Christmas Day

Christmas Day was very busy. We had breakfast at Amy's, lunch at Su-su's and Emma was asleep in bed for the night by 6:15. Emma was so overwhelmed with all the presents she didn't even open them all.

Santa Claus was here!



I really am an angel.



Chas races his car.



Rock Star!



Pop-pop helps Emma open presents.



Chucky finally gets the ball on the tee and he is so proud!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve: Breakfast at Beverly's, church, dinner at Mom-mom's. Emma threw a fit in the morning because she didn't want to wear her dress. She eventually got over it and we had a good time in the morning. At mom-mom's she sensed something exciting in the air. She wouldn't each much and rolled on the bed like a crazy monkey when I tried to get her into her pajamas. She ran through a big pile of wrapping paper trash twenty times with Maggie and we had to tear her away from the place. We finally got her into bed around 9:30 and she was still awake at 10:15. This is the beginning of her Christmas excitement . . . it will fade in late adolescence and return and surprise her when her own children await Christmas Eve . . .

The traditional Christmas paper fight with the Norris'.



Maggie and Emma



Chucky, Emma, Kate



Mom-mom and Emma look for the cat.



Mom-mom puts on a show.



Nannie tries to read the Christmas story . . . her audience doesn't let it last long.

Are we cleaning?

Christmas a few days away and I am wondering where all of Emma's gifts are going to go in this already-full house. I decided to weed out some toys from the baskets downstairs . . . Emma "helped."

21 weeks

Here I am at 21 weeks - halfway there! Some people notice I'm pregnant right away, others have no clue. I guess they just think I'm fat. I am feeling great, have lots of energy, sleeping well . . . hoping it lasts! I feel the baby move often, more that with Emma. She wants to feel the baby move but the movements on the outside aren't quite big enough for her to feel with her tiny hands. It was a cute moment yesterday when she put her hands on my belly and asked me if the baby was moving!

Mr. Nice and Miss Naughty

Here is this year's picture with Santa:

Chucky thinks it is torture to take her every year but she really wanted to go! And she was excited while we waited in line and she wanted to go back again later. I think this one will be especially fun to look back on. As I left her in his arms, her dress was hiked up under his arms and her whole diaper area was showing - and I said, "just take the picture!" He was very nice and pulled her dress down, held her tight, and smiled. Poor guy.

Ultrasound #4

It's a GIRL!
Long story short, I had a very quick ultrasound today and will return in two weeks for the rest of the ultrasound. 19 weeks to go! April feels much farther away than that! After Christmas/hunting season I will have Chucky moving furniture and getting all the baby gear and clothes out of storage. We have no clue as to what her name will be . . .

4.5 Months

The pregnancy is progressing - so far, so good! I am 20 weeks now, halfway there! I have an ultrasound tomorow, and hopefully we will know the sex of the baby! Chucky and Emma are coming along and I hope Emma doesn't get upset at the technician touching me. I am wearing all maternity clothes now and finding it hard to keep warm-for some reason all maternity shirts are thin v-necks, unless you find a sweater. My pants are too long, but I need them now and don't want to give them away for a few days to a tailor to hem. So I roll them up, put white tshirts under my dressy blouses and look silly. This, and the fact that I could just wear flip flops instead of bending over to tie shoes and crush the baby, is why I want to be pregnant in the spring a summer!
The first 14 weeks I felt like dirt, but now I feel great. I have more energy now than I did before I was pregnant. I am hoping this lasts a few more weeks past Christmas so I can get Emma potty trained!
I have several pregnant friends, and I am looking forward to our children being close in age. Lisa Major (April), Dana McDaniels (May), Stephanie McMurtrie (July), Terry Whitaker (August), and another friend to remain un-named until a few more weeks pass by and she tells everyone!

Vamanos!

Saturday was wrapping day. Emma and I did a few things downstairs, then I told her it was time to go upstairs to the office to wrap gifts. I said, "Let's go!" She said, "Yeah, let's go up to the office! Vamanos!" OK she is speaking Spanish-thanks Dora the Explorer.

