"Foto" Friday

Scenes from the 18 week "photo shoot."

Little bugger got in the chair and said "cheese" as I was setting up the camera.

She then just plopped down to read a book.

Here mom, read it to me!

"Rawr."  Playing with finger puppets.

I finally bribed her with crackers to sit down with so I could snap one of just me.

Have a good weekend everyone!

My dearest Emily

My goodness.  This girl has grown leaps and bounds since I've last posted about her.  I mean, it's been close to a year!  She is now a crazy, wild, fun-loving, almost 21 month old!!  She's a running, climbing, talking, smiling, laughing bundle of energy.  Definitely likes to keep me on my toes!

She has just recently entered a bit of a word "explosion" so to speak.  She tries to repeat a lot of words after us and seems like everyday she adds a new word to her vocabulary.  As hard as I try, she won't say "Please" very often, but will half the time say "Thank You" unprompted (the other half, we prompt her and she will say it).  It's a start!  Some of her favorite words are ball, cat (her first), cars, cake and seahorse (although it comes out sounding like "see-see").  She also likes to point at me and say "mama," which of course I adore!

We've officially ditched the crib and high chair.  We transitioned her onto a queen sized mattress sometime in November.  We figured we would be using the crib for baby #2, and she was getting close to climbing out (lifting her leg up in attempts to climb out).  We decided to just give it a try and if it didn't go well we could always put her back in the crib.

Well for the first month the little bugger mainly slept on the floor:

She was particularly fond of squishing up against the baby gate at her door.  I'm guessing because it felt like she was in the crib.  Eventually one day she figured out she could lay in the much more comfortable bed, and she's been doing great since!  She typically likes to wander and play around 30-60 before bed, and for now that's okay.  Eventually when we get her into an actual bed, I will have to work on getting her to stay in the bed for the night.

As for the high chair, it wasn't completely my decision and I'm still not 100% sold on the idea.  She absolutely loves to climb into the regular chair and will half the time sit and eat a meal.  The other half of the time (like for tonight's dinner), she just wants to continually climb in and out of the chair during the whole meal.  Drives me crazy!  I would like to figure out how to keep her there so that when we go out to eat somewhere she will sit and eat and behave!  For now, she still goes in a high chair when we are out.

Potty training has been in the front of our minds for a little while.  We know she is still a little young, but figured it wouldn't hurt to at least have a potty for her to check out.  She loves to sit on it.

She also loves to do strange things like this with it:

Yeah, so we aren't going to be pushing the subject or anything.  Especially with a new baby on the way.  We will probably have a "naked weekend" at some point to get her familiar with how to use the potty and all that jazz, but as for taking off the diaper and never looking back....not quite at that point yet.

Overall Emily is an amazing, thriving, healthy little girl!  She continually amazes us every day as well as makes us laugh.  She can be a little terror at times, but she is always just the light of our lives!

Being Silly:

Happy Girl:

Sweet face:

Not always a happy camper:

PS. Check out the updated sidebar with the monthly pics! Still managing to do them, however it's getting harder and harder to keep her sitting still!

Welcome Back!

Well holy smokes, I actually muddled my way through updating the design a bit (still not quite where I want it, but it's a start!) and am trying so hard to find the time to get back into the blogging world again.  For my few followers, I'm sure most of you already are aware that hubby and I are expecting baby #2!  Little bundle due in June!  I was so diligent about updating weekly with Emily's pregnancy, I desperately feel the need to do the same!  I am already sooo behind, but that's okay I can still summarize the first trimester pretty easily!

This time around I was quite nauseous a lot.  Never really officially got sick (except for one time), but felt like I could at any moment.  It was not a pleasant feeling to say the least.  But as long as I kept food in my stomach, chewed some gum and ate handfuls of Sour Patch Kids, I seemed to feel better.

The exhaustion is what is killing me!  I am just so so tired.  It has gotten better now that I'm in second tri, but it's still debilitating at times!  The days I don't get naps in while Emily naps I feel like a zombie!  Which I am not that lucky and don't take naps every day.....so I am a zombie like half the week!

We found out the exciting news during our, let's call it "interesting", trip to Disney World in October.  I was already "late" before we left and had taken a few tests that were negative.  I decided to pack a couple with me just in case.  Well, the 3rd day we were there still nothing happened so I pulled out a test and that little pink line just popped up right away!  I was pretty much in disbelief!  I handed the test to my husband and he said "what does this mean....are you??"  It wasn't as clever as my announcement the first time around, but it was just as emotional and exciting!

