i think you're SUPER too!

feeling fortunate

Today I just feel lucky...two healthy, happy, beautiful babies...a loving husband. It doesn't get much better than this.

just horsing around

Courtesy of Grandma Mary, Anna is the proud (temporary) owner of 2 horses. "Mary" pictured here, and another horse head on a stick that Anna proudly named "Caballo" (or "horse" in Spanish - how she knew that I am not quite sure). Anna takes care of these two animals as if they were her own children...and she rides "Mary" in a number of races each day. She feeds them, brushes them, and more. It's nice to have a pet...especially one that doesn't shed, and doesn't go to the bathroom. :)

we love those smiles

matters of the heart

This morning I took Emmett to the Children's Hospital in the big city for his second heart evaluation and echocardiogram. This time we met with a different doctor - as we wanted not only a second set of eyes, but had heard good things about this one. I was very pleased with our choice as I immediately liked this doctor's demeanor. Emmett did fabulously well throughout the echo - more mobile now he did try to pull the stickers off his chest, try to grab the ultrasound wand and put it in his mouth and feverishly kicked at the paper and blankets with his strong legs. But he did all of this with a happy spirit and a giggle here and there.

The results remain the same - aortic stenosis, with mild blockage and no leakage. This is exactly the news we were hoping to hear, and hope to continue to hear at future visits. It means despite significant growth in his body and heart - his valve continues to function as it has since birth, it has not gotten worse. Unfortunately this is a condition that will never go away, and we will need to continue to monitor it - but for now there is no cause for concern or restriction of activities.

The doctor did explain that if the blockage becomes greater they typically treat it through a balloon procedure (opening the valve). If leakage occurs - which apparently is common with bi-cuspid valves like Emmett has (normal hearts have a tri-cuspid aortic valve) - then it is treated via a surgical procedure. Neither of these are on the horizon for now, and may not be for many many years if ever. We will return in another 6 months for another look.

Until then, we will only worry about filling that heart of his with as much love as possible.

picnic in the park

After way too long, two friends were reunited for what used to be their weekly playdate. Life with infants will upset your schedule like that, much to the older siblings' chagrin. But, it only makes our time together now that much sweeter, wouldn't you say?

Anna and Tyler played the morning away at the park, enjoyed a picnic lunch, and Allison and I were able to talk a little bit about the joys and challenges of life with a toddler & an infant.

Isn't he the sweetest thing?

For awhile the park was busy with many older kids, running around - these two younger ones weren't quite sure what to do about that. Do we talk to them? Do we run away?

.

Or maybe just stop and stare them down until they go away.

Hey, that worked!

It was a fun morning - thanks for making the drive out to see us Allison, Ty and Cal! See you again very soon!

hey good lookin'

what ya got cookin'?

is that you sneaking a chocolate chip I see?

happy half birthday sweet boy

I can hardly believe it's been six months since you entered this world, and our hearts. In such a short amount of time you have left such a large mark on us, and we will truly never be the same. You are our cuddly, mellow, smiley little man - a true joy to have around.

At six months we have learned so much about you! You are by all counts a very happy baby. The only things you seem to dislike are having to wait for your food, being left without company for too long, the heat and bright sunshine, and getting dressed. In fact, the more layers that are removed from your body - the bigger your smile becomes. You love to be "free".

At six months you are almost sitting. You will sit with support, but aren't ready to attempt that feat on your own quite yet. You love to roll - back and forth and all the way over. You enjoy laying on your back the most, batting at toys above and beside you. You absolutely love anything soft - blankies, burp clothes, stuffed animals, your shirts - you particularly enjoy balling them up and putting them in your mouth.

Your smiles come easy and often - they literally light up the room. Your brightest ones come when your sister enters the room, followed by the smiles you save for Steve and I. You love to hear songs - you perk up and recognize the "good morning" song I sing to you and Anna each morning, and you also love "The Ants Go Marching" to calm you when you do have to get dressed.

A few weeks ago you started eating food more consistently. You have 4-5 bottles per day (6 oz. each) as well as 2 helpings of cereal w/ fruit and veggies. We haven't run across a food you don't like...you even eat your veggies with a smile (at least for now)!

You take 2 or 3 naps per day. One at around 9 or 9:30am, and another at 12:30 or 1. Sometimes you also take a late afternoon nap around 4pm. Bedtime is early at 6pm and you regularly sleep through the night until between 6 and 8am the following day. Every once in awhile you will wake in the night and need one of us, but more often than not we just hear you pounding your legs in the crib, rolling around or babbling to yourself.

Speaking of, you have started to babble a little bit. There is often a lot of noise around the house throughout the day, so most of the time you are taking everything else in. But when there is a free moment or you have someone's undivided attention for a period of time, you will start to try to converse. Currently your favorite thing to do is to gurgle/blow bubbles with your top lip and gums over your bottom one.

