Rock

and roll!

4 months {emmy}

another back-posted update.  self, you are such a slacker

• we ditched the swaddle at night and you did just fine without it.  11/9/09
• during tummy time you like to lift your bottom up in the air (head and chest too some times)
• you got to go to your first (and likely last, until you are in college) girl's weekend in Ottawa.
• You love to kick and splash in the tub
• Currently, you are wearing 6 month clothing
• We took a road trip to see your Indiana family, you did great!
• You grasp your hands together in front of you richest
• Little monkey girl....you love to feel and explore with your feet and toes.
• Your most ticklish spots include your collarbone and ribs
• You take 6oz bottles 6 times a day.
• Your nose is still stuffy.
• You love to babble and your favorite sound is "ah-goo".
• We are practicing sitting up and you can do it with a little support.
• You swing at the objects on your playmat and grasp at them too.
• Moved up to a size 3 diaper
• You fall asleep in the evenings on the way home from school.  When we get home, i run the dryer and put you on top.  It works out perfectly b/c I have just enough time to make dinner before you wake up.
• Bedtime is around 745pm (we are on a baby led schedule, not parent)
• Now when you clasp your hands at your chest, you interlock your fingers like you are saying a little prayer.

Thanksgiving

...It really should be a daily act, not just a holiday that occurs once a year.

Tonight, I'm so thankful for a loving husband who is already so involved in Emmy's life- it means that she already has a great role model.

Tonight, I'm so thankful for a roof over my head, a belly full of frozen custard, and a job- it means my primary needs are being met.

Tonight, I'm so thankful for DVR, the woodburning stove and other luxuries- it means I am not in want.

Tonight, I'm so thankful for the path my life has taken- it means that God is in control.

10 legs + 2 arms = our kids

Here are some pictures from the recent happenings in the life of a 3 month old.

Cousin Jackson showing Emmy how to work the exersaucer.

Gettin ready for bed.

With great gma and gpa and cousins Jackson and Avery.

Check out them rollllllls!

My fat and happy baby :)

Is Frank kissing Emmy? Or Emmy kissing Frank?

It's so hard to get them all facing the camera at the same time.

Gettin some lovins from Mimi.

3 Months {emmy}

(note to self: you had to back date this one too)

• lifting head and part of chest off of ground during tummy time, but not really enjoying it
• loves to sing songs w/ hand motions.  especially "head and shoulders, knees and toes".  This song always gets a cackling response.
• 1st trip to the pumpkin patch.
• conversational cooing
• Attended KU-OU game (Oct 24).  Kansas got whipped.
• Drinking 5oz in bottles, eating every 3 hours.
• Likes looking at herself in a mirror
• Laughs out loud, and it's awesome.
• Has slept as much as 11-12 hours on the weekends when we don't have to wake her up for school.
• Started sucking on fist.
• Flapper for halloween (little black dress with a red silk flower on skirt)
• Congested baby.  Has battled either cold or allergies for about 3 weeks now.
• We finally experienced our first MEGA blowout....up the back all the way to the shoulder blades!
• Loves staring at the TV, especially when we watch "The Office".
• Moved into crib at 12 weeks.
• Goes to bed around 820pm.

our lil punkin

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Hope you had a great HALLOWEEN We had a fun weekend filled with family and friends.

At my friend Tia's house on Friday:

The costume:

FBC fall festival:

With great gpa and gma Posey:

Great gpa Joe:

Stretching in great gma Ollie's arms:

At great gma Pat's house:

With great gma Pat:

We had such a fun weekend and Emmy was a trooper. I could count on all fingers and toes how many times we got her in and out of her carseat.

What a blessing to have such a good natured baby. Fingers crossed that she remains this calm and easy going and doesn't become like her mama!!!!!!

she's a fighting Mangino.

If Emmy and Coach Mangino (ku football) were to enter a "fattest cheeks" contest, who would win? Man, this is a tough one to decide. I think he would win just by virtue of size of cheeks. But if we talk proportions, Emmy can hold her own.

