Vacation story

It was our summer vacation last week. While we were really looking forward to it I couldn't forget that with no nurse overnight one or both of us was facing 7 nights of little sleep. Would it be a rejuvenating vacation or exhausting week?

Here's how it went...

Day 1 - Saturday
We packed the night before so once the nurse left I got up, showered and packed the last few items. Once Scott got up, and then Emma we were really ready to hit the road and by 8.30am we were on our way.

We arrived at the boardwalk about 10am and after 10 minutes it started to pour with rain! It showed no signs of stopping so we headed to a diner for some brunch until we could pick up the keys to our apartment.

Day 2 - Sunday
The weather was still pretty gloom on Father's Day so we were stuck around the house for most of the day. Scott made chocolate chip pancakes for everyone's breakfast, played some Wii and visited other friends who are here on vacation for dinner.

Day 3 - Monday
We were up pretty early thanks to Emma but the day was looking pretty gray. Still, after 2 days here we were determined to hit the beach regardless. Our resolve was not dampened by the occasional rain showers!

I had been unsure what to expect of our beach experience with Emma so mobile and curious. It wasn't ideal for the first day. We decided to try a nap on the beach rather than heading home, but she only got about 45 minutes. She managed to rub either sand or sunscreen in her eye so it was red and watery.

By about 2.30pm I was tired of trying to keep Emma out of trouble and Scott took her down to the water. I assumed she'd have a paddle - I hadn't been anywhere near it so I wasn't sure of the temperature. About a half hour later Scott brought her back soaked from head to toe! He only took her out because she started to turn purple!

I hadn't brought a change of clothes for her, or a towel - perhaps naive to think she wouldn't really go in that deep! So I dried her off with our towel and borrowed some clothes before bringing her home for a bath and food.

We headed out to the boardwalk in the evening, leaving Emma with Grandma Ellen and Pops. We had a great time and it was awesome to be able to stay out later than 10pm!

Day 4 - Tuesday
Learning from Monday we did a better job of planning ahead for the day. We put Emma down for a nap at 11.30am and ate lunch at home before we headed to the beach. Grandma stayed home until Emma and her cousin Josiah woke up. When they did Scott went home to bring them to the beach.

Before that however we took advantage of our freedom and both went swimming in the sea. It was freezing at first but with the water at 70 degrees it was a quick adjustment. It was great to have some fun and not be worried about the baby.

Emma with Grandma Ellen

Cousin Josiah

Not long after Emma arrived I wanted to see her in the water for myself. As you can see she really did love the water. I was very pleasantly surprised.

Later on as we walked along the beach she kept trying to steer me toward the water! She was in dry clothes so I declined. However, as I soaked up a few rays Scott took her for a walk.

After a while I looked around for them and saw they were at the waters edge. I was horrified when I saw Emma crawling on the sand where the water came up. Before long she was soaked, as you can see...

I couldn't get mad though - she was loving it! Clearly she is fearless and even a wave splashing in her face didn't phase her! She did not want to leave!

Later that day the three of us and Aunt Kimberly visited the boardwalk and I challenged Kimberly to a round of Dance Dance Revolution in the arcade. I'm sure a heavily pregnant woman jumping around was a sight to see. Well, judge for yourself... (I think I kept up pretty well!)

Day 5 - Wednesday
After a very late night for Emma she passed out cold by the time we got her in bed and didn't stir all night. That made my job much easier, however when I did get her up I realized I hadn't changed her diaper in the night like usual and apparently it had been necessary. Sheets and all went right in the washer.

Not long after Emma's nap we hit the beach for no more than an hour before torrential rain hit. You've never seen a faster clean up!!

Earlier in the week I dropped my camera in the sand but it was still functioning. For some reason when we got back today it was not working properly. The only picture I took today was this one - Christina reading a book!!
When we were waiting for dinner to cook Emma was at the door scoping the outside and she started taking her hands away. We found Kimberlys camera to capture the new found skill before she quit on us. I'll get that to you ASAP!

Vacation story pt 2

Day 6 - Thursday "Scott's 27th birthday"
Despite it being his birthday Scott got up fairly early as the forecast was for a hot sunny day and we had not seen one of those this week!

We were on the beach by 9.30am and almost right away Emma wanted to go for a walk, and she wanted to go right in the water! It was pretty warm so I let her paddle but was trying not to get her diaper wet just yet!

The rest of our friends arrived around noon and we were on the beach until after 6pm. Emma went home for a nap in the middle of the day and was back, ready for more!

While we were packing up to go home Emma was sat in the tent with our friends 5 year old daughter. Emma loves older kids, and she especially likes Mikenzie. Kenzi found it odd that Emma was staring at her and said "stop looking at me like that!" We explained that Emma can only look like that! Kenzi was quiet at first, but we explained how smart Emma is and Emma was using her sign language. At one point she looked at Kenzi and signed 'friends' without any prompting. I almost cried it was so cute!

After showers Scott and I went for dinner with two of our friends and then to the arcade for him to spend the quarters Emma gave him for Father's day!

It might sound crazy but as we prayed before we left I asked to get a tan! Might sound silly but God does hear every request! However, rather than waiting to see if I would get a tan I did what I could to get the desired results and was a little sporadic with the sunscreen. Needless to say I got burned (most of us did!). It was a good lesson in waiting on God to answer prayer instead of continuing to take matters into your own hands!!

Day 7 - Friday
The forecast was good for today, with storms possible in the afternoon. Well that's still a good day on the beach!!

We were on the beach from 11am until 6pm! The weather was great, the water warm and plenty of waves to jump over. We kept Emma with us the whole time and she ended up sleeping for a good 2 hours, albeit only after she was super tired!

After showering we all hit the boardwalk for junk food and arcade games. We got home about 11am and some how Emma was still awake! She slept well through the night and I expect will be pretty sleepy on the ride home.

(Did you notice that the better the weather the less I used the camera? Well, I was on vacation too!!)

Revived

Don't ask me how but I picked up the camera yesterday and it was working again! When it's off the shutter doesn't fully close still, but it will do until we can get a new one.

Pictures and videos will be coming!!

R.I.P.

All good things must come to an end and unfortunately today was a day that we had to say goodbye to my beloved camera. No ordinary camera, it was a gift from my parents for my mission trip to Africa in 2004. During that trip the camera served me well.

Since then we have used the camera to take thousands (I'm not kidding) pictures of our lives, and especially Emma. The video capability was awesome and brought you all the great classics like Emma's first laugh, sitting up for the first time and generally funny behavior!

I'm sure that technology has moved forward a great deal in 5 years, but I am skeptical that we can find an affordable replacement of that caliber.

Not to mention I don't know when we'll be able to bring you your regular dose of Emma-time.

Watch this space!!

Rainy Day

What miserable weather we had to day! It rained all morning. It didn't hold us back though! The three of us went to the hair salon where I got a trim and Emma got a repair job! She was really well behaved. What was really cute is that she had a baby gown!!

