Christmas '09 and Some Pics from '10

Can't believe Christmas came and went so quickly. Somehow I feel this way every year. You'd think I'd anticipate the speed with which it comes and goes by now. Anyway,Christmas was pretty spiffy. None of us were sick and Emily enjoyed opening all her presents. She particularly enjoys her plastic jewelry, her wooden food that she can "cut", and her new table and chairs set. We got to spend it at our house and at my mom and dad's house with all my sisters and their families. It was the first Christmas that gave us a glimpse of what it's like to have a child at this time of year. What I mean by that is her first Christmas she was only 3 months old and couldn't participate in the festivities. Her second Christmas she really didn't seem to care about her new toys and didn't really open any of them. She's always been so laid back about things that it really didn't seem to faze her that she had new things to play with. This year though she did open some of her presents (still a little wary about tearing things) and she enjoyed pretty much everything she got. She also learned what Santa looked like and can point him out. The reason it was only a glimpse is because next year she will actually ask us for specific things and anticipate Santa's arrival. So, it was nice this year because she enjoyed Christmas without caring exactly what she got (meaning I could get her more stuff that she needs rather than what she wants this year than maybe next year) but next year will be nice because she will be more excited for Christmas to come. Anyhoo, I got a few pictures from that morning but not too many good ones. I also posted a few pics from the last couple of weeks.

Funny Face

Special Delivery

Halloween 2009

We had a good Halloween this year. Emily helped carve a pumpkin for the first time. She thought the inside of the pumpkin was "ewww" but enjoyed putting the spoon inside of it. This year was also the first time we took her trick or treating. She went with her cousins Logan,Greyson,and Jackson (with adult supervision of course). We dressed her up like a girl from the 50s. She had herself a good time. She even said "trick or treat" a couple of times and "thank you" a few times. She enjoyed getting candy and wouldn't let us take her pumpkin full of candy from her without a fight.

Fun with Photo Editing

So, So, Suck Her Toe

2 Year Update

Having a 2 year old is both challenging and fun. Emily's personality keeps me entertained but her will to do things she shouldn't can make me want to pull my hair out. Though lately she has gotten much much better at listening (hoping this isn't a fluke). She's actually being really good and now I'm wondering how long that will last. Optimism is not one of my strong points. Not that she's not a good kid but the "terrible twos" hasn't evaded my child. Though I wish it had. And I am thanking my lucky stars that she is doing better because for a little while there I thought I was going to have to move to Syberia to avoid having a break down. Just this past week she has been more easygoing again and when I tell her no she usually obeys. She's doing some new things (by new I mean within the last couple months or so). She knows most of her basic colors (blue, green, white, pink, yellow, red, and orange), can count to 10 and sometimes 13, and she's starting to string together 3-4 word sentences. She is also starting to sing along with songs. Though she does trail off and babble when she doesn't know the words. Quite endearing if you ask me. Some funny things she's doing is she can now fake snore (taught her that one), she'll sometimes tell herself "no ma'am" when she's doing something she shouldn't, will clap for herself and say "good job Emmy" when she does something right, she likes to tickle me and Josh from time to time, feeds her baby dolls a bottle and makes sucking sounds for them, and she will sometimes try to brush my teeth with her toothbrush and say "ahh" so I'll open my mouth. Another funny thing I've noticed that is true about most two year olds is that their ability to mimic your words and actions can be hilarious. Which is kinda funny since they're just doing what you're doing yet it somehow becomes hilarious when they do it. Emily is not just a bag of fun though. She can also be very sweet. She gives us unsolicited hugs and kisses, will pat you on the back when giving you those hugs, will tell you "it's okay" when you're sad, and will get things for you if she knows where they are. So far 2 is my favorite age. Not for the temper tantrums but for being able to see her personality emerge and her mind begin to comprehend things.

Two words to describe Emily lately: Encourager and Helper

Emily has become an encouraging child. For example, when her 4 year old cousin properly played with one of her toys she said "Good job, Jackson" and began clapping for him. She then asked him for a high five. The other day her cousin Jackson got upset and she followed him around telling him it would be okay by saying "it's okay, it's okay." She also did this with her cousin Greyson when he got upset and patted him on the back. Emily has also become a little helper. She will pick up things that people drop and hand them back to them. She will also offer toys to her cousins. When interacting with her baby cousin Aubrey she is very gentle and makes sure she has what she needs. She makes me so proud.

Hill Ridge Farms Round 2

Went back this year and it was more fun than last year since she's older. We went on a hayride, she went down a huge tube slide with her daddy, we looked at some animals, picked out some pumpkins,she swung with grandma, and she played in some corn kernels. It was a good time at the patch.