This evening, the church in our valley, literally 2 miles from our house, held their annual fall get together for the local folk. They invite everyone on our valley road for neat little get together pot-luck type of thing. This year John and I finally had clear schedules so we were able to go! We have generously been invited every year and without fail have had something else come up that we had to go to! This was our first year going and we even got to share it with Emelia!!
It's very neat because we get to meet some of the people that live around us that we don't really know. It is just one of those things that really mean a lot to everyone. In this small, rural area we live in it's nice to at least know the names of the people around you. Especially if there is something fun and exciting going or if you need to help or lend a helping hand!
It was very fun! Emelia enjoyed trying some different foods, her favorite tonight was the potato salad! She also got to play with other children, which I'm sure was the highlight of her night! There was one little boy there who was one year old. He was crawling around the place like crazy! I finally had to let Emelia down because she kept watching that little boy and she wanted to get in on all the fun! Once I put her down, she promptly decided to follow the little boy all over the place. I had to stay close behind because there were so many people, I didn't want Emelia to get stepped on. It was so CUTE! The boy was able to go much faster than Emelia so he would zoom ahead of her and then stop to check her progress. If she was too far behind, he would zoom back up to her and point at her. Meanwhile, she would sit up the second she saw him coming back and point back at him. Both of them making cute little happy noises, of course!! It was great! Emelia was shy with other people, adults, and wouldn't let anyone hold her except me and John, but once she got down and was playing with that little boy (and another, older little girl) her shyness went out the window!
The best part of tonight, for me anyway, were all the compliments we got on how smart Emelia is already! People couldn't BELIEVE she can wave bye-bye! This is something she's been doing for probably two months! They were also amazed at how well she could stand up, get back down, and crawl. It made me feel really good! The lady we sat next to, she even was impressed with how vocal Emelia was. Compared to the other little boy, who is 3 months older than Emelia, I can see a difference. That little boy rarely stood up against any furniture and he hardly made any noises at all except squeals. And he totally didn't get "bye-bye" at all!
Emelia did start getting bored and tired of the whole ordeal after an hour or so. John was ready to go, too, so we left with full tummys and I felt really good. It felt good to be around other people, for one, and meeting new people, for two, and showing off my beautiful and intelligent little girl, for three! A very good night!
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Imitations!
Emelia went to bed quickly and early tonight so I thought I'd do a little blog! It's amazing how I look forward to my free time to get on here and share my fun stories!
Recently, Emelia has started imitating and copying the things John and I do. I noticed one day last weekend that after I coughed, Emelia coughed a couple times. I thought it was just mere coincidence! The day after that, we were doing something and we all started laughing and sure enough, Emelia joined in and was laughing along with us!
Yesterday, I had short coughing spell. Next thing I know, Emelia gets this "you-know-what" eating grin and looks at me and does this fake cough right back at me!!! I couldn't believe it! So, just to test her, I did a couple of little fake coughs myself and sure enough, she did her fake cough right back! So now, my little copy-cat has learned that she can do things just like mommy and daddy! She kept doing it over and over last night. Especially after she realized we thought it was hilarious! Then she did even more extravagant coughing! It was adorable!
These are the moments I wish to cherish forever! And I certainly will!! :)
Recently, Emelia has started imitating and copying the things John and I do. I noticed one day last weekend that after I coughed, Emelia coughed a couple times. I thought it was just mere coincidence! The day after that, we were doing something and we all started laughing and sure enough, Emelia joined in and was laughing along with us!
Yesterday, I had short coughing spell. Next thing I know, Emelia gets this "you-know-what" eating grin and looks at me and does this fake cough right back at me!!! I couldn't believe it! So, just to test her, I did a couple of little fake coughs myself and sure enough, she did her fake cough right back! So now, my little copy-cat has learned that she can do things just like mommy and daddy! She kept doing it over and over last night. Especially after she realized we thought it was hilarious! Then she did even more extravagant coughing! It was adorable!
These are the moments I wish to cherish forever! And I certainly will!! :)
Monday, August 22, 2011
Weaning...
The process of weaning has begun for Emelia and I. I am slowly working on getting her to just bottles. So far things have been going well! She is taking it in stride just like everything else! I think when I change things like this, or the sleeping in her crib, etc. I become more nervous and worried than she does!
