Here Comes Summer!

Below are some recent pictures of Emrey hanging out in her stroller outside, while I gave Bailey a bath. We have had gorgeous weather for the past week and are trying to take advantage of being outside as much as possible before the heat comes.

It was windy!

Momma and Baby are doing awesome!

I have been truly amazed watching Beck's mothering instincts come alive in such perfect timing over the past few months! She is a such a natural mom and doing wonderful with little Emrey! I love watching the two of them together, they already have such a strong bond. Here are the two of them hanging out after breakfast one morning... There are a couple of beautiful ladies living here, let me tell you! I can't wait to see what other traits continue to show up in that little face and big personality over the coming months and years. In the mean time Emrey continues to be inquisitive and alert when she's happy... and she definitely speaks her mind when she's not :-)

Emrey and mom at 14 weeks

I've been continuing to learn every day about what it means being a dad. I'm continually impressed at how easily she can bring such joy to both of us by simply smiling or using that sweet little voice of hers. I love those moments. I'm really looking forward to seeing what kind of things she likes and dislikes... Learning about her interests... We've got a lot of time to get to know one another now though...

Dad and Emrey discussing plans for the afternoon

Emrey is fascinated by many things, but we've noticed that she has a particular interest in ceiling fans at the moment. It doesn't matter whether they are stationary or in motion. She likes to lie in our bed and watch from below. The large mirror in the bedroom only adds to her fascination and pondering. We've enjoyed watching many double takes back and forth between the fan and its reflected image across the room.

Pondering Ceiling Fans...

There's only one member of the family that hasn't been overjoyed at the addition... You guessed it... Bailey has finally started to get it (we tried to tell her). If pictures are any indication, this is the last picture we've got of Bailey... Coincidentally enough, taken a few days before you-know-who showed up!! I'm convinced though that Bailey and Emrey are going to be best buds before too long though...

She's always playin' reindeer games!

More soon from dad. Thanks for reading :-)

Hooray for Sleep!

As of today, Emrey has slept 12 hours each night for one whole week! Needless to say, we are all very rested and happy! She is also on the verge of rolling over, as you will see below. Although she enjoys sitting in the bumbo seat we got for her, she seems to like the simplicity of watching the fan from our bed and hanging out on her changing table ( where we have in-depth conversations about life). She is making the cutest noises and sounds, but becomes silent the minute I bring out the camera. She is definitely much more inquisitive and curious these days and doesn't seem to miss a beat. I have started signing to her (although it's early), but hopefully she can start to pick up on some of the more repetitive signs. She is such a joy and brightens our days like nothing else.

Emrey can grab things!

This week, Emrey has begun to grab at and actually hold onto toys and objects. I've started placing toys with her in the stroller when we go for walks, and she actually plays with them! In honor of this accomplishment, we have a few short videos detailing this huge developmental milestone! :) She is also going to sleep much better, usually around 7:30/8 and sleeps until 6 or 7 (sometimes still waking up a little earlier).

We love this dress, made with love from Nanna

Thank you for this toy Jenna, Emrey loves it!

Some of her stroller toys

Rodeo!

Joel, Melissa & Blake at the Rodeo

Emrey at the Rodeo. There was a lot to take in!

We've been busy over the last couple weeks. We had the Kings visiting from South Carolina. While they were here we went to the annual Rodeo that takes place in Houston, which is quite an experience! Emrey has been busy, growing and hanging out with her friends (see below), attending the rodeo and celebrating St. Patricks Day. She slept through the night (9-7) for the first time this past week (12 weeks). She is entranced with her hands and loves that she has learned to grasp things with her pincher fingers. She constantly either has her hands in her mouth or is grasping at whatever she can get her hands on.

Hanging out with my friend Rowan

Hanging out with Tommy

Happy St. Patrick's Day
We went to watch Dad play ultimate and then went over to Rowan's house for dinner.

First attempts to ride Bailey

Happy Birthday Emrey

It's hard to believe Emrey is almost 3 months old! Today, we got all dressed up to go out to lunch with some friends. I took advantage of the opportunity to have a mini photo shoot with Emrey and her chair...I think I got a little carried away...



So grown up!

This is fun!

Below are some more recent pictures of Emrey playing in her "baby gym", and generally enjoying life. Although it's starting to warm up down here, we are still getting out for our daily walks (hopefully soon to be runs) and are enjoying the beautiful weather while it lasts.

Cousins!

What a fun week! The two cousins Anna + Emrey had a blast this week... (Well, the parents had a blast watching them anyway). Here I am, with the Monday morning blues :( Betsy's flight got delayed so we got an extra day with Anna and Bets, which was really nice, although, I'm sure Josh and Brian are missing them horribly! We had such a great time together, (both cousins and sisters) and talked a whole lot about how we can live closer together so that times like this happen more than a few times a year. Anna is beautiful, with a contagious smile and HUGE cheeks! She loves to dance and we think Betsy should definitely sign her up for ballet or tap, as her legs are always going! During this week, Emrey learned a lot from her cousin, including finding her hands and sleeping a little bit more! (thank you Anna) Emrey is 8 weeks old and consistently sleeping from 9 or 10 until 5:30am! This, we love and can't wait until she is able to go longer, but for now, we'll take this! Finding her hands has been great, as she often inserts them into her mouth, rather than needing the pacifier. Emrey continues to babble and find new words, cooing and experimenting with her voice, it is adorable! And we could not resist the bows one day...pretty hysterical.

Bathtime

Aunt Sarah and the girls

Don't make too much fun of a new dad's excitement!