Here's my lil punkin at the pumpkin patch. It was such a windy day, but she was a champ. She really loves being outside!
Here's my happy little girl hanging out watching some Baby Einstein! Yes, I have a couch potato. And yes, I might be enabling that habit.

This past weekend we traveled to my parents, then drove to Lawrence for the KU-OU football game. Chris was happy with the outcome, the rest of us ....NOT SO MUCH. The weather was beautiful, the trees were beautiful, and Lawrence is just beautiful. Again, Emmy did GREAT. She slept through about half the game. Wise girl. Who wants to watch their team get beat?

Little (or big) bit turns 3 months old here in a week and a half. I truly can't believe it! I have no idea where time has gone. I can't really remember life before Emmy (except I do know I had more time to do crafts)....but I'm OK with it all. I'd much rather take a little less sleep, less time to myself, more rushing around, etc to have this little girl. Completely worth 18 weeks of progesterone shots, 11 weeks of bedrest, no caffeine or wine, 40 extra pounds and too many doctors appointments to count.

Favorite Song

Just had to share this video.
We have found Emmy's favorite song for the moment- she laughs every time we sing it.
She can't quite reach her knees and toes yet, but we'll get there someday.

Girls Rule....and also drool

Check out this sweet girl, it's Emmy's cousin Halle Louise. And check out that hat she's sporting. Someone super cool must have made that for her, wink wink.Emmy has another new cousin, Elyse that was born today! The only pictures I have are on fbook and can't post on here. Once I get pix, I'm going to share!

I am so glad that Emmy has 2 girl cousins that are so close in age. In the event that we only have boys from here on out, I'll be happy in knowing she has her cousins to.....just be 'girly' with.
I think it's so important to be close to your family. And if you aren't close to your immediate family, I hope you have a family of friends that you can rely upon. I truly can't imagine where or what I'd be without my fam.

My dad: my dad and I are extremely alike. It's ironic how I'm probably the most like him, and I'm the ADOPTED one! (I'm also the only one that went into the oil and gas industry...smart? or not smart? I'll let you decide)

My mom: I have to say that we did butt heads alot during high school and college. But now? I can't go a whole week without talking and emailing. She is such a wonderful Mom and Mimi. She always seems to know what I need without me even asking.

My sister: My sister is 9 years older than me, so without too much explaining- you can imagine that we weren't that close when I was younger. It wasn't until I was in high school that we became closer. We then grew closer when I was in college and even closer when I lived with her the first year out of college. Now that I have entered the world of mommyhood, I felt like our relationship has grown tenfold. Even as an adult, I look up to my sister. She is a great role model and is SO nice. I need to learn how to be that nice.

My oldest brother: I think our temperaments and personalities are very similar. Jim says it is because he instilled all of his knowledge way back when (it used to be his duty to dress me in the mornings since he was the only other one dressed and ready to go). I love that even though there isn't a drop of blood that we share, we understand one another! Isn't our God an amazing God? He provided me with the best family ever!

My older brother: Unlike myself Jay flys by the seat of his pants, is extremely fun loving, and is already balding and 1/3 gray. Sorry brother, had to say it. Even though I would say I'm more similar to Jim- Jay and I LOVE the same TV shows. So I think that indicates a strong similarity as well....anyhow, Jay can always lighten my mood. I love his lightheartedness. Jay and I grew pretty close when I was in college and he lived in Tulsa. I loved coming back to stay with him, I was able to stay with family-but not at home! It was the best of both worlds.

These are only tiny, tiny snippets about my family.
I hope, I really hope and Emmy and our future children (if we are so blessed) will love and appreciate family as much as Chris and I do.

I'm going to say a prayer tonight for each of the people I mentioned plus their families.

I encourage you to say a prayer for your family too and next time you see them- make sure you say "I love you" before you leave.

