Sisterly Love

Emma's Bear Birthday

We were able to have a little birthday celebration for Miss Emma on Sunday. Between my slow recovery and Jason's week of 12 hour shift work, we were not sure when we were going to celebrate. Luckily she is two and will not remember or know the difference for her birthday but she was very excited to finally get her "green bear cake" that she has been requesting for almost 5 months now. When Jason came home he brought her balloons and she was thrilled. Kept singing Happy Birthday to herself. She was so excited about her cake that she stood on the chair and watched me make the entire thing and kept saying,"Green Bear Cake, for me??" It was so precious! I had to take quite a few breaks to get it done, but it was a success and the smile on her little face was so worth it!! I used this Four Egg Yellow Cake recipe (although I used butter instead of shortening) and this Cream Cheese frosting recipe...both worked well and were yummy. Caitlin and Casey came over along with Audrey and Corky (Casey's parents).....it was a nice get together and fun celebration. Miss Emma got some great toys....ones that she really loves and is having a blast playing with! Angelica also liked to "help" open and play with "our toys" as she calls them. Emma got some great bear gifts to go with her bear birthday cake....a fun three bear puzzle where you dress the bears in different outfits, lots of different bear books, some new Boz the bear items, a tub of colored bears....a fun table and chairs set and a stuffed monkey with a blanket inside...and one of her favorite gifts has been a cleaning set!! She is always wanting to help me sweep and clean so I found this set and both the girls LOVE it and have been "cleaning" like crazy ever since. Hope that trend continues! Thanks to all family members and friends for Emma's birthday wishes, cards and gifts. You made her day very special!!

Emma Bemma Boo is TWO

Where have the last two years gone? I cannot believe Emma is already two!! Emma - there are so many things we love and treasure about you. From the snuggles and pinching of the neck loves to your funny and silly sense of humor....you make us laugh all the time. We call you our "monkey-do" because you love to follow your big sister around and repeat everything she says and does. We are always impressed with your strong and incredible use of vocabulary and memorization....you love to memorize Nursery Rhymes and read books. You love to sing and dance and have no fear when it comes to trying new things or taking risks (of course we worry about this too since you have already had one cast before age two!). You have such a picky appetite but love your cheeses, yogurts, fruit and PP&J....and we laugh that the only meat you seem to eat are McDonald's Chicken Nuggets and hot dogs....GREAT! Your hold your own with your little temper and demanding ways but your sweet sense of sharing and easy going nature even it out. Your bright eyes and funny faces make each day an adventure and we hope you know how much we love you. You are a blessing and joy in the family and pray you have another healthy and happy year ahead!!!

Since today Papa was still working his 12 hour shift work and mama is still recovering....we decided to wait until Sunday to really celebrate your special day. Although you were very excited to get phone calls and messages with loved ones singing you Happy Birthday...she was all smiles on the phone listening to them. Angelica gave you lots of birthday kisses (although she always wanted to talk about her next birthday when she turns four) and Papa brought you home a balloon and one of your favorite candy...Fruit Mentos....and Mama actually let you eat all of them...although you were so generous and shared with your sister (don't know if I would have done that at age two!). Since Marmee leaves for NYC tomorrow she brought you over some gifts. You love the new tea set (and Angelica is already referring to it as OUR tea set), love the puzzle blocks (although you enjoy building towers still with them instead of the puzzles) and have made us read the new books to you several times already. So thank you Marmee and Poppy, we will miss celebrating with you this year. I had to share the video clip of Emma singing Happy Birthday....too cute...she would sing it to herself all day...along with ask me all day where her Green Bear cake is? Kind of confused as to why she didn't get her cake if it is her birthday, so hopefully she can wait until Sunday!!! Happy Birthday Emma, we love you!

First Week

First Birthday

I am TWO

Updated Finally

I finally got around to updating Michaela's website ( http://www.babyjellybeans.com/web/do/site/home?ID=566228 ) with new video, pictures and journal entries of her birth story and first days at home. Trying to write it all down so I don't forget. My family members have been incredible and providing so much help to me and the girls during this time of healing and transition, couldn't do it without them and an AMAZING husband. He took the girls to the zoo today and they all had a blast and gave me an entire afternoon of quiet bonding time with the little one. Hope to keep everyone updated....most of Michaela's additions will be on her site but here are some pics and such that I love....

All my labor supporters (minus mom) with Dr. Bohannon

Big Sisters Meeting Michaela first time
I love this pic because it has Jason, mine and baby's hands

Big Sister Angelica

Aunt Caitlin

With Marmee and Poppy

Big Sister Emma

Sweet Michaela Marie

Loves Leaves

My mom took the girls for a walk yesterday. One of their favorite things to do is look for and find leaves. Angelica loves to play outside and climb trees and use her imagination. Mom got quite a few BEAUTIFUL pictures of her outside yesterday and these are some of my favorites!! My mom has been braiding her hair...and I truly need to learn how to do it!!

Dancing with Marmee

We came home Monday from our appointment to tell the girls that we were going to have a baby the next day. We we all very excited and Emma and Marmee decided it deserved some dancing!!

Having Fun with Aunt Alli

Alli watched the girls the other day when mom and I went to an appointment...they had a lot of fun.

The Big Day

....to find out details and for updates tomorrow...make sure you check:
http://www.babyjellybeans.com/web/do/site/home?ID=566228 Thanks for all the prayers....keep them coming!!

Due Date

Well, today is officially this little one's due date....where is she? Still happy and content inside her mama!! I am hoping that maybe things will progress today but if not I will at the docs early tomorrow morning to check things out and have an ultrasound...never had one this late in the game! Will give you an update tomorrow....so ready to hold and meet this little one and wondering what she will look like....for some more fun polls about her weight, length and hair...check out her site at:
http://www.babyjellybeans.com/web/do/site/poll?ID=566241

Opposite Ends

....of pregnancy. The beginning (Caitlin at 8 weeks) and the end (me at 40 weeks)!!!

Silly

Angelica loved playing in my mom's boots last night....and was acting very silly....and Aunt Caitlin thought she was a bit crazy!

Fun with Friends

My family has been blessed with a visit by our good friend Jackie this past week. We met and got to be very close with she and her family when we lived in Virginia Beach...and she is also my confirmation sponsor. She is one of the funniest and most sincere people I know....I don't want her to leave Sunday...especially since we were all hoping she could meet this little baby before she left...so unless we have news tomorrow...I will have to send her a pic. The girls have loved taking pictures with her camera phone and learning Spanish from her!! We will miss you Jackie!