A day early…

Emily spent all day with Grandma and Papa yesterday and she LOVED it! They were busy, busy! They played outside, made cookies, went to the park, had McDonalds, napped, carved pumpkins and watched It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! Hopefully I’ll get some pictures of the fun day.

Stephen and I went to pick her up after dinner so Emily could go Trick or Treating at their house since we have so much going on Halloween day. She had it down pat! “Tick teat” and then walked through the front door! Hopefully she won’t do that tonight when Stephen takes her around the neighborhood.

Emily and Daddy heading up

“Tick Teat”

Pumpkins, pumpkins

What do you do with pumpkins if you aren’t going to carve them?? You decorate them of course!!!

Would you believe that I have never carved a pumpkin in my life?!? Maybe next year. This year, I decided that we would decorate the pumpkins so we could turn them into Thanksgiving decorations after Halloween. Emily had a really good time with it to. They were like big pumpkin Potato Heads! She was able to decorate them several times! I think they turned out pretty well and it was fun so that’s all that matters!

Overheard…

I want to preface this post by saying that most of you know that I am not one of those bold, outgoing, put-it-all out there types regarding politics. I have my opinions about who I think should win but I am not the type of person to campaign for one candidate or another. There is nothing wrong with being outgoing and putting it all out there. It’s just not me. Now that I got that out of the way…..

I was walking into QuikTrip the other day when I overheard a conversation between two people. They were discussing politics and who they were going to vote for. Nothing really out of the ordinary, considering the election is next week. They were outspoken, loud and definitely in the Obama camp. That didn’t offend me or bother me. The next exchange between them really got under my skin.

“Heck yeah. You know who I am voting for.”

“Me too. I want mine. It’s my turn.”

You want yours….It’s your turn???? It’s that entitlist, “give me” attitude that really gets under my skin. How about working for what you want?? How about not expecting the government to pay for everything? Take responsibility for your own life and try to better it yourself. Yes, I know the economy is the pits right now. Unemployment is on the rise. But it wasn’t always that way. Yet, there are people who choose NOT to work. Choose NOT to better themselves. They expect everything to be handed to them.

I also know that there are people who try to do better. Who want to have a better life. Who don’t expect everything to be handed to them. Unfortunately, the world is not full of those type of people. I wish it were…..

Sweet Emily….

Emily is one of the sweetest little girls I know. She had a heart of gold and is full of love. I knew this already but she wanted to reinforce it on Friday.

As I was getting her out of the cart and into her car seat, she grabbed my face and turned it towards hers. I had no idea what she was going to do! She gave me a kiss!!! I get a little teary thinking about it.

Many times, when I ask for a kiss or hug she says “No. Mommy cry.” I made the error a week or two ago asking for a hug. When she told me no, I said “You are going to make mommy cry. Boo hooo.” Now she thinks it’s funny to say “Mommy/Daddy cry” when we ask for hugs or kisses.

So, as you can see, the spontaneous kiss threw me off! It was so sweet and tender hearted. That’s the girl I know and love.

Emily’s party

Saturday we had people over to celebrate Emily’s birthday. It was a lot of fun! Our house was full of people who love Emily- there’s nothing better! Thank you to everyone who came to celebrate Emily’s day with us. It truly means alot to me and to Emily (even though she doesn’t understand). We are truly blessed to have such wonderful family and friends. You are all awesome and amazing. Thanks again!

Emily and I made quite a few decorations by ourselves. It wasn’t that I was trying to be cheap, I was trying to be Martha Stewart! Just kidding! It was a fun activity to do together and I think was special because the decorations were made with love. And I think they turned out pretty well- if I do say so myself!

What more can you say about a party? The cake was amazing (I didn’t make this one. Once you see the pictures you will understand), the pizza was yummy, and the company was great! Emily had a good time and so did I. I wish I had more of a chance to talk to people but that’s ok! I’ll just have to talk their ear off the next time I see them.

It was a long but great day! Emily couldn’t go to bed without being read the many books she received. It was a good night!

As always, there are more pictures in the Picasa album. Just click the link on the left.

Ducky day!

Emily helped paint the water!

Ducky cake

Still scared of the candle

Taking a thumb break

Emily’s actual birthday

Emily turned 2 on Friday (as if you haven’t figured that out yet!) Stephen took the day off so he could spend all day with his little girl. It was a busy, fun filled day.

We started the day out at St Louis Bread Company for Emily’s favorite breakfast food: a bagel! As we were leaving, she got to see two of her favorite people: JaLisa and Trinity! She was so excited when she saw them walking into the restaurant! She ran them and gave hugs. She was so happy! After we left there, we went to Dierbergs for a ride in the rocket cart and some balloons. Emily picked out the cutest Pooh and Piglet balloon! She as pretty upset that the lady put her balloons in a bag and she couldn’t hold them throughout the store.

We then went to Monkey Joe’s. It’s a place that has giant inflatables that the kids can run and play on. Emily LOVED it! She ran from play thing to play thing. She had so much fun and burned off so much energy! We will definitely be going back there soon! The only disappointing part was that I brought my camera but I forgot to put a flash card in it!! I only got a few pictures which is totally unlike me because I am a picture freak.I told myself that it was ok because I got to enjoy the time instead of snapping photos.

