always my baby

Oh Anna, you are growing up so fast. I love watching you paint and doing all the fun things that you do.

What a big girl you are. Time goes so fast, I don't want you to grow up so fast Anna! It makes me kind of sad sometimes.

"Oh mommy, it's ok! It's ok mommy it really is!"

"I'll still be your baby mommy. OK mommy? I'll still be your baby."
"Even when I am big, big, big I will still be your baby. OK mommy? Don't be sad."

Yes dear, sweet Anna...you will always be my baby.

the joys of preschool

The preschool days are so precious...I love Anna's preschool for so many reasons, but mostly because she loves it so. She looks forward to going every school day and on the days she is not there she is counting the hours or days until she can return. She's learning her letters, how to write her name, the seasons, the calendar, the days of the week, all about Jesus and so much more.

I suppose the following would fall into the "so much more" category:

Driving in the car the other day I was talking to Anna asking her something and mid-sentence I was interrupted with:

"Zip it, lock it and put it in your pocket, mom! Emmett is trying to sleep!"

Really? Where did you learn that Anna? "Preschool...Miss Debbie says it when we walk down the hall". While that makes sense, who knew she could apply it in such a sassy fashion!

This week is "pet month" and they are learning ALL about animals. This is probably the MOST excited I have seen Anna about a new set-up in class. She told me over and over again how they did emergency pet surgery on one of the puppies but that he was ok. She went into great detail over how "Ella had to call 6-9-1-1" because it was such an emergency. Oh, the imagination!

Today in the car Anna told me:

"Mommy, I am going to get some ants to have for a pet"

Me: "Ants? Ants aren't really pets Anna"

Anna: "Well then I could maybe get a kitty or a puppy or something"

Me: "Well, I don't know about that Anna...your dad is allergic to kitties and puppies"

Anna: "But I'm not lergic"

Me: "I know, but daddy is and to be honest I don't really like animals in the house" (sorry pet lovers!!!)

Anna: "But Ella has a puppy in her house...and he bit her toy puppy. I could get a puppy."

Me: "Maybe a fish would be a good pet Anna!"

Anna: "I could get a puppy mommy"

....and then I changed the subject. Oh, I may rejoice when we are past "pets" and knee deep in candy hearts and valentines!

a little more sure the second time around

Wary of his first piece of cake only two days ago, a new Emmett emerged today feeling much better. Upon seeing the cake his smiles lit up the room and the fun began! I think the cupcake lasted 2 minutes. Emmett enjoyed every bite - ESPECIALLY the bright blue frosting!

cake!

ONE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMMETT!!!

Sweetie Boy Emmett,

It's so hard to believe that an entire year has passed! I look at you, and while you certainly look like you are ONE I cannot believe it. In my mind you are still only 6 months, or maybe 9 months. You are still our baby. And yet you are quickly moving out of that baby stage.

At age ONE you are a very busy little boy. You are pulling yourself up on everything, moving slowly along the furniture, letting go with one hand and sometimes even two. You babble and talk - saying mama, dada, uh-oh, goo ba (good boy), and many others that we can't quite understand. Your demeanor is sweet, oh so sweet. Everyone you meet comments on just how sweet you are. And you truly are. You are also almost always happy, or at the very least content. You are a little shy, wary of new people and new places for a little while - and yet when given the chance to sit, watch and take everything in, you open up quite quickly.

At age ONE you weigh just over 23lbs, and are just a bit longer than 30 inches. You are strong, and busy...oh so busy. Toy cars and balls interest you, but more than anything else you like to explore. You open every cabinet, every door, every container. You take things off bookshelves, out of cupboards, out of drawers. The words "no, no Emmett" mean absolutely nothing to you. You might stop and look at who is saying that but then you forge ahead anyway - eager to touch, push, smash, bang or climb. You are by all counts all boy.

At age ONE you are weaning off of your bottle. You eat nearly everything, almost 100% real food rather than baby food. You aren't a big fan of sippy cups, you prefer a big boy cup - messy, but more effective.

You love to be surrounded by your family and familiar faces. You light up when your daddy, your sister or your mommy enter the room. When your sister is at preschool and it's just the two of us you vacillate between soaking up the attention and longing for your sister and the noise and excitement that accompanies her.

