12 month pictures

So after party planning, party executing, and enjoying the sudden pleasant weather around here I forgot to take Emerson's 12 month pictures. Then I realized her birthday was 3 weeks ago. Better late than never I suppose. Then I had to think of an idea. Of course she had to wear her birthday shirt made by Sweet Couture on Etsy. I'm for sure going to order from her again. The shirt is undeniably adorable. So I figured our bright xylophone would fit perfectly with the color scheme of her shirt and at the same time occupy her.

Turns out taking pictures doesn't get much easier at 12 months.

She found it interesting for about a minute then realized there was other stuff in the room.

And found new use for the stick. Can you tell she has been around a dog a lot? She carries her toys around just like her!

She's proud of that!

I just love this mischievous grin before she takes off.

Her destination?

My trusty nightstand, guaranteed to have something to tear up and where she can get some reading done.

It's here!

My Anna Marie Horner fabric that is! I bought this to make an Easter dress for Emerson. Of course Emerson has around 20 springtime dresses already but I have fond memories of my Mom making my Easter dresses growing up. So even if she'll probably only wear it to the church nursery it'll be worth it. Did I mention I'm in love with this fabric? It's even prettier in person. So vibrant and fun. Orange and pink, how could you go wrong? Anna Maria Horner I don't know where you have been my whole life but I'm glad I found you! I've been reading her blog and she has kids and makes all kinds of crafts for her baby. I think we could be friends in real life. So I'll probably make a simple pillowcase with a contrasting necktie. Can't wait to get started!

12 Month Check-up

It was nice to go the Doctor and not be sick. It was time for Emerson's 12 month check-up. She charmed everyone by smiling and giggling. Even saying hi to complete strangers in the waiting room. She seems to think she is pretty cute. Where did she get that idea??? Anyways she now weighs 15lb 9.5oz, still around 5th percentile, and 28 inches tall (25%). So long and skinny. Every girls dream! Ha! The pediatrician and I discussed her eating habits or lack there of. In the past day Emerson has decided she likes goldfish and tortilla strips. Of all things! The Dr. found it pretty humorous and said not to worry she will eat real food in her own time and can thrive off breastmilk for 2 years! Yes, 2 years! Isn't that crazy?!? I'm continue to be amazed by the human body. Even though she is not a big eater I'm so thankful that we have such a great nursing relationship where I can provide with such great nutrition! Now, can someone bring me an extra large fry and some cupcakes? I'm getting pretty hungry supplying all this milk!

12 months old

Little Emerson is finally 12 months old. The big one year! This past year has gone by really fast and at the same time it feels like forever ago that she was a newborn. I've loved getting to watch her grow, develop, and change from a teeny infant to giggly on the verge toddler. I refuse to call her a toddler until she starts walking. I feel like I have really seen a lot of change in Emerson in the last month. Mostly in her language development. Her words (which are up for interpertation ) are:

• Momma (mostly said while tugging my pants leg)
• Dadda ( chatters it all the time)
• Hey/Hi (she waves eagerly now when she sees someone and says hi)
• Bye ( will say bye while waving as well as when I get off the phone)
• Ball ( Says it obviously when playing with a ball!_
• Baby ( Pretty much says this anytime)

I've also been able to tell that she understands a lot more of what I say. For example, when I say, "Daddy's home" she will go crawling to the door. The other day when I said, "Is it time to leave?" she starts waving like crazy. In the bathtub, I will ask her if she is ready to get out and she will go the edge and stand up with her hands up. She's very interactive, always jabbering away and smiling at us. Emerson points at things and uses her "word" for whatever she is talking about. Her personality has really come out toward the end of this first year. She is playful, sweet, fiesty, funny, and independent. She really enjoys music and is constantly dancing and clapping her hands. She is a big climber giving me tons of exercising chasing her up the stairs. Emerson has become quite the mimic. If I stick out my tongue she'll do the same and finds it hysterical. She also finds it entertaining to feed us and the dog although she avoids pretty much all food herself. Although yesterday she put pizza crust in her mouth and got really excited about it. That's a first! But, I guess everyone likes pizza!

Here is the birthday collage to show how she is changed. Just a little bit don't you think? She has almost tripled her birth weight!

Her hair is much lighter than birth. A nice golden brown. I see a little bit of curls forming at the the ends and I really hope they stick around. As you can see she has dark chocolate brown eyes!

Our teeth count is now at 6!

As illustrated by these pictures she is a big goofball.

Cheering me on as I take her picture.

Not really sure what this means though?

Happy Birthday Emerson! I'm really excited to see what this next year brings. You bring such joy into our lives!