I no longer am pumping anywhere. First I cut out the work pumping session, then a week or so later, the morning one. It is such a feeling of FREEDOM! It's amazing how tethered down I felt! It is sad to not be saving and storing anymore milk up, but we have SO MUCH in the freezer, I am pretty sure it'll be just fine!
Emelia drinks bottles from me, too! I can't believe it, she never even fought or fussed about it once! It's really nice, too, because now John can feed her more!
I still nurse her first thing in the mornings, then once or twice in the evenings. Any other time of day I feed her bottles and solids. She enjoys eating the solids!! We have a little piggy!! :)
So soon my goal is to be completely done with nursing altogether and just do bottles. She really doesn't drink that many in a day anyway, so I think it will all be just fine!!
Yay for Weaning! :)
I no longer am pumping anywhere. First I cut out the work pumping session, then a week or so later, the morning one. It is such a feeling of FREEDOM! It's amazing how tethered down I felt! It is sad to not be saving and storing anymore milk up, but we have SO MUCH in the freezer, I am pretty sure it'll be just fine!
Emelia drinks bottles from me, too! I can't believe it, she never even fought or fussed about it once! It's really nice, too, because now John can feed her more!
I still nurse her first thing in the mornings, then once or twice in the evenings. Any other time of day I feed her bottles and solids. She enjoys eating the solids!! We have a little piggy!! :)
So soon my goal is to be completely done with nursing altogether and just do bottles. She really doesn't drink that many in a day anyway, so I think it will all be just fine!!
Yay for Weaning! :)
9 Months!
Emelia is 9 months old today! I can't believe it! It has been a great 9 months and I look forward to many, many more (of course)! It just seems like it was yesterday she was coming into this world and now she is going to be a year old in three short months! CRAZY!!
We have all been doing great. Emelia got over her ear infection just fine! She bounced back the very next day, and although she was on medicine for 10 days, she was her normal, happy self a day after her first dose!! I am glad, it really sucked to see her feeling so cruddy!
Emelia can now push toys and chairs and other random objects all over the place now, walking behind them! We just got her a new toy yesterday that is like a walker, but she stands behind it and pushes it. As far as her actual walker goes, she hates being IN it. Climbing around the outside, SURE! Pushing it through the house, SURE! Sitting in it, NO WAY! :)
She is a pro at pulling up on furniture, doors, people, etc. She can even creep along the various objects she uses to stand up with! She hasn't taken any daredevil steps from me to dad, or dad to me, etc, but I don't think it'll be too far in the future for that! :) It's amazing how fast she's learning! She will climb onto things, too! If I'm laying on the floor, or even John for that matter, she will often climb onto and/or over us all the time!! It's nuts!!
Of course with this new found mobility she has bumped and banged and scratched herself. She handles it like a tough girl, with little to no crying!
Saturday her 3rd tooth cut through! It's her top middle right tooth! It'll be so damn cute when it comes in! I can't wait to see that goofy little grin! It was weird, though! One day there was no tooth, not even a white area, and the next day, there it was! :)
Naptimes and bedtimes are going great! She is getting so good at laying down awake and just drifting off to sleep. Sometimes she needs her aquarium on, but even that is happening less and less. It is nice!
Vocally, she is a chatter box and her favorite noise to make is "Da da"! Of course, John thinks it's really her talking to him and his ego has soared! I let him have his moment! She doesn't do many things for him so what's it going to hurt? Do I wish she said "Ma ma"? Definitely, but I know that'll come in time!!
Things are just great and fun and going too fast! Tomorrow is Emelia's 9 month check up, I hope all is well. I look at her and see a healthy little girl who has a huge appetite and seems to developmentally be hitting every mark out there! Even still, I worry they will tell me something isn't right. I'm a mom, I can't help but worry! At least this doctor's visit will go better than the last, when she was so sick with her ear infection! :)
We have all been doing great. Emelia got over her ear infection just fine! She bounced back the very next day, and although she was on medicine for 10 days, she was her normal, happy self a day after her first dose!! I am glad, it really sucked to see her feeling so cruddy!