You'll be pleased to hear I was actually happy with my haircut for once. A combination of good communication and minimal distractions!!

This afternoon Scott and I put Emma down for nap and hit the road, leaving her in the care of Grandma Ellen and Aunt Kimberly. Our destination - the Phillies game!

The rain was light at the start of the game and held off for all 4 of the game hours! The Phillies lost in the 9th inning, however we had a great time watching the game live. A few foul balls came close a few sections away. Someone got hit by a ball and there was a brawl across the stadium!! Love the ball park!

Despite a hearty brunch before we left I could not resist getting some fries and cotton candy during the game!! Eh, I'll save a few calories tomorrow!!

A rainy day off beats a nice day at work!!

Hair Today

So I'm pretty sure that if there was a handbook for mothers somewhere in it would be guidelines for cutting you childs hair as all mums do it. Last night I went ahead without the guidebook and cut Emma's hair!

The good news is that hair grows back, the bad news is it takes a while!!

I decided to even out the back of her hair which was quite unruly. I did it after her bath and had her sitting on the changing table with a book while I chopped. What I did not account for was her torticolis, which means her head tends to tilt to one side.

It looked great when it was done and I put her to bed. (Scott was out at a meeting!!)

In the cold light of day one side is longer than the other. Thankfully I have a hair appointment tomorrow so I am hoping she will take pity on my child and fix the damage I did.

Lesson learned - leave it to the professionals!

BRAT 09

This past weekend was the Bible Read-A-Thon at our church. Starting Thursday evening we lock the youth group (5-15 teenagers!) in the church (actually the old parsonage this time!) and taking it in turns they read the entire Bible cover to cover. The purpose is mainly to raise sponsorship money for Speed The Light (a fund supporting missionaries), but also they focus on the Word of God while having fun.

For the youth leaders, Scott and I, plus 3 other adults we take shifts in supervising and participating. This year I was home over night and during naptime so that Emma maintained her schedule. But as soon as she woke up we headed over to the church. Scott spent Thursday night there but came home in the early hours of Friday and Saturday nights.

Emma is incredibly social and it's never more apparent than when she spends time with many people. We saw her increase vocally after visiting with my family at Christmas, and after this weekend she just seems so much more confident.

We are blessed with a youth group of kids that love children and since the leaders have 4 children between us, that makes our lives much easier at events like this. Emma was able to play with our Godsons as well as Aunt Kimberly and the other teens. I don't think she came near me until she was getting tired!

Despite spending so much time in a different place with lots of new faces and no air-conditioning (not pleasant!) she was so well-behaved and really did us proud. I only hope it won't all change when she can walk and talk!!

One of her favorite new experiences was playing with Christina's guitar!! She gave her permission, really. As you can see here, having an audience was quite fun for her too!

We did try to practice walking, but she wasn't playing ball! We tried it a bit at home today and she's definitely getting more confident. She has started getting around on her hands and feet, not knees! Next step is to stand upright!!

Sign of the Times

I've entered a new phase of my pregnancy. It's the one where people are in no doubt I am pregnant and not just fatter! Previously people have asked in a way so as not to be insulting if I was not actually pregnant! It's actually more of a relief because while I feel like a walking blob I clearly have no just 'let myself go!'

It was never more apparent than Sunday while I was giving announcements to the congregation in church. Stood in front of everyone, with a microphone as I do every Sunday, but this was different. As I opened with a welcome to new guests I suddenly got really emotional and choked up. I think I avoided all out crying, just! I'll keep it to a few words next time!

It may/not surprise you to know that there are still people out there who don't hold the door open for pregnant women, even if they are also carrying a toddler!!

Physically I am noticing more aches and pains, especially when I'm trying to sleep or after something mundane like vacuuming. I do still have spritely moments where I'll run up the stairs (actually, it's more like a slow jog, but faster than a walk!!) or generally do something I wouldn't think twice about 6 months ago.

Last week I was reading up on the latter stages of a normal pregnancy - the parts I know nothing about, like frequency of doctors visits etc. It hit me that I enter the third trimester in a couple of weeks, and have just 14 weeks to my due date. Based on how fast the past 6 weeks have gone it will be here fast.

As the summer starts up I feel like I'm doing pretty good. I have gained a total of 30lbs - yes, that's more than I should gain for the whole time, however I will be doing my best to keep any additional gain to a minimum. And while it sounds like a lot I am still able to where pre-preggo t-shirts of mine!

Cankles featured pretty heavily in the last pregnancy so they haunt my nightmares! The squooshy tight feeling around my ankles was not a feeling I have forgotten, nor wish to repeat! Keeping hydrated will be the only way to fight it.

Emma has 4 hospital appointments in August and we will be doing lots of coaching on our goals of walking (close), talking (emerging) and eating (day by day!!). I can see our schedule eating up the time well!

In the meantime we are preparing to move her into her new bigger bedroom. There will be room for some of her toys and more space for the nurse and equipment - important as she gets bigger herself. We're doing it now so that she adjusts well and does not connect the change with the new baby. I hope it goes better than when I tried to switch her crib round!! (I'll be keeping exactly the same layout in the new room.)

We are enjoying Emma's progress so much. "You are so cute" are words we utter throughout every day, whether she is buckling her own car seat or laying in bed with us chating to herself while we try and sleep! I am proud to say that Emma even knows how to put her toys and books away when she is done!! That's my girl!

Walking Tall

Today during physical therapy we re-tried a technique to help Emma walk. You wrap a scarf around her chest, holding the ends up behind her, so her chest is supported. I tried it a couple of months ago and she was very wobbly and I just forgot to try it again.

This time not only was she balancing very well but she was pretty much walking by herself! We only loosely held the ends so we could catch her if she stumbled. She was even standing up by herself in the middle of floor!

We are so excited, and we now have the means to release our grip when she is walking - she holds our fingers with a death grip so she won't walk unsupported!

We'll get some video this weekend - we don't want to wear out the fun she's having with it by making her perform.

Oh the joy - it won't be long now.

More Emma

Yesterday afternoon Scott was with Emma while I took a shower. When I got out Scott called up to say I needed to some and see this. You do too - too cute!!

Later on she was captivated by the mirror in her toy computer...

This is priceless - we are babysitting two of our friends boys and the youngest, Aaron (10.5 mths) is now really mobile. Watching Emma and Aaron was too funny, I couldn't stop filming this. Check it out.

Strike Two

Last night we watched the Curious Case of Benjamin Button. An odd story, but really well done and really enjoyable. It was a long movie, and really is a love story but involves a child with a strange disability that sees some discrimination. I could say it was the pregnancy hormones, but in reality it was just like me to be bawling at the end of the movie! Love a good cry at a movie!!

