First Time at the Pool

Emry had her first pool experience last night. She loved the water so much she told me we better go again SOON!

Dedication: Part 2

Many of our family members traveled from Iowa or Minnesota to be part of this special day for Emry, as well as many of our close KC friends. Afterwards, we had a BBQ and unfortunately, it was disgustingly HOT so we couldn't enjoy our deck/patio and outdoor games as we had hoped to. It was so great to see everyone and have all of our favorite people in one spot!

Dedication: Part 1

Emry was dedicated this past Sunday at our church, Good Shepherd United Methodist. Dedications are basically a step before baptisms. Steve and I want Emry to decide when she's ready to become baptized. Here is an overview of what a dedication essentially is. This was written by my sister-in-law.

"Baby Dedication is a ceremony in which believing parents, and sometimes entire families, make a commitment before the Lord to submit a child to God's will and to raise that child according to God's Word and God's ways. Christian parents who dedicate a child are making a promise to the Lord to do everything within their power to raise the child in a godly way, prayerfully until he or she can make a decision on his or her OWN to follow God. Parents who make this vow of commitment are instructed to raise the child in the ways of God, and not according to their own ways. Some of the responsibilities include teaching and training the child in God's Word, demonstrating an example of godliness, disciplining according to God's ways, and praying earnestly for the child."

We definitely want Emry to know the Lord and live a Christian life. This was just the beginning of that journey for her!

Happy Girl

Chunkers

Emry's thighs have beefed up quite a bit. Steve and I LOVE them and nicknamed them "chunkers."

Green Beans

Emry has successfully been on rice cereal for two weeks and continues to get better and better with each encounter! Sooo, on Tues (June 22nd) I decided she could try her first baby food. I gave her green beans and later read in my baby book that I should have started with a "yellow" food. I bought it spontaneously without consulting my books beforehand but at least I didn't give fruit first. She gagged all throughout the first try and was pretty messy. The consistency was very soupy. A fellow BFG gal said she mixed her veggies with the rice cereal to thicken it up so I tried that yesterday and this evening. Emry did great and ate every last bite! She's becoming a good little eater.

Girls, Girls, Girls!

Emry and I invited a few friends from our breast-feeding group over to our house this evening to play, play, play! Rylie, Tori, and Emry had a ball together cooing, screaming, rolling over, and whatever else 5 and 6 month olds do. Actually Emry decided to take the easy road and lay on her back majority of the time. Rylie (6 months) was army crawling, Tori (2 days older than Emry) was rolling over and Emry protested every time I helped her roll onto her belly. These tiny amigos were adorable together. Emry told me she wants them to come back SOON!

Baby Pow-wow.

Tori with "Marty" the monkey.

Rylie and Emry

Road Trip

Emry and I ventured on our first LONG road trip together. Last Wednesday we headed up to West Des Moines, IA to spend the evening with my in-laws. We got much needed rest and headed out the next morning up to Prior Lake, MN where my mom and step-dad live. It was a trip filled with lots of family, friends, a wedding, and spending father's day with my step-dad and dad. Towards the end of our adventure, we visited my dad on the way back to IA. It was so wonderful to see him and watch him interact with Emry. Moments like this make me wish we lived closer to my family. We finally arrived home Monday afternoon and boy did it feel like a million bucks to get out of the van. I could tell Emry and it were getting sick of each other by the way she wailed at the end of the last leg from IA to KC. Poor peanut had ENOUGH of being strapped in her car seat!

Grandpa Holter doing tummy time with Emry.

Emry and Grandpa Holter.

Some loves from Mommy.

5 Months

It doesn't seem possible that our baby is 5 months! She is constantly changing and I'm so glad I'm a photo fanatic so I can capture every moment. Here is what miss Emry is up to these days: ~ Weighs 15 lbs 8 oz ~ Is SUPER long ~ Nurses 5 times a day ~ Eats rice cereal twice a day ~ Sleeps from 8-6:00 or 6:30 (she's been waking up a few times but we're working on that) ~ Takes 3 naps ~ Giggles ~ Constantly "talks" ~ Loves being talked to ~ Is mesmerized when Steve and I talk to each other ~ Reaches and holds onto objects/toys ~ Is a droolin' machine ~ Chews on fingers ~ Pulls toes up by her face ~ Has rolled over from tummy to back, 3 times in the last 3 weeks ~ Arches back almost to the point of rolling over from back to tummy ~ Whines when we are out of her line of view ~ Sits like a big girl in her bathtub ~ Likes sitting outside in the shade with a nice breeze blowing through her hair ~ Loves her exersaucer

I'll help ya' get rid of this paper mom!

My Buddy

Fletcher and Emry spent some quality time together this afternoon. He showed her how the toys on her exersaucer work...since he's a veteran and all. :)

What'cha Doin?

Eww...Yuck!

Emry tried rice cereal for the first time today and let's just say it was NOT her favorite thing. Most of it dribbled down her chin or landed on my hand/forearm after she blew raspberries with it. I've heard this is what typically happens with the first attempt so we'll try, try again! Out of curiosity, I put a teensy bit on my tongue and I don't blame her...it's not tasty. HOWEVER, mom/spoon/cereal will triumph! Get ready to surrender Emry!

Please don't make me take another bite!

Why are you torturing me?

Rice cereal is old news mom...your camera is where it's at. Can I eat that?

Congrats Angela!

My friend Angela is expecting her second child (and daugther) at the beginning of August. To honor the life of this precious one, I threw a "Sprinkle" for Angela. This was my first time hosting solo and everything came together and everyone had a great time! Family and a few close friends attended along with a small group of kids. We can't wait to meet baby girl Mathews! Here are a few pics.

Ang and Me

The cake I made.

Memorial Weekend

What a great memorial weekend! Steve and I were extremely productive on Saturday doing things around the house, and then we headed to Iowa, Sunday morning to help our youngest niece celebrate her first birthday. The HIGHLIGHT of the weekend was that Emry rolled over twice on Sunday! I screamed and clapped and she looked at me like I was going crazy. :) Steve's parents also witnessed this milestone so that was extra special. Gayle (Emry's daycare provider) promises that she hadn't rolled over for her, so Steve and I were truly the first to see it! I've tried to get it on video but she doesn't seem interested in doing it again. Hopefully soon!