Road Trip

We headed down to Milwaukee to visit some friends that had a baby Saturday (5-16).

Emalyn celebrated her first birthday while on our trip. See? Cake. And she ate the frosting very neatly...one fingertipful at a time. That's my girl!! :)

We also went to the Milwaukee Zoo for her birthday. There were a lot of animals there that we don't typically get to see at our zoo...like Giraffes, Elephants, Penguins, Peacocks (free roaming, mind you), and Lions.










See that white blob above my head? That's a polar bear. Zoom in....!

Daddy and Emalyn

Two of our friends, Steve and Miki as we enjoyed the train ride. No baby photos...she was only a week old, and I know I didn't want any photos taken of me! She was very beautiful....proque ella es puertoriquena/columbian. Pienso que todos ninos hispanica son bellas!

It was so good to see you all! Looking forward to another visit in MN or WI soon!

Obsessed

Really. I am 100% obsessed with photographs. Like, I want my baby girl captured in every moment of her adorable little life. I did get a series of shots, as most people do now days, starting from maternity, then newborn, and every three months after that. They're all digital, and I just keep trying to figure out where I can put them all--I don't have enough wall spacel....and I love them all so much.

LOOK:

This was Sunday, 5/17.

I think photographs are my trigger to my memories. I mean obviously, the photo captured the memory-but the photos bring me back there. The details get pulled out from amongst the boring everyday schedule and duties that float endlessly in my mind.

I am sure you can relate...you know, smells do the same thing ....here's one "smelly memory" for me: Country Apple lotion from Bath and Body Works. Ready?

Tenth grade, super warm evening, riding home on the yellow school bus from a track meet. The sun is setting, wind blowing through all the windows whipping about 75 girls hair around, and we're all singing at the top of our lungs, "No Woman No Cry." Or my favorite, "Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be, singing words of wisdom...." My coach just yelled at us to sit down and quit standing up otherwise he would have to come sit with us.

I just smiled.

Really!
Such a good memory.

But these shots? Another great memory; such a beautiful day. Just beautiful.

And Emalyn is ONE. (well in two days, but that's close enough!)

Check it:

MOST INPORTANT INFO that I neglected to mention....these wonderful snapshots were taken by a friend, Kim. Her website: www.kimberlywilliamsphotograpy.com
THANKS AGAIN KIM, I love what I have gotten so far!

A Visitor

My brother (who lives in MA) came to visit while attending a seminar for his job. It took almost a week before Emalyn would warm up to him...even here you can tell, she's not convinced she is happy with the current situation!

The GS

Behold.

The Green Smoothie.

I have been reading about this smoothie for a week or so and am convinced of the nutritional benefits. However, the look of it, and having never tasted it before, caused me to not be so eager to make the attempt to try it.

But I did.

And it wasn't bad. Really.

This specific recipe consists of loads of baby spinach, pear juice (in lieu of pear fruit) and 1/2 an apple. The taste of the spinach basically disappeared. And I drank a good lot of it. I am waiting to feel like I have a boost of energy...maybe that actually occurs after a week of this.

I better go buy some more spinach.

Park Fun

I had a follow up meeting at the home of the Chairpersons for the Alzheimer's Gala that I have posted about before....

Cameron and Emmy got to go to the park. And swing. Swinging was my favorite park activity....so needless to say I'm jealous. I am jealous I didn't get to go.

But he took some cute photos, and I felt like I was there.

Maybe we'll go again this weekend....and I'll get to swing too.

In honor of Mother's Day

Thanks to a new friend I've made via blogging, I have been tagged to name my top 5 things I love about being a mother. I have always thought about what I have liked best or have learned most since Emalyn was born....and every time I give up thinking about it because I never seem to articulate it well enough, or clear enough. Due to this "challenge" I will make my very best attempt!

1) I love how I can see characteristics of myself, and my husband, in Emalyn. I have always had a pretty negative view of myself from the continual comments from others that I am "____" (You can fill it in with any of the following: moody, feisty, tempermental, mouthy, etc.) While I definitely do not deny that I can be any of these things (who isn't at times?), people don't always come out and say-friendly, contemplative, a quick-study, thoughtful, etc.
Thank you Emalyn for building my self-esteem in ways I never knew you would/could.

2) I love knowing that God planned for us to be mother and daughter. My friend, Heidi, spoke at my church baby shower and said, "[God] chose you as the perfect mom for this little one." Of course, with help from my crazy preggo hormones-I lost it. I cannot fathom that she and I were made for each other. And I'm only just starting to get to know my little girl. She is so strong, so determined, so intentional. And I will have the rest of my life to get to know her even better.

3) I love being part of the club. The motherhood club. We may all do it differently and sometimes judge each other for doing so, but somehow, we're all doing it. Good for us.

4) I love coming home to my husband and Emalyn-my little family. She ALWAYS smiles and laughs when she sees me...EVERYDAY. Okay, so I am sure this will end. But, this is motherhood for me NOW. And if I write it down, that means I will remember it clearer later. I really, really don't want to forget.

5) I love our intimate moments. When we used to nurse...when Emmy leans her forehead against mine and leaves it there for a while... or she wraps her little arm around my neck and squeezes...when she falls alseep on my chest. There's nothing like it.


Where the time went, I'll never know.

Homemade Food

Spinach....MMMMMMmmmmm!! (There's some Cheerios and cottage cheese in there too, if you decide to check out the highchair tray.)

Sexy Legs!!

In honor of FINALLY being able to wear a skirt and a dress to school without tights or leggings (5-6 & 5-7). WOO-HOO!!

Progressively Moving Closer...to the Grass

Now that the weather isn't 30 BELOW ZERO anymore (windchill, of course), we can venture outside and actually enjoy the sun, breeze, plants and just not being cooped up inside anymore! Emalyn has progressed to touching the grass...sometimes pulling it out, but touching none the less.

We'll see how her 1 year old photos go as she is scheduled to have those 5/17 outside in our yard...I wonder if she will let us actually place her in the grass!??! I will be sure I will post that and let you know!

New Digs

Little blurry and no smiling face, but I had to show off Emalyn's new adorable tights and red patent shoes. Gymboree had a GREAT deal on these items and they fit Emalyn perfectly. We were on our way to church and it is still a little chilly outside. Especially in the morning. The tights are perfect for right now!