Anyway, a small character in the movie repeatedly mentions having been struck by lightning 7 times, and being thankful he's still alive. It's actually LOL funny. With today's storms and the events I'm about to relay it occurred to me that lightning really does strike twice.

Remember how on Sunday I got so frazzled when Emma threw up and I was all alone? She topped it tonight!

Scott was up at church working, so I was eating my dinner in the armchair while Emma played on the floor near me. All was good until...

I looked over at her and saw a black smudge on the beige rug. Wondering how she found some mud (or if Scott had been wearing dirty sneakers in the house!) I went to investigate.

It took me quite a few seconds to realize that it was not mud, and indeed the same substance was oozing out of Emma's diaper. There are three important points to mention here:
1) Emma usually only poops when she sleeps - I don't know why.
2) Having been constipated, Emma's poop has been pretty firm and 'neat'.
3) She was not wearing any pants because it was humid today and I never replaced them after her nap! (I know, that'll teach me!)

After recovering from the initial shock I realized that Emma had it on her hand and all down her legs! This was so much worse than some puke! So much worse!!

I quickly laid her down and told her not to move! Deliberating between getting the wipes and getting her shirt off (which was already dirtied!) I think I worked in that order - it's all a blur.

I wiped hands, legs, feet, back to the hands! I grabbed a clean diaper and put it under her before undoing the dirty one. Unfortunately it got soiled on the way so I ditched it for another clean one.

Emma doesn't mind diaper changes, unless you hold her legs up for too long, which of course I had too! So she started crying and squirming!

Once I got her wiped and diapered I put her to one side to play while I tried to work on the 4 carpet stains. Baby wipes did not cut it so I got out the Clorox wipes which did the trick.

I removed the clearly contaminated toys, and prayed that none of the others had been hit!

I washed my own hands about 6 times, and after seeing Emma had something under her fingernails I got a bowl of soapy water and gave her hands and arms a good clean too.

After a few more washes of my own hands (don't judge me!) I was able to sit back down and finish the other 80% of my now barely warm dinner. All the while I was pretty grossed out and wondering how I might microscopically check the wicker toy basket and other toys for bacteria.

The question of whether Emma put her hand in her mouth at any point remains unanswered, I can only presume not as it was her left hand that had any significant poop on it and she prefers to suck her right hand!

So there you have it, a clear example of how one trial (Sunday) can prepare you for a greater trial ahead! And I am pleased to say that I had a sense of humor about this one from the beginning (if not tinged with a smidgen of disgust!).

Reality check

Today started out pretty good, Emma slept in until 7.45 am after a late night last night and I chose an outfit for church without feeling fat or frustrated (major!).

Unfortunately my smooth ride hit a major pothole not much later. Scott and I drove to church seperately as he had to pick some stuff up beforehand. We get there very early, before even the ushers arrive! Emma and I were hanging out when she started to gag - a sure sign that she has gas. When it doesn't subside quickly it's kind of like the warning signs of a volcanic erruption!

I rushed over to my bag, scrambling for the syringe and tube to vent the air from her belly. I connected it and squeezed her belly, but not much came out - yet she was still gagging. As you might imagine it was a matter of seconds before she threw-up.

Emma doesn't have much velocity so it just runs down the side of her face, onto her hair and shoulder and then the church chairs. On this occasion it was alot and although it's just formula, so not particularly gross, it's not the easiest thing to clean up.

What you may not have picked up on is that while Emma's puking, I have to hold the syringe in one hand and somehow get something to soak up the mess!

It's not a situation I've found myself in lately and with Scott not there I was not sure where to turn. I looked around me hoping for someone to lend a hand - I even started calling "help" but no-one came.

I was frantic and grabbed the only thing I could, a handful of baby wipes. With one hand I tried to scoop up the mess from the chair, then clean up Emma.

I finally did the best I could and set her down on the floor while I ran to the bathroom to toss the wipes and flush the tube with water.

When I got back Emma was trying to crawl and was crying because the pretty dress I'd decided to put her in was too long and caught under her knees preventing her from moving. If I had any patience left it was hiding and I informed Emma that it was about time she got up and walked so her clothing would not be an issue. It fell on deaf ears!

The day didn't really get much better and ended with me smashing a bowl! I'm just trying to get through it without anyone getting hurt!

The episode at church has stuck with me all day. It was not a serious incident - I wasn't worried about Emma choking at all. Yet I realized that no matter how together I have everything much of the time there will always be those unexpected moments that circumstances take an unexpected turn and you need help. What was most upsetting for me was that no-one came to help me!

Maybe because it was church, or maybe because I understand that every trial in life has a lesson to learn I looked for more behind this. And here is what it taught me...

Many of us have it together. The major facets of life are running smoothly and we can handle the odd bump in the road without breaking stride. However, it is guaranteed (check the Bible!) that something you don't know how to handle or aren't prepared for will come up. And when it does you won't be able to handle it alone.

Many of us are confident that our family or friends will be there when we need them. Unfortunately, despite the best of intentions they can't guarantee that. Which leaves two options: you deal with it by yourself, alone or you can turn to God. Many people don't decide until they have too, and at that point God may not be the first person to come to mind.

I have been eternally thankful that I had turned to God before things got really hard. I don't know that I would have known how to when circumstances were clouding my mind. And I have relied on Him so much since. Unfortunately this morning, despite being in church, I was consumed with what was happening and not staying calm or keeping a sense of perspective.

Thank goodness God doesn't give up on us, even when we aren't listening to Him!

What?

There is no doubt that the minds of children are often a mystery, and without the language or expressions to elaborate fully it is a fun game to wonder what Emma is thinking! For the most part Emma is a pretty placid, quiet girl though increasingly more verbal.

Today we were out shopping with friends, so Emma had lunch a bit later at noon and then Daddy came home for lunch before she went to bed. Normally she'd have been asleep on the drive home, let alone still going after food, but not today!

After watching her amuse herself (and us) in the kitchen for several minutes I grabbed the camera to capture one of those great times of random crazy behavior! (The reason that she hangs out in the doorway is that she would dearly love to go outside and loiters there int he hope someone will take pity and take her out!

This behavior is quite a departure from how she is first thing in the morning. Scott took this video when they got up today - she's probably watching a cartoon on the TV! (And yes, that's two mornings in a row I've slept until 7am!!)

Earlier this week Emma during Emma's weekly occupational therapy session Melissa brought the bubbles out again. We think Emma likes them, she doesn't really try to pop them, just watches them float! She does seem more interested in generating the bubbles, as you can see here.

While she is not able to make the pout you or I have when we blow on something, the movement in her mouth and tongue shows incredible development. While it's not easy, it is possible to blow without moving your top lip, so perhaps one day she'll be able to blow bubbles. I hope so.

Hello Gorgeous!

When he is working Scott usually has to get up between 5.30 and 6.30am. Not so since he's been off! He's been getting up nearer 8am, which is not too bad, but he's conscious he needs to get back on schedule so it's not too hard to transition back to work.

