Almost!!!

Almost!


You are so, so very close to crawling! This morning while you were in your crib while i cleaned up, i put your favorite books in the crib with you. I put them far away enough that you would have to work to reach them....and after a few tries, you did! Your little legs and arms are still trying how to figure out how to work together to get you moving, but, sweetie, you are so very close! You are very determined and when you tumble over, you immediately roll back over and are back on all fours ready for another try. That's a good life skill to learn, little one, to get back up and start again....

Today is Saturday, so Daddy is at home to see how close you are to crawling. He also has a new toy: a camcorder! Needless to say, you have been the star of the video camera today and we've got you on there trying to crawl and smiling. It's amazing how fast you are learning things, Emma. Your Daddy said that you are like a little sponge and he's right. The two of you are on the afgan playing together....it's so funny to watch the both of you make funny noises together! You are blowing raspberries and grining while you do it. You also have a cute habit of passing gas and then smiling at me; not very lady like, but very, very cute!

The bouncy chair is still your favorite place to be. You are getting stronger in your legs; i can see by the way you bounce. Bouncing is a good thing for you and i can see the joy on your face when you do it. I love to sit in front of you and bounce up and down because it makes you laugh and then you bounce even faster! I've gotten quite a few photos of you in the chair....and you are such a breath-taking beautiful, beautiful baby, Emma. You are now back in your chair and you are watching the TV. I'm not sure why you are so facinated with what's on as it's a college football game between the Geogia Bulldogs and some other team. (i call them "some other team" because i am a GA fan!)

Off to play with you....

Love you, sweetie....

Mommy

Lunch Time!

Lunch time!


Lunch time with you has become exciting! Today we tried sweet potatoes and i wish that i had a camera on hand to get a photo of your funny face! You love apples, peaches and pears....all of the fruits like your Mommy. You are not, however, a huge fan of peas, green beans or carrots....just like your Mommy! But of course, i'm to try and feed you these things so i will...i just think it's funny that you aren't a fan of these foods, either!

You've also taken to blowing your food at me which you think is funny! I've taken to wearing old shirts while feeding you just in case you decide that spraying Mommy with food is the thing to do. :) Maddie is always near by just in the great chance that you spray food on the floor; kind of like our cleaner-upper girl! Lunch time and dinner time are fun times for us!

Bath time is also fun; you are getting the hang of splashing and you love to suck on the toy that is attached to the tub. It's funny to see your face when i pour water on your head! I pour water on you from a cup and you try to catch it in your hands....this game goes on and on. I'm amazed how well you move your fingers and hands You don't have any baby teeth yet but i imagine that's not too far from starting!

Off to check on you....

Love you to the moon and back...

Mommy

Learning to crawl....

What a big day for you and i today! After your morning nap, i put you on your Enstien Matt for tummy time.....and i went back to folding laundry. Imagine my surprise when i looked over back at you and you were on your little knees and hands rocking back and forth! I keep the camera handy, so of course i now have photos of you doing this! You were so concentrating on rocking....i placed your toys just out of your reach and you've learned to reach and swing your cute, cubby little body around to make it possible for you to reach the toy. You have such a determined face on; it's going to be no time at all before you are crawling, little one!

As excited as i am to watch this.....wow, is it happening so fast! You have learned so very much since you've come home to us. I know that's how it's suppose to be; that you will learn things quickly but i just didn't expect you to learn things so very fast!

You are in your room taking your afternoon nap now. You've taken to sleeping on your stomach with your tush in the air and your little hands under your chin. I am sometimes suprised how soundly you sleep, Emma. It takes my breath away how beautiful you are.....your smile is so beautiful and it lights up your whole face. I love to hold your warm little body close to me; you just cuddle close to me and let me hold you and rock you. I know that i've been warned about not rocking you to sleep, but i just can't help it. You have a little sigh that you do just before you fall asleep and sometimes just before falling asleep, you smile. Of course, you try your best not to fall asleep, though. I guess you don't want to miss anything!