Sittin by the Buck Stove

Ahh, I love the feel of a warm den and a Buck Stove burning the wood away :)
This week has been a good week- Emmy's first full week at "school" and my first full week back to work. It was nice getting back into the swing of things at work, but it's taken a little more effort to get adjusted to HOME. I'm actually surprised I got ANY dinners made this week, but somehow- I did it! We have been blessed with a very happy, well tempered baby- but she's still demanding!

She's so sweet though, and anytime I'm tired, overwhelmed, sad (ya know, hormones are still a little off), angry, etc etc...I just look at her, and then I'm refreshed. I focus my energy towards her once again, and I'm good to go.

She is so perfect now- but I know things will change SOME DAY. I do find myself praying for her, alot. I want her to be responsible, loving, giving, light hearted, honest, true...so many things. I just figured I need to start praying NOW for the teenage years :).

So here's a few pictures of what we've been up to. It's late and I don't feel like rearranging, so they are from most recent to the oldest.

tonight: playing with her new exersaucer. thanks samson friends.
few nights ago: helping with laundry

earlier this week: showin off her punkin hat

last sunday: with coach sutton at the KS sports hall of fame, class of 20o9 induction

last weekend: at my parents

last weekend: emmy and her new cousin Halle

last friday: going out to the DMB concert.

Back to Work

So I have been back to work now for a few days, last Thursday went well. I was definitely ready to return to *something*. I'm not sure I was necessarily ready for work, but it was time to get back into the swing of things and be on a schedule again.

Short post for tonight, but just wanted to let you all know that the transition was very smooth. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

Our little girl is growing, we had the 2 month checkup today. She received her immunizations. I did fine...I did. It made me kind of chuckle because I have never seen that color of RED on Emmy's face and I have never heard her go that long on one breath! I was sad that she was in pain though, it was definitely a different cry than her hunger cry.

Emmy came in at 13#11 oz (>97th %) and 22 3/4" (67th %).
We love that she has rolls.

Oh, I have pictures I need to post of this past weekend.....never know when you're going to run into someone famous :)

Emmy 2 Months

One day I will look back at this and think...wow I was so good at keeping up with my children's development.  And then, because of this next sentence, I will remember: THIS POST IS OVER 2 YEARS LATE!  That's right, I am doing some mega back-posting today of Emmy's 2, 3, 4, and 7 month updates.  So here goes nothin...

• more responsive smiling
• can bear weight on legs while someone is holding under her arms
• definitely more cooing
• plays in bumbo and exersaucer for 10-15 minutes
• loves to stare at fans and her name above the changing table
• sleeps from about 9pm to 630am
• started going to school this month (First Christian Church, downtown Tulsa).  Also attending church nursery
• bats at objects on the floor gym/activity mat
• wearing 3 month clothes
• in size 2 diapers
• tracking objects well

pictures from sept 2009

Birth Announcement

After many hours of fiddling around, changing fonts, moving pictures, editing pictures, changing fonts again and finally deciding to STOP- I present to you Emmy's birth announcement. You've probably already seen it on facebook, but here it is just in case you haven't:

front:



back:


Many thanks to my friend SHEA for taking the beautiful family pic! Please go check out her facebook page for Shea Casey Photography. I would highly recommend.

Dealing With Change

So if anyone WAS concerned, I'm not REALLY going to start cereal yet! I'll just blame 1) a growth spurt, or 2) the bottle that she had. Probably TMI, but I think the sleep may have a little to do with her bottles of expressed milk. I usually pump right after she gets done eating and is in bed. So, from here on out- I'm going to make sure her night time bottle is the milk I had pumped from the previous night (lots of good fatty milk)...

Ok, onto the real meaning of thist post:

I found it very interesting while pregnant all the well-intended comments from people about pregnancy and parenthood. Those comments came across as either POSITIVE or NEGATIVE, nothing really in the middle. You know, some would say "this will forever change your life in the best possible way" and some would chime in with "oh man, you're never gonna sleep again, have time to yourself like you did before...wait for the teen years...yada yada"

Here's the deal: I think when big changes occur you can't dwell on how life was PREVIOUSLY. Your life is how it is at the moment, not how it WAS and not how it WILL BE. Why waste time thinking about how seemingly great life used to be, by doing that- wouldn't one just miss out on all the great things of the moment?