Emelia can now push toys and chairs and other random objects all over the place now, walking behind them! We just got her a new toy yesterday that is like a walker, but she stands behind it and pushes it. As far as her actual walker goes, she hates being IN it. Climbing around the outside, SURE! Pushing it through the house, SURE! Sitting in it, NO WAY! :)
She is a pro at pulling up on furniture, doors, people, etc. She can even creep along the various objects she uses to stand up with! She hasn't taken any daredevil steps from me to dad, or dad to me, etc, but I don't think it'll be too far in the future for that! :) It's amazing how fast she's learning! She will climb onto things, too! If I'm laying on the floor, or even John for that matter, she will often climb onto and/or over us all the time!! It's nuts!!
Of course with this new found mobility she has bumped and banged and scratched herself. She handles it like a tough girl, with little to no crying!
Saturday her 3rd tooth cut through! It's her top middle right tooth! It'll be so damn cute when it comes in! I can't wait to see that goofy little grin! It was weird, though! One day there was no tooth, not even a white area, and the next day, there it was! :)
Naptimes and bedtimes are going great! She is getting so good at laying down awake and just drifting off to sleep. Sometimes she needs her aquarium on, but even that is happening less and less. It is nice!
Vocally, she is a chatter box and her favorite noise to make is "Da da"! Of course, John thinks it's really her talking to him and his ego has soared! I let him have his moment! She doesn't do many things for him so what's it going to hurt? Do I wish she said "Ma ma"? Definitely, but I know that'll come in time!!
Things are just great and fun and going too fast! Tomorrow is Emelia's 9 month check up, I hope all is well. I look at her and see a healthy little girl who has a huge appetite and seems to developmentally be hitting every mark out there! Even still, I worry they will tell me something isn't right. I'm a mom, I can't help but worry! At least this doctor's visit will go better than the last, when she was so sick with her ear infection! :)
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
On the MOVE!
Since it's been a while since I last posted, I figured a little update was in order!
Emelia is one boot-scootin' baby! She can get ALL over the place now, and FAST! She pulls herself up to standing on just about anything. The couch, TV stand, kitchen chairs, and patio door! It's CRAZY! She will push her walker around the house taking steps and keeping her balance the whole time. It's amazing how quickly she's picked up how to do all these things. I don't think it'll be much longer until she's walking!!
I have baby proofed the whole house, also. Socket covers, cupboard locks, and most importantly, keeping the floors clean as well as the rest of the house. She finds just about every little thing possible and it immediately goes into the mouth!! It's hilarious, but highly frustrating, too!
Vocally, her vocabulary is starting to expand. She says "da-da" all the time and over and over and over! She also says "Rar, rar, rar" and even an occasional "momma"! Her sounds are expanding every day and she even surprises herself sometimes with the noises she makes!
She is getting super good at grabbing things with just her first and thumb fingers. She often prefers to feed herself snacky foods versus get fed baby food! And her appetite for food really has taken off, too, although not as recently because of her being sick. I have to buy the stuff by the case! We've tried blending up the food we make and eat, but for some reason, Emelia doesn't really care for it and usually throws a holy scream fest if we persist! She's a little turd sometimes!
One of the most entertaining things to watch is her personality and understanding. When we ask her a question, she will actually answer it. Not with words of course, but she obviously understands that it's a question. She also is learning to control her facial expressions well and really enjoys using them!
And she totally, 100% gets the meaning of the word.... N-O! And she's also mastering throwing a fit when she's told N-O! I think it's kind of cute, really, and I love how it just switches on for about 30 seconds and then BAM! No more fit, "I'm over it" kind of thing...
All in all, Emelia is doing great! Her 9-month doctor's check up is in two weeks! I can't wait to see how she is growing compared to others. :)
Emelia is one boot-scootin' baby! She can get ALL over the place now, and FAST! She pulls herself up to standing on just about anything. The couch, TV stand, kitchen chairs, and patio door! It's CRAZY! She will push her walker around the house taking steps and keeping her balance the whole time. It's amazing how quickly she's picked up how to do all these things. I don't think it'll be much longer until she's walking!!
I have baby proofed the whole house, also. Socket covers, cupboard locks, and most importantly, keeping the floors clean as well as the rest of the house. She finds just about every little thing possible and it immediately goes into the mouth!! It's hilarious, but highly frustrating, too!
Vocally, her vocabulary is starting to expand. She says "da-da" all the time and over and over and over! She also says "Rar, rar, rar" and even an occasional "momma"! Her sounds are expanding every day and she even surprises herself sometimes with the noises she makes!