Unfortunately Scott is possibly the most difficult person to wake up. His alarm clock is an obnoxious siren that wakes the whole house, and I hate it!

On the flip side I can get up pretty quick and don't take much to be woken up. I usually get up around 6am, whenever Emma does. I'll be honest, I've been trying to get Scott to let me sleep in the whole time he's been off - just to help him stay on schedule you understand!!

Last night Scott agreed to get up with Emma today, he just needed me to wake him up and kick him out of bed. I was happy to agree and even got a syringe of water - the last resort because he gets grumpy when I use water, I discovered on Sunday!!

To avoid falling asleep on the sofa Scott took Emma out to get gas in my car and some baby food for her feeding. Apparently at the store an older woman helped them at the checkout and was talking to Emma. Once she finished serving them she said "By gorgeous" so Scott told Emma to say "Thank you." The lady turned to Scott and said "I was talking to you too!"

Too funny - getting hit on at 7am!!

Hairy

When Emma was born she was a hairy little thing! She had hairy shoulders, her head was hairy and I was actually worried she was a little too hairy!


Then as she grew the hair receded and she developed a hairline somewhat like Scotts, which is receding!! I worried that we would be working a comb-over for her!

Lots of people comment on how long her hair is getting and I can't really see it until I look back. Now she is really getting some hair and it seems to be growing in at the thinner spots too!

I don't mind taking a look back at how far she's come too!

This is Emma

When the surgeons finally put all of Emma's intestines back and stitched her up it was not really the end of the Gastroschisis. One of the lingering aspects is what her doctors refer to as "stupid bowel." Not such an odd concept that bowel floating around in amniotic fluid for 9 months might be less than perfect!

Her small intestines move very slowly which is why we can't increase the volume of her feeds exponentially. At the other end (about to get graphic!) her colon does not process waste very fast and right now she is dealing with constipation. She poops every 1-4 days, and when she does it hurts her. Imagine if you pooped something the size and shape of your fist that was not much softer than playdoh!

Tonight she was crying because of the discomfort in her bowel so I took her out of bed and held her until it passed. I took her into our room and laid on the bed with her - something we haven't really done since the sleep saga!

For a while I had my eyes closed enjoying the rest and then I just lay looking at her little face by mine. Eyes gently closed, mouth occupied by the familiar green pacifier (sleep time only!). My mind suddenly flashed forward to a time in 5/6 years when a sleepy little girl might fall asleep on my lap, and it hit me, my little baby is growing up.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy Emma more and more as her personality shines through, and I have some more examples for you below. It was just a tough moment when I thought of all the time we didn't have in those first few months, when you sit at home with your newborn. And then the blur of the months that followed when I was so nervous about her health I rarely took the time to sit still.

I don't feel bitter about it, it was no-ones fault and having Emma is more joy than I can express. I guess I just like to remind myself and others to value the little things we usually take for granted - especially when you're having a bad day!!

Oh, here are the examples of classic Emma I mentioned...

Daddy watching Emma while Mummy get's ready for church! (Thank goodness for Playhouse Disney!!)

If you believe I don't spend all day on my laptop you might doubt that when you see my mini-me...

Emma posing for Aunt Julie's camera phone. Can you say "Diva?"

(Still working on keeping the clothes on!!)

I'm finished...

... with my chores that is! Here's my checklist:
x laundry done (except Scott's work clothes- will do those after he finishes today!)

x kitchen clean and tidy

x Emma's formula is measured out for the next 24 hrs, the maximum time!

x bathroom clean (I know, I went all out this time!)

x beds made with clean linens (I just love getting into a clean bed. It's like putting on new socks!)

x all projects for church finished and ready (I am on the Audio-Visual team and make powerpoints for different things.)

I even had time to stop at Old Navy and see if they had more than the same 5 maternity items! Apparently not, but I got a cute shirt on sale from the regular section. It's wonderful that the style is so loose right now.

Emma was up at 6am this morning despite not going to bed until after 9pm. She also had a rough night, I heard her crying quite often. We're trying to encourage the nurses to leave her alone unless they are sure she needs something, otherwise she'll never be able to settle herself.

Anyway, I left her in bed until 8am so she would get some extra sleep. She cried for quite a while but eventually drifted off. I was however not able to sleep, so I got my Nintendo out - if nothing else it distracts me when I need it.

I had somewhat of an epiphany (revelation!) yesterday. It seemed a bit strange for Scott to get laid off in May, when the summer is usually the busiest time. However, we didn't worry about it, he's been doing lots of overtime and have treated it as extra family time. What struck me yesterday is that our church began a huge renovation project last weekend, one that will be mainly volunteer labor. Isn't it incredible timing that Scott should be available to put in extra hours at this time?!

You're right, Scott didn't ask to be laid off and his boss knew nothing of this project, so one could rightly conclude that God had been preparing us financially, while also had the timing set out perfectly! I love seeing those jigsaw pieces coming together.

If you know the story of Queen Esther from the Old Testament, you can see a parallel. (She became a queen at just the time when her people, the Jews, were under threat of execution. Her position alone allowed her to influence the king and save them all.)

For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" Esther 4:14

That is how we are able to trust God in the tough times, because we know He has a purpose in even the most bizarre and trying of circumstances. Just as we have seen in the impact of Emma's life and journey, incredible purpose. How exciting to be part of His plan!!!

Rain Dance

As predicted some storms came through the area this afternoon. It's pretty rare that they aren't overnight, so Emma seemed a little scared at the thunder and then when it started to rain she really got scared - we still have an old tin awning that amplifies the rain!

So, I took her out on the stoop to see what was going on. She held her hand under the drips and was licking them! Scott arrived just then and I asked him to take her out in the rain - I'm not a dancing in the rain type, though I'd love to be!!

Milk please!

This morning I was sitting in the recliner with Emma. It wasn't long before she was trying to get her shirt off!!

Then she started signing milk. I asked if she wanted milk, she signed yes! I asked if she wanted to drink milk or have milk in her belly, and pointed to her g-tube. She pointed to her g-tube!!

It was so awesome that she could make that request, hopefully because she was hungry, 20 minutes before feed time! The alternative reason is that when we give her a tube feed she sits in her rocker in front of the tv! Either Baby Signing Time or Handy Manny are on.

We are very careful though to give her mouth feeds in her high chair in the other room - no tv! Eventually that will be the norm and tv will be restricted, maybe!

Upright

Emma had physical therapy this afternoon and the therapist is really pleased with her progress walking up and down the stairs.

We also took her outside for a walk on the grass while Scott was mowing the lawn. At one point we were stood talking to Scott, her therapist saw an opportunity to let go her hand and she stood by herself for a count of 8 - the longest we've done! Then she fell to her bottom.

The second time it was about 4 seconds when she was concentrating on the stick she was given.

The third time she sat as soon as she let go!

It doesn't take long for her to see a pattern!!

