Emerson is talking more and more and singing all the time. She randomly breaks into her A,B,C's, Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, I sing you a Song, and Jingle Bells at any given moment. It just melts my heart! I got a short video of her singing as we were leaving day care and I helped a little. Stay tuned until the end of the video to hear Emerson send her love.
Showing posts with label Emerson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Emerson. Show all posts
Monday, November 16, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
We're Going to the Zoo, Zoo, Zoo! How about You, You, You?
Most of my favorite childhood memories involve my Grandma. My Grandma Belcher is the greatest! She had this really cool Lincoln Continental car with all the cool extras that we enjoy now like automatic windows and locks. My sister Amy and I thought it was very cool through Grandma made us wear our seat belts every time we got in the car. Oh, how times have changed!
Grandma always sang the "Going to the Zoo" song and she and I have been known to break into song at the mere mention of the Zoo. I sing the "We're going to the Zoo" song every time I go there. Ryan just laughs at me and sings along. Here is a link to a recording of the song I found on YouTube. Click here
I love being able to share my favorite memories with my children. I love to reminisce about how simple life was then. I was always in such a hurry to grow-up when I was younger and I often think that I didn't truly slow down and just enjoy being a kid. I work hard now to bring out my inner child. I am definitely a big kid at heart. The Abilene Zoo has undergone major renovations these last few years and they are all fantastic. The zoo entrance has been moved and major attractions have been added. The newest feature that we got to see Saturday was the new crocodile enclosure and the flamingos also have a new spiffy home. The crocodile has been at the zoo as long as I can remember and he always lived in this TINY enclosure which didn't seem to bother him because I NEVER saw him move.
The crocodile "not moving" in his new enclosure
Ryan and Emerson pause for a photo op of the new enclosure
A very cool dude!
Ryan poses next to the new flamingo and bird exhibit
Here is Ryan on his 3rd birthday at the old bird exhibit
Emerson enjoys a snack in the creepy crawler center
Our favorite part of the Abilene Zoo is being able to feed and touch the giraffes
Ryan on his 3rd birthday
Emerson's first time to feed the giraffes all by herself. She loved it!
Rachael and Emerson check out the white tiger
The very manly lion
Grandma always sang the "Going to the Zoo" song and she and I have been known to break into song at the mere mention of the Zoo. I sing the "We're going to the Zoo" song every time I go there. Ryan just laughs at me and sings along. Here is a link to a recording of the song I found on YouTube. Click here
I love being able to share my favorite memories with my children. I love to reminisce about how simple life was then. I was always in such a hurry to grow-up when I was younger and I often think that I didn't truly slow down and just enjoy being a kid. I work hard now to bring out my inner child. I am definitely a big kid at heart. The Abilene Zoo has undergone major renovations these last few years and they are all fantastic. The zoo entrance has been moved and major attractions have been added. The newest feature that we got to see Saturday was the new crocodile enclosure and the flamingos also have a new spiffy home. The crocodile has been at the zoo as long as I can remember and he always lived in this TINY enclosure which didn't seem to bother him because I NEVER saw him move.
The crocodile "not moving" in his new enclosure
Ryan and Emerson pause for a photo op of the new enclosure
A very cool dude!
Ryan poses next to the new flamingo and bird exhibit
Here is Ryan on his 3rd birthday at the old bird exhibit
Emerson enjoys a snack in the creepy crawler center
Our favorite part of the Abilene Zoo is being able to feed and touch the giraffes
Ryan on his 3rd birthday
Emerson's first time to feed the giraffes all by herself. She loved it!
Rachael and Emerson check out the white tiger
The very manly lion
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
20 Month Super Baby
This week has been crazy at our house. Brad had to leave for Illinois yesterday afternoon to be with his mother. I wish that we had all been able to go, but Brad didn't want Ryan to miss out on school since this was his first week. Becky had surgery today and we are anxiously awaiting word on improvement.
