Still on Christmas

Yes, it's New Year's Eve and I'm still uploading pics from Christmas! So sweet. She kept petting his beard.



"Uncle" Troy fed her for the first time. He taught her how to wipe her mouth with her sleeve.



We have to help her get her hands there but she can hold it herself. The other day with Wes she pulled it out of her mouth herself. Miss Independent...



Spoiled rotten...my Aunt Elinor got her this beautiful silver sippy cup. About all she can do right now is hold it, but one day she'll be the fanciest toddler on the block!

Look at that Face

My dad gave my mom a new, really nice digital camera for her birthday. I got to play with it some at Christmas and now I'm obsessed! It takes amazing pictures with very little effort. These are some of those pictures. Emersen is still enjoying her new toys from Christmas. Kids toys are SO fun! She is working really hard on wanting to roll over and lifting her head up more while on her belly. I'll have pics of that later. I just love seeing her improve and grow each and every day. Her newest love is Jacque the Peacock seen here. Wes puts a French voice to him and she LOVES it. He is currently hanging on her carrier handle and she has gone from swinging wildly and hitting him to purposefully petting him. All the while she just smiles at him...it is a hoot! Alright, enjoy baby's first Christmas pics.

Merry Christmas

A little boyish looking but pretty darn cute! Thank you thank you thank you to all who spoiled Emersen this Christmas - it was a super Christmas with our new little girl!



My mom gave her this dress and we dressed her up for the first time. We only did it for a little while - I'm more about easy and comfortable myself, so especially with a baby. But she does look pretty!



And finally, I am just reminded by looking at this picture about how thankful I am to NOT be pregnant any more but instead to have my baby on the outside to dress up like Santa. When I think about the "Christmas Story" this time of year, I am more incredulous about it now that I've experience what Mary experienced. Pregnancy is stressful and hard enough without the speculation Mary endured about how she got pregnant. Imagine Joseph's dilemma is caring for her when he KNOWS that he didn't have anything to do with creating the little life inside her. And then to go through that experience without medicine for pain management or someone to clean up the mess. And the weight that you are birthing the Savior of the world. Wow. Recovering after would have been harder and ride on a donkey - geez. It was kind of nice to think about a different perspective of the story this year.

Also, I'm extraordinarily thankful for getting pregnant, for the pregnancy I had, for the labor & delivery I had and for my tiny lovely lady baby I have. But I'm very glad she's here and no longer in my belly. Hang in there pregnant ladies I know are out there. It is rough and tough, but totally worth it. Which I know you know this. But God knows what he's doing with the process and you're so ready at the end to meet your little one that you're willing to do anything to meet them. Just keep relying on God for your strength to get through it because there's no way any one can do such a big thing on their own.

Again, Merry Christmas to all. Happy New Year early!

Bumbo Baby

We got out the Bumbo to try with Emersen. She's been improving so much on holding her head up, looking around and controlling her torso more, so we gave it a try. For her first time, she did pretty well. It wasn't so much her head as her body that she had trouble holding up. She liked it though and sat for awhile. We held her up when she got tired and then she would give it a go again.

A little to the right...then she got it.

Then a little to the left...a little squish to the front...

Then she got it again!

Bright eyed and bushy tailed in the Bumbo. Say that 5 times fast...or at all.

Then she started getting sleepy as it was getting close to nap time so we gave her some assistance. Look at her tiny hand on my arm - love it!

And...she's over it.

What a Trooper...I Mean Cooper...

I mean, she's her daddy's daughter...at least to me. She looks so much like Wes here. On the camera, you could see some red in her hair as well.

Let's just say you can be sure there was no milk man.

I think this is a good thing - she'll be just darling with red hair!

Lady in Red

Isn't this a sweet little outfit? And yes, she's sitting on a pillow that's shaped like a wreath.

Going...Going....Gone

Gone...and looking a little prissy/girly at the same time.

Going...Going...

Gone...

Gone...

Nothing better than holding a sleeping baby...

In this case, she fell asleep while Wes was holding her up on his lap. Just out while sitting there. That's truly "sleeping like a baby."

Doctor Update: Emersen had her 2 month appt on Thursday. She got all of her shots and vaccinations. I was super impressed with the Rotovirus vaccine (a stomach bug) and wanted one for myself...but you have to get it within the 1st year of life. She weighed 13 lbs 5 oz (94th percentile), was 25 1/2 inches long (99th percentile) and had an average size head (whew...).

Yay Emersen!

I'm With Him

"Get a load of THAT guy....that's my daddy..."

Just kidding...Emersen loves her daddy. But how I managed to get a picture of her POINTING....beyond me. I just wanted a smile.

She borrowed a winter hat from Wes this past brutally cold week. She's obviously super happy about it too. We pester her more than we should probably - she's just so darn cute.

Being Mommy and Daddy

So being a mom and dad has been awesome thus far. Obviously there are some....stressful or less than thrilling moments along the way. But it's fun to look forward to seeing Emersen at the end of the day, or waking her up in the morning when she's still sleepy and curled up in a tiny ball. She's starting to smile and laugh more these days. We're playing with her more, using her toys and doing activities. She does enjoy her Mallory the Monkey. And she's really improving on holding her head up and sitting up some when we hold her. She really enjoys kicking Wes around a bit - in the chest or face!

Aww - father and daughter above and below. Yes, daughter is in blue looking a little boyish.

Aww...mother and daughter.

Two Outfit Day

Well, she peed while I was changing her diaper. Thought it was contained until after I got her dressed back and her clothes were wet...so we got to change into another outfit! She has lots of clothes so really it was a good thing. I don't know how I catch some of these pictures though.

I feel like she looks like a toddler or something sitting on the couch - so big!

On to the second outfit of the day - Christmas! She starts out not so happy - then looks like she has a secret - then is happy! This, of course, is probably in the span of about 30 seconds or something.

Then she's happy and curious baby all around. I LOVE putting bows in her hair; I mean, I love her having hair!

Oh boy do I have more pictures to come....may have several posts in one day. Sorry...I'm a binge blogger.

Grana and Grandpa's

We watched the UK game at the Cooper's house last weekend. It was an interesting day trying to implement the new routine while not at home. She did okay. Kate wanted to sniff and kiss Emersen; overall, they both do really well with her.

I love this little white sweater. Stephanie gave this to her with some cute little jeans too. We haven't tried those on yet, but need to since she's into her 3 month clothes.

What can I say? They're people too...

Grana and Grandpa entertaining Emersen. That's Mallory the monkey helping out.

Awww...