Recent pictures

These are recent pics of Emmy as the weather seemed to *finally* take a turn for the better and we began to experience some spring-like weather. Despite saying that, it still snowed a week ago.

All of these were taken during the shed building extravaganza (more about that in a later post).



Flashing the biggest smile I have ever captured on camera


Just a nice pic...of course, I am biased LOL


Emmy with her Tonka Fire Truck. Daddy let her pick a toy from the Walmart toy section - and this is what she fell in love with.



Blowing bubbles. I could not get this to work - Em had no problems at all! LOL


The look I get when I ask Em to smile.

Lactose Intolerant?

Emmy has never (since switching off formula) been a big milk drinker. It often stressed me out as I would offer milk consistently, but she would not drink it. I gave her calcium and vitamin D enriched orange and apple juice instead of milk, figuring she just didn't like it. I also gave her appropriate calcium supplements depending on how much juice/cheese etc she had consumed during the day.

The past week, I have discovered she will drink flavored milk, her favorite being strawberry. Eagerly, I pounced upon this as I could control the amount of flavoring/sugar that she was getting in the drinks.

Coincidentally, this past week, she also has had more stomach issues this week. I have been trying to figure out if it is just a bug or whether it is something else.

Today for example...I have changed 3 poopy (nasty scale of 10+)pull-ups. Em only wears pull-ups when she sleeps at night/nap time - so to have 3 in one day is nasty! She has complained twice that her tummy hurt today and she has had 3 cups of milk today in total (breakfast, lunch and snack). So I am wondering if she is reacting to the milk or just has a bug? She is not acting sick,no fever or sluggishness etc which leads me to believe its the milk. And then my neurotic mind starts thinking maybe the reason she wouldn't drink milk before was that it made her tummy hurt but didn't express it? And by me flavoring it, she thinks it's a different drink??

So I will maybe switch her back to juice for a few days and see if that changes things? Gosh, will I ever feel secure I know what I am doing at this parenting thing???

Baby Talk

I often get asked if (and when) I am going to have another child. I often (and by often I mean about 50 times per day) think about it and weigh the pro's and con's. Invariably, the conversation turns to Maddie and that is the selling point. If someone could guarantee me that should I get pregnant, I would get to hold a living, breathing baby at the end of my pregnancy, I would go drag Keith's butt inside and get to work on it.

However, as you all know, no one can do that. So, instead I toss and turn about it.

The Pro's
A baby
A sibling for Emmy to grow up with
A baby

Con's
The chance of repeating the pain I felt at Maddie's passing.
I am 35, which means that whole "Advanced Maternal Age" thing which basically means higher risk, which I would be anyhow because of Maddie.

I know that my baby ache is amplified as I have a pregnant coworker who is absolutely adorable with her belly(she is due in June).

I would love to get pregnant tomorrow. However, I need to lose weight and I need to have my blood pressure meds changed to something that is safe in pregnancy. My hope is that by losing weight, I can get off the meds as my blood pressure spiked in pregnancy with Maddie and after I broke my ankle when I gained way too much weight. However, the weight loss is slow.

So, the final word on the subject? Yes, I want another child, my body aches to feel a baby move again, however...

"Where did it come from?"

"Why?" phase passed? Check.

This weekend, Emmy has entered into a new phase. She asks where everything comes from. I do mean everything. From the food she is eating to the shampoo I wash her hair with to the grass on the lawn. Everything. Anything. Cannot escape the questions.
Ah, I kid about trying to wanting to escape the questions. It is cute and it's all learning. It's just how many times can you say something came from the store? Or from a friend? Or from the store?

I admit I have started to mix it up a bit and answer "China" or "Auntie Poppy's" to keep myself fresh and excited about the questions. It doesn't phase her in the least either way.

Happy Mother's Day

I sit here and contemplate my third 'Mother's Day' blog post, and I cannot believe that this little wonder of a girl has been in our lives for three years. I know I will say it every year, but the past three years seem to have passed in an instant.

I took this picture this morning - Emmy actually gave those flowers to me on Friday when I picked her up from Daycare. Each child made one for their Mom - and it was so adorable. Emmy is so proud of hers, pointing out the stickers she put on the holder, "See the bumblebee sticker, Mommy? A bee goes Bzzzzz!" etc about all the stickers (there are about 20-30 of them)

Some recent favorite moments courtesy of Em:
Last night as I watched the Vancouver Canucks game, she was cheering "Go 'nucks go" beside me without any promting from me, she just started chanting it.
When she got her glasses and told me that she was beautiful, just like her Mommy.


I know Mother's Day is to honor the Mother, but I wouldn't be one without my Emmy. I am just so grateful and thankful for her. She brings our lives focus, constant entertainment, and so much love. I could not ask for more.

Bespectacled Emmy

Optical Appointment

Emerson went to the Optometrist today for her first check-up. She was referred from Northern Health as she didn't pass one portion of her eye check-up at the preschooler health day last Saturday. On their referral, she passed everything except they noted her left eye was not at a passing level. Today, it was determined that Emmy needs glasses, and a pretty strong prescription at that. Since I wear glasses and have since I was 14, I am not terribly surprised, but am a bit sad about it. I was truly hoping she would get to miss out on that 'treat'.

