Date with Dad!

Emrey got to go on a date with her dad this weekend, while I was working on saturday. Emrey is very interested in planes these days, so Ellis took her to the Johnson Space Center visitors area, which has a lot to see! According to Ellis, Emrey was very impressed by the "biiiiiig airplane" ( a replication of the space shuttle). She also loved climbing in the play area and playing in the ball pit. I'm looking forward to heading back there with them soon, but I'm glad they got some time to hang out together without me!

Austin

Last weekend we took a very spontaneous, very last minute trip to Austin to visit our friends Laura and Kyle. It turns out the summer is a slow time for mental health counseling...and so we took my lack of clients and went on the road for a quick visit. Austin is supposed to be a little bit of a "drier heat" than Houston...I don't believe it! We still had fun, driving around trying to get Emrey to sleep :) swimming in Barton Springs and of course eating BBQ. Before we left, they brought us to a fun store that was very Texas. Emrey really enjoyed trying on all the western wear and didn't want to take the boots off when we left!

I'll take this opportunity to mention just a few developmental notes...Emrey turns 19 months this week. She is talking a ton! Almost too much! No, she has a sweet little babble going on at ALL times! She is really enjoying using all the new words she learns every day "thunder, rain, walk, up-n-down, Emrey's home, big truck, choo-choo, etc". Sometimes I wish she didn't talk quite as much :) but am so glad that she is developing right on time and using all those skills! She has a total of 5 teeth and I think a few more on the way. She LOVES Bailey, chasing after her, feeding her, taking her for walks, and giving her "uggs" (hugs). Sometimes, I think Bailey would prefer if Emrey had a little less energy! We have been swimming a ton this summer, both at our community pool as well as a fun pool/beach down in Galveston. Emrey loves to kick, splash and jump off the side, but does not enjoy putting her head under or going very deep into the water for any length of time. I signed her up for swim lessons at the beginning of the summer, and decided to put it off for a bit...and just let her enjoy being in the water without too much structure, she's only 1.5!! Ok, that's it for now.

Saltlick's BBQ

Fourth of July

The Hollo Clan

Here are a few shots from our great family reunion/celebration in Alton Bay New Hampshire, over the fourth of July. It was momentous having all four Hollo "kids" there at the same time, not to mention the seven grandchildren. We had a blast, boating, swimming, and camping.. This year was Emrey's first time seeing fireworks and we weren't sure whether she would enjoy it or be frightened. Well, after getting over her nervousness during the first few minutes, she loved it! For days later, she would interrupt us talking or reading to her just to say "orange, purple, boom, boom"! It had a lasting impression on her :) She also had a great time with all her cousins, but especially cousin Anna, who is doing all the same things Emrey is!

swimming with Nanna

getting morning "treats" with Pappo

chilling with Aunt Sarah...what a good sport she was.

camping on Loon Island

Baby #2 is on the way!!!

We have known for some time now, but I have not been feeling well, and therefore, not doing a whole lot of anything extra (including bloging). But, we realized it was time to let everyone know that we are expecting baby #2 in late November! We are thrilled and a little nervous, of course. We are feeling so blessed to have gotten pregnant again and realize it doesn't happen that easy for everyone. Emrey is pretty clueless at this point and is only interested in seeing my belly button, but doesn't have the patience to listen to anything about a baby being in there :) Here are a few shots from our most recent ultrasound, where the baby was measuring 14 weeks/2 days. It was amazing to see the detail on each of his/her fingers (all ten of them) and sucking on his/her thumb! It's so clear this little one is formed and developed...a little person already!

Spring is here!

It has been way too long since I last updated the blog. Probably because the weather has been gorgeous and we have been spending as much time as possible outside before it gets sweltering down here. We've also been in the process of revamping our kitchen which has kept up busy! One of Emrey's favorite activities these days is going to the park, so we've spent a lot of time there....on the slide, the swings and generally getting dirty in the rocks and sand. Emrey is mesmerized by other kids, no matter the age, and toddles around after them wherever they go. Emrey had another horrible allergic reaction to a medication she was on and had a BAD rash for a few days. She has since healed and is stronger than ever! Other than that, we've all been in good health and feeling really blessed for all we have to be thankful for. Here are a few photos of Emrey & Company...

Going for a ride with Dad.

With Aunt "Ted"

Big Sky, Montana

Well, we just returned from an amazing trip to Big Sky, Montana. Ellis worked very hard to write a paper for the IEEE conference. Emrey and I just got to tag along. There were many highlights to the week, including AMAZING skiing, show-shoeing, sledding, and hot tubbing! But, the highlight of the week, by far, was Emrey walking! It happened friday night, when we were all hanging out by the fire...she just started going...and never looked back, she rounded the corner of a chair and disappeared! Since then, she has just gotten better and definitely does not want to go back to crawling! She looks as if she's had a bit too much to drink when she walks,swaying from one side to the other, trying to get her balance. She is adorable and doing such an amazing job, I am sooo proud of her!

Preparing to snowshoe, probably overdressed a bit!

Marshmallow sliding

Sledding with our friend Blake

Every time we walked by this bear, Emrey yelled, "Bear...Rooarhh"!

Close to Walking

Little Miss Emrey is on the verge of Walking... We're able to walk around with her holding on to one finger. She is getting more confident on her feet every day. Occasionally she will be standing holding onto a piece of furniture or a walker toy and get momentarily distracted and go hands free. Just this past weekend we got reports of her taking two steps from one piece of furniture to the next... but both of us were out of the room (of course!)

Here we are in the park around the corner from our house. She's working hard here focusing on each step!

And of course... she is still obsessed with Elmo! (She's constantly saying "Elmo! Elmo! Elmo!")


We will be waiting and watching for those first steps soon...