Jet Setter

We took Emmeline on her first ever plane ride on Friday...and held our breath for 4 hours, as we waited for her to lose it. She acted like she flew every day. No big deal. Never even fussed on our way to Denver. Ear pressure? What's that? Altitude sickness? Nah. Not even when we left Denver and drove another 3500 feet in elevation to Winter Park, CO for our friend's wedding. She was a little weirded out about our hotel room, although honestly, so was I. It was nice, it just smelled awful. She really enjoyed the backpack we got, taking a hike with Shawn through the gorgeous Rocky Mountains. Truly, I think if Shawn ever convinces me to move away from NoVa, it will be to move to Denver. Judge for yourself, this was the "altar" where Craig and Shaina got married...could it possibly get more beautiful?

So, at any rate, Emmeline behaved beautifully on both of our flights, LOVED getting to meet so many new people (and a few dogs), and had a great time hanging out in the backseat of the rental with Cassie (THANKS for all your help!) Along the way, she also mastered a fun new skill - waving. She has a whole new way to begin interactions with strangers now, and she had so many opportunities to practice while at a wedding, in an airport, and on a plane. It was very disappointing to wave, and wave, and smile with big eyes at the man across the airplane aisle, only to have him ignore her every time. He was asleep, after all. She'll get it some day...

A Little Crawling, Sort Of

FINALLY...it posted.

A Little Military Action, Here, In My Kitchen!

WHOOOOO! My baby is not a total lump. This morning, she actually ARMY CRAWLED to me! She was playing ever so nicely on the floor, and when I finished getting everything ready so we could go, I asked her if she was ready. She mae her way over to me, talking the whole time! It was so nice not to have her typical response: "WHINE, WHINE, WHINE." (read: pick me up, slave)

Four Beach Babies, OBX (too cute, no?)

Does This Qualify as a Life Event?

I finally did it. I have joined the legions of stay at home moms. SAHM. "Do you work?" I'm not sure how to answer that... for a paycheck? No. But, yes, I work.
Anyway, this new thing won't start until after Halloween. I gave my boss my notice today, but I gave them 8 weeks. I have a strong sense of guilt. I feel like I'm abandoning the kids in my class and their parents, so I wanted to give my boss a good long time to find a good replacement. I have two kids starting toileting in the next month, so I can't abandon them to some quack off the street. I know they'll all be just fine, but I still worry.
I worry a lot. About everything. What if I get bored? I'm used to working with lots of kids with various things going on, not just one kid. What if I end up with a spoiled rotten, Mommy's-girl who won't go to strangers and cries unless I hold her? What if I go crazy, having no me time? What if Shawn loses his job? What if I lose all sense of my identity? What if I worry about things so much I don't just enjoy my daughter, which is why I'm doing this in the first place?
I'm sure it will all work out in the long run.

This Girl...is impatient

And that's being kind. You can clearly hear her grunting and growling. If we don't get the food in her mouth fast enough, we hear about it. Luckily, she can feed herself finger food, like Cheerios and cut up fruit. In fact, she won't let us feed her if it's something she can do. I think she may have developed a little bit of a 'tude.

Our big girl is getting...well, big. She still looks like a chub, but in fact is quite skinny. You wouldn't know it by watching her eat, though.

She's starting to eat some finger food, like the salmon (cat food?) at left. She does great with Cheerios, and we tried bananas this morning. Hilarious. No worry about choking, she made sure to pulverize the bananas first by pounding the plate. Reminded me of some kind of comedy routine you'd see Peter Sellers doing, pouding the food to make sure it's dead on the plate. She has lots of adventures lately, going to the Baltimore aquarium with Grandma Patsy when she was in town, and enduring new windows being installed. Very loud. The aquarium wasn't as cool as I thought it would be - she didn't really care about the fish too much. She did enjoy Grandma Patsy being here, and showed off appropriately. (Emmy and Daddy at Phillips' Crab House in B-more)

Back to Basics

Now that Em is sitting up, it is time for new toys! She loves the ring stacker, and also enjoyed a pot and spoon I gave her on Monday night.