So here I am now about 18 weeks along (almost half way, eek!).  I haven't snapped a weekly pic for this week yet, but here is last weeks:

Here is the latest ultrasound that we had around 12 weeks I think....

We have the "Big Ultrasound" coming this week, so we will hopefully have nothing but good news to share that baby is happy and healthy!  And also we will get a sneak peek and see what baby's packin'!

So let's continuing the tradition of the weekly survey!

How far along? 18 weeks 1 day

How big is Baby? 6 inches, .5lb, size of a mango

Total weight gain/loss: Up about 2-3 lbs

Maternity clothes? Oh my gosh, I was in maternity clothes by like 8 weeks!  Whole new ball game this time around!

Stretch marks? Not even a valid question anymore...I will be sporting my battle scars for life ;)

Sleep: My house is like a desert at night, so sleep hasn't been the greatest!

Best moment this week: We used the doppler last night to hear the heartbeat.  That was fun!

Movement: Been getting little "flutters" for the last couple weeks.  They are starting to get more apparent these days.

Food cravings: Oh my, the cravings have been a bit bonkers this time.  It started with Sour Patch Kids, then on to Pickles (went through 3 jars), then moved on to egg rolls (ate 12 of them within two weeks and finally was satisfied).  Currently, nothing in particular.

Gender: Find out this week!

Labor Signs: No

Belly Button in or out? In....it never really popped out the first time.

What I am looking forward to: Starting the new nursery!

Milestones: Almost half way!


So I still need to do an update on my darling Emily!  I figure she deserves her own post.  Plus that will give me something else to talk about tomorrow!

Fun with Shutterfly!

Okay, maybe this is shameless, but as I see it, it's a good kick in the bum to get back into the blogosphere.

I have been offered up a great deal for some www.shutterfly.com holiday cards just by blogging about it!  And even better, I have some freebie codes I can give away to 3 interested readers!  But more on that later.

So the holidays are coming up already and it's time to start thinking about Christmas cards!  Well Shutterfly has a great selection and tons of layouts to choose from.  Check them out here:

http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-cards

They come in different shapes and sizes as well which you can see for yourself here:

http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery

And they also offer some great photo books which would be ideal for a holiday present!!  I always like to make photobooks for the grandparents!

http://www.shutterfly.com/photo-books


So I am definitely looking forward to ordering up my holiday cards from Shutterfly this year!  I have heard nothing but rave reviews from friends and finally get to see for myself this year.

Anyone want some free cards?  I have 3 codes for 25 FREE cards!  First three people to comment and they are yours!


Stay tuned....major overhaul definitely happening soon!   I mean it this time!!!

XOXO

Life remains busy

I have once again failed to update in a timely matter!  Emily is keeping me on my toes, however the camera has collected a bit of dust!  We are due for another photo shoot soon as she has just approached 13 months!

I thought I was going to be done with the monthly shots at 1 year, but I have been encouraged by many to keep them going.  However, gone are the days I can plop her on the chair and step 10 feet backwards to snap a few photos.  This girl is too quick and on the move to leave her perched on a chair as she will gladly tumble head first off of it the second you step away!  Daddy is going to have to assist me this weekend to keep the tradition going.

In other Emily news, we have two new teeth that have arrived!  I thought they were never coming!  She got her first four so suddenly between December and January and then nadda!  She has been a drool factory for the last few months so I just knew they were coming.  There are more on their way I'm sure.  She has had a few rough patches, but overall has taken teething like a champ.  It's gotta be pure torture - bones poking through your gums and all :::shiver:::.  Poor girl!

In Andrea news I am in the midst of training for a half marathon!  This coming September I will be running the Rock 'n Roll Half Marathon in Philadelphia.  I have been meaning to dedicate an entire post to this and to the cause I am running for.  But we are still working on the logistics and so it just hasn't been the right time!  I would like to set up another "page" on the blog as well dedicated to my training and journey.

Which leads me to another update.  I NEED to update the blog design again! My little Emily up there is only 2 months old.......I think it's time to get a new theme going!  Anyone out there got any thoughts for a new theme?  Would love to hear it!

My New Pajamas!

I am a stickler for anything kitty related.  Love my two kitties an love finding cute clothes for Emily with kitties on them!  So I was in love with these new PJ's and snagged them right up for my little lady.

Trying to take photos of Emily is always a challenge....

Aren't I cute in my new pajamas?

Hey Mom, whatcha got there?

I wanna play, what is that thing?

What?  Why can't I play with the camera?

Please?  I really want to smudge up the lens mom!

