Emerson just had his 3-month photo shoot. Here you go! :)
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| I mean, for real here. How cute can you get?! Thanks, Baby Gap :) |
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| Still love my vibrating chair, though! |
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Oops- missed a milestone Monday!
The reality is that sometimes there just isn't time. But, that doesn't mean the time has passed without some major milestone to report! So here we are on Wednesday with the latest and greatest for Emerson. He is 14 (WHAAAAT?!?!) weeks old today, too.
Emerson just had his 3-month photo shoot. Here you go! :)
Emerson just had his 3-month photo shoot. Here you go! :)
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Happy Birthday Daddy!
I just have to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my loving and wonderful husband, but more importantly Emerson' father!
Emerson even got him a birthday card!
We went to the DC Steakhouse (downtown Chandler) for a great dinner, and then he got a massage!
I also got him a day in Tucson on a weekend when we are actually free!
Hope your 34th year brings as much adventure as your 33rd!
Love,
Emerson and Erica
Emerson even got him a birthday card!
We went to the DC Steakhouse (downtown Chandler) for a great dinner, and then he got a massage!
I also got him a day in Tucson on a weekend when we are actually free!
Hope your 34th year brings as much adventure as your 33rd!
Love,
Emerson and Erica
Monday, January 13, 2014
Most Miserable of Milestone Mondays
Well, we have achieved another major milestone, but this one is one I'd hope to avoid. And I hope the rest of you escape it. We just endured Emerson's first stomach virus.
And then my first and Kyle's first in a very long, long time.
Nothing is worse than when you have to see your baby sick. I should have known when I picked him up from daycare Thursday and he had spend most of the day sleeping. Also the fact that his friend Evan had already been sent home for puking up his breakfast. But Thursday night, after feeding him at 2:25 a.m., he projectile vomited his milk. Luckily, his pjs were terrycloth, he was on his changing table with an absorbent pad, and he only eats milk, so it wasn't too gross. But, the remainder of the time he was up he kept making funny faces, smacking his lips, swallowing, and his stomach kept lurching. Ew.
I was such a wreck that I stayed up most of the night from then on, checking on him frequently to see if he was choking on his spit up. I was worried about how the morning would go, if he'd eat his morning meal, if he'd be in a good mood, and if I should leave him home and call in a grandma instead of taking him to daycare.
Well, he was happy as can be. No real change, except sleepiness, and not wanting to eat as much, was evident.
Friday at daycare he slept a lot, ate smaller quantities, and only spit up once. Then Friday night we were supposed to leave for San Diego. Luckily, I was so tired, and his papa was so tired, that we had decided it was best to drive after a good night's sleep. Sadly, that good night's sleep never happened, because after I went down to sleep at 7:00 (on a Friday night--another first!), I was up again by 10:00 vomiting myself. And Emerson had one last episode. So, trip to San Diego to meet new nephew/cousin Dylan was postponed.
I somehow got myself out of bed after about 20 hours in it the next day. Thank Grandmom Davis-Hohmann for coming by to help while dad went to Frisbee Saturday morning. Then, he started to get sick on Sunday, too. So-- we hope these immunities help get us through the rest of the winter!
Things are pretty much back to normal today. However, everyone at daycare today said they had the same weekend as we did.
Hope your weeks are much better! (pun intended)
And then my first and Kyle's first in a very long, long time.
Nothing is worse than when you have to see your baby sick. I should have known when I picked him up from daycare Thursday and he had spend most of the day sleeping. Also the fact that his friend Evan had already been sent home for puking up his breakfast. But Thursday night, after feeding him at 2:25 a.m., he projectile vomited his milk. Luckily, his pjs were terrycloth, he was on his changing table with an absorbent pad, and he only eats milk, so it wasn't too gross. But, the remainder of the time he was up he kept making funny faces, smacking his lips, swallowing, and his stomach kept lurching. Ew.
I was such a wreck that I stayed up most of the night from then on, checking on him frequently to see if he was choking on his spit up. I was worried about how the morning would go, if he'd eat his morning meal, if he'd be in a good mood, and if I should leave him home and call in a grandma instead of taking him to daycare.
Well, he was happy as can be. No real change, except sleepiness, and not wanting to eat as much, was evident.
