A Rolling Maniac

Our little girl is rolling. She can go in any direction, and just might roll off our bed one of these days if we aren't paying attention! It's been so fun to watch her get from one spot to another, although it still seems to be happenstance --- like she's rolling just cause she likes to, not because she's trying to get somewhere else. She's become a little wiggleworm in her crib as well...and I wish I could set up a little spy-cam to see how she flips herself around so quickly. I'll lay her down and go back 5 minutes later to discover that she's facing the opposite direction and is on her belly instead of her back or vice versa. I did peek in the other day and saw her hooking her little toes on the slats of the crib, using those to leverage herself around. Don't anybody say it!!!! She WILL NOT be crawling any day now! She is going to stay my little "roly" peach for awhile yet.

I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow to see if they can figure out this crud I've been plagued with. The cough won't leave despite not being as wracking and constant. And it's harder to get a clear, full breath...or at least that's how it feels. My mom suggested walking pneumonia, but I sure hope not. Emma seems to be fine. She's getting a stuffy nose again, but if that's all it becomes, we can certainly deal with it!

Well, she's up again. Must go tend.

Feverish

Emma had a fever yesterday and last night...the thermometer said 101.0. She wasn't flushed or cranky...she just wasn't as smiley as she normally is. By morning the fever had broken and we went to work/daycare, but then it started to return in early afternoon and we ended up coming home early. They took her temp at daycare and said it was 100.3, however when I got home, our thermometer only read her temp at 99.0. She's slept more than usual, and her awake time hasn't been as cheerful, but she doesn't seem to be displaying other symptoms. No teeth seeming to be on the way either, although Em keeps sticking her tongue out, and therefore in the way, every time I try to look at her lower jaw!

I'm the one suffering from poor health right now. I've had a cold for a solid week now...started in my head and has moved down to also fill my chest. I'm sneezing, blowing, coughing...and nothing seems very productive. I'm actually starting to wonder if I'm not rolling right into something else. Poor Emma...I feel like she suffers the most, though. I can't hold her as long as I want to without fear of stuff running down my upper lip (I'm constantly having to reach for a tissue), I can't kiss her (which I suppose hurts me more than her), and when I try to read to her books, I can't make it through without having a coughing jag. I miss her! Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day for both of us.

One Smart Cookie

Well, yesterday marked what I call a "developmental leap" of Emma rolling from her back to her belly. She was on the couch, on top of a blanket, rolled onto her side, then GRABBED THE BLANKET AND USED THAT TO PULL HERSELF THE REST OF THE WAY OVER!!! What a smart girl!!! We were so proud of her ingenuity. She did it a couple of times. Then, to make our smiles even bigger, when I laid her down for a nap...on her back...she decided that wasn't how she wanted to sleep and got herself flipped over. She's doing so well, too, at putting her pacifier into her mouth on her own. So cute.

Apparently with the developmental leaps also come some emotional ones. I was told that Emma had a little temper tantrum this morning in daycare. Not sure what finally calmed her down, or what triggered it in the first place, but I hope those don't become a frequent occurrence.

We've Got POOP!

While that title may seem inappropriate or weird, it's cause for celebration in our house today. Emma last filled her diaper on Tuesday evening, and has only peed since then. We were starting to get a little bit alarmed and wondered how long we should let her go before calling the doctor. She's given us hope several times, but each time it turned out to only be NOISE. We started her on cereal a week ago, and I guess the change in diet caught up on her. So, I rejoiced when I went in to get Em from a LONG nap and found her stinky! Oh, and what a diaper it was. I won't go into details as not to disgust all of you, but I WILL say I was ecstatic that the diaper held it ALL! Unfortunately, I'm probably going to end up changing her clothes before church because it would seem the STINK has attached itself to the fibers of her onesie and sleeper!!! And NO, none got on her clothes...I've checked. It really is just the SMELL. Pew! Now I don't know if her good mood is more due to having a great nap or because her system just emptied itself!

Last night we went to the second wedding of some friends, William and Monica. William was on my last Zambia team. 3 1/2 years ago he and Monica got divorced. It's incredibly exciting that the Lord kept His hand on them and orchestrated things to bring them back together. They have 2 little girls. The service was great, and was followed by a cake and punch reception in the church cafe. I cut one of their cakes....a round one where you cut 2 inner circles, then slices all around. It was fun!

Oh, speaking of Zambia, I've been rejected for additional life insurance because of my travel to Zambia...mainly b/c there's a chance I'll go back. We're looking at other carriers now to see who will cover me. I guess if nothing else, on the next travel form I'm asked to fill out, I'll just have to say "no trips are planned"....which is true. Then they can interpret what they may.

