Emma's Growing Up

Emma ready for her first day of school

She plopped right down at a desk and got to work coloring

Checking out the weather center

Finding her desk

Emma began preschool last Sunday.  She attends while we are in mass.  As you can see, she did just fine.  Mommy and Daddy, on the other hand, cried all the way out to the car.  We were so proud of Emma, especially as she tried to comfort the other children who were upset.  We were amazed at how quickly, and without hesitation, she jumped in and got to work.  And on her first day.  We credit her sitter, Shell, so much for being so well-adjusted.  It was bizarre sitting in mass with only one child, and, one who didn't need much guidance.  After mass, she brought us her papers and told her new friends, "Bye, friends.  Bye-bye."  Her homework (yes, in preschool) is to work on the Lord's Prayer, Hail Mary, the Sign of the Cross, and Glory Be.  

Emma continues to do well in dance class.  What impresses me is that Daddy remembers dance etiquette thanks the teacher at the end of class.  Last week, Kurt asked Emma if she thanked Miss Rebecca and Emma ran in the studio and said, "Thank you, Miss Rebecca, thank you!"  The most difficult time for me is finding the balance between mom and teacher.    

Emma has also passed another major milestone:  BIG GIRL PANTIES.  When Emma began to regress with the potty training last month, her ped. said we needed to give her month of total control.  Emma chose to wear pull-ups and not go potty for us and we just had to accept that.  Since her month was up we put her in real panties last Friday.  She's only had two accidents since last Friday afternoon.  We are SO proud of her, especially given that we were all over Ohio and in strange places. She went from us suggesting we try the potty on Friday to getting up and going on her own - without telling us - on Monday evening.  She has not mastered the poop-dee but that will come.  Again, I'm finding a balance between offering instruction and letting her figure this out on her own.  I've been operating with the philosophy of asking if she needs to go and accepting whatever her answer is (and the mess if she has accidents).  It seems to be working though.  The treasure chest of prizes probably doesn't hurt, either, though.  

Just so I don't slight Annie, she is doing fabulous also.  She's rolling both ways and trying to crawl.  She's also babbling and laughing.  Her favorite game is peek-a-boo, and she's starting to cover her own face now.  She's doing well with her mouthing and teething but she still has a long way to go.  She's had green beans and scarfed down a container of peas this afternoon.  Some feedings are great and others make me want a Valium.   

The Mouths of Babes

Lisa and Mark at Annie's baptism 17 Aug 2008

Today was a sad, sad day for Lisa and all of those who love her. Her fiance, Mark, passed in his sleep, very unexpectedly, last Thursday. We have only met Mark a couple of times but it was clear how happy they made each other. As I watched Lisa and her parents at the funeral today my heart broke. There were no words to describe watching my aunt and uncle so overcome with grief for their daughter and not be able to take it away. I am so heartbroken for you all.

I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason but in a situation like this it's so difficult to not find that belief trite. The pastor spoke today about how often we let our lives become unbalanced and out of focus; how we forget what it truly important. I think my three year-old teaches me this far more than I realize.

At the funeral home:
Emma: (pointing to the casket) What that boy doing?
Mommy: He has gone to heaven to be with the angels.
Emma: And everyone is sad?
Mommy: Yes, everyone is sad because they will miss him.
Emma: And he is with the angels?
Mommy: Yes, sweetheart, he is with the angels?
Emma: Why everyone sad?

Later at the cemetery:
Emma: What are they doing?
Mommy: They are saying goodbye. When we die, part of us goes to heaven to be with the angels and part of us stays here. They are saying goodbye to the part of us that stays here.
Emma: (after some contemplation) I will stay here. This is my home. Can I pick some flowers?




Lisa,
I know the journey you are beginning is not one you asked for. I know the days ahead will be long and difficult. Know that you are loved and Mark is always with you.

