Emma is ONE, continued...

So we had Emma's birthday party on Saturday, July 11th to celebrate her big day!

I did something totally new this year and made cupcakes instead of a cake and decorated them in the shape of a one.  Not my best work but it worked well enough!

The birthday girl with her cupcake.  She was fine with it but not overly zealous.

Opening presents.

LOVE this shot of my little diva!

And we had Emma's yearly doc appointment yesterday.  Here are her stats:

29 1/4 inches tall--47th percentile

24 pounds 11 oz--96th percentile

Head-19 inches--97th percentile

None of her stats surprise me. :)

She had three shots and a finger poke to check her iron and lead levels and she did awesome!

At one year old, Emma can stand but does not walk yet (thank goodness!).  She is so incredibly smart and sweet and her funny little personality is coming out.  She loves to put something over her head and wait for me to ask, "Where's Emmie?"  And then she'll pull it off and wait for the "Peekaboo!"  Emma is so fun to be around.  She doesn't have much stranger anxiety but also doesn't usually give out her smiles for free.  She says words but not too often, probably because she doesn't get the chance too often!

Emma likes to point to Mack and say, "Ma,"  She enjoys looking at animals and birds.  

And Emma is absolutely, by far the best hugger around.  She cuddles up really close, wraps her chubby little baby arms around your neck, and then will proceed to pat your back while giving you a good, long squeeze!  She is one of the cuddliest babies I've ever seen!  

Emma, I love you so, so, SO much!  Impossible to put it into words!

Emma's 1!!!

Emma turned one already.  Not quite sure how that happened, but it made me sad!  I hate seeing her grow up so quickly and not stay my little baby forever.

We went on her actual birthday to have her first birthday pictures taken.  They turned out so stinking good!  Here are some of my favorites...

Grace is 7!

Okay, catching up....again!  I get so behind!

Grace turned 7 on the 20th of May and finished up her 1st grade year on the 21st!

She is growing up so fast!

Due to us moving the next weekend and how crazy busy the end of May was for us, we had her birthday party the weekend before at Pioneer's Park.  It turned out to be a beautiful day!

We just had her 7 year well check yesterday and here are her stats:

50 inches tall--79th percentile

54 pounds--61st percentile

BMI-15.07--25th percentile

BP-96/54

Pulse-100

She looks great and no concerns!

Grace finished up her first grade year and did great.  She is extremely intelligent and towards the top of her class.  She has also become quite an athlete as far as running goes.  Grace really enjoys legos, drawing, and listening to top 40 on the radio. :)

Appointments-Ky:4 and Emma:9months

Just the stats from the appointments today.

Kyler's 4 year:

42 1/4 inches tall (87th percentile)
46.4 pounds (97th percentile)
BP-98/46
Pulse-108

Kyler had four shots (all boosters) and did so good!!!!  He did not like them but he did it without fighting and even got some prizes and a sticker for being so awesome at the doctor's office.  And then he got a blue slush from Sonic after for doing so good!


Emma's 9 month:
28 inches long (63rd percentile)
22lb 14oz (97th percentile)
Head is 18 3/4 inches (over 97th percentile--off the charts again)

No shots at this appointment and doing well.  No concerns and she's just trucking right along.  Doctor was impressed to see 4 teeth already in.

Not an exciting update/post but always glad to see the doctor give us a thumbs up for their health.

Kyler's 4th birthday!

Kyler turned 4 on Sunday!!!!  Cannot believe my baby boy is getting so big!!!

We decorated his bed and room with balloons the night before.  I have a video of him waking up but not a picture!!!  But he was excited when he woke up to it!

Then he got his requested birthday breakfast--Lamar's donuts!!!  My four year old has a favorite donut shop.  Uh oh, takes after his mama.  :)  Daddy got up early to go in and pick them up.  What a lucky little dude!

We even sang and had a candle for him.

After church we went home so I could finish his cupcakes.  We then went to McDonald's for lunch (Ky's choice where he also got a hotwheel toy in his happy meal) and picked up the cake he had picked out at Hyvee. 

