She Did It!!!!!

"Who did it?" "What did they do?" "How did they accomplish something so miraculous?" All of these are questions that I expect to be going through your head at this time. Would you like me to answer those unending questions? Or keep you waiting- thinking that maybe now will be the time, or maybe now. Hmm, when will I tell you? This is kind of fun.

OK. Now is the time.

Emma walked. Took her first sweet baby steps today. It is a most miraculous accomplishment indeed. Is there anything sweeter than those first, lurching steps?

Now I have just one more question for you- Who did she walk to? Her devoted mommy, who spends a rather large portion of her day saying "walk, Emma, walk! You can do it! Go Emma!"? Nope, not me. Her daddy, who works with her often, in the hopes of seeing that first step? Nope! One of her beloved siblings? Not them, either.

Papa Jim. Yup, her grandpa. The guy who was here for about 2 minutes. She got up from her nap, saw Papa Jim, and ran to him. They may only have been 2 steps, but they were running. Fast. And he did not even bring her a doughnut. Whatever.

I will post pics when Emma decides to try again. She is clearly taking the evening off. She did do her dad the honor of walking to him, before her early retirement.

So there you have it, answers to your most pressing questions. "Who did it?" EMMA!!!! "What did she do?" She walked! "How did they accomplish something so miraculous?" Perseverance and hard work. Oh, and she tried hard, too.

YAY EMMA!!!!

Oh, dear

What is wrong with poor little Emma? She looks so sad!!!!!

I don't think she bit her tongue, as her 2 teeth are strategically placed to not do such a thing.

Is she cold? Hungry? Distressed about the economy? Concerned that the swine flu will keep her locked inside for most of her toddlerhood?

Nope- we told her that her ice cream was all gone.

Easter

I know that I am a bit late with my Easter post, but better late than never, right? So here is the best picture of all three kids that we could get- this is seriously getting much more difficult!
I just had to post the above picture- a moment of snuggly solace on a busy Easter day. Ben and Grace truly have a special relationship!

So we must talk about the bunny, and all of the delicious surprises he carried in his basket this year. Ben and Grace, along with yummy jelly beans, M&M's, Peeps, and chocolate bunnies, got fun scooters to race around the town! They were a hit, even if the children were unsure what, exactly they were. Ben walked down the stairs, saw his scooter and yelled "a unicycle!...or whatever that is." Yeah- we are a loooong way from the bunny bringing a unicycle, but whatever works!
Emma got a book and Goldfish- no candy for her!

We had a great Easter, spending time with friends a family. We got to see Grandma Pam and Papa Randy, Grandma Kathy and Papa Jim. And the most exciting- Uncle Nate and Aunt Alli. My children absolutely love them- although Nate may have fallen a spot or two on Grace's list of faves after he-gasp!- kicked the ball two times! Yes, you read that right! Who does that? She is still mad about the double kick! So please do not bring it up, the next time you see her. Even if it is six months. I doubt she will have recovered by then. It was traumatic!

Garden Party

Saturday was Emma's birthday party, and we did a sort of garden theme. You know, the cake had flowers, and it was 40 degrees outside. That sort of garden. I made the cake, and was excited to use some marshmallow fondant for the accent flowers. It was fun to work with, and someday I will make a cake covered in it.

Emma had a great time at her party- she was a sweet little hostess. She loved being the center of attention- I thought that one year olds were supposed to cry and scream at their party. She only cried when she was hungry.
She did not attempt to blow out the candles- thank heavens she has a brother and sister to help her out! She tried to grab the candle, so we have no candle pics.
I made a smaller cake just for Emma, and we plopped it down in front of her, and let her go! She barely made a mess, and spent more time playing than eating! Works for me!

Emma had a great party, with new fun gifts and lots of fun memories. For us, at least!
Happy Birthday Emma!

On a side note, Emma also had her one year checkup this week, and I though I could share her stats with you! She is a little girl- only 28 inches, in the 18th percentile, and 19 lbs, 11 ounces- 28th percentile. She is petite, just a bit round. She is perfectly healthy, and doing great!

Did you know...

that today is Emma's 1st birthday?

What, you didn't? Well, now you do! Emma was born 1 year ago, at 4:36 pm. The day was very similar to today- warm and sunny!
Sunshine brings good memories- all three of my children were born on bright, sunny days! It is fitting, don't you think?!
Emma melts our hearts every day, with her sweet smile and personality. We spend every day loving up those deliciously kissable cheeks, hoping that they will not disappear anytime soon. Emma loves her books, her siblings, and her puppy. As you can see, we have been able to go outside this week, and Emma has been pushing her toy up and down the block. Outside is Emma's favorite place to be, in the backpack or pushing her toy around.
So now you have it- Emma is saying "goodbye" to babyhood- and "hello" to toddlerhood. It is a whole new world. Am I ready?!!

Emma's party is Saturday, and her checkup is tomorrow- so there will be party pics and stats to update.

Happy Birthday Sweet Emma! WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Keepin' you updated-

We have been busy. Doing what? you ask. Being sick. For a looong time. First Grace got the cold, then Ben and Emma. Ben has not been to school since last Thursday. You know- a week ago this past Thursday. The cold itself was not so bad- runny noses, etc. The cough that came at the end was the trouble. And was it trouble! Fortunately, Emma skipped right over this part. Ben and Grace are still coughing, but we have decided to ignore it, and venture forth into the world.

Yesterday, we went to the pediatric ophtalmologist. I do not know if that is spelled correctly, or even really a word. Ben could tell me, of course, since he CAN SEE! Whoo-hoo! No glasses needed in this house! ( at least not for Ben) Of course, the mystery of why he failed all of the letter tests is yet to be solved. We think it is more processing than acuity. We will deal with that, but not today. Today we are celebrating NOT NEEDING GLASSES!!!!!!

I have finally decided what I want to be when I grow up. Which is next Spring. At least, I graduate next spring. Still in no rush to grow up. I am now a psychology major with a special education minor. I will then (hopefully- life may get in the way of ever graduating, or having a career) enter a postbac program where I will take some more special ed courses and get my license to teach special education! It makes me smile to think about. I have wanted to teach special education for ever. I just did not know that the option was there. I will get to take courses one evening a week, and one Saturday a month in Duluth. You know, interact face-to-face with other adults. SO exciting!

Emma is almost one, but we will talk about that later. I still have to accept it. We are almost done nursing, she is almost walking. I am still hanging on to almost.

Grace is in her very own soccer post. She and Ben have been Wall-e and EVE for the past week, while attempting to get better from the cold.

Josh is fine- lots of ambulance calls have been keeping him busy!

Did I mention Ben does not need glasses? Oh, did I?

You are now updated.

Happy Feet

Today was the last day of soccer for Grace. It was Happy Feet soccer at the YMCA, and it was super fun! It was for 3-5 year old boys and girls, so you can imagine the excitement in that gym every week! They called it indoor/outdoor soccer. Hmmm. Since we still have three feet of snow in some areas, it was only indoor. The outdoor would have been interesting. Cold, but interesting!
For their participation everyone got a very cute medal. They also received a t-shirt, and had pictures taken. Grace had a good time, and learned some fun new skills and tricks of the soccer trade. Or game. Or whatever. She made some goals and learned the kangaroo, the penguin, and the sea lion. Fun stuff, this soccer!

Go soccer girl! We love you!