Life is full of changes, I think of where I was just 3 years ago. Fall 2006 Chris and I were engaged getting ready to be married. We lived in a craptacular duplex in Claremore (yes, together, for like 2 months before we got married...I know, shame shame). Chris was working for a small civil engineering firm in Talala and I was at my current work place. The next year we moved into a nicer duplex, still at our same jobs. Fall 2007 I start grad school for petroleum engineering, wow- does that change things up. Spring 2008 we decided to buy a house, I'm still at my job- but Chris has resigned from his and is looking. He finds a job just before our house, phew. We move to Tulsa, Chris lands a job at APAC and we start working on the house. Fall 2008 we get 2 pups.....then..... I come home from class one night very disillusioned about life. I figure out that what I'm currently doing isn't doing it for me anymore. The answer? Start a family! Summer 2009 Emmy is born.

If you ask me, it's a tremendous amount of change in 3 years. But I don't think much about how great things "used to be". What's the point? Things are too great right now to think about the things I miss from the past. Because, really, I'm not sure I miss the past. I love right now. How could I not?

Can I just complain? and...can't wait for rice cereal

I try not to very often, but can I just feel sorry for myself for a few minutes?

Miss Emmy started distinguishing days from nights pretty early on. Before I knew it, she was going 5 hours between feedings. Then magically, on a night not too long ago, she decided to sleep for a full 9 hours! She did this 2 nights in a row. The next night wasn't so great, but then the next night was a good sleep night again. Then.....the past two nights......it's been quite a few weeks since I've had to wake up at 2am to feed.

I woke up to the sound of Emmy sucking on her hand, I tried putting in the pacifier (or in our house, known as the PFIER)- but that didn't seem to satisfy. So I tried just holding her and rocking for a few minutes to see if she'd go back to sleep- she didn't.

I was talking to my mom last weekend about when she started all of us on rice cereal. I believe she said at 6 weeks we started with cereal in the bottle and at 3 months with a bowl and spoon.

For the mama's out there, when did you start? Did you do the whole cereal in a bottle thing, or just with the spoon?

I'm just starting to think that she's a hungry girl. Whatever it is, she has chosen a very *funny* time to start waking in the middle of the night....right when I'm gearing up to go back to work.

funny onesies

"Miso Cute"
Yes- I think she is.

"I need a vacation"

Sure kid, you need a vacation like a fat kid needs cake.


"Princess of Wails"

But not at the moment.

"Little Miss Perfect"

Most of the time



"Diaper Diva"

No arguments from momma.



"I heart nap time"

But not during the evenings

Last full week home and a video of Emmy

It's bittersweet. I have so much fun hanging out with my daughter everyday, but I'm also ready for a little bit of "schedule" in my life. Emmy's school is about 8 blocks from my work, so I think for the first few months I'll drop by at lunch time to feed her if she's hungry. Or just hang out if she's not. Please pray for me next Thursday, my first day back- that we both will transition well. I think I'll be able to take her in Tuesday and Wednesday AM to get used to our morning routine. Little Bit slept in until 7 again this morning, wahoo! I love it. BUT, I feel bad for her b/c once I do go back to work she's not going to have the luxury of sleeping in that late- unless she can figure out how to eat faster. Like...down a 4-5 ounce bottle in 5 minutes fast

We had a good and busy weekend. My mom, "Mimi", came down Thursday to keep us company, Saturday we went to Rory's birthday party, and Sunday we went to a shower for Aunt Eden (who is expecting a girl in October), stopped by claremore to visit gma and gpa S and g-gma Pat for her birthday.

playing with mimi:

chatting with Tammy at the shower:























Great Grandma Pat:


















Whew, this past weekend was so busy.
Emmy's thoughts on it all: "forget tummy time, I'm ready for a nap"

Trying out mobile Blogger

If this works, then I'm officially a fancy person.

