Snip, snip!

Oh, the milestones. It's getting to me, all this growing up she's doing. Today, she had her first haircut. I didn't get photos of the actual process because, well, I only have two hands. But here are the pics of her first locks, and the end result.

I put her in the exersaucer, because I could keep her back to me, and had one hand free to do the cutting. Which was much easier said than done because there was a lot of squirming and "momwhatareyoudoingbackthereIwanttoseewhatareyouholdingthoselookfuntoplaywith".

But I gave her a sippy cup and we were off. There's still a bit of tweaking to be done, but at least it's all even.

For the record, daddy didn't think she needed her hair cut (I think mostly because he couldn't imagine cutting his sweet baybee's hair and think that she might be growing up. he's so cute.).

But the hair that had grown in from the bald spot (from laying on her back) was so much shorter than the hair on either side. It was starting to look like a demented mullet. And I just couldn't have that. So, OCD mommy decided it was time, and daddy will have to deal. Anyone care to place any bets on whether George will notice? I've got $5 on no. ;)

Could it be...

a blog that isn't about the baby? You bet. 7 quick takes, no baby added. Here we go...

1. Broadview was purchased by Tyco, which owns ADT. Despite some early promises, we are discovering that when it comes to buyouts, it's business as usual, and hard work done well still takes a back seat to $$. It's been really tough for George, who really values a job well done.

2. It's finally almost summer, and my mood has been lifted with each day of warm sunshine. I LOVE this time of year.

3. I am trying my hand at making some video/photo montages. I am really lacking in the tech department, so we'll see how this goes. I want to send one to my grandfather in AZ, as well as make some more down the road. Wish me luck. It took me an hour of reading and re-reading (and re-re-reading) the manual to figure out how to edit the videos on the camera, and I haven't even gotten to the part where I load them onto the computer! Yikes.

4. God is really asking us to abandon ourselves to Him and His plans right now. This is very tough on both of us. Me, because He is asking me to patiently surrender control, and George because He is asking him to leave his comfort zone and trust Him. "Come, follow me," our Lord said. We're trying...

5. My goal for the summer is to learn how to sew. I have my mother's old sewing machine, and once I figure out what's wrong with the tension, it should work beautifully. I'm excited to try my hand at some projects!

6. I have been feeling VERY called toward learning/doing a lot of things that would make us rely less on commercialism, and more on the resources God has given us. Gardening (for food), composting, sewing, and baking/cooking from scratch are just some of the things I've been feeling very drawn to lately. I'm sure there is a reason, although it might take some doing to bring George on board with composting!!

7. My brother Josh graduated from high school last weekend, and we are so proud of him!! I can't believe he's so grown up, but he turned into an awesome guy, and I look forward to visiting him at ND next fall!

That's all for now, I guess...it was really, really hard to find some things to write about that didn't include you-know-who. Man, I need some hobbies.

A Day In The Life

Just a few candids of what we do all day. Gone are the days of just laying around! ;)

Practicing her "moves" for when she takes those first big steps!

Now that it's nice out, she plays a lot at her water table! She LOVES the water.

Pretty Pretty Princess

And of course, there is always time for eating. Mandarin oranges are the big favorite right now.

If I could get a picture of her sleeping to round out our day, I would. But it would wake her up. And that just wouldn't do.

So much to do, so little time

We are busy, busy, BUSY over here these days. Milestones galore! Moving, never sitting still for long, and learning new things every moment (at least it seems that way to Mommy).

Amy is soveryclose to taking those first tentative steps, but still gets a little flustered when she finds herself standing without holding on! She knows when we're about to let go of her as well, and pre-emptively crouches into a sit so we can't make her stand on her own! Cheeky girl. But for now, she LOVES walking behind her push'n'ride toy, and I guess practice makes perfect! :)

She has crossed the threshold from baby foods to more table foods, and boy does she love to eat! She never would sign "more" for us (despite 5 months of effort on our part!), and instead moved right into speaking it! She asks for "Muh!" after every bite, or when she finishes what finger foods she has in front of her.

Speaking of...speaking...This morning, when I told her to say "Hi, doggy!" to Vera (our morning ritual when we wave good morning to the dog), she leaned forward, waved, and said "ha!" Color me amazed...and yet a little skeptical, until...this evening, George was saying "hi" to her, and she would say "ha" back. Then, when I asked her to say doggie, she looked at Vera and said "Dah!"

So.

Words.

Also, breaking news: Clapping.

And teeth. (FINally)

That sound you hear? Oh, that's just my heart breaking into a million small pieces because Stop It. Seriously, Amy. It's too much all at once.

She was in a brilliant mood today, and we had such a fun time together. I found myself watching her so much today, realizing how close she is to toddlerhood, and how quickly she is moving away from being my baby. I felt like I was about to turn inside out with how much I love this girl and how wrenching it is to watch her babyhood disappear. I know. I KNOW. There are amazing things on the horizon, and I have always loved the year from 1 to 2. But while she is so busy doing so many new things, I feel the time ticking away and suddenly it feels so short. And then I am so. glad. that I get to be there for it. People say to me sometimes, "But you need time away from her, time with grown-ups." Or, "It would be good for you to be working away from home at least a little bit." And to that I say, Nope. What is good for me is to be right here with her, every day, seeing every little thing she learns to do, experiencing every small moment. It's not that way for everyone, I understand. And I don't judge. But for me, this is as close as I'll get to heaven on earth. I pray every day that God will continue to bless me with this luxury.