She is getting super good at grabbing things with just her first and thumb fingers. She often prefers to feed herself snacky foods versus get fed baby food! And her appetite for food really has taken off, too, although not as recently because of her being sick. I have to buy the stuff by the case! We've tried blending up the food we make and eat, but for some reason, Emelia doesn't really care for it and usually throws a holy scream fest if we persist! She's a little turd sometimes!
One of the most entertaining things to watch is her personality and understanding. When we ask her a question, she will actually answer it. Not with words of course, but she obviously understands that it's a question. She also is learning to control her facial expressions well and really enjoys using them!
And she totally, 100% gets the meaning of the word.... N-O! And she's also mastering throwing a fit when she's told N-O! I think it's kind of cute, really, and I love how it just switches on for about 30 seconds and then BAM! No more fit, "I'm over it" kind of thing...
All in all, Emelia is doing great! Her 9-month doctor's check up is in two weeks! I can't wait to see how she is growing compared to others. :)
Poor Little Baby!
Emelia has her first major illness, so to speak! She has an ear infection in the right ear :(
First, we have continued to battle thrush and yesterday we were going to go to the doctor for the third time because her thrush was back. At the start of the day, she seemed fine. Part way through the day I got a call from daycare that she was being more fussy than usual and wasn't eating much. They wanted to make sure I knew the thrush was back. I said I did and that we were going to the doctor after work.
When I picked her up at daycare I could tell she was more off than I though. She was burning up but I thought it could've been because she had been sleeping. And the sleeping... she is usually NEVER sleeping when I pick her up, especially with the other kids in the room. When I got her up, she was breathing/grunting funny and really didn't want to wake up or anything. Thankfully, we were already heading to the doctor.
When we were in the waiting room, Emelia kept breathing and grunting funny, crying like she's never cried before, and was warm as ever so it was obvious the sleeping wasn't the issue there. I felt SO bad for her and it was the hardest thing ever to keep myself from crying out of worry! The most annoying part was all the dirty looks I was getting from this couple sitting across from me. It was like they were annoyed that Emelia was crying and inconsolable. I'm SORRY people that she isn't feeling well! Damn, I was ticked! Isn't that pretty common anyway in a clinic? Sick kids?? URGH!
So when we got to finally go back to the room, I was a nervous wreck. Emelia's temp wasn't as bad as I thought, and her breathing was decided to be from being uncomfortable and not from breathing trouble. The doc looked into her ears and, after flushing the wax out of the right one, he saw that her right ear drum was red and irritated... BINGO! Ear infection!
Even though it was something wrong, relief flooded over me! I was so glad that it was something relatively low key and fixable. Of course, as a nurse, I know a lot more about things that can go wrong and of COURSE those were all going through my head!! They gave her some tylenol and a prescription for antibiotics. I pray she feels better!
For the thrush this time, they used this stuff called Genetian Violet. It's a liquid that is dark purple that they paint the inside of Emelia's mouth with. It literally looked like Emelia drank some paint! Even her spit was dark purple all night! But today it looks like the thrush is gone! Let's hope we've nipped it good!
Today at daycare Emelia did well. She was already more chipper and playful compared to yesterday. She did get a dose of antibiotic last night and she slept curled up next to me. This morning she didn't have a fever and she hasn't had one yet today! When we got home and she ate, she seemed more herself... playful and going all over the place as usual!
What a horrible feeling, though, to know deep down that my poor baby girl was sick and hurting somewhere and I didn't know where and I couldn't fix it! :(
BUT, at least they've figured it out and she seems on the mend! But it sure made for one LOOOOONG day!!
First, we have continued to battle thrush and yesterday we were going to go to the doctor for the third time because her thrush was back. At the start of the day, she seemed fine. Part way through the day I got a call from daycare that she was being more fussy than usual and wasn't eating much. They wanted to make sure I knew the thrush was back. I said I did and that we were going to the doctor after work.
When I picked her up at daycare I could tell she was more off than I though. She was burning up but I thought it could've been because she had been sleeping. And the sleeping... she is usually NEVER sleeping when I pick her up, especially with the other kids in the room. When I got her up, she was breathing/grunting funny and really didn't want to wake up or anything. Thankfully, we were already heading to the doctor.
