7 Months

Emma Grace is 7 months old, well actually she is almost 8 months old, and I am just now getting around to updating our blog. She is changing DAILY! I can't believe we're already on the countdown to her 1st birthday. She is developing such a great little personality. She is seriously an extremely happy baby... when I say seriously, I mean seriously!! For example, she cut her first tooth and we had no idea. Emma never cried or had any of the other "teething" symptoms. I just saw a little white spot on her gums one day, so I felt her gums (with clean hands). And I felt a little tooth that had already popped through. She still hasn't cried or had "teething" symptoms.



Here are her latest milestones...

She rolls both ways to get around - no crawling yet.

She can sit-up fully unsupported and rarely falls over.
She is a da-da-da-da-da girl.
She reaches out for toys and for my hair/lips/nose.
She is very interested in everything around her - constantly wanting to touch things.
She recognizes Ken and I. When we pick her up from school, she get very excited to see us. This is an awesome feeling.
She loves baby food - sweet potatoes, green beans and mixed berries are her favorite.
She can hold her bottle, to feed herself.
She has started to grab at the side of the crib, as if she's interested in pulling herself up. But she has no idea she is capable of it.

I could go on and on with this list, but I will stop myself.

We did have a little scare at school this month. Her teacher pointed out a little rash Em had and told us she thought it might be "hand, mouth, foot" disease. Which is highly contagious. It scared the ba-jeezies out of us and we took her to the doctor the next morning. We found out that there is a reason why teachers are not paid a doctors salary. Emma did not have "hand, foot, mouth" disease. However, she did have an ear infection and a little case of eczema. Another example of what an extremely good baby Emma is, she never cried or acted like her ear was hurting her. Even the doctor was impressed. But nothing a little amoxacilin can't cure. We are very thankful that her teacher mis-diagnosed her or Emma could have gone on for quite some time with an ear infection.

We are having a ball watching our little princess grow up. She is the highlight to our day and God couldn't have blessed in a better way than Emma Grace White!

Pool Season has Begun!

We spent the entire day - Sunday - in our backyard. It has really turned out great, since Ken spent all week planting flowers, putting up a fence, laying stone and getting our patio furniture set up. He is such a great husband and I am so proud of all the hard work he has done! We also bought Emma her first pool today and I put her in her bikini, which was way too big! She didn't know what to think at first, but then she realized it was fun to splash around and play in the water, outside! She was pooped afterwards though, she fell asleep in my arms right after I got her out of the pool. We are so excited to spend many summer weekends in our new backyard.

Here are some pictures/video - please excuse my fattness, I haven't lost all the baby weight yet. :[

4 years...

4 years ago, on April 3, 2006, my best friend passed away in his sleep. I can't believe it's already been 4 years since I last saw his face and heard his voice. I was able to spend the entire day with him, on his last day on Earth. It was a beautiful Spring day. We spent it outside by the pool with friends. We talked about all the plans we had for the Summer ahead of us. It was a day I will never forget. Shane Edward McCabe you are still loved and missed by many!

Here are a few quotes about him, left on Facebook, made by those who knew him well.

"What up maaane?!!!...lol....Wish I could call you and hear you say that again. You were the most amazing person and i miss you every day that goes by. Until we meet again brother I will handle things down here, and you can save me a seat and a cold one at the bar upstairs....... Forever my best friend." - Murph

"What up Maaanne!!! Be over to see ya around lunch time! Our time on Earth is merely a split second in the eve of eternity! Most of my pain comes from knowing that your soul was so unique, that I know I'll never meet another brother like you! Happy Easter!" - Troy

"Four years ago today, you were suddenly gone. It was yesterday and it
was a thousand years ago. In many ways I still do not believe that this
is possibly the world I now live in. . . a world without my son. I miss
you desperately Shane, absolutely desperately. I carry you always and
everywhere. My heart yearns for your love, my eyes long to see your
face, my ears strain to hear your voice and my arms ache to hold you.
But in the midst of it all Shane, my spirit rejoices. You have gone
ahead of us to our Father and we will see you again in His heaven. Rest
well Shane. "I'll love you for always, I'll like you forever, As long as
I'm living, My baby you'll be." Love, Momma

"My heart is heavy...I miss my best friend, my soul mate. If I close my eyes tight enough I can still hear his laugh...the softness of his lips...the strength in his arms. Shane Edward McCabe I love you just as much now as I did that day in second grade when I first saw you on the school bus. I will hold tight to my heart the memories we had, I will miss you everyday I wake up and realize I have to live without you!" - Jessica

"This is Shane Mccabe day people: give your bestvimpression, remember to be funny, loving, loyal, thoughtful and omnipresent! However, don't get outta bed til at least 11, then hug your brother/sister -and give ya momma a wet one on the cheek!! R.I.P SEM!!"

