October 1, 2008

It was a cool and breezy morning as we sat outside on the patio of our favorite local diner. My belly was full, literally. Pancakes, eggs, sausage, a mocha/vanilla ice blended, and a nearly ten pound baby boy. It was our last meal together as a childless couple, and we couldn't be more excited. We finished our food, and headed to the hospital for my 9am induction. As we drove, we talked about the events to come with anticipation and excitement. James snapped one last picture of my belly before we entered the hospital, and 34 exhilerating hours later Emerick was born!

|Goldilocks|

Emerick has never been mistaken for a girl by a stranger, until last week.

We were grocery shopping and not one, not two, but three people referred to Emerick as a SHE.

I guess it is his new golden locks of hair.

It sure is tough being beautiful.

|yuckies|

You probably wouldn't guess that this is a sick baby boy.

Poor guy doesn't feel well, and neither do I. I have body aches and a sore throat, and Emerick has a stuffy runny nose, low fever, and is just cranky. Last night he was up every hour, so we are all very tired tonight. I am loading up on DayQuil/NyQuil, but there is not much I can do for Emerick because he is too little for any cold medicines. Tonight he had a vapor bath, followed by Vicks's Baby Rub on his chest, and Infants Tylenol. It seemed to do the trick, as he is snoozing away in his room. I am hopeful for a good nights rest.

|boys like trucks|

Emerick got this little truck in his goodie bag from cousin Jake's birthday party a couple of months ago, and it quickly became his favorite toy. He has several little cars, but this truck is his favorite. He loves to push it around the house, carry it with him in the car, take it to Grammy's house, I am sure he would sleep with it if we let him. He drives his truck on the walls, in the windowsills, he takes it with him when I change his diaper, he gets mad when I take his truck away from him. It is precious having a little tiny man in the house.

Sadly, Emerick has pushed his truck around so much that it cut his little knuckle from the way he pushes it, and it made him bleed. We are going to have to hide the truck for a few days while his boo boo heals :(

|elmo|

Today as I fed Emerick his lunch, I pointed to his bib and said "that's Elmo" A few minuted later I asked him "where is Elmo?" to which he responded by pointing to Elmo on his bib. I asked him this a couple more times during his lunch, and he responded by pointing to Elmo on his bib. Then, after lunch I wanted to see if he was actually identifing Elmo, or just his bib. So I lined up some of his toys including Elmo, and asked him again where Elmo was. He reponded by pointing to the Elmo doll.

Smart boy.

|11 months|

It is hard to believe that he is already almost ONE! He has changed so much, and he continues to grow and change with each passing day. He is mimicking us now, and learning something new every day.

At eleven months old Emerick is 25 1/2 pounds & about 30 inches. He is wearing size 12 month clothing, and size 3 diapers. He drinks about (4) 6-8 oz. bottles of formula per day, and we are about to switch him over to Vitamin D milk per the Pediatricians recommendation. He still eats just about anything we offer and enjoys big people food, along with stage 3 jar food. His favorite snack is Gerber Lil' Crunchies. He has 6 adorable teeth. (2 bottom, 4 top) His hair is getting very long and full (not to mention blond) and he is starting to get precious little curls at the bottom, which can be seen in the photo below.

Emerick has the most adorable little double handed wave I have ever seen, he waves towards his face, not towards the person he is waving to! He is obsessed with lights and ceiling fans, and will point to the overhead lights when asked "where are the lights?" He is still a dancing machine, and loves music. He does his own version of blowing kisses when asked to, but he can't quite figure out how to clap! He walks along the furniture, but has yet to build up the confidence to take those first steps.

Happy 11 months Emerick! We cant wait to celebrate your first year at your birthday party :)

(we used this photo in color for his birthday invitation, which most of you have probably already received.)

|survey|

I think I am supposed to link up somehow to others blogs who have filled out this same survey, but I cannot figure out how! Maybe Rose can help me? I stole this from her! Since I am bored, I just thought it would be fun and different to do a survey about me.

1. Do you cook every night?
Just about. Unless we go out. Or the occasional night we just have a sandwich or leftovers.

2. What kind of laundry detergent do you use & why?
I usually buy anything free & clear because I like it.

3. Do you do laundry every day or loads at a time?
I try to keep up everyday, but there are definitely times that I lag for a few days.

4. How often do you eat out per week?
Usually once per week, and usually with my parents when my Dad is in Maryland. He is in Maryland Wednesday nights, and weekends while he is working in Pennsylvania.

5. Where do you usually eat out?
We usually try a new place. We like Du Claws Brewery lately.

6. What is your favorite retail store?
I am a big Target Junkie and now that they carry Paul Frank baby clothing, I am even more obsessed. I am at Target once per week, at the very least.

