Cleaning Up

Emily is a fantastic helper!  She knows that when we go somewhere or when wanting to get out another toy, we clean up the mess we have out.  Emily sometimes even suggests a change of toy or scenery when she starts to sing, "Clean up."  Sometimes, however, the clean up leads into a game of clean it up and then dump it out.  Either way, I am glad to see Emily is learning to be a great helper!

Grandma and Grandpa Yates

Over the weekend we had some fun family visitors.  Grandma & Grandpa Yates and Michelle came to visit Emily.  We enjoyed swimming, visiting, and playing with them.  Emily loved reading books with Grandma Yates while out to dinner at the Olive Garden.  I think we heard Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb over 50 times that evening.  Dum, Ditty, Dum, Ditty, Dum, Dum, Dum!  We appreciated their visit and look forward to seeing them again soon with the arrival of the new baby!

Pretty Hair - For Now

The other day I tried a cute new hairdo on Emily.  Unfortunately it lasted only a few minutes.  Emily loves to soothe herself by pulling on her pigtail - and mine too!  This makes for short-lived hair dos.

Dollies, Dancing, and Stories

Playtime these days seem to be filled with dollies, dancing, and stories.  Emily loves to pretend with dolls.  She will take them for walks, change their clothes, give them a diaper change, kiss them, sing to them, and so much more.  Even though it can be awakening in many ways, I love watching Emily pretend to do the things I do and say to her.  She can be caught saying, "Uh-oh!  Sorry!", "Uh-oh!  It's ok!", "Come on," and "Bye! Love you!"  The last one melts my heart.

Emily loves to dance!  She got a new toy from her cousin Ellie - a music table.  Emily loves to start the music and dance.  She loves to dance especially in front of the TV.  This seems to be her stage.  It is so fun to watch her move her legs as in attempt to tapping to the music.  Watch a diva!

Of coarse stories have always been a favorite, but lately Emily loves to read while rocking in the rocking chair.  Hopefully she will let baby sister sit there soon and read to her on the floor!  I know she will be a great helper soon!

Pretending Fun

Emily loves to pretend!  She has a wonderful imagination that brings great joy into our home.  Emily plays make believe with her dolls, toys, and even herself.  She can be caught laying down for a diaper change, writing cards, and singing lullabies.  The other day she even pretended it was winter with the desire to wear her coat - even though it was 106 degrees outside.

Nesting

For the past few weeks, we have been "nesting" or getting ready for the new baby's arrival.  The bassinet is set up, diapers stocked, and clothes put in drawers all awaiting are sweet baby girl's coming.  I think Emily is sensing the change too as she continues to be a "Little Mommy" to her dollies.  She loves to cuddle, care take for them, and love them.  I know she will be a gentle big sister!

 

 

Emily helped put the bassinet together.  She can be caught hiding underneath it often.  I guess she thinks it's the new bunk bed.

 

Growing Up

For the past few weeks my heart has been troubled with the idea of Emily growing up.  My sweet Emily is no longer my baby, but my little girl.  She can do so many "big" girl things like talk, sing, pretend, eat with a fork, and so much more.  In just less than ten weeks, my sweet little girl will be a big sister. 

 

There is so much excitement for our new bundle to join us soon!  Emily is going to love her little sister!  She loves playmates and sisters make the best kind.  Together the three of us have snuggled to read stories, play, and sing songs.  I know our sweet little baby is already with us in so many ways.

 

There is another part of me that wants to keep my Emily little forever!  I don't want the little arms that wrap around my neck and pull my hair to leave, the sound of her binky chomping to fade, or toes and fingers to stretch to quickly.  Then again, I find so much joy in seeing her new ideas and tricks everyday like folding her arms to pray, saying a new word or phrase, and dancing with a new move. 

 

As a mom there is a part of me that feels inadequate for this new bundle to join us.  I wonder how I can love and care for another as much as Emily.  Will my heart be enough for two?  My hands are busy now, so can I grow two more?  I have been told my heart will expand, but sometimes I wonder if I going to be enough.