Snow Day!

It started on Wednesday when the DOT began salting the roads in preparation for the impending "Winter Storm" that was headed our way (FYI: here in the south, an inch of white stuff is called a "winter storm"). By Thursday, the grocery store shelves were thin. It began snowing Friday evening and it kept coming down! By this morning, we had a good 4-5 inches at our house. While this was not Emma Grace's first snow (it flurried before Christmas, then she saw snow in VA on Christmas eve), it was her first substantial North Carolina snow, so we knew we needed to get out for a while and let her take in the sights!

And also to show a certain great-grandmother that, indeed, Emma Grace wore a hat (apparently we don't put a hat on her nearly enough).

We wondered if Emma Grace would like to make a snow angel. She did not.

After being stuck inside all day, I got brave and decided to walk to the nearest Redbox to rent a movie. You know when you get about half way through something and you realize maybe it wasn't the best idea you've ever had? But then you're too far into it to stop so you might as well finish? Yeah, that's how the walk to Redbox was. In theory, it wasn't that far of a walk. But it was cold. And I had to brave the snow that was turning into thick sheets of ice. And my cheeks hurt. But it was all in the name of entertainment for me and the hubs. And now I'm glad that I picked up two movies, since church is cancelled tomorrow and it looks like it will be another day stuck inside.

We enjoyed the snow. But we're already tired of the constant weather reports. You know, the ones with the poor reporter sitting on the side of the highway who want to show us how deep his boots sink into the snow...or the reporter who holds out her glove-covered hand and asks if we can see the sleet bouncing off her hand...or the reporter who gets sent to a non-snowing county and has to report "all is clear here!" all day long. It was fun while it lasted, but we're ready for spring!

January 2010 Kid's Exchange

Last weekend, Mom and Dee Dee were in town and the three of us went to the Kid's Exchange (a buy-sell consignment show that happens twice a year) at the fairgrounds. We went last year right after Emma Grace was born and got some great things and we were hoping to have another successful trip...and we did!

$100 later...

...and the picture doesn't even show everything!

13 dresses (including an adorable smocked dress)

6 top and bottom outfits

3 tops

3 pants

2 jackets

1 swimsuit

1 beach cover-up

Emma Grace got so many cute things. Sometimes I think I enjoy buying for her more than myself. The neat thing is that I can get so many cute outfits and not feel bad about buying so much since I get such a great deal on everything (which is awesome since she can only wear these clothes for one season of her life!). We didn't even venture over to all of the toys, furniture, baby gear and other items...let's face it - Emma Grace doesn't need another toy for the next year!

Tragic Loss

Dear Emma Grace:

Our team, our pride and joy, the North Carolina State Wolfpack played last night.

Yes, I know that's exciting. I was excited too. I had high hopes. I mean, the team they were playing was on a 3 game loosing streak and hadn't had a road win! And State just beat Duke last week. But...baby....they played Carolina. You know, Daddy's team? And you know how Carolina does. They just pull it out of nowhere! I don't understand how they do it either.

Baby, all of our red-wearing yesterday just couldn't help them. Carolina won.

I understand how you feel. Let it out, darling.

Maybe next year...

Happy 7 Month Birthday!

Emma Grace, you are 7 months old today! It seems like you are turning into such a big baby right before my eyes. 6 months didn't seem too bad, but 7 months is just making my head spin!

You are back to a good sleep schedule again. You sleep about 12 hours at night and take at least 2 naps during the day, lasting 1-2 hours each. You often need a little "rest time" in the evening, so you'll hang out in your swing. If the weather is nice, we'll go on a walk. You are still eating so well! You have 4 bottles during the day and one right before bed time. You eat solid food 3 times a day. I am still making your food and really enjoy doing that. You have tried a variety of fruits and vegetables and I plan to start mixing them together and spicing them up a bit so you don't get bored. To this date, the only thing you have turned down was avocado, but I did mix it with bananas one day and you ate it fine!

