Teaching me something new every day

First of all, I feel as if I am missing a limb of my own body without my camera. Actually, I have the camera but no cord to download the photos. I feel naked and empty when I can't look at my pictures!

A few weeks ago, I decided that Emmy Ruth needed to learn to sit in the shopping cart at Wal-Mart. Until she was a year old, she was of course in the infant carrier and I just popped her in there. Then, she was okay with sitting and went through a phase where she just didn't mind sitting in the cart. Then, she was bound and determined NOT to sit in the shopping cart. Up and at 'em. I usually ended up carrying her around the store. A few weeks ago, I refused to get her out of the cart. That child literally screamed around the entire store. An employee even brought her a tissue. (I asked for a drink but she wasn't so generous with me.) The next time, she cried about 80% of the way around the store and so on it went.

This morning, I plopped her in the shopping cart only to find that the belt was broken and it was just such a hassle to move her and we were only going to be in there for a few minutes. Emmy Ruth did not even attempt to get out one time! I even went to look at John a new lunch box since she was doing so well. I couldn't believe it.

We gave each other high-fives on the way to the car and she just giggled and giggled. So funny.

What a weekend!

Our sweet Solomon turned one on Friday and we celebrated his birthday in a grand style on Saturday. He was absolutely adorable with green icing all over his face and outfit. I can't wait to go through all the pictures. He and Emmy are just so sweet and seeing so many friends and people we have known forever is just great fun. Momma's Girl. Emmy has to have a purse everywhere she goes. So, she carried this one on Saturday to the party. It was a purse of Momma's. It was so sweet to see her carrying a purse that her Yia Yia carried flitting around town.
Emmy really likes cake and ice cream. After she ate hers, she begged LynnLynn and Granny to feed her more!

After the party, we headed back to Memphis for the Cooper Young Festival. Joy and Julia brough Mary Margaret and Maggie Grace over for a big afternoon. It was great to just wander around and visit all the booths. We had sushi as soon as we arrived at the festival too. Emmy Ruth had three pieces! I think Joy was as proud of Emmy eating sushi as she was when the girl first started walking! Joy and Mary Margaret were both 'girls' that Momma thought so much of. I know that she would have loved seeing us with 'our girls' hanging out.

Nineteen months old

This weekend, Emmy Ruth turned 19 months old. I can't believe it. That is so close to two years old!! She is still all about her Daddy. We are learning more and more of our body parts and she still loves to tickle bellies. She will pull our shirts up so that she can get a better tickling on us.

Bath time is going much better: I finally just stopped forcing her to sit down in the tub. There is a mat so that she won't slip and she gets all her duckies out and sets them on the edge of the tub. There is one bath toy that I got years ago of a wrestler--bald and with a goatee. Emmy sets it out and says, "Hi, Daddy" every time. It is hysterical! She still isn't thrilled when the actual bathing process is going on but she will put every toy back when it is time to get out and she even drains the tub for me. So very helpful!!

Reading is getting a lot more fun too since she babbles back at the books now. She still isn't so thrilled with sitting through an entire book (I mean that could be five to ten pages!) so we often read the first page, then the last page and maybe a middle page in there somewhere.

This morning, Emmy put on a size 6 tennis shoe! I can't believe how tall and beautiful our little girl has become.

Traitor

Every day that Emmy has gone to the sitter's, I have driven her there and home. That correlates to me driving over the bridge once to take her, once to get back to work, once to pick up Emmy, and once to get home. My car could easily drive there by itself, I sometimes think. Usually, Emmy can see me coming through the sliding door at MiMi's and will run to me calling "Mama!!!"

Last week, since I was off work, I took Emmy to the sitter on Thursday and Friday so that I could get some things done at home. Friday afternoon, John got home from work a little early, so he rode with me to pick up Emmy. The look on her little face was sheer delight. Now, every afternoon this week when I open the door, she cries, "Daddy???" For hundreds of times I have picked up Emmy from the sitter's, she is now searching for him and is terribly upset when he is not there!

Hmph, does Daddy buy you fruit smoothies from Sonic??? I think not!

It's that time of the year!!

Saturday, Tara remarked how she loved this time of the year--cooler weather (well, somewhat) and festivals! We stopped at the Germantown Festival for a bit and the kids enjoyed riding the car, Lucas moreso than Emmy, but a good time all around. We are looking forward to the Cooper Young Festival this weekend after Sol's party. It should be a great time.
We are not looking forward to the game Saturday though!

