in her mind. She even thinks she is a pro now going one handed and wobbling around. We have hardwoods so you can imagine the outcome is not always so pleasant.

Emerson not only has one tooth coming through but two! This all happened in the last few days. She is definitely a trooper. Don't expect any tooth shots though. I have to pry her mouth open so that I can see them.

She also is maybe waving. I say maybe because it looks very similar to the baby sign for milk. I've been working on that sign alone for the past month and when I start to feed her she squeezes both her hands excitedly. But, she also does it other times too. Ha. So only time will tell what she really means. Her personality she starting to come out more and more. When she wants something or is intent on a purpose she scrunches up her nose and breaths heavy. No clue where she learned that. Haha. It's very intense. Oh, and I almost forgot! She has taken a few crawls on all fours. After army crawling for 2 months I thought she was content to stay that way because she is definitely fast. But, last night she took a few stumbles on her hands and knees instead of elbows and knees. I feel like we're moving full speed ahead.

Face it Emerson. He's just not that into you!

bedtime fashion

Last night was pretty chilly, don't you think? Emerson thought so too so we decided to put on her new winter sleeper. I got it on sale for $5!! It has little ballerina shoes in the footies, which I think is just genius. Since she was looking so cute I put her little bow in and it finally clips in for a little bit since her hair growth is in full force.

She hadn't wore this bow since way back when she was a newbie. Of course that hair is long gone.

I had to bribe her to sit still with my phone.

Don't worry I definitely didn't let her wear the bow to bed.

Apparently Emerson had some issues with her phone service.

Fall

I love fall. The beautiful colors, the crisp mornings, and of course leaf piles. I spotted a tree with pile full of gorgeous leaves underneath it a couple days ago so I ventured out to get a good fall picture with Emerson before it was bagged up.

I woke her up from a nap to take these so please excuse her stern look. :) It took her a minute to get out of the sleepy stage and notice she was surrounded by fun leaves.

Then she remembered she loves leaves!

The only thing that could make these better is maybe a bright pink outfit. Emerson and I just love pink and orange together. I was awful proud though that I took these in manual and that my Little E. stayed put!

Official 8 Month Pictures

"Seriously, I look like Elmer Fudd!"

I got some plexi-glass to take some pictures on and I was so excited to have a semi-professional looking background. But, taking pictures instead of naptime can have consequences. As a result I only got 3 pictures. Emerson's reflection was too interesting so I was barely able to catch a glimpse of her face. She was peering over too long so she face planted right into the plexi-glass. Ouch! You can imagine how that went over.

Despite the hiccups I think these select few turned out well, even if I had to bribe her with a red leaf, which she ate.

Now an update on our sleep issues. Our routine has been going rather well. Friday night we were out and about and she fell asleep in the car and we left her in the carseat. When she woke up I put her straight in pjs rocked her, and put her to bed. She did wake up again but, Mark rocked her and she went down pretty quickly. So the past three nights she has gone to bed by 9ish which is a huge improvement. She seems to really enjoy the story time with Dad, and rocking/nursing to sleep. So I've determined she is the kind of baby that will stay up if you let her, but if you create a relaxing environment she'll go to bed. I guess she was just looking for our lead.

Happy late Halloween!

Happy Halloween a couple days late! We spent our afternoon at a fundraiser for The Birth Center. Emerson got to see her midwives again and we had fun hanging out on a real farm.

Emerson enjoyed the festivities until she got stun by a bee. Ouch! Right on knuckle. Poor little Emerson's hand was swollen and red. So she was on and off crabby which is understandable. Who likes getting stun by a bee?

She did enjoy the bunnies. I'm not sure they enjoyed her screaming at them though.

Look, we're farmers!

Instead of a traditional costume Emerson sported Halloween themed attire. Next year we'll go all out. Friday she did wear a pumpkin costume to go trick or treating with Dad at work. Sadly no pictures though. Don't you wish you could see Mark dressed as a foreclosed home? Haha.

Emerson got to go on her second hayride of the year. She is so experienced. Along the way the farmer gave us a tour of the farm. Emerson spent the ride pulling the little girl's piggy tails beside us. At what point her 2 year old brother said, "Be nice baby!" Hmmm.

Mark got charged by a cow when he decided to jump off the hayride and go rogue. I thought the cows were just adorable. They were very short and fluffy, because they were a specific breed. This made it even more disturbing to me when the farmer talked about how good they tasted. Yep, sadly they were beef cows. I wonder how much it would cost to buy him so he could come live with us. :) Look at his sweet little face.

He gave us his model pose.

At the end we had some yummy carrot cake and Emerson did something completely out of the ordinary. She jumped into a strangers' lap! We were sitting on bench and she decided he should hold her. Ha! I guess she has a thing for beards and tattoos.