15 Months

This month has been an adventure. Trying to understand what she is saying and also dealing with booty rashes and teething. Honestly, I wouldn't change it for the world. I love the constant change of day to day. Never thought I would EVER say that, but with a kiddo I have learned to adapt and go with the flow. This OCD and routine-liking mama is finally getting there and it has put me at ease... and has bettered mine and Emma's relationship. 

This is the face I get in the morning on the way to daycare... Graham in hand and Minnie for the ride, of course.

Emma has been pointing at everything and wanting to know more and more. My favorite times are when we go for our family walk in the evening. The conversation she thinks she is having with us is just amazing. Pointing at and saying "tee" (tree) and obsessing over the birds every time they fly by. She doesn't care too much for the stroller so we either hold hands or we still use the baby bjorn. She loves that thing and I get an extra workout by carrying my 25 lb baby. 

She has a lot of personality lately. She is a goofball and pretty independent. 

She is understanding more too. She shakes her 'no' and says 'yes' to answer questions. When we say "let's go outside" she points to the door and attempts to say 'door'. She "sings" the ABCs and dances to Wheels on the Bus and the Itsy Bitsy Spider. She knows what upstairs means because she looks up and points. That is where her room is for changing, playing, reading books and night night. We tried to make it a fun environment, not just a sleep or be changed room and it seems to have worked. Still loves playing peek-a-boo and now loves chasing and/or being chased by Moose. They are best friends... sometimes. She knows him as "dog" and says it All. The. Time. She also loves watching TV including Sophia the First, Looney Tunes Babies, and Doc McStuffins. She sat through an entire episode for the first time. She is usually on the go from Morning til Night, so it was nice to chill for 20 minutes. 

15 months was a lot of booty rash and teething. We called the doctor because it would not clear up with all of our remedies we tried. The nurse prescribed her some medicated ointment and we are finally clearing up. She said that she might have had a little yeast infection, very common, so we are thankful it wasn't anything worse. BUT it has been miserable for Emma and for anyone involved with changing her. She closes her eyes every time we lay her down on the changing table. Poor bug. But with that being said, she is liking bath time as long as there are lots of bubbles and splashing!

We are, also, in the midst of teething.. again. Will it ever end? Lots of white teeth popping through on top and bottom, but none have come all the way through. Poor thing. Her sign for teething is an awful cough (caused by drainage), lots of snot, and very clingy. Hopefully it will pass soon. With that being said, she is till eating. Lost a little bit of appetite, but who wouldn't? It has to be painful. 

Mac and Cheese face.

Figuring out this whole fork thing...

Fall Season is FINALLY here and that means Football is here. Once again, our Vols are failing us. But we still have to support our Big Orange. Besides that, who doesn't love this weather? Of course, being in the south its cool and almost cold one week and the next its hot again (in the 80s). I love it though. The fall colors are out and Emma loves playing in the leaves in our front yard. Super cute to witness. 

Fall is the best season. 

Up next is Halloween. Hint Hint... We will be singing in our "clubhouse" and might be eating some "hot dogs" very soon. Till then.... 

XOXO

Blue Jean Babyyy

Yesterday. Was. My. Favorite.... 

My favorite scrunchy faced Ginger.

Up to No good. 

Oh hey Dad. 

"Ok, enough pictures mama" 

Hey...curls, backless dress (thanks Target), and pink converse. 

XOXO

14 Months

I was sitting here thinking I need to update the blog on what we have doing lately and then realized that Emma turned 14 months today. Where has the time gone? I think I say this every time I write.

Eating:
She will pretty much try anything you put in front of her, you just have to give her a minute to examine it. She will play veggies but still won't eat them, so those are consumed in a pouch form. Favorites: veggie pasta, pizza, uncrustables, mandarin oranges, hot dogs, fish sticks, graham crackers, bananas (she could eat 4 a day, if we let her), and recently marshmallows (thanks to her daddy). Still sitting in her high chair but we will randomly have a picnic on the floor... either way, Moose thinks he always deserves a piece of something. 