Friday at daycare he slept a lot, ate smaller quantities, and only spit up once. Then Friday night we were supposed to leave for San Diego. Luckily, I was so tired, and his papa was so tired, that we had decided it was best to drive after a good night's sleep. Sadly, that good night's sleep never happened, because after I went down to sleep at 7:00 (on a Friday night--another first!), I was up again by 10:00 vomiting myself. And Emerson had one last episode. So, trip to San Diego to meet new nephew/cousin Dylan was postponed.
I somehow got myself out of bed after about 20 hours in it the next day. Thank Grandmom Davis-Hohmann for coming by to help while dad went to Frisbee Saturday morning. Then, he started to get sick on Sunday, too. So-- we hope these immunities help get us through the rest of the winter!
Things are pretty much back to normal today. However, everyone at daycare today said they had the same weekend as we did.
Hope your weeks are much better! (pun intended)
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| Feeling much better with my cute booties on! |
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| Check me out! I'm cute! |
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| Super smiley! |
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Tuesday's Truth
I hate to tell you about this website that I found, for fear that you will stop reading what I have to say and instead turn to the truth and hilarity that Scary Mommy contains, but there, I did it. Please don't leave!
I am not the most liberal of all minds, nor am I close to prude or politically correct, but man do I enjoy a good satirical commentary. It must be the English teacher in me. I find it hard to focus on the serious, to be serious in the face of stress, or to write without using hyperbole. For that matter, I truly found my kindred spirits on Scary Mommy, and whether or not you are in agreement with my parenting style, feelings about parenting, or sense of humor in general, I am only whole when I can acknowledge my faults and limitations as a mom, as a woman, or as a person. So, that is my disclaimer, I guess, that anything I say that you may find revolting, worrisome, perhaps even insulting, is more for ME than for YOU. I need this blog, I need this release, and because I write it, I am good.
If I were to never say anything that I write, then you should be worried. I'd be cowering in a corner, singing nursery rhymes repetitively to the wrong tunes in the wrong keys, and praying for the grandmas and husband to save me from the insanity that is surely lurking in the near future.
Alright, now that I've got that out of my system, read this article to better understand where I am coming from: Baby 101
After my last post about the "truth" that I've experienced, I realized that yes, I, too, was an idealist who didn't want to hear it before I had Emerson. I thought that I could conquer any random problem that came with parenting with a little charm and creativity, just like I have solved countless other social and scholastic problems with much success. Turns out, I have learned the hardest lesson. The lesson is this:
I need the love of my family members who take care of Emerson when I just can't hold him for another second without losing all feeling in my left hand.
I need the friends who have gone before me and learned the lessons "the hard way" (AKA, "first"), and have been my lifeline from the start. Thank you for tolerating my endless desperate questions.
I need my coworkers who stepped in when I had my first real absence from work, unexpectedly 2 weeks early. And who continue to cover my butt when mommy brain prevents me from being as competent as I once was. And who allow for me to go visit Emerson, pump in the middle of the day, and sometimes take a little too long a lunch by covering for my classes.
I need the humor of the online community who find that parenting really looks much different in reality than in the idealized parenting classes, books, and movies. Read The Cantrell Clan, written by my sorority sister, for another good example.
I need people. And I am really bad at that. I don't even like asking my own husband for help, for fear that it is admitting my weakness and defeat. I hope that I can continue to work on this in 2014, consider it a New Year's resolution.
So thank you, people, for being my outlet, for being my support, and for continuing to read without being bribed by adorable pictures of the cutest little man in the world! I need you, too.
I am not the most liberal of all minds, nor am I close to prude or politically correct, but man do I enjoy a good satirical commentary. It must be the English teacher in me. I find it hard to focus on the serious, to be serious in the face of stress, or to write without using hyperbole. For that matter, I truly found my kindred spirits on Scary Mommy, and whether or not you are in agreement with my parenting style, feelings about parenting, or sense of humor in general, I am only whole when I can acknowledge my faults and limitations as a mom, as a woman, or as a person. So, that is my disclaimer, I guess, that anything I say that you may find revolting, worrisome, perhaps even insulting, is more for ME than for YOU. I need this blog, I need this release, and because I write it, I am good.
If I were to never say anything that I write, then you should be worried. I'd be cowering in a corner, singing nursery rhymes repetitively to the wrong tunes in the wrong keys, and praying for the grandmas and husband to save me from the insanity that is surely lurking in the near future.
