Seven Months!!!

Emily is seven months old and she is all over the place! Babbling, semi-crawling, clapping her hands, laughing... everything she does is hysterically funny and completely adorable. She's just the sweetest, happiest, most bubbly little girl in the world. From the time she wakes up in the morning until the time she goes to sleep at night, her little brain is going and going and going. She is a very happy baby and doesn't fuss unless she's tired, hungry, or wants her mommy. We love her to pieces and are thankful every day that she's a part of our family. Here's her seven month bunny shot!

"What I wanted most for my daughter was that she be able to soar confidently in her own sky, whatever that may be."
-- Helen Claes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

School Girl!!!!

Man... I am not sure how to start this post except that I really can't believe that this day is here... not only here, but now has come and passed. Caroline started school today! In the past (as in when I was a child), school started when you were five and you began kindergarten... which was a healthy half-day long. Now students are now expected to begin "school" at the tender age of four. I find that a little discomfiting, but these are the times in which we live. For the longest time, I told myself (and anyone else who would listen) that Caroline would not attend Pre-K... I was (and am) perfectly happy with Miss Kayce, her longtime caregiver, and, honestly, I was afraid of what she might learn in Pre-K that I might not exactly want her to learn, if you know what I mean. I work in an elementary school, remember, things are not exactly what they used to be!

In spite of my misgivings, I decided to enroll Caroline in the McDonough Presbyterian Children's Academy for her Pre-K year. I know the director, and many of my friends' children have attended there to rave reviews. Better yet - Coan and Caroline are in the same class! We dropped in to Open House last Thursday and felt very comfortable and impressed by the facility, teachers, and the overall warm feeling of the Academy and I am positive we've made the right choice.

I dropped Caroline off at 8:45 this morning and she was the bravest, most eager little school girl I've ever seen. I admit to shedding more than a few tears as I walked back out to my car, but they were happy tears. We've got an amazing and beautiful growing girl. I'm so proud of her! After school, Miss Amy brought Caroline and Coan back to Miss Kayce's house for lunch and nap before I could get off work and pick her up. Caroline's first words to Miss Kayce about her day, "Miss Kayce, school is awesome!!" Yay, Caroline!!!

Emily's Six Month Photo Shoot

Here are some of the shots from Emily's six-month professional shoot. Cute!

Happy Half-Birthday, Emily Kate!!!!

I can hardly believe it, but Miss Em is six months old! Where does the time go? This little monkey is the apple of our eyes and we love her to absolute pieces. On a mom note, I am proud to say that we've hit the six-month nursing milestone and we are still going strong. Now on to one year!!! Here's a picture of my sweet girl. Happy Half-Birthday, Emmy Kay!

"You are worried about seeing him spend his early years in doing nothing. What! Is it nothing to be happy?
Nothing to skip, play, and run around all day long?
Never in his life will he be so busy again."
~Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Emile, 1762

Sister, Sister

One of the best things about being the mother of two girls is watching them develop that most special of all bonds - the bond of sisterhood! I know, I know, (being someone's big sister myself) that they will not always be this happy whilst in each other's company... after all, your sister is your best friend and, at the very same time, your greatest adversary! What I can say is that, no matter what, when you have a sister you have a best friend for life. Nobody will ever understand, appreciate you, and accept you quite like your sister will. Caroline and Emily are very much attuned to each other. Their personalities and spirits are very different, yet they share a very special affinity for each other. I love to take little snapshots of their antics (and, believe me, with Caroline around, there are plenty of antics!).

"I'm smiling because you're my sister.
I'm laughing because there's nothing you can do about it."
~ Author Unknown

Bubbly Toes

Emily is getting bigger every day - she is learning new things and doing new things - her little personality is really developing and we are having so much fun getting to know our "baby." She will be six months old next week, and she is growing so much lately that we decided to let her try a bath in the "big girl" tub with Caroline. We employed our trusty Bumbo in this endeavor (no, we never left either of them unattended in the water OR the Bumbo!) and, at Caroline's request, added some Mr. Bubble. Emily was fascinated. She has always loved getting a bath and this added a whole new dimension to her experiences! So cute. Here are a few pictures I snapped while they splashed around.

"Bathtime is successful when your kids get wetter than you do."
~ Dee Ann Stewart

Beware, Kristin Chenoweth!!!

Caroline has now crossed over from fledgling starlet to accomplished, veteran performer. We had the pleasure of being in the audience as she sang in the chorus of Live Love!, a preschool musical at Henry Baptist Church. Coan invited Caroline to sing with him and they have been practicing throughout the summer. The songs in the musical encourage love, understanding, and thoughtfulness. The kids did a great job and watching Caroline's face light up as she scanned the audience and then finally found us just brought tears of joy to my eyes. She is such a special little girl to us and everyone who knows her. We are so proud of the strong, smart, kind, and empathic person she is growing up to be. I can't believe that my "baby girl" is old enough to sing in a musical

"Sing, sing a song, sing out loud, sing out strong,
sing of good things, not bad, sing of happy, not sad;
Sing, sing a song, make it simple, to last your whole life long;
Don't worry that it's not good enough, for anyone else to hear.
Sing, sing a song."
~ Joe Raposo