You answer to Emmett, Sweetie Boy Emmett, Buddy, Buddy boy, Mr. Magoo, Chumbalone and more. We can't imagine our lives without you in it...you bring smiles, love, laughter, cuddles and so much more to our every day. We love you Emmett James....happy, happy 1st birthday.

mic master emmett

The instructionator has found a new master. If you ever call our house and wonder why you cannot hear me, or I sound a little nuts, you now know why...

roller mania

Last Friday Anna's preschool had a Happy Birthday Jesus, Happy New Year, Happy Birthday Everyone party at our local rollerskating rink. Rather than celebrate everyone's birthday throughout the year they throw this big party complete with cake with all of the preschool classes ages 3 through 5. Because our beloved babysitter is home from college for a few weeks I decided to make a date of it and Anna and I spent the entire morning together just the two of us. Prior to the party we went shoe shopping for her (can you say growth spurt?!) and stopped at a local coffee shop for a treat. Anna showed off her smiles, eagerly anticipating what was to come.

Arriving at the rink, Anna was extremely excited. Extremely actually doesn't even touch how excited she was. Never having been on skates (roller or ice), she had no idea what was in store for her. I put my skates on as well thinking I could hold her up and skate at the same time. We found out that was NOT going to work in a hurry. Immediately my skates were removed and with all my might I held her as she "skated" around the rink.

I have to give this little girl a lot of credit! She never gave up! Despite the fact that at the beginning she could not even stand up on her own, by the end of the party she was skating on her own on the carpet, and on the rink she could skate just hanging on to one of my hands. Amid pleas from her friends to "come play in the climbing thing, Anna...please Anna?!", Anna replied "no thank you, I just want to skate". So we skated. 2 hours later she was tired and although she did not want to leave, her little legs had certainly had enough. It was a fantastic date and she can't wait to bring her daddy next time!

all smiles

who needs toys??

When there are so many fun things to explore!!

Like cardboard and table tops...

Christmas trees and highchairs...

Toy boxes, blinds, stairs, windows and more...

Nothing's safe anymore!!

christmas celebrations

It seems that every year our holidays are filled with many wonderful celebrations. With grandparents living close by, some living relatively close - only a state away, and some across the ocean, our Christmas parties last well into the month of January. This certainly makes the season very festive and fun for all of us, especially the kids.

We spent Christmas day with our family, enjoying Santa's treasures and one another. Unfortunately our new little nephew was admitted back into the hospital that day, after being home less than 24 hours. Spiking a high fever, he was admitted there along with Patrick and Tanya until the Sunday following Christmas. A scary time for them and everyone, but God had a plan and his plan kept baby Tyson safe. He is now healthy and growing big and strong!

The next day we spent the evening with Grandma Mary and Uncle Matt, opening gifts, eating ham and enjoying one another. Anna LOVED opening gifts, even Emmett's, and Emmett was busy playing with Uncle Matt, climbing on presents or just watching the chaos from the comfort of his high chair.

A few days later Nana and Papa arrived to celebrate New Year's with us. Shortly after their arrival, packages were being dismantled on the floor and squeals of joy filled the house once again and Christmas arrived all over.

Nana and Papa were constant playmates for the children, Nana doing crafts (thank you Kayla!) to turn Anna into a princess, playing princesses with the dolls from Uncle Matt and Papa chasing Emmett up and down the stairs and all around the house. Their visit was filled with lots of cuddles and as always, many laughs.

The day after New Year's Grandma Mary invited us all for brunch to ring in the New Year. Stuffed with good food, we enjoyed chatting while Emmett explored and Anna turned Nana into a reindeer to ride.

Today it was back to our regular routine. While much fun was had over the past few weeks with daddy home, visitors here and lots of time with family, we were all also a little bit ready to get back to routine. Anna ran into school this morning showing off many of her new "Santa" gifts and exclaiming to anyone who would listen that her "baby brother Emmett can stand up all by himself now!! Do you want to see?!"

So, it's back to reality for a few days....that is until Granka and Grandma Penny arrive from France at the end of the week and it's Christmas all over again! Yay!!!