Birthday Madness Continues...

So SOME of this MIGHT be my fault for building up Emma's Birthday the past few weeks, but she is apparently not ready to give up the cake... or presents... or undivided attention and doting etc. Here's my proof:

1. On Friday, Emma's actual birthday day, she was chanting "Happy Bird-day" repeatedly. I asked her what she was going to do tomorrow when her birthday day was over. Emma's answer: "No Mommy... Birt-day WEEK!" I didn't know she was even familiar with the term "week," let alone knew that a week signified something longer than a day... My lil smartie pants!

2. Sunday morning I walked into the bedroom and found Emma playing with her new babydoll and bottles. I thought she was singing to the doll, but it might have just been an ode to herself and the wonder that is Emma! :-) The following were Emma's lyrics, quoted verbatim & with all the emphasis she used...

"Happy Birt-day to you...
Happy Birt-day to you...
Happy BIRRRRRRRRTTTT-DAAAAAYYYYY DEAR-EMMA-GRACE-AND-DA-ABBY-CADABBY-CAY-AKE!!!!
Happy Birt-day toooo ME!!!

It was so funny. I wish I had caught it on video because, of course, I have yet to hear her repeat it.

Emma's 2nd Birthday Party

Party time! Emma, waiting to go out in the play area where she...

Tried out the balance beam and

Bounced the biggest balls ever!

Emma & her friends enjoying a round of "Freeze Dancing..."


What now? What now? Emma & friends, waiting for directions...

Emma enjoyed getting a lift from the gymnastics instructors and working on her arm strength by hanging around.

How many kids can fit inside one ring?

Where IS my cake???

Checking out the Abby Cadabby birthday cake.


Making a wish...

Another turn on the trampoline...

The Birthday Girl in her place of honor in the middle of the parachute.


Here, Emma was getting a lift around the yard from her buddy Lucy.

Yesterday was Emma's 2nd Birthday Party. We rented a children's gymnasium in Redlands and invited family and Emma's friends from daycare and our playgroup. We all had a good time. The instructors were great about helping the kids on all the equipment and the little ones all enjoyed hanging from the bars, balancing on the beams, and exhausting themselves on the trampolines. Emma was enamored with her birthday cake and has been talking about it since the party to anyone who will listen. We finished the day with a Birthday Dinner at Tim & Jen's house. And, since it was Emma's birthday, I'll give you one guess as to what we had for dinner... That's right... NOO-NELS!!!! Or, in adult-ese, "Noodles." More specifically, Lasagna, bread, and salad from Alfredo's. Emma loved her noo-nels and we all had a nice time visting. Thanks to all who celebrated with us!

My Baby is Two!

Today... Early this morning as Emma found her birthday present from Mommy... A new stroller and a babydoll that babbles and drinks from a bottle.

And loving on her new baby doll.

A year ago today.... Emma, wearing the birthday crown she got at daycare. You can't tell in this picture, but she was still so bald! Emma was also having a bit of an asthma/ allergy/ cold problem on her birthday, hence the bleary eyes.

2 years ago today.... Emma bundled up and sleeping contentedly on my lap, about 3 hours after she was born.

Happy 2nd Birthday, my sweet little girl! I can't believe it has already been 2 years since you were born. At that time, I had no idea how much I could love another person and how much my life was about to change for the better. You are a true blessing in my life and I thank God every day that He entrusted me with the joy and responsibility of being your mother. Even though you can try my patience at times, I have never been happier in my life and I love every minute we spend together. You have become my impetus, my motivation, my reason to go on and attempt to better both myself and this world. I love you baby girl.

2 Year Pictures

She's getting to be such a big girl!!!

Mmmm.... Mommy Kisses!

So serious...

Happy Birthday to Emma!

Emma loves not only reading, but PRETENDING to read as well!

Posing pretty... I had to bribe her with an Altoid mint to sit still!

We went and had 2-year-old pictures of Emma done last week. They turned out pretty cute. She has such an attitude though! It was hard to get her to keep smiling. She would smile until the photographer got ready to snap the picture. Then she got serious. She is such a smart-alec. Just like her Mama. I think she just enjoys messing with people!

2 Year Appointment

Emma had an appointment today. She is 33.75 pounds and 35 inches tall. I can't believe how fast my "baby" is growing!

Christine's Birthday at Disneyland

Yesterday was Auntie Christine's 37th Birthday. So where did we celebrate? Disneyland of course! It was our second trip this week for Grandma, Emma, & I so we were a little tired but its always fun at the happiest place on earth. We even stayed late enough to see the "Halloween Screams" fireworks display. We had a great time! Since we won't make it back next Friday for Emma's 2nd, we counted this as her birthday trip too. The workers at Disneyland even gave her a birthday pin to wear!


Christine's BDay at Disney 10/2/09

Katie's 15th Birthday at Disneyland

Everything had been decorated for Halloween already and it was adorable!

Emma LOVES her juice boxes!

Sitting pretty...

Katie-belle and her Jack Skelington Birthday souvenirs from Grandma.

3 Pretty Princesses!

Katie & Grandma with Mickey.

Mirror, mirror, on the wall.


We spent yesterday at Disneyland for Katie's 15th Birthday. We all had a great time. Emma had watched the Aladdin DVD for the first time this past weekend and she was excited to meet Jasmine! She wanted to see Mickey too, but our visit to his house ended up coinciding with naptime. But we still had a lot of fun. Definitely getting our use out of the annual passes this year!