Now There's No Escape

For the past few weeks, my mom has said that we need to lower the matress in Emma's crib, but we just never got around to it. The funny thing is that we lowered her pack-n-play, which she rarely goes in, but not actually the bed she sleeps in every night! So then it happened tonight. Michael went to put Emma to bed, grabbed the monitor and was in our room when he noticed that she was standing up in her crib looking over the edge, trying to lift a leg to crawl out. Michael went running into her room to grab her before something bad happened and we knew it was time to immediately lower her matress.


While lowering Emma's frame and matress, I came to the realization that while she may still physically be little, she is growing up so fast. I can't imagine how fast the rest of our lives will go if things are already moving so fast now! It almost brought tears to my eyes, but they would have been happy ones because of how she is growing into a unique little lady already.



Daddy starting to lower the frame for Emma's matress.


Emma wanted to help to; she thought by pulling at her bedding.


Love her smile!


So happy!


Emma was just about ready to crawl towards me, or so I thought.


Climbing up the matress while daddy lowers the frame.


Always on the go.


Test trial #1...


And the verdict dad...


Not good...I can still jump outta here if I want to!


I can't believe this little lady is just a little over 8 months old.


Climbing the bookcase in her room.


Cruising around the outside of her crib.


"Umm, daddy do you need my help?"


Job complete thanks to these hard workers.


Getting up to test out the matress level again...


And it is a success!


Checking out every aspect of the crib.


Emma decided to lay the direction with the least amount of room.


Sleeping beauty.

Oh What A Day!

Our family certainly had a busy day today. We quickly gathered all our belongings for the day before heading over to my parents house to drop off our pups. The girls and Emma were staying the night while Michael and I went out with some friends and family.

But before going out, we met Laura and Alison for lunch. We went to a place called Cheese-ology in the Loop (it served different kinds of macaroni and cheese). It was okay; nothing that I'm dying to go back to any time soon.


Emma showing Alison she can clap her hands.


Laura and Emma

Then it was time to head to Ashley and Jarrod's hotel room to get ready for the night. Ashley had also organized a party bus from the company Zach works for. It was a long night, but was so much fun!


Michael and Laura opening a bottle of champange in the hotel hallway.


Laura got the cork!


And the second one wasn't as much of a success as the first.


Michael getting some air in the party bus.


Zachary


Ashley with her cousin Tyler and Julie.


And Laura has given the thumbs up for the night.


The end of a good night.


The beautiful sunrise on the arch.


The view of the city.

Christmas at Aunt Trish's House

After brunch and opening our presents, the kids played a new game that Jill's parents gave to my parents and family. It was a fun game; one that we obviously enjoyed since we arrived a little later than expected to Trish's house.

It was so much fun watching Emma play with the little cousins; one day soon she will be able to keep up with them and then they better watch out! This was out last stop before heading home; I had hoped it would be an early night, but it doesn't look like that happened.


Our car packed with just some of the presents from my parent's house; I hope we don't have too much from here.


Grandma and Emma.


Since Alex couldn't be here in person for Christmas, Trish made a cut out of her.


Emma playing with a few cell phones. She thinks she's cool now that she got 3 cell phones for Christmas.


Ashley opening her gift from her mom; we picked up a nutcracker for her.


Emma opening her present from Ashley.


Emma investigating the new toy.


Ashley is this okay that I play with it now?


Emma was still a little unsure at first.


Michael and Emma taking a quick nap.


I see you Emma and Daddy.


Tuesday going in for the hug...


and she missed.


Then the girls were each distracted by something else.


Addie trying to help Emma out of the ottoman.


Addie, Tuesday, and Emma playing in the storage ottoman.


Emma is the last one standing. That's my girl!

Our First Family Christmas

While our pups were at my parents' house, it was important that we go home last night so that we could be at our home for our first family Christmas. I woke up a little earlier than planned, but was able to get a few things ready for our busy day ahead before Emma and Michael woke up. When they did and came downstairs, it was so much fun seeing how excited Emma got over her presents. It is such an amazing feeling knowing how much joy the smallest things in life bring to a person and I'm so glad my daughter lights up my world!

After opening our presents we quickly got dressed so we could head over to my parent's house to meet with my immediate family and my Grandparents. We are going to be on the run today so we need to make sure we are on schedule...keep your fingers crossed! Watch how our day played out...


Our Christmas tree with gifts from Santa Claus.


Ornaments Michael ordered for us; even though we weren't supposed to exchange gifts this year.


Looks like Emma was a good girl this year!


Daddy and Emma coming downstairs Christmas morning.


Mama, do you see this big present?


Daddy helping Emma with her stocking stuffer.


Emma received a "My First Christmas" ornament.


"Oh my gosh, daddy! Look at this BIG present."


Emma taking a closer look at this puppy.


Emma starring at her new cell phone.


Daddy helping Emma open her present, that we later found out was the book "Guess How Much I Love You".


Emma getting ready to take a stroll with the present she got from Great Grandma and Great Grandpa a week ago.


Emma's presents from Santa Claus.


Emma loves to give kisses.


Emma making a silly face to her new puppy toy.


Emma trying to figure out how to hold the cell phone.


"Oh hold on, there's something exciting on the tv."


Daddy must have locked my cell phone so I can't send text messages.


Daddy taking the puppy toy out of the package.


"Is it ok to play with the puppy now daddy?"


Emma starring down the puppy.


And finally giving in to play with the toy.


One happy daddy and a little scared baby.


Our first family Christmas photo.


Dressed and ready for the Christmas festivities, but may need a nap before they begin.