Trauma

I'm really not sure who is more traumatized by vaccinations, the child or parent! Clearly the pain is very different but physical pain is more quickly forgotten, or at least that was the case with childbirth!!

Today Emma had her 18 month well visit, but the day did not start there. She was not having a good day from the get-go. After her breakfast she had lots of gas and threw up. Unfortunately for Scott, who I'd persuaded to get up with her!

Then after picking up my new glasses (which make everything look like HDTV!!) we stopped by Bed Bath and Beyond for a browse. Emma was in the shopping cart, which she normally likes, but on this occasion I happened to roll over a bump while she was chewing on the metal bar. I think she hit her teeth because she freaked out!

I picked her up and she calmed down after a bit. I couldn't carry her for long so I put her back in. She had a fit! Screaming and the bright red face that we only see when she is really mad. Rather than getting embarrassed I had to laugh. She never has tantrums so I found it amusing and ignored her until she calmed down a minute or two later.

By the time we hit the docs at 11am she was almost ready for nap time and fairly grumpy. I wasn't too worried since she has always been very agreeable with doctors. Apparently she has become wise to what is likely to happen there and agreeable she was not. Upset by just getting weighed (21lb 4oz, 28 3/4") she wouldn't let the doctor near her!

Thankfully Emma's pediatrician loves her and checked her over while she sat on my lap. By the end of the visit she let the pediatrician hold her and even gave her a big hug! Of course that was before the nurse came in with her DTaP shot! As I laid her down she eyed the tray and knew exactly what was happening. She flipped out, literally trying to roll over! The nurse got the shot in her thigh before she moved too far, and before I noticed. It was done!

(Mum tip: dress your child in stretchy pants or shorts so the leg can be rolled up for the shot and just rolled down after. Trying to dress a distressed baby is not fun!!)

Emma was also due for the MMR today but I pushed that off til her 2yr visit. No matter what the government says I feel there may be some truth in the theory that children are overloaded with shots these days. The autism and vaccine rates are higher here than in Europe, so I am especially suspicious.

By the time I got Emma to the car she was very quiet and subdued. I can't help but fear potential side effects of these shots, even if it may only be certain children with a genetic predisposition. Who knows which children they are!? Emma will see her neurologist again before she turns two, so I can get reassurance that she shows no signs of autism. But I'll never stop worrying, even with baby #2!

The pediatrician agreed that we can be referred to an orthopaedic specialist to look into Emma's uneven gait when she walks, which may be linked to the torticolis. The physical therapist thinks she might have developed in the womb with her hip rotated outwards and this is effecting her balance.

So many concerns and few certainties can make parenthood an emotional rollercoaster!!

There is no denying that Emma is very much an individual and ever-changing. She is going through a nude phase right now, where she likes to have her shirt, if not all her clothes, removed! Thankfully the house is pretty warm and she has not figured out how the diaper comes off. Here she is last night...

Bad days

Today was supposed to be a good day. Scott was staying home to spend the day with me, and Emma and we didn't really have much to do, so the world was our oyster. Maybe I got out of the wrong side of bed, or didn't go to bed early enough in the first place - I don't know!

The first thing that got me wound up (aside from always having to get up at 6am! Who doesn't that bother?!) was that after breakfast Emma kept gagging. No matter how much I vented her I couldn't get the air out. She was really fussy and whiny too! After struggling to keep my cool I woke Scott up and told him I was taking a shower.

After that and therapy I relaxed a little (not a lot!) and we went about our day.

Before lunch though, during a conversation about a construction project I got really frustrated and upset. Scott wasn't happy thinking it was directed at him (it wasn't, he was just the shoulder I wanted to cry on) so we got a bit heated. Of course, I cried! Thankfully we know to keep talking through it until it's resolved, or I tend to build resentment, so we cleared the air pretty quick. (I love that Scott doesn't yell or curse! If he did I'm sure I'd only have to top it.)

Emma was in bed for 4 hours after lunch, which allowed me to chill out and Scott voluntarily pursued the jobs left on the honey-do list! Things were looking up.

Later on we left Emma (shirtless, as is her new favorite state!) with Grandma and Aunt Kimberly to join some work going on at church. Unfortunately I hadn't really shaken my mood and just felt like nothing I could do or say was right. You might know what I mean, maybe not, but I have those kind of days every so often.

I'd love to claim an hormonal imbalance was to blame, but really I just find it hard to shake those negative thoughts that sometimes hit first thing in the morning. I've definitely gotten better over the years, and now bad days usually center around a bad body image.

Very occasionally though there might be just cause to feel hurt by someone or something. However the only way to avoid the pity-party from forming is a quick and conditionless forgiveness - not my strong suit!

Forgiveness is quite an untangible topic and I have only recently 'got it'. Forgiveness really is best explained using the biblical premise. For example, we have all sinned against God (i.e. disobeyed His perfect law) and face his wrath eventually. Then Jesus stepped in and absorbed the wrath/punishment for yours and my sin. However, the benefit only comes when we accept Jesus' actions and confess our regret of this sin and seek a new way to live, for him.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Once we do that, and we stand before God, with Jesus as our advocate, God will forgive our sin - which is to say that he no longer will pour out that wrath on you. You are "saved" by Jesus's act of love.

In our relationships with one another forgiveness looks much the same. When someone wrongs you, without them doing anything to repair the damage, we choose not to hold our anger against them. When thoughts of anger or hurt come into mind, as they will, chosoing not to dwell on them or allow them to incite more pain is the act of forgiveness. This should impact our actions to.

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Luke 6:37

So watch yourselves. "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him." Luke 17:3-4

Forgiving is not forgetting though. As God remembers our sins in order to teach us to learn from mistakes (I believe), so we may need to learn to trust those who have hurt us before, and forgetting can take some time if it happens at all!

I tell you these things so that you would not have a bad day because you are holding onto hurt from the past or even because you will not forgive yourself. Many of us go through life clinging to pain from our pasts (long ago or 5 minutes!) and the person it hurts most is ourselves.

If nothing else, knowing that God is no longer holding my sin against me and I have a future in heaven is enough to lift the gray clouds!

Mystery

For the past two Sunday nights we have not had nursing overnight - every other day a nurse is with Emma from 10pm to 6am. The reason for the nurses is to make sure her CPAP is in place through the night, to ensure her breathing. Part of that is supervising the overnight feed and periodically letting any air out of her belly since she can't do that herself.

When I am responsible for that overnight it usually entails getting up at every sound to make sure everything is good. Last week however Emma really didn't make any sounds between midnight and 5am! I was able to sleep through. It was great and I really didn't need much catch-up sleep. I had even mistakenly left the 'chimney' clamped, which meant she was not able to vent herself at all, but that didn't make her uncomfortable at all.

