Watch Out Destin...Here Comes Emma Grace

We are leaving Sunday to go to the beach for a couple of days...just me, Ben, and Emma Grace. I know what your thinking...I've heard it several times already..."ya'll are taking her by yourselves??"...The answer is Yes...we are the brave parents of an 11 1/2 month old adventurer. These days Emma Grace is "walking" everywhere...when I say "walking" I mean holding on to anything and everything and "walking" from place to place. What this means is...she doesn't want to be held or helped very much anymore. This new found freedom of hers has also led to some new personality traits...if you know what I mean...So watch out Destin...here comes Emma Grace! The following are pictures of Emma Grace trying to learn to feed herself and her on the move...

Emma Grace's 1st Easter

Emma Grace had a great first Easter. We spent Saturday with Ben's parents and Sunday we went to church and to my parents house for lunch. Emma Grace had a blast both days. She received 3 Easter baskets, 6 Easter bunnies, 6 books, and some candy...oh wait...that was mine and Ben's :) We read her a book to tell her what Easter is really about...she liked the pictures! We know that right now she doesn't really understand what's going on...or the difference between the easter bunny and Jesus...but we will continue to read this book to her year after year...and one day she will understand.

Here are a few Easter pictures...to see more click on the picures to the right. We hope you all had as nice of a Easter as we did!

A Mover And A Shaker...

That is what I have been calling Emma Grace this week. In one weeks time she has gone from crawling a little and cruising some to crawling and cruising everywhere. The days of sitting her in the middle of the floor with a toy are long gone...I tried it...she ended up right behind me! The following are some pictures that I took this week. The first one is the view that I see the most of these days...

A Mother and Her Daughter

Someone once told me that being a mother was one of the greatest gifts God could give someone. I have to say that I agree. Emma Grace is quickly approaching her 1st birthday which means I have been a mother for almost a year now. It has been the best year of my life. I've smiled more than I have ever smiled, I've laughed more than I have ever laughed, and I've cried more than I've ever cried. Being a mother has also given me a new appreciation for my husband. There is something about watching the man you love be so kind, gentle, and sometimes down right silly because he is so in love with his little girl. As we grow up most of dream of having the "perfect" life with the "perfect" family. When we are grown we realize "perfect" doesn't exist, but in my world I've got all I've ever wanted.

Emma's "Babbling Brook"

I figured that it was time to update the blog. The past few weeks have been filled to the hilt with new things that Emma has decided to start doing. She 'babbles' all the time. Not just any old babble, this is multi-syllable babble. It doesn't sound like much but I think I heard her ask me to put a tv in her room...it was sort of "aaayaaayaawannatvayyyaaammnn!" She has found that if she moves her fingers in unison, she can wave "bye bye" to herself. I don't know if this is how it is learned or if she just has a high opinion of herself. Actually, we have been teaching this to her for a while and she finally did it only her hand faces the wrong direction. It is cute none the less. During the same week, she decided that walking was a fun way to make mommy and daddy's back hurt. She is learning to walk a little. She loves this so much that it seems like she wants to do it all the time. I won't complain though, pretty soon she will be walking all the time and she will not be reaching for my fingers to hold on to so I will not rush it. She can however, stand in one spot by herself with no help and not fall down. Maybe its just me, but I am totally amazed by this. Its not that I think its odd, I just figured that she wouldn't be able to do it so fast. Emma Grace also has learned that her dad's head is funny looking and when he bends over she just laughs hysterically. I am glad that I can provide a little humor for her. Her personality has changed from one of dependence to more independent but she will remind you that she still needs you if you are gone too long. I wish that she would remain this way because I am having such a great time. WARNING! Sappy dad line ahead.......Being a dad is the greatest thing that has happend to me in a while.

Here she is at 10 months old.

"Hey"...its the universal word for Daddy(&Mommy)

Actually, in our house its the universal word for a lot of things. By the way, its my turn to write something in this blog thing. I had to get Ashley to give up the password. I think she was afraid that I might embarrass her with my "mad" blogging skills...what ever that means. Anyway, Emma Grace has started speaking. "Hey" is her "word". She uses it to describe her world. It is not uncommon for the monitor to go off anytime she is in bed. While we lay there in ours, out of the blue you sometimes will hear, "Hey". At breakfast, lunch and dinner you will hear it. When someone leaves, she tells them good bye by telling them "hey". I have heard that a baby must hear a word 72 times to somewhat understand or begin saying it. Well, I have said Daddy to her 772 times and I am her "hey". I am proud to be that also. I am blessed everyday when I see her smile back and me and utter that key phrase that has become so endearing to us.

It's Been A While...

I know it's been a while since I last updated our blog. I'm back in school full-time and it tends to take up all of my 'free' time. I will try to do better...

Emma Grace is doing well...she turned 9 months old last Thursday the 16th. I can't believe my baby is growing up so fast. She is becoming more and more rambunctious every day. She is very active and always wants to play and jump. Unfortunately this excitement has carried over into the nighttime hours...she has stopped sleeping through the night...we have always been the 'lucky ones'...she began sleeping through the night somewhere around the 8 week mark. However, for some unknown reason she has now decided that 3 a.m. is her favorite play time! I always felt sorry for 'those' parents...we have now become 'those' parents! We're hoping its temporary!

Teething Times

I read an article that said the signs of teething may include: poor mood, chewing of objects, and excess salivation. Do you think they are right?? Emma Grace cut her two bottom teeth at 4 months and is currently working on her two top teeth and one bottom lateral incisor.

Emma Grace's 1st Christmas

Emma Grace had an awesome Christmas...and so did her Mommy and Daddy. We were reminded once again of the best present we have ever received...our beautiful baby girl! We hope you all had as wonderful of a Christmas as we did and we wish you all a Happy New Year. Here are some of our favorite pictures from Christmas...we hope you enjoy them.

I love Christmas!

Is this present mine too?

Is it still Christmas??

So many toys...so little time

Emma Grace and Mommy on Christmas Eve @ Grandparent Trotter's

Watch Me Grow

Look How Emma Grace has Grown:

3-D Ultrasound

2/2/2005

Birthday

5/16/2005

12/9/2005

Our First Post

Here is Emma Grace enjoying a bath...I can hardly believe that she is seven months old...and that it has taken me this long to get a site set up for her...I will try to do better! I hope everyone enjoys the site...feel free to leave comments - Ashley