Archives for 2006

Over the last 11 months, this blog has kinda turned into Emma’s baby book. Yes, I plan to fill out her actual baby book one of these days, but for now, this works really well and forces me to stay up-to-date.

As my peanut nears the 1-year mark (sniff, sniff), I wanted to get a few logistical items in here before I write her letter, which I want to be more poetic than informational. I’ll try to stay away from too many bullet points so I don’t bore you to death, but I also want Emma to know as much detail as possible.

One of the hardest things for me to figure out the first few months of Emma’s life was the whole “schedule” thing. I tried to find a happy medium between my anal retentive self and throwing caution to the wind, but Emma wasn’t really adjusting to my “plan” so well. That meant many frustrated meltdowns and calls to my mom, but also many lessons learned. Everyone kept telling me, “Read your baby, Lisa. Forget the books.” Yes, yes, I know, but how the heck am I supposed to know what she is saying? It’s not like she’s talking people!

But as the days and weeks turned into months, I started to get it and POW! We arrived at a schedule. It was so great. I was in heaven… for a week, until the next “schedule” kicked in. Always keeping me on my toes, Emma knew exactly when my mommy ego was getting a bit too big and quickly put me in my place with a minor change here and there. Eventually, I got used to that too and was excited to see how she was developing in everything from sleep habits (thank God!!) to eating.

Right now, I have to say we have a pretty good thing going. I try not to be a hyper scheduler, but honestly, Emma responds to schedules really well and seems to be happier when we are organized.

So here is a normal day in the life of Emma (at least for now):

6am: Wakes up in her crib, chatting to herself and her stuffed animals until she finally lets out a “num num” for her bottle. Sometimes I can get her to cuddle in bed with me for a few minutes, but not for very long.

6:30am: First dose of Prevacid (1 oz) and a 6-oz bottle

8:00am: Breakfast time! Some organic oatmeal and fruit (either chunks of banana or a jar of pears). If she’s still hungry, some Cheerios.

8:45am: Morning nap (usually 1hr and 15 min, although once in a while it’s only 45 min)

10:00am: Wake up chatting again and greets me with a huge grin.

11:30am: Lunch time! Some veggies (either a jar of squash, sweet potatoes, peas & rice or grn beans & rice -or- the same foods cooked and cut up), some carbs (pieces of whole wheat bread or organic pasta), and a 5- or 6-oz bottle, depending on how hungry she is. Once in a while she gets some fruit too, but I usually save that for dinner.

12:45pm: Afternoon nap (usually about 2 hrs)

3:00pm: Snack (watered down pear juice and some Gerber sweet potato veggie puffs or Cheerios)

4:30pm: Second dose of Prevacid

5:00pm: Dinner time! Same as lunch, but usually a fruit too. We save the bottle for a little later.

6:00pm: 7-oz bottle

6:30pm: bath time, books and singing

7:00pm: bed time

So I took Emma for her allergy blood work yesterday, and I was prepared for the ultimate meltdown. I had two binkies, her blankie, finger foods, and a sippy cup all ready to go in the event of total drama — I was prepared. I even warned the tech and her helper that Emma is a bit, uh, vocal, so this might be worse than normal. And because the doctor requested they test for 11 allergens, they needed to fill two vials…

Okay, breathe, mom, breathe, here we go…stretchy rubber thing tied around Emma’s skinny little arm, tight enough to pinch her skin, strange woman holding her arm in place, another strange woman poking her with a long piece of metal…the needle is in and…

NOTHING. Not a peep. Completely unphased. THE.WHOLE.TIME. I am watching two tubes fill up with my baby’s blood and she’s acting like they’re tickling her arm. No wiggling, no complaining, just the suck, suck of her binkie, which she probably didn’t even need. “Oh, is that a needle piercing my skin and sucking out my blood, Mom? I didn’t even notice. Now how about that sippy cup?”

I was so proud of her! When I called Jeff, he even admitted that it made him want to cry. So funny what makes you proud — and how your child can completely surprise you.

I have to remember that Emma is just as complex as any adult — she doesn’t fit any preconceived stereotypes or moulds. No, she is Emma and she is developing her own unique personality every day. Yes, she is a busy little girl that loves to move around, but she also loves to sit and read a book. She isn’t afraid of sticking her face in the pool, but is scared to death of her doctor. She will kiss anyone who asks, but doesn’t like to be held by anyone but her mama.

I think as parents we are so excited to “figure out” what our child will be like, that we almost want to make them something they really aren’t. Every time I try to describe Emma to someone who asks how’s she’s doing, I end up contradicting myself after every sentence because she really isn’t one “type.” Will she be anal like her mom, but athletic like her dad? Who the knows! Only time will tell, and that is the most exciting part. I know Emma has many more surprises in store for me. I’m also aware they may not all be as pleasant as this experience. But, heck, I’ll take this one!

I’ll finish up with some recent photos. I realized I haven’t posted any for a while, but the flu kind of interrupted our usual photo sessions. Still, here’s a few of Emma enjoying her summer at Grandma and Grandpa’s pool!

At least that’s my excuse for giving in and buying that dress that you all “tried” to talk me out of… um, thanks! :o) My other excuse is that she will actually get three uses out of it — she’ll wear it for her 1-year photo, wear it on the party day, and hopefully wear it to church the Sunday after her birthday. Oh yeah, and it’s our birthday gift to her. What else do you buy a 1 year old who has everything she needs? A personalized birthday dress of course!!!! (And yes, we put “Emma” on the dress!)

Besides, who can deny such a little cutie? She is just too darn adorable — and pretty smart too. Here are some of the recent developments in Emma Land:

She has officially kicked the flu and is more than making up for any lost ounces — she LOVES to eat!

She now walks everywhere and can get into the standing position without pulling herself up on something.

She waves hello and goodbye on command and on her own (at the right times).

She is starting to repeat words I say, although they all start with the letter D. She even tried to sing a tune I sang to her: “La, la, la” (“Da, da, da”). There is hope that she has Jeff’s singing voice — she was pretty in tune!

Some of her real words include: Dada, more (mah!), num nums, nye nye, doggie, baby (dady), pretty (ditty — this is what she calls my earrings) & all done (ah dah).

She dances by bouncing her knees when she hears music or when I sing, “Dancin’, Dancin’, Dancin’!!”

She rediscovered her love of clapping and is very proud of her accomplishments.

She will kiss you when asked and will sometimes kiss you if you say, “I love you.” She blows kisses too, but it’s more like a lip smack in the air without the hand throw.

She retrieves her stuffed doggie when asked and then tries to carry it around with her even though it is just as big as she is.

She points to my nose when I ask her to — a VERY recent development.

Her appetite is ENORMOUS lately, so I am assuming she is going thru a growth spurt.

She is almost done getting her two front top teeth, at least I hope, as it has caused us all to be a bit cranky.

She likes the water and enjoys putting her face in it. Strange, I know…

So there’s a quick glimpse into our little pistol’s life at 11 months. She sure is fun, but also a bit intense (um, like her father??) and keeps me more than busy. But as those tired, weak, horrible sick days only further proved, I would NEVER want her any other way!

Okay, so please give me some reasons why Emma does not need this $40 dress for her 1st birthday:

Sure, we’re saving for a house, have only one full-time income, and she’ll only wear it once, but give me some REAL reasons.

Didn’t I learn my lesson from the Easter dress??? And since when did I become so girly? I mean this thing has bows… BOWS people! I distinctly remember removing those from my own wedding dress…