The Halls Are Decked

Sunday we decorated (all day) for Christmas. Emma was very excited and busied herself picking up all the green needles that fell to the floor while we put the tree together. After a day together decorating, Chucky and I are still speaking, so that means it went well. After we got the tree together and lit up, Chucky decorated outdoors and Emma and I pulled everything out of boxes, santas, the nativity scene, stockings, etc. Each item was a delight to her. While she napped in the afternoon, I decorated the tree. She came downstairs and said "Ohhh, but I wanted to help you!" After she got over that she decided that it was beautiful and told me I did such a good job.

A glimpse of our tree.

The stockings were hung with care.

Snowbaby: "Love is a baby girl."

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was actually a relaxing day. After a morning of Dora TV and more Dora TV for Emma and mommy and a morning of hunting for Daddy, we went to Ghee and Pop-pop's house for lunch. Susan, Chas, Joseph, Lindsay, Clara and Gus were all there, too. We had a delicious meal and a Thanksgiving show put on by Chas. After dessert I took Emma upstairs for a nap and she and I fell asleep in the twin beds in my old room. Chucky slept on the couch and my dad slept on the recliner. My mom woke us up at quarter to 6. We were supposed to be at Uncle Ed's for dinner at 6:30 so we quickly hit the road. Uncle Ed's was relaxing, too. Emma had a good time receiving lots of attention everywhere we went. It was also my birthday and I turned 30 and that's all I have to say about that.

Susan introduces Chas.

Chas tells us the story of Thanksgiving.

We are thankful for each other today and every day.

Trial Pictures

I've been trying to get a good picture of Emma with the dogs to use for our Christmas cards. It is very hard work controlling three creatures that pretty much do whatever they please whenever they want to. Here are a few samples:












Puppies and pigtails - does it get cuter than this?

Welcome Baby Girl

Welcome to the world, Aubrey Taylor Moore. She was born Tuesday, November 21 at 7:13pm and weighed 7 lbs, 13oz. Aubrey is the daughter of Chris and Kristyn. Kristyn is my very good friend I met in college (she's my sorority sister) and lives in Norfolk. I am really looking forward to meeting Aubrey in person!

What do you want for Christmas?

Emma has been asking for things while we are shopping or telling me about some things she likes. So I told her maybe she could ask Santa Claus for a few things and he will put them under her Christmas tree. I think it is finally making some sense to her. Here is our conversation we had yesterday:

Emma: Mommy, what do you want for Christmas?

Mommy: I want a TV for the kitchen!

Emma: OK, maybe Santa Claus will bring it to you! Daddy, what do you want for Christmas?

Also this week we celebrated Chas' birthday (5!) We made cookies (Emma added the sprinkles, to the cookies, the counter, the floor . . .) and tomorrow she is scheduled for a flu shot. I am not looking forward to that few minutes of our lives.

Spaghetti Night

A Day With Nannie

Chucky's mom babysat Emma yesterday while I went to a tax conference. Here is an email from Martha talking about what they did:
"We did talk about the 2 1/2 but she didn't hit me! We played outside in the leaves. We threw them in the air and let them fall on our heads.We picked up little pieces of paper, etc and put in a big blue bucket. I used the shovel and got some trash out of the woods. Emma told me that I was a good helper."

The Art of Hanging Out

Emma is 2 1/2 and has now mastered the art of hanging out. Here she is eating a pop-tart, lounging in her diaper and watching tv. Oh, to be 2!

We went to the Oyster Festival friday for a few hours. Emma was really cold but would not put on her coat, hat or gloves. By the time we left she was crying and shaking but still would not put any more clothes on. We stayed long enough to see Emilie Smith declared the new little miss spat, then we headed home.

Tuesday the Geek Squad came to the house and set up the wireless router and saved the information off my old hard drive. He was there much much longer than I anticipated but I am just thankful to have it all done. It is so nice to sit in the recliner with the laptop and be online.
Wednesday Emma went to the dentist again. The assistant painted more flouride on her tooth while she cried. When she figured out it was time for her prize she smiled and waved and said bye-bye. Will she ever be a good patient?

Halloween

Halloween 2006:

I leave work early and go to mom's house to pick up Emma and dress her in her costume. She doesn't want to put it on and only agrees to put it on after watching Chas ring the doorbell, say trick-or-treat, and get a treat from Ghee. She wears it for about one minute and cries the whole time. Pictures are not good.

