For Babies

Last night Emma and I began a little art project.

Once completed it looked like this:

Next, Emma put all of her diapers inside our pretty bag.

After the last diaper was in...

She carried them over for Ethan because Ethan is a baby and he needs diapers. Emma is now a big girl and doesn't need them.

I am very afraid to say it outloud but I think Emma is now potty trained. She has been doing well for a few days now and making it through the night too. Way to go Emma!

and HAPPY BIRTHDAY Grandpa Bud!

Please excuse the appearance of Emma's hair...she was fresh out of the tub.

Emma's Day

Today Emma, Ethan, and I went to the mall and a few other locations that must remain a mystery. We had a few things to return or exchange and a father's day gift to buy. On the way to the mall Emma and I had a conversation very similar to conversations that we usually have in the car.

Emma: Where are we going?

Mommy: We are going to the store to buy daddy a present.

Emma: Why we buying daddy a present?

Mommy: Because Father's Day is coming so we have to get daddy a present like you bought for me on Mother's Day.

Emma: oh I remember.

a few minutes later...

Emma: Hey Mommy, today is Emma's Day.

Mommy: I know, everyday is Emma's Day.

Holy Moley

Why does being a parent make you say things like, "Holy Moley"? I don't think I used that one before Emma. Anyway, Holy Moley! Look how big Ethan is getting. He is about 3 days old in the bottom one and 6 weeks in the picture to the right.

oh...and that is Manny the Monkey.
(credit: sister Emma Do)

Emma is still totally into Ethan. She only likes getting her picture taken when Ethan is getting his done. That means most of his pics will have Emma in the top of them.

"Hi!"

and finally the "smile".

I'm so Angry!

This weekend we went to Hanna's 4th birthday party. It was a princess party so Emma was totally in her element. They had a pinata there and Emma ended up with a baggie of candy. This morning she decided that it was a good time to try some of it out. She had a pack of Smarties and a Dum Dum lolly pop and then wanted more. This is our conversation from this morning...

Emma: I just want to have a yittle bit more.

Mommy: No, Emma you have had enough. We have to save some for another day.

Emma: Mommy, I am starting to feel very angry. Don't make me angry!

Mommy: I'm sorry you are angry Emma but you still can't have more candy.

Emma: Now I am going to be cranky for a yittle bit because I'm so angry!

Excitement, a Parade, and The Boy

You might be wondering just what can make a girl run with a grin such as that.

A new (to Emma) playhouse of course!

She loves that stinkin' house. She plays in it everyday. It's been a great thing to bribe her with to get dressed and ready for the day. Oh did I say bribe her. I didn't mean it, you never have to bribe a toddler.

Monday was Memorial Day. There is always a parade near our home and we usually make it.

It was Ethan's first parade. Big day...Big day.

This is how Ethan and I spend most evenings. I am pretty sure I am in the 4th trimester right now, he is out but we are still attached. I know he won't want to cuddle me forever so I better get them in now, right? Well that's what I keep telling myself anyway.

I mean how could you resist that face?

One Month appointment

It's official, Ethan is a big baby! He weighed 11 lbs. 8 ozs. and was 22 inches long at his one month appointment this week. He has gained 2 lbs and grew 1.5 inches since birth! That puts him in the 95th percentile for his weight and head and 75th for his length.

For a comparison Emma weighed 10 lbs. 11 ozs and was also 22 inches.

One Month!

Ethan was one month old yesterday. Can you believe it? He is doing fantastic. We haven't gone in for his one month appointment yet, that's next week, so I am not sure how big he is now. He is growing for sure though. He just looks bigger to me.

He is full of smiles. I am yet to capture one with my camera but its coming I can feel it. I will tell you that it is a super cute smile, so it's totally worth the wait.

Here are a few pictures from his one month birthday. Enjoy!

Potty Training...the bribery begins

This morning...

Mommy: Emma lets put on your big girl panties so you can go on the potty.

Emma: Not right now. I'm not ready.

Mommy: Yes you are. You are a big girl. You get a potty prize from the box if you go on the potty. Want to look in the box?

Emma: Ok, I wanna look in there.

Mommy: Cool stuff huh?

Emma: I want to just touch the stuff in there.
She touches each thing with one finger

Mommy: Are you ready to put your big girl panties on now?

Emma: Yup, I'm ready now. Giggles. I just wasn't ready a minute ago.


Now if she would only sit on the potty.....

Our Week in Pictures

Helping Daddy wash the cars.

This is Ethan's favorite sleeping spot besides Mommy's arms. The boppy makes a great little Ethan nest. That is where he is sleeping as I type this.














What are big sisters for? Showing little brothers how to use their toys, of course.

















Even ballerinas pout. I am in such trouble with her.

Back from Ballet

Waiting on her Magic Carpet

We had our second ballet/gymnastics class today. Emma did awesome. She stretched well following Miss Karen's instructions and then she ran around for a while. The cutest part is when all the mommas sit against the mirrors and the girls dance to Teddy Bear Teddy Bear. After the dance the girls all run to their mom's for hugs. It is really cute. Here are the pics of our little ballerina.

Stretching on the Bar

Practicing Tip Toe walk

Teddy Bear Teddy Bear

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear shine your shoes

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear say your prayers

The Famous Tumble Track

Thanks for visiting again. I will try to get some Ethan pics up later today.

