Emma Kate is 6 months old!!

After you pick yourself up off the ground because I am actually updating my blog... I know you will be shocked... I'm a little late w/ my monthly updates!!

Emma is 6th months old!! I LOVE THIS AGE!!! It is the absolute best... although I keep saying that. I love watching my sweet girl become more and more independent and uniquely her own self. Her personality is shining through all the baby babble!! She is a sweet, laid back, loving girl who likes to laugh and have fun!! :) It is just going to be pure joy to watch her grow up!! Between her and her sister... I am one lucky Momma!! :)

This is what sweet Emma Kate(cake) accomplished during her fifth month:

* she does an incredible "super baby" boy is she strong. She has fantastic gross motor skills!!

* She eats avacado and apples w/ her baby cereal. She's not the best solid food eater and she really DOES NOT like apples. I hope that changes!!!

* She is scooting and rolling all over the place!! I can hardly keep her still!

* She is a little over 14lbs and 26" long!!

* She is laughing and taking up a storm!! She loves to hear herself... and I think it is pretty sweet too!!

* Loves to play with her toys. It's fun to watch her grab at things...

* Sitting up in the Bumbo... only a bit away from sitting on her own.

* Graduated out of the car seat in the stroller. Now is sitting up on her own.

Here are some pics for you to enjoy!! :

Emma Kate is 5 months old!!

Well our little Emma Cake (as Ruthie calls her) is 5 months old... and yet again, I'm totally late in posting it!! :) She has done great during her fourth month and hit a lot of milestones!! :)

* she started eating cereal (rice) I didn't think she was quite ready for it, but after sleeping about 12 hours through the night, she began to wake up to eat every 2 hours. The doc said that she was hungry. So we started w/ cereal and that seems to have done the trick. She's back to sleeping well again each night!

* She has rolled over both ways now (tummy to back, and back to tummy!) She will be a rolly-polly soon!

* She continues to suck her fingers and love on the lovie... she particularly likes this one, but has a second favorite that she loves too!

* she started taking her baths w/ Sissy...She really likes that and it makes bath time oh-so-much easier!

* She graduated out of her bassinet and went into her crib!! (Means that Ruthie moved from her crib to a big girl bed... )

* She is a little smiler and loves to laugh. She is ticklish and it is soooo much fun to hear her belly laugh. What a sweet little girl who is very easy and laid back. She just wants to be with you... enjoying life!



Going night-night in my big, roomy crib!!



"What? you want me to roll over? Well, I'm sucking on my fingers... I guess I can do both at the same time!" Part 1


Rolling over part 2


Rolling over part 3



Ruthie and Emma

Emma Kate is 4 months old!!

oh, my sweet Emma... you are 4 months old and you've been for at least 2 weeks. How is it that time flies so fast? Emma turned 4 months old on the day we left for the beach... So we were with out our computer for a week and then, well, life just starts running!!

But, I want to update you on what she's accomplished during her 3rd month...

* She rolled over!! From tummy to back!! I can't get it on picture because she always does it when we're not looking... the little stinker!!

* She is talking up a storm!! She uses different vocal sounds, levels, and totally holds a baby cooing conversation.

* She is 12.2lbs and 23 3/4 inches long!!

* She is supper strong at holding up her head... crazy!

* Loves her fingers. No more binkie for Emma!!

* Loves her lovie. She has to have the blanket!!

* Loves to be with people. She doesn't have to be held but doesn't want to be left alone in a room!

* She is such a sweet natured, good baby who makes it a joy to be her mom! It's crazy how much I love this little girl!! :)

Here are some pics:

Emma Kate is 3 months old!!

Emma is- can you believe it?- 3 months old. She is so full of life and personality!!! She just loves people- especially her sister- and smiles SO big when any one pays attention to her!!!

* she is loving her fingers. It is great because she will suck them instead of the binkie!! We still use a binkie to settle her down- and she takes it- but once she's settled she flings the binkie out of her mouth and puts her fingers in instead!! It is SOOOO cute!

* She's smiling socially all the time and even beginning to laugh!! It is the sweetest thing. I just LOVE hearing my baby girl laugh!!

* She's lifting her head so well... she does super baby when she's on her tummy. However, she doesn't really like her tummy- so she doesn't stay that way for long!!

* She's also developed a love for her blankets. She has two lovies- one that her Aunt Holly made for her and one that sweet Alana sent as a gift. She loves them both and we don't leave the house with out one of them!! She loves to hold onto fabric. In fact, if I haven't given her one of the lovies- then she holds onto her clothes instead! Gotta love the resourcefulness!!

* sleeping 11-12 hours at night!!

* Relfux doing well... as long as we keep up with the medicine. If we miss a dose, she will have a bad time (usually takes a day or two before the pain comes) and we have to give her something else... but for the most part she is doing great!! Don't know how much she weighs... but she is my chubby girl- as you can see in the pics- she has sweet baby roll thighs and cute cheeks to kiss!!

