Little Mommy

I know that I've been posting a lot lately and that's probably taking some of you by surprise. I guess sometimes, I just get in the mood. Anyway, I just had to post these becuase it was too cute! Emma has her baby, a little cabage patch that she always carries around naked (I don't know why, none of her babies can wear clothes) and she feeds her all the time with the little bottle that came with her. Well, this evening, Emma found herself this empty milk jug by the garbage and took it into her room. When we peeked in on her, she was unscrewing the bottle (well, pretending to), filling it with milk, screwing the top back on, and then feeding her baby with it. She was concentrating so hard and was trying to be so carefull. It was the sweetest thing ever! So, enjoy the pics of our 'little mommy'!


You can't see here but she's got the bottle in her other hand.


I don't know if she'll be quite so helpful when little sister arrives, but we can hope!

Once there was a snowman...

Timothy has been putting in some long hours at work this week, and considering that he usually works 5am-4pm, that's really saying something. So on Friday, we were pleasantly surprised when he came home for the day around 11:30am. After some lunch and a nap time for everyone (except me...) Timothy wanted to build a snowman with Emma. One of her favorite songs is, 'Once there was a snowman' (you know, with the actions and the snowman melts), but I don't think she's ever seen one before. Anyway, I did some painting while they were outside but snuck out a couple of times to take some pictures of the progress. Timothy said that while he was rolling the balls, Emma was walking behind him grunting like she was really working hard. Here they are, rolling the first ball.

I thought that this was really cute. I didn't see Emma really helping too much. When I looked out, she was eating a snowball. But, Timothy assures me she was a big help, and it was obvious she had a ton of fun.


Here's the finished product, they're really proud of their accomplishments!

And Emma goes in for a kiss! We love you snowman!!

Thanks for the fun outside Dada!

She's quite a swimmer!

Emma had her last swimming lesson on Saturday, I think it is something we will miss. We'll have to go back as much as we can so she doesn't forget what she's learned. She really made some great progress over the course of the class. She can actually swim! I have a video of it but I don't know how to post movies. Any help would be appreciated. Anyway, here's a couple of pictures of her last class.

Here she is, ready to get in the pool.


Here, she has to sit on the steps, water to her chest, and reach for toys under the water. This helps her get used to putting her face underwater. She doesn't really enjoy that though and cheats all the time by just reaching down and turning her head to the ceiling. I look dumb because I'm counting. We always count to three before she puts her face under, so she knows it's coming.


This doesn't really show it very well but she kicks her feet and splashes her hands to move. I am holding her up though. She doesn't swim by herself on top of the water, just under. Basically, you have to let go and it's kinda a sink or swim mentality. Literally. But, she does great, kicking her little legs to get her head up.
Anyway, it was a really fun class and recommend it to everyone. The class here started at six months. I say, start them as early as you can because its harder when they get older!

He's a travelin' man

Well, Timothy spent the last week gettin' some learnin' in Pittsburgh for work. It was very sad for us to be apart and Emma really missed her Dada but we are glad to have him home now. I went home for the week so as not to be so lonely and was able to go to Shelby's wedding (my best friend from home). Anyway, here are some pictures of Timothy's travels. He was able to go downtown one day and do some sight-seeing. Oh yah, read the previous post because its new today too!

Here's my handsome man posing by a parking meter. And a gas station. Niiiice. Just kidding. I think the point is to see downtown. (We're 'downtown' deprived here. Oh how I would love to be in a real city again...*sigh*)

Timothy said that you drive through a really long tunnel and when you come out, downtown is right in your face. I don't know if this is a picture coming out of the tunnel or what but I thought it very pretty. I like bridges. As long as they don't sway. Or collapse.

I miss anything with any sense of design or architecture. (No offense, Montana.) But I really like this picture. I hope that its an apartment building. I would live there. As long as I could be on that corner.

Ahhh, buildings! I think the tallest building in our downtown is like, three stories. What I wouldn't give for a skyline! Anyway, Timothy learned lots and is home now and we are happy!! He says he has another training course that he's supposed to go to but he can choose between Pittsburgh and Phoenix. I say, if he goes to Phoenix, we'll be going with him! I would love some sun right about now! There's like, a foot of snow outside and it's been coming down all day. Hey, at least it's not 15 feet!!