"Today is a day to remember such a great man and a wonderful friend. when you left us the world lost a lot ! I know that wonderful smile is looking down on us today.... God hold each and everyone of us close to you today and help us recall that great smile, amazing laugh and generous,kind, loving heart! it will never be the same w/ you gone but I know one day I will see you again!!!" - Casie

6 months old

I'm a little behind, since Emma is actually more like 6 1/2 months now. But better late, than never! I can't believe our little angel is 1/2 a year old! Time really does fly.

Emma facts at 6 months:

• Rolls both ways
• Sleeps on her belly
• Says "DaDa" - Ken is very excited about this one, even though she has no idea what she is saying.
• Sits-up and plays with her toys.
• Laughs all the time.
• Blows raspberries - a lot
• Very noisy little girl
• Holds her bottle all on her own. But doesn't grasp the fact that she is holding it, because she lets go and then gets very frustrated that it's no longer in her mouth.
• Eats babyfood once a day.
• She loves green beans and sweet potatos
• Has 4-5 bottles a day - 7oz each

This month Emma has been in daycare - "school" - since I am now a working mom. It breaks my heart to drop her off everyday, but she doesn't seem to mind. Her teachers giver her extra lovin' - because she is the smallest baby and the sweetest/happiest. And I am quoting them, that's not just my opinion - of course I totally agree!

And I've been slacking...

I have been slacking at keeping up the blog! My little family got the stomach bug last week. So I've been busy cleaning up and hanging my head over the toilet. YUCK! I have also been slacking at keeping up with my 30 day shred, because honestly who wants to work out when they're throwing up. We're all better now, so I'm starting the "shred" again!

Mommy-Night

Friday night Ken had to work, big surprise, so my friend Erin came over with her two little girls. Madison and Ryleigh. We were just having mommy time and letting the girls play and Emma sleep. Poor little Madison started to feel sick... and ended up with the bug. And I had my first "throw-up" experience. **Gross warning** By first experience, I mean the first time I have had someone throw-up on me! It was an experience. I feel more like a mom now, even though it wasn't my kid. Luckily, Madison felt better after she got sick and the "mommies" were able to clean up the mess right away.

My Friday nights sure have changed a lot in the last few years. And the funny thing is,I couldn't imagine spending them any other way.

About to clean up and a little distraught about what happened...


Sick little Madison...


Ry-Ry was not sick at all...


Sunday Funday

We spent Sunday over at my sister-in-law's house with all of Emma's cousins. Emma really had a good time. She was all smiles and laughs! We had a nice little lunch and then went to their neighborhood park. They live in Seven Hills, which is a huge neighborhood with amazing amenities. We can't wait till summer, so Emma can go to their pool, which is a mini white-water.

Brynlee, who is only a year older than Emma, was such a little lover. She couldn't get enough of Em. And Alex had fun pushing Emma around in the baby-doll stroller, yes she fits in the doll stroller. And at the park little Sqemmy loved swinging in the baby swing, all by herself!

Emma acting like a doll-baby...


Alex and Emma...


Such a fun day!

Day 4....

Woke up, did 'day 4' at 5:30am [yawn]. I really need to step it up and start level 2. I'm not feeling the soreness, but I do feel the burn while I'm working out. I sure hope this works, because I'm giving up my sleep... which I do love dearly!

BACHELOR NEWS



Jake picked Vienna. Surprise, surprise... that chick is NOT cute! And her beak nose makes her look like big bird! I'm being mean. I need to stop. I just don't like her personality. It is what makes her ugly. She is such a "sweet" girl around Jake, but she's so rude around all the other girls. I don't like her, that's all I'm gonna say about her and Jake.

But I am super excited about Ali being the next Bachelorette! She is so cute... Can't wait for the next season of pointless drama!

Day 3...

Yes, I skipped a day. But I did go walking with Emma for a hour and a half yesterday!!! That counts for something, right?

I felt so guilty that I woke up at 5:30 am and completed "day 3"... and I felt so much better after doing it. I am not as sore anymore, that might be a sign I need to step up to level 2 a little sooner. Hmmm, maybe next week! ;]


Emma news...

She is sitting on her own without face-planting!

Here's my proof (please excuse the horribly dirty, with spit-up, onesie)...


And here is another picture of our cute little babe...