Emma is 10 Months

Yes, that says 10 months! We have made it to double digits and we are loving every minute. You have grown so much this month, it is incredible to witness. 

Emma you are a crawling machine. I like to call you "stanky leg" because you scoot on your right leg while your left leg stays straight and you move all over the hardwood OR your cute little tush is straight in the air and you crawl like a monkey. Either way, me and your dad cannot turn around for a minute without you being in the next room or bolted for the back door. You love being mobile. We can tell you are proud of yourself (and we are too!) 

Side note - we need to install the baby gates and baby proof the casa stat!

When we visited Memphis, Grandma Hammer (your Great Grandmother) got to see you play and strut your stuff. You loved her walker, which was very amusing to everyone. 

Grammy needed a picture by the beautiful flowers and her pretty grand baby. 

And of course, your little mischievous face gets me every time. Silly bug.

You are really into Moose these days. You pet him, you play with his feet, you pull on his tags and ears. You pester him until he's over it and walks away... and then you chase him down the hall and the process starts all over again. Y'all are two peas in a pod. Its really sweet to see. He's not going to know what to do when you start walking and running. Play mates for life, you two! 

The doctor gave us the green light to try some solid/table/adult.. what?..foods. So we are testing some out. It's funny that you jam everything (aka toys) in your mouth but when it comes to food, you have to study and look at for about 5-10 minutes before you even think about putting it in your mouth. Most of the time you squish, crumble, or hold it in your hand... never really eating or tasting it, but the doctor said to take a step at a time and that we are doing. Me and your dad have noticed that you like to share. When we give you a piece of food, you reach out and want us to taste it first. After you are done with it all... Moose loves cleaning up after you. (could be why y'all are besties)

Some food you have tasted and seemed to enjoy (as of right now) are - Cucumber, Cantaloupe (love), Watermelon, Ritz Crackers (love), Honeydew, Sweet Potato Fries (love), Bananas (like). Another side note - I look at this list and you are definitely your father's child as I am not a fan of most of these... and he is. 

Your personality is coming out more and more these days and we love it. You are a total goober and so smart. You giggle at everything especially Moose and you love dancing aka shaking your booty. You are very independent and like playing by yourself and you hold your bottle on your own now too. You love looking at books, turning the pages, and just taking it all in (favorite book - Brown Bear). Also you love being outside whether we are watching Moose run around in the backyard, going for a walk in the stroller or baby bjorn, or walking to the mailbox with daddy... anything that involves outdoors... you want to be a part of it (and it puts you in the best of moods too!)

Happy 10 months baby girl. You are growing up way too fast and there are only 2 more months and then you will be a 1 year old. Stop, just stop. I cannot even handle that just yet... But yes, I am already buying and planning things for the big day. Of course. 

OH and by the way, you are obsessed with Minnie and Mickey. In a big way, obsessed.

I wish you could stay this little forever. Daddy and I LOVE you with all our hearts. 

Hugs and big kisses sweet silly Bug! 

Beach Bumming and Easter Celebrations

Beach Trip

So, this past week we went to Orange Beach with the Murdock clan. Dustin and I were super excited about the trip and being able to 'relax' (yeah right.. you have a 9 month old) and hang out with the family. We were missing Cody and Ashley but everyone else was there and we had a BLAST! Side note... it takes a lot longer to get anywhere when you have a babe in the back seat. Baby Einstein anyone? Can I get an Amen?

We left on Tuesday morning after Emma's morning cereal and bottle.. and the adults morning Starbucks and caffeine fix. We traveled from 930 to 6p. Usually this trip would have only taken us 6-7 hours... so there you go. We stopped around 11 to feed her and eat at Arby's and then stopped again around 3 to feed her bottle... we then drove the rest of the way until we got there. Mistake. She was done around 5p... but we were so close! Once we got to the condo, I busted through the door saying hi to everyone on the way in and fed her immediately. Gimme that bottle, ma! Learned our lesson for the way home. 

We were there Wednesday through Friday... and honestly... Every. Single. Day was PERFECT. No other word for it. Mid 70s, sunny, breezy.. and perfect! And having your baby girl experience the beach for the very first time. Seriously, NO words can really describe it. A moment I will never forget.

The first day, Emma was getting adjusted to the place and her napping schedule. D and I were able to lay out by the pool for a bit in the morning. She woke and it was beach time. She was very curious about the sand but hesitant about the ocean (understandable). 

The second day we ventured to the indoor pool and to our delight she LOVED it. Actually, I think she was so relaxed she almost fell asleep on her float. We also did the beach again but she was exhausted (probably from floating) and passed out hard on her daddy. #beachnappingisthebest

Friday was our favorite day by far! She became very adventurous! We got her little feet wet in the ocean, little cold but she liked it, we sat in the sand and played for an hour trying to figure it out (and tasting it), and then we went to the outdoor pool - yes in April - and she LOVED it (mainly because she could float and people watch). 

Again, this trip was perfection! My favorite moment was when she figured out she could walk with her tiny legs and feet and hold our hands for support. After that it was game over... she wanted to walk everywhere. Brave little bug. The trip home wasn't as fun because of traffic but we got through it (915a-730p) and once again for a little one that is teething, had a butt rash (thanks to teething), and having mad growing pains... she was a complete trooper. #proudparentmoment 

Our girl officially became a beach lover on this trip.

Can we go back?

Is it July yet? 

Happy (Hoppy) Easter

We got some shut eye and were up the next day ready for Easter Sunday. It was a beautiful sunny day out, we all got dressed in our Sunday best and ready for the 930a service at our West Franklin Baptist Church. This marks Emma's first Easter. Easter 2015. 
And what a great day it was!

We celebrate because the tomb was empty. He is Risen. He is Risen Indeed! He lives in our hearts and shapes who we are each and every day. For that I'm so thankful for Him. For He has given me this life that is so wonderfully amazing.

We are so blessed and it was so nice to be able to spend it with my family. 

My heart is so full. 

Emma is 9 Months [photo session]

Well baby girl you turned 9 months 2 weeks ago today.. and yep I'm just now getting around to writing about it. 

*You have cut down on your morning nap to about 30-45 minutes now. Still taking your afternoon nap after lunch (usually about 1-2 hours). 
*You officially have 2 bottom teeth. The cutest little baby teefers I have ever seen. Side note.. teething is not fun at all (obviously). You have 1 really bad night (luckily it has landed on days that your dad has the next day off) and you are super snotty. So the humidifier is always on, nose spray, nose sucker and lots of boogie wipes are our friends right now. 
*You LOVE crawling, pulling up, and standing with support. 
*You say Mama and Dada now too!

We did some 9 month pictures with the fabulous Alli Golden (Audrey's mama) and you were not having it after we stripped you out of your Easter dress. It turned windy and cold on Sunday and you were miserable and had a tude the whole time (understandably) but we still managed to get some great pictures (thanks to Alli's incredible photo skills) and then we did a little follow up session on Monday with some purple ruffles!! You are so pretty peanut... I still can't believe you are mine. 

Here are some of my faves (let's start with the best one...)

We love you Bug! You are our absolute favorite and a true blessing. Hugs and Kisses! You can stop growing up now. Thank you much :)