Home Again

We have moved back home (it has been almost 3 weeks now, actually...been so busy cleaning and moving that I have neglected my blog. Have also developed a facebook obsession, which has cut into my blogging. Back to the blog now!). The kitchen is perfect. We love it and are happy to be back home. I am pretty sure we will still be dusting a year or two from now. I will post pictures asap (promises, promises...). I have this great new little camera and have been taking pictures, now I can't find the cord to upload the photos to the computer. Why doesn't every piece of electronic equipment use the same connection??? Anyway, I am hoping it will turn up in a box.
Emma Claire is crazy busy. All over the place walking and walking fast. Amazing how she is changing. More signing lately. She signs "please" and "thank you" and "fish". She says "all done", "hi" and "bye". Her new thing is to wave at everyone and everything. She only wants to be down and on the move. LOVES the dogs. They are surprisingly patient with her. She loves to hug and feed them.
Can't wait to get pictures up. I am struggling with the issue of a haircut. Is it time for one, or do I just let it grow? It is pretty long and thick and flips up on the ends sometimes. I would hat to ruin it. Can't wait to do pigtails!

Are Blackberries Waterproof?

I haven't posted for awhile, but plan to catch up soon now that we are back home. I just had to document where I just found my Blackberry. Bound to happen sooner or later...in the dog's water bowl. I have taken it apart to dry. Wonder if it will work again? May be getting a new phone for my bday.
Emma Claire has developed a recent obsession with the dog's water bowl. She enjoys splashing around in the water. I caught her a couple of days ago face down going toward the water with intention (I am guessing) to drink it like the dogs do. Caught her just in time. So, it comes as no surprise that I find my phone floating in it today. Wow...I have a lot to learn. I didn't see that one coming!

I Rest My Case

Brad had daddy duty this weekend while I worked. When I came home Saturday, he said (and I quote) "I don't see how you ever get anything done with her around"... I rest my case.

She Sells Sea Shells

I wish I had a picture of it...
Emma Claire could give or take her pacifier. She mostly uses it for entertainment value. Carries it around, pops it in and out of her mouth, chews on it, etc... Yesterday, she was carrying it around on a little porcelain seashell.
The seashell was one of those "pretties" that a toddler should not be playing with at grandma's. Apparently it was just in her reach and she picked it up, placed the hot pink pacifier in it and oh so carefully walked across the room with it, carrying it in her little hand like a platter. No harm was done to the seashell, thanks to the carpet. Maybe she values the pacifier more than I thought.

Tiny Tim

A had a little turtle, his name is Tiny Tim...this has long been our (or, mine, anyway) favorite bath time song. It has hand motions. At the end, after Tiny Tim eats up all of the soap, he of course has "bubbles in his throat" after this (at which time, you pat your mouth with your hand to sound like bubbles...you get the point).
I have sung this song ever since Emma Claire has been taking baths. This week, during bath time, I was singing it for the thousandth-something time (not doing the hand motions, coincidentally) and Emma Claire, out of the blue, did the bubbles over her mouth. I thought for sure it was a fluke (maybe she is signing "eat"...she is always doing that). But, low and behold, she did it the second time around.

Amazing what this little person is learning. Something new each day. Watching her change and grow and learn is more fun than anything else I have done in life.

Side note...the new camera should come in tomorrow. I promise more pictures once I figure out how to use it.

First Steps

Emma Claire has been taking 2, 3, 4 steps here and there for a couple of weeks. Wednesday, however, she decided it was time to stop the baby steps and walk for real. It happened at ECFE, which was fun because she had a captive audience of mommies (and one daddy) and early childhood educators to cheer her on and feel genuinely proud (I may have detected a couple of tears).

What happened was, she was playing with the other babies with some old vitamin bottles filled with stuff to make them rattle (these people are much more creative than I). I think another baby tried to take one away from her, which was not OK with Emma Claire. She spotted mommy and with one bottle in each hand, pouted her way over...upright!

Ms. Kathy (teacher, who I love) thought the bottles may have helped her with balance. I think they probably prevented her from being able to crawl...the last thing she was willing to do was let them go with the possibility that someone else would grab them.

Sweet beginnings.

Days with Dad

Emma Claire did not have school Monday because of President's Day. Brad and I came to a compromise that he would stay home with her and I will take off work Thursday for the one year Dr. Hobbs visit.
There is nothing like a day with daddy. I came home to find Emma Claire in a maroon and gold Golden Gophers jersey (which is adorable, but too big in the shoulders and too tight in the belly), orange and green polka dot onesie underneath, brown and pink pants (worn the day prior), complete with brown and pink polka dotted shoes...on the wrong feet.
The afternoon snack...organic whole milk yogurt (sounds healthy, right)...with "a couple tablespoons" of cream added. Brad thinks she needs some fattening up. This should help.

(Unfortunately, our camera is broken. Otherwise, I would post a photo)