November is over. A lot of you have written to say that you enjoyed the daily blogs and pictures, and I'm glad, however I will NOT miss having to come up with something everyday. I am a engineer, not a writer and trying to be creative is very, very hard for me.
So in honor of the last day of November, here is a cute pic of Jamie and Emma. They went to watch football with the boys and Mama got some alone time... woo hoo!!
photo courtesy of Trevor BrownMy dad and Gramps made it back from Minnesota today and Emma was so glad to see them :) Dad promptly gave Emma the business and she loved it!
look, matching hair styles;) 
Hey there Gramps!
cuddles with Grandma :)12lbs 9oz!!!
Emma gained 12oz in 14 days!!! Woo hoo!!! Her doctor was very happy and I'm so relieved!! I guess all that avocado paid off!!
We had a great day yesterday celebrating Thanksgiving with friends and my Dad and Gramps are on their way home and we'll have a wonderful family day tomorrow!!
Emma looked exceptionally cute yesterday...
Emma is a total hat girl. I think she looks so good in hats! I'm not sure if it's her nice little round head or those big blue eyes, but she looks so cute :) I'm slowly amassing a collection for her. Some of them have generously been made for us, some are hand-me-downs or hospital leftovers, but I love them all :)
My aunt Susan made this one, she says it goes this way
but it's cute this way too!
One of grandma's co-workers gave this to us
Ella wore this hat 2 winters ago :)
This little french number was also Ella's
This one was made by Jamie's friend Kitty
auntie Sam made this, it's a little too small now!
quack!
so cute!
Ribbit!!It's 5 days from the end of the month and I've run out of steam. I had a crazy hectic day of helping some friends in need and I just don't have the energy to write anything. The saddest part is that I don't even have any cute pictures of Emma to throw up here and appease everyone. I'm sorry :(
Jamie has just informed me that this was his fake name once upon a time (sort of like Regina Phalange from Friends). Seriously. I guess he thought he was going to be a soap opera star or a weather man.
I don't think I ever had a *fake* name. I do remember when one of my roommates in college decided to pretend she was the governor of Georgia's daughter one night at the bar. It worked great until one of the guys she tried to pick up actually knew the real governor.
I'm pretty sure that I wouldn't have called Jamie after meeting him if his name was Parker Stone.
Did you have a fake name?
Emma really is such a happy baby. Her face lights up whenever she sees me (or someone else she loves, I won't pretend it's just me). Waking her up in the morning is the highlight of my day because she is so happy to see me and once I pick her up she bounces up and down in my arms with excitement. She loves attention and is a social butterfly. One of her favorite things to do is bask in the compliments that other people are giving her (seriously, you should see how happy she gets when people tell her she's cute). She is going through a bit of a *mommy* phase and doesn't really like me to leave her sight, but it's manageable so far. She gets so excited whenever she sees food coming, either the bowl or the boob (she also gets super excited when she sees me pull out my hooter hider because then she knows the boob is coming). She's learned how to feed herself cheerios and she thinks she's pretty cool when she succeeds :) She is in such a fun stage and I'm trying to enjoy every minute of it.
She loves to blow raspberries and squeal at you (it's kind of a pterodactyl noise), she's decided that both of those are much more fun than the babbling that she used to do. She's sitting up like a champ and rolls both ways. She still doesn't get the concept of crawling, her favorite thing to do on her belly is pick her arms and legs up like she's swimming. She does scoot on her back though, and I have to be careful to watch her because if I turn my back she's gone! We're working on clapping (really she just likes to hold my hand while I do it) and yesterday she waved for the first time!!! A lady came up to her stroller and waved hi and Emma picked up her little hand and waved her fingers back at her, it was so cute! She's figured out how to play peek-a-bo0... she puts something over her head and then lays still until someone notices and says "Where did Emma go?" and then she pulls it down and you're supposed to yell "peek-a-boo!!", she thinks it's quite fun! She loves to eat (so why she's having a weight problem I'm not sure), right now she's getting cereal and either avocado, sweet potatoes or banana as we try to pack the weight on, but she's also had pears, applesauce, potatoes, peas, carrots, beets and squash.
