Emmie is 3 1/2 now!!

Emmie,

From 1-24-12 Em at 3 yrs old

We LOVE having you as part of our family.  WOW, God really blessed us.  You have one of the most caring hearts I have ever seen.  God gave you a very sweet soul that Daddy and I (and lots of other people) get to benefit from each and every day.  Even in the "small" of moments, you are often willing to give Daddy or I your last piece of favorite candy or (most of the times) share a toy with a friend.  You are very quick to say you are sorry when you make a mistake or even when you do something accidentally.  We are also teaching you about your tone when you are talking.  You are sometimes quick to correct yourself and try again.  We really appreciate you talking kindly on your own.

I can't keep up with all the funny things you say through the day.  Today you told me "Mommy, my (clean) pull up is on the back of the commode" and also while playing the iPad you said "I seriously did it!".  Hilarious!  When you are waiting patiently, you sometimes say "taking a (long) time".  I also asked you what movie you were going to watch and you said "I am going to give Aladdin a shot".  Where did you hear these?   I love it when you say "bacuum" (vacuum) and "inbatation" (invitation).

From 1-24-12 Em at 3 yrs old

You are an amazing Big Sis to JJ.  You are constantly thinking of him.  Yesterday, you got a princess crown for you and I to dress up and it was also your idea to find a prince crown for JJ too.  He was so handsome all because of you!  You love to give him kisses and have him play hide and seek with us and participate in the marshmellow fight too! 

You are eager to learn.  New letters and even your Sunday School class scriptures.  I told you last week "Emmie we need to learn a new verse" and you said "Teach me, Mommy!"  You are up to 5 verses now.  precious!  You have been helping me with 3 chores around the house (unloading the utensils 1x/wk, emptying the bathroom trashcans, and also cleaning the coffee table glass).  You earn your allowance and you share it with the church and also save it to buy some toys for yourself.

Click here or any of the picture above to see more pictures of Emmie from the past 6 months.

From 1-24-12 Em at 3 yrs old

We pray that your sweet spirit continues and your silliness too!
We love you so so so much!
Mommy and Daddy

Summertime, Summertime, Sum, Sum, Summertime!!

We had had so much fun in the water this summer!  Here are a few pictures.

Memorial Day at Lay Lake - our first "family of 4" picture at the lake.

From 6-9-12 JJ's 3rd Month

4th of July in Chattanooga

From 6-9-12 JJ's 3rd Month

JJ got his first life jacket.

From 6-9-12 JJ's 3rd Month

Emmie tubing with Jeremy for her 3rd summer.

From 6-9-12 JJ's 3rd Month

Emmie took swimming lessons with Mrs. Monica.  She did great!  Mrs. Monica was really wonderful!

From Summertime, Summertime!!

From Summertime, Summertime!!

From Summertime, Summertime!!

Last weekend, we went back to Lay Lake and had the Caretti's come with us.
(Josh, Sashari, Walker - 14, Sophie - 7, Livi - 4)

From 7-14-12 Caretti's at Lay Lake

From 7-14-12 Caretti's at Lay Lake

From 7-14-12 Caretti's at Lay Lake

From 7-14-12 Caretti's at Lay Lake

Click any of the above pictures to see more.

JJ's 3 Month Professional Photos

My friend, Ashley Matteo, took some more pictures for me of JJ.  They turned out wonderful!  Here are a couple, but click on any of these and you can see more.

From 7-9-12 JJ 3 Month Proff Pictures

From 7-9-12 JJ 3 Month Proff Pictures

Happy 3 Months Birthday, JJ!

JJ,

From 6-9-12 JJ's 3rd Month

You are growing by leaps and bounds!  We can't believe you have only been part of our family for 3 months.  It seems like so much longer!  You are smiling all the time now, especially when you see your big sis!  You definitely recognize her voice.  Emmie said "Hey cute little ribs.  I like his teeth."

You are:
-15 lbs. - weight (70%)
- 24 1/2 inches - length (60%)
-talking alot!  It is so fun to hear you coo and gurgle.
-making lots of eye contact with us now.
-SLEEPING thru the night - I feed you about 10p and then again about 7:30 in the morning!!!!  YAY - Mommy loves this!
-putting yourself to sleep within 5-10 min. of us laying you down.  so nice!
-experiencing sickness for the first time.  You got sick with an upper respiratory virus.  Thankfully you didn't have any drainage from your nose and you could still eat well and take a paci.
-eating your hands alot more.  so cute!
-sticking your tongue out alot!
-playing hide and go seek with us now.  You are a little loud, but we did hide you in the pack n play and under Mommy and Daddy's bed.  Emmie loved you playing with us. :)
-so sweet when I feed you.  You sometimes look at my with the biggest smile.  I also LOVE holding your little soft hand.
-trying out "tummy time", but you are not a fan.  We will keep working on it.

Sweet boy, I love you so much!
Mommy