Today Emerson is 20 months old. I am amazed at what a brilliant, sweet, fearless little girl she is. She is learning words by the handful everyday. She is very inquisitive and asks me, "What's that?" to everything she doesn't know. She has started signing dog and cat. Almost a month ago, we started going through the "Your Baby Can Read" program. Emerson doesn't like TV so we are only doing the sight words and flip book. She loves both and asks to read them MANY times everyday. Monday night we were sitting together in her room and going through the flip book. I pointed to the word nose and she pointed to her nose and said nose. I screamed and scared the tar out of Brad at the other end of the house. I couldn't be more proud! I love watching her learn.
She wore a really cute outfit tonight and I was lucky enough to get some really cute pictures of her when we arrived at my grandma's house for family dinner. After a really yummy dinner (with homemade pumpkin pie, none the less) the two kids played and danced in the living room.
Today Emerson is 20 months old. I am amazed at what a brilliant, sweet, fearless little girl she is. She is learning words by the handful everyday. She is very inquisitive and asks me, "What's that?" to everything she doesn't know. She has started signing dog and cat. Almost a month ago, we started going through the "Your Baby Can Read" program. Emerson doesn't like TV so we are only doing the sight words and flip book. She loves both and asks to read them MANY times everyday. Monday night we were sitting together in her room and going through the flip book. I pointed to the word nose and she pointed to her nose and said nose. I screamed and scared the tar out of Brad at the other end of the house. I couldn't be more proud! I love watching her learn.
She wore a really cute outfit tonight and I was lucky enough to get some really cute pictures of her when we arrived at my grandma's house for family dinner. After a really yummy dinner (with homemade pumpkin pie, none the less) the two kids played and danced in the living room.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
San Antonio Zoo in July--What Were We Thinking?
My mom and I had this great idea to take the kids to the San Antonio Zoo on Monday, July 6th. We had the awesome privilege of keeping Cameron for the day and it seemed like such a good plan--get up early, go to the zoo, come home, rest. Seems simple right? Ha Ha!
San Antonio was blessed with a good amount of rain the night before which left the whole town hot and muggy from about 11 on. Of course, it took us way too long to get out of the house after working around nap times for both of the babies. We got to the zoo about noon and took the kids on the train first. We picked out our seats and waited for the train to leave the depot. There was NO breeze and everyone started to get hot very quickly. Everyone really enjoyed the train ride and the breeze was very welcome. None of us knew that there was a golf course right there in the midst of the zoo and our favorite museum, The Whitte.
We rented a stroller for Emerson since we didn't have Cameron's and headed to the restaurant in the middle of the zoo. Everyone was hot, thirsty, and hungry. Emerson was starting to melt down, but I really thought that lunch and juice would perk her right up. WRONG!
She cried the entire time we were there and refused to eat anything and would only drink Diet Coke with lots of ice. She loves any drink with ice and as hot as she was, I gave in. Cameron kept looking at her like she had lost it. Ryan tried everything he could to help and make her smile. Even the manager came and checked on us. It was embarrassing. Emerson is NORMALLY very mild manned and super sweet, but being that hot did not agree with her.
We didn't want the zoo trip to be a total loss, so we took Ryan up to feed the lorry's. He did this a couple of months before this and just loved it. I guess he takes after his mom who is a total bird lover! I know that all of you are thinking back to my personal zoo days before Ryan.
My mom stayed with the babies and let Emerson run around a little while Cameron took in the sights from the stroller. Emerson enjoyed the freedom and started to return to her normal self. Cameron decided it was her turn to eat and had another bottle before we back up and went home.
I am thankful that there wasn't a picture of us leaving the zoo. All 5 of us were covered in sweat and absolutely exhausted. All in all, I would say that this was definitely a trip to remember.
San Antonio was blessed with a good amount of rain the night before which left the whole town hot and muggy from about 11 on. Of course, it took us way too long to get out of the house after working around nap times for both of the babies. We got to the zoo about noon and took the kids on the train first. We picked out our seats and waited for the train to leave the depot. There was NO breeze and everyone started to get hot very quickly. Everyone really enjoyed the train ride and the breeze was very welcome. None of us knew that there was a golf course right there in the midst of the zoo and our favorite museum, The Whitte.