The Rest of the Week

Well this has not been a really productive vacation, I must admit. Today, I was determined to take a nap. But, this was also the day that MLGW came to read the meters. Our outside dogs, Luke and Anna, were barking like mad for several hours. I lay in bed for an hour and finally jumped and ran outside telling them to shut up!!!!!!!! There was work that I needed to do anyway so I finished painting the front door. It looks so nice. I can't wait to get the handle and locks installed so I can put before and after pictures on here.

I have a phobia. A real problem. I am terrified of mice. Hate them. Last night, John felt awful so I said that I would feed the outside dogs if he would bring in the dog food from the car. As he was filling up the Rubbermaid container in the mudroom, I stood in the kitchen talking to him with the door open. That little monster ran in the kitchen and I began screaming. The rabid beast hit the wall and ran back out to the mudroom, thank God! I said to John, "you know I can't go through there to feed the dogs now, right?" He said that yes he knew but he was just glad that I didn't lock he and Emmy in the mudroom.

Today is the seven year anniversary that I married the love of my life. At the mall. After we got married, we had lunch at the Olive Garden by the Mall of Memphis. There were a group of older African American women wearing huge hats and John took a picture of them calling it "our reception". He is just as witty and charming today as he was then and I am so thankful for him putting up with me for the past seven years. And for giving me my Emmy Ruth.

I couldn't make up this...

I asked Emmy who loved her and she said... "Puppy Bill". I am sure that our dog Bill does love her, but I was really hoping for a "Mama" in answer to that.

As Rudy Giuliani spoke, Emmy yelped, "whoo-hoo!" Honestly, I couldn't make up this!!!

Happy Birthday????

Yesterday, we had big plans to go to visit Dr. Neall and then have lunch with Papa Richie, who had an appointment with Dr. Becca. But, Emmy woke us up around midnight to get in our bed and then again around 2am with vomit. We all got in the full size bed in her room then and cancelled our trip to Wynne. Thankfully, she had several "blow-outs" during the day but no more puking. Tara and Mrs. Alice were so good to us and let her spend the night with each of them this weekend and she ended up giving all of them a stomach virus as well!!! I felt awful, and I know Em did too. We are lucky that John and I seem to have only gotten a 'touch' of the bug--not full fledged like the rest of them. Urgh!

Today, I kept her at home with me again, just to make sure she didn't get anyone else sick, so all of my vacation projects are still on hold. Maybe tomorrow!

It was a wonderful birthday with lots of great wishes from friends and family. I am so lucky to have gotten cards and calls from friends from Arkansas to Pennsylvania and North Carolina. Pretty cool. And pretty cool to have a sweet monkey girl that sings and dances on command. I was washing dishes and she came in the kitchen and said, "Dance, Mama!" So I did. And she did. Best birthday dance ever.

Iwuvyou

I never realized how poorly I speak until I started trying to teach Emmy to talk. I have been very aware of my grammar and my pronunciation since she arrived. But, now, I really am aware of how quickly I talk. Emmy is learning to say "I love you" and it comes out in one very quick word when she does say it. We have gotten her to say it a handful of times on the phone but it's not a constant "trick" for her. However, "puppy" or "puppy dog" is on the tip of her tongue all the time.

This morning as we were driving to MeeMee's, she called out "puppy" so I handed her a book about dogs. As I looked in the rear view mirror, she was pointing to the dogs and said, "I wuv you, puppy dog". I am certain that she will eventually feel the same way about me as she does puppy dogs. I hope.

I was at another branch this morning so when I arrived at my office, my coworkers had decorated for my birthday. There are streamers on the door, the light switch is taped off, and all of my pictures on my desk are turned around--even my calendar was backwards! The little snots went so far as to tape a business card to the bottom of my mouse so that the laser wouldn't work. My employees at the other office had cake for me this morning too! I am officially ready for my week off now!!

Sweet Petite

Last night, Emmy had an absolute meltdown when mean, mean Dadoo told her "no!" as she reached up for the stove knobs. I know, I don't know how we can continue to live with such a tyrant. I guess it was just that the stern warning came from him instead of Mean Mama that threw her off.

