Aunt Amy's

For the time being I am working on Mondays and Emma stays at the Saxby house. She just loves going there and always has so much fun. Here are a few highlights from their time together this week.

Using Big Girl Paint

Playing with Bel and Sam

Sweet Friends

Emma and Bel's first experience licking the batter!

Thanks for being so much fun, Aunt Amy!

Snow!!!

Emma's first snow experience! We only got a fraction of the snow they predicted, but it was just the right amount for Emma.

Is this what you do with a snowball?

Daddy showed her the real meaning of snowballs.

Daddy and Emma built a snowman!

When it was time to come in Emma threw a terrible fit. The only way we could get her to stop screaming and arching her back was to ask her if she wanted some cake...it worked. She never gets treats like that so she quit crying and raced up the steps to the kitchen. Very fun!

New Pics

Here are a few new pictures from the last weeks.

Emma likes to cook in the kitchen and make food for her baby.

The sweetest thing is that she consistently uses her cup and her plastic butcher knife to feed her baby. She stirs the knife in the cup and feeds the baby saying, "Numma Num."

Emma has begun to insist that she take her purse with us when we go shopping. She grabs it off of her hook and throws it on her shoulder and off we go. She insisted on taking it to church last week. One of our friends was asking her what was in it and she just looked at her and said, "bows". Sure enough, she has been stockpiling her bows in there. I put them in her hair when she asks and then they disappear. Now we know where they have gone.

Emma has discovered that if she puts her stool up to the sink she can wash her hands. It is her favorite activity all day long.

Emma found this blanket in her stroller and brought it upstairs to her baby and immediately wrapped her up and looked at me and said, "Warm".

After wrapping up the baby, she picks her up and hugs and cuddles her.

Grammy and Poppa came to visit for a few days in January. As part of their time here Grammy made Valentine cookies with Emma. They had so much fun!

In addition to the cookies, Grammy and Poppa took Emma to Graeter's for ice cream. I think they fed Emma more ice cream than I ate. She of course thought it was awesome.

Helping Grammy in the kitchen...they made dinner together, soup, rolls, cookies...

January Snapshots

Emma has very much enjoyed having a highchair for her babies and George. She puts them in, folds their hands to pray and then gives them "food".

She loves her Curious George.

First attempt at finger painting. She really enjoyed it.

Second time around she was more adventurous and there was even paint in her hair.

Can you say bed head? Emma's hair in the morning is always a treat, but it was especially amazing on this morning.

Emma is becoming more and more independent. She has recently decided that she would prefer to feed herself which has been quite interesting. She has just about mastered the use of a fork and spoon and does not like when we have to help her with it.

So proud of herself! She just giggles while she is eating. She is so fun!

Our most recent activity has been to get up on the stool and watch the birds, squirrels and cat for extended periods of time. She giggles and talks to the animals outside...so sweet!

Christmas in St. Louis

On the 26th we set out for St. Louis. We spent a week there with Grammy and Poppa, Uncle Rich, Grandma, Uncle Ben and Aunt Erin, and Aunt Abby, Uncle Andrew and Sam. Yes, we all stayed in the same house. To avoid the nightmare of Emma refusing to sleep in the pack n play at Thanksgiving, Grammy made Emma a special room in the walk in closet. Her special room was decorated with teddy bears, dolls and even had ducks on the wall. Emma loved it so much that she cried when we took her out. Way to go, Grammy!

During the week we had lots of great time together and the six kids (Ben, Erin, Abby, Andrew, Mike and I) even got to go out to dinner at the hill. It was the first time ever that the six of us had gone out to dinner together. We also got to see Ben and Erin's cute apartment in St. Louis. Emma enjoyed all of the treats that everyone snuck her and all of her time playing with her loved ones.

I did not do a good job capturing the wonderful memories with my camera, but here are a few shots.

What are all of these presents?! I am a little overwhelmed!

Present time!

Thank you for my gifts, everyone. (Emma says thank you by putting her hand over her mouth.)

Graco set with highchair, infant carrier, pack n' play and swing...She plays with it all day long. What a great gift, Uncle Rich!

Emma enjoyed getting a special Curious George book from Tante Janet.

BOWS!!! Thanks, Aunt Abby and Uncle Andrew!

And a purse to go with her bows! She knew just what to do with it!

Sam got the little people garage and was super excited. Emma had a great time playing with it all week.

Grammy and Poppa gave Emma the Little People doll house. She plays with it all day long as well. She especially loves to ring the doorbell.

The kids with Great Grandma...Emma in her usual cooperative mood. :)

Christmas in Cincinnati

Christmas morning...Emma walked out to find the tree all lit up and all the lights off.
She was so excited.

Emma noticing her presents under the tree.

I love this smile! She was so excited about her coloring book!

A new puzzle of farm animals...and yes, there are ducks in the puzzle!

The big gift was a water bottle just like Mommy's. Since she was three months old she has been obsessed with that water bottle, and now she has one of her own!

And finally, she got jammies with Curious George all over them. I love this smile too!

While getting food packed for the day's events, Emma swiped a bowl of broccoli and ate it all. She loves her veggies!

Emma and Sarhea at Nana and Papaw's house. We went to their house for a wonderful breakfast and spent the day playing together.

Aunt Sarah and Sarhea

Opening Gifts

Emma tried to play ball with Sarhea. She came in and saw Sarhea on the floor, so she found the ball and plopped down across from her. It was precious.

After Nana's and Papaw's we went to spend time with Mike's extended family. It was a very nice day of family time!