Celebrate

My Sweet Emmalee Caroline is officially a year old.  I still can't believe it even as I type it.  It doesn't seem like its been an entire year since I brought her home.  Actually, it was exactly one year ago today that she came home...April 17, 2011.  I remember bringing her home like it was yesterday.

Getting ready to leave the hospital.  She looks so tiny in her seat.

Parenthood has been an amazing journey - each day you learn something new and watch your precious child grow and learn.  It seems like they change everyday, and they certainly grow up way too fast!  Nothing can compared to the joy Emmalee has brought to our lives.

To celebrate as a family, Brant and I both took off work yesterday to take Emmalee on her first trip to the zoo.  I, personally, think going to the zoo every year for her birthday would be a fun tradition.  Yesterday was perfect weather - high of 76, partly cloud with a slight breeze.  It was the perfect kind of Zoo-Day!
 

Here are a few pics from our day!

I love the color of the bird.  It stands on one leg & looks almost like a miniature flamingo!

Getting ready to go inside & see the reptiles & amphibians!

This tiger was so beautiful!

One of my personal favorite - the white tiger!

 

This is probably my favorite picture of the day. I love how Brant is explaining to her what an elephant is! She was very intrigued by them!

So precious!

Em had so much fun when we would let her "explore" on her own.  She would look and point at everything and say "That?"  Its her favorite word these days .

The Jaguar!

Well I hope the tradition stick and that we have another fabulous trip to the zoo when our little angel turns two!

Springtime

The weather here in North Texas has been really beautiful lately, expect for a huge of tornadoes last week - that was a bit scary. 

Anyways, a few weekend ago we were stuck at home because Emmalee had Hand, Foot & Mouth disease (which she kindly shared with her mother, but that is a completely different post).  So Saturday afternoon we were having some cabin fever and it was so gorgeous outside that we took Em out to play. She had so much fun playing and exploring!

 (WARNING:  PICTURE OVERLOAD!)

He is Risen; He is Risen Indeed

 I love Easter - I love the weather, the songs and the praise, the family, the food, the eggs and candy, and especially the meaning - I just love it all!   Emmalee was only 9 days old on Easter last year and it was her first day at church (yes, I took my baby to church when she was only 9 days old because I WAS NOT going to miss church on Easter Sunday).  She technically, she has had two Easters before she was even a year old!  HA!

On Friday, Brant and I both had to work, so Emmalee went to stay with "Special K," aka Brant's sister Kristie.  So Em got to spend the whole day playing with her cousin Aeson and got spoiled rotten!  And I love it - I love that she is so loved by all of her family and that she can spend time with and play with her.

Kristie sent this picture of the kids playing on Friday!

Saturday Emmalee and I had a play date with our good friends Baylor (and Baylor's mommy Leslie) and our friend Elizabeth (and Elizabeth's mommy Sally).  I love watching Em play with friends and watching how the all interact.  That afternoon Em and I went to a massive Easter Egg hunt at Crossroad Christian Church with Sister and her family.  When we got home our daddy was home for work so we spent the evening relaxing after our busy, but very fun, day!

Sunday was a fabulous day, too.  It all started off with checking out what the Easter Bunny brought us.  He brought new pj's, a cute new swimsuit cover-up, some Teddy Grahams, animal crackers, pacifiers, and a new sparkly ring rattle. 

 We went to church to praise our risen Savior!  I get goosebumps every time I think about it - how He died on a cross for me but overcame death and rose again.  He is ALIVE!  What glorious news!

After church we went to my parent's house with my sis and her fam and had a huge Easter egg hunt with all the kiddos, then a delicious lunch.   Then we just let the kids play and have fun together.

Let me just tell you that I LOVE seeing Emmalee with her cousins.  First of all, they adore her, but she adores them too, especially her Mason.  She grins from ear to ear when he walks into a room. But Ethan and Kate can always make her laugh, and Connor just dotes over her and makes sure that she has everything she could possibly need.  During our egg hunt, Em thought it was fun just to rattle the eggs - she could have cared less about gathering them in her basket (she had no idea Momma needed some of that candy!) - so Connor and Kate started gathering eggs for her and putting them in her basket.  Connor wanted to make sure Em had plenty, and was so willing to share everything he had with her.  It just melts my heart to see all of them together.