This past Sunday I was hoping for another night like that, especially since we were up late on Saturday night. Alas it was not to be! Emma was restless from the get-go and didn't really settle all night. Every time she turned over the CPAP came out of her nose. A couple of times she must have taken it off intentionally as it was laying beside her!

When she woke up around 6am I asked Scott to take Emma downstairs to play while I got an hour or two of uninterrupted sleep. The sleepy dad begrudgingly obliged and took her. When they came back up at 8am, Scott confessed that he had not yet fed her because he fell asleep. In fact he didn't know what she'd been doing.

The story goes that he woke up to find Emma sitting in her chair watching tv. On surveying the room he could see traces of her actions - books pulled out of the shelves, the forbidden stereo cabinet door ajar, things like that! Clearly she had tired of the action and retired to the chair! One can only assume the kitchen was not touched since she now has access - we took the gate down so she can push her cart around more!

Speaking of which, here's Emma with her favorite toy...

Emma is still not walking alone, despite being pretty stable on her feet. Scott has told me a few times that she has been standing briefly unsupported, but until last night I had not seen it for many weeks. Of course it's only when she's not really paying attention, because if you try to force her she bends her knees and drops tot he ground! Much fun for her therapists!!

Life's a beach!

I really believe that Scott's involuntary time-off is a gift from God. Yesterday we were able to celebrate our anniversary by visiting one of our favorite places - the beach! The weather was forecast at 75f and sunny, and mid-week is the ideal time to drive down there without traffic.

Before we headed for the beach we stopped in to check out the place we are renting for our vacation as Scott hadn't seen it. That whet our appetites for vacation!

After lunch we headed to the boardwalk and walked the entire length and back, at least a couple of miles. It was Emma's nap-time and she obligingly fell asleep in the stroller for a while.

Although some attractions are not opening until the holiday this weekend, almost everything was open. The beach itself was pretty quiet too and we had our pick of spots. We didn't hit the sand until about 1.30pm, which meant the most dangerous sun time was over.

Still need lotion

As Emma is bigger and more active this year we knew we'd need more than the little tent we had last year so we picked up this cool shelter for $15. We thought it might blow away in the wind but it turned out to work great and gave us shade the whole afternoon.

I was very nervous about Emma + sand, but was very pleased that she did not rub her eyes too much and preferred to be on the blanket. I'm much more excited about vacation now!

There were so many great moments and Emma had an awesome time. The camera was red hot, and you know I'll share...

This is rare public glimpse of Emma when she is not shy and not tired!!


Emma did so great walking in the sand

The only man in the sea!

Anniversary

Today is the third anniversary of the day Scott and I got married. May 20, 2006 was a truly awesome day and our anniversary is a good day to celebrate, but in all honesty we make a conscious effort to celebrate our marriage throughout the year with dates and reminiscing that we don't need to do anything elaborate on this day. I hope we will continue to do that all the years of our marriage, to cherish and celebrate our marriage and friendship!

One of the ways that we remember how blessed we are is thinking of the truly amazing journey that brought us together in the first place. We grew up over 3,000 miles apart and with no logical pathway that would bring us together. If you are not familiar with the events that transpired in bringing us to this point today then read on! If you are familiar you can skip this posting altogether or join us in celebrating how wonderful God is. There will be pictures!

Scott and I met in October 2003, but our lives began to intertwine several years before that...

In 1999 I, Debra, was working for a publishing company in southwest England. A 20 year old administrator with no college degree or particular ambition in life. One day (and yes, it really was that random) I asked my superiors if I could transfer to our office in the US. Such an odd request as I can remember having no desire prior to that day to actually do it, and my company had no history of such transfers! And yet they agreed!

In 2000 I left my parents house as a nervous 21 year old and brought all I could carry on the plane (literally) to set up home in a foreign country for a year by myself. I knew no-one outside the office, and my colleagues were strangers at first. It was one of the toughest times in my life for a few weeks until the homesickness subsided.

I met one friend from outside of work and she lived in the suburbs. Carolyn was a drug counselor in the city and one of the kindest people I'd ever met. We would hangout in the 'burbs on weekends and on Sundays she would go to church while I stayed at her place.

Eventually I went to church with her. I don't remember how many times or any of the people I met. After less than 11 months my visa expired. I left the apartment, sold my furniture to a young couple from Carolyn's church and went back to the UK to start the rest of my life.

In 1999 Scott was in dealing with an addiction to drugs and alcohol. In January 2001 ( right before I headed back home) he went into rehab. After 30 days in rehab he was clean and sober (and has been ever since, praise God!). A huge part of his recovery was an encounter with Jesus. He'd have to tell you the exact story himself, but it's awesome!

He began attending church and bounced around a few before settling on our present church home - yes, the same church Carolyn attended! He started hanging out with Jeremy and Christina, sleeping on there sofa when they'd been hanging out late - yes, the sofa I had bought for my apartment a couple of years before!

In 2003, after a couple of years of restlessness and searching I was given the opportunity to return to the US on a more permanent basis. I had not been able to settle back in to my old life, sensing there was more that I was missing. I sold my house, packed my bags for a third time and headed back across the Atlantic.

Returning to work was great, but my personal life was empty and meaningless. It took me a few months but I eventually found a way back to the church out in the suburbs and made a decision to follow Jesus Christ for my purpose and meaning in life. After all, my judgement hadn't brought me any peace and I could see that Jesus was the way.

In October of that year I needed a ride to get to the weekly bible study and the study leader asked his brother, whom I'd never met, to pick me up. As the car I was waiting for pulled up this tall skinny guy stepped out and grinned at me. I smiled back and got in the car. The driver as it turned out was the exact opposite! Tall yes, but built like a football player, with a goatee, an earring and incredible blue eyes! I was immediately intrigued. Hello Scott!

Definitely not my 'type', Scott was quiet, 3 years younger than me (to my complete surprise) and quite frankly a kid-magnet! I'm serious, kids are drawn to Scott and whether they are trying to knock him down or tell him about the bug in their hand he is great with them. That's attractive!

Scott became my regular ride on Wednesdays and we would chat for a bit at church, but he was very much a free spirit. On several occasions when he was supposed to meet me at the bus for a ride on to church he had slept in and I'd end up walking! There was some serious God-given patience at work in me, because I have a really hard time putting up with tardiness! (Until I had a child and my punctuality was taken from my control!!)

We didn't actually start dating until the April of 2004 (despite what Christina says!) and although Scott is a great guy we'd both agree he wasn't Mr Perfect at first! However God was working and in September of 2004 we both joined a team heading to Africa on a mission for two weeks. It turned out to be the turning point in our relationship. The day we left Scott was barely bothered I was there - I did not have great hopes for how things were going!

While we were there the team worked hard and had a great time. The other ladies joined me in praying for God to let me know if I needed to persevere with Scott. Scott tells me that one evening after dinner he saw me heading to my room and at that moment he knew I was the one.

All I know is that everything changed. He hardly left my side on the journey home and it was not long before he told me "I love you." I knew I loved him for quite some time, of course!