IT'S TWINS!!!!

Just kidding! Ha!! I have started to get complaints about the lack of posts coming from our house but, I have nothing to really report so, I had to dig out some pictures from somewhere so that some of you would stop harassing me! Here's a nice tummy shot of Jen and me taken Jan. 19, so we're both a little bigger now. Notice that I seem to be carrying much higher than she is...why is that? Anyway, for those of you who don't know, these cousins will be born about two months apart. So, that's exciting. I'll have to get Timothy to take another picture when he's home because I seem to have, um... blossomed within the last month.

Anyway, I just thought that this was really funny. I went in the kitchen a few weeks ago and poor Wicket had eaten all of his food and drank all of his water and pulled the dishes out around himself. His little head was so low on the floor and sad!! It was so cute! But as soon as I got the camera, he looked at me. Oh well. Just picture the most pathetic looking dog around...that was him.

And now for my cutest ever baby girl! She loves to help in the kitchen and always pulls her chair to the counter whenever I start to do anything! I just thought that she looked so grown-up so I had to take a picture. She's wearing the apron that I made her for Christmas (yes, I made it all by myself, without a pattern!). She doesn't really get it yet but she sure looks good in it! Anyway, we were making cookies for the young women in my class. Emma loves to eat the dough. It really gets very messy. Speaking of her being grown-up, Emma is offically 18 months old (as of last Friday) and went to nursery for the full two hours yesterday! She was only without a parent for like, 40min. but at least we're getting there! I can't believe how big she is and how much she learns everyday! I have to start watching myself more. The other day she had taken off her diaper (she wouldn't let me put pants on her) and she walked into her bedroom where Timothy was. Timothy was a little surprised to see naked buns and said, "What the?!" and started to laugh. Emma smiled and said "what the?" and laughed too. So now, she walks around saying 'what the' all the time. Hey, at least it didn't end with a swear! We better start watching our mouths more!

Little Fish

Timothy has been wanting to get Emma into swimming lessons for a while now and, we finally did it! We had our first class today. It was really nice because we could both get in the pool with her (spoiled brat). We needed the tag team because the little monkey would not let go of me. It took her about ten minutes to stop crying and by the end, she was loving it! We sang some songs and learned to blow bubbles (Emma didn't quite get her mouth in the water, but she has the right idea), and we kicked and splashed our hands and chased some toys. It was fun and really neat to see Emma react to it all. They had a little slide that went into the water too and that was probably her favorite part. She loved going down that. All in all, it turned out well and I think when we go back next week, it may only take her five minutes to stop crying. Anyway, here's some pictures of swimming and some of just hanging out.

The Winds of Change

So, we came home from church last Sunday (the 7th), and discovered that the winds of change were indeed blowing. Very strongly. I sat down to take off Emma's shoes and coat and looked out our front window. A branch the size of a tree from our neighbor's yard and been broken off by the gale-force winds and had landed on our fence, flattening it. People complain about the wind here and when some find out where we live, they ask how the wind is. We always thought people were exaggerating or something. But these last few weeks have changed my opinion. The wind keeps me awake at night and sometimes wakes up Emma. And now, the 'branch'. The pictures just do not do it justice! Fortunately, the fence was chain link, which is fairly bendable, and our neighbor works for the city's forestry division or something. I think we were his first job Monday morning. Anyway, enjoy the pics, I'll start another post.
Oh yah, I almost forgot, we had an ultrasound on the 3rd. They said that everything is looking good, all the parts are there and that we will stick with our due date of May 29th. They also said that we should be preparing ourselves for a baby sister. Any ideas for names? We're taking suggestions!

