Thursday, January 17, 2013

What a difference a year makes!

EMILY IS ONE!!!!


January 2013


January 2012


What a difference a year makes!

This is Emily Pre-Party playing with her balloon.


On January 6th, this little angel baby turned one. I really cannot believe it. Its like she grew up overnight! Which she kind of did, given in the last two weeks prior to her birthday she had some major changes....but still. Even looking back at her baby pictures I am in awe.  She has been such the blessing in our lives, I cannot imagine life with out her. Its hard to even remember when I just had two kids. She seriously is such an awesome kid. She most definitely  has her mom and dad wrapped around her little fingers. She has had her Challenges in the past year but, she has overcome many and is working on the rest.

She loves balloons

She started out life pretty well. She was your typically good baby. She loved to be held and snuggled, she loved to eat and sleep (except at night) and she was really just a joy, and still is. However as she grew, she began to get a lot of ear infections. A lot. She was always on antibiotics and miserable. Thus in August she had minor surgery and had tubes put in both ears. She hasn't had an ear problem since! Although that was fantastic, her weight gain and growth began to taper off and the pediatrician was worried about it. She had to start eating a lot more and because of some other delays we were recommend to physical therapy and neurology.
Look at her face, Love it.

The neurologist diagnosed her with ligamentous laxity, at least I am pretty sure that's what its called. Basically she is really stretchy and bendy and its hard for her to feel as balanced as other children her age when in certain positions. Because she doesn't feel balanced she doesn't stay in that position and thus her muscles aren't as developed... and so on. The physical therapist also confirmed this.  She has had several sessions to help strengthen her and they are of the thought she will probably need shoe inserts because her ankles are like Gumby. But, I think she had enough of visiting doctors because she finally started crawling about 2 weeks prior to her birthday. She started eating table foods like crazy and began to get from a laying position to sitting up all on her own. Slow and steady wins the race.... she is still working on pulling to stand but she is doing awesome in my book. 


Her birthday cupcake. She loved it.
Now we are just going to do once a month visits with the Physical Therapist to keep her progress tracked and probably start a little speech therapy as well since she only babbles a few sounds. Although she does say the most important thing, Momma :) She still has only slept through the night a handful of times. Its really frustrating  Just when we we have progress, she gets sick or starts teething and ruins the whole thing. Its a work in progress, although I would really love, really LOVE a full nights sleep.

What, why is there frosting in my nose?
Her 1 year check up is scheduled for next week so I will have to update on her stats then. But here are a few things that this little dolly can do:

1. Eating, she eats the same amount of breakfast I do. That is not a joke.
2. Banging her head on the floor, for some reason she finds it amusing.
3. Pinching and pulling eye lashes. Watch out!
4. Crawling like a mad woman.
5. Sticking anything she finds in her mouth (and driving me batty)
YUM!
6. Teething. Oh my this is bad. She still only has 2 teeth and I think every other tooth is growing in all at once. Its been rough.
7. She can say momma, and uh oh.
8. When she sees a dog, or any animal for that matter, she barks.
9. She never took a bottle and has transitioned nicely to the sippy.
10. I didn't even have to wean her from nursing, it just happened. Although that was the same for all my kids.
No more pictures please
11. When she really likes a particular food, she has a funny throaty giggle.
12. She loves to butt heads.
13. She thinks its funny to hit Briggs and Abby.
14. When her siblings chase her she falls to the ground and laughs.
15. She is small but mighty.
Her new car/bike?
16. She has enough hair for pigtails, and I love it.
17. No matter where I go with her, people are always complimenting her.
18. She has discovered the art of throwing tantrums.
19. She LOVES to dance. No matter whats on this girl starts moving.
20. Last but not least...She is just plain wonderful.
My two beautiful daughters.


Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Christmas 2012 - Part 6, The Final Night

The last night before our departure we had a big family dinner at my Uncle Teddy's and Aunt Kaylea's house. As usually it was a great spread of food. We had fun visiting, dancing, playing games and like everything else, stuffing our faces :)

Its always a fun time hanging out with everyone, especially when we see them so infrequently. I really do love  our fun huge family.
Playing Down stairs

Some of the ladies chatting and eating

Briggs Enjoying Desert

Little Nemmers

Their huge gorgeous tree

Playing a game we got for Christmas. I love Aunt Kayleas face! Also how Chelsey was posing! Pretty fam!

Brighams turn

This is the best! This video is so fun because its everyone, well most everyone, getting their groove on. Such a fun Family.

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Christmas 2012 - Part 5, Fire Station

Since Randy had to work Christmas day we all loaded up to go visit him. He gave us a tour of the station and gave us a ride in the Fire truck. The kids were so excited to do this. I have to admit, so was I. I mean you usually get to look at it but to ride in it, now that's something :) It was rather interesting learning about some of the stuff they do and the equipment they have is pretty cool. It was a fun thing to do after opening Santa gifts.
Nems on the way to the station

Briggs Jay and Abby, ready to go

Randy being forced to pose

Seth and Nemmers

Cheese. Jenny and Briggy ready to ride

Nems in the front seat

Jay, look at him hold that ax

Ready!

Rans driving us around

Can you see the excitement?

Loved it!

Coming back to the few who couldn't fit.

Seth and Nems

The kids with Uncle Randy

Nana, Cort, Briggs, Jenny, Abby, Jay and Papa

Showing them the ambulance

Friday, January 11, 2013

Christmas 2012 - Part 4

Christmas Eve/Day
This year the majority of the presents were opened Christmas Eve. Randy had to work Christmas Day and this allowed for him to share in the fun. We waited until the morning to do the Santa gifts of Stockings and a bigger present. The kids loved opening presents two times. The kids made out like BANDITS! Seriously lots of people spent a lot of time and money. Good thing Christmas only comes once a year! It was really hard to get any good pictures because the kids wouldn't stop moving....
Helping Nems open her gift

She loves her new vanity! 

Abby and a new baby

Uh, what the heck is going on?

Cort and one of his new presents!

Thanks Papa!

Briggs new hoop from Aunt Cass

Now she can really ride a horse!

Brighams horse

Christmas morning Stockings

Cass and Dad with their stockings

All Briggs cared about was the candy

Abby with her stocking

Having a snack

Santa got the kids a Wii. Can you see the excitement?

Codee with her stocking

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