Yesterday your Daddy brought you gifts home from Pottery Barn Kids. Two books (you love when we do the "bzzzz" noise so one of the books has a finger puppet of a bee and the other book is a counting book) and a butterfly puppet wash cloth to use during bath time. I wish that i could have seen your Daddy shopping for you! He was so very pleased with himself when he came homeand handed me the little shopping bag!

Tomorrow, Don and your nieces Rachel, Hannah and Emily are comingto meet you for the first time. In fact, they will be the first family other than your Aunt Claudine to meet you. We are going to have photos taken with you and the girls and i hear that they are VERY excited about meeting you and want to take you shopping! I'm excited for you to meet them, Emma. They are good girls with such personalities. They are so going to love you! Needless to say, it's going to be a busy Labor Day Weekend for you!

Well, i need to finish some things before you wake up from your nap.

I love you, my daughter.......

Mommy

Reaching for Mommy!

Reaching for Mommy!!


Guess what you did this morning?

You reached for me. :))))))))

Your Daddy was holding you in our chair and i came up and did my morning kisses routine (which i think i enjoy more than you do....) and i held out my hands to you. And then you reached out and touched both my hands.

....and my heart melted once again.

Love you to the moon and back....

Mommy

Doctor Appointments and such....

Today was a busy day for you and i! First, we went to pick up Daddy around lunch time to go look at the photos that Joan took. You did something amazing while we were there: you stood up out of your stroller! You didn't fall, you just stood there looking at your Daddy. It seems that ding-ding Mommy may not have buckled you in securely enough! I don't know who was more surprise, your Daddy and i or you!

After that, we dropped Daddy back off at work and went to Vanderbilt for your hearing test. Here is the story behind that: about a month ago, i was in your room early and you were awake. You didn't seem to hear me and i was straightening up....so i clapped my hands behind your head. Emma, you didn't budge or look up. It was as if you didn't hear me. I tried not to get too excited, but after bringing you downstairs, i kept trying to talk to you from behind you to see if you heard me. Nothing. No reaction whatsoever. At lunch, you were sitting in your high chair and i accidentally dropped some plates and they shattered. Maddie jumped, i jumped....but you? You kept sucking and playing with your teethy butterfly. I immediately called your Daddy....who thought i was maybe wrong. When he came home, he set off our fire alarm which has a high pitch noise.....and you didn't even blink an eye. Maddie is howling, i'm holding my ears and you are sitting there smiling at me. So, your Daddy and i started thinking that maybe you couldn't hear us.

The next morning, Daddy went to get you when you woke up and he coughed. You, little one, jumped! We weren't sure what to think! So, at your appointment, we mentioned it to Dr. Rothman and she made us an appointment for today. You passed with flying colors and you were so very good at the appointment. You just nestled your head against my chest and sat there looking at the doctor. He said that he had never seen such a good baby! So, now your Mommy is feeling like a first time Mommy; which she is! :)

Your other appointment with Dr. Rothman went well. You are gaining weight and you are now 26" in height (55%), your head circumference is 42.1 (14%) and your weight is 17 lb 13 oz (81%). Needless to say, little one, you are a healthy, healthy and happy baby! You also got your first round of shots. Your Daddy held you while i looked away....you cried and my heart broke. After the shot where done, i immediately got you from your Daddy and you nestled your head in my neck and just cried.

At that very moment, Emma, i could feel that you knew i would do my best to keep you safe and that i was your Mommy.

My cup runeth over....

Love you, little one....

Mommy

Before i became a Mom...

Before I Became a Mom… "

I have always known I was capable of giving this much love. What I didn't know is that a child could love me this much."

by Susan Kushner Benson

As our friends—whose daughter and grandchild had recently moved in with them—remarked how carefree and easy our lives appeared to be, my husband and I exchanged knowing glances. What they didn't know was that Mark and I had just completed our initial adoption application. Sixteen months later, I celebrated my birthday—and became a mother for the first time. As I look back, I can't help but notice the many changes that have taken place….

