Christmas Thanks!

Emerson sleeping through the gift opening ceremonies (Again)... but she put her self to sleep & is sleeping in a pack & play. This is a new development, up until very recently Emerson had to sleep propped up in some sort of "toy" like a swing or bouncy. Emerson gave Chris & I a great gift... she started putting herself to sleep this past week. We can now lay her in her crib at nap or bed time and she will just go to sleep. No more rocking. She may have done this sooner but Chris & I were very willing to rock her to sleep. We realize that it is best for her to know the skill of putting herself to sleep. It is working well for all of us!

We wanted to thank all of our family for a WONDERFUL Christmas. Emerson received so many thoughtful gifts and everyone was so eager to see her, talk to her, play with her and get to know her. This means a lot to Chris & I because we were able to eat with both hands, mingle, and really enjoy ourselves. Attached are a few pictures from Christmas. Each year after Christmas I always think that it was the "BEST CHRISTMAS EVER", this year I feel the same way. The family celebrations continue to get better every year. This yer Emerson really helped in making it all very special!!!

Christmas

This year Christmas was celebrated for a whole week! We celebrated Dec 23 with my family, Dec 24 with Chris' family, Dec 25th here at our house and again Dec 29th with my family. My family is so big in order to accommodate everyone and their families we have to think outside the box and celebrate on days beyond the 24th and 25th. It is kind of nice because Christmas feels like it lasts more than just 2 days! Here are pics of the celebrations and Emerson's first gifts! Santa brought her clothes and a mobile. She got lots of great gifts from aunts, uncles cousins and grandparents. Morgan (my neice) loves Emerson and together they make the cutest picture so of course I included that! Last is a picture of Daddy & Emerson....I titled this one "Twins"...............for obvious reasons

Ice Skating

Recently we went to Owensboro to see family while we were there we went to an outdoor ice skaing rink on the river front. It was so neat....the weather although not freezing was perfect for bundling up and enjoying the holiday season. Todd (my brother), his wife Connie their kids Corbett & Keegan, Cindy (my sister), her husband, Kim and their kids Morgan & Warren all came as well. Santa was there too!

Santa Baby

Emerson finally got out of the house yesterday! She went to her babysitters house and had a great time. Kristin has a little girl, Ella Ray, and Emerson loved watching her run around and play all day. Apparently Emerson is a little chatterbox, she talked all day long. Now we know where she gets this charming quality! Not only is Kirstin a fantastic sitter but also a good photographer, check out these adorable pictures!!

Back to Work

I have gone back to work and Emerson has been having a BLAST, she has been staying with her GranMommies and having a BIG time. Here are a few pictures that were inspired by GranMollie. Emerson has been wearing her sunglasses and has enjoyed getting caught up on current events. GranMollie also used some conventional items (a broomstick) to make a very exciting play gym for Emerson. She (GranMollie) is so much more fun and creative than me!!

Seasons Greetings

Since Thanksgiving a lot has happened. On Saturday, December 1st our subdivision had the Christmas party at the clubhouse and Santa was there. We took Emerson to meet Santa and have her picture taken. Brodie came along as well and got his picture taken too! Prior to going to the party we got out her Bumbo seat (thank you to the Pashcall Family for this GREAT gift) and she loved it! Lastly is a picture of our tree, mantle and stockings. Unlike previous years it took 3 days to put up! In addition to feeding, burping & playing with Emerson we also had to get several sets of lights from Target because every strand had only 1/2 working. I am learning that all tasks (big or small) take so much time these days.

First Thanksgiving

Emerson celebrated her first Thanksgiving! She travelled to Owensboro and met all of her family, she was so good all weekend long. Everyone was so eager to hold her, feed her, change her diapers and entertain her which freed up a lot of time for Chris & I to enjoy food, family and a few naps. A BIG thank-you to Amanda Knight for letting us borrow Kennedy's travel swing. It was a lifesaver!!! I have added pictures of Emerson that were taken over the holiday!

Go Em, Go

Today we went to the doctor for our 8 week visit. Everything went great and Emerson gained 1.2 lbs - that is 19 oz!! She is doing great and meeting all milestones. We are so proud of her!! Her weight is now in the DOUBLE DIGITS - 10.10 lbs!

8 Weeks

Today, Emerson is 8 weeks old! We had a great Sunday filled with visits from Family and friends and of course some Fantasy Football time. I have included a pictures of 2 Proud Daddies... Lynn and Lyndsey and Chris and Emerson!

