Birth stories and Family time!!

So the other day I was watching Guilliana and Bill (a reality tv show).  They tried for a long time to get pregnant and finally went with a surrogate.  I was watching the episode where their baby is finally born.  About that time, Emery awoke from her nap.  So I sat her on my lap and she, surprisingly, sat there, interested, for the rest of the show.  We watched as their precious baby boy was born into the world and into their loving, and long-awaiting, arms.  As he was coming (it showed nothing as the camera stayed on Guilliana and Bill), I talked to Emery about her birth story and how we waited for her for a long time.  I shared with her that I could relate to the birthing and also to what they were feeling at that moment.  She talked, as well, about the show.  And as we talked, the tears came, harder and harder.  Because here I was, sitting here with my almost 2 year old daughter, watching another baby's birth, and sharing that experience with her.  Her first cry, her first bath, the skin to skin time, first pictures.  It was the most amazing 30 minutes ever!!!  I sat there and cried, so grateful for this beautiful, silly, precious, sometimes honory, and most amazing little girl I could have ever dreamed of!  Thank you Jesus!  I've never been more blessed!!

 Our daily ritual of walking to get mail!

Well this past weekend was a blessing in disguise.  I had my first weekend of call.  My friend was set to watch Emery on saturday if I needed her, but one of her sons came down with the flu.  And there are severely nasty flu bugs right now here that can be fatal for kids under 5.  So!.... Sean ended up calling in on Saturday.  We were forced to, not only be homebound, but to hang out together all day, both days.  lol  Not that it's a bad thing, but we're usually always doing something and because of call, we couldn't.  Saturday was a very productive day...  we inadvertantly worked through some 'marriage' issues. :)  Then we worked together on our finances and budget (a new thing for us!).  Later we both exercised!  And other than that, we just had a restful day together and with Emery!  Sunday was the same way, but we both started going stir crazy.  So we headed out to the same shopping center, each of us hitting a different store then meeting back up again.  We went home and I went and picked up some food.  Overall, it was a much needed 2 days as a family.  A total blessing!!!

Emery is getting more and more funny all the time.  The other day we were out, and a couple of times, she just gave me this look.  I can't even explain it.  There was just so much personality in it that I just melted to nothingness each time.  She makes me laugh constantly!  But don't get me wrong... she has her moments.  One thing I'm constantly having to work with her on is listening to me, acknowledging and obeying me.  Some days its a battle.  I am working with her on saying "yes mommy".  But the more I talk with my friends here, as weird as it sounds to me, I think I need to start having her say "yes ma'am".  I thought I could teach her that one for other people outside of the home, but some think its easier for them to get it when its practiced in the home as well.  (we not in California anymore toto!).  But honestly that's one thing that we loved about Texas... was the level of respect that children are taught from an early age.  And its not just certain families, but as a society.  It's wonderful!   So I'm working through it and hope I can teach her just as well as my friends are teaching their children.  (it's so cute when she's says it anyways!  I can't go wrong! lol)

She is starting to put words together like "I do it!"  "Yes please"  "that's yummy".  She cracks me up as she goes through the place closing any open door or cabinet.  Tonight she was carrying her box of toys back to her room and stopped in the hallway.  I didn't know why until she turned and pushed the linen closet door shut completely.  I didn't even notice it was open!  lol  And when she is trying to get my attention, her voice will get louder with each  time... "mom. Mom. MOM! MOOOOOOM!!!!"  no joke!  And then I realize she is so happy to show me something.  She did this tonight just to show me that she was putting her building toys away into their bucket.  She is so awesome!

She has started pretending with her picnic baskets and her plastic foods.  In fact one day as I was exercising, she kept coming up to me when I was on the floor and having me eat the "cherry pie" and "cheese sandwich".   She is a great workout partner!  I workout out (doing the Insanity videos!) right in the middle of all her toys!  She plays all around me in our tiny living room.  But the best part is she will start doing them with me!  She'll do jumping jacks, scissor arms, pushups, downdog and whatever else she can figure out.  Half the time I'm trying not to laugh (out of breath!) as she crawls back and forth under me between pushups.  She keeps it interesting and fun!  I love it!  I firmly believe that they will grow up doing whatever they see YOU doing!   So exercise!!!  Read your bible and pray out loud!  Eat right!  Respect others in how you talk about them!  Keep a positive attitude!  And work at whatever you're doing with 110%!

My very official "gym" for winter!

Her new favorite thing is taking a shower with me!!!  Almost everyday she wants one, and now cries if I say no.  But she will walk right in and go in and out of the water.  She will stand directly under the water forever and talk and laugh!  I just sit on the bottom with her while she plays.  She is definitely her momma's girl... a water baby!!!  I was a fish growing up and I still am!  I could stay in water all day if possible!  I can't wait for summer and give her swimming lessons!  She's a natural!

Last night I came up with the best bribe!!!  Emery wanted to brush my hair with her new brush.  So I told her she could stay up later if she kept brushing my hair.  I sat her on the recliner and I sat on the ground in front of her.  She brushed... and she brushed... and she brushed!  I was in heaven!  And if she stopped, I told her kindly it was time to go to bed.  And she would start brushing again!  I'm a genius!!!  hehe

I can't believe how fun she is right now!!  It keeps getting better and better (and somedays, harder and harder) every day!  I LOVE IT!!!!