In April 2005 Scott proposed to me, in front of my parents who he had just met! In fact after we picked my parents up from the airport he asked my Dad for my hand in marriage all within an hour! My Dad of course told him to hurry up and get on with it! They'd even brought engagement cards from people back home who suspected!

I had no idea it was coming though because Scott had not had any money to buy a ring. A couple months earlier though he did some work for someone that paid exactly the amount needed to buy the ring I chose - what? Of course I'd looked at rings!! He'd picked one it up while I was out of town.

We got married May 20, 2006 on a beautiful day, in the church we'd both come to call home.

We bought our first home together in December of 2006, and 11 months later Emma joined us. The rest is, well, on the blog here!!

Scott and I are partners, but more than that we are each others best friend. We serve God together, support each other and have fun together. Thankfully he appreciates my honesty and sense of humor. We share a great love of food (not so great for my thighs!!) and a clear understanding of our dependence on and faith in God.

New baby

Our friend Gina gave birth to a baby boy on Friday, Landon Patrick and we went to visit them tonight. Landon was a whopping 9lbs 8oz, even more impressive because Gina is a tiny woman!

Landon came out sunny-side up like Emma did, and also had to endure the suction machine. Thankfully all is well and he's a cute little guy. Even though he's a big newborn he is of course tiny compared to Emma!

I am very nervous about having our second baby in a few months. When Gina handed me a bottle to feed Landon I was pretty nervous. I fed him for a few moments before trying to burp him. I've done it before with my Godsons, but not for a while, and Landon was not wanting to burp. I admitted I didn't know if I should keep trying or feed him a bit more.

I have an 18 month old daughter, but we've never had to deal with some of the most basic newborn issues, like burping (standard style!), umbilical cord care, etc.

My mind was put at ease somewhat tonight, when we observed Emma's reaction to the baby. Bear in mind she is scared of baby dolls! I didn't hold Landon until about 30 minutes after we got there, by which time Emma had observed the baby in the room. When he was passed to me she didn't even notice, much more inclined to sit on Gina's lap!

After a few minutes Emma came over to me and looked hard at the little person I was holding. I sat on the floor with him so she could get a closer look. Emma stayed back, but didn't back away as she does from dolls.

When she was on the sofa next to us she kneeled up next to me and started to stroke Landon's back! We were all watching and gave the appropriate "oohs" and "ahhs". She hung on me for a little while before getting bored and heading off somewhere else!

Having heard stories of children clinging fearfully to their mothers when they see them with other babies, it was great to know that Emma is handled it so well. I will continue to hope that she will be so loving toward her baby brother!!

Changes

This week was very different with Scott home much of the time. It will be quite an adjustment when he goes back to work, which will hopefully be at the beginning of June. We have been able to do things together that we have not had time for due to the amount of overtime he has been working.

The timing of this 'vacation' has been perfect. It is like God had been preparing us for it with lots of extra work, but also giving us lots of time as a family before the new baby comes and things go crazy again! Apparently there will be lots of work over the summer so we are at peace about the break Scott's getting now.

It will be good to have him home the rest of this month as I will need extra help. We said goodbye to one of Emma's 3 nurses this week. Unfortunately we came to a point after 6 months where we really felt uncomfortable having her in the house.

We really are very thankful for the nurses, after all they allow us to sleep at night like most other parents! However, having a stranger come into your house each night for 8 hours while you sleep is only positive if you fell comfortable with them. When they are late every day, so you don't know when you can go to bed, and also talking loudly on the phone in a room where a baby is trying to sleep, well you start to doubt there professionalism!

The other two nurses can not pick up all her days, so there may be a few nights this month where we are on duty overnight. Having Scott around will help me catch up on the missed sleep.

I have made a "honey do" list of things we need done around the house. Getting those little jobs done will be good and I won't have to panic when my nesting instinct really kicks in! Speaking of which, if anyone is looking for a queen size bed, night stands and dresser, we need to find a home for our guest room furniture! I posted it on craigslist but had no interest.

On Thursday I had a project at church so Scott stayed with Emma for her speech therapy appointment. Apparently she swallowed most of the food they gave her! Typical. Since then Scott has been feeding her as often as possible, and whenever she tries to get our food! He has way more patience than I, so I'm thankful for his help.

On Friday I went to the optician for a check-up and was pleased to find my prescription has not changed much. I guess overdoing it on the Nintendo DS without my glasses better explains the headaches!! I got some new glasses, which is just as well - Emma seems to wear mine more than I do! (Don't worry, I have a very mild prescription!)

Today Scott worked until 3pm and then offered to come to IKEA with me! I was very pleasantly surprised and suddenly had more energy. The three of us headed up there - I got an IKEA giftcard for my birthday and had been waiting for the chance to spend it!

Since I was taken to IKEA before my surprise party I really didn't see anything I hadn't already got, but I did see a couple of things for Emma and I get as much, if not more, pleasure from buying her things than myself. (I also prefer buying house things than clothes because my house doesn't make me look fat!!)

Firstly Scott showed Emma this stuffed puppy - risky really given that she is terrified of all stuffed animals (except minnie mouse!). Apparently though she hugged and kissed it right away. I tried to lure her with some other more fun animals, but she kept hugging the puppy. No question the toy was coming with us!


Then we passed by the chairs we have for the nurse in Emma's room and there was a baby chair. Unable to resist miniature things I had to sit her in it and she was very comfortable! Again, we just couldn't resist getting one for her, and I think she'll grow in to it!

I love you Mini-Me!!

Don't believe everything

you read! That's the saying,right? I have found it to be true fairly often, although there is always a possibility that it is my interpretation that is wrong!

Today I was following the advice "they" give, to switch the end of the bed that your baby sleeps at so they will turn a different way. I haven't really done it very often and I don't know why I felt the need to today (though Scott says I always move something when he goes out, like the sofas on Saturday!!)

It's no simple task because not only is one end of her mattress elevated by a pillow to help her reflux, but she has an IV pole at the foot of the bed and all the other machines at the head. So, flipping her around actually involves lots of cables and so on.

(I don't know if I mentioned before that when I was a kid I used to move my bedroom furniture around at least twice a month! I think it was inherited from my Mum who does the same in her living room, and I think my Grandma used to too!)

So I did it, and I love the feeling of a new room (though I acknowledge this is not always desirable for kids!).

Emma played in the room while I moved, and then I gave her a nice long bath. I put her to bed and left the room. I came back a minute later to find her laying in the same position as normal, only now she was on an upside down angle facing the foot of the bed!!

I turned her, but I don't think she liked it. Needless to say she kept turning back around, getting tangled up in the process. So I gave in and shifted everything with her right there in the bed. When I was done she lay there wide awake, but very relaxed and if she was older I'm sure I would have gotten a sarcastic "thank you!"

