Baby Girl is 1-Year Old!!!!!

November 22, 2011

Dear Emerson,

It was July of 2010, Daddy and I found out we were having a Little Girl. I remember that day so clearly. I couldn't believe it!!! We both looked at eachother with tears in our eyes, our dreams were coming true. We had Our Little Prince (your Big Brother) and now we were going to have our Princess!!!! She was going to be just perfect from head to toe. (And you are). She was going to have a little attitude - will know just what she wants- and will never give up (and you don't- you are still a baby, but you KNOW what you want, and you never forget about it...you work until you can master whatever it is you are trying to do- these days it is standing or climbing.) She will be delicate (And you are) and sweet (so sweet and loving). She will be happy (you light up a room!!) She will be funny (you laugh and laugh and laugh until everyone notices...and then you keep laughing). She will be smart (you know just how to figure things out- you try and try again- and you try so hard to be just as quick, just as social, and just as free as your brother (you will be there soon enough darling baby). She will be friendly and confident (something you have learned from the start...all by watching your big brother- but you have your own little sweet twist- you smile and wave and yell when you see other "kids"- you want them to want to play with you- you want them to notice you- you want to keep up with them (and that you will, soon enough, Little "Diba" (mommy's nickname for you- it actually has a meaning- "silk").) She will be all that she wants to be, all that I wish I could be, all that God has intended her to be- she will be Our Little Princess. Our Girl. Our Beautiful Baby Girl. Thank you, Emerson Marie for coming down from Heaven for Mommy and Daddy. This past year has been an absolute dream come true, it has gone by in such a flash...I am hoping time can slow down a bit as we can take in EVERY detail of this next year and for the rest of your life. Every moment is such a joy to be in your presence. I am in awe everytime I look at you (and I am with you all day- you amaze me). Your Brother is your hero. Ja-Ja LOVES you SO. He calls you his "Beautiful Girl." You two are best friends.

Thank you for "completing" all of us. Happy Birthday to "Our Pumpkin Princess" Love you so.

Love,

Mommy (and Daddy and Ja-Ja)

What Have We Been Up To...(Fall 2011)

FALL 2011

I have been so very far behind this year on uploading pictures and updating my blog. So many things, so many memories to share, so little time at the end of the day. We have had a very fun Fall 2011. We kicked off the Fall Season- this September at Kinschs Autumn Fest in Palatine where we met Jackie and her boys (The Kreuzers- Jackie, Ryan (3 yrs) and Alex (1 yr)- it was a really small Fall Festival, yet it was super cute. They had a train ride through the "haunted" trail, they had a giant tractor, bounce houses, petting zoo, corn maze, pumpkins, and fall treats...it was a chilly day, yet a great way to spend it with friends as we got in the Fall Spirit.







Another day, we decided it was finally time to visit Daddy and Grandpa at work in the city. Yes, Mommy and the kids made our way to the city by car all by ourselves- parked, walked, and made it with a double stroller in the busy financial district on a chilly day. We really enjoyed our day; however. It was great seeing their "new" (2-years- haven't even been there yet!!!!) office at the Harris Building. We received a nice tour, chatted with Daddy's coworkers, spent time with Pa, had lunch, and made our way back. Jacob had a fantastic time. He really made his way right at home while at the office. He pulled up a chair, picked up a phone, and almost made his 1st trade!!!! (LOL) He also walked around collecting candy, bobble head dolls of employees, and giving people high-fives. For Jake, it was a successful day at the office!

Since our Big City Visit, we have been enjoying our time in the 'Burbs this Fall Season- loving the changing colors, the pumpkin farms, apple orchards, and time with friends. We kicked off our annual Fall trip to Goebberts with the whole gang (us + 5 other families). It was another crowded (and VERY HOT) Saturday. We enjoyed our time with great friends and a great annual Pumpkin event. One of the funnier parts of the day consisted of 2 really cute, chubby 1/2 naked babies: Emerson and Avery (St.Leger)- the girls needed to cool off: so what did we do? Just took off their shirts- they simply sported their skirts- topless...super cute, super cool- they needed to cool down; though it may have been October, it was in the upper 90s. Fun times had by all.

Another Fall Saturday, Daddy had an idea- he wanted to make a "family day" to an Apple Orchard out in Hebron, Illinois (SO FAR AWAY!!!!! IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE)- it was pretty fantastic. Acres and acres of orchards, a pumpkin farm that seemed to go on forever, sweet Fall store filled with all sorts of jellies and jams, donuts, and bread. The other end of the farm consisted of a family-fun area: a carousal, giant teepee, giant doll houses, play/climb trains, tractors, etc. It was really fun. I haven't been apple picking since I was a kid- and we had a really great time. Jacob was in apple heaven. He ate so many apples that day and had the time of his life. By the end of the day, both kids passed out in the car - our very LONG ride home.

Halloween 2011 - NEXT

11-Months

Emerson 11-MonthsOne Month from today, Emme Marie will be ONE! How did that happen? How is this 1st year in its last month, already?! It has flown by, yet everyday is so exciting as we watch Emerson "grasp" life. She is understanding more words- we say "tree"- she points to the tree, we say Jacob- she calls him -"Ja Ja"...we say cat, nose, baba, daddy, mommy, grandma, hands, hair...she knows and points. She does say Mama and Dadda....everything else is a "point" for now. She LOVES doing "So Big" and waving to everyone. She also loves peek a boo. Emerson has found a new love for kids. She tries to get any/all kids attention - by squealing, smiling, and waving...she just thinks kids are so great (pretty sure it has a lot to do with her Big Brother- who she just ADORES). Emerson has (7) teeth and weighs just about 20 pounds. She is still struggling with ear infections, and have decided that we will be scheduling a tubal procedure in the next few weeks- she has been on antibiotics for 5-months straight! Just this week, Emerson and I visited the ENT (Ear,nose, throat) doctor, they also checked her hearing, and she is hearing through "muffled/fluid" ears...this concerns me alot especially as she learning new sounds, words, etc. The tubes are the best decision at this point. I am excited for her to have "Happy Ears" soon- I cannot wait for her to "hear" everything.

On an exciting note, Emerson has been crawling. It started with an "army crawl," but now she is actually crawling- everywhere. And...gosh, help us...this Little Chicklet loves to put EVERYTHING in her mouth. I have found stickers in her mouth...and am continuing to throw anything small (not needed) away. I am so scared anytime I put her down, so unless I am next to her, she is either in her high-chair or her jumperoo. She also wants to walk- everywhere. I am wondering when that first step will be...

Lastly, Emme loves eating "real food." She is a girl after my own heart- she loves herself some carbs. LOVES pasta, LOVES chicken noodle soup (not the chicken, just the broth, noodles, and veggies), LOVES graham crackers. She is also still doing her baby food- she seems to enjoy green beans, peas, carrots, sweet potatoes, and all fruits. She also loves her baby cereal. She has been drinking water from her sippy for a couple months now, and if I am not paying attention, she will grab Jacob's as well and start drinking out of it.

Emerson is truly becoming a Little Girl. She lets us know what she wants. She "knows" how to whine/cry and turns it off IMMEDIATELY once Mommy picks her up or she "gets" whatever it is she wants. She is a little Stinker- already. She is one happy baby. Our dreams have all come true these past 11-months.