Before I became a mom, I began my day with a hot cup of coffee and the morning paper before settling down at my computer at 8 a.m. to start my workday as a college professor. On weekends, Mark and I lounged around in our PJs a while longer, lingering over breakfast before starting our chores.

Motherhood has changed all that. Our daughter, Abby, is an early riser. Weekdays and weekends are no different for her. We are usually up by 6:45 a.m. Instead of savoring my morning coffee, I now often concoct a make-believe breakfast with Abby in her play kitchen. Instead of reading the morning newspaper, I sit with Abby at the kitchen table as she ponders a carton of yogurt. "Mom," she says. "Why is my yogurt pink? Where does yogurt come from? Cats don't eat yogurt." I am truly in awe of how she has mastered a new language.

Before I became a mom, I had lots of time to sort through cookbooks and try interesting new recipes. Now I spend time cooking with Abby, whose favorite ingredient is food coloring, and we proudly serve orange and blue pancakes to her dad on Saturday mornings.

Before I became a mom, Mark and I went to movies and concerts on a regular basis. Now, instead of attending concerts, we create our own musical extravaganzas. Abby enthusiastically leads Mark and me through every room of our house, tooting kazoos.

Before I became a mom, Mark and I saved monthly in a travel account, which enabled us to take great vacations. Our travel account has become an education account, and, instead of faraway places, we've discovered the best playgrounds in our neighborhood. We hold family memberships to our local zoo and science museum, and know which bookstorehas the best story hour. Through the eyes of my daughter, I am fortunate to experience childhood again.

Before I became a mom, Mark and I spent our evenings together talking, reading, or watching a little TV. Now, after giving Abby her bath, we lie down in bed together for a story...or two...or three. Sometimes I struggle to hold back tears of joy when I look down at Abby, curled up in my arms. "Hold me," she says as she grabs my arms, wraps them around her, and gently falls asleep. Sometimes I fall asleep, too.

Do I miss my old life? In some ways, yes. But I wouldn't trade my life now for anything. I can still remember the exact moment two years ago when this child was placed in my arms. Abby was scared, and I felt overcome by the emotions of the moment. We both cried.

Now this beautiful little girl calls me Mommy. She squeals with delight and smiles ear-to-ear when I come home at the end of the workday. She wraps her legs around my waist and her arms around my neck, squeezing hard and proclaiming "Mommy."

A few weeks ago, at work, I spent some time chatting with a colleague about Abby and motherhood. As our conversation came to a close, she asked, "Did you ever think you could love a child this much?"

"Yes," I said without hesitating. "I have always known I was capable of giving this much love. What I didn't know is that a child could love me this much."

Susan Kushner Benson is a professor at the University of Akron. She lives happily with her family in Akron, Ohio. This article reprinted with permission from Holt International magazine.

©2007 Adoptive Families. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited.

bzzzzz.....bzzzzzz....bzzzzz

"bzzzzz......bzzzz......bzzzzz"

Mommy has learned to make this funny noise that you think is hysterically funny. So of course, i do this noise often during the day just to hear you giggle and laugh and smile at me with that toothless smile of yours.

You are also getting very good at the jumperoo! It's so funny to watch your chubby little legs bounce and bounce and bounce! You look like a little version of Tigger bouncing the way you do. Yesterday i let you stay in the 'roo for 45 minutes and tried to get you out but you would have nothing of it. By golly, you were staying in the 'roo. So i let you be for another 15 minutes while i folded laundry. I noticed that you were getting very quiet so i came out of the laundry room and saw that you were almost asleep in the 'roo! All of that jumping can exhaust a litte tigger!

