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.