Mama

Sure sounds like mama to me!

Daddy Day

Wednesday I had to go into work for a new business meeting and fortunately Josh was able to stay home with Emmy.  Now, I have to tell you my typical work from home days are pretty crazy.  When Josh gets home from work I am usually still in my pjs, have not taken a shower and the house is a disaster.  Trying to work and look after a baby takes more time that you can ever imagine.  Sometimes I think he looks at me like I am nuts and I know he can't figure out why I can't find time to at least take a shower.  Well, this week he lived a day in my shoes..... Emmy was fussy all day and only took a few short naps, Josh admitted he got next to no work done.  I know I shouldn't be amused but it sure was nice to know he now understands what my days are like and to hear him say "I don't know how you do it!"

Weekend Update

You know you are in for a busy Saturday when you feed your baby, eat breakfast, run 3 miles (yes I actually ran and am still feeling it), shower and make a trip to Target all before 10am!  We hit up two 1 year old b-day parties and a BBQ that night.  Emmy was such a trooper.  She took a few cat naps here and there and was such a good girl even into the night which was way past her bedtime.  I know, I know, do we know how lucky we are?  YES!

Sunday was our first attempt at feeding her some rice cereal.  I showed Josh that I bought 2 brands and his response was "Don't we just feed her rice crispies or something?".  Yes, he was dead serious....  Anyway, as you can see from the pictures she wasn't too into it.  Yesterday didn't go so well either so we took this morning off.  Will keep you posted!

Time

Time is not something I have a lot of these days.  Between working, keeping the house clean, cooking, laundry, and of course playing with Emmy, I don't have much time left in the day for much else.  Yet, for some reason I always have time to update my blog, it is almost a priority.  Sometimes I ask myself why I am able to squeeze in a few minutes to add some pictures but can't ever seem to paint my toe nails, read a book or even blow dry my hair?!  Emery brings so much joy to my life I just want to share it all with all my family and friends.  Knowing how much our family looks forward to seeing new pictures and videos motivate me to always find just a few minutes to post a picture or two.  So, rest assured I will always find those few minutes to keep you updated.  Who needs painted toes anyway?

Dinner Time

We eat dinner together at the kitchen table every night while Emery sits in her bouncy chair that literally sits on the table next to us.  Josh and I tell each other about our days and Emery tells us everything she learned that day :)  She is so good while we eat, we never pick her up until we are done eating.  I am thinking this is teaching good dinner manors at a young age but we'll see.  Around dinner is usually when she is the silliest and the chattiest.  Last night she was trying to imitate the sounds Josh was making, it was way too cute.

Having so much fun, want to come for dinner?

Trying to imitate Josh and doing a damn good job :) (sorry it is sideways)

A weekend full of new experiences

We headed up to my parents again over the weekend and had tons of fun!  Marc and Julie were there too so we were all able to be together, which we have been fortunate enough to do a lot lately.  Interesting how we all make these trips happen now that Emery is around... :)

It was about 100 degrees out so we spent a lot of time in the water.  When I say "we" I mean Emery too!  My mom and dad got her a little kiddy pool and she absolutely loved it.  So, we decided to take her in the "real" pool and she loved that too!  I think we have a little swimmer on our hands.

My brother then got her started on the piano.  She loved it, yet another thing to play with!

Good Luck Julie!

My sister is moving to Chicago tomorrow to start Medical School at Loyola.  It is still very surreal to me that my little sister is on her way to becoming a doctor!  I am proud of all the hard work she has done to get to this point and admire her commitment.  I said goodbye to her this weekend thinking that she is just getting on  a plane to go back to San Francisco, it definitely has not hit me that she is moving out of the state.  Selfishly, I can't wait to visit her because I have never been to Chicago.  I look forward to site seeing, shopping and of course great pizza :)  My promise to her was to keep updating the blog as often as possible and figure out how to video chat so she and Emery can talk and see each other.  We sure are teaching our daughter how to be tech savvy at a young age!  Good luck Jules!