I do realize that the initial advice I was trying to follow refers to young babies who do not have many wires attached!! Oh well.

Day tripper

Sometimes things that seem bad can be wonderful opportunities. This week Scott does not have work, so we are having an impromptu vacation! We get to have breakfast lunch and dinner together, as well as having family time.

Yesterday we headed to the local landmark where Scott proposed to me. We haven't been there since our first anniversary so it was a nice proposition, and so close to our third anniversary. The weather was perfect, sunny with a breeze. I was surprised at how many people were out and about, though mainly pensioners and mothers with strollers!







We were home shortly after lunchtime, and Scott got back to work in the yard! Emma and I had occupational therapy with Melissa in the front yard...

Mother's Day #2

There is exactly two months between my birthday and Scott's. In those two months we have Mother's Day, our wedding anniversary and Father's Day. After my 30th birthday party Scott was understandably without ideas for Mother's Day. so when he asked me what I wanted to do I said I would just like the day off! (The other requests were added later!)

Today is Mother's Day (US), my second as Emma's mum, and I was very much looking forward to my day off. To clarify, I didn't want a day by myself, no, I just wanted a whole day without all of my usual responsibilities!! Those of you who work might understand, but since you have weekends and evenings off not quite!! When I get to enjoy spending time with Emma and Scott and not worry about the details I have so much more fun.

After sleeping in until 8am (Scott got up to let the nurse go and get Emma up) I got the breakfast I requested. An egg-bacon-cheese sandwich and two small choc-chip pancakes with strawberries and squirty cream. (Yes, I was that specific!) And it was delicious.

I didn't eat it in bed though, I came down to the living room and ate there while Scott kept Emma out of my hair - priceless!!

I was able to take a long shower and get ready for church without trying to stop Emma falling off my bed. Unfortunately the pleasure was marred by a recent significant weight gain that will prevent me posting a picture of myself for a while. (The breakfast above was after the weight gain and a one-time deal - I read your mind!)

Shaking that off, we headed to church.

I'm not sure if it was the change in her primary caregiver for the day, but Emma was very keen to stay with me and fell asleep on my shoulder during the music at church. She stayed there through laughter and clapping. When I did adjust her to stop my arm dying I saw she was wide awake, and just cuddling! (One of those moments that wipes out stress.) Once she did get restless I put her in her booster seat.

We decided a few weeks ago to try and have Emma sit alone through church. She did so well today and we were both able to stay in service. In fact, when everyone was praying Emma too folded her hands and bowed her head. When she got bored we would remind her we were praying and she'd resume the position!

As always our schedule was way-off today and Emma didn't go down for a nap until 1.30pm. And that was when my extra treat came about.

You see, I know it's wrong, maybe even a sin but I have a problem with garden-envy. As i drive around I look at the well-manicured lawns and varieties of shrubs and plants and I wish to have a more beautiful garden. We have not had time to do much in our yard since we moved in 2 1/2 years ago and it looks, well, sad!

This week Scott had the great idea that today he could do some work in the yard, and I could sit in a lawn chair and watch. Sounds great, but I want to get involved too - I come from a long line of gardeners, surely it must have rubbed off! After making some drawings of the finished yard yesterday, some 4 or 5 phases of work no less, we tooled-up and headed outside.

The 70 degree weather with a strong breeze was perfect. I started pulling weeds and Scott started digging. We had no idea what we were doing! After a brief chat we started to work together at one end of the house, moving toward the other. We got much more done and had a great time.

At 4.30pm when I hadn't heard a peep from Emma in 2 hours I had to go and check on her. She was out cold.

She woke up soon after, thankfully.

Though because of her late nap we couldn't put her to bed until closer to 9pm. I'll deal with that when I'm back at work tomorrow!!

I LOVE Mother's Day!!!

Fun, fun, fun!

Last night Emma was really unhappy about going to bed. It took her quite a long time to fall asleep. I'm pretty sure that the reason was all the fun she'd been having with Daddy! Scott was home by 4pm and spent the next few hours playing with her, and Daddy has much better ideas than Mummy...

That's her toy basket!!

What was I doing between videos? Getting dinner of course! Quite the housewife, me!!

Here Emma tried to get her sock back on, with one hand! She had no idea the camera was right there!!

Thankfully she slept until 6.45am today so she shouldn't be too tired. It's so wonderful to see her growing up, as you can see here she is now able to get in her chair for feeding.


She just hasn't figured out how to turn around yet!!

Sleeping in

Last night Scott and I had a meeting, so Emma did not get to bed until 9pm. Of course she fell asleep right away, but she is usually tired the next day because of less sleep.

It was a great surprise, and delight this morning though when Emma slept until 8.30am!! Not only did she sleep in later than she has for many months, but she also got over 11 hours of sleep.

Early night

Yesterday Scott and I went out for an early dinner to celebrate the good news at the ultrasound. We got home about 6pm and Emma had been having a great time playing with Grandma.

When Emma tried to climb the stairs around 6.30pm I asked her if she wanted to go to bed and she signed "please." Scott said she didn't know what she was saying so we both got down on the floor to play with her. as you can see she wasn't much interested in us...

Just in case she changed her mind, Scott was keeping himself amused...

This evening Emma was pretty fussy most of the afternoon, so at 6.30pm when I wanted to make dinner and she was clingy and whiny i asked her if she wanted to go to bed. She signed "please", so I put her to bed! She went right to sleep!!! We'll have to see how early she gets up in the morning.

Earlier in the day she and I were hanging out in the guest bedroom. She'll be moving in there in a couple of months so I want her to get used to being in there. She has been playing with the sun hat I got for my summer vacation and was playing with it. She made me laugh, and I'm sure you too...

Its a boy!

We think! That's right, we had our ultrasound today and the technician told us she thought it was a boy. The doctor who reviewed the pictures said she couldn't see, but the technician does ultrasounds all day long so she was probably right! As you might expect, we already have a name picked out for the baby and if it is a boy, he will be called Toby.

That's the important stuff out the way! As for everything else, the baby looks healthy and all the bits and pieces look like they are in place. Unfortunately there is just no way to know whether he might have Moebius Syndrome. I don't believe there is any greater chance than with any other pregnancy, but then lightning can strike twice!

The due date was pretty much right, though the computer put it at September 24th.

What I am excited about is the balance of having a girl and a boy.

We got some great picks of the little person... unfortunately my scanner doesn't pick them up well! One is 3D and he is giving a thumbs up in front of his face!

Minnie Mouse

You may recall a while ago I explained that Emma seemed to have an extreme fear of all stuffed animals and real ones! That is except for Minnie Mouse (and ones that are smaller than my hand!). As you can see here Emma has become quite attached to this furry mouse in a dress.


Today she was being especially cuddly and Minnie got extra loving! We wanted to capture it as simply too cute!

In case you were wondering, Minnie was given to Emma by our next door neighbor who picked it up for her on a trip to Florida last year!