July 4th 2014

Of course our fourth of July started off with this cutie. 

We had lunch at a BBQ place down the street and this Mama celebrated the holiday with this tasty sangria.

Yum. 

And Emmah enjoyed herself in this giant high hair so much, that she pooped herself...

...all over her festive onesie. 

So we did a quick load of laundry after lunch.

Then Emmah, her TiTi [aunt Kaitie] & I headed to Eyes to the Skies, a for-charity hot air balloon fesitval.

Something about hot air balloons are so magical.

After we had some lemonade and Emmah coerced me into giving her my straw,

[she LOVES straws and this one was super fun!]

Ems changed into her jammies and we strolled around waiting for the fireworks to start.

[we didn't have funnel cake though, because the lines for one were massive]

I know, bummer right?!

 

 Nothing more American than a giant, blow-up, American flag, bald eagle & a ferris wheel.

Am I right?

 

Emmah fell asleep right before the fireworks started but then woke up right as the last finale ended, and caught a glimpse of a firework.

It's safe to say she loved it ;)

Emmah: Nine Months

Weight: 17 lbs
Sleep: 9pm, 12am, 2am, 4am, 6am, 8am...phew, Mama is TIRED
Clothing: 6-9mos/9mos, but her little squishy self needs 12 mos bottoms now
Likes: pickles! the Frozen soundtrack, morning cuddles, going for walks/runs, shaking your head "no"
Dislikes: car seat, naps, green peas
Milestones: Your 5th & 6th teeth came in this month, scooting on your back, holding your baby food pouch to eat, pulling yourself up and standing

Emmah bear, time is flying by and you are growing so fast. This past month we visited with Grandma, Grandpa & Auntie Devan in Delaware. They cannot believe how big you are! Most days, the only way you will sleep is when you are in the stroller/car-seat/high chair. I think it is because your teeth that came in and now you may be getting more.

You do not mind sour things, you have sucked on a lime, lemon, pickle, and none of them phased you! Now whenever Mama eats a pickle, you demand that I share, so I do [you even take a bite!]. Pickles are the only not-pureed thing you like to eat. You still love music, especially the Frozen soundtrack [Do you wanna build a snowmaaaaaan?] You also like to shake your head back and forth like you are responding "no" to us. It is quite hilarious. You love to stand up and hold our hands and you even pulled yourself up while you were taking a bath. 

You are just the most beautiful baby on the planet and we love you so much. I can't believe you will be ONE year old in three months!

KISS!

Our Weekend + First Mother's Day

The weather in Chicago is finally beautiful and reminding us why we live here. 

On Friday, we took Emmah to the zoo for the first time, (she slept the majority of the time) but when she was awake she was a happy girl!

Saturday we went to the arboretum & walked to our favorite ice cream parlor.

On Sunday we went out to lunch and then walked around an outdoor mall and got caught up in a thunderstorm. It was awesome! Emmah wasn't so sure about rain, but after Mama showed her it was fun to take off your shoes and run around in it...she sort of liked it.

 Man oh man do I love this little bear more than I could have ever imagined.  

I am so thankful I get to be her mama.

I hope all you amazing Mama's had a wonderful Mother's Day!

Emmah's First Easter

I know, I am all sorts of behind but who gives a hoot. Don't be surprised if you see my Christmas post popping up. In an attempt to keep everything in this blog and hopefully have it printed for Emmah some day, I am determined to go back and write each post that I intended to write!
((including her birth story...(insert embarrassed emoji here))

Easter morning was so much fun. We woke up, got dressed/ready for church and then gave Emmah her Easter basket. Even though she is too little to know exactly what is going on, she did reach for her Easter basket and pull things out which was absolutely adorable. 

In her basket was a little laptop, her first Bible, cute jammies, a book, a few headbands and of course Easter eggs! She loves those things. Doesn't take much to make our little bear happy.

As you can see, I didn't include a cutsie, Easter morning family photo because as soon as we got to church that morning Emmah had a blow out all over her white dress. 

Oh, an Easter to remember.

He is Risen!

Happy Easter!

Emmah: Six Months

Weight: 15 lbs
Sleep: Great! Waking up at midnight & 6am to nurse, but still stirring around 3am
Clothing size: 6-9 mos/9 mos, and you still fit into a few of your 6 mos onsies & jammies
Likes: things that make crinkly noises, talking to Grandma & Grandpa via Facetime, bath time, Utley the cat
Dislikes: tummy time, getting your jacket on, going in your crib awake
Milestones: You can sit up & you got your first tooth!

This month seemed to fly by faster than all the others. You are growing right before our eyes, making me question if it is really possible for time to go by this quickly. I saw a newborn baby this month and thought "were you really that small and fragile?!" 

 Your first tooth cut through this month, just a few days before your half-birthday, and you handled it like a champ! You are our tough baby bear. Speaking of tough, you love Utley, our cat. You grab onto him and he loves it. When he hears you making noises, he will come find you and sit right in front of you so you can pet him and grab onto his fur. Whenever he comes into the room we are in, your eyes light up and you watch his every move. Daddy & I think you are going to be best buddies growing up.  And growing you are doing. You have some of the chunkiest legs I have ever seen a baby, and I must say they are also the cutest. I want to squeeze and kiss them every time I change your diaper! Actually, I do squeeze and kiss them every time I change your diaper :)

Oh, and your favorite toy is the wipes wrapper/container. You love that crinkly noise it makes!