I am so thankful that Brant and I both have family close that get to spend time with Emmalee. Even though Brant's parents don't live in town, they definitely try to come and see Em as often as possible. 
 
Well I hope you and your family had a wonderful Easter weekend as well.

Lucky Charm

Somehow I seem to enjoy the holidays a little more when I have a baby around - especially one I get to play dress up with!  I have loved finding fun new fabrics and patterns to make new outfits for Emmalee.  I'm not sure if sewing has saved me money, or just made me having a cuter-dressed child.  Either way - it works!  HA!  Regardless,  I had a decorated little lucky charm on St. Patrick's Day!

Her dad is already introducing her to the world of golf! He has high hopes!

Always on our feet these days!

The many faces of Emmalee Caroline!

 If you follow me on Twitter then you might have seen the full outfit because it had matching pants.  Because the weather has been very warm in Texas, I didn't want her to be too hot, so she wore the pants the day before w/ a cute little short sleeve white top, then the onesie on Saturday with this precious little skirt from Children's Place.

Well I hope you have a lucky charm this year, too!  I know mine is pretty special!

Escaping Eleven {Months}

That right - escaping, Emmalee Caroline - that is exactly how I feel about the past 11 months, they have escaped me and I know no clue where they have gone. Oh, but they have been the most amazing eleven months! 


The biggest new development is that you are starting to walk!  It seems like you just learned how to crawl, but now you are off to explore the world on foot.  

You are still one of the most content and happy baby I have ever known.  You love people and love to play! You rarely cry and are still a great sleeper and eater.  You still go to bed about 8:00 in the evening and wake up around 6:30.  You used to sleep later on the weekends, but you are growing much more consistent with your wake up time, regardless of the day.  You take two naps usually about an hour and a half each.

You eat 3 solid meals a day and are eating alot more table/finger foods.  You love to feed yourself and so far there is nothing that you don't like!  Some of your favorite foods are avocado, bananas, peaches, pears, carrots, peas and chicken.  This week you had meatloaf and loved it too!  You still have 4 6 oz. bottle each day.  This week we began mixing a little milk into your formula to ease the transition.  

You still wear a size 3 diaper and are wearing mostly 9-12 month clothes, with a few 12 month outfits mixed in because it has been very warm lately.  

Every day you seem to be becoming more and more of a daddy's girl.  You smile the instant you see him and almost leap into his arms. Everyday your hair seems to get lighter and lighter.  Your blonde hair and blue eyes are just like him, too.  You have a lot of your daddy in you, sweetheart, and that is a wonderful thing.  You are patient, you are funny, you have sweetest spirit about you, and you love to laugh and smile just like he does. 

Only one more month until we celebrate one of the most amazing days of my life - the day you were born.  Oh how I love you more than I ever thought possible, sweet girl.  Your name alone brings a smile to face and laughter to my heart. 

I love you, Emmalee Caroline Williams, and you are {still} the light of my {and your daddy's} life!

Baby On The Go

I know - I have been so horrible at posting lately - but do you ever get so involved in something else that you forget about your poor blog?  I did - its called Twitter!  I have been on Twitter for a while now (you can follow me with awilliams0720) but for some reason, I feel like I am on it all the time. I fell like I have become connected to these moms - I call them my twends (twitter+friend=twends!)

Anyways, I am so sorry that I have neglected my sweet blog.  Here is an update on Ms. Emmalee Caroline, since that is all the most of your care about (and just FYI - I am totally okay with that!).

Little Miss Em is a baby on the go.  She started taking a few steps over the weekend, but didn't really seem like a fan of walking but that has all changed.  The most she has walked is about 8 or 9 steps, but she'll fall and get right back up.  She is just so darn cute.  Ms. Donna (AKA Best sitter EVER) sent me this video today.




I'm afraid that the next time I turn around she'll be running!  And of course she is completely mobile whether walking or crawling or cruising and is into everything!  Every morning she comes into my bathroom while I am getting ready and it is a daily battle to keep her out of the trash!  She thinks its another "basket" of toys!  WRONG, sister!  The trash is not for you to play with!