A Belated New Years

Well, mostly because I'm lazy, I haven't posted anything in a long while. I guess it's about time. I have a lot to update you on, so I'll have to do it in a couple of different posts, so that it makes sense. Anyway, Grandma Allred came up for the weekend for New Years. We had fun, I don't know if you would say tons of fun (who puts Grandma to work when she comes for a visit?), but fun. We wanted to get some painting done (we've lived here for 8 months and figured its time to make this house our own), so, we put Grandma to work. Emma did some painting too, as you can see in a picture. I striped one wall in her room and she really wanted to help out. Fortunately, the paint was dry. Grandma also brought Emma another Christmas present, her baby. We were amazed at Emma's mothering instincts...she immediately fed and then burped her little bundle of joy. And we had to take her to church because, well, you can't leave a child that young at home alone! Emma would not let her out of her sight all weekend. She is still fascinated with her baby and as long as I tuck baby into bed before Emma, things are alright. This makes me nervous to see how she handles the real baby...she's a very attentive little mother but, a little bit violent. Oh yes, and, the baby is not allowed to wear her clothes, or diaper. So, we'll see how things go in a couple of months here. Anyway, here's some pictures. I'll get started on another post.

'Tis the season to be jolly!!!

Merry Christmas! I am a little sad to say that there will not be any Christmas pictures with this post. You see, I am a list person. I wrote everything that I needed to pack on a list. And then I packed those things. I did not add camera to my list. So, just like last year, we have no pictures of Christmas. I can't believe that I missed taking pictures of Emma's first Christmas and her second!! Well, even though I have no evidence, we had an awesome little vacation in Alberta! Yeah!!! First time I've been home for Christmas in three years!!! Timothy did not get any time off from work because he works for FedEx and, as you know, the holidays are a little bit busy for those in the shipping business. So, we took off Friday afternoon. Saturday we were able to sneak in a temple session - I highly recommend that for Christmas next year, it really helped put everything in perspective and erase the commercial-ness that Christmas has become - then we went to Jen and Jeff's in Lethbridge. We opened some presents there, mostly the kids, and then moved the party to my Grandparents (my Mom's parents), also in Lethbridge. It was really nice to be with them and see my cousins. Sunday we went to church in Hillspring with my parents. The ward did a really nice sacrament meeting and it was a good note to start the Christmas Eve celebrations on. We spent the afternoon/evening/night eating and playing games at my aunt and uncle's house. My cousin Tracy and her five kids were there, Emma loved it! We did Christmas morning at Mom and Dads, it was very nice, Emma even opened her own presents, although she liked to play with the packaging from grandma's more! Then we went back to my aunt and uncle's for more food. Aunt Connie put on an amazing spread. We had a 31.9 lb turkey. It was delicious!! Unfortunately, we had to eat and run because Timothy worked today (boxing day...I think this country needs to convert to the 'right' way of observing holidays). All in all, it was tons of fun and so nice to be home! Thanks Mom and Dad for taking us in and showing us a good time! We hope that all of you enjoyed your holiday too!
Anyway, I know that Grandma Allred will not be happy without at least some pictures, so here's a few recent ones of Emma being a goof and just living life. I think her Daddy is her most favorite person in the whole wide world! If he's here, she doesn't leave him alone. They love to play!!!

A Too Late Update

Well, it has been so long since I posted anything, I figured we could use an update. Plus, I promised pictures of my newly recovered sofa, and finally took some tonight. However, I forgot to take 'before' pics, so, here's the pillow, at least you can see what the fabric looked like.














And, my sofa after! I absolutely love it!! The chocolate fabric has a really nice texture and we took the skirt off. I haven't finished the other pillow, because I'm lazy, but I have really good intentions. So, anyway, thanks Mom for coming down and letting me watch you work! You did a beautiful job! And thanks Linda for giving us the sofa! It's so much more comfortable than our old one!
Now, onto other things, last weekend, we went to Lolo to visit Linda for her birthday and Christmas, since we won't be seeing her then. It was a good trip and Emma loved seeing her Grandma. There was a little bit of snow that Emma loved playing in. Thanks for the great weekend Mom Allred!


















And another update, for those of you who are wondering, I am now 15 weeks along and *eeep!* not fitting into my clothes. This is coming on a little bit earlier than last time! I nearly cried when even my 'fat' pants couldn't do up...and now my hair elastic is even making the pants too small when I sit down. Heaven forbid I move into maternity clothes so early! Anyway, we're feeling good most days. Emma doesn't quite get it just yet, she just walks away when I tell her about the baby in my tummy. I think this spoiled little girl is in for a pretty rude awakening!!!