We are so in awe that God would bless us again with a wonderfully sweet and loving baby. It tickles me to no end that my girls love each other and get along so well (I know there will be fights when they're older...). It's amazing to watch this sweet little girl develop and grow. Emma- we love you bunches!!!


How cute is that? I love this pic!! You can see she's taken out her binkie and replaced it with her two fingers!! (the lovie from Aunt Holly is not too far away!!) :)


Sleeping at the splash park...


Holding on to her lovie (from Alana!!) and her binkie!! (What great fine motor skills... or luck?)


Tummy time- lifting her head...


styling at Uncle Matt & Aunt Rachel's pool!!

Emma Kate is 2 months old!!

Yes, my dear readers, all 2 of you, she IS two months old. She is doing well. We've gotten the gas/reflux to a controllable level and I think that we're about to move her back into her room in her bassinet. She's been sleeping in the bouncy seat in our room because she has to sit up to be comfortable.

* She is however, sleeping at least 6 hours each night and I'm hoping to increase that with increased control of the reflux.

* She is cooing up a storm- it's so cute. She works her mouth so hard to get out the sound. But once it is out she loves it and gets such a proud look on her face.

* She's smiling socially. I LOVE when her binkie falls out because she is smiling so big!! It is so cute. Even at 6 in the morning!! We have had a rather hard time capturing that on film though. Darn illusive smile!! :)

* She is 10 pounds and 12 ounces!!!

* She is already growing out of many of her 0-3 month clothes... and I'm starting to think it's time to get out the 3-6 mo box.

* She's such a good sport w/ Ruthie... who is in LOVE with her little sister. Sometimes, she loves her too much!!! Emma looks for Ruthie and just watches...

* she is holding her head up great and although we haven't been able to get the full head up on film... she is gaining muscle control

* she is batting at toys that hang in front of her and pushes up on her feet in the bouncy seat to make herself move.

* According to Ruthie her name is "Emma CAKE" :) I love that... and now call her that as a pet name sometimes!!

Here are a few pics and a video to share:





Holding up my head!!


The next several pics are the "many different faces of Emma Kate!!!"









This is one of my favs!! I'm sure she's thinking, "I just love my mommy!"


This is my sweet Ruthie Grace who has so cleverly put on a sock... only it is Emma's sock and only comes just over Ruthie's toes!! I think it's cute!! :)

Emma Kate is 1 month old!!

As usual I am a bit late with this post!! Boy- it is hard to keep up... I am going to have to do a much better job in the future...

But, My little Emma is the sweetest thing. She is doing well, eating good, and growing!! She is LOVED by all of us, but my heart swells with pride/love/something that words can't describe when Ruthie shows how much she loves her. Ruthie is so sweet with Emma. She pats her back when I'm burping her, she rubs her leg and says, "it's ok Emma" and she gives Emma her binkie when she is crying. (She also likes to try out the binkie before she gives it to her... it's kind of cute!)

Here are some other things that have occured in the last two weeks:
* Emma has been diagnosed w/ GERD and is on medicine. This is great because she wasn't sleeping after I nursed her at night. When I would lay her back down she would cry. So Tony and I decided to sleep her in her bouncy seat and that was like a miracle. She began sleeping through the night again. She also spits up quite a bit. So- we're hoping w/ the medicine that she will feel better soon.

* She has slept for 7 hours at night for the last 3 nights- however tonight I'm sure she won't sleep that long because I just published it for the world to read!

* She weighs 9lbs and 12 ounces. CRAZY. This girl is solid. She eats well (obviously) and is gaining faster than Ruthie did!

* She has started to smile. They aren't full on smiles yet, and they aren't in response to anything in particular that I can tell, but she has given us a glimpse of the beautiful smile that we will see often in the future!

* She is doing well picking her head up and holding it. We are amazed at her mad neck strength!!

* Still having some gas issues and makes sounds like a baby elephant when she has gas pain. She does however, usually sleep through the pain.. PTL. After a while of hearing those sounds I take her little legs and roll them up into her tummy to relieve the gas... and people, I tell you she has longer and louder, uh hem farts, than her daddy!! That girl can rip a good one!! Poor little belly w/ all that gas built up. She doesn't really like it when I roll her up like that, but she does get a very relieved look on her face when she's done. I can only imagine how much better it feels afterwards!!

* She is such an easy baby. She RARELY cries unless something is wrong (ie diaper, hunger, gas...) and sleeps very well. And has the most adorable face and eyes. I love when she's awake and just looks at me. I can't wait for her to start cooing on a regular basis and for her to respond back and forth with us!! I just love being a mommy.

* she is using a pacifier. I gave in after 3 weeks. She just wouldn't keep her thumb in at night and I was SO TIRED. However, looking back I think if I had moved her to the bouncy seat instead of giving her the paci I would have gotten a sleeping baby who sucks her thumb. Oh- well, maybe the next one will be a thumb sucker!!