I worry that she will be teased in elementary school. I was never teased for my glasses, as I was older when I got them. The amount of teasing I got in elementary school about my weight...I shudder... Kids are merciless.

So we picked out some cute frames and paid for them (ouch!) Thankfully, my insurance from work will reimburse $200 which is 2/3 the cost anyhow. Thank you, insurance! I just got paid yesterday, and I'm broke already - daycare, car insurance, and now Em's glasses off the one paycheck. OUCH! As Keith always says - you can't take it with you.

Holidays, dentist and more...

I have been home with Emmy for the past 11 days as her daycare was closed for holidays. It has been utterly fantastic to have this time with her - waking up when we were ready to, not to an alarm - having the time to spend together. We went swimming twice and she is signed up for lessons for June. We also went shopping, had lunch out, and just enjoyed the time together.

On Saturday, I took her to a development check put on by Northern Health. Emmy was tested at the 42 month level (she is 38 months) and she scored above average in all categories (fine & gross motor skills, problem solving, and communication) which is fantastic. The only thing she couldn't do was say her full name(first, middle and last) as we have never taught it to her - just her first name obviously, and she couldn't throw a ball overhand (we always encourage underhand). Her vision/hearing was fine. They did recommend an eye test as they noticed something with her left eye, so we are heading there next Saturday.

I took her for her first dentist visit today which went perfect. No cavities and Emmy was an angel for the dentist and hygienist. She had her first cleaning completed and laughed when she had to use the suction - it was very cute.

We are back to the grind tomorrow - back to work and daycare. Makes me a bit sad but I know I am lucky to have a job that has such good hours, and EDO days (every second Monday off with pay) to give me that extra time with her that other working Mom's may not get. I am thankful for that.

Emmy's first driving lesson

When will it be spring???

Click the picture for a larger view.

Easter Sunday

Emmy's Easter Basket full of toys, and the basket to collect eggs

I have to tell you, this day has been just amazing with Emmy. I could not have asked for a better one at all.

Emmy slept with me last night, as she has been requesting lately. I don't mind at all, as it gives me a sense of peace to see her and to hear her sleep soundly beside me. We watched Dora the Explorer before drifting off to sleep.Keith, as usual was snoring on the couch downstairs.
This morning when we awoke, I bathed her and then we went downstairs where I had hidden 9 eggs with toys in them, 3 Dora eggs and 6 Little People, for Em to have a small egg hunt. Then she opened her Easter Basket that had a Princess theme,. It had a Princess dress, tiara, earrings, ring and wand. It also came with limited candy which was a big selling feature for me!

Emmy also got a new game for her Leap Pad My First Computer, appropriately a Disney Princess one which Em absolutely adores. Keith then took her up to see Grandma for a couple of hours (I didn't go as I am not feeling well).

I rested as they were gone, and the first thing Em did when she came home was hug me and tell me that she missed me. Awwwwww. Then later as I was on my computer, she said that she wanted to sit on my lap because she loved me. Double Awwwwwwwww.

My little girl makes me so happy.

Noodles & Ichiban

My intent of this video was to capture what Emmy stated her plans were that day, which originally were to go visit Grandma and Aunty Poppy after putting on her stylin' hat. Of course, once the camera was on, her plans changed to shopping for "noodles and Ichiban". Ahh to be young again...

Emmy and the Easter Bunny

Click the picture to enlarge


As you can see, Em's picture with the Easter Bunny went far better than last year's Santa picture. However, Emmy still was not too excited about it once we were there. All week, I had been telling her we were going to visit the Easter Bunny on Thursday, and she was extremely excited. Then when we got there, she got all shy and wouldn't smile. She also looks like she is trying to get away from the bunny. Despite no smiles, she is adorable and was so cute afterward when she got her bunny ears and was pretending to be a bunny and hopping around.

I think they call it quirky

As Em was napping today, I played Monopoly on the computer. You know, 'cause the house cleans itself.

As I kicked the computer player's asses, I actually felt bad for them.

I felt bad for a computer generated player. There must be something wrong with me.

Birthday party for Chris and Tony

Emmy (posing so nicely when Mom asked her to smile pretty) with 4 year old Christopher




Check out the height difference between Tony & Em...Tony will be 3 in April and, of course Em has been 3 for over a month.









On March 21, 2009 My friend Poppy had a joint birthday party for her two boys Christopher who is turning 4 and Anthony (Tony) who is turning 3. She picked Emmy up from daycare and I met them at her house after work. After having cake and presents at Poppy's, we went to Bubba Baloos for some playtime. It was a fun night all-in-all. Emmy chose some beads as her present with the tickets we won in the arcade, which some kid promptly stole from her. The worker gave her 3 replacement neckkaces, which made Em look like she was auditioning for "Girls Gone Wild", but cured the tears.

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!

****

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???
****
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