She seemed to forgive him quickly though. We were playing in our room and she patted his pillow and said, "night-night". John would lie down and pretend to be asleep and she just cackled and cackled. Such a funny little girl, she is!

The Baby

Emmy's newest funny trick is that she loves to put diapers on her baby doll. Once, in a rush, I bought some cheap diapers at the grocery store and we didn't use them all so I held on to them for this very purpose. I just didn't realize that she would be doing it so soon! But, now, every time I try to change her diaper at home, Emmy wants to change Baby's diaper as well. She is so determined right now! If I try to help put Baby's diaper on, she gets mad and wants to do it herself. I am trying to tell myself that it is good that she has such a sense of independence.

She also loves to get my wallet and pull out all my cards and checkbook. Every morning I have to check to make sure that my debit card made it back in to my purse; we have been lucky so far. I took an old wallet and tried to substitute one for her but she obviously knows the difference; it's not as fun as my wallet but it will do for playtime. This morning, she cracked me up walking down the driveway to MiMi's with her pink purse on her shoulder and the wallet inside it. This is Emmy going through my purse. I know, I know... why do I let her do it?? I am a sucker.

Emmy still loves the ballpopper and insisted on having it on the couch with her the other night.

I think this is quite a unique way to get up close and personal with your toys: put your booster seat right next to them!

Poor girl has no toys. I got my birthday present from Papa Richie yesterday and this poor child was resigned to playing with the box. It's so sad. She and Daddy had just finished eating barbecue so she was a little messy.And let's hope she always is this opposed to tattoos... especially when she is in college. We thought she would enjoy this dragon tattoo on her tummy and find it amusing. She did not. I worried that maybe it was irritating her skin or something, but I don't think so because she was fine with it until she looked down and saw it--then she would scream! We took it off immediately, of course, after this picture! I am going to remind her of this when she is eighteen and wants to get a fairy tattooed on her ankle.

Papa Richie's Birthday

Sunday was Richie's birthday so we all went to spend the day with him and Linda on Saturday. We had a great time sailing. I won't say that the kids necessarily loved being in their lifejackets, but I think all in all, they had a good time!!!

On the way home, Emmy kept calling Solomon "Elmo" and Becca was trying to get her to say "Solomon". Very slowly and deliberately, Becca said "Sol-o-mon" and Emmy replied, just as slowly and deliberately, "E-L-MO".

I love that Emmy....

...always has to go down the slide on her belly. She refuses to go down on her bottom--always on the belly!

Elmo

Everyone is "Elmo" now. Last night, we were at the park with Lucas and AunTee and Emmy wrapped her arms around Lucas and said "oh, Elmo!" When she says goodbye to people, she waves and cries, "Bye, Elmo!" She really doesn't watch that much Sesame Street at home and I asked MiMi if she watched a lot there, and she said no. It's quite comical that she has picked this up from somewhere.

For now, I am MomElmo.

Eighteen months old

Yesterday, Emmy went for her 18 month checkup—eighteen months old! Her doctor said she was just perfect and her little ears look great. Such good news.

There are so many things that Emmy is doing now. Lots of clapping and dancing and singing going on around our house these days. My absolute favorite thing that Emmy does is to say “tickle, tickle, tickle” when showing you were her belly is. Of course, she still madly adores her daddy. Every morning as we make our way to the car, he carries her and puts her in her car seat while I trudge behind with my purse, work bag, John’s lunch and whatever else I am toting along for the day. As I lock up the house, I see them dancing and laughing their way to the car and her giggling as he sings to her. It’s adorable.

Emmy is doing much better with her sleep and the only reason she isn’t in her bed every night is that we just simply miss her! Any excuse we have (oh she doesn’t feel well…), we keep her in bed with us. There is nothing as precious as waking up to that adorable face.

For the past few days, Emmy has just had to have her ‘ballpopper’ every night. it cracks me up that she has to have something else in her hands when she is playing with it. Like shoes, keys, a sippy, a baby, whatever. (Thank you, Aunt Pat! You got her this loud, LOUD toy when she was just a baby!)

She is very independent as of lately. The other night she was trying to carry three pairs of shoes and push the ballpopper and when it wouldn’t work, she would throw everything down and have a fit! Or if she tries to put on shoes and can’t get them on right away, she gets very upset. Heaven help us all if I try to assist—that only upsets the little darling even more. She certainly has her daddy’s temper! Every day when I pick Emmy up from the sitter’s, she takes her shoes off in the car on the way home. I find this amusing since I always take my shoes off as well in the car. There is no doubt, she is my little munchkin. We do love her like mad and all of her little quirks!

