Backyardigans Concert

On March 18, 2009, Keith and I took Emmy to see the Backyardigans live in concert. As we had seen Sesame Street Live a few months earlier, our hopes were high for this concert, since Sesame Street was awesome.

Sadly, we were disappointed.

Given, I was worried as Backyardigans is not Emmy's favorite show, but she was really excited to go. I figured seeing them live would help.

My first and foremost complaint would be that there was a lack of audience interaction. The characters never once left the stage to interact with the audience, and outside of one character, they never really involved the audience at all.

Second complaint was that one of the 'characters' was just a stuffed animal being moved by a very obvious set person. They would crouch on stage and move the stuffed animal around. So.very.lame.

Overall, I would say it was quite boring, not at all well-produced, and even the characters didn't seem to know what they were doing. Emmy actually wanted to go home at intermission, but we did stay until the bitter end.

Emmy at 3 years

At 3 years Emmy;

• weighs 32 lbs which puts her in the 65 percentile for weight
• is exactly 3 feet tall which puts her in the 28th percentile for height
• can sing the entire alphabet song without any help
• can recognize and count numbers to 20
• Her favorite toys include her Dora mermaid, her Ariel doll, her ponies and her coloring books
• Her favorite shows are The Little Mermaid trilogy, Alladin, Beauty and the Beast, pretty much anything with a Princess in it, and the old standbys old Wiggles and Dora/Diego.
• Her eyes seem to be continually changing and now I would say they are no longer blue, but rather green/hazel mix.
  

We will be going to the Backyardigans live show in a few weeks which should be lots of fun.

"I'm missing a piece, Mommy!"

Oh the fun I am going to have when Emmy is 17 and I can show her the stories I have on here...coincidentally for the world to see.

Last night, I was getting Emmy ready to go out for dinner and she was looking at her 'girl parts'. She says, rather startled, "There is a hole in me, Mommy! I am missing a piece!"

After I stopped giggling and was able to regain composure, I assured Emmy, that she was absolutely perfect.

Recent tidbits...

Last week, Keith had put his back out, which was causing him great pain when moving, especially when standing from a sitting position. Unfortunately, he tended to curse when he did this, usually muttering under his breath. No worries, right?

Until last Sunday when Em was fighting with the blanket as she was laying down to sleep. Frustrated, Em said, "Sonofabitch" which coincidentally was the phrase Keith was muttering all the week prior. I had to leave the room I was laughing so hard and I didn't want Emmy to think I was encouraging that language.She hasn't said it since, thankfully!

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This morning, when Emmy needed her night diaper changed, she specifically asked for Keith to do it. I cannot say I felt slighted. The closer we get to having her fully potty trained, the more tedious the diaper changes seem. Maybe it is because they are fewer and we are getting out of practice???
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When I was growing up, I remember my Mom constantly complaining about my naked Barbie dolls all over the playroom. Okay, Mom, your revenge is sweet and complete. Emmy got a lovely Ariel mermaid Barbie for her birthday from Kadence and Landon, and once home, Ariel was out of her box has not seen clothes since, let alone her other doll in the picture who she has had since Christmas and I have yet to see her dressed. What is that sound?? Is it my Mother laughing?

Videos from Em's birthday

Fun on the slides...




Opening presents at home from Mom & Dad
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Fun with the blowy things LOL Yes, that's a technical term.

Emmy's Third Birthday Party

On February 22, 2009, Emmy had her first 'official' birthday party (meaning with friends) at Bubba Baloos (a childrens play center) in town. All her daycare friends were invited, and most came. Tatiana, Kadence (Emmy's closest friends at daycare), Caitlin, Landon (Kadence's little brother)all came to join in the fun. My best friend Poppy brought her two boys Christopher and Tony, and her older boys Vinnie and Eric as well (they played laser tag) Everyone had a great time.

My baby girl is three!!! Where has time gone????

Pictures from the party are below:

Three years ago today...

I went to work at PG Taxi where I was an administrative assistant/data entry clerk/payroll guru/girl who did everything and 2 1/2 hours later I left to go to the hospital to check in for my C-section. I could have stayed at work as my c-section didn't happen until 7 that evening...but that's all 20/20 hindsight.

Three years ago today, my little girl was born and our lives changed in that instant, for the better.

Happy birthday my precious Emerson Faith...Mommy and Daddy love you more than words can express.

I will post pics tonight and from her party on Sunday...

Pictures & small update

I have been sick since Thursday, so nothing witty today. I have also had to reformat my computer not once, but twice since then, so possibly lots of swearing.
A few cute tidebits courtesy of Emmy:
"Look at my boobies!" (then she dissolves into giggles)
"Look at my tail" (she puts both legs in one pant leg, which of course ends badly with her falling) See below for why...
She is absolutely OBSESSED with all things Mermaid. She asks to watch the three movies constantly, pretends to be a mermaid in the bath, and constantly talks about them.

Otherwise, we are still chugging along with potty training - and all seems normal on that front. I cannot believe in less than a month, my baby is going to be 3!!

