Dear Emma

This morning you insisted on wearing one of my old tees... I guess that will happen when we share a dresser. It's much to big on you, it hangs past your knees and the V-neck nearly reaches your belly button but you like the beading and seem pleased to have chosen this outfit yourself. Here you are napping in this shirt with your bunny. 

Thanks for always making me smile, making me stronger, more patient, more brave and even sillier. Thanks for making me a mom, my sweet girl. 

<3, Mama

The Girl Likes Bugs!

Today was filled with 6-legged friends.

-A pair of Oil Beetles

on the side of the road in Depew Park, mating- get a room guys! Kids around here!

-An ant

 on the playground that Emma admired for a while, then tried to get to chase her, and inevitably tried to tickle and squashed. I said Oh No, Emma! We have to be gentle with little bugs! But the big bully clenched her fists in front of her and made a horrifying crushing sound. All the other ants went running! (She didn't mean to squash the ant, she's not a bully. And the ant was just dinged up, I'm sure his buddies came to his aid when the coast was clear. Get off our case PETA) (or PETB) 

-A cricket. 

Mama does not like crickets but this little guy was strolling into our bathroom looking lost. I called Emma over and as soon as she spots it on the floor she plops down onto her belly, practically face to face with this new creature. My brave girl! My hero! We got the cricket into a container with a secure lid that Emma was able to carry outside for the release. 

BLLEUUGH don't need to see that. Wait. He's kind of cute. I don't want to have any fears or aversions to bugs or beasts because Emma will be looking to me for how to respond. That's why we did this catch and release instead of getting the shoe, and I made it clear that the bug wont harm us but belongs outside. 

There is a little character in our daily day. He's got eight legs and is full of mystery. 

Enter, Spider.

A bit of an Elf on the Shelf, we spot Spider here or there, in new corners and even in the bathroom waste bin once- but never in the same place for more than a couple days. We catch him walking across the floor on his way to the next big thing. We wonder what this Spider John is up to and where he goes when we can't find him. 

With an old guitar across his abdomen,

He's here one day then gone again.

With eight worn shoes on his feet,

He rides the wind right down the street.

Long and lanky and so laid-back,

He plays for a fly and then he's gone out the back.

Who's that traveling Spider John? 

Web to web and gone!

(Caspar Babypants - Spider John)

Hey there

We have a lot going on that's pulling my mind and hands away from writing in this blog. Emma is developing new interests and hitting milestones. I'm in the process of marketing my pet services again. My blogging time has been replaced with browsing Pinterest and stashing away craft and DIY ideas for the future. Autumn has brought a whole new line of nature related activities for us to enjoy before the last of the leaves fall and winter takes over. Some of the things that we've been doing have involved collecting leaves for wreaths and garland, spying on squirrels as they nibble on the pumpkins outside our window, and playing Boo! at home or the playground. Emma is very quick now and loves to run while yelling. 

 We still play and learn lots at home using  Emma's farm animal toys. They've been on the shelf since I picked them up from Michael's Crafts and I don't think we've got a single day without bringing them out (we have a toy rotation and switch things out based on Emma's interest and use). Those animals are always up to something new! Base jumping, hide and seek, swimming, piggyback rides.. Watching how Emma's play changes, mimics mine, and takes on shapes of its own is very interesting :) Sometimes she surprises me with how aware she is. I am aware that she is aware but just how much is she keeping track of? I remember putting my hands in a puddle of runoff from a potted plant outside my parent's front door to remove the bulk of dirt from digging around the yard with Emma and that two second action did not go unnoticed. Sure enough she marched to the puddle, placed her hands in the water then rubbed them together. 

We have to be careful, everything we say and do is setting the example for her. How we treat others and ourselves, home, and the environment will be what she knows as normal. I could tell her to pick up her toys, but what about my laundry left on the floor? I've got to follow our rules too!

Anyway! Things I'd like to do soon: 

 Get an area filled with portraits and pictures of the friends and family we see often and not often enough. We have a cluster of photos forming on our fridge but I'd like to arrange it better, neaten it and have a more appealing frames than masking tape. 

 Have a picture of her farm animal figurines taken and paste it to her farm animal bucket.

 Try watercolor paints, other mediums. 

 

15 months and rocking it

Emma at her 15 month appointment, loving their new toy selection in the waiting room. And that Green Toys school bus is on my favorites list, too! Play away, Emma! 

She brought each toy to me to hold when another child entered the room, to keep them away from the competition. Toddler girl does not share.

Emma is nearly 30lbs and 33 inches tall.

Fall fest at muscoot.. She actually had a good time, I promise! 

Bronx Zoo bug carousel in costume with daddy and loving it! (Unlike the last two times we tried the carousel) 

Bundled up at our playground. That hat is from last year, I think she needs a new one!

Digging.

Emma climbs into bench seats and asks for snacks :)

One.

Two.

Three!

Different day different playground 

Walking along the lake ... Love these moments