Drive home and pick up Chucky, go to Mom-Mom and Daddy Willard's house. She puts the costume on when we tell her she can take it off once we go in the door. She is not crying! She actually seems happy for a moment. She doesn't say trick-or-treat, but we get inside and she gets some treats and takes her costume off and has a good time playing with Mom-Mom. It is here at Mom-Mom's house that we discover what big boy candy is. She points to a big bowl full of Tootsie Rolls and says "Big Boy Candy!" Ah-Ha! We get is now. Lover's Lane is very busy with trick-or-treaters everywhere and I am wishing that is what we were doing! Looks fun, and it is about 70 degrees, too!

Next we go to Beverly and Tuna's new house, it's their second night there! Emma will only put her costume on if she can leave the headpiece off. That's what we do and we head inside where she gets more candy but still does not say trick-or-treat or thank you. We tour the house and she has a good time slipping around on the new hardwood floors, and being feed m&m's by Brad and Jonathan.

Next we go to Nannie's house. Now it is 7:15 and she agrees again to put the costume on without the headpiece. We go inside and she is done. Too tired to even talk, Nannie holds her most of the time. She gathers up some more treats and we head home.

The Elmo costume is for sale!

Elmo gets ready to trick-or-treat at her first house!

Digging for candy.

Scarecrow Chas

Almost Halloween

Last week Emma went a birthday party for Pierce. She was very excited to get cake but wouln't eat any! She got a goodie bag to bring home which she has enjoyed very much. There were some sweettarts in there and she put one in her mouth and ate it, then looked at me a said "Oh! These make juice in your mouth! Want one? Say please!"

Yesterday she stayed with Julie for an hour or so while I went to the doctor in Newport News. She and Olivia played and when I got back we all had pizza that Chris brought home. Thanks Julie and Chris! The doctor is going to order several tests but basically told me that this pregnancy is considered risky and to take it easy, especially the last three months (rest 16/24 hours). He told me a bunch of other stuff, too but that's the short version. I will be Christmas shopping online and getting a lot of people gift cards this year. Shopping is strenuous work, especially with a two year old!

Our home computer died so I got a laptop. I haven't taken it out of the box yet but am looking forward to getting our house set up with the wireless connection. I am still hoping we can save the information off our old one.

We have been talking to Emma about Halloween, and what trick-or-treating is and how to do it. She tells us that she is going to bring Daddy some big boy candy. When I asked her what big boy candy is, she says "the black ones." I just can't make this stuff up.

Big Sister

Good Game

Saturday was the last T-ball game. Emma got a trophy with her name on it. She wouldn't take it from coach Terry so daddy had to get it. When I asked her later why she wouldn't take it, she said she wanted a purple one! (Each team's trophy matched their jersey color) Daddy is just in from a morning hunting. At the last game, she finally understood that at the end of the game, you shake hands with the other team and say, good game! Good game! The rest of the day at home, if I told her "good job", she would say, good game, good game!

Linton is proud of his trophy!

Fwashwight Shoes

Do I Really Need a Title?

News:

It's hunting season.

Mom and Dad had the VPA board luncheon on Friday and Susan, Joseph and I helped. We are all glad it is over. The food from the River Market was very yummy.

Tball and the picnic has been extended another weekend because one game got rained out. Emma gets better every week. She can hit the ball all by herself with that big black bat now.
My last day at Kathy's was on the 6th. I am working more days at the Rapahannock Record. I decided that the tax season stress that I put on myself is not worth all the worry during this pregnancy. I'm due again at the end of April, so probably won't make it to the end of tax season anyway.

Emma is loving Kindermusic. She asks to go there after a couple of days have gone by and we haven't been there. She also has started asking for food before I suggest anything. Rice Krispies, "crabbies" (steamed crabs), ghetti.

Thursday I went to the doctor because I wasn't feeling quite right. Everything turned out okay. Janet couldn't find the heartbeat with the doppler so she did an ultrasound and saw a moving, kicking, arms-flailing baby! Very weird to see something onscreen moving in my body and not feeling it. Yikes! The picture printout does not do justice to what I saw on that screen. Amazing. Fingers, toes, spinal cord, and the heart beating. Only 12 weeks along! 6 more months to go! Maybe 5!