Planning

We are in the middle of party planning mode. So it feels a little hectic at the moment. I can remember this time last year getting ready to go to the hospital and speed walking through the neighborhood totally ignoring my bed rest orders. Ha! I was hopeful until the very end. Of course it didn't induce labor. Just made me tired and have to pee. Which in retrospect wasn't a good idea considering that was the beginning of my almost 3 days of no sleep! This year I'm well rested and we got to see beautiful snow this morning. The large fluffy kind that looks like cotton balls. It was gorgeous. But, alas the sun has come out and melted our snow. I'm currently writing my to-do list and trying organize the million things I need to get prepped and done before Saturday. Lists make me feel better even though I'm really not an organized person. Tonight I'll make the buttercream icing and hopeful not eat too much of it. :) I've tried to offer some yogart to E. this week mixed with applesauce since that will be kind of what her "icing" will be. It actually tastes pretty good. Her enthusiasm is minimal as she shakes her head "No" when I ask if she wants any. She has had maybe a speck in her mouth and gagged but didn't throw up. Progress I suppose. But, she does like to play with it which should be fun on her birthday. Speaking of fun I think Emerson said "ball" yesterday. We were playing with her pink ball which is her favorite and I had it and she reached out and said what sounded like "ball." I've come to the conclusion you can never really know if it's a real word. In my opinion it's hard to understand the majority of children's vocabulary before age 2 so you can pretty much make up anything it sounds like to you. But, the sound combined with the object in clear view is pretty impressive. She also says bye after I say bye when getting off the phone. Too cute! I don't have any pictures so here is a little video. It's not recent but it's all I got. Maybe 2 weeks ago or longer??? Enjoy!

Yesterday was a fun day. Emerson was in a fantastic mood. Maybe it's because it's her birthday week or maybe it was because she was into everything! Like moving the doormat. You can see she completely removed the liner.
Then I'm unloading dishes and she comes over which she usually does and starts touching the door. No biggie. Then I literally turn around for 5 seconds to grab a dish and she is in the dishwasher. When did she become an expert climber??!?

While I was prepping dinner I had to contain her from doing more naughty things. She didn't mind though. She was having a blast. She might not be saying, "hey" but it sounds like it to me. Emerson is such a goofball. Please excuse my silly commentary.

Fun in the sun

Friday we had a special treat. Mark took the afternoon off to spend with us and the weather was great. We took advantage and headed for a hike in the park.

It wasn't incredibly warm but still a big improvement from what it has been lately. We soaked up the sunshine and enjoyed every minute of it. It was so much fun! I was hoping to be sore from our hike and jump start my get in shape crusade but sadly I wasn't. Except maybe my back which just kind of makes me feel old not fit.

I thought Emerson would pass out for her afternoon nap but she was way too interested in enjoying the view. She loved watching the dog run around like a nut.

When we reached the lake we practiced walking a bit. She doesn't seem to interested in starting on her own anytime soon which is fine by me!

Although she is getting pretty fast walking like this she prefers to drop down and crawl.

"Now how do I get this off?"

Mia tried to coax Emerson into setting her loose so she could jump in the lake. She almost fell for it!

Mark with his girls

Sunday was even better weather and we hit up the playground. We even took the dog again and she did great. She has come a long way with kids since this time last year. She even let a toddler pet her! We had so much fun outside we kind of forgot to get some shopping done for the birthday. You know the big one! So hopefully we'll get a jump on it because it's coming fast. I plan on making E. a healthy baby cake. It doesn't have sugar or anything in case she decides she wants some. Which I seriously doubt she will but in the off case she did I would really hate her stuffing sugar in her mouth when she rejects all other forms of food. We have plenty of time for a sweet tooth to develop. Why rush it?

Getting to know you

Hey Hey Hey..It's Sunday!

Time for a little funday..Getting to know YOU action..

To play..Grab the questions..copy them..answer them..then come back here and link on up..

It's as easy as easy gets..

-------------------------------------------------------------

The questions..

1. How often do you wash/change your sheets?

Probably every two weeks. But, it seems like everytime we wash them lately Emerson spits up on them the next day!

2. When is your birthday?

August 17th. I've always liked the summer birthday because you get presents near the half way point to Christmas. Ha!

3. Have you ever met a bloggy friend in real life?

Nope. But, a lot of the blogs I read are people I know in real life.

4. Brad Pitt or George Clooney?

Brad Pitt in his younger years, but George Clooney today.

5. If you could change one thing about your body what would it be?

I would like to have a bigger behind. Sounds kind of backward to most people but, it seems like since Emerson was born it has been disappearing! I use to be in better shape I swear.

6. How often do you wash your hair?

Usually every day. My hair is shiny anyways and it's get pretty gross after a day. But, if I'm not doing anything I might just wear a headband and pull it back. E. doesn't mind my greasy hair. Mark on the other hand is another story.

7. Do you have pets?

Yep, Mia a dog who is almost 5. It's hard to believe I got her just after I graduated college. She is a little nuts but we love her.

8. How many social networks do you belong to..if you had to give up one, what would it be?

Facebook, LinkedIn, TriangleMommies, and Myspace. I would so give up myspace. I never use it and frankly would not be able to remember my login. It is kind of creepy too.

Random Video of the Day

This video has no real purpose. Haha! But, you can kinda see what our days our usually like. She was talking up a storm before I pulled out the camera. Then of course gave me the silent treatment. If you look closely you can see her top teeth at the end.

Second time around

Do you like Emerson's outfit?

Does it look familiar? Maybe that's because she wore it way back when. It is one of my favorite dresses so I was feeling nostalgic and pulled it out. What do you know it still fits!!! Put some black leggings underneath and we are good to go for the second time around.

She wore this to rhyme time and I must say she was the cutest one there! Not that I'm biased or anything. I was going to pull out her summer dresses from last year out of her closet to allow room for new stuff but maybe I'll hold onto a few so that we can pair with a little skirt or shorts. Thanks Emerson for being so teeny and reusing your clothes! On another fun note Emerson said hi this w.e. Then I had a dream last night that she was talking up a storm. Haha!