Swim party!

As many moms know, some days are just forever long. This was one particular day and it was only 8am! So I called my next door neighbor and asked if her daughter Shandelle wanted to come to a swim party! We put them in their swim diapers and swim suits and into the tub! They loved it. I made the cutest video as well but accidentally deleted it. So sad. It was perfect but now you'll just have to imagine the kisses and hugs they gave each other and of course all the splashing!

Dancing

Well, I think I am finally caught up for now with Emma's progress. She sure is cute and always keeps us laughing. She is still the huggable, loving little girl she always was. I'm so greatful that she didn't "grow out" of that. I love her hugs and her kisses, and her smiles. I also love to watch her dance.

Relaxing

Cale's parents searched high and low for a wood rocking chair for Emma's birthday. They finally found one but had to order it and it got here a little late but Emma didn't know. She loves it. She just rocks back and forth or climbs in backwards and holds on to the back. She reads her little books in it and everything. However, she still can't resist plopping down on somebody's lap if they are sitting on the ground. In this case, we were watching a movie and I had made popcorn, which she loves. So she plopped down in my lap, crossed her little legs, made sure one hand could reach her sippy cup and the other could reach the popcorn. She was one content, comfortable little girl!

happy birthday little Emma

Emma turned one year old somewhere between February 28th and March 1st! Ok, actually March 1st was 365 days after her birth but still not her birth day. We had a small family party and also invited her little friend Shandelle. We had it at the park but it quickly got a little cold for ice cream cake. All the same, Emma dove right in. She was so intrigued that I was letting her get soo messy. She got her own little dishes from her grandparents, a doggy from her Aunt Trina, and a stroller from us. She loved it all. her are some pictures. Hope you enjoy them too.

Some Accomplishments

Since it's been so long since you've all seen any updates, I thought I'd post some of Emma's favorite things to do. She loves to drink out of mom's big water bottle, loves to feed herself, she loves to push her stroller, and run around.

Emma the Chef!

Emma loves to help me cook. She'll drag the chair over and wait to be picked up and set on it. She also loves her new high chair that Grandma and Grandpa Young got her. She loves to sit up high and have a nice big tray!

Emma Walked at 10 1/2 months

Emma started walking all by herself at 10 1/2 months! It happened to also be her daddy's birthday! Here is a glimpse of her first steps.

Emma Loves Doggies but...

Usually, Emma loves doggies, but you wouldn't guess it from these clips. This was her first real exposure to cats since being able to crawl around on her own. she went crazy. We tried to get a glimpse of it on these clips but wow, that cat puts up with a lot. In fact, Cale kept hiding the kitty in another room from Emma and the cat would come running right back to her for more!

I love the park!

Emma loves to go to the park. She especially loves to swing in the baby swing. She doesn't even hold on...just loves to lean back and swing!

First Christmas!

We brought Emma's christmas presents along to San Diego so that we could celebrate her first christmas on the real day! She loved it. I was prepared for her not knowing what to do with the presents and unwrapping but once we got her started she did pretty well. The only problem was that she wanted to stop and play with that present and cried when we took it away to have her unwrap the next one! Her favorite toy was this lion that she could push around. Her purple pjs were a present from Granny and Grandpa Allen from Sea World. They have baby shamu on them.

I'm back!

Ok, ok! I'm back! I have finally replaced the camera cord that my daughter chewed up and can now begin the process of catching you all up on her latest achievements! For Christmas last year we went with Cale's family to San Diego. We rented a beach house for the week and went to Sea World and the San Diego Zoo. Emma loved watching the sea lions at Sea World and the elephants at the zoo. She absolutely loved the oceans on the beach although we didn't really get good pictures. We did get some video though.

My Baby is turning 1!

I can't believe it but my baby is turning one sometime this weekend! Sometime because if you remember, she is a leap year baby meaning her bday is February 29th! Thus, her birthday is really March 1st this year at 4:47pm but we are celebrating on Saturday. Feel free to stop by!

