I'm a Crawler

Emma has recently learned how to prop herself up on her hands and knees.  But after attaining such an amazing skill, where to go from there?  Even Emma does not know.

I promise that we have in no way "taught" her to do this - its completely spontaneous.

Go Pack Go!

Daddy has officially initiated Emma into the clan of Packer fans this weekend.  Emma got dressed in her Packer cheerleader outfit to listen in on the game.  Although Emma is not allowed to watch TV, she did play on the floor and created some hand clapping cheers while Daddy watched the game on his computer. 

And a 1, a 1, a 1, 2, 3, 4...Yea Packers!

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

Yesterday marked the day where Emma experienced her first snowfall.  Daddy and Emma went out exploring in the morning.  At first Emma was not too happy about this crazy white stuff falling on her face from the sky.  Then after she warmed up to the idea, she had fun watching Daddy build her a little snow seat and help her make snow angels in the front yard.  Emma has a way cool Daddy who she should not pout at no matter what.  How many Daddies know how to build a ship from tinfoil and a seat out of snow?  Emma definitely has him wrapped around her little finger.

This stuff might be okay...Daddy sure seems to be having fun playing with it.

Ah, the touch, the feel of SNOW!

I am going with Snow Statue instead of Snow Angel

Yo-ho, Yo-ho a Pirate's Life for Emma

Mommy decided that she was going to clean out a few kitchen cupboards today to open up a drawer for Emma to play in.  Recently, Emma has become fascinated with opening drawers and cupboards.  She loves standing by her changing table and pulling on the knobs to try and get at her clothes.

While Mommy was cleaning, she discovered that Daddy had saved so many pieces of aluminum foil.  The foil was causing a drawer not to be able to close properly.  After Mommy extracted all the foil, Daddy and Emma decided to use the foil to create a giant ship.  The finished ship had not just one, but two planks for people to walk the plank.  Mommy also found an eye patch left over from Halloween in one of the drawers.  It was the perfect set-up for Emma to become a pirate during her bath time adventures with Ducky, Turtle and Frog.  As head of the ship, Emma ordered that anyone who was unwilling to change diapers, put up with teething tantrums or anyone who could not fill a bottle up quick enough would need to walk the plank.  Arrrgg!!

 Pirates unite!  All frogs on board!  Mommies walk the plank!

What's for Dinner?

If Emma could eat anything, I think her favorite meal would be composed of paper and tags from her toys and blankets.  This past month has marked significant change for our little girl.  She can now sit up on her own and has started eating "real food."  Our first meal was rice cereal which is recommended by most pediatricians.  However, Mommy developed her own set of recommendations after she saw the results of the rice cereal which turns out stops-up the digestive system.

Mommy's list of starting items include peas, green beans and squash.  We are going to try moving from vegetables to fruits and then go from there.  Emma seems to have her own ideas about the order in which to eat things in.  First comes fingers (preferably Mommy or Daddy's).  Then comes tooth brushes, blankies, and tennis shoelaces.  Next in line for eating is anything that Alli has chewed on. Overall, Emma is a champ when it comes to battle with the spoon.  The only thing we need to work on now is her manners.  Tipping the bowl on top of one's head while Mommy goes to get the wash cloth to clean up the hands is a definite no-no.  Only time will tell if Emma can pull off a new trend of massaging the scalp and allowing additional hair follicle sites to appear with her amazing squash head rinse.

 It is okay, I know how to feed myself Daddy.

 Shoelaces have more fiber than rice cereal

 

Now for my next trick...I will attempt to fit this entire spoon in my mouth

 

 You don't believe I can do it?

 Feat Accomplished!

So Much to Do, So Little Time

The first weekend in December, Mommy, Grandpa and Grandma took Emma to the Hollidazzle and Macy's display called, Santa's Workshop.  It was a nice night to be out for the parade because temperatures had not dropped and the roads were still free of snow.  We arrived early to make sure we found a spot close to the street for the parade.  Emma used her smile and wide-eyed look to smooze with all the families gathered around us.  Even as we walked through Macy's, Mommy heard women turning to their friends to tell them, "Isn't that the cutest baby you have ever seen?"  Mommy still can't believe all the attention Emma gets when she goes anywhere.

 Waiting for the Hollidazzle to begin

 Wow!  Check out those lights!  How did they do that?

 Mommy, those trees are talking.  I told you trees could talk.

 Whose house is this?  There sure are a lot of people that live at the North Pole.

Can we come back here?

 Later on in the week, Emma participated in her first community service event when she visited the retirement home where Great-grandma Burrell lives.  Emma spent time with Great-grandma's dinner group and even passed out cookies to each member.  Of course she showed off her cute little smile to all and made the day a little brighter for everyone.