Evian Commercial

Has anyone seen the Evian commercial with the babies roller skating?  I love it, it is hilarious!  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PHnRIn74Ag

The Power of Positive Thinking

Ever since I started back to work I have been struggling to accept the situation and have been fighting it by constantly trying to find a way to change it.  What can I do to stay at home full time?  Or part time?  Is there a better, cheaper daycare option? How can we start saving money? Live in a bigger house, etc, etc?  The weight of the world was on my shoulders and it was exhausting.  Seeing as there really isn't anything we can do to change the current situation it was a waste of my energy and time (since I don't have much of that anymore).  It wasn't until Josh told me it made him sad to see me so miserable and that I was like a different person that I knew something had to change.  I don't want Emery to grow up thinking her mom is stressed and miserable.  I am not sure if it is because I have been consciously trying to have more of a positive, accepting attitude, or I have finally gotten into a routine, but within the last week things seemed to have gotten a lot easier :)  Yes, I wish things were different and I could stay at home but at least I work with some great people and at a very understanding company that allows me to have a flexible schedule.  I am very lucky.  I also have a wonderful husband who is so helpful and is determined to try and make things easier, what else can I ask for?  Yesterday was a great "work at home day" I got a lot of work done and still had time at the end of the day to take Emery to the park and make dinner (which I have done every night this week!).  It has taken more than 2 months but I think I have also finally gotten used to the fact that Emery is going to daycare.  She seems very happy there along with all the other kids.  So, I guess my point is there is something to be said about positive thinking.  I mean how can anything get you down when this face is looking up at you?!

Laundry

Josh was trying to teach Emery that doing laundry and putting it away is fun, I think he did a good job :)

Curious

Well, she finally has not only found her feet but she has realized how tasty they are!  She has had them in her mouth most of the weekend and I swear I caught her talking to them today in her crib!  It doesn't matter if the harness is on or not, she still is so curious about what they are and how to get them in her mouth.

I went out and bought her the Bumbo tray so she could keep all her toys in front of her but she had another idea.  She decided she'd pull it off and eat it!

Another Great Weekend

This weekend was one of those weekends that reminded of us why we live where we do.  The weather was beautiful and we were able to enjoy it together.  We took a trip to the park and put Emmy in the stroller like a big girl!  We went for dinner Saturday night to the Green Flash and sat out on the patio to enjoy the ocean view.  You would never believe us unless you were there but Emmy was so good it was really unbelievable.  She played with her toys in the stroller for an hour and then just fell asleep.  We literally just watched her close her eyes and go to sleep.  Are you kidding me?!  She is the best :)  Today we went to the beach again and we all dipped our feet into the ocean.   Right now we are sitting on the patio enjoying the evening.  I just figured out our wireless works out here so I think I'll be spending some days during the week working outside.  Emmy LOVES being outside and just staring at the trees.

What a big girl

I love the beach!

Putting my toes in the ocean :)

She is famous!

I had to stop in the office at the Baldwin Academy today and the Director told me that Emery's picture was just put on their website.  She is the Bluebird baby!  Check out the link below.  Pretty cute.  She is doing well there, I guess I should say I am starting to get a little better.  It is definitely a very well run, organized establishment that has high expectations/requirements of their teachers.  Did I mention it also costs a fortune?  Yeah, it is as though we are sending Emmy to private school when she is 4 months old, but for her - anything.    Two mornings this week the same little boy has walked over to Emmy when we arrived and they smiled at each other, it is too cute!  I told her she is way too young for a boyfriend so let's hope she listens!  Josh's concern was he didn't think the kid was too cute, I feel bad for her future boyfriends.  She certainly had a lot to say when she got home today.  She learned to "gurgle" today, maybe she learned it from her little friend?

Baldwin Academy website:

http://www.baldwinacademy.com/pages/bluebirds.htm

How was your day today?

Family Weekend

We did it, we traveled up north to visit Josh's family is Groveland for the July 4th weekend.  We broke up the 8+ hour drive by stopping at my parents house along the way.  So, lucky Emmy was able to see all 4 grandparents in one weekend!  She was a trooper on the drive up there, the way back not so much.  Picture us stuck on the 99 in stand still traffic in 100 degree weather with a 4 month old screaming so loud we thought she may stop breathing.  Once we were able to finally pull over, calm her down and get back on our way, we were silent the rest of the trip.  I think we were literally traumatized by the experience!  I think we'll be flying next time.... 

The weekend was great.  We spent lots of time with Josh's family who came to meet little miss Emery and no surprise - they all fell in love :)  She is so chatty these days and is as happy as can be!  We went for walks, went out at the boat and hung out at Jill's new store which is awesome.  If you are ever in the Yosemite area you have to stop at Serendipity!

Pictures Galore:

The 4 generations...

Daddy and his girl

Checking out cousin Julia

Happy Fourth of July!

Driving the boat with Great Grandpa.  What a lucky girl!

Sweet Abby Girl

We never considered Abby to be just a dog, she was a member of our family.  Sometimes I swear she was half human because you could look into her eyes and know exactly what she was thinking.  She even had a way of letting you know she wanted your spot on the couch and she won every time.  She was loved by everyone who knew her and will be forever missed.  Thank you for 13 wonderful years, we love you Abner...