Gimme Gimme!

I want it!

Waaaa, I can't LIVE if if you won't let me play with it!

I can't take it anymore!

I hate you mom!

OH, MR. BUNZ!  Can you believe what mom did?!?

You understand me don't ya Mr. Bunz?

Sigh, Everything will be okay I guess....

She ALWAYS is intrigued when I pull out the camera, but in all actuality it was nearing nap time so she was extra fussy.  Gotta love pictures of a fussy baby though (I know I love a good "crying" picture, can't help but giggle at the drama.)

We went upstairs for a rest after this. :)

Spring is Here!

So even though the weather here is unpredictable and down right junky at times (welcome to Michigan), it's a beautiful thing when the leaves start sprouting and the flowers start blooming....

Mom's day!

Well, after a whirlwind of a Saturday, Sunday came upon us quick and it was Mother's Day!  Technically this was my second mother's day.  However, last year I was in a daze and was overcome with the daunting reality that we were bringing a teeny tiny infant baby to our home for the first time!  It was a great way to celebrate the holiday of course, but I didn't really feel like a "mom" quite yet.  I felt like an under experienced girl that somehow was allowed to take a baby home with her as was supposed to know what to do with it!

My what a difference a year can make.  I am a mom.  I feel like a mom.  I care for my child 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  It is the hardest, yet most rewarding job I've ever had the privilege to have and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

So it was my day.  Mom's day.

Emily (aka daddy) got me the most wonderful card and beautiful diamond earrings.  Jim then went out and got me a breakfast of champions - McDonalds as per my request - large caramel iced coffee, a sausage and egg mcmuffin with no cheese, and one of the greasiest hash browns on the planet.

It was perfect.

We then headed downtown to our annual Detroit Athletic Club brunch with the Choate and Jeffery family.  It was delicious as always.  The rest of the day was ours!  We had seen all of the family the day before at the birthday party, so we passed out our cards and said our best wishes then.

Then we did something crazy.

A family friend of Jim's is an aspiring musician.  He had recently released an album with a band - Ando & the Jolly Barrels, but alas, priorities shifted and the band split.  Ando decided to continue on his own.  He doesn't live around here anymore, but apparently got a gig at a bar near the campus of Michigan State University.  Jim's parents told us about it and we thought it would be fun to go.  They then offered to watch the little muchkin for us.....overnight....since we would out late.

Our first full night without Emily.  Cue tears.

Yeah, I got a little teary walking to the car.  But they called us a few times and let us know when she fell asleep and that all was a okay.

Anyways, back to Ando.  I didn't mentioned what type of music he plays......

Death Polka.

Yep, you heard me.  It's quite the niche, eh?

We went, he rocked out, we bought some t-shirts, we went home and crashed.  All in all in was a great time, and a once in a lifetime experience to see!

Feel free to check out his website at:  www.deathpolka.com.

Good times had by all!

And without further ado, my great mom's day present:

 

Just bein' artsy fartsy

Emily's First Birthday

What a whirlwind of a week!  I've pretty much exhausted myself this week preparing for this day.  And well, it went GREAT!  The day was perfect.  Beautiful weather, lots of family and friends, good food, and one happy little girl!  I am definitely more of a "a picture is worth 1000 words" kind of girl, so I will let the photos tell the day!

Outfit was made by me.  "Applique" onesie and a colorful tulle tutu:

This hat was a gift from a good family friend.   It looks so adorable!

Here is all the party decor.  I made the Poms and the birthday banner:

The cake....oh the cake.  Yes, I made that cake.  I had taken cake decorating classes....oh lets see, 4 years ago!!!  And let me tell you, this was hard work.  Trying to get this thing decorated while watching over a roaming toddler - definitely a challenge!  But it turned out great!

Emily's personal "smash" cake.  Also decorated by me.  Just a simple little diddy:

Friends and family gather for the fun!

My awesome Uncle Chuck manned the camera while Emily stuffed her face with cake.  He did an AWESOME job!  He also took the last three "candids" on the montage above:

A great family shot:

Love the messy cake hand!

Emily's best bud Super Mario was helping her eat the cake:

Lastly the gifts....Miss Emily was getting pretty tired by then.  We got lots of nice things:

We had a great day.  Emily did so well.  She interacted great with everyone, enjoyed her cake and everyone had a wonderful time.  The weather was gorgeous out today and I just couldn't of asked for a better turnout.  I can't believe my little girl is now a TODDLER!  She is just changing right before our eyes and we are so wonderfully blessed!