When we were in the waiting room, Emelia kept breathing and grunting funny, crying like she's never cried before, and was warm as ever so it was obvious the sleeping wasn't the issue there. I felt SO bad for her and it was the hardest thing ever to keep myself from crying out of worry! The most annoying part was all the dirty looks I was getting from this couple sitting across from me. It was like they were annoyed that Emelia was crying and inconsolable. I'm SORRY people that she isn't feeling well! Damn, I was ticked! Isn't that pretty common anyway in a clinic? Sick kids?? URGH!
So when we got to finally go back to the room, I was a nervous wreck. Emelia's temp wasn't as bad as I thought, and her breathing was decided to be from being uncomfortable and not from breathing trouble. The doc looked into her ears and, after flushing the wax out of the right one, he saw that her right ear drum was red and irritated... BINGO! Ear infection!
Even though it was something wrong, relief flooded over me! I was so glad that it was something relatively low key and fixable. Of course, as a nurse, I know a lot more about things that can go wrong and of COURSE those were all going through my head!! They gave her some tylenol and a prescription for antibiotics. I pray she feels better!
For the thrush this time, they used this stuff called Genetian Violet. It's a liquid that is dark purple that they paint the inside of Emelia's mouth with. It literally looked like Emelia drank some paint! Even her spit was dark purple all night! But today it looks like the thrush is gone! Let's hope we've nipped it good!
Today at daycare Emelia did well. She was already more chipper and playful compared to yesterday. She did get a dose of antibiotic last night and she slept curled up next to me. This morning she didn't have a fever and she hasn't had one yet today! When we got home and she ate, she seemed more herself... playful and going all over the place as usual!
What a horrible feeling, though, to know deep down that my poor baby girl was sick and hurting somewhere and I didn't know where and I couldn't fix it! :(
BUT, at least they've figured it out and she seems on the mend! But it sure made for one LOOOOONG day!!
Friday, July 29, 2011
The Zoo!
Earlier this week we ventured to the Milwaukee County Zoo! We had a LOT of fun! On the way there, we stopped in a park in Marshall, Wi. It was very pretty and a beautiful day! We ate lunch, skipped rocks in the pond, went down slides, and played on the bouncy animals! Emelia had a blast! She did great being in the car for so long, as well. It helped that her Uncle Quinton was in the back seat to play with and entertain her!
After we got settled into our hotel, we went swimming, which Emelia continues to LOVE! The second her little feet touched the water, they just started kicking and she was all smiles and giggles! The water was even a little bit chilly! We ate that night at Outback Steakhouse, that was conveniently attached to our hotel. Emelia enjoyed herself there and kept everyone entertained!
Tuesday was our zoo day. Emelia slept fairly well her first night away from home. She woke up from 2:30-3:00am, tossed and turned a little bit, then laid back down and fell asleep. We all got up, ate breakfast, and off to the zoo we went! It was a lot of fun! Emelia was amazed at all the people!!! She really enjoyed all the different animals, also! Many times I had to take her out of her stroller so she could see the animals, but she definitely saw them. Her favorites include the sea lions, monkeys, and various fish. She ate lunch with us and even took a 15 minute power nap in her stroller. It was so much fun! She was so well behaved! Once we got back to the hotel, she was asleep within minutes for a nice long nap. The weather was perfect, as well, and not too hot at all with zero mugginess! We definitely lucked out!
Tuesday night we got delivery for supper. Living in the rural area we live in, we don't have the luxury of deliver, so when we are in a bigger city we take full advantage of that! After supper, we went back to the pool for some time. Mom brought a ball for Emelia to play with (which we forgot there) and did we ever enjoy ourselves! I would pop the ball out of Emelia's hands and then we'd pretend we were running after it and I'd bounce her in the water! She loved it and I swear if I hadn't held her well enough she would've lunged right into the pool after that ball! It was great fun!
She slept perfect that night, never waking up once. When we got up Wednesday morning it was to pouring rain and thunder! We were pretty glad we did the zoo the previous day!! We were planning on going to a place called Discovery World. It is like a Children's Museum on steroids with many different interactive things to do including aquariums where you pet the critters, flight simulators, and a tour through a boat. Unfortunately, when we got there, there was zero parking! We drove all over the area and couldn't find a thing! So we said to heck with this and drove around a little ways to find somewhere we could see Lake Michigan at.