Enjoying the Fall

Recently we have been taking a lot of walks while the weather is still warm. We have a great neighborhood that is very conducive for long stroller rides. There are sidewalks and plenty of walking trails that are more or less like paved nature trails. The tread on the stroller wheels is already starting to get thin. I really enjoy walking, meeting new people and Emerson loves her stroller. We have been walking with a girl down the street who has twin boys 5 days older than Emerson and also Katie who has Brodie, he is 2 weeks old. Brodie and Emerson will be sharing the same nanny, Kristin.
On Monday Kristin came over and spent the afternoon with us. Emerson really liked her, she is a natural...I am THRILLED that we found her.
As for the pictures; The first 2 are a rather unhappy Emerson & peacefully sleeping Brodie, she normally loves her stroller but it must keep moving otherwise she is not thrilled. The 3rd is her new winter hat, I have been looking for a jester hat for Emerson to keep her little ears warm while we go on our walks. I finally found one, it is a bit big but she will grow in to it and for now it is working, keeping her ears nice and warm! Despite the perplexed look on her face I think she really likes it!

Happy Baby Girl!

Recently Emerson has experimented with 4 different formulas and gone up a diaper size. She seems to like them all we are just trying to determine which one agrees with her most, she is definitely not one to miss a meal! She will eat anything, in fact she has recently taken to her pacifier as well. The girl should have been a gemini (like her mommy), because she changes her mind daily. What she likes today is not necessarily what she will like tomorrow!
Attached are pictures of her sporting her most recent new emsemble - A SMILE!!! This started at about week 4-5 and was usually involuntary but now I thinks she does it in response to us. She is happiest in the morning and that is when most of the pictures are taken.

YESSSSSSSS!

Yes, that reads 8.9 lbs!!!

Emerson had a doctor visit today and she gained 1lb in 1 week. Babies are supposed to gain an ounce a day but she gained 16 ounces in 1 week - that is more than 2 ounces a day!!! This is such a big deal because she had not been gaining weight the first 3 weeks and this caused a bit of concern and LOTS of stress for Chris & I so we began supplementing with formula and things really started to look up!

Happy Halloween

Emerson's first Halloween!! She was a pumpkin but slept through the majority of the festivities. I have never seen so many kids, she will enjoy her 2nd Halloween a lot more. I think we had more fun dressing her up and laughing then she did. She is not as big as she looks in the first picture, Chris stuffed her costume to make her look more like a "round" pumpkin!

My friend Candace brought over her little boy, Parker.

5 Weeks

Emerson is now 5 weeks old. The past weeks have been full of ups, downs, trial, error, tears and stress but we are learning more and more each day. I cannot say that it gets easier each day because every day is different and holds new surprises, changes, challenges.

As many of you know Emerson has reflux, although it is a mild case it is very challenging. She has to be propped up during and after eating. Because she is in so much pain she needs to be held all day long, yes that is 24/7. Sleeping is a task but we are working through it.

We recently started to supplement with formula because Emerson was not gaining enough weight as a result of mom not producing enough milk. Once we started this she immediately started to gain weight - 6 oz in 3 days!! I thought we would have a pediatrician for the occasional ear infection (maybe).....WRONG! We have already been so many times, I cannot keep track.

Her GranMollie has come to stay with her twice now. I really enjoy these visits and dread when they end. I have complete confidence in my mom and feel completely at ease when she is with her. This allows me to get caught up in sleep, errands and provides a moment of sanity. Chris and I were actually able to get out of the house for dinner a few times while she was here. The extra bonus is that she gets me caught up on all the celebrity gossip and gives me GREAT purses!

Chris grandmother, aunt and cousin have also visited and babysat so that Chris and I could go to dinner, again much appreciated and needed.

We are looking forward to the next 5 weeks and what developments are in store for us.

Firsts and "Graduation"

My First Stroller Ride

I enjoy watching my parents try to figure me out. They make so many mistakes but they keep trying and trying. It seems to me we are not speaking the same language.


Recently, I graduated from a 2 oz bottle to a 4 oz bottle. We recently started supplementing with formula and I am eating 3 oz every 2 hours - that keeps my mommy & daddy very busy!

Emerson's First Adjustment & Fantasy Football

Last Thursday we took Emerson to see Dr. Bett for her first adjustment. Daddy helped with the adjustment and mommy took lots of pictures. Later I was able to help with the adjustment and Daddy video taped it. Emerson seemed to enjoy most of the adjustment.

Daddy & Emerson taking a break from the Fantasy Football follies!!

Emerson's first bath

Emerson had her first sponge bath before her first outing, we took her to the doctor on Thursday Sept 27. She seemed to like it fine and we managed to clean her without causing any major trauma. Everyday we learn something new, it is more hard work than we could have ever imagined but worth every minute of it. Anything worth having requires hard work, right?