New Year's Eve Festivities

We had a big night on New Year's Eve with Emmy, Lucas and David. Oh yeah, and their parents were here too. Lucas showed up in his tuxedo so Emmy ran in to put on a dress with rhinestone buckles so that he wouldn't feel overdressed. Lucas spent lots of time on the quad and they spent lots of time together in the wagon. Here is to a fabulous 2008. We can hardly wait to see what we get into this year!

A Merry Chirstmas Indeed!

We started our Christmas festivities on Monday afternoon with a quick cruise in Emmy's car... Then we opened a few presents from Mama and Dadoo... And The Girl tired out pretty quickly... She even slept in until 9:30 Christmas morning! I had to go and wake her and Dadoo because I was so excited to open presents from Santa! Obviously, she got a few things...

Emmy was pretty excited with all of her gifts from the Big Bearded Guy.

I think Dadoo was more excited about her Quad than anything....

Emmy was not so thrilled with this velour ducky hooded blanket...

We went to see Solomon after a big breakfast at home. Young Sol is so sweet and chubby and just about as big as our Emmy.Dadoo was immediately put to work assembling toys...

He was obviously not working fast enough...

Before we left town, we went to visit Julia Jean. She is just adorable and nothing makes me think of Momma smiling more than when I visit Joy with OUR DAUGHTERS. Our Daughters. Ahh....the tears almost come just thinking of those two little words. Our Daughters. That is a pretty fabulous Christmas gift.
Since we had watched A Christmas Story all morning, it only seemed appropriate to put Emmy in a ducky suit since the kid in the story had to wear his bunny suit on Christmas morning. Emmy was equally as thrilled.

Doesn't get much better than this...

We had a big holiday party day yesterday. We went to Little Rock to see John's extended family and then last night went to a Christmas party with Tara's family. The munchkins had a great time and, well, it just can't get much better than this.

Gearing up for Santa!

Even though I am sure Emmy has no clue what is going on with Santa and the elves and all the fun and magical things to come, it is hard to not get excited for our first Christmas with her. I think I am more giddy at the idea of having almost an entire week at home with her than I am about anything else.

Emmy helped me open a very special gift from a very special friend the other night. I guess the pink Santa shirt made her think she should help out!

Christmas Wear 2007

Since we had the mad rush to get all of our Halloween things worn before the holiday, we should have known that Christmas would be just as bad! Here is Emmy Saturday at IHOP (in the outfit Papa got her!) and Sunday. She also had on a different Christmasy dress for church on Sunday but I didn't get a pic. Bad mama.

And everyone needs a good pair of bunny slippers when they are WALKING around this house when it is this cold don't they???

Ten Months Old

Today, The Girl is ten months old. I simply can't believe it. Last night as I was going to sleep, I cried to myself, wondering, "am I getting all of this??" Am I not worrying about the non-critical things so that I can catch all of the precious things Emmy is doing that will never happen again? I hate to admit it, but I am missing so many moments--just slow down! One of these days, Emmy won't sit on our bed and then fall backwards and just crumble into laughter. Or she won't still be sleeping in our bed and curl up under her daddy's armpit (God only knows why in the world she would want to be there) or we won't have to keep dragging her back down because she has srunched up again to the headboard. I am always getting songs stuck in my head and lately, that Stevie Wonder song, "Isn't She Lovely" keeps ringing so true. Or I will sing "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic" to Emmy sometimes and she looks at me as if I am insane!

You might have noticed that I haven't put many pictures in here lately. Apparently, Emmy has learned she wants the camera. So while trying to get pics of her in front or near the tree, we got a lot of this before we finally had success. And then, I guess the tree limb must have tickled her because she is making the goofiest face.

Every day, Emmy looks more and more like her Daddy. She has the sweetest laugh in the world and gets into the habit of saying one word over and over. One day it will be "mamamamamamam" and then "dadadadadadadada" and then "mimimimimimimi" (her babysitter). She has started actually giving hugs now. I love, love, love, love her tiny arms wrapped around me in the sweetest hug that ever was.

Now, if I can only get her to enjoy wearing tights and taking baths...

Emmy, the walker

I can't believe it, but The Girl has taken her first steps. For the past few days, she has taken a step here or there unassisted but Sunday she took off across the living room. Of course, crawling is still her favorite mode or transportation, as she is quite a speedster on all fours. Hope to have pics or videos soon. I just can't believe it.

First comedy routine

Yesterday, Emmy and I went to Wynne to met the before mentioned Julia Jean. She is just adorable! And all that hair! Just precious. Neall and Solomon met us at Papa's house and so did Pat and Jean and her family. It was very bittersweet being with everyone. At one point, I was sitting in the recliner trying to feed a diaper clad Emmy her turkey and rice and Neall was in the back changing young Sol's messy diaper. Jasmine was running around madly, Daddy was somewhere in the kitchen and Pat just came on in the house. It struck me like a slap across the face how normal it would have seemed for Momma to just come dancing down the hall at any moment.