We are truly blessed to have such an amazing daughter. I love her so much and can't get enough of her kisses and cuddles!
Here are a few of her excited faces;
So I had just shut off my computer and walked upstairs to go to bed when I remembered that I needed to blog today, whoops! And yes, I really was planning to go to bed at 9pm on a Saturday night. Tanya and I were up WAY too late last night reliving our days as On Second Thought groupies. According to something I found online, the band broke up in 2002, which means that it's been 6 years since they've played a real show together (I'm pretty sure our birthday party and T's wedding doesn't count), way too long. Tanya and I used to spend almost every weekend with these guys and it was honestly one of the most fun periods of time in my life. Remember the movie Almost Famous? It was just like that, except we never really left the front range and there were no crazy group orgies. (Did I seriously just use that word on my family friendly blog? wow)
We had a great time last night, and it definitely brought back a lot of memories. However, they didn't go on until TWELVE THIRTY PM. Yes, after midnight. Holy cow, I was so freaking tired today. When the show was over we said our goodbyes and high tailed it out of there... much different than the days when we were the last people in the bar and then we'd often go out after the bar was closed. Not so easy when you have a kid to take care of. It was a great night though, and I'm glad that we were able to experience it one more time :)
Tomorrow I will have pictures of Emma (since I know that is why you all come here), but for now I'm off to bed :)
This morning I was trying to take a picture of Emma while she was eating because she was so excited about her avocado that she was lunging toward the spoon with her tongue out, but every time I pulled the camera out she would stop and pose. She is definitely her father's daughter.
mmmmm avocado!!Someone just shared this song with me and after I stopped bawling I decided it would be a good video to share with everyone. Jamie and I often jump ahead of ourselves and start thinking about college or her wedding and it's a nice reminder to just slow down and enjoy life now.
Sometimes I have a hard time remembering that I'm a grownup. Often when I look in the mirror, I still see this face staring back at me
When I'm pushing Emma's stroller and people look at me, I imagine them thinking that I'm the nanny (even though I know full well they aren't looking at me, they're looking at the cute baby in the stroller). I've had people comment on what a "young mother" I must be (the lady thought I was under 21), which most of the time I attribute to the fact that I rarely wear makeup anymore. But I still wonder when I'll be able to view myself as an adult. I'm some one's mom now, that's pretty grownup (though I guess that can happen when you're a kid too). Jamie and I were having a conversation about Christmas this year and I was saying that I should probably actually step up and figure out this Santa thing because I can't count on my mom to be Santa my entire life (can I? Jamie would like my mom to continue as Santa, she's really good at it!).
I guess the plus side of my disillusionment is that I can't see the wrinkles or grey hairs that grownup life is giving me :)
Remember this? This is what happens 4 months after you lose your hair:
pretty, isn't it?
I'm doing much better today and I'm hoping that my week of wallowing in my despair is over. Jamie and I had a date night tonight, we went out to dinner and then saw Role Models, which was hilariously funny (and I don't even like dumb comedy that much). My mom came down to watch the babe and is happily taking her first night feeding and getting up with her in the morning... at what point do you think the "ooohh, it's my first grandchild, I'll do anything for her" wears off? I'm hoping not for another 18 years at least, it would be really nice to be able to send Emma to Grandma and Grandpa's house when she's a teenager and a little *sassy* :) Jamie took some AMAZING photos of Emma today, so make sure you tune in tomorrow to see. Tonight I'll leave you with a small teaser, enjoy!