 Emma catching up on the gossip

Emma and Mommy also went to visit the train store with Mommy's friend Carolyn.  Emma is fascinated by things that move, so Mommy thought the model trains would be appealing.  Although Mommy forgot her camera in the car, Emma definitely loved watching the trains zoom around in the make believe town.  There was even a little trolley decorated for Christmas.  Mommy and Emma also managed to sneak in some time to find Daddy's Christmas present.

Abominable Snow Emma

I am ready for a fun-filled snowy Christmas!  Mommy keeps saying that I look like that little boy in "The Christmas Story" when his mom tries to put on too many layers for his snowsuit.  I haven't seen the movie, but I can't believe Grandma Walczynski wanted me to look like a big, pink bear when I encountered other children.

As soon as they take this pacifier out, they are going to hear a loud pink bear roar

A Little Bit of Christmas

Today we went out to procure a Christmas tree.  Not from a farm, not from Costco, but from the parking lot in front of Petco.  Last year Mommy and Daddy got a Christmas tree from Costco that was WAY too big for our house!  The tree fell over several times and we had to rearrange all of our furniture for the tree to fit.  This year we decided on the smaller version, but still got a Douglas Fir.

Emma was all set and ready for action in her new hat.  It has become rather chilly and we now have snow on the ground in Minnesota.  Mommy is trying to tell her about Christmas trees when this picture is being taken.  Perhaps she didn't believe that we would actually have one of those scary looking trees inside our house.  When Emma was only a month old, trees were very scary and she hated anytime Mommy brought her near one.

Here we are with the tree all ready to go.  Daddy picked out the tree this year while Mommy and Emma went inside the pet store to look at the fish, canaries and bunny.  Emma spent lots of time banging on the white rabbit's glass cage.  Since her visit to Milwaukee, where she met Max and Beans, she has become quite an animal lover.  Mommy thought this particular bunny looked like the Cadbury Easter Bunny. 

 Emma loves feeling the pine needles and grabbing at the ribbon we used as garland.  She also loves looking at all the twinkling lights.  Emma even has her own little fake Christmas tree which she tried to pull down off the ledge.  Disaster was in the air.  Luckily, Mommy caught the tree before it hit the ground.

The first ornament we placed on the tree had a picture of Emma the day she was born.  Mommy can hardly wait to use the Christmas calendar that she received from Grandma Walczynski.  This was Mommy's favorite holiday decoration when she was growing up.  She loved moving the bear throughout the winter scene until he reached his final spot on Christmas Eve.

Lots and lots of shreeking and squeaking today!

What's That You Say?

As of this past month, Emma has really started to try to communicate with the world.  Lots of la-la-la, da-da-da and spitting razzes can be heard throughout our house.  Best are the shreeks at the top of her lungs when she gets excited.  

 

Emma playing in her pack n' play

So much grabbing...Watch out!  I love hair!!

Is Lisa Simpson One of the Food Groups?

Emma has been getting used to her high chair in preparation for her first solid food experience next month.  We have been practicing sitting up straight and using our "sippy" cup for water.  The "sippy" cup hasn't worked wonderfully yet, but we are making progress.

 

As for now, Emma has decided her high chair is the perfect place to play with Lisa Simpson (one of her favorite toys at grandma's house).  Emma loves chewing on Lisa's spiky head.  Mommy still doesn't understand why of all the dolls she played with as a kid grandma decided to keep this one.

Terrific Tuesdays

Emma had fun catching up with Great Aunt Sharon again this past week.  Tuesday evenings have become a time when the grandmas get a chance to play with Emma.  Aunt Sharon joined in the fun this past Tuesday.  I am sure that Emma loved all the extra attention.  Mommy got some time to clean and rest, and daddy got some time to meet with his Masters group.  Thank goodness for Tuesdays!!

 Great Aunt Sharon and Emma

 The whole gang hanging out

  Emma never misses a bit of conversation...so attentive!

Alli For President

I have considered my voting options thoroughly.  After much internal hemming and hawing, back and forth, push and shove, left and right, etc., I have decided to announce that

The transmogrification of Alli in her human form will be my choice for president in 2012

Why not?  Alli is over 50 years old in human years.  She has a wealth of experience managing AND SOLVING complex issues.  She has repeatedly demonstrated her ability to work with others to accomplish great things.  

Alli destroying her nemesis Blue2.

Her running mate will be Blue1.  I think you all know who Blue1 is.

Blue1.  Lost an eye in a dual with Alli.

Oh Ducky, My Ducky

Emma has a few toys that she absolutely loves.  Seahorse helped to calm Emma during her first few months.  Then we transitioned to Elephant who has always remained a favorite as well as Oh Man.  Recently Ducky has entered the scene and Emma can't get enough of him. 

