Glad Game

10 things I am glad about tonight...

1. My amazing husband who took care of my wild 15 month old this weekend so I could get some rest, as I wasn't feeling well.
2. Emma can now say "mommy", though she says "my me", it melts my heart.
3. 4 days of work until a long weekend at Callaway Gardens.
4. Izze sparkling juice. I love this stuff!
5. My job. I am so thankful that I have an amazing job and get to spend every day with my daughter and 8 other crazy cute kiddos!
6. New Orleans. I love this city--the good and the bad of it. I have learned so much about people and life since living here!
7. www.mycharmingkids.net I just love MckMama's blog!
8. Cloth diapering. Seriously, I love diapering my child now! I love saving money, saving the environment, and doing something healthy for my child. Plus, cloth diapers are so darn cute!
9. The amazing relationship I have with my family.
10. Thoughts of going back to South Carolina for Thanksgiving. Good food and fellowship with those I love!

And just because she's cute, here's a picture!

Shoes that attract dogs

Guest appearance by Matt.
Emma got some squeaky shoes, and she LOVES them. She tries to run so she can hear them squeak more but she normally falls due to lack of walking skills. We went to the park to let her squeaksplore and swing a little. She attracted a friend who thought she was a squeak toy (daaa, daaa). My little girl is so smart!

-Matt (Sarah's Husband)

Yummy Yogurt!

This is how you enjoy yogurt to the fullest...

First, you eat it with a spoon and get lots all over your face!

Next, you lick the bowl to get what you missed with the spoon.

Then you smile really big because the yogurt was so delicious!

Finally, you place the bowl on top of your head to complete the mess!

Then you definitely hop in the bathtub! There you have it!

Another day at the Children's Museum

We headed back to the Louisiana Children's Museum this afternoon for some fun in the air conditioning! Check out Matt's post about our adventures!

But I do have to share my favorite picture with you. Emma LOVES to give kisses!

Crazy haired girl!

Just thought some of you might be interested in Emma's new developments these days...

*Emma is very vocal these days. Her language is developing so quickly and it's amazing to hear new words almost daily! Here are the words she can say right now: mama, dada, kitty "iddy", DJ "eyay", uh oh, pat "pa", milk "mi", hello "eyo", hey "ey", bye bye "ba ba", ball, baby, night night "ni ni", no, and mine "my". She also goes around saying "die" all day long and we can't for the life of us figure out what that means. Haha! Emma can also imitate sounds, such as animals sounds, if we say them to her.

*Emma's signing has also progressed. She can sign all done, milk, thank you, please, more, cat, baby (her favorite), and shoes (another favorite). She will also imitate some animals signs if I do them (monkey, elephant, dog).

*Emma is officially a two legged baby now. She walks all the time and would run if she could figure out how!

*Emma loves to be outside and would stay outside all day if we let her. She gets bored very quickly if we are inside, either at home or at work. She bangs on the doors all the time to tell us she wants to go outside. She loves to ride the riding toys at work, swing, play in the sandbox and in the pool.

*Emma will now follow directions (I know this stage won't last long!). If we tell her to sit down, stand up, lay down, go get an object, find an object, etc. she will do it. So cute!

*Emma is a climber. She loves to climb on anything she can. She is proficient at climbing up slides and climbing on tables!

*Another tidbit...Emma and I have been going to Itsy Bitsy Yoga classes this summer and she is such a yoga baby! The instructer was way impressed today because Emma did ALL of the poses (some with my help and some on her own!). It is so precious and we have a blast doing it!

And just for good measure, I'll leave you with a picture of my "crazy haired girl" after we took her two pigtails out yesterday (sorry I don't have a before picture).

Emma's first taste of jambalaya

Emma enjoyed her first taste of jambalaya and cornbread tonight.
She is also working on mastering feeding herself with the spoon. Fun stuff!

Happy 4th of July!

We were all hot and bothered after a couple hours in the heat today! But we did enjoy some blue snoballs!

Children's Museum

Here in New Orleans, we have the pleasure of having an awesome Children's Museum. Since we were down a few kids at work today, we decided to pack up our 4 toddlers, and 5 year old and head down to the museum. We hung out in the fabulous toddler play room the entire time and were just thankful to be in the air conditioning (since it was 100 degrees outside!).

Oh, and please don't judge my child's crazy hair. I was trying to keep it out of her eyes, but obviously that didn't work!

We've got a walker

Emma started taking steps last week and now can walk a good distance. Crawling is still her preferred mode of getting around (because it's quicker), but it won't be long before she is a full-time walker.

Fun in the Sun!

*WARNING: Picture overload*

These first photos are from Emma's cousin Will's 2nd Birthday Party at Lake Murray. We all enjoyed the sun, sand, and celebrating two cutie pie 2 year old's birthdays!

The birthday kids--Will and his cousin Katelyn. So cute!

Loving the lake!

Hanging out with Daddy

Yeehaw!

Loving the swing!

I can stand up and clap my hands at the same time!

And here are a few pictures of Emma in her new water table (which we kept the legs off of so she could just sit in it).

Happy Birthday Emma!

We have been busy celebrating Emma's birthday since Thursday. We had a little party at work on Thursday (check out Matt's blog for pictures of that) and had a party in South Carolina with family and friends yesterday. We have been having lots of fun and here are the pictures to show it! I'll post videos of the cake smashing soon!

12 Months

Sweet Emma,

I just laid you down to bed for the last time before you turn 1 year old. My heart is so joyful as I watch you grow and change daily, yet tonight my heart grieves that the first year of your life is over. The past year has been the best year of my life, as I have learned what life and love are truly about. The past twelve months have passed by much too quickly and it seems like yesterday that you were in my womb. I never imagined just how wonderful being a mother is. I am truly blessed to have you as my child.

You have developed such personality lately and it is so much fun being around you. You love music and bounce on your chunky little legs once you hear any music playing. You clap your hands constantly. You are quite proud of yourself when you dance while standing up and clapping your hands at the same time. It is precious! You are signing "more", "all done" and today you signed "milk" for the first time. You stand up all the time now and love to hold things in your hands while you are standing. You have not taken a step yet, but you are very close. You can say "mama", "dada", "hey", "bye", and "baba" (for bottle). You are an outside baby and complain anytime someone opens the door and you don't get to go outside. You love to go on walks and ride in the wagon at ESI (work). You love to swing and slide at the park. You have just started pointing and point at everything! You continue to wave hello and goodbye to almost everyone you pass. You are such an outgoing little girl and love every person you meet.

I am sad that the first year of your life is over, yet I look forward to the many adventures we have to come. Your dad and I love you so much and pray that you will oneday realize just how special you are to us.

We love you,
Mom and Dad

The countdown is on...

Emma will be ONE in five days.

We will be in South Carolina in seven days.

Can't wait!

Happy Mother's Day!

I have had a wonderful Mother's Day thanks to my wonderful husband and precious daughter. I am so blessed.

It has been a crazy week though. Here's a picture update...

This is how Emma felt most of the week due to an ear infection and a virus that caused blisters on her throat. This was on Cinco de Mayo at Nacho Mama's!

Yesterday we went to see the Budweiser Clydesdales at City Park. So beautiful and huge!

We got to pet the Budweiser dog as well.

Emma didn't quite know what to think about the horses.

This afternoon we got out Emma's blow up pool for the first time. She had fun!

Standing up in the pool.

Chillin on the porch after swim time.

A Joyful Mess

This is what dinnertime looks like in our house these days.