Remembering 1 year ago

As the seasons shift, memories of one year ago flood our hearts and we think how anxious we were to meet our little daughter.  This year, as we move into cooler weather, we're soaking up all the sun we can, swinging as much as possible and putting on sweaters.  Emmeline adores going outside and cries when someone else goes out the door without her. How thankful we are for this little somebody who brightens our days this Autumn.  If you look closely you'll notice a bit of a black eye. Emmeline has not only begun walking, but tries to run and consequently is often colliding with various objects in our home. This year, gathering wood for the fireplace and making applesauce have an entirely different flavor.  Its a wonderful one because we can share those tasks with her.  

Eleven Months

Sweet Emmie B,

Baby girl, you are eleven months old! You're such a busy little girl these days, running, carrying toys, sharing your food, giving kisses, babbling nonstop and singing. You are a happy girl now and a delight to be around.  You love music. You dance and listen, play the piano and cock your head if you hear a sound or music from somewhere.  You love books. They are your second favorite occupation (music being first).  You read them aloud to us now and we can now translate a few words: ball, cat, dog, baby, night night, hi, yeah, mama, papa, that. You have learned to obey when hearing the word "no" and we're so proud of you for this new trait.  Your favorite things to eat right now include cheese, meat, yogurt, macaroni, grapes and nectarine and you have four teeth.  You are drooling like crazy!   You are very social but you're also a little shy around people you don't know.  You've become a real snuggler which makes this mama and papa so thankful. As we move into Autumn, and towards your one year birthday, its with great thankfulness to God that we watch you explore more of the world around you.

Its that time of year again

In our house its tomato season.  We've been picking a lot of them around here as our garden bids farewell. Emmeline calls tomatoes 'balls' and helps herself as often as she is able.  There's nothing like a basket full of vine ripened tomatoes.  There's also nothing like tomato smashed in your baby's hair. Here's our little gardener helping out.

A Week in Pictures

 Our week was full of events, visits with friends, one last swim in the pool, lots and lots of stair climbing and exploring.  But this sweet face has been giving us some sweet smiles recently and we want to remember the 10 month old faces as we move towards one year old! She's a silly girl, pleased as punch at her new skills, even though she's getting 4 teeth at once!

Pears and Beans

The pears are finished and we're loving our new Weck jars! The smell of pears cooking made it seem

like Autumn is really coming though the humidity and heat outside (plus the canner) made it feel like summer is giving us a finale. Amidst all the pears, Emmeline made us laugh today with her new game of 'put your beans on your head'. What a silly wee girl we have these days.  The bean game often includes rubbing the rest of dinner in your hair which is always a thrill too. 

On Holiday

 We are on holiday over here and enjoying every minute of it. There's a lot of staying in our pajamas, reading books and resting as well as baby's first hike and toe dipping in waterfalls. Then there are pears ripening in preparation for canning tomorrow and baking happening for get togethers with friends and family.  Our holiday is off to a splendid start.

Cousin Ilijana

We had a fun weekend in Lebanon (finally) meeting cousin Ilijana- Emmie's newest cousin. She is adorable and sweet and so big already! Eeek.  

Emmie with Metta

Emmie and Aunt Rachel

Just being cute

Emmie with a silly Claire

Emmie meets (and loves) the garden gnome

Tractor ride!

Family photo attempt

All 8 cousins together

Silly Siblings

Opa and babies

Ray and Emmie