Reading with Daddy

In the evenings after daddy gets home from work and dinner is over, Emma gets to settle down with her daddy for reading time. Daddy makes the most wonderful animal noises which makes it that much more fun.

Emma looking out her Window

Emma isn't tall enough to see out her window so I put her up on her toy box the other day so she could get a good look. I have since moved the toy box to her closet, because I know she will start climbing soon and I don't want her to have access to her window.

On Grandpa's Yacht

It was the first sailboat race of the year, so Emma and I decided to take Daddy down to Grandpa's yacht. They were all very busy getting the boat ready for the race, but that didn't stop Grandpa from taking Emma on a stroll around the deck.

Emma Turns 1!!

Emma turned 1 on January 25th, 2008. We had a family dinner at a restaurant called Islands. Grandma and Grandpa Litzenberg, Aunt Andra and Kevin, and Michael (the godfather) all came to celebrate with Mommy and Daddy and Emma. We totally forgot the camera so we don't have any pictures to share, but we did remember to take a few pictures at her birthday party the next day. We had a host of wonderful friends that came to give Emma there very best wishes. Emma had a blast with all the people.
Emma just learning how to walk just two days prier to her party would get so excited that she was walking that she would have to stop and clap at her job well done.
A lovely crown for the birthday girl from her Aunt Andra
Grandma ordered the cake special from the same baker that made our wedding cake, she also had it made with the same flavors too!
Everyone gathered to sing to Emma her first happy birthday song
Emma wanted to play with the little flame more than wanting to blow it out
At first, Emma wasn't much into eating her cake as she was playing with it
She finally took the dive, but didn't get much in mouth
Emma had fun opening her gifts, she seemed more into it than she was at Christmas. But I still think she prefers to just play in the wrapping paper and ribbon.

After a much needed nap from all the Christmas excitement that morning, Emma had a quick wardrobe change and was ready for more fun. Much of the afternoon and evening was spent wanting to pet Sassy, the family dog. Thank goodness Sassy is such a good dog. Emma did her best to pet nice and be gentle.

Sassy sat on Kevin's (Aunt Andra's boyfriend) lap while Emma enjoyed petting. Kevin and Sassy were both patient with Emma's busy hands.

Donald and Emma also got to enjoy Sassy for a bit before Sassy retreated to Kevin's lap for a much need rest from our busy little girl.

After a wonderful meal prepared by Jean (AKA Grandma) we got to enjoy our Christmas crackers, which was a first for Emma. We had lots of laughs and it was such a wonderful way to end such a wonderful day.

Christmas morning was a real treat watching Emma's eyes light up at the sight of her first car. I found this adorable pink push car at www.babystyle.com


After opening a few gifts at home we got dressed and headed out for Grandma and Grandpa Litzenberg's house. There they had a wonderful rocking Giraffe that drew Emma like a magnet and with in a few moments of getting to the house she was rocking away with a bit of help from her very excited Grandma. Grandpa had seen the rocking giraffe at Nordstrom and knew she would just love it, and he was so right! Every morning since Christmas she has wanted a ride before breakfast.

She was all smiles on her new toy

It was time to get down to business and do some gift giving and boy did Emma have a blast eating up all of Grandma's famous sausage rolls and mini quiches. She loved playing in all the wrapping paper and gift boxes. It wasn't until later that she got excited about all the wonderful toys and gifts her Auntie Andra and Grandma and Grandpa gave her. Boy is she one spoiled little girl. But it just goes to show how truly loved she is.

Can you spot Emma in the picture above??

The night before the night before Christmas Emma's bath was loads of fun. Godfather Michael requested Emma to have a faux hawk. I was quick to see if we could make it look good.

In the end Emma was quite pleased with the outcome.

On Christmas Eve the Chargers were playing so Emma was dressed for the occasion rooting on her and Daddy's favorite team.

After a nap and a bit of a wardrobe change Emma was ready for Christmas Eve Mass and ready to play with her cousins Cynthia and Briana that were visiting from Colorado. They gave her a lovely Madame Alexander Doll to play with.

Cynthia with Emma and her new doll

Emma very interested in her cousin Briana's art work

Emma's first drawing lesson.

A big kiss for Godfather Michael before leaving for Church

Donald, Michael, Emma and I all went together to Christmas eve mass. It was so crowded. We stood in the back and I mean way back of the church with about 200 other people. It was quite magical singing carols and watching all the children playing with each other and making new friends, but we didn't make it to the end. It just was getting way too late for Emma and we knew after about 45 minutes of standing in the back that it would be at the very least another 45 minutes just to get communion. So we left, but were glad we gave it a shot just the same. Going to mass on Sundays is way easier when you have a comfy seat.

We need to do a bit of catch up due to all the Christmas festivities, so for the next couple of days we will go back in time to see what Emma did over the week of Christmas.

Helping mommy wrap the Christmas presents.

Coming for the camera

Grandma and Grandpa arrived the Thursday before Christmas
and it was time to play a bit with Grandpa and his hat

Was having a bit of fun with Emma and my camera a few days ago and thought I would share a few images that make Donald and I smile instantly every time we look at them. They are a bit odd, but really fun images of our little girl.

I caught her in the middle of blowing "raspberries" at me

Here she was crawling up my lap to get a closer look at the camera and how it worked

Just a wonderful profile of those amazing cheeks!