Attack of the baby

I only have time for a quick blog post today. This weekend I went yard selling for the first time! It was pretty successful. I got Emerson took cloth books for .50. These go for $10-15 in the store. I also got a bookshelf that I hope to paint one day, and a few clothes for E. I did learn that you probably should get there at the 7am opening since it's sooo hot.

Nannie and papaw came to visit. We drug them on our yard selling adventure. Emerson was a little abusive.

I think after this episode they regretted getting her this cup.

Maybe one that says fiesty toddler or little stinker would be more fitting?

Going places

This little chica has just been a mess! I actually got a picture of a semi-smile because I pinned her down. Ha! I'm not kidding. I seriously had to throw my leg over her. :)

She has really gotten into climbing and nothing is out of reach. Well, in her eyes that is. So much for our hidden book stash.

Her favorite toy right now is buckets. She has a blast carrying them around, packing it full of toys. The other day we got another bucket. Instead of replacing her old one she wants to carry both, on top of another toy if she can handle it.

"Hmmm...what else can I get into?"

A breastpump bag works just the same as a bucket though in case you were wondering.

After all that toting sometimes you just have to crash!

Splash Grounds

Last week we went to the splash grounds. For a $1 per kid and a morning full of energy burning activity you can't beat it. At first Emerson was a little weary.

She brought her boyfriend, Ben and contemplated what this place was all about.

Soon she realized it was a place to have fun and she was off!

Running all over the place. There were large buckets overhead that tipped over and I had to keep deterring her. She was mesmerized by them and she would have surely been taken out by one!

We brought our bucket and sand toys. They were a big hit. Although every two minutes another kid had swiped hers. Next time, we need to mark her name on it. Check out her beach bod. Those roley poly legs!

The kids had a blast splashing around. Stopping the flow of water with their hands.

E. was Miss Independent walking all over, by herself. She didn't want to play with me at all! I probably looked nuts calling her name and her walking away. Next we went over to the wading pool. It was about a foot high so the babies could toddle around. Emerson had other plans and thought it was her opportunity to show off her swimming techniques. She would throw herself face first, completely submerging her head. I kept getting some stern looks from the lifeguard like I was supervising her sufficiently. But, seriously she would swat my hand away. I guess she needs one of those floaty suits if she thinks she is ready for the deep end. We had a great time and I see many more trips this summer to the splash grounds in our future.

Changes

Emerson has been going through a lot of changes in the last week. Doesn't she look older? Also in need of a hair brush.

We have two molars that have cut and two right behind. All of these teeth have given E. an interest in.....FOOD! It's really amazing how quickly she has changed from not eating a thing to chowing down and demanding food. Halleujiah! The church nursery even said she stuffed her face with goldfish at the big kid table and chairs even after everyone was done. Really? My Little E.? At first I thought they had confused her with another pint size child. But, then later that night when she was shoving sweet potato fries in her mouth I gave it a second thought. Then she ate some watermelon and loved it! More things that have been a hit are oranges (who knew??), homemade healthy pancakes (filled with bananas, blueberries, and honey), and goldfish. She can even say "goldfish" now and is always demanding them if I'm in the kitchen. Now if I could just get her to eat a green vegetable.

Weekend Round Up

We had a busy weekend. Emerson and I headed to the farm. The farm that supplies the produce for the company I work for had a farm day. So we traveled about an hour east to check it out. The farm supplies produce for about 2000 families each week. Wow! I snapped a few pictures here and there.

I love all the rust! I think some people thought I was crazy for taking a picture of it.

Chicken Coop

I don't think Emerson trusted those chickens too much.

The farm prepared us lunch. A pig pickin with lots of fresh veggies, and homemade ice cream. It was delicious. Soon after lunch Emerson was through. It was very very hot and humid. So she was as a trooper to hang in that long. I even snuck a bow in her hair without her noticing. She was dripping sweat so I had to do something.

Sunday we headed to Mark's parents to celebrate his Dad's birthday. Emerson was thrilled to sit in her own little chair.

She has gotten very into furniture. In her size of course.

She had to tell me all about it. What a mess!

After this long, hot weekend Emerson needed to have a rest. Whatever works!

Thursday Five

Happy Happy Thursday!!

Today is a FANTASTIC day..but you'll just have to wait and read my five to find out why..

Wanna play..all you have to do is post 5 things that have made you

Jubilant

Giddy

Excited

Thankful

Stoked

Keely over at MannLand5 started this fun carnival so here is...

My Five

1. Julie Ann got married! We headed to Conover for her wedding weekend and it was a blast full of fun activities. Here we are pre-wedding with a blurry picture from my phone. Doesn't she look stunning?!? I mean seriously. Then of course the ceremony was a tear jerker. Is there anything better than the emotion on a wedding day?

2. Emerson was a party girl. She was a super good sport at the reception. I even brought her out with me while the bridesmaids were introduced and she got to be introduced too! Then she did the chicken dance with me and clapped her hands on cue. I see some future dance parties in her future! She looks a little dazed in this picture but for a girl who didn't nap I say she held in there.