You are a most precious little boy and we can hardly wait to see what the next few months have in store for us. Today we just visited our favorite photographer to have your 6 month pictures taken...later this week we will have both your 6 month check up and your next heart ECHO. I am confident both will be great. We love you sweet boy, our Mr. Magoo, and thank God for blessing our lives with the gift of you.

big ideas

Today we went downtown to meet Steve for lunch and to see his office. The following conversation occurred in the skyway:

Anna: When I grow up I am going to be a worker.
Me: Oh, you are?
Anna: Yes, and I am going to work in this building. I like this building. It's so pretty!
Me: What are you going to do?
Anna: I am going to work.
Me: What are you going to do for work?
Anna: I am going to make money.
Me: Oh, ok...well, what are you going to do to make money?
Anna: Uh, I dunno. We'll see.
(pause)
Anna: I know! Maybe I could be in a salsa band!

best friends

I love you

You love me

We're best friends like friends should be

With a great big hug

And a kiss from me to you

Won't you say you love me too?

i scream, you scream, we all scream for...

ICE CREAM!

Yesterday we hosted an ice cream party in the late afternoon, complete with vanilla, chocolate & cookies & cream ice cream. 13 kids ranging in age from 8 yrs to 6 months packed onto our deck and filled their waffle cone cups with ice cream topped with hot fudge, marshmallows, sprinkles, mini choc chips and more. I snapped a couple of pics but with 13 kids it was more fun to just be in on the action rather than trying to capture it on film!

After slurping down some ice cream goodness, the kids ran around the yard playing hide and go seek, rode bikes and wagons, played soccer and enjoyed the swingset. We'll definitely do this one again soon!

mr. happy

I am happy. I am content. I am cuddly. I am Emmett.

chicago

This past weekend Steve and I were able to sneak away for a few days and head to one of my favorite cities...Chicago. As we headed to the airport early Friday morning to catch our flight out of town, I couldn't help but be excited at the thought of 3 whole days of "adult" time. I sat in a chair waiting for us to begin boarding and looked around thinking about how much my life has changed in such a short amount of time. Just 4 years ago I was flying all over the place, multiple times per year - selling software. Airports were old hat and I frequently was upgraded to a seat in first class due to my airline miles. Now my account sits close to zero and the last time I was on a plane was over one year ago - when we flew out for our cruise.

For the first time I found myself timid about flying, wondering how in the world I was going to fly across the ocean in another 4 months when we go to visit my father & Penny - when a one hour flight to Chicago felt strange. There's just so much more at stake now...namely, two precious lives who depend so heavily on ours.

But, we made it...and it was a much needed and enjoyable break. We soaked up the opportunity to walk around the city, to shop down Michigan Avenue, eat at my favorite Italian spot "Volare", have drinks with friends, wake up early and grab a coffee or sleep in, enjoy the extravagance of our hotel, and rub elbows with celebrities.

While I don't have a picture of Steve and I from the weekend, I do however have pictures of my encounter with the Jonas Brothers in the lobby of our hotel. I walked out of the hotel early Saturday morning to see this:

SUVs, Limos, and a bus - and lots (and lots) of very excited pre-teen and teenage girls. Returning from my coffee run there were even more giggling girls waiting and so I thought I would find out what the fuss was about. The Jonas Brothers...in town the night before for their concert and apparently all of these ladies found out they were staying at our hotel. So, in I walked to the lobby and waited for awhile getting swept up into the celebrity drama.

Worth the wait? I don't know...but it was pretty funny! I did get to see them exit the hotel, along with their large entourage, their enormous body guard, and even managed to get a picture or 2.

I'm pretty sure my husband thought I was nuts when I finally made it back to the room. :) And no, I have no idea which of the Jonas Brothers I have my picture with.

It was a wonderful weekend - and the smiles and hugs from Anna & Emmett upon our return made our time away that much sweeter.

a vote

I found a few pics of my brothers and I when we were younger and thought I would compare them to Emmett at this age. Do you see any resemblence? I see some with all 3 of us, but not sure who I think he most resembles. What do you think? Can you guess who's who?

part II

Wait a minute...there really is more?! Yep, you bet...get ready!

Fishing with Papa...

Playtime at the park (with Emmett watching)...

A special visit from Great Grandma Mary ("Grandma Murr"), Great Aunt Kathy & Great Uncle Richard...complete with fantastic gifts like baby "Susie" (that Aunt Kathy made herself!), time playing restaurant with Anna, and so much more (THANK YOU!!!)

Boat rides where Anna felt the wind in her hair and urged Papa to "go faster", flashing her thumbs up sign at every turn...

And of course, the 4th of July Parade - where Anna scored 3 times as much candy as she did last Halloween.And all the while...more and more cuddles for our newest addition.

Believe it or not - we also enjoyed a night out to see a movie, the fireworks just the 2 of us, a visit with our friends Mark, Kristen and their 3 beautiful children, visits with Nana & Papa's dear friends and neighbors Jane & Larry, and so much more that never made it onto our camera.

This vacation was a wonderful summertime getaway. We all enjoyed every moment, and were all a little sad to return to everyday life once again this morning. Upon our return and learning that we were home to stay - Anna sadly unpacked her toys from her backpack and exclaimed "I'm NOT happy about this" shortly before bursting into tears.

While living far away is difficult at times, it does make our time together even more treasured and the memories made will last forever. Thank you for a wonderful time Jim & Norma!