It's your lucky day! There are two new posts! See the post before this one of

Emmitt's first Birthday!

Emmitt would have screamed if he could "I LOVE IT OUT HERE!". In real life he let out a very high pitched scream, usually reserved only for dogs. A beautful, almost spring like, day called for a walk to the park.

Kevin says I only watch Emmitt when we are in public. I think his sweet words were "it is so funny when we are in public all you do is watch Emmitt. You are a hero. Such a great Mom." I said, "why would I look at anything else? He IS the most beautiful thing in the world!"

Checking out the mosaics on the park wall

Swinging with Dada

The slide

Sweet, cold cheeks

Watching the kids play, pretty much all he wanted to do. He looks so big here, all bundled up.

Love this smile

Beautiful!

Puffs. Must have several treats for the road, or he gets very inpatient. Treats include puffs, graham crackers, string cheese, baby mum mums, and satsumas.

True Wisconsin lover

Playing with the fake kitchen and refrigerator Emmitt's nanny gave him. She knows how much he loves the REAL fridge.

Naked Rody wrestling

Eating fish and chips with Papa Strayer, watching the seagulls scream. Strange he didn't seem to care at all!

Containing the babe for a moment, while walking around the Aquarium

Stairs! The highlight of Emmitts day. He was scared of all the big animals and not really all that interested in the fish. Mostly just wanted to walk.

Papa Strayer talking about fish

"stop whining Emmitt. Here have another graham snack". Yes, I have become that kind of parent.

"don't look so happy Emmitt, wouldn't want us to have a nice time, out here on the beautiful beach."

I bought Emmitt a bowl to practice eating out of. He starts off doing well, eating out of the bowl. He eventually tips the bowl over and pours out the food and then eventually throws the bowl on the floor. Unless I catch him in the act. The tricky part is that Emmitt seems to eat better when you don't watch him. So you have to be busy doing other things and watching him out of the corner of your eye in anticipation of the bowl going down. Tricky parenting!

Me: "we need a picture of the two of us." Emmitt: "Ok Mama, I'll look cute."

Clothes basket cowboy

Story:
So the day my dad arrives to help me out with Emmitt, while Kevin is in NY, I go into sleep with Emmitt in the morning. He nurses happily away and then starts to stir. I am thinking "please go back to sleep, it is only 5AM". Emmitt then sits up and vomits all over me, the bed, and himself. After some comforting time I decide we have to take a shower. We stink. So I strip him down, strip the bed, and start the bath. Emmitt was looking at me like"this is not bath time Mama. Why are you getting in?". Kevin stumbles into the bathroom and asks if I need help. I confidently state "no we're fine. I got him. We are just going to take a bath and then play." We are not in the bath for more than 5 mins when I see Emmitt's face turn into "I'm taking a poop", face. Sure enough he lets it go and the bath is soon filled with diarrhea. I immediately pick him up, set him out of the tub, jump out, and try to collect the floating debris. Meanwhile, Emmitt is walking around the house naked and wet. I am naked and wet. Next, I hear what sounds like more "poop face" and stick my head around the corner of the bathroom door. What do I see??? Emmitt having more diarrhea on the kitchen floor. So I panic and run towards him, pick him up, and run him into his bedroom. I was not thinking clearly at this point because I should have let him finish his business and then move him. In the process of moving him to his room I spread the love across the carpet (you know what I am talking about). So now I start yelling for Kevin who walks into Emmitt's room with us both naked, wet, Emmitt still has soap in his hair, the bed is stripped, the crib is stripped, and Emmitt is dripping with poo. Eventually we got everything cleaned up and started our day. When I was late to pick up my dad I told him "it's been quite a day already. We will be a bit late". Moral of the story. No Kevin you can't go back to bed. I will likely need your help. Oh' and don't run with a naked, pooping baby across the carpet sans diaper.

That is one of those stories you have to look back on and laugh. I have been meaning to write it down.

My dad arrived on Jan 6th to help while Kevin traveled to NY for a little vacation/bday celebration for a good friend. My dad was so helpful and necessary. I don't know how single parents do it. I was exhausted with work, child care, and household duties! Emmitt was adaptable as always and had a great time with his Papa Strayer (Sara's boys have named g-pa bob "papa"). We went for walks on the beach (another funny story for another time), went to the aquarium, and spent hours playing chase. Emmitt loves to play chase. He shuts the door in your face and then peaks around the corner. It is SO cute. He also loves rides in the laundry basket (something I taught him) this is a great workout for the adult pushing, although gets old FAST. Emmitt has also started to show interest in his trucks and cars. He can push them around, especially the Tonka Dump truck. It is really sweet. He continues to love his books and has taken to screaming at the cats. I don't mean just a little scream either. This is a full blown SCREAM that will continue until either he is distracted or you change the page. He loves cats. He also LOVES dogs, but especially when they are real and at the park. We have started taking Emmitt to the park and letting him walk down the street (talk about cute). Whenever he sees a dog he stops, gets a serious look on his face, screams, and then says some baby gibberish. He says the same baby gibberish EVERYTIME! So I know he has something to say about those dogs. The other day I took him to the park and let him walk around. Soon after we arrived a dad and daughter showed up to jump rope. They had a dog with them. Emmitt b-lined it to the dog and refused to leave the situation. It became uncomfortable for me when all he wanted to do was stare at the family and yell at the dog. when I tried to divert him by taking him to the other side of the park, near the stairs (which he loves) he turned around and marched all the way back to the dog family. He never even turned around to see if I was following. This boy has determination! Yesterday, I let him walk to the store (OK he walks like 10 feet, stops, gets into something he shouldn't, I try to divert, I ultimately have to carry him away from the situation) during the walk he stopped and I kept going probably 20 feet from him. I was trying to coax him to me when he waved goodbye to me and turned around, walking the other way. I think he is secure in that I will follow. I suppose it is good that he knows that, but COME ON Emmitt, a wave goodbye?????
What else can Emmitt do these days??? Well, he now brings us toys he wants help with and after he is shown how something works he will try it by himself. Naked time is back in full effect as it seems to really liven the little guy up. Who knew that taking off Emmitts clothes would send him into a happy frenzy! I guess once a nudest, always a nudest. He starts smiling, walking aruond, and picking up toys. He enjoys naked Rody wrestling, reading, and playing chase....yes all while being naked.

So, he is great. We love him, and can't wait to share more funny stories with you all! Of course there are many more to come.