New this Fall

Emma and I both have frog pajamas. Aren't we cute?

First weekly picture taken sitting up like a big girl.

Playing Cowboys and Indians with Dad

Our decorated trunk for our church's Trunk or Treat. By the way, we won the decorating contest!!!

Emma in her costumes. She wore three to keep warm. She had a cat onesie, a cow costume, and Tigger.

New this fall in a family you love!!! BOBBLEHEAD EMMA!!!!

This wonderful, one-of-a-kind show-stopper sits up on her own while gently bobbing her head back and forth. With her voice recognition ability she can aim those beautiful blue eyes right at the speaker. Placed in any window or lap, she will draw attention from all those passing by or just hangin' around. Emma's vocabulary consists of one monosyllabic grunt with many variations of tone and volume. She comes with an extensive wardrobe giving her the ability to dress differently everyday. However, she will most likely be arrayed in pink from head to toe. Modifications for this latest model include the ability to spit up more than she is fed, fill a diaper within the hour, and enjoy a good warm bath. Bobblehead Emma is sure to bring hours of joy and happiness to any home.

Savoring the Present

Look at that beautiful smile for her 11 week picture!

It is starting to get harder to just put a post-it on her chest. She is starting to pick it up and crinkle it.

Quick, the camera again. Pose really cute! No problem.

Stand up and let your voice be heard!

Have you met my new friend? We're having a great time.

I have often used this blog to bemoan the harder moments of being a mother, mostly the early feedings and dirty diapers. I also am very guilty of looking forward to the milestones ahead of us. I want to take this time to appreciate the wonderful moments we are having now. So many people have commented on how fast this time really does fly. I have listened as many mothers have grieved not being able to hear those soft cooing baby sounds anymore. I truly enjoy being a mother to Emma. She is about the most pleasant baby I have seen, of course, I am partial. Love swells in my heart when I watch her fall asleep and her pacifier bounces in and out of her mouth until she sucks it in. Pride puffs out my chest when she looks at me with recognition and smiles and coos as her way of saying, "Look, it's my mommy!" Jealousy rears its ugly head when she is screaming her head off until I hand her over to her daddy when she immediately stops crying and begins to coo. Compelling love pulls me out of bed early in the morning at the hint of a hungry girl and somehow moves me to appreciate every moment I hold her. A smile spreads over my face when I see her so calmly enjoying her bath. I know we will never get these times back. They are here for a brief time until they disappear into memories. My memory is so bad, so I have to stop and write them down so I remember the blessings God pours on us at each and every step along the way. Emma is our present from God and I will try my best to enjoy the present with her.

Habit forming

Several people have commented (made fun of) how many pictures I take of Emma. Well, here is Emma with her own protest.

Daddy and Emma

Mommy and Emma

Fall has arrived and of course, we are over compensating. But, hey, bring the cold weather on, Emma is ready!

These are the two kids that I am helping with during the day. They are fascinated with Emma and I think Emma is amused too.

10 weeks and still as charming as ever

We have been bragging lately on how good of a baby Emma is. She must have heard us talking and decided that she has been too easy on us. She still probably is not bad in any sense of the word, but I am not accustomed to hearing crying unless she is hungry. So, Emma has decided to keep me on my toes. I have no idea what she wants or why she is upset. Has she just realized that she doesn't like me? Is she protesting wearing pink so often? Maybe she wants chocolate formula (She is my daughter after all). I think she is ready for intelligent conversation and frustrated at her inability to converse with us. You know, she is a genius, right? Or maybe, she is just having a bad day. Aren't we all allowed a bad day once in a while? I think now I am just going to cry and make people figure out what it is I want. Oh, I think I have done that before. So Emma gets her turn as a partially fledged female as well. I just hope she is not mad because I am not doing something about her apparent need that I am too dense to pick up on. So I am going to say sorry for all of the times I should be doing something but don't know what it is I am supposed to be doing. I am saving this, so Emma can look back and realize that her mom was not negligent, she was just new at the baby thing. Please forgive me, I am trying my best. But meanwhile, we are enjoying every moment of being parents. Some days I wonder if I could love her any more than I do. I was once told that it takes 10 weeks to develop a habit, so we have reached 10 weeks and I am in the habit of loving my daughter with every breath I take. I don't do anything without thinking of her first. She is a wonderful addition to our lives and we praise God for His good and perfect gift.