2 Steps

Emma Kate took her first steps last night! She was walking towards a living room full of toys that Jack had dumped out of the toy basket. Our baby doll is growing up!

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There's a new post down there... and a video.

This is pretty much it...

This is what we've been up to recently. Emma can stand on her own for longer and longer, but finds it absolutely hilarious when you try to get her to walk to you. She prefers to drive herself around town with Jack's truck. Jack is up to all kinds of mischief- including a rather annoying habit of whining instead of talking. Love it! He's working on learning how to pedal his trikes, refusing to count past 10, and just being an ornery 3 year old in general. Once again, he is SO LUCKY we love him so much. If that wasn't the case... I'm pretty sure I could convince my mom to take him permanently.

We Made It!

We made it ALL the way to South Carolina! The house we're staying in is fabulous- can't wait for our first glimpse of the ocean tomorrow- the only bad part to arriving after dark!

The kids were pretty good in the car- Emma rode with my parents for a lot of the way so she could have someone sit next to her to keep her entertained. Jack got frustrated with my answers to how much longer mom? a few time but other than that, he did really great.

We are looking forward to 6 glorious days of sunshine and beach time!

Surprise Video

This video was supposed to be posted right after the other bathtub one. I thought it never uploaded, but it showed up today!

This is the real Emma. Little Miss Bathtub Safety Violation.

Success?

I hope this works!!!

One Whole Year

My Precious Baby Doll,
Today you are one year old! I miss your baby ways but am in love with the stink butt little lady you are becoming! Today we celebrated your birthday with a snuggle in bed, some quality time with Uncle Timmy, lunch with Obeo and Moe Moe, your first ice cream cone, a trip to eat pizza at the mall, turning your car seat around, and plenty of I LOVE YOUs whispered in your ear.

We adore you more then we ever thought we would- especially since you were such a naughtly little thing at first! Your love letter from me is safely tucked in your baby box.

We treasure you, Emma Kate.
Don't ever forget it.
Love,
Mama, Daddy-O, Jack and Puppa Dog Finley

Still here...

I'm just swamped with end of the school year stuff right now... I'll post pictures soon!

*We had a WONDERFUL time in Kansas City last weekend. We ate great food, hung out with great friends, and spent some great family time together. My children are fantastic travelers- we were in the car for 10 hours on Monday and they didn't fuss once!

*We are so looking forward to summer around here. I'm already thinking of the daily schedule we'll keep so the 3 of us don't go crazy. It'll start with a long bike ride and plenty of time at the park.

*Emma will be one in just a few weeks! We still need to plan what kind of party we'll have for her. Jack thinks it should have a purple theme.

*Finley spent last weekend at my parents' house. He had a blast on his vacation. He slept with them in their bed, got fed 2 dinners in one night, and went on plenty of walks. He is a spoiled pooch!

*Brandon just can't wait for his Rider's Edge course to begin in June! I'm predicting tears and stitches. Thank goodness I don't have to take it!

Pictures to come as soon as I find the charger for my camera battery.....

Help

Jack has been calling everyone a "pussycat" all weekend. Apparently he got it from the Disney movie, The Wild.

That was fine except that today he took the "cat" part off and called everyone what's left.

Stop laughing and give me some freaking ideas about how to handle this!!!!

Confessions

I'm stealing this idea from another blog. She stole it from somewhere else, so I'm just continuing the tradition!

1. My son watches kid movies. Probably one a day. At least.

2. Emma uses a pacifier at bedtime and in the car. She will until she's 3 probably- just like Jack did.

3. I take naps on the Tuesday and Thursday afternoons of my maternity leave. Emma is always napping at that time too, but Jack either sleeps with me, or plays on his own.

4. I have very little patience when Jack doesn't speak in sentences when he wants something. I hate whining.

5. Jack wears a pull up at night. He usually stays dry, but I'm not about to get into changing bed sheets so he can wear one till he's 25 for all I care!

6. My mother-in-law and my son do more vacuuming around my house then I do.

7. I like working outside of home- but wish I didn't have to work full time. I don't think I could give up teaching completely.