You know what sucks about being a mom? When you have a bad day(s), and all you want to do is curl up in bed with your head under the covers, you can't, because you have someone else to take care of. We didn't have a great day today. Emma had a doctor's appt and she's only gained 2oz in the last month (she normally gains about 1 lb, which isn't great, but it's okay), she also has a rash bad enough to get us a referral to the dermatologist. The doc wasn't so happy about the weight gain and we have to do everything we can to fatten her up in the next 2 weeks, including adding in another night feeding, which I guess *solves* our sleep issue. I feel like a total failure, and everyone keeps telling me it isn't my fault, but damn it still makes me feel like crap. My 8 month old doesn't even weigh 12 lbs and she's still in 0-3mo clothes, and not even close to growing out of them. Who knows what will happen if she doesn't gain enough weight before the end of the month.
Sometimes I really don't like being responsible for another person, some days it's hard enough to take care of myself and keep it together. Then you add in this tiny (really tiny) little person who depends on you for everything and you go and fail her. It's certainly not her fault that she's so little and if it's not her fault, who else can you blame it on but yourself? And you feel awful and want to hide in bed, but you can't. Sometimes it really sucks being a grown-up.
Then you take a look at this face and you realize why you get out of bed in the morning and put on your big girl panties...
day ??? *feels like it's been a million* :(
So tonight we thought we'd revamp Emma's routine to help her sleep better at night. What a freaking joke! I thought it would be okay because it's basically what I do for naps during the day, well Emma didn't think it was okay. After about 10 minutes of her screaming her head off I gave in and went upstairs to help her fall asleep. I guess we'll try again tomorrow :(
I love to be upside down!
weeeeeee!!! 
Daddy is so funny :) Now that Emma finally has some hair (again), she's experimenting with her style...
This one is known as "Bigger than my head bow"
Parted on the left
Parted on the right
Faux-hawk
The "bow secured by KY Jelly", made famous in the NICUI have 38 minutes to come up with a clever post for the day and I have nothing! I forgot my camera today so I don't have any cute pictures of Emma and really none on my computer that you haven't already seen :(
I need to go to bed because chances are the girl will be up in less than 4 hours ready to eat. It's great that she's able to go 9+ hours at night without eating. It's not so great that she goes to bed before 7pm most of the time. Gawd I wish I could get her on *my* schedule, but as a mom you quickly learn that isn't possible. I've tried countless times to push her bedtime back until 8pm and every time results in her waking a ton during the night and basically punishing me for trying to change her ways :) So for now I guess I'll just put her down early and learn to enjoy my free time in the evenings and maybe start going to bed at 9pm so I can have longer stretches of sleep.
Someday I will be the boss! LOL!
Years ago I read a book and I remember a passage about a girl who loved baby dolls so much that she just kept having babies. She really wasn't a "kid" person, so she continued to have babies so that there was always a tiny little baby to cuddle. Even then I was smart enough to realize that I could be that girl if I allowed myself to be (or if I could convince someone to allow me to be). I LOVE babies, seriously love them, I have been called a baby addict. If I could find a job that allowed me to just cuddle babies all day I would be the happiest person in the world. I love the way the smell and the sounds they make, their tiny little fingers and toes. Most people are scared of babies when they are brand new, but not me, I love it when they are fragile and vulnerable. Not to say that I don't enjoy Emma's new developments because I do and I've actually said that each age seems to be my favorite age (ask me about that when she's 2 or 13 though and I may change my mind), but there is just something about a brand new baby.
Today I was lucky enough to visit my friends Julie and Aaron and their beautiful twins Logan and Lily, who are almost 2 weeks old. Holy cow, I was in heaven!! I think that Emma was feeling a little jealous as I cuddled other babies. I could have stayed all day and just loved up on those little ones, luckily they don't live too far as I'll definitely be visiting again soon :)
Just kidding! I had beets today and they are good!This whole NaBloPoMo thing is really hard. I think my life is just too boring that I don't have enough witty things to say. I'd love to write a whole post about a funny yet irrelevant story, but I'm an engineer and writing isn't really my *thing*. So today I've decided to share the photo that I told Jamie I wouldn't allow on the blog (see, I really am desperate). As you know, Jamie takes some really random photos of Emma when I'm not around. Case in point:
Here is Emma all dressed up for her big afternoon out :)
I don't have the energy to write a cute and witty post today, sorry.