Play time is so fun now that you are sitting up all the time! You can entertain yourself for quite a while with toys, but you do get upset if you see me leave the room. Everything is going in your mouth these days. The drool is non-stop. Still no teeth. You still think tummy time is torture, but I try to make you do it for a while each day. You have started kicking your feet and Daddy has even seen you get up on your knees a bit, but no crawling yet. You started rolling again after Mommy told the doctor you had stopped. You really enjoy taking a bath and love to play with your bath toys. We have heard you make the "G" sound and I think I heard a "D" sound today, but until I hear it again I can't be sure. It won't be too long before you are talking!

You do really well when we take you out in public. Everyone comments that you are such a content and happy baby. You smile at everyone! You even act bashful at times by smiling at people and then sweetly turning away. It's so funny to watch you interact with others. I have to remind myself that you really are a good baby (sometimes I forget in the day-to-day). We sure didn't have the easiest start, but you are turning into such an easy baby. I often stretch your schedule by running errands or taking you with me to lunch with friends or most recently to an out of town shower, and you do so well even when we get out of our usual routine. You love play time with Daddy. He tickles you and makes you laugh so hard! You love seeing him dance and sing for you!

We feel incredibly blessed that you have not been sick. At all. Not even a runny nose. You are a happy, healthy little girl and we couldn't ask for more! You have filled a hole in our family that only you could fill and we love you so much! Happy Birthday, sweet girl!

Tricks up the sleeve

You know how you take your car to the mechanic after it's been acting up, and inevitably the problem stops once you mention it? Well, that's how I feel about Emma Grace lately...

At her 6 month appointment, I told the doctor I was a little concerned that around 4 months old she completely stopped rolling over. The doctor assured me she likely got bored with it or simply wasn't impressed. He was happy that she was sitting on her own and was not concerned at all. Wouldn't you know it, Emma Grace is rolling again. Two mornings in a row, we have found her in her crib on her tummy. And she's frequently rolling over during playtime again. Apparently, she wants to keep us guessing what she'll do next!

Hello "G"

Emma Grace made her first consonant sound today! We thought it would be the "D" sound since she hears us say Daddy so much and "D" is one of the easier sounds to make. But she fooled us and has started saying the "G" sound! So far, we've hard "goo" and "gaa". I know it might seem silly to get so excited about this. But after months of "o", "e" and "a" sounds, it's nice to hear something new! And this is just the start of what's to come! Way to go, baby!

Baby Dedication

This Sunday, we had Emma Grace's baby dedication at our church. We joined many other families as we stood before our church and publicly said that we will raise Emma Grace in a Christian home and teach her about Jesus and his love for her. The congregation committed to praying for us as we embark on this huge journey! Emma Grace was given a bible from Pastor Horner.

We were joined by both of my parents, my grandmother, and several of Emma Grace's aunts and uncles - the Feltons, the Wrights, and the Perris! Following the service, we had a lunch at our house. It was such a nice time.

The sweetest thing

I don't think there is anything more precious than seeing my two loves together. Emma Grace loves her daddy, and the feeling is mutual.

Bath time

We have unofficially moved Emma Grace out of her baby bath tub and into the big bath tub (by unofficial, I mean that we've only done it a few times and we keep her baby tub near by just in case we think she needs it on a particular night). She is doing great. She loves playing with her bath toys and reaching up for the water spout (which reminds me that we need to get a cover for that so Miss Priss doesn't bump her head). When she gets really excited and kicks her legs, she starts to shift to the front of the tub and we have to keep moving her back. But she's having a great time being a big girl. I think she knows she's moving up to "big kid world" just by the look on her face. Doesn't she look so proud of herself?

Moving and shaking

We've got a little mover and shaker on our hands these days! Emma Grace is getting harder to change lately, as everything bides for her attention. She has discovered the basket next to her changing table and likes to try to grab for it while we're changing her diaper.

Good thing she's cute.

A case of bed head

Because Emma Grace does so much twisting and turning in her crib these days, she wakes up with some serious bed head. I think it's cute, and I'm just happy she has enough hair to qualify as "bed head."

