Rain, rain go away....

This Saturday, we got dumped on. I was planning to head out with a friend, when she called to say we were under a tornado warning and a flood watch! At first, I thought it just looked like a little rain...whats the big deal, but several minutes after we decided not to venture out, we looked outside our front door to see that our street had become a river!

This recycling container collected about a foot and a half of water in an hour!

You can see the water creeping up, about to get that car in the driveway!

Ellis, up to his knees in the middle of our street!

Ellis got some great father-daughter bonding time, while we were housebound, waiting to venture out. When we finally did make it out, Ellis surprised me by taking me to buy a jogging stroller, something I said I had wanted.

Following the directions, not one of my talents...

Sunday, was the complete opposite of Saturday's weather. It was sunny and gorgeous, still not too hot. So, we took the stroller out for a run. Emrey seemed to enjoy it. I have accepted that my body is never going to go back to "normal" :), but regardless, it is time to start exercising again. The run was a bit painful for me...but it always is when you haven't been doing anything!

Happy Easter

Happy Easter!!!

We celebrated a soggy, humid Easter here in Houston, but celebrated none the less! Emrey was willing to pose for a few more pictures this morning. We have so many dresses...but this one was given to us just last night by some friends. We really love our church and the community that we have been blessed to know here. We attended church this morning and it's official, Emrey is a girl and LOVES to talk! This week Emrey has started gabbing so much that it's hard to keep her in church with us! Today, she was all smiles, flirting with everyone around, but especially with her buddy Rowan, sitting a few rows back.

Here are a few shots of Emrey in her Easter dress, and working hard with dad at the office and on the lap top.

This was the only smile we could get

Mesmerized by the fan

How do you work this thing?

Emrey and dad, hard a work...

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