Last weekend, Emma was seen throwing Ducky off the side of the couch to see how he landed.  As soon as she saw him on the floor, she would screech loudly and smile.  Mommy would then bring Ducky back to the drop off point and Emma would begin her experiment again.  Who knew that Duckies liked to bungee jump from couches.  Perhaps Emma should start her own bungee jumping business. 

 

All set!   Mommy and Daddy are you ready for my amazing trick?

 

First I need to give Ducky and good-bye kiss....Then PLOP!  I drop him over the edge

 

 

After I locate him on the floor, he magically comes back up to the couch to do it all over again

You're the best Ducky!!

To the Children's Museum We Go

Over MEA break, Emma visited the Children's Museum with Mommy and Carolyn.  Emma loved the room with the water tubes and bubbles.  She also liked the short turtle presentation, where she did a turtle dance.  Perhaps hanging out in the toddler pond with a little boy who was around her age was one of the highlights of the trip.  She is definitely going to be a go getter.  She was already trying to hold hands with the little boy and putting out her big smile when he looked at her. 

Overall, she paid most attention to the gears exhibit.  The gears were attached to a magnetic wall and you could move the gears to different positions and then see how they worked.  Too bad Mommy brought the camera on a low battery.  We only got one picture with the gigantic building blocks.  We will have to go back as soon as Emma can walk and crawl on her own. 

Emma is trying to start a new fashion trend with one pant leg up and one down

The Wrong Pumpkin

On Sunday, Emma decided that it was necessary to visit the pumpkin patch to pick out the perfect pumpkin (well mommy might have had a little pull in the deal too).  When we arrived at the patch, Emma had fallen asleep.  It was a challenge to get her into the carrier but a good thing we brought it.  The Pine tree Apple Orchard is very hilly and it would have been quite a challenge to take a stroller to the pumpkin fields. 

Brr...It is chilly out here!

Mommy and Emma

When we reached the field, daddy found a great pumpkin.  We took a picture with it, however, it wasn't the final pumpkin we picked out.  Emma decided there was a much better pumpkin further down the field.  When weighed, this pumpkin will be just about the same weight she is on Halloween.  What a smart little girl!

The picture with the wrong pumpkin.

After we picked out the pumpkin, we checked out the apple exhibit and purchased some apples for home.  It was a bit chilly outside, so we decided to enjoy the pumpkin from our cozy kitchen.  Emma loved exploring the pumpkin while we sat and ate lunch at the kitchen table.  Emma also had her first experience trying out her high chair and sippy cup.  Emma is definitely a master with kitchen utensils.  Although no water was in the cup, she had a fun time practicing how to properly hold the cup.

 

Can pumpkins be used as bongo drums?

 

 Wow, this pumpkin is the size of me.

  The stem is definitely the best part of this pumpkin!

Even when I'm sick, some things are just too funny!

Emma has had a small fever and a runny nose (I call it a case of the oogie boogies) for the last few days, and sometimes it hard for her to breathe through her nose.  But every now and then, she becomes spontaneously happy and really surprises us.  Following you will see a video of Emma laughing her head off at Erin.

My ExerSaucer MEGA Active Learning Center

Now that I am 4 months old, I can play in my ExerSaucer!  I love to practice standing up and reaching for really neat things.  Myfavorite parts are the spinny toys, and making the circus music play of course.  I also love to rotate myself around and around.  Who could ask for anything more?

Drooling and grabbing, oh heavenly delight! 

Blue ponies are awesome!!!

The Relatives Came

This weekend Emma celebrated her baptism at St. Odilia's Church.  Prior to the baptism, Dan's family came from Milwaukee to spend some time with Emma.  On Friday, grandpa and grandma picked up Emma early from daycare.  They spent some quality time on their own with Emma before Mommy and Daddy arrived home.

I am having so much fun with Grandma Jan and Grandpa Bruce! 

On Saturday, Emma had her first experience at an apple orchard.  Daddy, Mommy, Grandma Jan and Grandpa Bruce took Emma to pick apples.  It was pretty hot and sunny so we didn't last too long.  However, Emma did have an encounter with a goat before the trip was finished.  Mommy thinks the goat wanted to get at Emma because her toes looked like little corn kernels.

What is that you say?

Fingers are great teething tools.

Daddy is so silly!

I never thought of it that way...

On Sunday, Emma prepared for the big baptismal event by listening to Daddy and Uncle Mike making weird noises with their mouths.  Emma loves bird calls, squeaks and buzzing types of sounds.  Carolyn and Mommy drove Emma to the church where all the relatives greeted her.  Emma wore three layers of baptismal gowns that were made by one of her great-great grandmothers from Mommy's side of the family.

 I know you all are really into this dress but I would just like to have my bottle.

 Are we almost done with this layering thing?

Nobody told me it was bath time.

During the mass, Emma paid close attention to everything that was being said.  She also let out a loud burp when the special oil was placed on her forehead.