Emma is turning out to be the world's worst sleeper ad I'm at my wit's end trying to figure out a solution. It's gotten so bad that I'm considering paying someone to come in and *teach* her how to sleep. Blech. Why did no one ever tell me that this would be the hardest part, so far, of parenting? Why can't I just have one of those babies that just sleeps through the night all by themselves and doesn't need any help? I am so ready to throw in the towel in this whole game and admit defeat. How long can I function with so little sleep? So far I'm going on almost 8 months....
We're spending the night with Grandpa and Grandma so I thought I'd share some of the pictures that Grandpa has taken :)
Trying not to muss my hair during bath time
Grandpa giving me the business, I love it! 
You give me those peas and you give them to me NOW!1. I'm just going to say 349 :)
2. We went to the zoo yesterday, this was the highlight of our visit
3. Emma was approved for Synagis shots this winter!!!! Synagis is a medication that helps protect *high-risk* babies' lungs from RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus). RSV usually just presents as a cold in normal babies but for preemies it can be life-threatening, so this is a huge deal! We're still going to have to be extremely careful this winter (and we ask that anyone we come into contact with also be extremely careful and help us protect Emma from as many germs as we can), as synagis isn't a vaccine, just a little extra help. However, every little bit helps and we're really, really happy about this!
Emma would like to remind everyone to go out and cast their vote today. In an effort to not piss anyone off we are not pimping any particular candidate.
Emma did pick her shirt out all by herself today ;) I had a bit of a breakdown tonight :(
We went to visit some friends that were just blessed with twin girls at 33.5 weeks on Friday. Jennell spent 6 weeks in the hospital, in my room none the less and needless to say it's been a little surreal being on the flip side of bed rest and the birth of preemies. Tonight we walked into the NICU to meet their beautiful girls, Adrianna and Gabrielle... I have been back into the NICU, but only into the waiting area, not into the actual baby area. We walked right up to Adrianna's isolette to find one of our favorite nurses weighing a 3lb baby in what was once Emma's *spot*, I lost it. Everything just brought me back; the smell of the soap, the lighting, the people, the location. I did a really good job holding it in, because that moment wasn't about me, it was about 2 beautiful new babies, but once I was in the car the tears started coming. Wow. I'm not sure what was worse, reliving my memories or knowing what Jennell will experience in the next couple days; having to leave the hospital while the girls stay, the ups and downs of the NICU, not really feeling like a mom. My heart just breaks for both of them. Luckily the girls are doing great and should be home within weeks :)
In other happy baby news congratulations to my friend Steph on her beautiful son Ryan and my friend Julie on her twins Logan and Lily :)
And a picture to end the day :)
We had a great weekend! Friday we went to a Halloween party at Mary and Andy's house, it was so cute to get the kids dressed up! Saturday I went to a baby shower for my friend Molly and then Jamie and I did some shopping for the house. Today I got a massage and we PAINTED. I know, it's hard to believe... every time we paint I'm reminded of why we don't do it more often. I hate painting, but the end result looks really nice. We're in the process of turning one of our rooms into a playroom for Emma and Jamie, so we're moving things around and we ended up painting a couple walls in our living room a beautiful blue color... I'll post pics once I get things hung back up on the walls.
The weather has been so gorgeous here, it's hard to believe it's November. But a cold front is coming so we're trying to get outside as much as we can :)
Meena and Emma sharing a swing... Emma was being a swing hog
Emma and William playing house for the very first time... practicing for the future!
Cute pic of Daddy and Emma
William, Meena, Emma and Henry
Cute little bumble bee!
OMG Mom, I grew hair!!! 
What happens when Daddy and Emma are left alone ;)Some *blogging* friends have challenged me to participate in NaBloPoMo and I've agreed to give it a try. So stay tuned for a whole months of posts... yes, that's right, THRITY posts in a row... it should be fun :)