We rented a stroller for Emerson since we didn't have Cameron's and headed to the restaurant in the middle of the zoo. Everyone was hot, thirsty, and hungry. Emerson was starting to melt down, but I really thought that lunch and juice would perk her right up. WRONG!
She cried the entire time we were there and refused to eat anything and would only drink Diet Coke with lots of ice. She loves any drink with ice and as hot as she was, I gave in. Cameron kept looking at her like she had lost it. Ryan tried everything he could to help and make her smile. Even the manager came and checked on us. It was embarrassing. Emerson is NORMALLY very mild manned and super sweet, but being that hot did not agree with her.
We didn't want the zoo trip to be a total loss, so we took Ryan up to feed the lorry's. He did this a couple of months before this and just loved it. I guess he takes after his mom who is a total bird lover! I know that all of you are thinking back to my personal zoo days before Ryan.
My mom stayed with the babies and let Emerson run around a little while Cameron took in the sights from the stroller. Emerson enjoyed the freedom and started to return to her normal self. Cameron decided it was her turn to eat and had another bottle before we back up and went home.
I am thankful that there wasn't a picture of us leaving the zoo. All 5 of us were covered in sweat and absolutely exhausted. All in all, I would say that this was definitely a trip to remember.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Crazy Children Videos from May
I am terribly behind at posting videos of my crazy children and wonderful nieces. Here are a couple of videos from our trip to San Antonio in May. The last video was taken in June when Amy and I took Emerson shopping at Target. She had the best time playing with a Hello Kitty & piggy pillow.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Happy Half Birthday Emerson!
June 26, 2009
Happy 18 month birthday little girl! I can hardly believe that our little Emerson Renae is 18 months old. What joy she has brought to our lives. Emerson has brought so much love, peace, joy, laughter, and amazement in such a short time on this earth. Emerson has brought healing to my heart in a way that I wondered was even possible.
I love to spend time with her just playing, carrying her, reading to her, laughing with her, snuggling with her, and just being together. Her little personality is shining through more and more every day. Emerson listens very intently to whatever is said to her and I am amazed at what she understands. She is very strong willed (surprise, surprise) and knows EXACTLY what she wants.
She loves her daddy, brother, grammy, grandma and grandpa, dog Duke, and Gizmo the kit (or Gizzy as she calls him), and tolerates Sam the Kitten. She loves to go to the pool and swim. She loves to swing, go down slides, and play Transformers and Hot Wheels with her brother. She loves to play with her baby dolls and have books read to her. She loves to sing her A, B, C's, Itsy Bitsy Spider, and all songs on Kids Place Live on XM radio. She loves to dance and just be silly.
Her sign language skills and verbal skills are improving. She will sign eat, drink, wash hands, ball, please, thank you, Ryan (brother), grammy, help, finished. She will talk your ear off when you pick her up from day care. I know that she is filling me in on all the happenings of the day. I can't wait for the day when I will understand everything she is telling me.
She knows just what toy she wants to play with and will tell you if she can't get it out of the toy box. She is learning to pick up after herself and I am teaching her the Clean Up song. She loves shoes, dresses, and all things pretty. She knows who each pair of shoes in the family belong to and will instruct said person to put them on-NOW, please. She likes to pick out her own clothing from the two choices that I give her. She has even learned to appreciate all of the pretty head bands that I have had made to match her Gymboree outfits.
Happy 18 month birthday little girl! I can hardly believe that our little Emerson Renae is 18 months old. What joy she has brought to our lives. Emerson has brought so much love, peace, joy, laughter, and amazement in such a short time on this earth. Emerson has brought healing to my heart in a way that I wondered was even possible.
I love to spend time with her just playing, carrying her, reading to her, laughing with her, snuggling with her, and just being together. Her little personality is shining through more and more every day. Emerson listens very intently to whatever is said to her and I am amazed at what she understands. She is very strong willed (surprise, surprise) and knows EXACTLY what she wants.
She loves her daddy, brother, grammy, grandma and grandpa, dog Duke, and Gizmo the kit (or Gizzy as she calls him), and tolerates Sam the Kitten. She loves to go to the pool and swim. She loves to swing, go down slides, and play Transformers and Hot Wheels with her brother. She loves to play with her baby dolls and have books read to her. She loves to sing her A, B, C's, Itsy Bitsy Spider, and all songs on Kids Place Live on XM radio. She loves to dance and just be silly.
