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Wordless Wednesday: Picture Postcard Pretty

Favorite Photo Friday

Like A Kid In A Candy Store

Snow Fun!

We finally got outdoors for the first time since the temperature plummeted this past week and we had a little blizzard, with more than a foot of snow. It was still cold when we ventured out, only around 25 or so. Compared to the sub-zero lows we've had this week, it was almost balmy, though, and we're not about to let a little Midwest winter keep us from enjoying outdoor time whenever the weather permits.

First, we bundled up for a little stroller walk to the park so that Sophie Dogge could gallop around. I had Emmerson in her fleece footed PJs, a squall parka from Land's End, snow pants from Land's End, mittens -- and tennis shoes. That's what I get for buying a cheap pair of snow boots from Target. They stink, to say the least. I'll be buying a good pair of boots from Land's End or some other retailer with quality snow boots, pronto. We are open to suggestions!

This is when it's nice to have a Bob Revolution. The ice and snow don't slow us down, and we also have a weather canopy. I also bundled Emmerson up with a down blanket, so she was cozy enough to even enjoy a quick snooze! (She has not been sleeping well for a couple weeks now, thanks both to getting two-year molars and some sort of attachment thing, it seems.)

After our stroller jaunt, Emmerson was set loose, and she loved being outside once again! She even insisted upon swinging.

One Happy Puppy!

Sophie Dogge got to play in the snow today and loved it!













Sophie Dogge also recently got to meet a new friend:

Favorite Photo Friday: Meeting The Jolly Old Elf

Emmerson is one of those toddlers who actually enjoyed meeting Santa!

Variations On The Sit-N-Spin

While at Grandma and Pops' house this week, Emmerson has been learning to master the Sit-N-Spin. (No children, adults or animals got even a minor owie in the filming of these videos.)

Future DWTS Contestant?

I'm pretty sure Emmerson is in practice for Dancing with the Stars (at least I imagine she must be -- I've never actually seen Dancing with the Stars but I've heard about it and DWTS sounds like it might be a good fit). Witness:

Happy National Adoption Day

Today is National Adoption Day! ♥ One year ago at this time, Emmerson was 8 months old and recovering from a GI bug. Two years ago at this time, I was "DTV" -- my dossier had just been sent to Vietnam for an adoption that would never happen. Today, I have a beautiful, amazing daughter thanks to the selfless act of her birth mother! ♥ ♥

Celebration Time

Our friend Sophia is turning the big 2 (!), and we celebrated her birthday in great Princess Tiana style this weekend. For all of the efforts usually made by the parents to get all the kids to hold still for just one little picture, it almost never happens. But on Saturday, a big group of the kids were drawn to the party room doors like moths to the light - and voila, a cute group moment captured by Stacy.

20 Going On 24

We have kissed the teenage months goodbye!



How is it possible that my little baby is now 20 months old? March seems so far away, yet 20 months seems so close to 24 months. Similarly, it seems like Emmerson has been part of my life forever, and yet the last 20 months have flown by.

I don't post many updates anymore, it seems. Mainly cute pictures and videos, with a few wordy posts thrown in when something happens, like the attack of H1N1. Partly that's because I don't have as much to say about adoption. The process of adoption was such a vital part of my life before Emmerson arrived, and even in the months after it was a big part of our lives, but adoption per se is no longer the overarching factor that defines our life or our relationship. (Of course, adoption is going to become a very big part of our life once again!)

It's also partly because we keep our life more private now -- I turn to Facebook more often since I can control things a little more there. And frankly, there's so many gazillions of people posting about the same old trials and tribulations on blogs, Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites these days that it's all just becoming background noise, and I don't feel much like contributing to it. But I do reserve the right to change that 100 percent when we add on our new addition. :-)

So, anyway, back to Miss Emmerson at 20 months. (Just had a flashback: Do any of you remember that old TV series, "James at 15?")

She is a wildly normal toddler!

She doesn't like vegetables but a few nights in a row last week could not get enough sweet corn and practically licked out the serving dish to get every last morsel. At the same time, she stopped eating the broccoli and ranch dressing she had loved. She has always been a greater eater but after getting H1N1, has apparently decided that she will only pick at dinner and instead have a big snack later (such as two whole bananas). She still loves fruit. She must review pieces of food before consuming to make sure they are suitable - they must not be broken or too small, for instance.

She still loves reading. But a few times in the last week, she hasn't wanted to read, so I'm hoping that's not a hint that her passion is fading ever so slightly.

Emmerson loves to get a reaction from people. She will make funny faces to try to get us to laugh. She will look at me before doing something naughty to see if I'm watching, and if I am, she'll do it, but if I'm not, she won't. Just last night as she was eating her snack, she put a magnetic letter in her mouth, and when I told her no, she did it again, with an evil grin. But then I ignored the behavior, and she instantly stopped doing it.

She is talking like mad. Our bedtime routine includes rocking and reviewing our day as music plays. It used to be me doing all the talking. Now I might not be able to get a word in, as Emmerson can talk for 5 or 10 minutes nonstop. She basically repeats all words now and is talking in two- and three-word sentences (that make sense -- she says so much but a lot isn't recognizable). She is singing understandable melodies, is counting and is saying much of the ABCs. The other week, I pointed out the number 7 in our street address and Emmerson continued counting up to 10. It's especially endearing when she says "I love you" or when she gets out of bed and says, "Good morning."

Emmerson is still a really good sleeper. I attribute this largely to consistency and having a good bedtime and naptime routine. I put her down in her bed awake, and while she may stay up and play for a little while, she is happy and content and usually is asleep within 10 minutes (when she is going through developmental stages, it may take an hour, but it's a happy hour!).

She is very impatient! She wants everything now!

She is sassy!

But also sweet, doling out hugs or kisses.

Emmerson loves being outside, daycare, spinning, dancing, running, singing, jumping, Kindermusik, splashing in the dog's water bowl, Yo Gabba Gabba, a family wedding video, Laurie Berkner, throwing her stuffed animals and dolls, knocking over stackables, running away from me, trying to climb into her crib, climbing around in my CR-V, cuddles in the morning, George, grabbing the remote control or computer mouse or my iPhone, her blankets, my stainless steel coffee mug, jumping in her crib, going up and down the stairs, her play kitchen, looking at her teeth and mouth in the mirror, tearing up old magazines, sucking the Aqua Doodle pen until it's dry, climbing on Sophie Dogge, and an exhausting list of other stuff!

Every parent I know considers their child wild and spirited, unstoppable, active and at times crazy and goofy, with a gentle, loving, cuddly side. Emmerson at 20 months is no different -- just a wildly normal toddler.

But soon she's going to be a big sister. And that could change everything!

***

I already have to edit this post, as another blog reminded me of a couple more things.

First, Emmerson recently got little injuries to two fingers on her left hand. She was absolutely fascinated by the smaller owie on her little finger. She constantly examined it and would point it out if asked about her boo-boo. It was a tiny speck but it had her utmost attention!

Second, Emmerson has become a great helper. Things must be in the proper organized state. If I leave the microwave door open for a split second, Emmerson's radar goes off, and she quickly comes over to slam the door closed (and it's on a counter that she can barely reach). She likes putting her plates in the sink, throwing items in the garbage (and it's not always actual trash), putting her books on her bookshelf, wiping down the table and her face and hands, and generally being a good little helper. It's just too bad that she's too young to do the dishes and the laundry, as I'm pretty sure that this little stage will have long since passed by the time she is old enough.

Reading Buddies

This was not staged! Emme, Sophie Dogge and Rudy the Cat just curled up together for some cozy time.

This Could Be Interesting

Favorite Photo Friday