First, and I guess only, order of business- why are there so many struggles out there? I know the ultimate answer is that "life isn't perfect". But there are A few things I really don't understand. Here's one, maybe I'll write about more later as they weigh on my heart.

INFERTILITY: why? When there are high school girls who get pregnant without even trying. When someone finds out they are pregnant and choose abortion. When it only takes one try for some couples. Why? I

ve not personally struggled with it, but from the outside looking in- it seems like infertility can just beat down a spirit.

When that 1st, 2nd, 3rd.... Round of treatments doesn't work. Why? When it makes one or both partners feel inadequate, why? I'm so grateful that conceiving was not an issue for us, but my heart just breaks for those who don't have an easy road.

When I first found out I was pregnant I felt a small amount of guilt/sadness for those who have been trying much longer than we had. Don't take it the wrong way, I was elated for our news. And it made me extremely thankful for our blessing. It also made me stop and think about my birth mother. I wish she could have experienced the feeling of elation. Now of course I don't know everything about the situation, but I can deduce the fact that finding out she was pregnant was not the best news she had ever received. I am extremely grateful though and proud of her for making the decision that she made. She gave me the greatest gift by allowing me to have the life that I have. She really gave me life twice. She is ~51 now and I hope that she is married, was able to have more children, and has a sense of my well being.

Brave Girl

Emmy and I had a very busy day, we each had a dr's appt. I had my 6 week post-partum checkup. I can't believe it's already been 6 weeks, so crazy. As a thank you to my dr, Emmy and I gave her some stationary that I designed. We're all just so thankful for her safe 39 week ride inside me and safe delivery. It was a little scary there for a few weeks, and I'm so glad we didn't have a pre-term baby. As thankful as we are do the medical staff, believe me- we know that God was the one who was in ultimate control of the situation. We're glad he did His work through the hands of those taking care of us.

Appointment number 2 of the day was for Emmy girl. They noticed when she was born that she had a short little frenulum, "tongue tied". The pediatricians who saw her in the hospital didn't think it needed to be clipped. So we didn't do anything about it. But then around week 2, breastfeeding was not going as well and the latches weren't that great. So I made an appt with another pediatrician at the office (at 4 weeks) and she referred us to an ENT to take a look at it. She thought it'd be better to take care of it now, especially if I thought it was affecting her eating. Obviously, chubby cheeks as proof, Emmy is eating fine. But it hasn't been the MOST comfortable thing in the world.

So here are the pictures of our brave girl. The first is before the procedure, Dr H is trying to get a good look inside. The second is a picture I took right when we got home.

Sorry for the lack of GOOD pictures. My DSLR is sick right now and not writing images to the memory card. I have taken quite a few with my point and shoot, but it's just not the same. SIGH and a TEAR.

Toots and Poops

Sorry for the title, but as I am sitting here watching Scrubs my daughter is lying on the couch with her daddy ripping toots and making poops.

Pretty certain I started this post about 3 hours ago, they have now moved onto other activities. Chris just read "goodnight moon" to her and now onto a book called "my little miracle". And 5 minutes later, she's moved onto taking her evening bottle.

So I have this list at work that has "easy meals" on it- obviously it is of no good since I'm on leave. But I have a few "go-to" meals, here they are in no particular order.

• tex mex ravioli, www.southernliving.com
• mac 'n cheese + canned tomatoes + chopped up deli ham (sometimes I add green veggies), it really is better than it sounds
• chicken marinated in italian dressed, served with whatever is in the fridge or cupboard!
• breakfast (turkey sausage gravy, biscuits, and eggs)

What about you, any fast "go to" meals worth sharing?

One Month

So this post is a little late, but little girl is already one month old. I was trying to think of something to do each month to track her growth and I'm going to do footprints (since that is something we have from birth also).

Here's what Miss Emmy has been up to the past month:

• sleep, eat and poop


• She gained ~3lbs from birth!