Cleaning up the crib

Once upon a time, I placed my little baby in her crib and she hardly shifted during the night. She ignored all of the sweet animals sitting in the four corners of her bed. She didn't dare grab and pull down on blankets hanging over the railings. Now, my (not so little) baby turns 180 degrees every night, grabs animals in her crib, plays with her aquarium, and pulls blankets from wherever she can find them.

I'm starting to think it's time to clean out the crib.

Bye bye, cutely decorated crib. Your only purpose now is function. No more cute giraffes in the corner. No more pink bunny. See ya later Mr. Duck. Pretty blanket hanging over the rail...it was nice knowing you. Even you, oh blessed aquarium, that put us to sleep on so many nights (you will always hold a special place in my heart), we must work on finding a better location. A bed sheet and a baby is all you will see from now on. It was nice having yall around. Maybe I'll see you again on the toddler bed someday.

Is a 6 month old too young to self feed?

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

And yes.

We're learning the fine line between letting our little girl learn on her own, and keeping our sanity in tact! I'm off to buy a mat to go under the high chair!

Guess who slept for 13 hours last night

That's right! Emma Grace went to bed around 8:00 last night and didn't wake up until 9:00 this morning! I couldn't believe it! It's common for her to sleep 11-12 hours, but this is definitely a first! And she woke up in the best mood, not letting a little bed-head keep her down (you can barely see it in the picture, but trust me).

6 month check up

We went to Emma Grace's 6 month check up today. She is still a 100% healthy baby and we are so thankful!

Jereme got the biggest kick out of the 20 or so minutes I spent sharing concerns with the doctor (will you check her ear for an infection? why did she stop rolling over? is she eating the right amount of solids? do you see any teeth?). He later told me he had no idea I worried so much! I guess I internalize a lot...and I'm also a first time mother so EVERYTHING is a concern! He was not concerned that she had completely stopped rolling over, especially since she was now sitting. He said some babies love to roll and others are not impressed with it. He said she likely got bored with it. The ear was infection free and he believes she's been pulling on it because of the pain in her gums; they were swollen and he could see white specks which indicate a tooth close to the surface.

The doctor was impressed that she was sitting on her own so well, was happy with her growth, and very pleased with her development. She is above average in most areas (no surprise there! we knew she was a superstar!). By her next appointment, he expects her to be making sounds like "da" and "ma" and be mobile (be it crawling or pulling up on furniture). His last words were "it's time to start baby-proofing your house." Yikes!

She got 3 shots and an oral vaccine, including the H1N1 and flu which are recommended after 6 months of age. We delayed one vaccine until her 9 month check up since she was already getting so much today. But she was a trooper and stopped crying once her Daddy picked her up.

Here are EG's stats for 6 months:

Head: 44 1/2 centimeters (90th percentile)

Height: 27 inches (85th percentile)

Weight: 17.5 pounds (75th percentile)

PS: Emma Grace made a total MESS of the exam table! While the adults were doing all the talking, she was pulling off the paper and trying to eat the bits of paper she could get in her hand! But she was happy so we just let her have fun!

True story

Emma Grace and I were in the check-out line at Target this evening. A very extroverted little 7(ish) year old girl in front of us saw Emma Grace and said "Hey chunky baby!!!" Then she turned to me and said "Don't worry. I was like that too when I was a baby."

Celebrating the new year

Our family split up a bit to ring in the new year. Emma Grace stayed home while her Dee Dee and Cee Cee took good care of her (her cousins Bryant and Malone also stayed at our house and word has it everyone had a good time!). Jereme and I took advantage of our free Marriott stay and booked a room downtown. The location was perfect...everything happened right outside our hotel! We participated in Raleigh's First Night. Lots of concerts, shows, and activities like ice skating and sleigh rides. We watched the acorn drop at midnight with our dear friends Caleb and Lou Ellen (and Henry, in utero) and our insurance agent/friend Chris, his wife Laura and their baby Olivia. It was a great way to ring in 2010!

Hello 2010!

Happy New Year!

We are celebrating the arrival of 2010 today. 2009 was a difficult year in many ways, but it brought us sweet Emma Grace! And for that, we will always be thankful for this year! We are excited to see what this year has in store...