Emma Rose is Walking!

Yep. She is officially walking now. Not just a few faltering steps but really walking across the room on her own.
She is so proud of herself and smiles every time she hears us clapping and cheering. What a great feeling it is to see her growing and learning so fast. We just love parenthood. It snowed this week and we got a day off from school so we spent the day getting our taxes done and playing with the snowflakes. Emma Rose did not know what to do with the snowflakes falling down around us. She just reached out her hand and tried to catch them. So cute!!! Enjoy the pictures.

Our little Valentine!

Emma Rose is growing, laughing, and doing well with her new family as we all get back to "normal" life. Both Vanous and I have started back to work. Emma Rose is staying with my parents- Nannie and Grandaddy- during the week and with my sister- Aunt Julie- on Fridays. She is having a big time at both places and seems to not mind being away from Mom and Dad. ( a little sad about that I have to admit.) She is almost walking by herself now and is exploring everything. She spent Valentines day at my Mom's with her 100% sweetness shirt on. CUTE!! She is climbing everything and invents ways to get in trouble. She sometimes zones out in front of the TV while sitting in my laundry basket. And has learned to ride her birthday zebra ride toy.
Vanous's softball team gave us a baby shower at the end of January. It was wonderful and we received many spring/summer outfits for the Princess to wear. She was also presented with a savings bond. WOW! Thanks girls!
She loves her cousin Nicholas and enjoys any time she gets to spend with him. So since we last posted- ER has taken a few steps on her own, seen her first snowflakes, survived the early morning trips to Nannies house, outgrown lots of her clothes, learned to climb, swallowed no telling how many unmentionable items I did not catch her putting in her mouth, slept through the night, woke every hour of the night, learned to blow raspberries, and how to do Indian calls. It sure has been a good month.
VAnous and I are enjoying every minute of it all!

Emma Rose's Baptism

On the Sunday after her birthday we had Emma Rose baptized/christened/dedicated. She got all dressed up in her fancy white dress, white shoes, and pink bow. At the end of the service, Brother Chuck called us to the front along with our families. During his address to us and to the congregation, Emma Rose proceeded to clap, blow kisses, and point to the big stained glass window of Jesus that is directly behind the pulpit. Yea, it was cute. I have to admit it. She was all smiles until Brother Chuck put the water on her head. She lost her smile pretty quick after that. But it came back just as quick. Afterwards, while picture taking, she wanted to see in the baptismal font and feel the water. Very cute. Had to have a picture of it as well. And the bow made it until after everything was over!!! Now that was a miracle!!!

First Birthday Fun!

Wow! What a birthday Miss Emma Rose had tonight. She was dressed in her official "First Birthday Hat" and "Bib" and was ready to party as soon as we arrived at our party spot. Emma Rose loved her pretty cake and had it all over her before she was through. She received lots of presents from her family and friends and we all sang Happy Birthday to her as she blew out her candle. In my opinion, it was a very successful first birthday party!! She crashed on the way home and is now fast asleep in her crib. I'm not sure what she wished for but I know what I did---- I wish her birthmother could know just how happy, healthy, and loved this little girl is. I know that somewhere tonight she is wondering about her baby girl and wishing she knew what had happened to her. That was my wish- that somehow she could have a little peace of mind.

Christmas Joy!

What a Merry Christmas we had at the Brown house. Santa visited and left a ton of stuff for Emma Rose. She really had a great time over the holidays. By far, her favorite presents were the paper, bows, and boxes. We went to my parents house for Christmas Eve, to my sisters house for Christmas Day breakfast, and back to Nannie's for Christmas day supper. She was the center of attention everywhere we went. (of course she was-- look how cute she is!) Then 2 days after Christmas she got really sick. Went to doctor and received diagnosis of RSV and pnemonia. Got put in hospital on New Year's Eve day and stayed for 3 days. We are finally home again and she is doing great again. Vanous started back to school this week and it's been hard on us all. I dread when my time comes to go back. If my Mom wasn't keeping her I don't think I could ever work again. She has successfully said the word "cat" and is really close to saying several others. She isn't walking yet but is making lots of progress. Emma Rose's first birthday is on January 12th. Will post pictures of her party next!

Lazy days before Christmas!

We have been enjoying all of the Christmas preparations and watching Emma Rose bloom. She has really learned a lot in the past few weeks. She can now say "CAT" very plainly and is feeding herself sooooo much better. She has learned to give Daddy kisses and hug her Dolly. We got all dressed up for Christmas 2 times lately. So Daddy made our pictures in front of the Christmas tree both times. Isn't Emma the cutest thing ever? And one pretty day that wasn't too cold- we put her in the hiking backpack and took the dogs for a long walk. Emma loved it and did not want to come out of the pack. We will definitely do that again soon! We are anxiously waiting for Christmas Eve when my family gets together. We will take lots of pictures of family and of what Santa brings to little Emma Rose this year. She has been very good and I expect her to get LOTS of stuff! Merry Christmas to all!!!!!

Home and Loving It!

We are all still doing great and loving our bonding time at home. Vanous and I do nothing other than interact with Emma Rose. She is really learning fast. We had pictures made at a local photographer and they are beautiful. ( See link to pictures- Jacksons). We have been to church several times for different events and ER has loved all the attention. This last Sunday, it was our job to light the Advent candles as a family. While I read the scripture, Emma kicked her shoes off and pulled her bow out of her hair to the delight of the congregation. She is a funny girl and is usually all smiles and giggles. Christmas is almost here and we are trying to do some shopping, something I used to find easy to do. Now with a stroller, baby, bottles, diaper bag, etc., it gets a little difficult. Vanous is off until after Christmas and I don't go back to school until end of January so we still have lots of time to bond. I just LOVE this little girl. We can't imagine what we did before she came along?