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.