We went out to dinner Saturday night for Joseph's birthday and Emma did well considering we didn't get there until 6:30. I fed her dinner before we left the house and she ate a little off of everyone's plate and some soup, pretty much another dinner! And she sat in Lindsay's lap and called her "winsee".

Emma says: You okay mommy? It's alright mommy! I love you mommy! Sorry mommy. I a good girl. I have manners! I want to wear my flashlight shoes. I like to go to the bank. Where is the library? Bettie Wee! Fred! Marfa! Chas comin' over for dinner? No no Dot! Shelby's a bad girl! Odie's a good boy! Wanna go out, Dot? Okay, go out! Daddy, wear your Junior shirt.

Peanuts

Last night Emma followed Chucky into the bathroom. When they came out he told me she was watching him closely. I told him, "It's no secret - she sees boys pee at day care and just watched Linton pee on Sunday. She knows boys have penises." I don't remember exactly what Chucky said next but it was something like, ok that's enough talk about this subject. Then Emma says, "I know. I know boys have peanuts!"

A Memory

Emma, it's 11:15 pm and I just peeked in your room to check on you before I go to bed. I had a memory. Lately you have wanted every toy and book you can find in the bed with you. But tonight for some reason the bed was empty. Just you and your blanket. It made me remember the first night you slept in a toddler bed instead of in your crib. Daddy and I both came up around 11 to check on you before going to bed. It was dark and our eyes weren't quite adjusted yet. We both had to get really close to the little bed before we saw you. You were asleep up on your knees in a little ball, and looked so tiny in that big bed. Tonight you looked tiny again. It made my eyes well with tears. Sleep well, my baby girl.

Emma's Busy Work

Here's Emma keeping herself busy:

Helping mommy make brownies.

Chillin' in her pink boots and princess pull-up.

Washing dishes.

She Looks Old

This weekend I got some pictures of Emma in her jersey at the ball game. She looks like such a big girl in that uniform, I just can't believe it!


The Ryman's Heat Pumps - Nicholas, Coach Terry, Abigail, Emma, Hunter, Linton, Adam, Coach Karen, Sarah Paige

Sunday, Amy was ordained as a deacon at Zoar Baptist Church. After church, we went to lunch at the golf course. Emma behaved well and it was a relaxing time.

One day last week Chucky left the pantry door cracked and Shelby and Odie ate a LOT of dog food. They both looked pregnant they were so full. Chucky didn't even notice and fed them dinner! I came home and after calling him an idiot several times, crated the dogs. They drank about two bowls of water each. Later Shelby got sick. Fun. Here is a picture of the fat, guilty party:

Tball and nausea

Been feeling nauseous. Haven't actually gotten sick yet, but a lot of gagging. Sounds bad, but it's definitley not as bad as with Emma. Hopefully we won't go there.

Last Friday we got hair cuts. Jan patiently took us in and I got mine cut first while Emma sat in the yellow booster seat she thinks is there just for her. When it was her turn, I held her on my lap, gave a green lollipop (as requested) and she was a complete angel while Jan gave her the cutest haircut. These angelic moments more than outweigh all the hellish ones.

Emma played in her first Tball game on Saturday. Chucky helped her hit the ball and she enjoyed running the bases. In the outfield the kids take turns fielding the ball, so she got a turn and got the idea of what to do with it. I was so proud of her! Chucky commented on how the other kids could hit the ball. Guess she needs her daddy to take her outside for practice! And anyway those other kids were older. We have a 2 year old GIRL. I'm just glad she played and figured the game out! Kristyn came to visit for the morning and watched Emma play Tball. Now Emma thinks Kristyn will be at the next Tball game, too. Picture coming soon. The jerseys weren't in last week, and we pick them up tonight so I'll try to get a good picture at tomorrow's game.

Emma has discovered television. She likes the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. And she doesn't just ask for Mickey Mouse. She says, " I want to watch MickeyMouseClubhouse." OK, got the Tivo set! Emma also has been using longer sentances, stringing several together with the word "so." It's hilarious. When I go into her room after she wakes up from a nap, she says "I already waked up. I waked up all by myself."