Alright, now that I've got that out of my system, read this article to better understand where I am coming from: Baby 101
After my last post about the "truth" that I've experienced, I realized that yes, I, too, was an idealist who didn't want to hear it before I had Emerson. I thought that I could conquer any random problem that came with parenting with a little charm and creativity, just like I have solved countless other social and scholastic problems with much success. Turns out, I have learned the hardest lesson. The lesson is this:
I need more than myself, (my charm and creativity,) to survive.
I need the love of my family members who take care of Emerson when I just can't hold him for another second without losing all feeling in my left hand.
I need the friends who have gone before me and learned the lessons "the hard way" (AKA, "first"), and have been my lifeline from the start. Thank you for tolerating my endless desperate questions.
I need my coworkers who stepped in when I had my first real absence from work, unexpectedly 2 weeks early. And who continue to cover my butt when mommy brain prevents me from being as competent as I once was. And who allow for me to go visit Emerson, pump in the middle of the day, and sometimes take a little too long a lunch by covering for my classes.
I need the humor of the online community who find that parenting really looks much different in reality than in the idealized parenting classes, books, and movies. Read The Cantrell Clan, written by my sorority sister, for another good example.
I need people. And I am really bad at that. I don't even like asking my own husband for help, for fear that it is admitting my weakness and defeat. I hope that I can continue to work on this in 2014, consider it a New Year's resolution.
So thank you, people, for being my outlet, for being my support, and for continuing to read without being bribed by adorable pictures of the cutest little man in the world! I need you, too.
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| Many cards from many of my biggest supporters and role models |
Monday, January 6, 2014
Milestone Monday
Today I will focus not just on the major events of the past week, but all the mini milestones that make me full of wonder!
And for the bigger events- Emerson experienced his first New Year (as many of you probably saw) and then the real treat--his first hike!
A little about that hike... Many of you have probably heard the story of my first date with Kyle. We hiked Telegraph Trail on South Mountain, for which I gussied up and got ready as if we were going to a fancy restaurant (at least I didn't wear a dress and flip flops). It was 94*. I was not in any shape to be hiking up the steeper incline, and we had to stop at least 10 times for me to catch my breath and bearings. Well, Kyle didn't judge me, I guess, but he sure does taunt me about it now and again.
This hike was like a bad flashback to that moment. I was out of breath. I got dizzy near the top. And I sweat more than anyone should in 70*. However, I had a 12-pound baby strapped to my belly. And I only stopped twice. I am darn proud I didn't fall! Granddad was nice enough to help with my confidence by carrying Emerson DOWN the mountain, though.
Here are some pictures and a video for you:
- Emerson now tracks us as we walk around the room.
- He will turn towards us when he hears our voices.
- He is starting to relax his hands when he is sleeping or resting so that they are not always clenched in fists.
- He also is beginning to grab toys and other objects, besides my hair, shirt, or necklaces.
- He coos and responds when we are talking to him as if he believes to be communicating like us.
- He sleeps between 4-6 hours for his "long stretch" at night!
- He eats in under 30 minutes total sometimes! :)
And for the bigger events- Emerson experienced his first New Year (as many of you probably saw) and then the real treat--his first hike!
A little about that hike... Many of you have probably heard the story of my first date with Kyle. We hiked Telegraph Trail on South Mountain, for which I gussied up and got ready as if we were going to a fancy restaurant (at least I didn't wear a dress and flip flops). It was 94*. I was not in any shape to be hiking up the steeper incline, and we had to stop at least 10 times for me to catch my breath and bearings. Well, Kyle didn't judge me, I guess, but he sure does taunt me about it now and again.
This hike was like a bad flashback to that moment. I was out of breath. I got dizzy near the top. And I sweat more than anyone should in 70*. However, I had a 12-pound baby strapped to my belly. And I only stopped twice. I am darn proud I didn't fall! Granddad was nice enough to help with my confidence by carrying Emerson DOWN the mountain, though.
Here are some pictures and a video for you:
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| Ready to go! |
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| Resting Up Top! And cooling down |
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| Hiking up with grandad |
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| A view of the valley |
Friday, January 3, 2014
Flashback Friday
A few pictures of my first Christmas and Kyle's first Christmas- 1980!!!
