19 months (belated)

The thing I love most about blogging is being able to write about what is going on with my little one, so that later on I can look back and remember what it was like at this time.  Haven't done too much of that until now, so I feel like I have a lot of catching up to do!  Emma turned 19 months old a week ago, but I just have to write about some of the things she is doing these days, and what she likes and doesn't like.

Emma, you are still such a sweet and happy girl most days.  You are saying lots and lots of new words now.  You are picking up on words that I've only said once or twice to you, and that amazes me.  I've also discovered that even though you may not know how to say other words, when you look at a book and I ask you to point to something, you almost always point to the right thing.  You can point out the correct shape when I ask you to.  You are such a smart, bright girl.

Isn't her shirt cute?  My friend, Robyn made it for it and I just love it!

You have become quite the picky eater in the last several months.  You used to eat just about anything, but things have changed now.  Your favorite foods are cheddar cheese, goldfish, grapes, strawberries, avocado, chicken, turkey sandwiches, and cookies, of course!  The only vegetables you will eat now are potatoes and sweet potatoes, which drives me crazy!  But, I think you are slowly coming around to vegetables again; you ate a few roasted carrots the other day, and you will eat broccoli if it is cooked in a cheesy chicken casserole.  Surprisingly I cannot get you to eat things like macaroni and cheese or hot dogs.

You love to be held right now.  You will walk up to someone and lift your arms up to show that you want to be held.  I know it probably won't last too much longer, so I am trying to cherish it while I can.

Your favorite toy right now is your baby doll.  You love pushing her in the stroller, feeding her, and giving hugs and kisses.  Books and puzzles are other favorites.  We go to the library once every couple of weeks to pick out lots of board books.  You have just started playing by yourself on a blanket for about 40 minutes, and you are doing so well.  You also started coloring with crayons in the last month, and you love it.  I found you the other day coloring on the bedroom wall (already!).  I think we are still learning what is ok to color on, and what is not ok!

You are such a blessing and we love you so much!

Quack Quack

Last week when it was beautiful outside we went over to the Hoover "lake" by the library to feed the ducks.  I think it was Emma's first time to see real ducks in person, so, needless to say, she was thrilled.

We saw lots of ducks and geese.  Emma said laughed and said "crack, crack" a lot.

This duck was so funny.  He kept diving under the water for something.  His little tail and feet would shake and flap and hard as they could.

Emma thought it was quite amusing.

Check out this hair.

What do you do with girls' hair at this age?  I want it to grow out, but it is starting to look kind of shaggy.  Any advice from you mommas with girls???

Love it.

It was such a fun day, and I look forward to many more of these days with my two loves as the weather warms up.

Our joyful girl

Welcome to our blog!  This is something I've been working on for a while now, and I think it is going to be a lot of fun now that I kind of have things set up.  It is still a work in process, but the basics are there.  I will mostly be writing about Emma and all the fun things she is doing these days, but I'll probably be throwing out some recipes and other things at times.  Now about Emma...

Emma has been such a joy in our life. It has been so fun to see life through her eyes these last 18 months. She, of course, like any other toddler gets tired and fussy and I've learned that she has quite a temper. But, for the most part she is such a happy, joyful child. She has the most contagious, sweet smile.

 

I love hearing the excitement in her voice when she discovers something new, or when she sees one of her favorite animals (which is ALL animals).  We took a day trip to see Jared's mother the other day, and on the way we saw lots of cows grazing in the pastures.  Emma was so excited to see the cows and kept saying "moo! moo!".  It cracks me up.  She refers to cows as "moo", ducks as "quack quack" (actually it sounds more like "crack crack"), and horses are "neigh neighs".  Other animals, though, see will call by name- dog, kitty, and pig for example.

It's those little things that are so fun to watch her get excited about.  Yesterday was a beautiful day and we went outside to blow some bubbles.  She loved it and said "bab, bab" (bubbles) in a high pitched squeal over and over, chasing the bubbles all over the yard.

Times like this make me stop and think about what a blessing she is from God.  What an amazing gift God has given us, to display his love for us and let us see life again through the eyes of a child.  I think life goes by so quickly sometimes that we forget how incredible God's creation is.  Emma reminds me of that.  Whether it is just a blade of newly green grass or the sweet sound of a bird singing. 

Lord, I long to experience life like a child, to find joy in the little things.