I gave him several choices for a cake, including ones that I would make.  He really wanted the ninja turtles coming out of the sewer.  I asked if he would be sad that mommy didn't make his special cake and he said NO!  So I guess it's just me that's sad I didn't make it! ;)

After that we headed over to Ashland to Mahoney State Park's Activity Center for the birthday party!

Poor girl didn't nap at all that day and this is the result.  Too many people were wanting to hold her and she just wanted mama.

The birthday boy with his cake, party hat, and mask! 

The littlest party attenders... 

Kyler got some super cool presents!  Lots of ninja turtle stuff! 

This sweet girl was so exhausted.  But when Brodie walked up to her, she reached out for him!  Of course we let him hold her, it was her request.  She loves those boys! 

I didn't quite see how this started, but a grandpa dog pile somehow ensued.  All the grandkids except the two littles (Emma and Natalie) joined in.  Everyone survived. :) 

Three cuties making funny faces. 

It was a really great day and fun for all!  After we got home, we were able to go outside and enjoy some of the 75 degree weather--in March!  Kyler had an amazing birthday and so much fun.  I asked him what his absolute favorite part of the day was and he said it was opening his presents.  :)

Emma 6 month stats

Time is flying by and Emma turned six months old last Friday!  She went to the doctor on Monday for her check and had SEVEN immunizations!  Four shots (one was her first flu shot...finally!) and one was the oral rotavirus drink.  She handled them beautifully and wasn't really cranky or tired at all that day.  She's pretty amazing!!!

So her stats:

Weight: 20 lbs 14 oz (98th percentile)
Height: 27 inches (90th percentile)
Head: 18 inches (above the scales--off the charts big again)

And she is meeting all developmental guidelines and the doctor said she looks just perfect!  Not that I didn't already know that, but it's always nice to hear!

Miss Emma is not quite crawling yet but is rolling around and turning all over the place.  We have to really watch her and have to shut the baby gate at the top of the stairs if we're leaving her alone for a few minutes.  She doesn't really want to sit up at all and just topples over.  She's simply not motivated to do so and I am very much okay with that!

Emma loves to laugh and talk and make noise!  If she wants your attention and you're not looking at her, she will grunt, wait a second, and grunt again until you look at her.  She's pretty funny and really intelligent with what she already knows how to do.  In fact, when I ask her to smile for the camera and hold up my phone, she usually puts a grin on her face since she knows what's happening!

Emma loves books that have pictures of other kids or babies!  She loves looking at the faces and gets super excited and squeals and yells at them.  She is also in the grabbing stage.  No matter what I put in my hand, it most definitely will become hers or she will SCREAM!  And do not even think about trying to take it away.  That will elicit an even louder scream. :)

Emma is a mommy's girl.  She ONLY wants mommy.  The other kids will make her laugh and smile but she wants mommy holding her all the time.  When daddy has her and she sees mommy, she starts crying and acts completely distraught.  And then if I come talk to her and walk away without taking her.....she is done.  Pure sadness, distress, and just emotional death for her.  I know she will outgrow it so I'm definitely trying to apprecaite her loving me so incredibly much.

Emma is very intelligent and she's just a sweet, zen little baby.  She doesn't show much stranger anxiety yet and she's just usually a pretty chill little baby.  She still loves to eat, as her size suggests.  She started rice cereal on Christmas day and this week we added in some green beans.  She always makes a really disgusted face but keeps opening her mouth for more until they're gone so she must like them.  I don't think we'll have a problem with her eating. :)

Emma Lily, you are such a light in my life and the completion to our family.  I am so thankful for you and cannot wait to see how your little personality forms and what you will be like when you are older!  For now, I'm enjoying these last few moments of having a "baby" and know that all too soon you will be toddling around this house!  Love you!

Emma's 6 month pictures

I have a few problems.  First, my sweet little Emma just will not stop growing up, despite my pleas for her to stay my little baby forever!

Since she's not listening, we had her 6 month pictures taken a few days ago.  Which leads me to my second problem....she is so darn cute that it's hard to just pick a couple!  So, here are my favorites!!!