Big Helper

Hey! This is Emma. I wanted to let you know what was going on at my house. Mainly I am being the big helper since we have a new little baby at my house who can't really do anything. She cries and eats and I give her hugs and try to play with her, but she doesn't really do a lot. I have to help Daddy. He put pictures in my room and I helped hold the pencil and the screwdriver, but they kept taking it away from me.

Mommy often needs my help because she is busy cooking or doing laundry or dishes or taking care of the baby or something. The other day I pulled out all of the pots and pans for her. Those safety latches don't work as well as they think. It was lots of fun...but then I fell in. Mommy had to come and rescue me.

One day I will actually do the cooking too. Mommy says she hopes I want to help later as much as I want to help now. Sure, if I help we can have more time to play, right?

We ate a pizza the other day, so we had to get rid of the box, I helped, of course. But, first I had to play in it a little. I have to have some fun.

Here's me helping Daddy again. He needs help a lot. I helped him with the bills. I held up the paper and he wrote the check. They won't let me have the checkbook yet.

I am trying to study up on my Spanish so I can help him with that too. I speak it quite well, but Mommy and Daddy just smile because they think I am speaking jibberish. Oh, the things they have to learn!

See, how I am helping. I am sure the babies feet were hot, so I took them off. She thanked me. Mommy doesn't understand, but Erin knows I am just helping.

I give good hugs. I know Erin and I will be good friends. I can't wait til she can do something....anything.

This is Erin. She is 10 weeks old today. That must be some kind of big deal because Mommy takes all these pictures. I don't even know how many weeks old I am because I am very old. She likes to smile at me and sits in her swing and makes faces at the toy on it.

Isn't she cute? She may even grow up to be as cute as I am. We will have to just wait and see.

Puppies and one year olds

What a happy girl! We just can't believe how much she smiles at us. Erin is already focusing on toys. She just sits in her swing and watches the toys.

O.K. Now for the topic of the day: Puppies and One year olds. I am constantly amazed at the similarities between these two as I walk through my house and find trails that can inevitably lead me to my one year old, Emma. Like a small puppy, her curiosity leads her to riffle through whatever is close at hand.

Many times I have come upon a perfectly filled bag to be completely emptied and the contents to be dragged throughout the house.

They both also have to be trained. Although puppies never learn to use a spoon, they have to learn where the food is and who provides it. Once they learn this, they will always be begging at your knees for whatever you have...as will a one year old. I cannot enjoy a cookie without a little girl needing a bite for herself.
Also, whenever an easier way is found...take it. Others similarities I have thought of include:

-To be easily controlled, they should both be kept on a leash.

-You don't seem to know how, but they often wind up under the covers in your bed inching you off the side.

-Their energy always seems to surpass yours.

-They work for praise. A little hand clapping and "Good Girl" go a long way.

-They both require constant and uninterrupted attention.

-Twenty times a day at least, I want to say "Sit, Stay."

-Good furniture and carpet will always be ruined.

Lastly, that cute little face can get you every time!

My busy girl and her new playtoy, Erin

Checking each other out. Emma has just stolen the tag for Erin's 8 week picture. I think you can see a little fear in Erin's eyes. Emma loves her sister and hovers over her constantly. She gets so excited and rough that poor Erin has several claw marks on her face...battle wounds that come with living with a toddler. If she survives this year, she should win a medal of honor or purple heart or something.

Our busy girl finds herself in the middle of just about everything. She brings joy to our hearts and pick-up in our step as we chase after her.

She loves "helping" with the laundry and wearing my hose around her neck. I suspect she just might be the comedian of the family. She loves being the star of the show, probably because she knows she already is.

Want an idea for Christmas? Emma loves the Q-tips. I guess this is what safety latches are for. Left alone for 2 seconds, she can make quite a mess.

Trying to be a big girl already. This picture kinda makes me sad because one day, all too soon, she will be able to fit into that coat.

Here is some more antics with the laundry, wearing Daddy's CLEAN underwear on her neck. She walked around like this for a long time. She knows she is funny!
She keeps me entertained and on my toes!

Lovely lady Erin does not allow herself to be overlooked. She stops us all dead in our tracks with those beautiful smiles.

Emma just can't wait to play with her because she already knows she will be fun. I can't wait til they are running around together...maybe I will lose some weight chasing them.