Garrison Paul Robins

Welcome to the world, baby Garrison!

Son of John Matthew and Sharon Robins, and little brother to Linton.

A Great Day

Last night I rocked my baby girl to sleep in my arms. Laid her in her bed and she never woke up. She's almost 2 1/2 so I rocked her for about 10 minutes and enjoyed every second.

We had a big day at Busch Gardens with no nap. She behaved very well, ate a huge dinner and fell into a deep sleep. It was a great day.

4/29/2007

That's the due date of Oliver baby #2. We told Emma, but she doesn't get it! I have a doctor's appointment Thursday. I'm already a little stressed out thinking about my job and all the stuff we need to do to get ready. Emma's due date was 4/30/04 so it will be interesting to see how close the two birthdays are, with Emma being born on March 31.

Emma says "ever-d-where" for everywhere! She likes to watch Elmo and Blue movies. We got her an Elmo costume for Halloween! She spent the night with Ghee and PopPop and Chas and they all went to the Norfolk Zoo the next day.

We signed her up to play T-ball. That starts September 9 and lasts for 5 saturdays. I got her some new sneakers from Target that light up and she loves them! We had to pry them off her feet for bedtime. They were just some cheap shoes to be used for T-ball so her nice ones don't get messed up but she loves them so much she wears them everywhere.

Maybe Baby

Ok, first an update, then I'll explain the title. The cat knocked down the nest, the bird eggs went splat. I took down the wreath to clean it and there was a wasp nest in the back. So the wreath went into the garbage can and I bought a new one. The next day the birds had built the nest again. I went ahead and took the nest out myself, I just couldn't stand to see the cat destroy another batch of eggs.

Emma has gone way back on the potty training. She was having more accidents than actually making it to the potty, so now she's wearing pullups and I'm less stressed.

Chucky turned 30 last week. Old man! We had a birthday party for him at Amy's house. Joseph DJ'd and Amy and I fixed the food. It was fun and it went well but I'm glad it's over!

Susan is pretty sure Chas has lice. Mom is washing everything in sight at her house. Chas and Emma spent the weekend there, so I have washed Emma's bedding and several times a day check her hair. Chucky says not to freak out until we have some proof that she does actually have lice. I'll try, honey.

OK . . . so we have trying to make a baby! Long story short, I'm on my second month of clomid and although it's 4 days early I took one of those "early pregnancy tests". There is a faint line on there. What does that mean? I will just have to wait a few more days and test again. If it's still faint, I'll go to the doctor. Got my fingers crossed. I am so hopeful, I've been looking at bedding and thinking about paint colors today. I haven't told Chucky yet, I just don't want to get too excited if I'm not really pregnant.

Daddy's 30

Emma, your daddy is an old man! I can say that because right now I'm still 29! Here he is at his 30th birthday party:

More Updates

July 2006 - Martha decorated Emma's wagon for Maggie and Emma to ride in during the children's parade at Heritage Day in Deltaville. It was hot and Emma peed in her dress. She went home with Nannie for lunch and came back for the big parade. She really liked the firetrucks. Then we went home for a nap and came back for the ball game and fireworks. Another day when Urbanna had their fireworks, we watched them from the clubhouse at the marina with PopPop, Ghee, Susan and Chas. We got there early to hear the band and see the sights, but there wasn't much to see!

This summer we have been the creek down at Daddy Willard's dock a few times. One time McKann and Colin came with us. It was relaxing because it's small and Emma can't run off! She can either play in the shallow water or the sand. I pulled her in the boat but mostly she entertains herself and I love it!

At the end of July, we went to Virginia Beach for three nights. In the mornings we went to the beach, then to the pool before walking down the boardwalk for lunch. At the beach, she caught a small fish in her hands! Emma was extremely excited to be on a trip, so she wouldn't lay down for a nap. She caught short naps while we strolled. We went to the aquarium and rode the very hot trolley. Everywhere else we went we just walked. Chucky had to get some new shoes because the ones he brought hurt his feet so bad! We were on the first floor and the pool was RIGHT outside our door. Emma just wanted to "watch the kids" the entire time.

Beach Bum

Hey good lookin'!