Daddy's New Hobby

Chase has many "hobbies" or things he wants to try. For example, we have a kayak in our garage, he had a dirt bike, there is a "bowflex" and incline bench in our bonus room, a keyboard, of course the motorcycle, and now a skate board. Now to give Chase credit, he did use to skate when he was a kid. In fact, his parents use to own a skate shop in Jacksonville. However, it has been many years since he has really skated except for the occasional time with his brother when we were in town. Chase recently obtained a skate board from his brother and has since found a skate park not far from our house. So this morning we got up and headed out there. Chase likes to go early because then there aren't as many people. It was fun watching him and Emory couldn't take her eyes off him. Every time he got closer to us, she would give him the biggest smile! She too had to try her hand at skating. I think she was more interested in the skaters that were around her then having her daddy push her around!

(new posts below)

Happiest Baby on the Block!

Emory is a VERY happy baby. That's not to say she doesn't have her moments, who doesn't? She is just SO much fun these days. I can't get enough of this sweet smile!

New Accomplishments

While Chase and I were trying to cook dinner last night, we sat Emory down on her blanket in the living room to play. She has become very independent and loves to do this. As long as there are enough toys to entertain, it will buy us about 15 minutes. I kept poking my head in and checking on her. She has learned how to turn her self around in circles while sitting but little did I know. About 10 minutes into playing I hear her fussing...this is how I had left her...

And this is how I found her...



Chase and I started laughing at her. I had no idea she knew how to get into this position, let alone get stuck under the ottoman! Now I have yet to witness her going from a sitting position to a lying position, but apparently she can!

Peek-a-Boo

I keep meaning to post videos on here of Emory. But in order to do it I have to download the videos on to Chase's sign-on on the computer, because that is where the software is loaded. So I think I finally figured it out. Now I just have to be patient and let them load. The first video is of Emory playing peek-a-boo. One of her new favorite games.


The second video is of her playing and laughing with daddy. It was too cute not to post!


Sorry about some of the auto focusing. The camera thought it was too dark in the room. Enjoy!

Playdate

Garrett

Owen

Garrett was trying to throw the ball to Owen. At least that's what we think he was doing!

Garrett was very sweet and shared all his toys with Emory and Owen.

Yesterday Kate hosted a play date at her house for all three babies. It's been a while since we have been able to get all three of them together. They had a great time. As did the mom. We were able to sit and enjoy Zoe's for lunch while being entertained by our babies. Owen is the oldest of the three and leaving Emory and Garrett in the dust. He is very mobile and loves to scoot around. I think Garrett might be the next one to crawl/scoot and he is two months younger then Emory. Emory just seems very content sitting and reaching as far as she can to get to the toy she wants. The boys on the other hand are movers. I guess that is the boy personality. We all had a great time and are planning a get together again this weekend with the husbands too!

Prestigious Blog Award

One of my fellow bloggers has awarded me the Prestigious Blog Award. Thank you Rebecca! So now I am suppose to fulfill the duties and then pass the torch to other fellow bloggers. Here it is...5 things that I am addicted to.

1) My Family is definitely the most important thing and addictive thing in my life. Chase, Emory and me make a great team. Chase is a wonderful husband and friend and I just can't get enough of him! Emory of course is the best thing we have ever done. She is amazing and makes our day brighter. I can't get enough of her laughter or smiles. What was life like before she was around...pretty dull i think! :)

2) Cookbooks. Sad I know. I could even go so far as to include the Food Network. I LOVE new recipes and flipping through new cookbooks. The sad thing is that I don't ever seem to cook new things. We have about 10-15 "go to" recipes that I cook on a regular basis and every once in a while I will throw in something new. It's something I'm trying to work on!

3) Pictures. I love taking pictures, looking at pictures, etc. Chase laughs because he says that Emory has taken more pictures in her short 9 months then he has in his entire life!! This may be true but one day he will appreciate on the pictures I have taken of her! :)

4) My Calendar. I don't go anywhere without it! I am slightly OCD in this category. I am VERY much a planner and if I could know what I was doing a year in advance, that would be fine by me. This of course drives Chase crazy because he is more of a "fly by the seat of your pants" kinda guy!

5) And of course, last but not least, the Computer. This could include blogging, facebook, email, the Internet, etc. I find myself on the computer during nap times when I should cleaning or even taking a nap myself. i.e. right now! :)

I now award

1. Kim Douglas
2. Libby Kellen
3. Beth Kirchner
4. Laura Graham
5. Sarah Underwood

with the Prestigious Blog award! Congrats!! :)

A Family Visit

Since Chase and I have decided to stay in Nashville more, family is coming to visit us. I don't work weekends right now, so it makes it much easier. Katie and Jordan came to visit this weekend. They arrived on Friday night and left this morning. I have been trying to get them to visit for a while now but their schedules would not allow. It's been a while since I have been around both of them for an extended period of time...wow they have some energy!! Saturday we went shopping at Opry Mills. I had birthday money to spend and the girls can always shop. The sad thing is that I couldn't seem to make a purchase without Katie or Jordan's approval. I use to know what was in style, at least I thought I did. But it seems that since I had Emory, and spend most of my shopping time in the children's clothes, I can't pick out anything for myself!! How sad!? I would say I would work on it but I would rather buy clothes for Emory, it's much more fun and not usually as expensive!! Not to mention I was shopping for winter clothes, since it is January, but according to fashion, it's time for Spring!! Last time I checked, it was freezing outside. It was snowing in Mount Juliet this morning!