WE LOVE YOU!

Happy Half-Birthday, Emmah bear.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day!

Emmah: Four Months

Weight: 14 lbs

Sleep: Sleeping great, on more of a routine/pattern now!

Clothing size: 3-6 mos/6 mos

Likes: Cuppycake song, baths, crib mobile

Dislikes: getting in the car-seat, tummy time, long car-rides 

You love looking at yourself in the mirror, and you are becoming interested in your jumperoo. You have learned to give kisses and you love giving them. You have been going to sleep each night at 9pm and waking up for the day at 10am. You wake up at 12am & 6am to eat and you also wake at 3am, but usually soothe yourself back to sleep. You love it when I sing to you, and your new favorite song is the cuppycake song. Every time I sing it, you stop fussing and stare at me with the biggest smile on your face. If you could have it your way, you'd have me sing it to you all day long.

This past month, we traveled to Pensacola, Florida to visit your Nana & Papa for Christmas, and you were not happy about being in the car-seat for so long. We celebrated your first Christmas and you went swimming for the first time in the indoor pool, you loved it.

You are getting SO big, Emmah and your smile lights up my day like nothing else! 

I love you.

Emmah: Three Months

Weight: 12.4 lbs
Height: 24 inches
Sleep: Sleeping 4-6 hours at a time at night, in the crib!
Clothing size: 3-6 months
Likes: baby swing, car-rides, snuggles, activity mat, Mommy singing to you
Dislikes: getting dressed, tummy time
Milestones: grabbing things, cooing, holding your head up

Emmah, this month you found your voice! 

You are so talkative after you get your diaper changed and I absolutely love it.  You have slept for 5-7 hours straight a few times this month, and that was awesome for Mommy. 

You like to find bright lights/electronic screens, and once you do, you are locked on to them. You started playing with the toys hanging from your activity mat this month, batting the stuffies and grabbing/holding on to the rings. 

You are not a fan of tummy time, but we keep makin' ya do it anyways.

 And some days, you aren't very patient when I am getting you dressed.

Daddy & I love snuggling you and giving you kisses.

You met your GG and Great Grandpa this month and you guessed it, they fell in love with you too. Grandma & Grandpa are so thankful they got to hold and kiss you this month over the Thanksgiving holiday. 

We love you, and cannot wait to celebrate your first Christmas in just a few days!

Mommy confession: A few days ago, Mommy put you in your crib for the night and accidentally locked Utley the cat, in your room with you. You screamed so loud and I saw him in the video monitor, trying to get your hand moving around. Mommy & Daddy rushed into your room and scooped you up so fast. Mommy felt terrible. Daddy chased Utley around the house.

Happy Thanksgiving

...from our little turkey!

Emmah: Two Months

Weight: 11.9 lbs

Height: 23 inches

Sleep: Sleeping 2-4 hours at a time (in Mommy & Daddy's bed)

Clothing size: 0-3 mos

Likes: bath time, loud music, playing on activity mat in the boppy
Dislikes: being alone for more than 30 seconds, Huggies diapers and the chemical rash/burn that came with it!
Milestones: starting to grab things

This month has been so much fun. 

We have watched you become more and more alert each day.
You have noticed the toys hanging from your activity mat and grabbed the bunny's ear on your rattle.  At the beginning of November, you got a chemical rash/burn from a Huggies diaper and Mommy just about lost her cool. A mother's love is truly like no other.
We have used facetime to talk to Grandma & Grandpa this month and you love it!
They love you so much. And so do we!

Halloween 2013

Happy Halloween!

Emmah: One Week

Weight: 7 lbs 8 oz She lost a few ounces, but the doctor said that it was normal for breastfed babies to lose a few ounces the first week. 
Height: 21 inches

Sleep: Emmah has been sleeping her days away & sleeping 2-4 hours at a time through the night
Breastfeeding: Has been going pretty smoothly. My boobs were sore/cracked/etc. by the third day, but I used a shield to help my nips heal back to their full glory. Now, I can't complain! It is crazy how babies are born with the instinct to search for a nipple.
Clothing size: NB 
Likes: Grandma & Grandpa, Nana & Papa, being held, eating
Dislikes: her first bath, getting undressed at her doctor's appointment

Overall, the first week has been amazing. Emmah is becoming more alert each day, and staying awake a little bit longer in-between feedings. We had my parents here for the first week and now Mike's parents are here. The help has been amazing, I have been able to shower and get some solid rest. I can't believe it has been a week already with our Emmah bear.

I am listening to her squeak in her sleep as I type this.
Oh how I love her so...

Are you ready?

For cuteness overload?!

Daddy & Emmah

Emmah meets Mommy

Sleepy baby

First family photo

We're going home!

First outing: Lunch at Flat Top

Emmah Bear out to get ice cream

I am so in love, I might spontaneously combust. 

Seriously. Ya'll we're right.

Motherhood is indescribable.

Sweet Emmah Elizabeth

After a 48+ hour labor & delivery, Emmah is here and we couldn't be happier!

My heart has exploded. 

(I cried when they stuck her little foot to get blood)

This little girl has stolen our hearts.

(birth story to come soon)