Her sign language skills and verbal skills are improving. She will sign eat, drink, wash hands, ball, please, thank you, Ryan (brother), grammy, help, finished. She will talk your ear off when you pick her up from day care. I know that she is filling me in on all the happenings of the day. I can't wait for the day when I will understand everything she is telling me.
She knows just what toy she wants to play with and will tell you if she can't get it out of the toy box. She is learning to pick up after herself and I am teaching her the Clean Up song. She loves shoes, dresses, and all things pretty. She knows who each pair of shoes in the family belong to and will instruct said person to put them on-NOW, please. She likes to pick out her own clothing from the two choices that I give her. She has even learned to appreciate all of the pretty head bands that I have had made to match her Gymboree outfits.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Mystery Diagnoses: Eczema
Emerson has had a strange rash on her legs for almost a month now. The West Texas heat has not done us any favors and seemed to make it worse. I tried everything that I knew how to get is to go away. I decided this morning that enough was enough, gave in and got an appointment with our pediatrician.
I am not one to go to the pediatrician's office for everything little thing that comes up, but I was at a loss. I still felt silly taking a time slot when there are so many kiddos out there that have major problems going on. Thankfully our pediatrician took a quick look at her legs and knew right away that it was a mild case of eczema. This was not the answer I was hoping for, but it was an answer none the less.
Tonight after an evening at the pool, Emerson had a nice, long bath with oatmeal, followed by her first application of Elocon. I was pleasantly surprised at how much softer her skinned felt afterward. I am looking forward to getting her skin under control and keeping it that way. The Elocon can only be used for a very short time and I will continue to research to find the best course of treatment for her without prescriptions.
I am not one to go to the pediatrician's office for everything little thing that comes up, but I was at a loss. I still felt silly taking a time slot when there are so many kiddos out there that have major problems going on. Thankfully our pediatrician took a quick look at her legs and knew right away that it was a mild case of eczema. This was not the answer I was hoping for, but it was an answer none the less.
Tonight after an evening at the pool, Emerson had a nice, long bath with oatmeal, followed by her first application of Elocon. I was pleasantly surprised at how much softer her skinned felt afterward. I am looking forward to getting her skin under control and keeping it that way. The Elocon can only be used for a very short time and I will continue to research to find the best course of treatment for her without prescriptions.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Kason's Birthday Party
Saturday, June 6th we were invited to Kason's 5th birthday party. I have no idea how that little boy can be 5. Where has the time gone? I know that his mom would agree with me. Kason is the sweetest little boy I know. He is always super happy and loves seeing Ryan and Emerson. Emerson reminds me a lot of Kason, especially when she climbs on the chair, the kitchen table, or the coffee table. When Kason was little you could blink and he would be sitting on the kitchen table with the biggest smile on his face. I remember once I was watching the boys and I had to get onto him for something. I had to look the other way because I couldn't stop smiling. He was looking back at me with the silliest, most innocent face. The birthday party was at Mendy's brother's amazing home just south of Abilene. I don't think I have been to a more beautiful home (an we only saw the outside).
The boys swam for over 3 hours and Emerson was in the pool most of that time too. The big kids jumped from every surface imaginable. Mendy and I were the only adults brave (crazy) enough to get in the water. The water was FREEZING when we got it, but we quickly adjusted.
Ryan & Emerson
Ryan with the Miami Vice pose
Birthday boy Kason James
Big Brother Kallan Jack
Emerson was a trooper especially considering that we left the house at 9:30 that morning for the garage sale at Brittney's house. I love this picture. Her eyes steal my heart every day.
Emerson loved being in the pool with Mendy and her mom Kay. Mendy is my best friend and she & I met back at Mac Direct (along with her husband Cody). Mendy also was so kind to keep Emerson for me so that I could go back to work last spring immediately after they moved back to Abilene from Oklahoma City.
Emerson really wants to be a big kid. She saw the grown ups with bottles of water and had to have one too. It was so nice that she could sign to everyone what she wanted. She took a break from the water and enjoyed watching the kids from a lawn chair.