Sleeping:
Oh how we love sleep in the Murdock household. Since she was 5 weeks old Emma has been an excellent sleeper. Now, there have been hiccups because of teething/hurting, but I can count those on one of my hands. Girl loves her sleep. During the week, she gets her nap in at daycare from 11:30a-2:30p and takes a short nap with Dustin around 5p-6p. On the weekend, she still loves to take a nap in the morning and in the afternoon for about 1-2 hours. At night, she regularly goes to bed at 8:00p and wakes around 7:15-7:30a. I have to wake her up during the week around 6:55a-7:00a so we have time to eat some breakfast and get ready for school... and squeeze in some play time. So basically when people ask me why are you so tired?.. I can't blame her. 

Playing:
Emma is a very independent little lady and this shows with her play time. Yesterday while Dustin was volunteering at church, I sat on the floor in hopes to play with her but she decided she wanted to do her own thing, so I watched a movie while she played with her balls, first word cards (thank you Jess - huge fan), talked, laughed and walked around like a tiny grown human. I would play, however, when I held things for her, which is basically her way of sharing. I'll take it. 

Learning:
She has learned to walk, which is very exciting and has resulted in this mama losing weight (ha). She is getting used to being tough and not crying when she takes a tumble. Most common used words: Dada, Mama, Dis (this), Dat (that), ba (ball), bae (her baby), da (dog), and duh (duck). She has learned a lot of these things from daycare which makes this mama so happy. Last week there was no crying at drop off and her teacher, Ms Dee and Ms Shannon, say that she is the best babe. On the other hand, we are trying to reign in her temper too... poor thing she has that red hot headed temper already. We are trying to teach her to shake things off and not be so dramatic about the little things. It will come. 

We have been regulars and are in the process of becoming members at Church of West Franklin, a regional campus church of Brentwood Baptist. On August 16th Emma, along with several others, she was dedicated to the Lord. It was a special moment for our family and look forward to teaching her all about Jesus and establishing her faith in Him. 

Another month gone and I'm still in disbelief. 

PS It is almost Fall and football season starts in 2 weeks. Bring on the all the orange, falling leaves, cooler weather, light weight sweaters, leggings, boots... and pumpkin spice lattes. I need to go shopping -- and with Emma's new found obsession with shoes... we both need some shopping!

XOXO

13 Months [and some other things...]

I am way behind on this post. and so many things have happened since Emma's 13 month birthday. We went to the aquarium for the first with our besties Dani and Audrey. Had a blast in Chattanooga. It was extremely busy so we were rushed a bit, but overall a great time (especially with free tickets). Hey perk!

The week of 27th we went to Orange beach (again) but this time with my side of the family. Once again, Emma loved everything about it but very hesitant. The cousins had a blast playing together. Ava, Davis and Amelia are so good with her. So much love for their baby cousin. Sweetest sight. The car ride there was a piece of cake because we stayed the night half way in Birmingham but the way back... way long. 10 hours long. Emma (plus us) were very delirious when we got home. Understandable. Playing putt-putt, swimming in the pool, eating dinner with the family, shopping at the souvenir shops, (eventually) playing in the ocean and sand. All of it. It was so fun to see her experience it all again and understand it even more. She is very observant of her surroundings and takes everything in, one of the many things I love about her. Overall, Emma was a complete trooper (once again) and it makes this mama so proud. 

While at the beach Emma decided she was going to start WALKING. I'll never forget it. We were have dinner in the condo with Dustin's parents (yes, they were at the beach at the same time we were) and my family. Dad and I had finished so we were playing with her and all of sudden she walked to me... and then to Dad... and then back to me. Clapping and laughing after each time she did it. My heart was filled with such joy. Seeing her experience something new for the first time. Pure happiness and she was so proud of herself. Fast forward to today.. and she is walking everywhere. Up and down the sidewalks. All over the kitchen and hallways. Life is about to get real interesting... and face paced.

We also went to Arrington Vineyards and the Williamson County Fair for the first time this past weekend. Friday night was spent at the Vineyards with friends, drinks and all the kiddos. It was so nice (a little hot) but more importantly the drinks were flowing, food was delicious and hanging out with friends is always the BEST time. 