Emelia loved watching Lake Michigan! She kept watching the water, smiling, and giggling. It was a bit chilly on the lake from that morning's rain so we bundled up in her blankie. It was pretty neat and it was fun to see Emelia's reaction!
Then we headed home! We hit some really heavy rain on the way home, slowing us down a little bit, but we were pretty happy when we made it! We played at Grama and Grampa's a while before coming to our home. Emelia had been in the car for so long I wanted to let her stretch her legs a bunch before sticking her in the car seat all over again!
We were happy to be home! We missed daddy and Moxie our dog. Emelia was kind of crabby still from the long journey home and the busy days we had in Milwaukee. She was a definite momma's girl our first night home, but she is back to her normal happy self (crabby when tired!:O) This morning she is pretty content playing with the broom! Haha!!
And that was our trip in a nutshell!! Here are some pictures to enjoy!!
Definitely a great trip! It sure is fun to share all of this neat stuff with my daughter! :)
After we got settled into our hotel, we went swimming, which Emelia continues to LOVE! The second her little feet touched the water, they just started kicking and she was all smiles and giggles! The water was even a little bit chilly! We ate that night at Outback Steakhouse, that was conveniently attached to our hotel. Emelia enjoyed herself there and kept everyone entertained!
Tuesday was our zoo day. Emelia slept fairly well her first night away from home. She woke up from 2:30-3:00am, tossed and turned a little bit, then laid back down and fell asleep. We all got up, ate breakfast, and off to the zoo we went! It was a lot of fun! Emelia was amazed at all the people!!! She really enjoyed all the different animals, also! Many times I had to take her out of her stroller so she could see the animals, but she definitely saw them. Her favorites include the sea lions, monkeys, and various fish. She ate lunch with us and even took a 15 minute power nap in her stroller. It was so much fun! She was so well behaved! Once we got back to the hotel, she was asleep within minutes for a nice long nap. The weather was perfect, as well, and not too hot at all with zero mugginess! We definitely lucked out!
Tuesday night we got delivery for supper. Living in the rural area we live in, we don't have the luxury of deliver, so when we are in a bigger city we take full advantage of that! After supper, we went back to the pool for some time. Mom brought a ball for Emelia to play with (which we forgot there) and did we ever enjoy ourselves! I would pop the ball out of Emelia's hands and then we'd pretend we were running after it and I'd bounce her in the water! She loved it and I swear if I hadn't held her well enough she would've lunged right into the pool after that ball! It was great fun!
She slept perfect that night, never waking up once. When we got up Wednesday morning it was to pouring rain and thunder! We were pretty glad we did the zoo the previous day!! We were planning on going to a place called Discovery World. It is like a Children's Museum on steroids with many different interactive things to do including aquariums where you pet the critters, flight simulators, and a tour through a boat. Unfortunately, when we got there, there was zero parking! We drove all over the area and couldn't find a thing! So we said to heck with this and drove around a little ways to find somewhere we could see Lake Michigan at.
Emelia loved watching Lake Michigan! She kept watching the water, smiling, and giggling. It was a bit chilly on the lake from that morning's rain so we bundled up in her blankie. It was pretty neat and it was fun to see Emelia's reaction!
Then we headed home! We hit some really heavy rain on the way home, slowing us down a little bit, but we were pretty happy when we made it! We played at Grama and Grampa's a while before coming to our home. Emelia had been in the car for so long I wanted to let her stretch her legs a bunch before sticking her in the car seat all over again!
We were happy to be home! We missed daddy and Moxie our dog. Emelia was kind of crabby still from the long journey home and the busy days we had in Milwaukee. She was a definite momma's girl our first night home, but she is back to her normal happy self (crabby when tired!:O) This morning she is pretty content playing with the broom! Haha!!
And that was our trip in a nutshell!! Here are some pictures to enjoy!!
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| Playing on the Bouncy Elephant in Marshall, Wi |
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| Swimming fun! |
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| Power nap! |
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| Emelia and I by the Zebra |
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| Emelia and I by the Giraffe |
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| Emelia and I riding the "Safari Train" that went through the zoo |
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| By Lake Michigan |
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| Emelia enjoying Lake Michigan |
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