8. I haven't been as good about taking pictures of Emma like I was with Jack. She knows I love her though.

9. I wish we could move back to Kansas City. I miss my friends, the weather, and the food.

10. I'm proud of myself and my family for being proactive about treating mental illnesses like depression. I'm better now because I got the help I needed a few years ago.

11. I love letting my kids play on their own. I don't feel the need to entertain them constantly. They have great imaginations and I'd like to think that has something to do with it.

12. I love Coke Zero. And my husband. In that order. Just kidding. Sort of.

11 Months

Dear Emma,
You have been making us smile for 11 whole months now. We adore you more and more each day. You are now crawling all over the place and causing trouble left and right! You love to nod yes and no, wave bye bye, eat anything and everything, drink your bobs all by yourself, go for walks and bike rides, pull Finley's fur, play with your brother, and play play play!

I had a wonderful Mother's Day today. I am so lucky to have my precious baby girl and my precious boy to give me hugs and kisses today and every day. You have made our family just perfect!

I love you more than you'll ever know.

Love,
Mama

Buds

I'm sitting in the playroom checking out all the blogs I read while Jack and Emma play. The difference this time though, is that they're playing together! Jack is trying to tell her how to play his game of climbing on the boat (a box) and then rolling off. So far he's having to shove her on the box and then knock her off- much to her delight- but she'll get it eventually. I'm so glad they have each other. And I have them.

In Motion

Emma is officially crawling!!!!

A Taste...

of what's to come. I have installed my camera software onto my computer and messed around with editing a few of the 500+ pictures! Enjoy!

31

Happy Birthday to me!!
I'm 31 today. It was a great day. We went to the mall for a fieldtrip to watch the new Disney movie called "Earth". It was fabulous! Then we all ate at the food court and got back to school in time for me to teach science in our outdoor classroom. This evening we grilled out with Timmy and Liz. Jack and Emma loved the hamburgers and fruit salad. Tomorrow Jack has a swimming lesson and then we're off to Madison to spend some time with the boys from Kenya before they head back home on Sunday. They've had an amazing time and Jack had a blast playing with them at Easter.

I've sucked at updating the blog. I got a new camera a few weeks ago and haven't taken a moment to download any of the pictures. I'm pretty sure I have about 400 pictures on it already! So any day now I'll have a big post complete with pictures!!!

I promise. Sort of!

Visitors from Kenya

3 of the 6* boys that captured my mom's heart while she was in Kenya the first time are coming to visit! They arrive on Saturday and will be at our house for Easter on Sunday! We are looking forward to introducing them to everyone at our church and having an Easter egg hunt afterwards. My mom will then be traveling with them (and "Uncle Joseph", one of their caretakers from the orphanage) all around as they explore the United States and do some fundraising.

My mom is updating her blog (finally!) so you can follow their adventures. Check it out!

www.susandg.blogspot.com

We can't wait to spend time with John, George and Brian!


*3 of the boys have passed away since she was first there.

Yoda

Jack's favorite cat at Nae Nae and Dude's passed away this weekend. We didn't have the heart to tell him. Jack showed Yoda a ton of love while we were in Florida and she was always patient with him. I'm sure Bampa is taking care of her now. Or at least tolerating her! :)

Our Little Man

Jack is now officially enrolled for preschool in the fall. He'll be going to school on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings. I can't wait for all the experiences he will have on his own!

Jenna

If you love dogs and people, say a prayer for my friends Tricia and Dirk. They are in shock over the sudden death of their white furry friend, Jenna. She was crazy protective of Tricia, hated all men except for Dirk, and was the fluffiest dog I've ever met.

She will be missed.

9 Month Appointment

Emma had her 9 month check up today. She weighs 22 pounds and is 30 inches tall! She got her finger pricked for the lead test and enjoyed chewing on the tongue depresser. Dr. Ubell said her top teeth are just about ready to come out. She has 3 teeth on the bottom so far, so it's about time she gets some on top.

Apparently we're supposed to get 10 inches of snow here tomorrow.

I've already called the relocation specialist in the Bahamas. We're moving.