Pause...Rewind...Play Again...

As promised, I'm back to finish what I started yesterday.  So where did I leave off...  Oh, that's right...

December/January

Picking out our Christmas tree

This winter found North Carolina with more snow than I think they've possibly ever had.  So, needless to say we spent a lot of time building snowmen, going sledding, and just playing in the snow.  Along with that, we were also hit with our first case of the stomach bug.  Or rather I should say, Emma was hit with her first case of the stomach bug.  All I can say on that is, not fun!!

Christmas.  What can I say about Christmas? Well, Emma was sick.  Emma got Mommy REALLY sick.  Mommy had to work.  So, a really sick, sleep deprived Mommy doesn't remember a whole lot about Christmas.  Thankfully Gammy, Uncle Ryan and Daddy were there to capture it on film :)

After Christmas, as most we're anxiously awaiting the start of a new year, Mommy and Daddy were anxiously counting down the days until Emma's surgery :(  Yep, little Miss was going in for another surgery. This time to have her tonsils removed and, this time we would be required to stay overnight at the hosptial.  :Gasp:  But, surgery went well and just like her adneoids, we learned that she had what are commonly called "kissing tonsils"; tonsils that are touching in the back of her throat almost completely obstructing her airway.

Though surgery went well, recovery was...well...recovery was painful for all of us.  Note to anyone who's child has to have their tonsils removed: When the doctors prescribe your child pain medicine, be sure to ask for a sedative for yourself at the same time.  Trust me, it's THAT bad!  But like everything else, we got through it...somehow!

Just when we thought we were in the clear...drum roll please....Emma got the stomach bug, AGAIN. Yuck! No fun.  But she was a trooper, even managing to throw up in the toliet on at least one occasion ;)

Feburary/March

My baby turned 3!! Wow, I am now the proud Mother of a three year old.  Can you see that I'm still trying to grasp this concept?

But...before I get to that.  The beginning of Feburary was fairly uneventful, just kidding.  Uneventful is not a common term used to describe our lives.  The stomach bug that Emma had in January... Well, that turned into a three week stretch of a fever of unknown origin.  Yes, three weeks.  With a temperature of around 103.  It was rough and those three weeks consisted of numerous doctor's appointments, blood draws, etc.  Poor little girl was, yet again, a trooper and somehow managed to finally knock out whatever it was she had.

All three girls together and smiling..can't believe I got this one

And then came her birthday.  The first birthday (aside from her 1st birthday) in which we had almost all extended family down to help celebrate.  Both sets of grandparents, Aunt Laura, cousins Naomi and Brooke were all able to make the four hour trip...and Emma had a blast! We spent the weekend playing...at home and at the playground and finally celebrated with a birthday dinner at Emma's favorite restaurant, aside from Mommy's that is, OPA!  After that it was more celebrating with a party at Emma's school. 

Three apparently looks a little scary to Em

Oh, and did I mention that not only did my little girl turn 3 but that she also graduated into a "big girl" bed? Yep, despite the fact that many of you were convinced she would be in her crib until 21, I finally got the courage and transitioned her.  And I can proudly say, she's only fallen out twice =)

So isn't there a saying that March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb? I think that's the way it goes. If not, pretend it does just for argument sake because that's how I feel about March. 

No sooner do we get past the birthday festivities and Emma is puking again.  This time is round three of the stomach bug and the worse one we experienced (the lion).  By this point, Emma, I'm sad to say, is pretty well-versed when it comes to throwing up.  As we are driving she can now point to certain areas and with confidence in her voice tell me, "Mommy, this is where I threw up in your car.  giggle, giggle", or see the "bucket" and scream in panic, "I'm not going to get sick."  But, this stomach bug came with avengence...avengence it seems that was primarily aimed right at me! Or my mouth to be specific. Uh-huh, I did say my mouth.  And I'll tell you why...because on the first morning of the "lion" stomach bug, as I was trying desperately to console my obviously ill-feeling child, she puked right in my mouth.  Lovely!  And for those of you who just gagged a little at the thought of that...hold firm...if I didn't puke at the time, neither can you!  A mere hour later, I'm covered in vomit again.  Apparently this is one of the many "perks" of being a Mom =)

But alas, the month ended quietly with no more vomiting and about a two week stretch of peacefulness (the lamb)!

April/May

The beginning of April found Emma in "Daddy Daycare" again, as Mommy traveled to the West Coast for a conference in Seattle (my blog will be updated with that fun stuff later).  And luckily there was no need for calls to posion control (which happened once when I was in FL) and no trips to the ED....always a good thing!



Yes, I realize this is the same dress from last year



April also found Emma participating in her first team sport, soccer! Yep, out tiny, slightly uncoordinated child was going to be pushed to follow in the footsteps of both Mommy and Daddy on the soccer field.  I'm sure there's really no need for me to paint a picture of what soccer practices/games look like when the team consists of nine, three and four year olds.  But despite the interest in everything besides soccer or the concept of soccer, Emma seemed to enjoy venturing to the soccer fields twice a week.

And then of course there was Easter.  The tradition continued with a holiday visit from Gammy, Easter egg hunting at school and then again at home on Easter mornig, a hilarious attempt at kite flying in the front yard (wind of course would've been helpful that day), and a grilling mishap involving Easter dinner!  Oh the memories!!

On to May...



Possibly my favorite picture from the trip



Hm.... Spring! Mother's Day! Graduation!  All of which I don't think I have ANY pictures worth posting.  BUT, those things did happen and are worth at least typing.

However, most note-worthy...a trip to the BEACH! Yeah!! And more specifically, Emma's FIRST trip to the beach.  It was a blast.  But I guess I should lay out the details first, I'll be brief, and then on to the pictures.

Location: Right outside of Destin, FL.  A place called Watercolor, in a beautiful 4 bedroom house.
Transportation: Car; 12 hour drive --Which I can proudly say Emma did extremely well with seeing as she actually slept! WAHOO!! Another first!
Length of stay: Six days
Goal of trip: Have FUN!
Daily activities: boat and bike rides, playground time, swimming, building sandcastles, running from the waves, eating too much ice cream, painting, laughing, chasing each other, crab/fish catching, and blowing bubbles.
Partners in crime: Uncle Brett, Aunt Kelly, Sophie and Max

Alright, I'm probably having too much fun with this (maybe because of my extreme fatigue at the moment) so I'll get on with the pictures....

Swim break

These two are going to be nothing but trouble ;)

                  

                

Lovin' that ice cream

Bike rides galore

Beachside

My beach model

Out of focus I know, but I like it anyway

So there you have it, from August of last year to May of this year.

Excuse me while I give myself a pat on the back for just blogging all of that.....

Okay, I'm back.  And, since we are just two days into the month of June...well, I'm NOT going to blog anything for this month at the moment.  But rather I'm going to go to bed.  So, goodnight and as Emma says, "May the Angels give you kisses in your dreams."