As for George and I? We're good. Just continuing to do our best to follow God's will for our lives. We are very, very blessed.

The Day You Were Born...

This entry is dedicated to my awesome brother Josh who continues to amaze me by becoming an inspriring, incredible grown-up.


The day you were born, I was wearing a pink sweatsuit, and a pink headband. It was my very favorite outfit, and I picked it because it was a very special day. I remember walking down the hallway of the hospital, vaguely hearing dad talking to me about making sure to hold your head or whatever. All I could think about was holding you, a baby. I LOVED babies...just in case you didn't get that. And now you were here, our family's very own new baby! I can still feel the excitement I felt that day. And holding you...I can still see in my mind's eye exactly how you looked. I can still remember looking at you and loving you so much.

And now here we are, 18 years later, and I still look at you and love you SO much. The man you're becoming is awe-inspiring. Your compassion, you empathy, your kindness, your goodness...there are so few young men these days who could hold a candle to you. I am proud to call you my brother, and proud to call you my friend. I'm sorry I can't be there to hear your speech or to see you walk across that stage. But know that as you do, I will still be thinking about the little baby I held for the first time so many years ago, and thanking God for bringing you into our lives. I love you, Josh. Congratulations!

Love, Emmy

Expectations: 7 Quick Takes Version

Disclaimer:
This is not the post about our visit to South Carolina, which is forthcoming. I promise.

1) When I became a mother, I expected the love...and there has been a lot of it. I love this child more than I could have dreamed possible. And the love she gives us is even better.

2) I did not expect her to be so independent. A part of me is sad that she isn't a particularly "cuddly" child. She wants me near her, yes, but not holding her. If she lays her head down when I pick her up, it's only for the briefest moment, and then she wants me to let her go. But then, another part of me is proud of her for wanting to do things herself.

3) I expected to worry. And I do plenty of that. About legitimate things: "Is she gaining enough weight?" (And for the record, at her weight check in March she was up 2 pounds from her 6 month appointment!), and about not-so-legitmate things: "Are her legs too short for her to be able to support her weight when she wants to walk?" (Yes, really. I wish I were kidding about that one.)

4) I didn't expect to be reduced to tears watching her "cruise" from her activity table, to the overturned laundry basket, to her exersaucer. It just amazed me when I realized all that she has learned to do in 8 months.

5) I expected her to be sassy. Just not this sassy.

6) I didn't expect her to be so tough. When you think of little girls, you tend to think of delicate things, or soothing the tears that will fall after a small injury or frustration. Not so for my girl. She falls, maybe whimpers for a moment if I look concerned (which I try not to do...I'm a very "Whoops, oh well!" type of mom, because I don't want her to react based on my reactions), and moves on. And while I don't want her to be a whiny kid every time she gets a "boo-boo", I guess she just surprises me at how little time it takes her to recover and try again.

7) Few things about being a parent fall into the category of what I "expected", but I find I'm kind of glad. It's much more exciting this way. Also a little challenging. But still exciting. :)

And again with the time going by all too fast...7 Quick Takes

I confess this is not an original idea. I have seen it on other blogs, but saw it for the first time on http://www.billandameliamayer.blogspot.com/, of whose blog I am a loyal "lurker" (to use a blogger term) So, here is our 7 quick takes debut:


1. We have survived the first bout of sickness to hit all of us. I can't remember the last time I had to take antibiotics, but I am grateful that Amy and I had a pretty healthy winter until now.


2. Amy got to go outside in the snow for the first time the other day. She was totally fascinated by the HUGE flakes that were coming down.

3. Yesterday, we took Amy to the park. It was a little chilly, but much nicer than it has been for a long time, so we decided to let her try out a swing! At first, she seriously doubted our capabilities as parents, but after a little while (and finding the right position for her to sit) she started to enjoy it. I'm really looking forward to the summer and all the outdoor things we'll be able to do!

4. Amy has been very slow to put on weight the last few months, and so she was scheduled for a weight check a month following her 6 month appt. When she saw the doctor when she was sick (which was two weeks after her 6 month check), she had put on 7 ounces! The doctor was really pleased with that, so we're keeping our fingers crossed that at her next weight check on the 17th she gets another good report.

5. I've been doing some extra office work for a family I used to nanny for - the dad has his own accounting business. It's been such a blessing to have a little extra income, and I can take Amy with me during her naptime. Fortunately she sleeps well in her carseat, so I can get some work done while she sleeps. Who knows how long she'll be so cooperative! :)

6. We have been doing Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace program for three years now. There have definitely been some bumps in the road, but this Lent, I am making a sincere effort to be even more dedicated to our efforts in our debt snowball, and a better steward of the gifts God has given us.

And I saved the very best for last!

7. On Valentine's Day, my mom, my brother Josh, my sisters Mary and Sarah, and George's family joined us as George became a member of the Catholic Church! It was such a special day for us, and I am so grateful that our little family is now all of one faith! I am mostly so glad for Amy (and any other children God blesses us with), that we will be unified as a family in our faith, and that George and I will be able to lead our family together.

And now, some pictures for your enjoyment, because I know that's what you're really here for!