3. I have a photoshoot tomorrow with a sweet baby girl. I'm so excited I can't stand it and maybe if I'm lucky her Mama will let me hold her for a bit. I'll post pictures here once they are complete.

4. We're going to farm day on Saturday. The company I work for part-time, The Produce Box, is having a family farm day where we can tour the farm, taste things. How fun! Have you ever had a cucumber straight from the farm? It's amazing. So head to your farmers market and pick one up. They knock the grocery store stuff out of the water.

5. Our church is doing a Sunday night series where some seminary professors are speaking on certain topics. This Sunday is "Hearing God's Voice in Scriptures." I'm really excited to take it in. I feel very fortunate to have such great resources.

6. I'm adding a 6th because I finished Emerson's scrapbook for the first year and got it yesterday. BEAUTIFUL! So pleased.

Happy Thursday!

More 15 month pictures

If you want to see more 15 month pictures of Emerson become my fan on facebook! I have a whole gallery there. That's all I have for now!

15 months old

Emerson is 15 months now. It just sounds like a much more mature age doesn't it? Not so much baby anymore. Emerson has gone through numerous changes in the last month. Most importantly walking. She is a full time walker, an almost runner plowing through our house. I've been seriously impressed with how stable and balanced she is. I guess that's what happens when you walk with someone's finger for months!As a result of walking she has discovered climbing. Trying to get on top of anything she can. One of my favorite things is if she sees me now she will run over and put her arms around my neck. Oh the love. She also loves to give kisses, especially to babies, and lay her head on top of someone else as a sign of affection. Even the dog gets love! She really enjoys books now and can even say, ''book." She constantly goes over to her chair pulls out a book and sits down to "read." It's so cute but of course she always tries to taste the book as well. Emerson loves to play ball and is constantly calling for one. She can even put the ball in a small basketball goal we have. She's not really into playing with dolls yet instead sticks to a shape sorter or musical toys. Emerson has definitely become a Daddy's girl constantly calling for him during the day and always thinks he is on the other end of the phone. When I tell him she is home she will shake her head back and forth and pant like a dog in excitement. I think she has been observing Mia too much. We just finished up our swim class and she loves the water. We even went to the pool yesterday and she was beyond ecstatic and had a blast splashing around. Her language development has definitely taken off as she will try to repeat a lot of words. Last week she said bowl, puzzle, door, and okay. I just love hearing her sweet voice. She is still a full fledged animal lover and goes crazy to encounter any furry creature. Her hair is growing like a weed and if she would let me put clips in it she wouldn't definitely be sporting some new hair do's. I'm excited for this summer and to see her change and grow. We love you Emerson and the little toddler you are becoming!

A little update

Emerson has been wild this past week. Into everything and she basically thinks she is three.

She keeps trying to walk down the incline of our small yard but she doesn't quite have that kind of balance yet. So she just gently bounces on her head and gets back up. Over and over and over. At least she is persistent!

This girl loves to be outside.

She also loves dog toys. Emerson is obsessed with Mia's tennis ball and thrower. You can see how thrilled she was to have it in her possession.

Apparently found a plastic bag along the way too. So if your toddler is bored look at petsmart for the hottest toy.

"Should I pick it up or leave it?"

This past weekend we went to three parties! We were super busy. But, celebrating is never a bad thing. Although I'm on cake overload. First we had a friend's 30th birthday where I had a moment of bad judgement and gave Emerson a taste of chocolate. To say she liked it is an understatement. She basically went into convulsions when I wouldn't give her more. Not like I gave her much to begin with. Think pin size. Seriously, she is truly Mark's baby. Ha! Next up we went to my Grandma's 81st birthday party. Emerson was sassy and picky. She wanted everything off the food table but only to throw it in the floor! There was a kitten there so it made up for her irritation with my food selections. Apparently celery isn't her favorite. Last we went to my niece Avery's 1st birthday party. Emerson had a blast since it was at her favorite park. Although I think she thought it was her birthday since she tried to take all the presents. She even gave Avery a sweet kiss! Or kisses. She didn't want to stop giving the love! This is toddler language for Happy Birthday. Tomorrow is Emerson will be 15 months old. Friday we have her check-up. I sure hope our Dr. is ready for my monstrous list of questions. "Why doesn't my baby sleep?" "Why won't she eat any food but eat her books?" "Is it normal for her to bite me and laugh?" Oh the fun. Any guesses on her stats. She was 16lbs even 2 months ago. I have not a clue. :)

The importance of reading

In our house we think reading is very important. From an early age I have tried to spark an interest of books in Emerson. Seriously, I use to read to her when she was a month old. Now that she is a mature 14 month old she is reading often on her own.

Studying, and taking in all the knowledge that is available to her.

Really digesting the meaning of the words.

I'm so proud of her for her eageriness to learn.

Sometimes it's nice to just curl up with a good book.

And take it all in.

"I thought we weren't suppose to chew things?!??"

I will try not to make all my pictures seventies style. Although it's so tempting. Here is one a la natural.