Seven months

Emma turned seven months on Friday. I had every intention to write an update on time for once, but that same day, we lost my grandma. So, while this month was wonderful for Emma, she recently attended her first funeral. Not that she'll remember, but sad nonetheless.

• Emma weighs 18.25 pounds and is 27 inches long - 75th percentile
• She is "crawling" and getting around fast
• She smiles for the camera now
• Her personality is coming out more and more - I think she has a bit of a temper. I have no idea where that come from. :)
• No teeth yet, but she continues to show signs of teething
• She recently began opening and closing her mouth ... like she chomping down, but no sound comes out of her mouth ... love it!
• She says dadadada, didididi, even mamama on occasion
• places balls in the little hoop-like contraction attached to her kitchen
• tries to pull herself up a lot
• loves going after newspapers (or any papers, magazines) and cords ... little stinker!
• She is eating pretty well ... still prefers peas over anything else and seems to hate fruit! This whole no sweet-tooth thing is really throwing me off!

Emma, you are so much fun! I still have moments when I can't wait for you to wake up just so I can hold you. Your little smile and laugh continue to melt my heart. You can make even the crummiest days seem bright with that big smile of yours!

I think you are beginning to understand the word, "no." You always look at your dad and just smile. Hehehe ... this will not be funny in a few months or years, so I need to laugh now. You also respond to your name really well!

I am looking forward to watching you grow more and more over the next several weeks, months and years. I am so blessed to be your mom!

Grandma,

This morning Mom called to tell me you passed away. I am so deeply saddened. You were an amazing Grandma and I will never, ever forget you. Thank you for being a firecracker! For standing up for yourself and your family. I didn't always agree with what you said, but you were genuine and unapologetic and you didn't care about pleasing everyone. There is real value in that, Grandma, so thank you.

And, oh could you make us laugh! A few weeks ago, Jeremy, Jenny and I were together and we started talking about some of the funny things you would say.

And let's not forget about your love. I think the best testament to your loving spirit is how much Mom and your other children cared for you. I don't think you remembered how wonderful they were near the end, but Grandma, I learned so much about love from watching them care for you. And they cared for you because there was a mutual love. You loved them unconditionally, so they did the same.

You also taught me a lot about the value of hard work. You were so frustrated about not being able to clean more. And I loved hearing your stories, many of which were able working hard.

But work wasn't all you were about ... you played, too! I still try to remember your principle about eating whatever you want as long as you eat the healthy stuff first! In fact, I just did that for lunch, in your honor.

I'm so glad I have so many great memories. Grandma, I'm glad you were able to meet Emma. She is the best thing I have ever done. Being able to share her with you was very special.

There is so much more on my mind, Grandma. But mostly, I just want to thank you for being a positive role model, and for loving me for me ... for all of me ... good, bad and ugly. I will strive to live my life like you lived yours ... without regrets!

Love,
Julie

"Walking"

Last month, Jeremy and Jenny brought a gift for Emma all the way from Baton Rouge: Bobby and Riley’s old walker. Emma is absolutely in love with it! It took her a little while to figure it out, but now she looks like Fred Flintstone moving her little legs as fast as she can to move around the kitchen. It’s been a blessing to me, too. Now I can do the dishes, bake and whatnot any time. I used to just wait until she went to bed, but it’s so much better to do things as I get motivated (since it doesn’t happen as often as I like).

Getting things done … finally

During my lunch break today, I finally got a couple important things done. Things I should have done months, and in one case, years ago. Oh well. The important thing is that I am doing them now. Taking charge of my life—I’m trying to be more responsible … especially when it comes to money.

So, I found out what I need to do to cancel my gym membership—to the gym I haven’t been to in probably a year! Wow! What a waste of money! I also found out what I need to do to get my last name changed on my retirement plan and to change my beneficiary. When I set that up, I wasn’t married. But, I have been married for four and half years. Oh well. The important thing is that I’m doing it now. Right? Yes, keep telling yourself that!

Finally, I switched our phone plan to a cheaper one with more minutes! I actually would have only been able to that as of January 30, so I haven’t wasted too much time.

Other items I want to cross off my list this week or the next couple include: filing the taxes, taking in the dry cleaning, starting my application for grad school and filling out the FAFSA.
We also need to find a new car before Easter! I’m nervous about the loan, but hopefully me credit is still good enough for that to go through. My fingers are crossed!

Six month photos

I know I already commented on the fact that Emma is six months old. Here is my dilemma ... do I pay for professional photos? It's funny because I don't hesitate to waste our money in other ways (I am working on this, seriously!). It's just that I often think professional photos look so generic ... like in a studio. I don't know. So, who knows if Emma will have any professional photos taken before her senior photos. :) Here are some pretty cute photos I snapped last Sunday. I can't believe this knit hat almost fits her! I picked it up when she was a newborn, and I used to put it on her head and roll it up once. She's getting so big, so fun. We truly are blessed!

Is it really possible ...

That Emma is only six months old and I am already yearning for another baby? Yes, yearning! I really hope this feeling passes soon. I think I'm just feeling nostalgic to those days leading up to going into labor ... I was so anxious. Next time I will know to savor every moment ... assuming we are blessed again. And I will also know that labor isn't easy, but it is something I can get through.

And then that moment when I saw her sweet little face for the first time. She really was a gorgeous baby (still is) ... the nurses kept saying her coloring was great and she had Daddy's chin. And Denny had tears in his eyes.

Next time, I will feel more than sheer relief that the pain has subsided. But, for now I will go take another look at that sweet baby girl, who made me a mom - really the only title I've ever truly cared to hold.

The things I do for love ...

Yesterday I sat in the living room while Denny flipped between the gold medal hockey game and Nascar. If that's not love ...