Mother's Day and Ballet

Mother's day was this past weekend. I had a really nice day. Josh proved he isn't always a meany and got me a super thoughtful gift. It is 6 weeks of ballet/gymnastics classes with Emma. We went to our first class on Tuesday, more on that later.

Lauren had us over for brunch that morning. It turned more into lunch by the time mom showed up but it was still delicious. Lauren gave me a picture of Ethan to add to our wall. He has some catching up to do with Emma pictures.

Later that day we went to Nanny and Grampy's for dinner. We had fun playing ball in the yard while Ethan rested a bit.

Tuesday, as I mentioned, was Emma's first ballet class. It is half ballet and half gymnastics. She really enjoyed it. I will have to take some pictures next time. During the ballet half the girls stretch and practice 5 ballet positions. They also got to stretch on the bar, so cute! Then they danced to a few songs like Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear and I'm a Little Teapot. For the gymnastics portion there are centers set up and the girls just run around trying everything out. Emma loved the tumble track the best. It is like a long trampoline so the girls took turns running and jumping down it. All in all it was great! Thanks Daddy!

Still Alive over here

We've just had a busy week that's all. The weather wasn't all that fantastic this week so we did a little shopping this week. We made it out to Babies R Us and the mall a few times. Hopefully next week will be nicer so that we can get outside more. The weather reports are not looking good but what do they know.

I did take the pictures for Ethan's birth announcement and ordered those this week. I can't wait for everyone to see them. They turned out great. I found a design I really liked but it was really expensive. A friend of mine recreated it for me and they came out perfect, thanks Hollie! Here's a little preview of some of the pictures I took for the announcement. I am not telling which one we used. You will have to watch your mail to find out.

Little Fingers

Little Toes

Love from Big Sister

I was taking Ethan's pictures on this plate and Emma had to get in on the action.

Now it could be my mommy goggles but I think Emma is such a pretty little lady. Check these few out:

and now a conversation with Emma...

Emma: Mommy I want you to play play-doh with me.
Mommy: I can't right now Emma. I am holding Ethan.
Emma: Mommy, just put him away in his bed and come play. It'll be fun!

Busy Weekend: Lots of vistiors/Lots of fun!

We did have a busy weekend at our little house. Ethan got to meet many more friends and family. Friday Grandma Jean came and spent much of the afternoon with us until Emma began her meltdown mode just as Grandpa Bud arrived, sorry Grandpa Bud. As soon as they left Emma, Ethan, and I all passed out on the couch for a good hour. I think we all needed that. Later that night Pops and Nanny stopped by too. Thank goodness Emma napped so she wasn't miserable for them too.

Saturday the Cumberland Almeidas came over. Emma was so excited about the visit. She must have looked out the window at least 30 times. Matt and Steph were nice enough to bring us dinner. They brought so much lasagna it took me three meals to eat my share, but it was good! Emma loved the pizza too.

We thought it would be neat to get a picture of all the cousins together so we sat them on the couch. Hayden was less than thrilled about the whole ordeal but after a few minutes he calmed down just in time for Emma to freak out. Matt said it was like Hayden tapped out and Emma tapped in. So the picture on the couch was a no go.

Later Steph noticed the little guys all huddled around the art easel. We gave Toby Ethan and told him to stand over at the easel. Emma was not into the picture taking at all.

This is take one:
Notice Emma is hard to see. If you look closely you can see her hand just above Gabe's right shoulder.










Take 2:
You might be thinking this is a little better but poor Toby has his eyes shut and Hayden is too distracted with his art to even care that there is a camera in the room.
















Onto take 3:

As you can see it didn't get any better. Emma looks like she is mad at the world. Poor Toby's arms are about to fall off and now Gabe and Hayden are way to into their art.



This is when we gave up. A child photographer I am not. I did get some more pictures of a few of them at a time. What do you think of these?

Emma and Hayden in the Playroom

Ethan and Gabe
I really like this one
Toby, Gabe, and Ethan
I didn't know Gabe knew any gang signs

That is all of the pictures I took. Slim pickings, huh? I guess we will have to try again someday.

Sunday came with more visitors. It was great to see some of my girlfriends. Emily, Michelle, Gina, and Oscar came to play. I don't get to see them as much as I would like to anymore so every visit is always great. Emma was so excited to show "Uncle Michelle" her new big girl room. She was still talking about it tonight. She was also very happy that Oscar, Gina's dog, visited too.

Emma and Oscar

Our last visitors of the weekend were Auntie Lauren and Chris. It was great to see them too. Emma always loves when Auntie Lauren visits.

It is a good thing that Josh has Mondays off because we need a day to recover from our weekend. Tomorrow is supposed to be a beautiful day so we are hoping to enjoy a lot of it outside.

WooHoo!

It seems that Ethan's jaundice is clearing up. Emma and I took him to the doctor this morning and he said that Ethan is looking fantastic. He has basically been gaining an ounce a day since Monday so that is great too. A few more days like that and he will be back to his birth weight soon.

Now, on a side note, can I get a little credit for getting both kiddos out of the house all by myself today. Josh went back to work this morning. I even gave Ethan a sponge bath this morning and had a visitor (Thanks for all the cute stuff Casavants). Not bad, huh?