Baby Kisses and Funny Outfits

Emma has learned to kiss y'all! If you ask for a kiss, she will bring her head towards you and open her mouth. Most of the time, I end up kissing those adorable teeth, but I love it nonetheless. Jeff and I ask her for kisses over and over again. And again. It's adorable.
She's been staying with Nanna while Jeff and I are at work and for the past two days, she's had, well, um...lets just call them "diaper malfunctions", OK? Such that Nanna has requested an extra outfit in the diaper bag. I think we might have to opt for two changes of clothes. After the Pediatrician Mess of 2008 (In which Emma threw up on me and then immediately exploded her diaper down the front of me - to the extent that I had to borrow Jeff's undershirt - he unexpectedly showed up at the dr's - just to make it out of the exam room and home. It was one of those moments where you wonder if there is a back door you could sneak out of and could you REALLY make it to your car before anyone realized you had left your t-shirt behind in the trash to die a rather smelly death.) I used to carry not only an outfit for Emma but a shirt for me. I suppose I've become complacent as we haven't needed an extra outfit for either of us in a very long time. Needless to say, after yesterday's "incident" there was an extra outfit in Emma's diaper bag this morning. And at 8:37 this morning Nanna called to say Emma was already in said replacement outfit. Sigh.
Enjoy Emma's makeshift outfit from yesterday.

Baby Steps

Friday after work, both Jeff and I were at my mom's house to pick up Emma. I wasn't sure if he was picking her up or if I needed to and he wasn't answering the home phone. Turns out he was at Mom's. But I stopped by her house before I got home and the three of us visited while Emma cruised around the coffee table. My mom got Emma the cutest stuffed elephant and she loves it. She kisses it and grins at it and carries it around.

Well we three were sitting there chatting and Emma, clutching Elephant, took two steps from the coffee table to the couch. The only thing she was holding on to was Elephant, so it's official. Write this down in the books, people, June 12th, 2009, Emma Elise Parnell took her first steps.
She has yet to have a repeat performance, and I'm wondering if she even realizes what she actually did since she was holding onto the stuffed animal, but whatever. I saw it. Jeff saw it. Nanna saw it. She walked.

17 Weeks and 11 Months

At 17 weeks I am occasionally tired but I think it has more to do with juggling Emma, work, Jeffrey, myself, and the house.
At 17 weeks I definitely need maternity clothes but I think I'm still in that "is she fat or is she pregnant" phase.
At 17 weeks, I am noticing it is harder and harder to get Emma out of the tub or her crib. Especially if she's not really ready to wake up and I have to lean in and get her. Someone tell her it's easier if she stands up please?
At 17 weeks I am beginning to feel Baby P moving. While it's not regular, I enjoy it immensely when it happens.
At 17 weeks, I am counting down the days until July 10th, when we will find out what color we are painting the new nursery.
At 17 weeks, I think about what will it REALLY be like to have two babies.
At 17 weeks, I now have to take a thyroid pill since I have hypothyroidism. It's not a big deal and the doctor doesn't seem worried about it.
At 17 weeks, sleeping is becoming more uncomfortable, but I have a sweet husband who lets me get lots of it!
At 17 weeks, thankfully I am still sleeping through the night!
At 17 weeks, it's thrilling to think of expanding our family of three to a family of four!


At 11 months, Emma is pulling up on everything and surprising us with her strength.
At 11 months, Emma crawls quickly and will be off and around the corner before we know it.
At 11 months, Emma stands on her own for long periods of time without falling.
At 11 months, Emma is able to simply sit down from a standing position instead of crashing down to the ground and crying.
At 11 months, Emma enjoys her toy that spits balls out of an opening while playing music.
At 11 months, Emma also realizes that she can put the balls back through the opening where they shot out of all by herself.
At 11 months, Emma enjoys going to the pool and splashing in the water and looks mighty adorable in her bathing suits!
At 11 months, Emma now has 4 upper teeth and 4 lower teeth, although some of the teeth are at varying stages.
At 11 months, Emma says things like "mama" "dadee" and "nananana" as well as nonsense words that sound very similar to words we use. She "talks" all the time and we are fascinated by her use of different tones and the inflection in her voice. She speaks beautifully, we just don't really know what she is saying!
At 11 months, Emma will eat anything you feed her. She loves beets, lima beans, squash, and all kinds of fruit. This weekend we are planning on trying mini Emma sized burgers to introduce her to beef.
At 11 months, Emma adores Kylie. I mean adores. If she is crying, we ask her "where's the big fat dog?" and she'll stop and look for Kylie. She crawls to Kylie and buries her head in Kylie's fur and squeals in delight.
At 11 months, Emma is tolerated by Kylie. :-)
At 11 months, Emma's first birthday and first steps are just around the corner.


At 17 weeks and 11 months, it seems impossible that Emma was once a newborn and that in a few months, we'll be starting the process over again with a new baby. YAY!!