We got home and visited with Grandad at our house for a bit before he headed back to Jonesboro and then we enjoyed a nice, quiet night at home. When we got into bed, Emmy performed her very first comedy routine. It was hysterical! She was sitting up and she would kind of look over her shoulder and then just fall backwards on the bed and then grin. Of course, I would laugh and the more I laughed the more she did it! Like every good comedian, it seems, she did go on a little too long with this and by the end of her 30 minute routine, I don't think I could have faked another chuckle. This kid is a mess! It was quite funny and I love to see her little toothy grin!

Julia Jean

Decking the halls

Well, Emmy wasn't so helpful in putting up the Christmas tree but she is a pretty little decoration. When I finally got the tree up, Emmy crawled under it and curled up in a little sleepy ball. Of course, I ran like mad through the house to find my camera and had no luck. John, in an effort to keep me from crying every time I talk about the missed photo, keeps hiding her toys under the tree to try and lure her back into position. He's so good to me, but it hasn't worked yet.

Elfed

So, I am sure that everyone will have seen one of these a million times before the holiday is over, but here is ours. So funny. John is going to strangle me.

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1175671567

December 5th

This morning Emmy Ruth was a nightmare to get going. Of course, she is back in our bed, so after I got ready and did some light chores around the house, I went to wake her and her Dadoo for the day. Seriously. The girl not only looks just like him, she is just as bad to wake for the day. Thankfully, with her, I can just pick her up finally and get her going--not so easy with John. This morning as she whined and flipped and flopped and finally rolled over with her bum straight up in the air, I said a little prayer, knowing that Momma is watching all of this and hoping that I can be as good of a mom to Emmy as Momma was to me.

Then I grabbed her up, got lots of good snuggle time and did the hurried morning dance of getting everyone dressed and out the door. Thank goodness the girl wears pink all the time because there are traces of Amoxicillan on all of her clothes! Hopefully this round of it will take care of her ear infection. I also ordered a book on homeopathic ear infections treatments. I never would have imagined me with homeopathic treatments and being the "greenest" person I know. Shesh...

Manic Monday

Oh it's Monday again! I really don't know how it got here so quickly. This morning as Emmy and I were driving in West Memphis, "Manic Monday" by The Bangles came on so I turned it up loud so that Emmy and I could sing as we started our day. I am sure that she enjoys it! She got her sense of rhythm from me, I am afraid. When she dances in the living room, I can only think of mom telling me how that she always felt so sorry for me when she chaperoned those JPC dances--everyone else could dance and poor Tara just couldn't catch the beat.

A week or so on Oprah, there was a woman that horded. Mortified by it, I decided to clean out my closet and while I didn't get rid of everything I should have, I did get a good four trash bags out. So sad. Most of that was momma's. I told myself I was keeping it in case I ever lost the weight and could fit in to it but I know that I was doing it because I couldn't stand the thought of letting it go. So, I sat on the floor in my closet and cried while I put shirt after shirt and pant after pant into trash bags. It has really been almost two years and my heart literally aches. Wednesday will be the two year anniversary of when we found out that Momma had a brain tumor. I wish Emmy could have known me before everything changed that day.

And Momma is smiling today

One of Momma's favorite people in the world is multiplying today!!!! I can remember Momma calling to tell me this or that Joy had done or something funny Joy had said to her. Momma always thought she was the best and was so proud of what a great ambassador she had become for Wynne. When Momma died, Joy was so sweet and has been so good to our family ever since. She has become one of MY favorite people. When I heard the news that she was expecting, I thought I would bust with excitement. But, then!!! Then, I got the news today that Julia Jean is on her way and she should arrive early tomorrow morning. I can hardly wait to meet her so say a little prayer for all of them today!!

So much for just one Thanksgiving!!

Thursday was such a wonderful thanksgiving. There is no way to not be thankful when we see sweet Emmy, Solomon, and Lucas. Then we can look around and see how lucky we are to have our family that is not what we had imagined it would be, but it is ours and we are so thankful. Neall's in laws have been so good to Daddy and I--they are always so kind and thoughtful to include us for the holidays. We are so thankful. It's going to give Emmy and Solomon a lot of time together over the years to come up with lots of memories. And then our friends who have become our family. Whatever would we do without them? And this year, we are so happy for Daddy and Linda--thankful that they found each other.


Emmy and Solomon got to meet their Uncle ET for the first time this weekend. He came to eat Thanksgiving with us and it was so good to see him again.


Sunday, sweet little Solomon was christened in Wynne. Emmy made it about five minutes into the service before we headed to the nursery.

Woo Pig Sooie!!!!!!!!!