We have your doctor appointment tomorrow. (sigh) I'm not looking forward to it at all, but your Daddy is coming with us so maybe, just maybe, it won't be so bad. We are planning on taking you by the CVS on the way to Vanderbilt to see Michele. The store sent us $50 gift cards to Toys 'R Us for you and i know that Michele would love to see you. I imagine that taking you to visit first before you doctor appointment is the smart thing to do as i have a feeling that you won't be a happy camper after your doctor appointment! I am hoping that it's a little cooler than it has been. Yesterdays temperature was 102; needless to say, you and i and Maddie have been staying in keeping cool.

Off to play with you!

love you very much.....

Mommy

A Sleeping Emma

A Sleeping Emma


You're taking your morning nap; i really need to sneak up there and take a photo of you. You've taken to sleeping on your stomach with your tush in the air! It's just too cute to watch you sleep like that. I keep trying to roll you on your back and you keep rolling over. I guess i should give up and let you sleep as you want, shouldn't i?

We haven't been to CVS yet. It's just so hot here that i haven't wanted to get you out in it. But i think that after you wake up today, we are going to make a Wal-Mart run to get us both out of the house. You need a change of scenery and i need to shop! :)

You and i seem to be finding each other, Emma. If you are sitting in your bouncy chair and i come over to peek at you and you see me, your face lights up with a huge, toothless smile. It is the most beautiful smile! And your giggles! I do my best to make the funniest noises and faces so you'll giggle and laugh! I'm sure that i look like a ding-ding, but i can't help it. It is so amazing to watch you learn things little by little. Your newest trick is to grasp my fingers and pull yourself up to a sitting position and then to a standing position. You are so strong!

This Thursday we are getting your photo taken by a local photographer. I'm very excited and of course, have picked out a few outfits for you to wear; two of them i picked up at the market when we were in Guatemala. I can't wait to see you in them! I tried to trim your hair yesterday and i'm afraid, little one, i gave you a bowl haircut. Your daddy laughed at me, but with a bow in your hair, you're still too cute! I promise next time, i'll take you to someone who know how to cut hair instead of doing it myself!

Off to do Mommy chores.

Love you.....

Mommy

A beautiful sleeping Emma

A Beautiful Sleeping Emma

You woke up very early this morning....5 am to be exact. No wonder, lol, wet diaper and hungry. After changing diapers, i brought you downstairs so you could have your bottle and you cuddled up to me, resting your head where my heart is as you drank your bottle. It is a feeling like no other to love you, Emma.

You are making amazing strides, even your Daddy is surprised. I put you on your mat last night on the floor and you proceded to roll over and over completely off the mat. I wanted to laugh at how suprised your Daddy was! I get to see you learning things, and i feel badly that he's not here to see you learn things. You have such a toothless smile when you've done something new, your smile melts my heart. How can you be so cute? :)

You love to be out around people, you love being outside. It's just so hot now that i've been keeping you at home. It was over 100 degrees yesterday and it is like that again today. Tomorrow, though, i'm taking you to CVS to see some of the folks that i use to schedule. They've sent you a very nice gift: $50 gift card to Toys 'R Us. So, i need to take you by there as they have been asking to see you. Last Friday we spent at your Daddy's work where they had a shower for us. Ardth got a beautiful Tinkerbell cake and we received many, many gift. And you were such a good baby! You let Betty hold you and smiled at her many times, and let others hold you, too.

I think the biggest moment for me was i was watching Betty hold you and i saw you looking for me. At that instant, i realized that i was "Mommy" to you. I truly don't think until that moment that i thought you thought as me in that way. And of course, i fell in love with you all over again.

Going to check on you.....

Love you,

Mommy

Falling in love with Emma

Falling in love with Emma....


Slowly but surely, i think that we are falling in love with each other. You are a beautiful child, such big beautiful brown eyes and soft skin. Being your Mommy is the best thing that has ever happened to me, Emma.

Gotta run, lol, you're 'calling' me. :D



love you....

Mommy