Growing Pains...

Emma Claire (and Mom) had a tough morning. She (Emma Claire, not Mom) screamed for about 4 hours, almost without a break. The only thing that would calm her was to be held and walked. Not rocked, not cuddled on the bed, not standing still. She demanded to be walked. So, that is what we did for 4 hours. Finally, I called the doctor. They said to come in, and we did in the afternoon. Sure enough, Emma Claire was as happy as could be at the doctor's office. All smiles. The only indication of a bad morning were her red eyes from all the crying and no nap. The peditrician said she believed me, though. Emma Claire was, of course, fine. Ears looked great, no temp, happy, etc. Just those little teeth trying to push through and the beginnings of a little cold. Up the tylenol and add ibuprofin...check! The rest of the afternoon was fine. In fact, we both took a much needed 2+ hour nap on a cold, wet October afternoon.

We did make it to waterbabies tonight. It is our last class of the first fall session. We have a 2 week break and then start back. Jonah is going to continue, too. We haven't seen him in a couple of weeks, so they enjoyed seeing each other (I think, anyway!). We sang lots of songs and practiced our jumps from the side of the pool and, of course, "going under".

Lots of fun events coming up for halloween. Rowie and Greta are coming tomorrow. We are going to a party at Blooma on Saturday (dressed in Ladybug attire) and a party at GVCC Sunday night. A neighbor is having a party on Halloween. A busy couple of weeks ahead...!

Election day is 13 days away...I think we might just make it through, although the end still seems like an eternity away. We are excited for Brad. It is fun to see the Kadue signs up all over!

First Parent-Teacher Conference

Emma Claire had her very first "Parent-Teacher" conference today. It is basically just a time to check in with the teacher and go through a developmental checklist (looks like she is on track there) and ask questions. She is very "social" and "busy", her teacher says. She wrote "Emma (Claire...they just call her Emma most of the time) is doing great! She is social and enjoys being near and interacting with all of her cargivers and friends! She has been working hard at crawling and likes being able to cruise independently around the room to explore!"
Ms. Amy had started a portfolio with artwork and photos of Emma Claire taken at daycare, which we will get later. So, the first conference went well...hope they are always so positive! (many more to go during her school years!)

"Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow"

Emma Claire showed the first real sign of separation anxiety this morning. She was a mess when I left her at daycare. She was open mouth crying and reaching for me. I think she pulled it together after a few minutes. One of the teachers was holding her and I could see her through the big window as I pulled off and she looked fine. She was all smiles when I picked her up in the afternoon.

Two weeks and counting until the big day! Brad is working on a TV ad. Emma Claire and I will make an appearance in the ad. More to come on that. Hopefully I can post the final product on the blog.

Creeping to Crawling!

Emma Claire crawled for the first time. She has been mobile and scooting everywhere, but she got up on all fours and crawled! Rudy was her motivation and target. Brad and I were both there to see it. She is not crawling fast, but has been practicing. Of course, I have video. I am working on posting her first crawl to the blog soon...stay tuned :-)

Her balance is really improving. She also does "down dog" a lot. Practicing her yoga! She also pulls up a lot. She was pulling up on her little play table Saturday (see below...perfect timing for the "falling" photo!).

Ta-Da!...........................Uh-Oh!

We had a great weekend. Brad was out and about doing the campaign thing on Saturday (2 more weekends to go!). Emma Claire and I laid on the couch and watched the Rebels nearly come back to beat Bama. We took a nap and when we woke up, Emma Claire just laid on my chest watching the game. We needed a lazy afternoon.

We went to "Teensy Tots" at church on Sunday morning and spent the rest of the afternoon at home. We all (pups included) walked to Lyons Park and played on the swingset. It was a perfect fall day, likely one of the last warm days of the year.

Happy 8 Month Birthday Emma Claire!

Emma Claire is 8 months old! She now seems less like a baby and more like a little person. She is interacting more and communicating more. A couple of "firsts" on her 8 month birthday... We found her standing up, hanging on to the rail of the crib (always facing the door). She has been pulling up to her knees, but this was the first time she pulled all the way up in her crib! She played her first "game" with Brad. She would put her pacifier close to his mouth so he could grab it. Emma Claire had fun pulling it out of his mouth and laughing hysterically. This game went on for a while and we have played it a few times since.

The tooth is still taking it's time coming in. Maybe it will pop through before Rowie and Greta visit next week (can't wait!).

No ECFE this week for MEA, but we did have swim class Wednesday night. Jonah is out of town, so we missed him there, but will catch him up next week! We had a substitute teacher, who was also nice. We did not learn much new, just practiced the skills we already know. "Went under" again a couple of times.

http://cmd.shutterfly.com/commands/pictures/slideshow?site=eckadue&page=eckadue&album=686

Little Pumpkin...

Just some cute photos of Emma Claire in her "Pumpkins". http://eckadue.shutterfly.com/668

She started "breakfast" for the first time today at daycare. Eating more and more these days! She will be 8 months old tomorrow!

When I picked her up from daycare today, she was sitting up in the little ball pit. One ball in each hand, all smiles. When she saw me, she pulled up to standing on the side of the pit and reached for me...priceless!

Happy Birthday Quinn!!!

We went to Quinn's first birthday party on Wednesday, October 8. Hard to believe a year has passed! I remember visiting her in the hospital on the night she was born. It was a lively party with all of the cousins. Grandpa Rick and Diane came, too. Quinn easily blew out her candle and we all enjoyed pizza and cake! Emma Claire wore a party hat and she and Quinn had fun playing on the floor together.