Emma's 1st Birthday

Yesterday we had Emma's 1st Birthday party. It was quite a bit of fun. Andrea did a good job planning the gig, it even had a theme. She thought it was fitting that the theme be Flip Flops since they are one of Emma's favorite things to play with. We had two cakes from "Cake Lady", some chic in Lodi that makes cake. Everyone thinks the cake is fantastic, I think it's just OK. Emma had her own small cake to go crazy with, and she did just that. It was pretty fun to watch. She didn't know what to do at first, but after a bit of help, Emma destroyed that thing.

I can't believe the first year is done. It went so fast. It seems as though you are always looking forward to the next milestone... sitting up, crawling, walking, talking etc. that you don't realize how fast its going.

Anyway, here are some pic's of her birthday party and a few other random pic's thrown in.

Nine Month Check Up

Man, 9 months has flown by! I can't believe we are 3 months away from Emma's first birthday. Andrea took Emma to her doctor's appt yesterday and she was 19 lbs 8 oz and 28 inches long. She has gained 13 lbs since being born and has grown 11 inches. Emma has been enjoying her summer break with mommy but the fun ends on Monday. Back to daycare and all the germs that come with it. Emma is crawling all over the place, can pull herself up to a standing position while leaning on furniture, has already put a piece of dog food in her mouth and bonked her head on the tile... sounds about normal! Dad is a bit slow in babyproofing the house. For the most part, she is sleeping thru the night. We have also seen a bit of attitude from the little one... She is gonna be a firecracker. Anyway, here are a few pic's of Emma's Summer Vacation.

Aunt Monette took these three pic's while Emma was on Summer Vacation in Northern California. The girls spent two weeks in Nor Cal.

Multiple pic's of Emma in the pool. She really enjoys swimming with mommy, auntie as well as cousin Megan. SHE LOVES MEGAN!!!

Very Patriotic on 4th of July!

Emma and cousin DJ

Andrea had Emma attending Summer School Reading Classes in the livingroom.

Emma and Ashworth

Emma with Aunt Tracy

Anniversary and Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day always brings a special day, our Wedding Anniversary. This year we celebrated our 14th in our home town of Lodi, Ca with friends and family. We also celebrated Andrea's grandparents 60th Anniversary with a huge three day family gathering and family photo. Over 40 family members joined in on the fun. And if that wasn't enough fun, Emma had a chance to attend her first wedding as well.


Here are a few pic's from the weekend.

Lina, the Bride, with Emma

Mommy and Emma at the Carloni's wedding

Emma was the life of the party!!

Family Pic

BBQ Night at the Family's House

Catching Up...

Tommorrow it will be 6 months since Emma was born. It is crazy how fast that went! Since the last post, Emma has started daycare at Green Valley Christian Center and has done fantastic. She has learned to put herself to sleep in the crib, eat from the bottle and can even hold it on her own. Highlights of her days at school are the buggy rides and playing with the other babies. Andrea and I were both bummed that Emma would have to go to daycare, but I must admit, GVCC does a fantastic job and I am happy to see Emma progressing so well.

We have started to feed Emma some food, squash is her favorite. We have had Emma in the pool twice now (her feet count, right?). Andrea has been taking her for a run on the weekends. Emma enjoys the cool running stroller that grandma bought her.

Here are a few of the latest pic's.

Emma in her Easter Dress

Just got done with some cereal

She likes the squash

Her favorite way to watch Handy Manny

Mommy and Emma on Mothers Day

Daddy and Emma cooking Mothers Day Dinner. I am hoping Emma is the next Giada!

Emma's last few months

Sorry for the lag in posting the latest blog. Who knew that time would get away from you while raising a little kid…

Emma had her first trip to the Fashion Show Mall thanks to Stephanie and Ryan Pulliam. It was good to get out of the house for a few hours.

The last 6 weeks are best described as the “Grandma Parade.” Andrea went back to work February 23rd so we asked both grandma’s as well as Emma’s Great Grandma (my grandma) to come into town.

It started with Andrea’s mom, Jill. She was fantastic. Dishes were done, dinner was cooked, and laundry was done. She even made Andrea’s lunch for her. Oh, and she took care of Emma too. Her two fantastic contributions were 1. Getting Emma to eat from a bottle (sometimes) and 2. Changing how Emma would fall asleep when being held. The later threw me for a total loop, but I caught on quick.

Next up was my grandma. She was scared to death that she was going to do something wrong. She was fantastic!

The day after my grandma left, my dad came into town for the weekend. It was great to see him spend time with Emma. While grandpa was in town, Emma got her first true Vegas experience… a buffet! We went to the new M Resort and had dinner. I am not a buffet guy at all but it was actually pretty tasty.

The same day my dad left, my mom flew in from Nor Cal. She was here for a week. She too was fantastic. She took Andrea to see Cher (I respectfully declined) and I guess it was a good show. (yeah right) I took care of Emma that night without incident.

My mom left on a Sunday morning and Andrea’s mom and dad arrived that afternoon. Emma experienced her first and second birthday parties. First it was her cousin DJ’s first birthday then it was her cousin Megan’s 3rd birthday. We spent some time at the park and had a good time.

Andrea has spring break from the 6th to the 10th and after that, Emma will be attending Green Valley Christian School’s day care program. Hopefully they can teach her a few things like: 1. eating out of a bottle ALL the time 2. sleeping in her crib, not daddy’s side of the bed 3. Did I mention the bottle thing…?

Anyway, here are a few pic’s.

Talk to you in a few months.

Grandma Jill, Andrea's mom.

This is how Emma eats when not taking the bottle.

Great Grandma Marie

Great Grandma found a way to Emma's heart!!!

For Valentines Day, Emma and I worked on a project for mom. This was the pic.

Emma got all dressed up for the arrival of Grandma.

This is the new sleeping position I spoke of.

Did I mention the St. Patricks Day outfit? The M of course, is for eMMa. We call her peanut.

My dad staying the weekend was the first time in 14 years that he and I actually spent a weekend together. We have a fantastic relationship, just hadn't spent a weekend together.

Grandma Glenda, my mom.

Papa Jim and Grandma Jill, Andrea's parents.

This is Emma checking out the new recliner chair that Grandma Glenda bought us.

Mom and Emma.

This is Megan and Emma. Auntie Renee and Uncle Matt brought Emma a gift too. Not sure what you call it, but she likes it.