Emma's Mishap

Emma had a little accident this afternoon, which has resulted in a bit of a black eye.  I attempted to take many pictures of it, but just captured a couple that aren't blurry (though they don't really do justice to the bruise, either) ...

 

Emma had followed me into our bathroom, and made a beeline for the tub, which has a step up into it that she likes to try to climb.  She lost her balance just before reaching the tub, and hit the side of her eye on the step on her way down.  I was just behind her, and it was like one of those things that happens in slow motion, but not slow enough to be stopped.  You know what I mean?  Anyway, she was not happy, to say the least.  Although we had some blood, I was glad the skin didn't split enough to require stitches. 

Also, we had family pics taken this morning, so the timing (although not-at-all would have been best) of the minor casualty was decent.  And speaking of our pictures, Allison got to see for herself that I'm not lying when I talk about Emma's dramatics.  The tantrums and tears for no apparent reason were in full effect this morning, and have continued for most of the day (excusing the fall, of course).  Over the course of the last hour, Emma has had tantrums for the following reasons: not being allowed to play in the trash, having to have her diaper changed, and being given a different cup than her sister.  All totally reasonable.  Somehow she still manages to be totally lovable.

We've had a rainy afternoon, so it's been an inside day.  Before the rain hit, Sara and I ran some errands, during which she managed to talk me into buying a seven-foot inflatable witch for our front yard.  Who doesn't need one of those?  Don't answer that.  This afternoon we've also painted nails, done some laundry, and worked on Sara's Halloween costume.  She has already changed her mind half a dozen times, and probably will continue to do so between now and Halloween ... but today, she wants to be a rock star.  So we worked on an ensemble just in case that idea sticks.  In the meantime, Sara has been working on entertaining Emma.  She's better at it than anyone else.

Happy Saturday, and - especially - Happy Birthday to my Mom!

Updated: the shiner on Sunday ...

 

time flies

I am not sure where the past couple of weeks have gone ... I chalk it up to busy weeks, eventful weekends, and not a whole lot of down-time. 

Over Labor Day Weekend, our friends Isaac and Kari came to visit from Iowa.  We had such a great time with them - pool time, cold beverages, a lot of catching up, and even a mani/pedi for Kari and me ... so wonderful.  The following weekend, we finally had the Brittains over to BBQ and swim.  We had a fun, low-key afternoon.  Last weekend, my college friend Meredith was in town from MN.  I always love seeing her, and being able to visit with her during a terrible Cyclones game made the loss almost bearable.  Tomorrow evening, my mom is coming for the weekend.  Sara is excited to spend a special day at home with her on Friday, and I'm hoping for great weather so we can enjoy the Plano Balloon Festival on Saturday.

In house project news, I'm happy to report that many hours and muscles (mostly Steve's) have been dedicated to ridding our side and back yard areas of many big, overgrown, useless bushes.  The stumps on some of these things have been out of control, and Steve finally stopped on Sunday when he broke both the chainsaw and a shovel.  While the bushes in the back by the pool looked fine, we noticed that they just took up so much space.  Since we use the back patio and pool so often, space is the most important commodity for us, so removing the bushes extends our patio and pool deck.  I think we thought this might be a fairly quick project, but it will continue to extend over many weekends, I think.  Although we don't have new stone or rock down yet, the open spaces look better already.  Moving inside, we had the molding painted.  When we moved in, we noticed it was sort of an off-white color, and we wanted it to be stark white so it would pop.  Well, pop it now does.  We realized that it wasn't off-white at all, but a darker taupe color - same as the walls, which now also look darker against the white molding.  I now love the wall color, which was really unnoticeable before, and am pleased that painting the molding has eliminated the need to paint the large (intimidating) walls in the living and dining rooms.

Of course you saw that Emma turned one a couple of weeks ago.  Today was her one-year well-child visit.  She weighs 19 pounds, 3 ounces, and is 25 1/4 inches.  She is still in size three diapers, and 9-12 month clothes.  She is drinking regular milk, and while she'll use her sippy cup, she really prefers her bottle when she's sleepy.  I'm not ready to fight that one yet, so a bottle at bedtime it is.  She'll eat anything I put in front of her, and tonight's newest food adventure was kiwi.

During our brief visit with the doctor today, he used the following terms of endearment regarding Emma: spit-fire, live-wire, and mover & shaker.  We've been visiting with this particular doctor since Sara was born; I appreciate and respect him very much.  He's never used such phrases with Sara.  So for all of you who think I'm exaggerating when I describe Emma as my wild child, I think this speaks volumes.  What more proof do you need?  Seriously.

That about sums up all the fun for now.  More from me soon!  

getting there

Emma's Day

The afternoon before Emma's birthday, we unwrapped the big box that UPS had dropped off a few days earlier.  She and Sara were both thrilled to find this little tykes car from G & G.  How we lasted without one for nearly five years, I'll never know.

 Emma has been the happy passenger while Sara dutifully pushes her around the house.

 On the morning of her birthday, we took a few pictures of our One Year Old!

 Such a big girl!  Sara helped me make mini-cupcakes (no frosting) for Emma to share with her friends at school.  According to her teacher, the kids devoured them.

 I made spaghetti for Emma's birthday dinner - not fancy, but it was something I knew everyone would eat, so that qualifies as a success these days.  Sara raced through dinner, anxious to sing to Emma and then eat the cupcakes she had iced for us.  While Sara worked on the mini-cupcakes, Emma tore into her cake.

 She wasted no time ...

 Blurry from clapping ...

 Offering to share ...

 So, so happy with her lot ...

Between the spaghetti and the cake, Emma went straight from her chair to the tub.  Although that didn't thrill her, I'd say it was a happy birthday!

To the Birthday Girl

Dear Sweet Emma,

When we started thinking about having a second baby, I felt like I would be okay with or without one.  I can't believe how wrong I was.  From the moment you entered this world, our family has felt absolutely complete.  It's amazing the way we can need something so badly without really knowing it.  I remember being in the hospital after you were born, feeling an overwhelming sense of peace and fulfillment.  You have brought so much joy to our family.

Your toothy smile, Pemma, is the highlight of my day.  At one, you've taken to throwing your body to the floor for an all-out tantrum if you feel the situation warrants, but you're quick to smile and giggle and squeal, and those things are just the best.  You are so anxious to keep up with your big sister.  I love watching you two play and laugh together, and my heart breaks a little bit for you every time she wants to just play alone.  I know she needs that time, and I know that I'll spend countless hours in the coming years explaining to you that she's older ... and that's just how it is sometimes.  I also know that, over the years, I'll sometimes be the third wheel to you two ... and that's also just how it is sometimes.

I can't wait to see who you become, Emma.  You have a spark, and while I believe it may give me a run for my money, I also believe that it will lead you to great places on your journey.  As you are growing and finding yourself, I hope you always know deep down - even when you don't believe it - that the depths of my love for you are immeasurable.  When you doubt my love, it will be there.  When you don't want my love, it will be there.  And when you most need my love, it will be there.  Always and beyond, no matter what.  I loved you from the get-go, and I'll love you 'til I die.

You have blessed my life in so many ways, and I am forever changed.

Happy 1st Birthday, my beautiful Emma Grace.

Love Always,
Mom
xoxo