This year has been incredible. I thought I'd love being a mom but I never could have known I'd love it this much. I love everything about her and just want to film it all in fear that I'll forget something as time goes bye. Emma is so unique as is every child. I'm constantly amazed by how fast she learns and grows! My favorite moments though are when I get to sit and watch her play with ther daddy. They love each other so much.

I will be sure to post pics of the party as well as long over due pics of walking and more. I'm buying a new uplink cord today so look for pics to come soon!

No Phone

Just a little heads up that starting tomorrow we are getting rid of our hardly used home phone and going strictly cellular. I will miss using it for local calls but really other than taht...I hardly use it.

Happy Birthday Cale!

Depsite his best efforts to keep it from happening, Cale has hit the big 3 - 0! 30 yippee!! He doesn't think so but I do. I think it is great for one of us to be out of our twenties and on to the next decade! It should also help us to no longer be seen as college kids. Apparently graduating is not enough. You must immediately land the career you just spent years learning about, make big money in any field, or turn 30 to no longer be classified as college students!

Emma and I threw a nice little party for him. Trust me, I had lots more planned until my husband informed me last week that he did not want a party! So, we cancelled all those plans (which were still in my head luckily) and moved to plan B. We made him some of his favorites for dinner, a yummy cake and had presents. Emma got her daddy some new pj pants and I got him the Back to the Future Trilogy. It was a low key night that we were able to enjoy all together but the best part was probably that Emma decided to give her daddy one more gift...and started walking! Congrats on 30 years of great achievements Cale!

Walking!

It is official. Little Emma has finally put forth more than four little steps. She walked across the entire living room last night over and over from mom to dad and dad to mom and even to her toys every now and then. I would of course post video but that will have to wait till I can replace the camera cord that my little smartie chewed up. However, that brings me to the winnings of the walking contest. I believe that two of you voted for 10 months. However, I know only one of them which is Jessica. So Jessica what is your favorite candybar? The other that voted but did not tell me who you are, speak now or forever lose your candybar!

6 years gone by!

So in my last update, I forgot to mention a very exciting event in our lives: We just had our 6th anniversary oh Jan. 2nd! I can't believe how fast time has gone by. We have loved every minute of those years without a single fight or even small quarrel! J/K. We are not perfect but we are definitely perfect for each other. Cale entered this marriage as the laid back, relaxed, lovey dovey spouse and I entered as the more controlling but also loving spouse! Cale gave me my way for about a year at which point he decided that me getting my way all the time was not healthy and started to take a stand on important issues to him like where to put the play station and recliner! J/K. He has definitely helped me to bite my tongue, think through my thoughts, and not plan every little detail. He has taught me that it is ok to spend money on a vacation each year and how to listen to the Lord. I think I have helped him to speak up more, plan a little more, write the shopping list down when I send him to the store, and helped him to see what an amazing father he could be and is. I will never forget the way he won me over (and stole me away from another guy) by loving me unconditionally! I love him with all my heart and look forward to many more happy years!

Broken!

So, some people have to worry about their dogs chewing things around the house. I have to worry about my daughter! I have not updated my blog with Christmas pics and others because my little girl chewed up the end of the USB cord! So here is the update minus pictures:

Emma is now 10 1/2 months old! She walks when she wants to but usually still holds on. She has finally stopped eating! She has never lost her appetite since she was born but ever since Christmas she hasn't wanted to eat anything. She is teething again and now has three teeth. I think she is working on the other top front tooth. She loves to play and be around other kids, but doesn't share well (of course) and tries to use the kids to help her stand up. They of course don't like this which results in two crying children!

She loved Sea World and the San Diego Zoo. Her favorites were the Sea Lions and the Elephants! She did well for these all day events and just slept in her stroller or my arms when tired. She gots a few new toys, her favorite being a toy Lion that she can push while walking.

She has decided that sleeping in until 8:30am is better than 6:30 or 7am so she now gets 12+ hours of sleep! yippee! She still goes to bed at 7pm. She is liking her sippy cup more and more and is down to 3 or 4 bottles a day. I'm still trying to work out the whole more food, less milk thing so any of you with helpful info please post it.

We are still enjoying Arizona and have enjoyed fun visits from James and Jamie, Brett and Brittany, and Danae. all others still welcome!