7. What's your favorite thing to drink?
Vanilla Freeze from our local coffee shop. It is an addiction I need to give up because $3.71 per day really adds up. :(

8. Do you take vitamins? What kind?
Prenatals

9. What percentage of the household chores do you do?
99.9 %, since I am a stay at home Mom! I can't complain.

10. Do your children do chores? {Or will they, did they, etc}
Emerick is still too young, but He will absolutely have chores when he is of an appropriate age.

11. Do you go to church?
No. We do plan to join a church though.

12. Do you have a housework schedule?
Not really. I just do things that need to be done on a daily basis.

13. Do you keep a working budget?
Not on paper.

14. What do you do at night as a family?
We have dinner together as a family. James usually plays with Emerick after dinner. Occasionally we go out for ice cream, or a walk. I bathe Emerick and put him to bed around 8-8:30. Once Emerick is in bed, James and I will watch a movie or something.

15. How do you prepare yourself for a new week?
Not much preparation there!

16. What do your mornings look like?
James gets up and ready for work. He usually sets Emerick up to watch some cartoons or Baby Einstein while I wake up (about a 20 min. process!) When I'm up I change Emerick, feed him breakfast, dress him. Do daily chores. Eat my breakfast, shower, get dressed. Then we usually run errands, or go somewhere for the day.

17. What time do you get up in the mornings?
7:30-8:00

18. What time do you go to bed at night?
11 ish

19. How do you manage all of the paperwork that floods into your household? {bills, school work, magazines, ads, etc}
bills go in the bill organizer, ads get trashed, magazines get put in the magazine rack.

20. How do you keep your household organized? {calendars, charts, etc}
I am naturally a very organized person, it is really more like OCD. I do not rely on any charts to stay organized. I do have a planner that I carry in the diaper bag that I use for Doctor appointments, photo shoots, and other important dates.

|breaking my video marathon...|

...with some photos from this month!

Emerick hates being confined to a playpen, but has no problem being confined to a corner of the living room with his toys.

Baths are cool.

He dressed up as a sock monkey, for an August costume party with his cousins.

The boy does not like to be interuppted from playing to take a photo with Daddy.

Sometimes he lets me know that I have taken enough photos.

|cabinets|

he could do this for hours, it is quite fascinating you know.

|giggle|

|dance dance|

here is a video of emerick's new dance move, that arm thing he is doing! he lovves to dance!

|early morning scout|

I took Emerick out this morning to check out a location for future photo shoots. Of course, he had to act as my subject to test the morning light, etc. He was not too thrilled about it since it was his nap time. But, I loved the location and I will be taking future photography clients there!

Thanks for helping Mama, baby boy!

|side burns|

|spaghetti|

at emerick's 9 month well visit, his pediatrician gave us the okay to feed him most adult table foods, excluding the obvious. he still eats mostly organic, and a very healthy diet. he is really plumping up and i love all of his rolls and cellulite, i wish that was all cute on me too! here are some pics of emerick having his dinner last night, spaghetti made with brown rice pasta, MmMmMm....

|one is so much fun!|

emerick's first birthday is less than 2 months away, and for me it is bittersweet. he is growing much too fast, and although i am sad at times that he will not be a baby for much longer, i am excited about our next year with him. watching him learn and grow, hearing him talk. there is so much to look forward to.

i have started planning his birthday, a sock monkey party! let's face it, first birthday parties are all about the adults, babies have no idea what is up! james and i love sock monkeys (who doesn't?!) so it seemed appropriate. the only problem is, you can't buy sock monkey party supplies at the stores. i am not complaining, i love to find handmade things, and to hand make things myself. here is a little sneak peek at his party theme, i am going to make a "happy birthday" banner with these papers that i bought online. i will also make table runners using matching fabric that i found.

|bye-bye infant|

Emerick is currently weighing in at nearly 25 pounds, and although his infant seat can fit a baby up to 32 pounds, it was just too heavy for me to lift in and out of the car anymore. So today Daddy installed his big boy car seat. He is now riding in style in his new Cow-Moo-flauge seat. Bye-Bye infant, hello toddler.

(thanks aunt d for the new carseat!)

|sweet slumber|

Emerick has become very independent lately. He rarely wants to be held, and when he does it is only for a second. I am lucky if I get one quick hug from him a day. He is too busy pushing toys, or any object around like it is a car, and exploring his surroundings. Every night when he is fast asleep, I sneak into his bedroom and pick him up out of his crib for some cuddles. There is nothing like a sleeping baby.

|farm fair|

today we went to the harford county farm fair. emerick had his face painted, got to meet a cow and a goat for the first time, and even got his hand licked by the cow - which he thought was hilarious! We also watched the dock dogs jump into the pool, and the pig races. We only took a couple of photos though, so here they are. :)

|fangs|

Emericks upper "fang" teeth are both coming in! As long as the top 4 front teeth don't come in soon, he will look like a baby vampire. Do any casting directors for 'Breaking Dawn' read my blog? I wish! He would make a really pretty Renesmee. ;)

(click on the image to view larger)