Look at my Baby Bug

One of Emrie's nicknames (she has several) is Baby Bug.  I have no idea where that one came from or why it stuck but it seems to be the name of choice these days.  She has gotten so big I'm not going to be able to use the term baby much longer.  This morning when Brian told her it was time to go to Big School, she grabbed her "pack-pack" and took off out the door.  I was like "Baby Bug!  Where is Mommy's bye-bye kiss?"  She turned back, looked at me, blew a me a kiss, turned and took off.  That little turkey! 

Maybe the worst is over...MAYBE

For the past three months I have had the most awful morning sickness. Honestly, why it's called morning sickness is beyond me - I have had it all day, every day. That is until this weekend, knock on wood. I have not really thrown up since FRIDAY!!! Oh, Happy Day indeed.

Yesterday, I was feeling so good that I took Emrie to the park. We spent a couple of hours in the sunshine "winging." For those of you who do not speak Toddler that means swinging. Then, when we got home she and I baked a fudge brownie cake (I baked and she "elped"). And then, yes there's more, we made homemade enchiladas. I ate it all with zero vomit!

After dinner we settled into the couch for another disturbing episode of The Walking Dead. That show just freaks me out but I HAVE TO WATCH IT. It's almost like I'm a zombie. MUST WATCH SHOW. MUST WATCH SHOW.

So far today, I've had a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast and a burger with fries for lunch. And to this point, not even a solid burp to speak of : ) Oh happy day!

She made potty! And I have pictures!

On Sunday, Emrie used the potty...TWICE!  Yes.  It was a big day at our house.  First of all she proclaimed "Potty!  Potty!"  So I placed her on her baby potty which was actually mine when I potty trained 39 plus years ago.  She pitched a fit.  She wanted to be on the big girl potty.  So we made the switch and there she sat...for 20 minutes.  I tried to stay vigilant by her side but she would give me a stern "out."  Go figure.  So I checked in every minute. 

Emrie, are you through?

No.

Emrie, did you go potty?

Yes. 

Are you through?

No. 

After about 10 minutes of this, she asked for a book.  A BOOK?!  So I grabbed one of her baby books, a baby magazine and a John Grisham book.  To my surprise, she opted for Grisham although there were no pictures.  Okay - she didn't actually read it but she did make a big show of opening and closing it. 

Finally, just after the 20 minute mark she shouted "THROUGH!"  I checked and sure enough she had made poo poo in the potty!  We clapped and made a big deal over her accomplishment.  She was very excited and repeated the same 20 minute process again that evening.  This time she and I sang a little song from church called "Oh, Happy Day."  I'm not sure the songwriter intended it to be a potty training song but Emrie sang along...OH HAPPY DAY!  And, it was. 

Here's the latest...in case you haven't heard

It's true!  I'm having a baby!  What are the odds?  Well, according to my doctor, they were zero to none but I guess God had other plans.  I think back to how hard we worked and tried and prayed for sweet Emrie - it was three years of insanity.  Shots.  Tests.  Shots.  Pills.  Shots.  Acupuncture.  Shots.  Tests.  Then finally, it happened! 

This time the process was much simpler.  A couple days before Christmas I was wrapping presents and exclaiming that I was not doing all of the crazy shopping and wrapping the next year.  That's when Brian made his diagnosis.  "You're Pregnant" he said.  What?  Why would he even say that?  His reasoning..."You're being really mean.  You're pregnant."  So now apparently, I'm a mean pregnant woman.  Anyway, I disregarded his statement until New Years Eve.  I had been dragging and just not feeling like myself for about a week so while we were in Colorado he convinced me to take a test before I tried skiing.  I took one first thing in the morning and it said "error."  Well, that was enough for me but Brian insisted I take another one...so I did...this one was POSITIVE! 

I'm 12 weeks this week and feeling every bit of it.  I remember being sick with Emrie but I don't remember it being this bad.  This is bad.  I feel like I'm going to throw up ALL THE TIME.  They say it's supposed to get better after the 1st trimester.  I'm sure hoping that's true.  I'm pretty sure I threw up (although not as much) all the way through the nine months with Emrie. 

My next appointment is March 1st.  I promise I'll have some pictures for you.

Emrie loves to "wing"

Exhibit A

My doctor has recommended that I go walking in the evening as much as possible (details on that story in a few).  So, when the weather is good I take Emrie to the park about two miles down the road from our house.  No.  We do not walk.  But try chasing a 19 month old around a park - it's exercise, trust me. 

Exhibit B

Emrie's new love is to swing or as she likes to call it "wing."  And, for Heaven's sake, do not try to put her in the kiddie swing.  She like to swing in the regular swing.  The only problem is she gets distracted, points at a bird and almost falls out.  So far, she has not hit the ground but she's getting braver and braver - before long she'll be "Look Mom!  No hands!"  (exhibit A)

I love the park for completely different reasons.  An hour at the park will wear her little butt out.  The other night she didn't even make it to her bed.  It was awesome!  (exhibit B)

Exhibit C

The morning after a day at the park is a completely different story.  Emrie is not a morning person to begin with so throw in a party at the park the night before and she's really cranky.  (exhibit C)

Cattle Baron's Ball

Cattle Baron's Ball attire

Saturday night I emceed the Cattle Baron's Ball at the Brazos County Expo Center.  All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society.  Brian and I had a blast.  In addition to my emcee duties, we were treated to a ribeye dinner and a concert by Brandon Rhyder.  It seems like forever since Brian and I danced.  We truly had a great time.  AND, we stayed out til almost mid-night.  I know what you're thinking - that's not late.  Well, it is for us.  We normally go to bed by 9pm.

UThe crazy part of the story is mom and dad to Emrie and Aiden with them to a surprise party for Hayden Becka in Snook.  They beat us home by 10 minutes.  They said Aiden and Emrie DANCED all night.  They took pictures but I haven't got copies yet or I'd share.  I was impressed Aiden and Emrie made it the whole night and didn't pass out til they got in the car.  My two little party animals!

Back to our regular schedule

Things were back to normal once we got home from vacation.  Brian and I went back to work.  Aiden went back to school.  And, Mufasa kept Emrie on Friday.  Emrie loves eggs and toast for breakfast - definitely her favorite.  This was such a sweet picture of the two of them enjoying breakfast together that I had to share.

Belated Christmas Present

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Emrie's God parents - Heather and Ryan Becka dropped off Emrie's Christmas present when we got back from Colorado.  As you can tell from the picture - Emrie LOVED it!

I'M BACK ... AGAIN!

Finally, it's letting me download pictures!  So let's see what had I promised that I never got to download? I know!  I know!  I promised some Colorado pictures. 

first time on a plane

first snow at Uncle Billy Joe's House

passed out on the plane

new years fireworks - downtown Denver

The view on the way to Winter Park

Aiden ice skating in Estes Park

Freezing but still enjoying the slide

Aiden and the elk

Hey!  She was ready to go outside.  She had her boots on.

Enjoying the fish

Headed home from Colorado