Anyway, Sunday, the girls wanted to walk around downtown and see a little bit of Nashville. So that is what we did. We parked the car and walked around downtown and showed them a few of the sites of Nashville. Unlike downtown Birmingham, Nashville is relatively safe and clean. Katie was also able to take pictures of Emory for her 9 months. Since it was cold she's bundled up, but we got a few cute shots and were even able to get a few of all three of us.









We had a nice relaxing weekend and can't wait o have them back! Love you girls!

9 Months

I really liked the band-aid they put on my finger!

Mommy brought a bag of toys!!!!

Where's the baby?

There she is!!

Hey, what's going on behind you mommy?

Another picture!?

I love my jumper!

9 MONTHS!!!!!! Wow! I can't believe it, she is growing up WAY too fast! We are having so much fun watching her grow up. Unfortunately we had to go see Emory's doctor today for her 9 month check-up. Part of me likes to go but only because I like to know what percentile she's in with her height and weight. SO the first part is fine but the last half always ends in tears. Emory had to get one shot and get her finger pricked today to check her hemoglobin. No tears were shed with the finger prick. She was more annoyed that they wouldn't let go of her hand afterward! We came away from the day with a clean bill of health.

*17lbs 5ozs = 25th percentile ( she's petite like her momma was)
*27 3/4 inches = 50th percentile

Ok so here are a few things that have been going on this last month:

-First flight
-First trip to New Orleans
-First Christmas
-she has become VERY curious about everything...she has to see what's going on at ALL times!
-her new favorite game is peek-a-boo
-she has started saying ma-ma ( mainly when she's upset) but she says da-da all the time. I don't get it, she's with me ALL the time! oh well! I guess she has to give da-da a little! :)
-Refuses to crawl. She will lay on her stomach and turn in circles but refuses to go anywhere when I put her on her hands and knees. I know it will happen soon enough and when it does I will wish she wasn't as mobile!
-She has cut 3 more teeth!!! This has been fun in the sleeping department! The funny thing is she has cut all three up top except for the front left. she kinda looks like snaggle tooth...it's about to break through but it looks cute right now!

I can't believe that she will be a year old in 3 short months!!!

Support Our Troops

Usually I wouldn't post something like this but I feel the need today. For the last almost 7 years, the war in Iraq has been decent to me. I knew it was happening but I guess I simply chose to ignore it. It was easier that way. Or maybe it was because it wasn't personal. Well now it is. Today one of Chase and mine's wonderful and best friends was deployed to Iraq. Patrick will be there for 12 months. I know that many of you that read my blog are what I would call a "prayer warrior." I ask that you would include Patrick and his wife Meghan in your prayers. Patrick, we love you and are praying for your safe return!

HELP!

Recently Emory has decided that she likes to see her mommy in the middle of the night again!! Last week she had a cold and would wake herself up coughing. Now she's not sick, but still wants to see my face in the middle of the night! Any advice on how to get her to sleep through the night again is GREATLY appreciated!!! I guess I was spoiled getting 7 to 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep. Even so I would like it again please!!

New Face

I know I was late in taking down the Christmas background. That is a pet peeve for me. New Years Day should be the last day anything Christmas in up in your house. However, I broke my own rule this year. But the site I use was down and I didn't know anywhere else to get a new background! I thought this one was super cute. Hope you like it!

Happy Birthday to Me

I am a little late in posting this blog entry but this really the first opportunity I've had (and sadly, I'm at work).

Last Saturday was my 27th birthday. I am going to be honest, for some reason 27 sounds so much older then 26. I don't know why, it just does. It probably doesn't help that my husband is still 25 and likes to remind me of that! Yes, I "robbed the cradle." Anyway, we had a great day as a family. Emory woke up really early at 6:15 and I told her that I wasn't planning on getting up that early, since it was my birthday, and she went back to sleep until 8:45! It was very nice! We all got up and got ready because I wanted to eat at The Pancake Pantry for breakfast/lunch. If you are from Nashville, you know how wonderful this place is and if you are from Birmingham we will go when you come to visit. I LOVE this place they have awesome Sugar and Spice pancakes with cinnamon syrup...SO good!!! NOw usually on the weekends the line for this place is out the door and down the sidewalk. And if it hadn't been my birthday Chase would not have waited, I would have, it's that good! We waited for about 45 minutes and then were able to sit down and enjoy each others company.

After brunch we went to Wal-Mart. I know that sounds SO exciting to do on your birthday but Emory needed diapers, so we had to go.

Before we knew it, it was 3pm and we had dinner reservations at The Melting Pot at 4. Our friend Cheryl said that she would keep Emory for us so that we could have a baby free date. We got dressed and packed up Emory and all her things and headed out. Dinner was SO nice. We had three hours of adult conversation and it was nice not to have to catch toys that were being dropped from a highchair! We dressed up and had a drink and talked. Not to mention the food is outstanding! The dessert of course is the best part but we enjoyed it all. I didn't even call Cheryl to check on Emory. I did text her once but that was it! :) We had a great time. Now Chase wants a Fondue pot for our house so that we can make it at home.

Thank you Cheryl for keeping Emory for us!! We will return the favor one day! :)