After MJ’s, we headed over to Grandma’s and then for lunch. Surprisingly, one of Emily’s favorite waiters was working. I say surprisingly because we went to a different location than normal. He was as shocked to see us as we were him. He absolutely adores Emily though. He told the other guy working there that Emily was gorgeous! I have to agree! When he found out that it was Emily’s birthday, he bought her a birthday cookie out of his own money! I thought that was very sweet!

Later that day, after nap and dinner, Emily’s Grandma and Papa J came over for cake and ice cream. She got to open her presents from Mommy and Daddy too. We discovered that Emily HATES candles. She cried when I lit them. I was hoping that her actual party would be better since there was only one but that wasn’t the case. More about that later though.

I think Emily had a wonderful day! She got to do Emily stuff all day long. She even got to see some of her favorite people as well! I hope it was a special day for her because her daddy and I tried to make sure she had a good time. I can’t believe that she is two now!!!!!!!!!!!! She is full of love and life. My little sunshine!

Having fun at Monkey Joe’s!

Posing with her cake

Monkey-ing around with her monkey

An Emily montage: Year 2

A super busy, yet super wonderful weekend….It’s going to take me a couple of posts to celebrate my wonderful little toddler! Here’s your first installment!

Happy Birthday sweet girl

Emily,

Today you turn 2. It’s hard to believe that two short years ago your daddy and I were anxiously awaiting your arrival. The day you were born was one of the happiest days of our lives. Looking at you for the first time, holding you for the first time…..Those are moments that we will always cherish and remember.

You have changed so much in the past two years! From a helpless baby that depended on us for everything to a headstrong, independent little girl who has to do things herself. Not a day goes by that we do not hear “I-self Mommy!”, “Me. Me do.” You want to prove that you can do things on your own and do not need help. You can climb into your carseat by yourself as well as the high chair. You are able to tell us what you want and when you want it. You can open doors on your own and you can count to 10 (except you forget the number 1), speak many, many words, talk in short sentences and give kisses like nobody’s business. You can point out all of your body parts and know most animal sounds. You are beginning to understand how to compromise (“minute mommy”), share and take turns. You point out every dog, school bus, dump truck and baby that you see.

You love your dog Shadow, your Grandma’s, Papa’s, your aunts, uncles and cousins. You have some good friends that you love seeing and get excited when they are around. You are such a charmer and are really coming out of your shell. You are starting to tell everyone you see “hi” and not be so shy. You are the most beautiful little girl that I have seen. Not an outing goes by that we are not stopped by someone telling us how beautiful you are. Not only are you pretty on the outside but you are gorgeous on the inside. You have a heart of gold and are a sensitive soul. You love your Lucy bear, doggy’s, and Pooh bears. You love your books and love to be ready to several times a day. Your favorite singer is Laurie Berkner and you request to listen to her CD several times a day. You love “Clifford” and “Max and Ruby”.

Being your parents is a most wonderful feeling. Watching you grow and blossom is an amazing gift. Becoming your mommy and daddy is the best thing we ever did. We hope that your future is full of love and happiness. We hope that you grow up with a kind heart, are full of kind words and have love in your heart. Always follow your dreams and know that nothing can stand in your way. You can do anything and we will stand beside you throughout it all. We love you more than you can ever imagine.

Happy birthday sweet baby girl. You make us the happiest parents in the world. Our hearts swell with pride and joy when we think about you and talk about you. You mean the world to us. Thank you for being such a sweet little girl who lights up our lives. We are looking forward to watching you grow up but, please, don’t grow up too fast.

Compromise and convenience

Little Miss Emily…..It’s hard to believe that she is going to be 2 soon! She’s growing so fast and is turning into a head strong little girl who knows what she wants and how to get it!

Like any child, we are working on the concept of sharing. I think she gets the concept for the most part but it is hard to execute. You want something and you want it now. It’s hard to let someone else have a turn or use what you are wanting. Except when it is to your advantage.

Yesterday morning we were sitting at the table for breakfast. Stephen and  I were having Honey Bunches of Oats and she was having Cheerios. I hadn’t sat down yet, as I was getting the milk out of the refrigerator. She said something. Half paying attention, I thought she said “Sit Mommy.” Cute, I thought. She wants me to sit and eat. No, she said “Share Mommy.” She wanted me to share my cereal with her because, obviously, everything tastes better when it’s mommy’s.

She is also learning how to negotiate and compromise. I told her that it was time to get out of the bathtub and get dressed. “Minute Mommy.” Wha???? Seriously, I shook my head as I could not believe it. She wasn’t ready to get out….I didn’t think that started until the teenage years!

The only good thing is that I can bribe her still. Not in a bad way. My bribes usually go something like this:

“Do you want to see Grandma today?” “Well, you better come and get dressed!”
“Do you want to leave the park now? “If you don’t, you better not go up those steps. If you do, we are leaving.”
“Do you want Grandma to pick you up today?” “We better get to the car quickly.”

OK, so they might not be bribes per se. But do you see a pattern in two of those examples?? Emily will do anything when it involves her Grandma. And I definitely use that to my advantage.

My little girl. Going on 2, going on 13. Grant me patience and compassion.

What happened to 1??

It took awhile to get this on video. As soon as I bring out the camera, she gets goofy! Enjoy!!!