I would love to say that I had the pleasure of watching Kason open all of his presents, but I have a 17 month old. I took a couple of quick pictures and returned to my side job of chasing Emerson through the backyard.
The boys swam for over 3 hours and Emerson was in the pool most of that time too. The big kids jumped from every surface imaginable. Mendy and I were the only adults brave (crazy) enough to get in the water. The water was FREEZING when we got it, but we quickly adjusted.
Ryan & Emerson
Ryan with the Miami Vice pose
Birthday boy Kason James
Big Brother Kallan Jack
Emerson was a trooper especially considering that we left the house at 9:30 that morning for the garage sale at Brittney's house. I love this picture. Her eyes steal my heart every day.
Emerson loved being in the pool with Mendy and her mom Kay. Mendy is my best friend and she & I met back at Mac Direct (along with her husband Cody). Mendy also was so kind to keep Emerson for me so that I could go back to work last spring immediately after they moved back to Abilene from Oklahoma City.
Emerson really wants to be a big kid. She saw the grown ups with bottles of water and had to have one too. It was so nice that she could sign to everyone what she wanted. She took a break from the water and enjoyed watching the kids from a lawn chair.
I would love to say that I had the pleasure of watching Kason open all of his presents, but I have a 17 month old. I took a couple of quick pictures and returned to my side job of chasing Emerson through the backyard.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Memorial Day at Aunt K's House
We were invited to invade Aunt K and Uncle Bo's house for Memorial Day weekend. We drove up Saturday morning an spend the majority of the day at the outlets in San Marcos. Miriam could hardly wait for us to get there and I think she called about 15 times before we got to San Antonio. She is so adorable and wanted a play by play of Emerson's activities in the car. I was happy to oblige. Miriam is a joy to be around and she is hysterical!
Sunday morning we went to Community Bible Church in San Antonio and all the kids had a good time. Emerson settled right into her class and was playing up a storm when I picked her up. We had a wonderful lunch on the patio at La Hacienda de Los Barrios. This is Ryan's favorite San Antonio restaurant because they have awesome tortilla soup and an outdoor playground. I even took Emerson over for a few minutes to play.
That afternoon Katie and I took Cameron, Emerson, and Ryan back to their house. We put the babies down for naps and got ready for the party that evening.
Katie and Bo had invited over a few friends from church/work. Ryan was the official greeter at the party and opened the gate for every car that came in.
Bo grilled up beef and bison hamburgers for everyone and mom cooked corn on the cob. The food was terrific as always.
We had a great time visiting with everyone, but one little girl stole the show. Ainslee (who is two weeks older than Emerson) was there with her parents of course. It took the two girls a little while to get the hang of each other, but after dinner they were an unstoppable force. They played and played and played the entire evening. The big kids had a lot of fun too and were all happy to join in with the little ones.
I finally put Emerson in her pajamas and she was still on a roll. You can just see in her face how much fun she was having.
Sunday morning we went to Community Bible Church in San Antonio and all the kids had a good time. Emerson settled right into her class and was playing up a storm when I picked her up. We had a wonderful lunch on the patio at La Hacienda de Los Barrios. This is Ryan's favorite San Antonio restaurant because they have awesome tortilla soup and an outdoor playground. I even took Emerson over for a few minutes to play.
That afternoon Katie and I took Cameron, Emerson, and Ryan back to their house. We put the babies down for naps and got ready for the party that evening.
Katie and Bo had invited over a few friends from church/work. Ryan was the official greeter at the party and opened the gate for every car that came in.
Bo grilled up beef and bison hamburgers for everyone and mom cooked corn on the cob. The food was terrific as always.
We had a great time visiting with everyone, but one little girl stole the show. Ainslee (who is two weeks older than Emerson) was there with her parents of course. It took the two girls a little while to get the hang of each other, but after dinner they were an unstoppable force. They played and played and played the entire evening. The big kids had a lot of fun too and were all happy to join in with the little ones.
I finally put Emerson in her pajamas and she was still on a roll. You can just see in her face how much fun she was having.
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