Well I had great plans for this weekend, but I think we are reconsidering since the high is only in the 50's and 60's.  What happened to our high 70 and 80 degree weather???  Last weekend we had so much fun playing outside - we got to swing outside, go for a walk, play outside with Dax - its was downright awesome!!!

Saturday evening, we went to our cousins' school carnival and watched Kate & Ethan ride the mechanical bull!  It was hysterical!!!








Well I hope each of you has a fabulous weekend! 

Tasty Tuesday - Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

Not that I ever disliked oatmeal, but for some reason I am all of the sudden in love with it.  Maybe its because it is on-key for a low-point, but still delicious, Weight Watchers breakfast; or maybe its just because I actually "learned" how to cook it...and by learned I mean I just make up my own recipe and liked it!

So, I just thought I would share with you how I make a delicious, but simple and easy, Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal.



For 4 servings
Ingredients:
2 sweet apples (I use Gala or Fuji), diced (up to you whether skin is on or off). (This is a perfect opportunity to use that last apple or two that is a little too soft to eat, but you don't want to waste). 
3 TBSP of butter, Divided (1 TBSP & 2 TBSP)
1 1/2 Tsp Cinnamon
1/4 Tsp Nutmeg
1/4 cup brown sugar, divided (1/2 & 1/2)
Handful of nuts (I prefer almonds or pecans)
Optional:  Raisins (it is delicious with or without)
Instant Oats (Use per instructions on the box)

In a saute pan, melt 1 TBSP of butter.  Add your apples.  Cook for about 3-4 minutes to all apples to begin to soften.  Add in your cinnamon, nutmeg, 1/2 your brown sugar, and nuts.  Continue to cook on medium heat for about 3-4 more minutes.   You want your apples to be soft, but not mushy.

Cook your oatmeal per the instructions on the box or can.  Once its is completely cooked, add 2 TBSP butter, other half of brown sugar. Stir together.  Once mixed, add apples and nut (and any other ingredient you like).  Taste.  If needed, you can add a little more brown sugar or cinnamon to reach your preferred sweetness. 

Hope you Enjoy!

Make it a Day of Thanks

Megan from "In This Wonderful Life" posted today about being thankful and it made me think about the things I am thankful for.

I am thankful

• First and foremost, because I have a savior who loves me and chooses to bless me even though I don't deserve it.
• because I have an incredible husband who loved me and loves our daughter unconditionally
• because I get to look into these baby blues everyday

Picture by Amanda Rooney Photography

• because I have an incredible job that I enjoy going to everyday, who values their employees, and understands the demands of being a parent
• because my sweet baby is healthy, feeling much better and her nasty cold and ear infection is gone
• because I have in-laws that I love and that love me (and yes, this makes me so thankful because I know way too many people who don't have a good relationship with their spouse's family)

So what are you thankful for?  Let's make this a "Tuesday of Thanks "!

If you want to,lets link up!! Tell me what you are thankful today - even ifs its just one thing - what are you thankful for???

Bows, Bows, Bows

I love bow - BIG bows!  I love putting BIG bows on my baby.  

I live by the slogan "The bigger the bow, the better the momma!"

A few days ago, I was going through Em's 12-month wardrobe to make sure I had a bow to coordinate with EVERY outfit! 

I mean, lets get serious for a minute, how many pictures of Emmalee Caroline have you seen on this blog where she doesn't have a bow in?  Yeah, that's what I thought. 

Seriously y'all, the child had a bow on her head since she was a day old - literally!!!

So I'm sure you now understand how BIG of a deal this is:

I

Let

My 

Daughter

Wear

A 

Small

Bow!!!!!

And she was so stinkin' cute in it!!!!!

Em has gotten to the point that she pulls all of her big bows off  - well, at least she pulls the headbands off.  So, since she has a headfull - and I mean HEADFULL - of beautiful blond hair, I decided that I would experiment.  I put just a small clippy bow in her hair to see if she would pull it out - and she NEVER even touched it!  

So it looks like we might be sizing down our bows.  And I'm not going to lie, it makes me a little sad!  Don't get me wrong, I will still attempt to put big ole' bows on top!!

How sweet is this little face? She is so sweet I could just eat her up!