(I was less than 2 months old, he was over 11 months old)
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| Kyle's first Christmas! |
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| Erica's first Christmas! |
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| Still getting so big!!! Emerson's first Christmas!!! |
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| And his version of the Christmas jammies. |
Who do you think Emerson is looking the most like these days... mom or dad? :)
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| It is absolutely impossible to not see both Kyle and Erica, in my opinion... |
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Looking back on 2013!
The year all began with a bang as we ushered in 2013 as newlyweds (sort of) and looked forward to starting a family sometime during the year. Little did I know then that I would only need to wait two months before we found out we were expecting baby Blueberry. Hard to imagine that I only made it 2 months of 2013 with the freedom of not being a "mom" before our lives changed completely. I wish we would have lived it up a little more in January and February (although we did travel to ski in Colorado, we were mostly homebodies for once). From March 9, the day we found out were expecting, my life drastically changed. I made it through the morning sickness, despite getting sick during class a couple of times, made it through my body's changes as I grew larger, survived the heat of the Arizona summer (barely) while pregnant, traveled endlessly over the summer, started a new school year (with some of my favorite students and classes to date), and whipped through the labor, birth, and first two months as a mom (although not always gracefully).
Things I discovered in 2013:
- The best sound in the world is the sound of silence after you turn off the shower
- The best sight in the world is the sight of your baby's smiles after seeing your face
- Just how short 2 hours really is (the time between feedings)
- Just how fast 2 months really goes by (the time of maternity leave!)
- The wisdom of my "elders"- from my sisters-in-law who helped me with my endless baby questions, to my friends who took the plunge before me and loaned us so many hand-me-downs that shopping was easy!
- The power of grandmas willing to babysit
- The wonder of how to survive on 5 hours of sleep a night or less
- How to deal with heartburn- GAVISCON
- How to deal with Phoenix heat (I will never be as hot as I was all summer again, unless, of course, I am pregnant for another AZ summer, which I will do all I can in my power to avoid)
- For that matter, the value of air conditioning, short sleeves, and pools
- To enjoy Water Aerobics
- To enjoy Yoga!
- To enjoy "me time", "down time", "quiet time", "time at home", "Kyle time"--- TIME IS SO PRECIOUS!
I cannot WAIT to see what 2014 brings!! I can only imagine that my attention will be predominately focused on Emerson's ongoing development, many milestones, and what adventures this year is already scheduled to bring in travel, love, and life!
Cheers to a wonderful change (looking back on it all, it really is remarkable) and here's to many, many more memories and surprises in 2014!
Love,
Erica,
Kyle,
Emerson
Things I discovered in 2013:
- The best sound in the world is the sound of silence after you turn off the shower
- The best sight in the world is the sight of your baby's smiles after seeing your face
- Just how short 2 hours really is (the time between feedings)
- Just how fast 2 months really goes by (the time of maternity leave!)
- The wisdom of my "elders"- from my sisters-in-law who helped me with my endless baby questions, to my friends who took the plunge before me and loaned us so many hand-me-downs that shopping was easy!
- The power of grandmas willing to babysit
- The wonder of how to survive on 5 hours of sleep a night or less
- How to deal with heartburn- GAVISCON
- How to deal with Phoenix heat (I will never be as hot as I was all summer again, unless, of course, I am pregnant for another AZ summer, which I will do all I can in my power to avoid)
- For that matter, the value of air conditioning, short sleeves, and pools
- To enjoy Water Aerobics
- To enjoy Yoga!
- To enjoy "me time", "down time", "quiet time", "time at home", "Kyle time"--- TIME IS SO PRECIOUS!
I cannot WAIT to see what 2014 brings!! I can only imagine that my attention will be predominately focused on Emerson's ongoing development, many milestones, and what adventures this year is already scheduled to bring in travel, love, and life!
Cheers to a wonderful change (looking back on it all, it really is remarkable) and here's to many, many more memories and surprises in 2014!
Love,
Erica,
Kyle,
Emerson
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| Thank you great aunt Sue for the onesie!! |
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| The bubbly! |
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| I'm SO EXCITED that I was born in 2013! Bring on 2014! |
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| Family portrait! |
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| Such a cute smile! Love my daddy SOOOO much! |
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| Bonfire! (Fireworks came along with it!) |
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| A toast at midnight! |
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| The kids are all asleep, a little adult time! |
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| With Jon and Lindsay Buchert- thanks for hosting!!!! |
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| And some new friends- Ryan and Alicia |
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