She Walked!

Yep, Emily has taken her first steps.

Wednesday night Emily was standing up in the living room, crying, ready for her bottle and bed. Instead of getting her bottle and putting her to bed, I encouraged her to take a few steps towards me - and she did. She cried the whole way - but she made it. Then she did it again.

Everyday we try and get her to walk on her own a little bit more. Today she tried a few times on her own, without our encouragement. I think the most steps she's taken at one time is five or six. But she did it! She's not a walker yet - but she's on her way!

We tried to get it on video tonight, but Emily wasn't really into showing off for the camera. Soon - very soon - I'll get it on video.

(Don't ya just love the cheesy, generic photo I added?)

Wordless Wednesday - pink eye & strep throat

Swimming!

Emily had her first experience in a swimming pool this weekend. It wasn't a complete success, but it wasn't a failure either.

Emily used to LOVE bath time but lately it has been a challenge, so I wasn't sure how she would react to the pool. Emily HATED the pool at first. She made some of the worst faces I've ever seen when she first got in. Then, after a few minutes, Brad blew on her face and dunked her all the way in. When she came up she smiled and then cried. Silly girl.

We spent a few minutes just walking around, holding her in the pool. She got used to the cold water and started to have a little more fun. She had a great time sitting and standing on the steps, playing with the water. I think she had more fun playing with the dogs.

Hopefully, she'll enjoy the water more the more we take her in this summer. I'm thinking about signing her up for Learn to Swim classes at our local rec center.

Doesn't she look cute in her swim suit?

Emily and Daddy playing in the pool

Mama and Emily drying off

All Done!

Emily's eye procedure is over. She did great! She's sitting in her highchair eating a late lunch/snack right now. There is no bruising or redness. We have to put eye drops in twice a day for the next three days - but that's it. She has no restrictions on her at all. And you can already tell a big difference in her eye.

Thanks for the prayers!

Friday Morning

Emily has her eye procedure Friday morning. I'm not sure what I'm dreading more - the procedure itself or waiting in the doctor's stupid office. Joy.

The procedure is about 30 seconds long and is uncomfortable. I don't really know many more details than that. Hopefully it's really as easy as the doctor made it sound at the last appointment. I'm not sure what her recovery will be like - but I hope it's not bad. If all goes as planned, we shouldn't have to go back to the eye doctor for several years.

Please keep our little red head in your prayers tomorrow morning.

And because I can't post without a picture - here's our sweet girl getting down the step from the hallway to the living room.

Wordless Wednesday - Flash Back to 9 Months Ago

A New Language

Once a baby (or child) enters your home, learning a second language is a must. There isn't a work book, video, or Rosetta Stone for this language. No one can really teach you this language, it's just something you'll pick up, even create on your own. You'll start speaking it without even realizing it. There's just something very easy and normal about it.

Baby Talk.

The other day I paid extra attention to how we talk with Emily. Brad and I each have our own version of Baby Talk. I add an "ie" or "y" to the end of words or repeat them:
poop = poopie
nap = nappy nap
bye = bye bye
Pelican = Pellie (Emily has a stuffed pelican that she sleeps with)
Emily = Emi
Banjo = Banji Banj
Frog = froggy
Sleep = night nights or sleepy time

Brad's version of Baby Talk is to sing everything. He's always "writing" a song about what we are doing. He's got 2-3 tunes that all of his songs go to. Some are funny, some are inappropriate, and some are really good. I think the sweetest song he's written is the Baby Emily song. I've only heard it a couple of times - but I think he sings it to Emily every day.

There is also a third version of Baby Talk around our house. It's how Brad and I talk about all things baby, without talking to the baby. This was the hardest version of Baby Talk to figure out. It's really more or a code word system. When I say, "I'm going to the back" and there are people around. It means, "I've gotta go pump".

Yes, I know it's all silly. But it's part of having a baby. And now it's time for me to go night, nights.