A Great Weekend

After so much attention this weekend, we went to Daddy's ballgame incognito!
Emma lovin' on Grandma

Watch out, Grandpa...she's got a hold of your glasses!

With Crystal and Kalliandra after the dedication

Can't they make a swing like this for adults?

My favorite hat of Emma's

Trying cereal for the first time

Thirsty girl! This was a hoot.

Having fun on Grandpa...she loved the print of his shirt!

Here are some photos from the weekend. We had fun preparing the house and food (I cooked soup!), saw friends dedicate their children, then woke up to a busy Sunday of Emma being dedicated and a house full of friends for lunch. The Peach was definitely the center of attention! She received her first Bible, which we'll start reading with her on a daily basis.

Monday was a little rough -- lots of stimulation from the weekend catching up to Emma. Not much sleep Sunday night. Last night was MUCH better, though -- a six hour stretch, and she didn't even have a blow out!

We've started cereal, though haven't been consistent with WHEN to feed it to Emma. We've managed a couple of mornings, but yesterday it was around suppertime. She's getting better at holding it in her mouth and swallowing. Doesn't seem to be curbing her appetite for nursing, though!!! Honestly, that shocks me! I thought for sure her time between meals would lengthen.

Enjoy!

Random Photos

Mom appreciates being noticed, even when behind the camera

Sweet smiles for Aunt Wendy

Mmm...tasty feet

Em while watching Baby Mozart, sporting her Roots Canada t-shirt

Daddy using the computer with Emma at his side

This coming Sunday, May 13, will be a rather big day in our household. Emma will be dedicated in church, it is Mother's Day (my first), and Jon and I will be celebrating our 7th anniversary. My mom and dad are coming in town to join the celebration, and we're hoping to have friends over for lunch on Sunday in Emma's honor. I'd better get busy cleaning!!!

On Monday we did a "photo-shoot" with our dear and VERY talented friend, Susan, and her twin boys, Grant & Wyatt. She took some amazing family pictures and then some pics of Em by herself. I'll post some here, but not until after Mother's Day. I don't want to ruin the delight of Emma's grandmothers who will be receiving a CD with all of the photos. I will say that I can't stop looking at them!!!!

Hopefully there will be more blogging during this month of May. Our computer is down at the moment awaiting some software updates that Aunt Wendy is helping with.

Spring is Officially Here

I think it's safe to say that spring has officially arrived and is here to stay. It's been getting really nice during the day -- sunshine, warm temps, and a nice gentle breeze -- then has been cooling down at night to where I start out under only one quilt, then layer on a second one after getting up with Emma. It's a great time of year.

Em and I went for a walk with Crystal and Kalli last night. The sun was hot on our backs, so we didn't walk very far. Emma fell asleep in the car for the 3 minute drive, so I just snapped her carrier into the stroller and off we went. When she woke up, we went into the backyard and Emma tried out Kalli's swing on their swingset. Never before have I seen Emma look SCARED...but she did on the swing, so I pulled her out of it pretty quickly. Kalli loves the swing and was all smiles. However, her dad throws her around a bit more than we do with Em, so I think Kalli may grow up to be a little daredevil.

I'm actually supposed to be at work right now, but the Peach got tired while we were still getting ready for the day and I laid her down for a snooze. She's sleeping longer than normal, so I'm waiting for her to wake so we can walk over to the church. I think she might be going through a growth spurt b/c she's been sleeping a little more than normal. We took the morning off yesterday -- we really needed a break, and the only way to get it was to just not go in rather than try to leave early -- and didn't go to the church until 2:00 p.m. IT WAS GREAT! Emma took 2 naps, and I got one as well. It made for a much more pleasant afternoon.

The weekend is nearly here! I have to be at all of the weekend services again, but I'm looking forward to having more time with my girl than I did last weekend. Maybe we'll walk to Handel's tomorrow for ice cream, or just hang out in the backyard on a quilt.

Mmmm...so what's Emma doing now that she wasn't before? Just a few days ago she started sticking her tongue out. Not really FAR out, but it just cracked me up to see her. She's also now grabbing her feet and pulling them up to her face. I haven't caught her sucking on her toes yet, but I imagine that's next. The Peach is also reaching out for things a lot more, and is able to really chomp down on a "chew toy" she has that vibrates to massage her gums.

Oh, Emma made it through the entire Baby Mozart DVD yesterday while sitting in her swing. It's only the second time I've put her in front of it...the first time she conked out before it was over. I took some video of her while she was swinging and watching, to catch how captivated she was.

I guess I'd better go check on her.... I'll try to add another post later today with more photos.