The last weekend being under one.

Emma has been loving walks on our street. She finds so many interesting things down on her level, we meet neighbors and their pets, and she studies her shadow or splashes through puddles. Here she is on Friday:

 I've been meaning to get Emma a small chair that she can sit in, especially for snack time. She likes to make a chair of different things (pillows, her Teddybear, Patrick and I) and I think she'd make use of a seat of her own. 

On Saturday Emma and I walked all the way to the farmers market. That is a long walk for a toddler! We met a dachshund on the way, pointed out starlings and squirrels, and admired lots of balloons. Everyone we passed by enjoyed seeing Emma on our stroll. It's nice that she brings so much joy to others just by toddling by.

Later Saturday we went to a garage sale of some new friends in the neighborhood and found a couple treasures: a toy piano and a hiking carrier. Both are awesome! Emma enjoys this new carrier and Patrick wears her high on his back, where she enjoys seeing over his shoulders. Emma also had the opportunity to play (read: stand) in a sprinkler and play with older children. 

On Sunday morning we spotted a dog wandering our street and with help from a neighbor I was able to catch and leash him. With no tags, returning him home proved to be a big to-do for Emma and I. 

So we borrowed him for a few minutes, got him some water (it has been Hot Hot Hot lately and he was a thirsty pup) then asked around our street if anyone knew this dog and where he lived. We eventually got him back to his own home and went home, dogless. One day he can stay, Emma!

We've been very busy preparing for Emma's first birthday and party on Saturday. Though Emma won't remember this day, we'll have many pictures to show her what a special day it was when she completed her first trip around the sun. As special as she is!

Sweet Baby

 Emma did two new and wonderful things this morning. This first was when I was reading a book to her, Little Teddybear Left Behind. It was at the end of the book when the two children had found the lost Teddybear, and Emma pointed at the children with interest. I explained to her that they were happy to have found Teddy; the little girl gives him a biiig hug. Emma leaned in and kissed the little boy in the picture! She has never given a kiss(so I'm a little jealous of the little boy in the picture). 

This was a very sweet thing to see.

 Icing on the cake: shortly thereafter, Emma found Lambeau hiding in a corner (more on Lambeau to come) and gave him a big hug. She was happy to have found him! She brought Lambeau over to the coffee table where I sat down a couple pieces of her leftover French toast. She picked up a piece and immediately fed it to Lambeau, making a "Nom Nom Nom" sound.

 Heart: melted.

Was she imagining that Lambeau was nibbling on the french toast? I have to believe it was more than just mimicry. She observes everything going on around her, listening, studying, then suddenly unleashes a new ability and it's amazing to catch it.

 I can't wait to see more.

Spoon trial

Summer Fun

I owe a lot more explanation for these pictures because they were all big, exciting moments for us but I haven't got the time right now. Emma's nap is almost up!

 A walk and climbing our stairs for the first time:

Fourth of July at the Bronx Zoo:

Later at Adeline's kiddie pool:

The following day playing in Millie's sandbox. Emma got so sandy! :

Saturday, not holding still for a picture of the outfit CoCo got her:

Sunday playing in her new water table that Patrick has made for her:

Trip to Stepping Stones

 Emma and I took trip to meet friends at a children's museum in Norwalk yesterday morning. I was a little nervous to be taking an hour long drive alone with Emma since she has been fighting restraints and struggling with being in the carseat for long periods of time. It's not a problem when Patrick is in the car because when she begins to get upset I can join her in the back and keep her happy. But what when we are alone? We've had some ugly scenes play out when it was just us two. I even stopped taking Emma for car trips unless Patrick was driving. This started getting better about a month ago after actually practicing riding in the car but an hour's drive would be the longest trip we have tackled. Thankfully Emma dozed off after 15 minutes in the car and I waited for her to wake after we arrived and parked at the museum. It couldn't have been a better drive!

 There was so much to do and see, all sorts of exhibits and brightly painted displays surrounding us. It was a totally new environment for Emma where she could move about and explore with other children of different ages. I think her favorite part of the museum was that she was free to go where she wanted to go. She was so pleased to be walking somewhere new that she passed by a lot of activities. Tot Town is a section of the museum designed with a toddler's size and development in mind and the activities there grabbed her attention. 

"Inspired by the latest research in early childhood development and play, our imaginative space sparks curiosity, fosters early learning and promotes literacy." From the Stepping Stones website. 

 One thing she couldn't resist was the set of stairs in Tot Town. I was surprised that she so confidently approached and scaled the stairs while standing and holding on to the handrail, rather than crawling as she typically does. It was the first time she has walked up stairs and she took on this task with no guidance from Mom. 

After lunch we played on an outdoor playground for a while. Emma almost- but did not follow me through a cage tunnel. Let me be clear that this tunnle was much to small for me to be climbing through. It is a perfect size for Emma and I think she'll get through it next time! It is also a nice frame and I got this picture of little Goo on the other end:

Rollin' through the 'ground in my dino. 

Thinking about going in... 

It was sweet watching Emma at the "Sprayground." Emma hates to get water in her face but it looked like she really wanted to give exploring this spraying structure a try. See how serious she is? When you think of a child at a sprayground you probably envision a big smile and a look of joy. Not yet the case with Emma. This was more of a study, a trial. She so seriously stomped through where the sprayers hardly reached with the lightest spray, looping in circles that always ended at my side. She looked accomplished after looping through half a dozen times. We continued our exploration of the playground, Emma followed a bee from flower to flower, we sat in the shade and caught our breath, then we headed back home. And guess who is a big cutie bug and slept the whole ride home?

             This girl.

We've been busy!

We've been buzz, buzz, busy bees. Exploring different sensations, trips to the park, visits with friends, and getting to know dear friend Catrick better- like which foods he would like to sample. 

Cat does not like Peanut-butter-banana pitas but he does like cheese!

Emma played in a pot of dry rice for a while, testing the different sounds it made falling back into the grains, on the blanket, the floor, or in a Tupperware. She explored the texture and how some grains would stick to her hands after she released the handful. 

I probably should have removed her from the grass shoots but those baby feet on the baby grass look so sweet! And Emma seemed excited about the gentle prickling of grass on her bare feet. With that I knew we needed a trip to the park to run around in the field. 

"Bzzzzzzzzzzz!"

Emma met a Bristly Yellow Bee(there are two in the above photo!), like in her Alphabet sensory book by Matthew Van Fleet. She was very interested in what this bee was up to, humming as it danced along the clovers. 

On Friday we had two mom and baby pairs over for a play date and snacks. The Sweet Potato and Apple muffins were a hit and Catrick even put on his social face and joined the babies for some petting. "Gentle" pets, by baby definition. 

(Recipe found here: http://www.babble.com/best-recipes/sweet-potato-morning-glory-muffins/)

Cat with Emma and Millie

The days are full and flying by, and I can't believe that my little baby will be one year old next month. She's so different than the fragile, helpless little person who came home with us from the hospital. It's been 345 days of getting to know you and watch you grow, Emma, and it has been a pleasure.