Mommy Request

Friends have requested some more pictures with mommy and Emma.  This picture shows how a typical morning begins....Emma ready for action and adventure, Alli curled up begging to be petted (or just get some attention these days) and of course mommy half asleep still.

Three makes for a crowd on the couch

A Few Things that I Love

There are many things in this world that I love.  Here are a few of my favorites.

1. Mommy reading Harry Potter to me while I eat
2. Staring at Daddy's beard
3. Rolling over onto my side
4. Sucking on...just about anything (hands, Daddy's finger, pacifier, Gripe water dropper)
5. Looking out the window
6. Tummy time

More than anything, I love Mommy and Daddy!

A Few Things That Frighten Me

Emma definitely loves to explore, but there are few things she is afraid of...
1. Hail
2. Lightning
3. Windows (ironically also a fascination)
4. Trees
5. Alli running around an adult's feet
6. Grandma Walczynski's love for changing into "cuter" outfits

"Emma, what are you seeing when you look out the window?"

Much Needed Rest

Daddy and Emma take a rest together...Well, Daddy tries to rest while Emma decides it is time to stretch and wiggle around.  No wonder we call her the "Wiggly Worm."

My First Play

Tonight Emma "saw" her very first Shakespeare in the park, at Nokomis Park in Minneapolis.  This year they did "THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR."  It was a beautiful sunny evening, with temperatures in the mid 70's and a slight breeze.  


Emma actually didn't see anything though - she slept through the whole thing!  This was very surprising, because the actors and actresses talked loudly, and the park was underneath the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport's flight path, so we had at least 20 planes flying in low overhead.  It must have been a very tiring day for her to have slept so soundly.

A Couple of the Greats

Emma sure gets the attention.  Whenever we run our daily errands, Emma gets the royal treatment from just about anyone she meets.  Of course she is pretty cute and tiny.  Mom has found that people seem to treat her more kindly as well if she is toting around a baby.  Strange how that happens...



Some of the "Great" people that Emma gets to visit regularly are her Great Aunt Joan and her Great Grandma Burrell.  Both women definitely have some tricks up their sleeves for keeping the baby happy and quiet.  Mom learned a soothing noise from Great Grandma that when used with some rocking puts Emma to sleep.  Mom also found it interesting that Great Grandma Kubacki and Grandma Walczynski make the same types of noises with their mouths when they hold Emma. 

Booking Tickets

Today Emma helped mom and her colleagues book tickets to "The Sisters" reading conference in Georgia in August.  More than anything, Emma probably provided distraction from getting work completed.  Emma can hardly wait to spend a full weekend with daddy.  Maybe they can go to the zoo to see the real versions of the animals Emma sees on her bedroom wall.

Lion Helps Maintain Sanity

Mom and Dad sometimes have a hard time changing Emma's diaper without a mini tantrum.  Thank goodness for lion and alligator who provide the perfect distraction for a highly stimulated infant.  Patience, you definitely knew what you were talking about when you suggested putting up decals above the changing table.  Lion and Emma roar back and forth at each other daily.

Grab and Go

Today Emma made her first attempt to crawl across the bed and grab a highlighter.  Mom cheered her on from the bed sidelines.  Emma can now lift her head, roll over, turn toward and object, move for it and grab it.  Mom had a hard time getting Emma to drop the highlighter after she finally grabbed on.  Emma also loves the toy that Charolette and Audrey picked out for her.  She can't stop staring at it.

 Look I am starting to crawl!!

Got a bit too tired out...Don't worry, I am still going for it.

What is that crazy contraption?  Will it fit in my mouth?

Beating the Heat Infant Style

Emma and Sofie finally got a chance to meet for a walk around Lake Phalen this week.  Yeng and mom had a chance to catch up while the girls slept through most of the journey.  Despite the 90 degree heat, Emma and Sofie hung in there while the moms sweated it out.  About halfway through, Emma decided that she needed the frozen vegetable pack mom brought along to keep cool.  We had so much fun that we decided to get together again next week. 

Laundry Daze

Emma and mommy end up doing laundry almost every day with all the messes that get created (mainly by Emma).  On this particular day, Emma decided that she wanted to dress up in a fancy bow while doing the laundry.  Mom was so excited to see Emma laugh and smile!  Emma's smiles help mom wake up out of her daze.  Hopefully, we will learn to sleep through the night this next month.

Pedicure Perfection

Emma needed a nail trim on Father's Day.  Luckily, we had many helping hands to hold her in place while she was trimmed.  No more gloves for this girl!

Sunday Treat

On Sunday Grandma and Grandpa Walczynski stopped by to hang out with baby Emma.

Grandpa Walczynski making Emma smile.

Where's Grandma Walczynski?  She was taking all of the pictures!  We'll get her next time ;)

Gardening with the Pro

On Sunday Dad, Emma and Alli decided to work in the garden.  Dad did most of the work and Emma and Alli helped by lounging around.  The last few days have been gorgeous!

A Visit from the Maas Grandparents

Emma met her grandmother Jan and her grandfather Bruce on Friday.  They are staying in the Twin Cities for the weekend.  Emma definitely likes being held by anyone that wants to take a turn. 

During the grandparents' stay, Emma decided to show off her strong muscle abilities by holding a bottle with only her mouth.  "Look Dad, no hands." 

My Does She Suck

Emma met her great grandmother, Burrell Kubacki today.  Emma's great grandmother is 98 years old and still doing well.  When grandmother Kubacki held Emma, she commented, "My does she suck!"  This comment made mom and her friends laugh hysterically.  Terminology definitely has changed over time.

Other visitors included Emma's grandparents Kathy and Mark, Emma's Great Aunt and Uncle, Joan and Don, and Erin and Dan's friends Colleen, Mike, Carolyn and Yeng.  So much excitement caused little sleep for mom and dad that night.

 Emma with Grandma Kathy