• She JUST started noticing fans, which is great since we have a ceiling fan in almost every room.


• She is tracking objects and likes the toys on her play mat and bouncy/rocking chair


• Tolerates tummy time and will turn her head from side to side.


• Likes to be swaddled, but can usually find a way to get her hands and sometimes her whole arms out.


• Can be quite gassy sometimes, but it doesn't seem to bother her. Chris and I find it fairly humerous.


• Has started, in the last week, cooing. Also, I think she has given us a few intentional smiles.


• Now into size 1 diapers.


• Has grown out of most of her newborn clothes, but still can't fill out her newborn shoes.


• Has just started having an fussy time anywhere between 7-10pm.


• Will go 4-5 hours between feedings at night, she has done this almost since the day she came home from the hospital.


• Has taken a liking to spitting up.


• Still looks like her daddy.


• Took her first road trip up to my parents in KS, she did great! Slept all the way there and all the way back.


• Has completely stolen our hearts.

I Love....

• 3 day weekends


• baked lays


• my ped egg


• fun colors of nailpolish for my toes


• how my nails grew when i was pregnant


• going on walks in the evening


• currently, the weather


• vacationing in Colorado with my family


• KU...anything


• taking pictures


• making greeting cards


• cleaning the kitchen..NOT, but it is a necessity


• my family


• Taco Bueno


• Sonic @ happy hour


• Jesus


• listen to calming music (Jack Johnson, Coldplay in particular)


• when Chris gets home from work before 530


• company! I get lonely and stir crazy at home


• HDTV, what a great invention....

but mostly, I love....

diamonds are a girl's best friend

Can't get enough of this little girl.

First Road Trip

Part 1 of Emmy's first road trip was a success!

We left last night right after she ate and Emmy fell asleep about 30 minutes out of Tulsa....and she slept ALL the way up to my parents!

We've had an amazing Saturday so far, I think it's cooler down in T-Town too, but we've had the house open here today. I love it.

The dogs love it too. I need to post video of it, but Frank had fun playing fetch in the creek. He's so funny when he swims, he likes to put his snout into the water? Who knows.

Sally on the other hand, not the swimmer. She stepped into the creek, but refused to get her tail or head wet. Silly dog.

That's all for now, gonna go watch the little leage world series.

3 weeks old

Emmy is 3 weeks old today. I only have 5 more weeks at home.
I can't imagine going back in 3 weeks though- luckily I've banked some vacation time, so I'm taking 2 extra weeks.

Dang America is screwed up. I mean, I know healthcare needs a reform- but not a government run reform.

But, Mr President, before you try to *fix* healthcare- can we make it mandatory in the US for employers to provide actual maternity leave?

Take a look at "maternity leave" on Wikipedia. Now, I know there's alot of false information out on Wikipedia. But the info pertaining to maternity and paternity leave in other countries seems to be fairly accurate.

I'll leave it to you to take a look. I'm not peeking again. I don't want to know about some new mama on the other side of the world that's getting 6 wonderful months off to bond with her new baby.

question for the mama's

OK mama's out there, I have a question for you. Actually, I have quite a few I could ask, but I'll stick to this one burning question.

When do the hormones level out? Or did my daughter turn me into a softie?

Seriously!

I just look at her sometimes and can tear up. Or I hear a song on my iPhone that was playing during "pushing" and I can't it! See- it's happening right now too! I seriously have never cried so many times in 3 weeks.

I was not that emotional/hormonal during pregnancy, so I guess the hormones are rearing their ugly head now?

But the reasons for tears. I'm totally not depressed, no post partum blues. I just look at my daughter and am reminded of God's goodness and omnipotence. I am amazed by this creature that He created. She's beautiful. Remember this post, I had talked about how excited I was to know someone else in this world with whom I shared looks?

HAHAHAHAHA- she looks like her daddy. She definitely has my color, and her toes spread REALLY far apart (that's me too)...the rest? Chris.

And I absolutely love it.

the laundry can wait....

I've got a little girl to love on.