This Girl Keeps Growing!

So, I'm going to keep this short because I'm supposed to be in bed right now. It's way past my bedtime, but so much has happened with our little Emma in the past month! She's now 6 months old, and she can do a TON of things! She can sit up all on her own with great confidence. She's taking her baths in the big tub now and loving everything about it--even the splashing water in her face! Emma can rock on her knees, propel herself toward a toy, and started crawling yesterday! She's really figuring out how to get around, and she's not happy being "tied down" in her activity center anymore! This makes getting dinner ready quite interesting! She's very close to being able to get into a seated position from laying down. She just has to figure out how to move her arm and lift herself up. She's SO close!

As of her 6 month check-up she's 18 pounds (hello chunky monkey!) and 25 1/2 inches long. She's very healthy and has her two bottom teeth coming in right now. We are amazed every day at the things she can do and all she's figuring out. We love her to pieces and can't wait to see what she'll do for us tomorrow!

Changes, Changes!

Well, I go back to school tomorrow. I am incredibly sad. I knew it was coming. I was preparing for it. It has hit me like a brick in the face. I know it will be fine, but I'm sad to know that my time with Emma won't be as long as I would like it to be. I know she's in wonderful hands, and I know she will love her time with her Grandmas and daycare provider. It still makes me sad.

On a happier note, here are a few things that have happened since I blogged last!

• Emma was baptized on August 28th! She looked beautiful, and Kim and Tino were proud sponsors. It was a lovely day, and she did great! I think she knew it was her very special day!
• She is sitting up pretty much on her own. She can right herself as long as she doesn't tip too far. Today, she sat up while I played through a piano song. She "talked" to Eddie the entire time!
• She also started getting up on her knees and rocking back and forth. She wants to move so badly! In fact, she gets a bit impatient when she can't get to where she wants to go. And she isn't always happy laying down and rolling around. She wants to sit up and take it all in! I think we're in trouble!
• Her hair is growing back in finally! She has adorable peach-fuzz that tickles my nose!
• She has a pretty large cowlick right in the front that will showcase my lack of hairstyling abilities very soon! Right now, though, it's adorable!

I think that's it for now! I have to get to bed if I don't want to be a zombie for the kiddos tomorrow! Wish me luck!

First Danish Festival

Emma attended her first Danish Festival weekend! Despite messing up her nap schedule, she did very well. She seemed to like all the activities, and it was great to introduce her to friends and family who hadn't met her yet. Friday was so busy! We walked downtown, looking at the arts of crafts, watched the kiddie parade, and finally made it home for a bath and bedtime. She didn't sleep great that night; either it was too much sun and excitement or something else was bothering her. Saturday we watched the big parade! She hated the sirens and hot air balloon float. She screamed during the sirens and gave the "stinky-eye" to the balloons. Grammie got her calmed down, though, and she even managed to squeak in a nap! Finally we hung out with family and enjoyed a nice lunch. She was pooped out by the time we made it home, but we relaxed on Sunday!

I do enjoy the festival. It's busy and crowded, but it's another tradition I love and want to share with Emma. It's a time for family and friends, and I want her to cherish the times we have together. I know she'll be sitting on the curb next year with all her little cousins, chasing after candy! It should be fun!

Almost 5 Months!

It's been almost 5 months since we welcomed Miss Emma Jayne into our lives. I can't believe how the time has flown! I've been scrapbooking with my friend, Kim, and it's crazy to look at the pictures from when we first brought her home. We are so blessed. I know every parent treasures their child and thinks of him/her as a blessing. However, without the selfless act of our birth mom, this would never be our life now. I am reminded of this daily when I look at Emma, and I hope I never forget how God played a part in putting us together. We met some of our birth mom's extended family at a reunion a couple weeks back. It was overwhelming but wonderful to meet everyone! They loved seeing Emma!

Emma is sitting up pretty well, though not completely straight. She wants to do it so badly, and she gets frustrated with laying down. She is rolling all over the place and is quickly learning that it's a very effective form of transportation! I swear you look at her one minute and the next she's halfway across the room! Tomorrow we are doing some more baby-proofing! She's trying to hold her bottle on her own and can do a pretty good job of that too. I don't think she's going to be a "watcher." She's going to be a "doer." I love that about her, but it scares me a bit too!

Emma is taking more of an interest in the dogs, much to their dismay, and she actively tries to get their ears and tails. They really aren't sure what to make of this, but it doesn't keep Eddie from laying next to her on occasion.

This is our last full week of "freedom." I go to my room to work most of next week, then I have to report the following week. School starts the week after that. I am dreading it, but I know it's going to come whether I like it or not! I guess it'll take some getting used to, but we'll manage somehow! Say a little prayer for us!

Emma is Four Months Old!

I know it's been a while since I posted anything. July is such a busy month for us with family vacations and such. We had a wonderful time in Alpena! Emma did great, and we got tons of adorable pictures. My sister-in-law, Katie, took some family pics. I don't know how I'm going to choose which ones to put on the wall! They all turned out beautifully! Mike didn't get to go to Robinson Lake this year, but Emma and I went anyway. It was a nice week--extremely hot--but it just wasn't the same without Mike. He came up at the end of the week, and we were both happy to see him!

We found out a few things about Emma during vacation:
1. She rides pretty well in the car.
2. She gets tired of sleeping in her pack and play by the 2nd week.
3. She loves spending time with family!
4. She's going to be a complete and total water baby! Swimming lessons may be in her near future!

Emma had her 4 month check-up this week too! She weights 15 pounds 14 ounces (the 90th percentile)! What a chunk! She's only 24 inches long, which puts her in the 50th percentile for height. She's healthy and happy and meeting her milestones! She got 2 shots and was done crying by the time we left the room. She was so good, and she enjoyed a nice long nap when we got home.

We were given the ok to start trying foods, so she's getting more rice cereal and green beans this week. I think she's starting to like them!

The countdown to going back to work has started. I'm trying to prepare myself, but I know it's going to be horribly difficult. She loves her daycare, which helps, but I still am going to miss our time together. I'll probably start wishing for snow days the first week of school!