* She lost her umbilical chord - well actually it was pulled off during a middle of the night diaper change... Boy did I feel bad. But, she really didn't cry- I guess it was ready!!

* He had her first real bath... pictures to follow!

* I haven't put her on the floor in the gym as much as I did w/ Ruthie because I have Ruthie running around and the dog... and I'm afraid she'll just get trampled on... our house is a little small... but I'm beginning to move in that direction!!

* Doesn't tuck her feet/legs/knees up under her when she is on her belly as much as Ruthie did. But, then she was in a breech position for much of my pregnancy. Perhaps there was more leg room that way? :)

* She knows our voices... and has for quite a while. Turns towards the voice.

* Loves to be held tummy down on something- that helps w/ the GERD!

* Definitely gets mad like her sister and daddy!

Here are some adorable pics for you to enjoy!
All bundled up after her bath... we have a similar pic of Ruthie in a post here if you want to check it out!


Her first real bath


My beautiful & sweet little girl!!






When looking back at posts from Ruthie's first month it is amazing at how fast Emma's first month has flown by. I thought Ruthie grew up quickly- this is crazy!! So, dear Emma, if you don't have as many posts or pictures it is not becuase you are loved less- but because I am busy loving you both in action. I am chasing your sister to tickle her, we are reading books together- all three of us, I am feeding you, we are watching Wonder Pets, we are at the store or mall - learning to love shopping- But no matter what we are doing we are enjoying and loving every minute of being together. I pray that the Lord blesses us with many YEARS of girl time together. I love you so much my sweet little girl.

2 Weeks!!!

I can't believe Emma is two weeks old... actually she's almost 3 weeks old. TIME FLIES!!! She's already growing bigger. I just want it to SLOW DOWN!! I knew that having two children would totally increase the work load at home... I was waiting and ready for that. But, I didn't realize what an emotional time these two weeks would be. From being elated that we have a new baby in our family, to loving and bonding w/ the new baby, to worrying about Ruthie and how she is handling all the changes, to feeling like Ruthie is so big she doesn't even need her mommy any more... WOW! It's been quite an emotional ride. Thankfully, I have a loving and patient husband who listens to all my emotions and with a loving voice of reason helps me to see that all is well.

That is where we are now... all is well. We've had a lot of company, and I've had a lot of help... which I wouldn't have made it without that help!! But, this was our first week of doing life on our own. Daddy's back at work- my mom is back to work after spring break- so it is just me and my two girls all day long. And you know what? We've made it... and we're doing WELL...

It is amazing to me how immediately your heart fills with this amazing love for a new baby and it does that without diminishing the love you have for your other children. God is so good! In fact, if anything, it make me love Ruthie even more to watch her with her sister. She is so loving and kind and wants to be with Emma so much. In fact, the other night while watching Wonder Pets, Ruthie got off of the chair and sat on the floor right next to the bouncy seat that Emma was in. She wanted to sit with her sissy. ugg! It almost killed me as my heart swelled with pride and love and happiness all at the same time.

Here are some pictures from our first two weeks!!
Ruthie after a bath loving on Emma...


Tony's mom and sister took Ruthie to the mall one morning the first week. Here they are before they left. Emma was a little jaundice the first few days at home. She's all better now!



After being inside for nearly a week - I had to get out of the house. So we went to the mall and to DQ for lunch. We were such a site. Emma was 4 days old (got to start that love of shopping early) and Tony made me go in a wheel chair (I was still in some pain)... so here we were the big double stroller and me in a wheel chair. My sweet sister in law met us for lunch and then came to the mall to help push our family!! Here are the girls in their first official ride in our new stroller!!





Emma looking pretty during some wakey-wakey time!!



Ruthie holding Emma w/ some help from Daddy!



Blue is a good color on her!


After Emma's first bath (which we have video'ed but do not have any still pics) we encouraged Ruthie to give her baby a bath. So here she is with her own wash cloth, a pretend bowl of water and she is giving baby a bath. This is too precious for words!


Grandma doing double duty!! and loving it!


Emma loves her thumb!! I don't think we'll need any binkies for Emma!



Sweet Lovin'


Can you believe the size difference? I thought my Ruthie was so petite until I brought Emma home. I know Ruthie is small still- but I can't believe how big she's gotten. It seems like yesterday she was wearing this size diapers!!



Some things I don't want to forget:
* Emma is sleeping well. She usually has one 5 hour stretch at night!!! PTL!

* Eating well too! She weighed 7lbs and 1 oz at birth, dropped to 6lbs 11 oz at her 3 day check up and was 8lbs even at her 2 week check up!! What an eater!!

* She stretches so cutely and makes these cute little grunting noises. They almost sound like an elephant.. but coming from the sweet little girl it is so cute.

* She can poop like a mad dog (that is a lot) but often waits until the new clean diaper is on until she finishes her job. We've gone through as many as 4 diapers at one changing because she begins to christen the new one before it is even on!! :)