Here are some cute pics I took last night of Emmy and her Daddy

Emerson versus the crayon

Not sure if she was trying to use the crayon as a lipstick, or whether she was channeling her inner Joker. Either way, the end result was a trip to the bath.

Who is this child???

My disclaimer: I am in no way complaining.

Today, Emmy asked to use the potty every time she needed to go, and was successful with both peeing and pooping on the potty. She wore a diaper only for her nap and bedtime - she went diaper less at all other times of the day. Huge, HUGE step forward for Emmy!

She is possibly in the midst of a growth spurt as my normally picky and slight eater was an eating machine today! She had Rice Krispies for breakfast (and asked for seconds - which I nearly fainted at as she has NEVER asked for seconds of anything except freezies!) She had Dora 'soup' for lunch and ate a healthy amount of brown rice and veggies for dinner. Add in her snacks and her actually asking for food several times today, and you have a very surprised Mom!

It's all good - just Em keeping me on my toes as usual.

Because I know this is important to you,,,

After my previous post about potty training, I have backed off considerably with Em. Basically, if she asked to go, we would absolutely encourage it - but we left it in her court. Since then, she has peed successfully on the potty after asking several times.

Today Emmy went poop on the potty (which she has been avoiding like the plague) unprompted, and unassisted. She nonchalantly pulled down her pull up, went potty, and (thankfully) yelled to me, "Mommy, I went peepee in the potty!" I went over to inspect and it was full of poop! I then thanked the heavens that she hadn't chosen to sit on anything before yelling to me *gag*

So, it was celebration time in this house today as she absolutely refused to go before...she would wait to poop when her diaper was put on at nap time or bedtime.

Huge step forward for Emmy! Yahooo!

Recent favorite things

• Whenever I say to Emmy, "Aww you are my little baby girl," Emmy says,

"No, Mommy I am not a baby, my name is Emerson". It just makes me giggle.

• When Emmy asks to watch Madagascar, it sounds like "Magic-car-car"

Happy New Years....

Just like that, the eagerly anticipated holiday season comes to a close. It was a good year, with a few resolutions for 2009.

• Lose weight.
• Potty train Emmy (sooner rather than later please!)
• Continue to work hard at work and do the best job I can do.
• Be a good friend, a good partner, and a great Mom.

Potty training is not going well - Em refuses to go on the potty - will hold pee/poop until we put a diaper on her for nap or bed. When awake, we constantly ask her if she wants to use the 'big one' (bathroom) and she has access to the regular potty whenever she is in the living room (most of the time). I just don't know where to go from here. I want to leave it for her to do and be ready for but it seems like we've gone backwards here.

Ugh

More Christmas video

Merry Christmas from our house to yours...

I started this week on a low note as I received a call Monday morning from my Dad that my Grandma passed away late Sunday night. That weighed heavily on my mind since as I couldn't make the trip south to pay my respects to the woman I dearly loved. Between work, Christmas and bad weather all across the province, there is just not much I could do to get down there. But I did send flowers, and a letter sending my love.

I was worried that this would impact Christmas, but thankfully, watching Emmy in her glory opening gifts made my sadness disappear. This was the first year she really 'got' Christmas. She was so excited opening gifts this morning...it made my week.

This morning we spent as a family, then we went to Keith's brother's for Christmas dinner. It was a great day. We all got spoiled rotten gift-wise.











Video
Emmy unwrapping her Dora doll

Ahhh...men

Keith and I had our very first outing together today without Emmy. Grandma offered to babysit, so off we went to eat and shop for a couple hours without Em. It felt so weird to not have her there. We either have Emmy with us or she is at home with the other parent.

So, Keith and I decide to go for lunch. Our first childless lunch date in 34 months. Where does Keith suggest to go?

Arby's. Because they have roast beef, you know.

I told him in no uncertain terms that 1. I did not want to go somewhere with a drive-thru, and 2. I would be blogging about this later.

For the record, we went to Boston Pizza...and it was yummy.

Birthday Party

Emmy was invited to a birthday party for one of her daycare friends this past week. It was held at Bubba Baloos, which is a cool indoor activity centre in Prince George. Emmy had never been, so I was excited to see how she would enjoy it.(For the record, she loved it)


Here are some pics and video from the afternoon.

Dear Santa,

I know Emmy wasn't on her best behavior when she came to visit you at Santa's Workshop (Prince George Division). When we arrived and there was no one ahead of us in the lineup, her Dad and I figured this would be an easy-breezy picture. Then Keith attempted to place Emmy on your lap - which - if you recall - was when the screaming and kicking started. Emmy managed to get away from Keith, and came running for me.

I apologized to your elf-folk and we took Emmy to the food fair to get an Orange Julius knock-off. You know, 'cause sugar helps these situations.

Emmy calmed down and we began to weigh the options. Childhood trauma just to get the picture? Or have "The year with no Santa Claus pic". These are precious years, you know Santa, which is why we chose to try again, trauma or no trauma.

We got back in line and waited for our turn. Emmy, seemingly in good spirits, fresh with bribes from Daddy and I to go to McDonald's after the picture, was smiling and happy. Keith informed me I would be taking her up this time and before I had the chance to force a 'rock,paper, scissors match to determine who in fact, would be escorting the princess, it was our turn.