Saturday came around and we went down to the fair. Emma couldn't do a ton except just look around and pet the animals. And that we did. Plus, we looked at all the rides (which we will ride one day) and ate a corn dog, hot dog, funnel cake, and dip n dots. Ok, lets be honest, the only reason you go to the fair is for the food. Had so much fun and Emma fell asleep on the way home. Success. 

Like I said. Lots has happened in a month and it has been a blast living life with this precious gift from God. Can't wait for more adventures with our bug... but time really needs to slow down. 

XOXO

D-Day :: Daycare

We started Ms E at daycare in Franklin last week on the 6th. Talk about a great welcoming for my little girl! This mama was so happy to see this sweet little surprise. I immediately knew she would be well taken care of.

New home away from home. 

When we dropped her off the first day... this is where we left her.. Happy and content.

Everyone said it was going to be hard and they were not lying. The first week, I don't think she knew what was going on, so drop offs were not as hard as I thought. Of course I cried... but she didn't. Thank God. 

Here are the reports from the first week...

This week (week 2)... one word. Tough. 

She is very smart so it doesn't surprise me that she picked it up quickly that she was going to school everyday. This week we walk in and she clings to my hip. Not going to lie, I do love this because up this point Emma has been a daddy's girl, but it makes that much harder to leave (for me and her). Lets just say that was lots of crying, screaming and reaching out for 'mamamama'. 

I emailed them to make sure she was ok... 

But the upsides obviously always outweigh the tears and heartbreak (mainly from me), right? Her teacher, Ms Kenzie (who I adore already), was very proud of Emma yesterday because she finally ate some food from her -- yogurt, berries and applesauce (fruits and sweets... that's my girl). This is great news considering she barely eats table foods at daycare or at home... she might be a picky eater like her daddy. 

So our motto from now is...Take it a day at a time and any progress is good progress.

Here she is talking to her best buddy, Babyb and cheesing for the camera. Of course. 

We were incredibly blessed to have parents that were (physically and... mentally) willing to watch her up until she was One. But, Dustin and I were both daycare babies so we always knew this would be inevitable given that we both work and can't stay home with her. She's adjusting and its a learning experience for everyone, most importantly Emma. I can't imagine being One, teething, meeting all these new kiddos and adults, doing all these new activities PLUS with a new schedule for eating and sleeping... 

Emma goals (well lets say... hopes) for this year at daycare - 
Learn to walk
Learn to eat more table food
Learn more words/sign language

Our goals for this year at daycare -
Meet some parents of these kiddos -- Lets be honest, with this hectic world that we live in it would be nice to meet people in the same stage of life. 

Tomorrow is Friday... and then the weekend. Can I get an Amen? We are headed to Chattanooga for a Saturday day trip to the aquarium. Dani and Audrey are meeting us there... and since my best friend/co-worker friend, Sarah, got us free tickets... why wouldn't we go? 

-- blog to come -- 
This will be Emma's first experience at an aquarium and the 2nd play date for A and E (besties for life)

Happy Thursday
xoxo

Update -- as of 8/13/15, you are now LOVING daycare. Drop off is not bad at all and you are eating solids and WALKING. 2 goals already marked off the list in just a months time. 

Happy Birthday America!

Our 4th was pretty low key. 

We shopped at the mall after visiting with family at lunch on Friday. I needed some new shoes and Emma liked the full length mirror, so we hung out there for a while. 

There was lots of walking around the neighborhood, cuddling, holding, napping and playing.  A teething babe is not fun but she was pretty happy considering she was hurting and had a fever. Needless to say this mama has jello arms from carrying my 21 lb babe all weekend. But hey, totally worth it! 

There was lots of red, white, and blue and lots of flag waving.

Dad came home and he needed some sugars from his girl. 

God Bless America! 

USA... Land of the Free and Home of the Brave!!

OH and Emma now says "What's Up"

And to close out a very patriotic weekend... The US Women's Soccer Team beat Japan 5-2 on Sunday! Go USA!!!