Thoughts from long ago

I found a couple of blog posts I had written around the time of Emerson's first birthday.  As my blogging fell to the wayside, I never published them!  The following words perfectly summed up my feelings of her first year...

March, 2013
Emerson woke up with a fever yesterday, and congestion hit shortly thereafter. She has been a fussy, sleepy crankypants for the last 24 hours. Her sweet eyes are red-rimmed and watery, and she was up almost every hour last night wanting to nurse...probably to ease a sore throat, if my symptoms are an indicator of hers. So today we are both exhausted and a bit out of sorts. Poor baby girl screamed and screamed when I put her down for a nap...long enough that I went to get her. But the minute she was in my arms, the screaming stopped, her eyes closed, and her breathing became deep and even. And even though I probably could have put her back in bed, I'm sitting in the rocker with my little girl against my chest, prepared to let her sleep as long as she needs. These moments are almost nonexistent these days...a little girl has too much learning and exploring to do to stop and snuggle with mommy...and is old enough to take a nap without being rocked to sleep.

Everyone warns you that time with your baby goes too quickly, but--my goodness--I was unprepared for how rapidly this year flew by. I'm so grateful for every single moment I've had holding, rocking, nursing, and snuggling this (not so) tiny bundle I've wanted for so long. This past year has been absolutely the best year of my life. God has given me the most beautiful gift allowing me to be a mother to this baby girl.

Bad Blogger!

It has been ages since I've blogged! Mommyhood is treating me so well, as is summer vacation--Emerson has her mommy and daddy to herself all day, every day! And you might think that'd leave MORE time for blogging, but it does not. We've been busy with camping trips and family visits and hiking, etc. It has been wonderful!

Emerson is growing like a weed...over 15 pounds and 26 inches long! She's rolling from her back to tummy, and sitting (almost) on her own! She loves playing in her bouncer (the Dance Club, as her uncle calls it!).  She is so interactive now, Scott and I love to make her giggle!  Here's a glimpse of what she's up to these days...

Bein' the cutest baby ever

Lovin' her first camping trip

Enjoyin' the ocean

Hikin' with the best of 'em

Meltin' Mama's heart!

Genetics

Unfortunately it seems that Miss Pumpkin Pie likes to sleep like her father--all but buried beneath the covers. This may be fine for older children and adults, but for tiny babies that you don't want to suffocate, it's not so great.

She only gets her way during nap time when I can check on her every few minutes. Even though Scott and I have tried to suffocate ourselves with her elephant lovey (unsuccessfully) I'm still not willing to risk it...

A day in the life...

I am loving every minute that I'm home with Emerson! Often the house is messy and the laundry unfolded (yes...at least I can usually get the clothes clean!) but I am in heaven spending my days with this sweet baby girl. Come September I'll be working again (hopefully part time!!) and these wonderful days of maternity leave will be gone. So believe me, I am milking this for all it's worth! While Emerson quite literally is...never mind:-P

She and I are still up once at night for a feeding, usually after a 5 or 6 hour stretch. I can handle that! (we were up every two hours for what seemed like forever.) When Emerson wakes up for her morning feeding, she is DONE sleeping on her back. So after she has eaten and has a fresh diaper, I prop myself up with pillows in bed and baby girl sleeps on my chest for the next several hours. Some mornings I sleep, others I mess around on my iPhone posting pictures of Emerson on Facebook, and always I kiss her sweet head about every five seconds!

When she wakes up, smiling and chatting with me, I talk to her while I put in my contacts and grab a quick cup of coffee. Then it's my favorite time of day...bath time!! There's something so sweet about a sudsy little babe, and Emerson is always so surprised by the warm water!

By the time she's dried and dressed she's snuggly and ready for a nap! She sleeps in her Soother by the bathroom door while I shower...

The last week or so we've been trying to find a good napping schedule. So if she is still sleeping when I'm dressed, I have time to run a load of laundry or tidy up a bit. Then when she wakes up it's time for her meal and then time to play!!

We recently got her this little play gym. She was days away from 12 weeks and wasn't really reaching for things like They say she should...but she loves it and now grabs those toys with no problem and either marvels at her little hands grasping or tries to eat whatever she's holding. It's adorable.

We continue the eat-nap-play cycle until her daddy gets home from work. Then he and Emerson relax and play, and that's when I have a chance to really get some stuff done!  I make dinner, we eat, and Sweet Baby entertains us until her bedtime.  I try to get to bed within an hour of Emerson so that I can get a longer stretch of sleep...and a few hours later we start over again!

I know these days won't last forever...I'm so grateful for this time!

Growing Up...

I snapped this picture earlier today as I lay Emerson down for a nap...in her crib...for the first time.

For her long nap I usually put her in her Rock 'n' Play Soother in our room, where she sleeps at night.  But she's been napping so well that I thought I should try out her crib.

I fully expected her to wake up immediately.  Or at least the first time she twitched and realized she was flat on her back, that she wasn't held in at all sides like normal.  But Baby Girl slept for two hours.  Peacefully. 

I think she's more ready for her crib than I am.

Six Weeks

This little sweetpea is six weeks old.

How has so much time gone by?

I am so blessed to be her mama.

Current stats for our smiley girl:
Weight: 10 pounds, 9 ounces
Height: 22.75 inches
Favorite Activities: Smiling at Daddy
Bath time
Bouncing on the exercise ball

I love being a mom more than I ever imagined I would.  I'm so lucky to spend my days with such a sweet sweet girl!

Little Miss

She's Here!

Emerson Grace has arrived!

Monday, March 5, 2012

5:47 AM

7 pounds 13 ounces

We are so very happy and blessed!