More Updates

I think we're enough past sickness to actually give details that are not related to diapers or snot. Although, I will mention that we've been to the doctor three times in a week - two visits were for multiple people - and have a running total of 1 case of asthmatic URI, 3 cases of pink eye, 1 case of an intestinal "bug" (it's a very technical medical term), 1 case of non-asthmatic URI, and, 1 yeast infection/diaper rash. Bring the Lysol, folks.

Annie finally has her therapist and we could not be more pleased. She had her first session last Thursday and we have an answer. Annie's problems are in her lower jaw and tongue. Where most people have a line down the middle of their tongue - which shows muscle tone - Annie's tongue is soft with no line. She essentially has no muscle strength or tone in her tongue. She cannot move her tongue side-to-side or up-and-down. My initial concern is speech but we're working on mastering the bottle and eating from a spoon. When she eats from a spoon, food gets stuck in her cheeks because she has no tongue strength. Annie rolls both directions but still lacks core strength. We're feeding her in a completely upright position now and that is a challenge for her. She's eating in her bumbo which helps but she's so concerned with where her bottle is that she's constantly looking all over. Annie's therapist also likes using a binkie but said the ones we have are not good for her because they allow the binkie to hang in her mouth and do not encourage Annie to suck and develop strength. SOOOOOOOOO, we are also introducing a new bink. She's not very keen on them because she has to work really hard. It's pathetic, though, because as soon as you put the new binkie in her mouth she just sucks for dear life and then stops and lets the bink fall out. Then she looks at us like she's thinking, "GEEZ, what was all that about?". In short, it's going to be a process but she will hopefully come out ahead.

Emma is getting very excited for Halloween. She's very proud to tell everyone that she's going to be "Finderella" and that Annie's going to be a pumpkin. I found Emma the CUTEST Cinderella glass slippers that have lights in the heels. I really did get them for her but only because they didn't have them in my size. We made Halloween cupcakes this weekend and Emma had a blast.

The Sick House

Last weekend was supposed to be our couples retreat. Long story short, we ended up coming home Saturday afternoon - not because Mommy couldn't be away from the kids but because Mommy was too sick. I thought it was asthma that had been triggered by my allergies. I saw the allergist on Monday, got a steroid shot (after 14 pills between Saturday and Sunday nights), started an antibiotic and was on my way . . . until I picked up Annie from the sitter's Monday afternoon. She had developed the poopdies. I was feeling better but had lost my voice. By Wednesday, Annie's bottom looked like she slid into home plate with no diaper on. Her ped. told us not to worry and to put some Neosporin on it. Thursday when I picked up the girls, Annie still had the poopdies and Emma had been complaining all day that she didn't feel good. By Thursday night, Annie's bottom was day-glo red with raw patches. Emma's temp was 102.4. We spent Friday on the living room floor, watching toons and snuggling. By Saturday night, Emma, Annie, and I all took a trip to Redi-Med. Two cases of pink eye and one case of a yeast infection. The doc said Annie's poopdies were from teething but we disagree. I'm not so sure teething causes the foul funk she's been creating for the last week. I'm going to try to get Annie in tomorrow morning, especially since she's getting nose crusties now. In short, it's been a sick, SICK week. I suggest staying away from our house or at the very least, bringing a can of Lysol.

Annie airing out her bottom

Emma "helping" Daddy with the swing set

Even when they're sick they're adorable.

I can always tell she's sick because of the bags under her eyes

Emma insisted on snuggling with Annie.  Daddy insisted the was the only time either of them would lay out naked.

Upcoming Dates

Emma's performance dates:

December 12, 13, 14 - Nuts 'N' Crackers Holiday Performance

June 13 - Annual Family Concert

More details coming later . . .

Emma AKA Dancing Queen

Ok, I'm a bad Mommy. My camera wasn't charged for Emma's first dance class so I took the camera tonight and taped some. It's a long video but indulge us and watch it all. Emma's very proud of herself and Ms. Becca.

More Funny Vids