Happy, Happy, Happy!

For the past two days, Emmy sits in the car seat and sings "happy!" and claps her hands. John and I have started singing any songs we can think of that have Happy in them and so far have been limited to "Happy Birthday" and "If You're Happy and You Know It". It's quite hysterical to see!

Are You Kidding Me?

I stopped by Ike's on the way back from my lunch to get a pregnancy test (No, I am not.). After walking up and down the aisles, I finally asked the pharmacy technician what aisle had them. She said that they kept them back there so I asked for one. Then, the pharmacist comes up to her and asks who is asking for a pregnancy test and what kind did they want. At this point, I am standing in the general area with several people so I start waving my hands over my head and crying, "me! me! I need a pregnancy test!" Everyone in there cracks up at this point. I mean, really, how ridiculous is that??

The test I got had a mail in rebate of $2. I am still trying to decide if it worth $2 to have an envelope in my hand writing sitting in the office mail that reads "Answer Cup Pregnancy $2 Mail-In Rebate".

I think it is worth it.

Again, I am not pregnant.

The People Have Spoken

In a recent poll taken by Dear Momma…, I found that 100% of those replying felt that mothers of small children, especially those in strollers or shopping carts, could use the handicapped stall. Of course, there’s a story. Picture it, Wal-Mart, last week… (that was for Estelle Geddy—remember when she told a story on Golden Girls and always started with that?) After I paid for my items, I had to go the bathroom so Emmy and darted into the handicapped stall. The greeter (yes, I am there a lot) came in and asked if anyone was in the handicapped stall. I was tempted to say nothing, I hate it when people talk to me in the stall! At work, people have been known to come in the bathroom and call out “Tara, are you in here?” She is really nice, so I said that yes, we were in there. She then waited on us to get out. When we were leaving, I apologized for the delay and she replied, “You know, you really aren’t supposed to bring the shopping cart in here, there’s a sign.” I told her that the sign read that you couldn’t bring unpaid merchandise in the bathroom.

At first I was furious and then I felt badly for being so annoyed, I mean, I can really have seen Grandma Jackson doing THE.EXACT.SAME.THING! Possibly even to me! I am glad to know that I was not crazy. Well, at least regarding this.

A Bed of her Own

Sunday night, Emmy Ruth slept in her own big full sized bed until about 2am. Last night, John put her to bed so that I could go on to sleep and she was still conked out when I woke her up this morning for the day.



It's quite lovely. :)

When the Girl is Away

Saturday night, Emmy and Lucas went to spend the night with Lucas’s Nana. Every time I called to check on them, I could hear nothing but giggles and shrieks of laughter, so I am thinking that they had a fabulous time. John and I planned to have a date, but we ended up doing nothing. We had eaten at a hibachi for lunch so by the time dinner came around, we were still a little full. And it was so hot! Yuck! When we cleaned out the house in Wynne, I brought boxes and boxes of photo albums home and they have just been stacked in my office. I knew it was time to organize when one of John’s friends said, “oh I didn’t know that was your office, I thought it was a storage room”. So, all the quilts in the hope chest that was John’s mom’s, were moved and the photo albums went in to the chest. I still need to clean off my desk to make this a working office, but it’s a step in the right direction.

On Sunday, we stopped at the Dollar General to get one little basket. That’s all I needed. But, John found a toy aisle that was 70% off, and it was Dollar General, so that is pretty cheap. He picked her out some singing stuff animals and I thought we would put them away for Christmas gifts, but instead he put everyone of them out for her when she got home from Arkansas. She did love them and it was pretty entertaining to watch! Poor thing, she was covered in bites. We can have her outside for 30 seconds and she gets a bug bite and it welps on her skin. I don't think they bother her but it is so sad to see!

"Here's looking at you, kid!"
I am afraid she has my mad dancing skills... All of her animals ready for action...

I can't say too much since Emmy did learn how to "squeeze" the hands on the animals and turn them on and off. Thankfully, these guys turn off when you squeeze the hand as well as turning on. So, there is an end to the madness of a singing dog, frog, chicken and pig.