Big Girl!!!

I am constantly amazed at how fast Emma is growing up! She is becoming such a big girl! She is already potty trained, learning to drive, doing advanced calculus...well, that may be a slight exaggeration, but she is learning and growing sooo fast! She doesn't like to sit in her high chair a lot anymore, she'd rather be sitting at the table, and if you're not careful, she will take your seat while you're not looking! This picture was taken before dinner, but after I had set the table.
She sees the dishes come out, and runs for a chair. The last one at the table has to sit in the high chair!
My Mom was down last week for my birthday and to help with a 'little' project (pictures to come). Anyway, one day, my Mom was making biscuits for dinner and she had a little more help than she knew what to do with. I hope that you can see the flour on the floor!
Here's a shot of Emma in her cool sunglasses. They're kinda falling off but she likes to wear them around and have everyone tell her how cute she looks. We were trying to get her to give a thumbs up but she only managed the fist.

What a ham!

Well, last night before bed, Emma brought me her snow boots, and wanted to wear them. So, I put them on for her. Then, she brought me Wicket's little coat-thing (yes, my dog has a coat. It's cold here and he just got a hair cut. You wanna go outside naked? I didn't think so.) so I put that on for her, like a cape. She ran around like that for about half an hour. I have no idea where she gets her sense of style...anyway....She has also started smiling, uh, oddly. Once again, I don't know where she picked this up... anyone reminded of me 15 years ago? Um, yah. I didn't think a smile would be genetic but every time we pull out the camera, she smiles big. Like mother like daughter!

Little Angel

Emma really enjoyed Halloween this year. As you can see, she was an angel (Grandma Allred thought that wasn't really a costume for Emma!), and really liked her costume. As soon as we put it on her, she started posing for pictures! She's a vain little thing! Anyway, it was freezing cold here so we just took her to a couple of houses on our block, some neighbors who know Emma (and us). She was a little bit scared at one house that was fully decorated, complete with strobe light, but to be honest, I was too. She didn't get any candy (we wouldn't let her eat it, we don't like to give her a lot of unnecessary sugar) but she got plenty of complements! We had about 25 kids (and teenagers, and parents who claimed to be collecting for sick kids) come to our house. I had prepared for over 150 - why? I don't know. Anyway, the young women will be eating a lot of candy for a while. So, anyway, hope you all had a good Halloween!

Doe...a deer

This past weekend, we went up to visit Timothy's Dad and Grandparents in Seeley Lake (Montana). We had a little run-in with deer on our way up Friday night. It was kinda scary, I'm glad that Timothy was driving. We are all fine, but our car has some damage! I was at the auto body shop yesterday and the estimate was $3846.15!!! *cough cough* What? I am so glad that it was the new car, the one with full coverage. I'm waiting to hear from the adjuster today. Anyway, the pictures don't do it justice! Other than that, we had a lot of fun. We walked down to the lake (a block away) and then found the coolest elementary school playground EVER!! Emma loved it (not as much as her parents though!) We got to spend time with Larry and grandma and grandpa. All in all, it was fun and worth the trip! I think we'll put some deer whistles on our car though... I recommend it for everyone!

Doe...a deer

This past weekend, we went up to visit Timothy's Dad and Grandparents in Seeley Lake (Montana). We had a little run-in with deer on our way up Friday night. It was kinda scary, I'm glad that Timothy was driving. We are all fine, but our car has some damage! I was at the auto body shop yesterday and the estimate was $3846.15!!! *cough cough* What? I am so glad that it was the new car, the one with full coverage. I'm waiting to hear from the adjuster today. Anyway, the pictures don't do it justice! Other than that, we had a lot of fun. We walked down to the lake (a block away) and then found the coolest elementary school playground EVER!! Emma loved it (not as much as her parents though!) We got to spend time with Larry and grandma and grandpa. All in all, it was fun and worth the trip! I think we'll put some deer whistles on our car though... I recommend it for everyone!