birthdays, the beach, more birthdays and the big man

Light on blog posts once again I return with little, yet lots, to tell. It's birthday time around here - the summers are filled with birthday celebrations for nearly all members of our family, both immediate and extended. This week alone we celebrated Papa's, Auntie Tanya's, Steve's and tomorrow Grandma Mary's. Phew! That's a lot of cake! :)

Here was Steve's...it was yummy. Notice I say was. 'Tis not a crumb remaining. Ahem.

To celebrate these birthdays we spent some family time at home, Steve and I snuck away for a wonderful date, and we met with my family for brunch just this morning. Next week we will head to Nana & Papa's to do more celebrating there!

In addition to birthday and father's day celebrations, we have spent many an afternoon in the pool in the backyard and even ventured to the beach one day this past week. Not a fan of the heat, Emmett doesn't particularly enjoy these excursions. While Anna splashed in the water with her little friend Joe, he snoozed the morning away camped out under a large umbrella. Apparently he didn't mind too much.

Speaking of the big man - he is certainly getting bigger. And stronger by the day. He sits supported quite well and for extended periods of time. I would venture to guess it will not be long before he is sitting on his own. Another recent development is reaching his arms up for you when you go to get him out of his crib, grabbing at your face and at toys above him. He is becoming more interactive each day.

Emmett's eating and sleeping habits continue to be good. He eats A LOT. And I mean A LOT. Over the past week he transitioned to formula and we have calculated he is drinking approx 32-36oz per day! This is almost twice what Anna would eat. WOW! We are slowly introducing foods into his diet - thus far he has tried rice cereal, pears and bananas. He does ok with it, but he still prefers his bottles.

Due in part to his strong eating habits, Emmett is a great sleeper. He goes to bed between 6 and 6:30pm and oftentimes will sleep until 8 or later in the morning. During the day he takes a few shorter naps - typically around 3 of them, the longest lasting an hour and a half.

If I had only one word to describe Emmett I would use either "sweetheart" or "content" - I can't decide which. Probably because he is both always. He rarely cries, and he is either chilled out observing the world around him, or smiling at the people near.

Appropriately timed for Steve's 35th birthday, Emmett discovered his daddy - showering him with his love and attention. I think daddy is eating this up....don't you?

Shortly we leave to spend time with grandparents and extended family to celebrate summer and the 4th of July. I hope to return to the blog then with many pictures of our adventures there...in the meantime enjoy your holiday!

my joy

new perspective

Big enough for the Bumbo, Emmett is enjoying this new perspective. Chugga chugga choo chooo....this train is moving fast, before you know it he'll be moving too...

splish splash

on a roll

"There was one in the bed and the little one said roll over...roll over..."

We're on a roll around here. Late last week when placed on his tummy, Emmett propped himself up on his arms and rolled over! He has demonstrated this trick a few times for us, but never when the video camera is rolling. Perhaps we'll catch it in the days to come! Emmett is also rolling from side to side when laying on his back, often in an attempt to get a better view of his big sis.

What else has been going on around here? Well, summer is in full swing. Anna attends Summer Camp once a week (sometimes twice) and she is enjoying it immensely. On those days Emmett and I enjoy some quiet and some special time just the two of us. We run errands or more often than not, just relax and play around the house. On the other free days during the week the 3 of us attend storytime, play with friends, spend time outside on the swingset, and soak up all that summer has to offer.

Steve and I have also recently joined gyms...he is working out over his lunch hour, and I have started Pilates and cardio classes that are working muscles I never knew I had. Both of us are loving it!

While we are working to shed some weight, our little ones are gaining and growing right under our noses. Emmett is difficult to carry for long periods of time...I can barely carry him in his carseat anymore! Anna is growing taller, outgrowing many of her clothes rapidly! (Either that or I am shrinking them in the wash...another very likely possibility). And while Emmett works on physical feats like rolling over and sitting up, Anna is concentrating on social developments - her vocabulary expanding every day, and her ability and desire to interact with other children increasing rapidly.

Just the other day she told the neighbor: "I'll see you outside at some point Mary". Who is this grown up and where did my 2 and half yr old go??

There's not a day that goes by when I don't laugh at one of her antics, or smile at Emmett's sweetness. Life is good...we're on a roll.

a special visit

This past weekend we had the pleasure of having Nana & Papa come for a visit. It had been a few months since Nana had seen the little ones and I think everyone was very excited! We spent the weekend outside when we could - pulling weeds, planting flowers, working around the yard (thank you Jim & Norma!). And when we couldn't due to the "really nice rain" (inside joke for Steve & Jim) we made our way to the big mall to enjoy a few rides and a change of scenery. Both Anna and Emmett soaked up every moment with Nana & Papa - sneaking in cuddles when they could, and hours upon hours of playtime. We can't wait to see you again in just 3 more weeks! Anna told me this morning that she "...just can't wait THAT long, mommy. That's too many days!"

last day of preschool

Earlier this winter Anna began attending the preschool at the high school my mom teaches at in order to give her something fun to do on the cold days and to give me a short break when I was so very pregnant. Anna enjoyed this so much that she continued to attend through the remainder of the school year. As a Family and Consumer Science teacher, my mom began a program for students interested in Early Childhood Education that allowed high school students to "run a preschool". They assisted in the curriculum planning and 2 high school students were paired with each child, each term. Anna soaked up the individual attention and loved her buddies. She looked forward to going to preschool every Tues and Thurs morning and even though her grandma was there - she spent most of her time interacting with her high school "buddies" and the other children. This was a great experience!

This past week was her last week, and to celebrate I was invited in (along with the other parents) to watch Anna receive a certificate and to share in some cake and goodies. We will miss this over the summer!

Fortunately Anna will have a chance to see her buddies from this last term every now and again as they have turned out to be great babysitters! :)

Singing "The Ants Go Marching In"

Walking over the bridge to receive her certificate

Cake with the class

emmett comes out of his shell

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

gone fishing

She might look a little girlie in her sundress and sandals...


and she might elicit a scream every now and again just for fun...

But when invited to go fishing with her daddy, and friends Jason and Alex - small things like worms, mud, and slimy fish won't scare her away. Just give her a pole and a lesson or two...

And next thing you know...

Victory! Oh, are you scared to hold it Anna?

Negative. Well then, how about you follow Jason's tradition and give your first fish a big old smooch?

Oh you don't believe me? Look again...

Yes, she really did. Princess dresses, jewelry, sandals, and bows, sure...but she's got REAL fish lips too this (not so) girlie girl.