Emmy is still in awe that the Hogs won! At this point, she can't be still for photos or to type an update!!!! We are so absolutely thrilled here in Memphis for our beloved HOGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sol comes to visit!

Uncle Neallio and Solomon came by to visit Saturday morning and Emmy was thrilled to see them again. She thinks Sol is the coolest thing. She is right!!

It's no wonder..

... that I run around so confused half of the time. This is what I have staring back at me any time I ask that Emmy or Dadoo do something for me.

Nine months old

Wow. Here we are at nine months old--and I thought last month was fun! Kid, you are HYSTERICAL! The other day when I came to pick Em up at the baby sitter, she was playing with some kids near the door. I walked in and said hello to her and then walked across the room to get her jacket and hat. Emmy stood up and said, "HEY!" and then threw her arms up for me to get her. Ah! She missed me! This has definitely been the month that she became vocal. Of course she says, "Mama" and "Dad" but she blabbers a lot more now than she has before. "Hey" is her new favorite word. But, my absolute favorite thing that she says is when she says "bye", she whispers it. Every time! It is adorable. I think it is because it makes her sad that she has to say goodbye.
Just when Emmy was doing such a good job of sleeping in her bed, she got sick so we moved her back with us and now, I am having trouble letting her go back to her bed. It's horrible of us, I know, but I just miss her so much during the day and get to spend so little time with her; we just love our snuggle time. LuLu is still her most favorite toy but she also really likes her stacking cups. Not necessarily to stack them but just to play. Emmy also loves any of her noise making toys... like the talking kitchenette or the ball popper. Her favorite food is still anything squash or sweet potato--her little nose is yellow at the tip from eating so much of them. Her newest talent is to clap or to go from sitting to standing in one step--no pulling up on anything!! The most adorable thing she does is to pat on you. As I type this, she is standing beside me patting me on the head. I gotta go get some kisses before we have to head to bed. My sweet, sweet Emmy.

Old, um, Long Time, Friends

Today we were in Arkansas to visit John's dad on his birthday. While we were there, we took the opportunity to meet up with my good friend from high school, Leigh Brown Fowler, and her family. Her daughter Catherine is three months younger than Emmy but you couldn't tell it from looking at them together!!! It's reallly nice to have friends that have known you since you were in preschool together... and still like you!

Ah the pain of Hogdom is back...

This morning, we got up early and took lots of Razorback inspired photos as we got ready for the game. We even put out both giant inflatable Hogs in the yard. We promptly took them down. Then, Mama and Emmy took a big nap in the living room floor. We think that Yia Yia would approve of us having a good weekend at home for her birthday. If she were here, we would certainly have watched the game together and then enjoyed a good day of playing with tiny monkeys!! The tiny girl has learned to clap and has not stopped clapping all day. Here she is clapping in front of the inflatable Hog. Sadly, this was short lived.
Emmy then slipped into her evening wear. She loves this Ice Cream Truck we got her. It plays lovely little ice cream truck songs and she can walk behind it from one side of the room to the other. It is quite hysterical to see the look on her face when she is really trucking it. She will run into the couch and then be furious that she can't go any further. It seems that this ice cream truck does not go in reverse.

Happy Birthday Yia Yia

Today would have been Momma's 62nd birthday. It's heartwarming to think how much she would have loved Emmy and Solomon. More later on how we celebrated today.

Okay, for real this time, it's cold!

Bless her heart. This is one tired and cold little girl. Oh yeah, and pink. Lots of pink. Why is it that every year when daylight savings time ends, I can't believe how dark it gets so early in the evenings and how bright it is in the mornings. You would really think I could remember this from just one year before.

I'm back in Daddy's arms...

Emmy is back to being our little snot nosed baby again. You can tell she doesn't feel well but the daylight savings time change has really gotten her out of sorts as well. She has been curled up in his arms for the last hour or so.

I found this bear at Daddy's house this weekend when we were there. It was my first stuffed animal and Momma used to tell me how she sewed the ear on that bear a thousand times when I was little because I would 'flick' the ear all the time. John looked at me and said, "oh you mean this ear that Emmy is playing with now?" Yeah, that one.

Monkeys on Parade

Emmy and I went to Wynne to visit Sol (and his folks) and we got lots of good quality time. In true Emmy fashion, she wanted to bond by sticking her fingers in his eyeballs. We need to work on her kissing technique as the boys all either cry or yawn.

In conclusion...

Emmy was so excited to end cardigan casual wear that she kicked a shoe off in celebration.

One last Halloween picture

Here is Emmy as we are getting ready to go the grocery store on Saturday to get ready for our party Sunday. Apparently she is very excited to head to Schnucks. I think it is all the people telling her how beautiful she is.

Today we are rounding out our cardigan wear routine and Emmy is very excited. But as any well dressed girl will tell you, even in denim dresses, it's important to have bloomers that are specialized for you. This child will know her monogram before she knows pretty much anything else.