I took a deep breath, took Emmy by the hand, and up we went to see you, dear Santa.

I should have known when she pulled my arm and said, "Let's go that way, Mommy, THAT WAY!" which was NOT the way to your workshop...

I should have known when she threw herself to the ground and curled up into the famous 'If I hide like this, Mommy can't see me' pose...

I should have known from the screaming like she was being beaten, the foot dragging the "No! No! NOOOOOOOO", and the fighting that I would end up having to sit with her to make her even sit THAT close to you, dear Santa.

So, even though she is smiling in the picture (which I think was a split-second reaction to your Elf jumping around like a lunatic) I feel I have to apologize for the Time Out she gave you when we stood up. It was uncalled for.

Maybe next year she'll be better. Is it wrong to be fearing her teenage years NOW?

For your amusement...

It might be just mine, but this video of Emmy and Keith dancing just makes me smile. The warm fuzzies that this is my family, and being goofy together is just what we do.



Another "Awww" moment occured when Emmy fell asleep on Grandma's lap...c'mon...just say it with me....awwwww

Again, like Mother, like daughter...

It's no surprise to anyone who knows me that I am a klutz. Since Sept 2007, I have had 2 broken bones and had a number of other falls that should have resulted in broken bones.

So, if Emmy turns out to be a klutz like her Mom, she would have come by it naturally.

Currently, we are dealing with a push car incident. Yesterday, Em was playing on her push car and managed to flip it backwards. She ended up with a nasty goose egg on her noggin. We iced it, and did the typical first aid - however the poor kiddo woke up crying at 3 am as her 'neck hurt'. Now, I knew in my head that it was due to the fall, however I worried about everything from the fall to Meningitis, because I am the paranoid mom.

She finally fell asleep with the help of some painkillers around 6 am. Good thing I had today off anyhow. She has been inconsolable at times and just fine other times today. I will see how tonight goes and if we have another bad night - I will have to take a sick day tommorow. My main worry is she is still on meds every 4-6 hours, alternating Tylenol and Advil which I don't want her daycare to have to deal with. So we will see. Keep your fingers crossed for us.

Like Mother, like daughter...

Emmy's favorite Christmas cartoon so far?



This is the only one that seems to hold her attention, and she will sit in front of the TV, absolutely engrossed by this show.

It also happens to be my favorite - and I have been known to sing the songs as it plays. Okay, okay - sometimes when it's July and not even on my mind.

Being the fact I love it so much - maybe I 'forced' her to like it. I don't think I did as she has been watching different Christmas cartoons nightly, and none hold her interest like this one does. She actually asks for it now.

Ahhh...such sacrifice.

Pictures of Emmy

Sorry for any visuals this post causes...

This morning, I came downstairs in my bra, looking for a particular shirt I wanted to wear. I found the shirt and sat on the couch to put it on. Emmy came over to investigate my actions.

"Is that your shirt, Mommy?"

"Yes, Emmy."

"Are you putting on that shirt, Mommy?"

"Yes, Emmy,"

(referring to my bra) "Is that your nipple shirt, Mommy?" (When Em says nipple, it comes out as "Neeeepole".

I couldn't answer her because I was laughing too hard.

Have I told you how much I am enjoying this age??
However I am sure that I will now get a misdirected swarm of people who googled the word 'Nipple" only to come across this post. Sorry -- no porn here. LOL

Snarky Emmy

This morning as we were doing our usual morning hell rush, I was trying to convince Emmy that yes, the banana I gave her was tasty AND edible. (This child does not eat breakfast without a fight). She wanted to watch TV, and I wanted her to eat the banana. I made an offer to her. If she ate some of her banana, she would get to watch TV.
Emmy takes a few unenthusiastic bites of her banana, looks at me and says, "What's that sound, Mommy?"

Confused as there was no sound and the TV was still off, I asked, "What sound, Emmy?"

"Oh, it's the TV, Mommy."
I will state again that the TV was still off. Emmy was calling me on my promise to turn on the TV should she eat her banana. Spoken like a true smart-ass. She comes by it naturally so I guess I better get used to it.

This age? It is the BEST!!!

The other day, Emmy was eating a strawberry, and all of a sudden her strawberry turned into an egg and she began to tell me a story about it. She went on for about 5 minutes with this story about the egg, speaking in sentences and making total sense with her story. Just floored me with her imagination and speech.

She tells jokes and laughs at them. She said to me yesterday, "Oh Mommy, I am funny."

She calls her Sunkist fruit snacks "Doobies". This causes Keith and I to laugh like immature school kids, and must impress Denise, Em's daycare lady when she asks for them at daycare.

She wants to help with everything from laundry to sweeping.I could get used to this. LOL

Happy Halloween

Emmy went trick-or-treating for the first time last night. She had fun, and got a full bucket of treats from the 4 houses we visited. Keith took her up to each house and I took pics/video from the road. Upon the people opening the door for her, Emmy would go inside, or at least try to, which was hilarious. Overall she was a hit, said the required "trick or treat" and even said thank you to the neighbors.

Here is a video of her very first house. Sorry for the camera movement, I was laughing too hard.