Letters to Emersyn - 1 Year Old

Dearest Emersyn!

Happy birthday, sweet girl! You might be our second (third), but you have given us so many first. And somehow, you’ve made motherhood feel brand new all over again. 

You will never understand (until maybe your a mom) how badly I wanted you. Before your big sister celebrated her first birthday, we had set our sights on you. My patience got the best of me waiting on you. For every month that passed without news that God was making you was a blessing in disguise. 

The quiet time we shared those nine months was something beautiful and terrifying. You didn’t let me rest much (and you still don’t), you were always on the move. The doctors monitored me closely because blood work was off in the beginning. We got to know you pretty well with all the ultrasounds and doctor visits. You wanted the world to know you were coming and you had big things to do.
Walking at 10 months was defiantly one of them. Now your cruising on your way.
I love that your still a snuggler! You always greet me with the biggest hug you can give, and now your always giving kisses too. You absolutely love to just sit in my lap or whoever's and hang out. Its the cutest.

Some advice for you and your sister that you won't understand for quite some time, But I write these letters now in hopes that you'll will look back on them later. There is so much about you that is already so unique and special. Don't lose that fire and determination you have in your eye. In life you will come up against many challenges. I wish it was not true but that's how it goes. There will be days and people that will seem determined to get you down. You will fail test, arrive late to important meetings, receive a speeding ticket, or have a falling-out with a friend. The bubble that your daddy and I have tried to build around you both with pop. Life will not always, at least not every day, be as sweet as it is now. But that's okay. I want to give you the tools you will need to get though it all. Most of these tools you already have in your belt. And you have a whole bunch of people in your circle who love you dearly.

One of the biggest things I can teach you and your sister.. is Don't be a bully. Don't give in to the crown that makes you think it's okay to hurt someone or put them down. Every person is special and should be treated with respect. If you see it happening, speak up. The only way to stop them is to confront them.

Finally, my sweet girl, I don't want you to ever stop dancing. I don't care if you don't know the moves (like me most of the time). It isn't important how high your leg goes or if your head is moving to the beat. Music has a profound power over you already, I can see it. I turn on the music and you instantly bust a move. You absolutely love to dance and it makes me smile every time you start moving.

As you navigate through life's joys and challenges, please keep this in mind. You are able to move people, to shift emotions, with just the sway of your hips. Whatever you are up against, whomever breaks your heart. Wherever your big dreams take you and however little you have in your pocket, don't stop. Let the worries wash away as you turn the volume up and get moving. It's a beautiful and crazy life, my sweet girl. Don't back down - just keep dancing through it.

One year down and many more to go. No matter where you go or what you do, may your mother's words remain in your head and your heart. I love you. There's nothing truer.

Always, 

Mommy 

Emersyn’s Cake Smash

Emersyns cake smash session was def an interesting one! I did it by myself with a two year old running around. Remind me next time to make sure I have someone to help me! Lol. 

Emersyn Birthday theme is of course Kate Spade! I’m so excited for her Birthday Party! Her cake smash turned out so cute! Although she was not sure about the cake.. when it fell over she was like what happened.. and then she was done! 

 

Letters to Emersyn - 11 Months Old

Dear Emersyn,

I have been so behind on this post! I’m not ready for you to be 11 months.. that means your almost ONE!! Which also means your that much closer to being a toddler rather than a baby. I am not ready for that by any means.
This past month has gone by so fast! The older you get the faster time goes by. You went from my squishy little baby to the toddler on the go.. In less then a year!

But you are such a goofball and happy baby. You can wave and blow kisses and Daddy taught you how to high five. Your picking up on so much more these days. 

Waking up every morning and see you giggling and playing in your crib waiting for the day to start can brighten any mood you wake up in. When Charleston and I walk in to get you out of bed, you have the biggest smile on your face. I just gobble you up and kiss you all over and you just giggle and giggle. You will never know how much your daddy and I love you and your sister. We our so blessed to call you our girls.

You started walking! Yes I know I'm aware I said walking! We talked about this a little in the last blog, but nothing like you have been this past month. Its crazy to see how fast you can move around these days. Keeping you still is locked up with the key thrown away. You love chasing Charleston around or even Hera. You three are like the 3 musketeers. Ready for trouble.

Every time I look in your mouth you have gained more teeth. Currently you have 8 teeth. Which your right on track with Charleston. She had about the same amount on her first birthday. You love all food.. just like your sister. Everything you have tried you have loved. I'm hoping it stays that way too. You love your food though. I have been unsuccessful from spreading out your bottles / meals. No matter what you eat.. your ready to eat 4 hours later. On the dot! Your favorite snacks include yogurt melts and puffs. Even though you still prefer your bottle, turkey is def your favorite food. You will take that from Charleston's hands in a heart beat.

We don't see the pediatrician again till your one year check up. I have put you on our scale a few times. I believe you were roughly 18lbs the last time I checked. Your still wearing 6 months clothes for the most part, but your starting to wear some 9 month clothes depending on brand. Your still in size 3 diapers. You love the water, but you hate the bath. I haven't figured this one out yet. But were still working on that one.

You did have one of your first butt explosions this month. You have had a few but nothing that came out of the diaper.. this one.. I got you out of your crib bc you were crying and hungry so I changed your diaper and put you in the rock n play and went to kitchen to make your bottle. I was not gone 5 minutes and I come back to my room and I'm thinking to myself.. why does it smell like a poopy diaper in here. I turn the light on you and you are COVERED... I mean covered head to toe! It was coming out every angle possible of your diaper and you were just laughing. It was not funny by the least. I did laugh though. I picked you up and held you at arms length and just put you in the tub. Rinsed you off.. put the rock n play cover in the washer. Put you back in the crib and gave you your bottle. Mommy laid back done. I was done mommy-ing after that one. Lol. I'm sure it wont be the last though.

My favorite thing about this month is you started giving kisses back. Your eskimo kisses are the best. I absolutely love when you walk over and just crawl in my lap. You don't snuggle too often, but when you do its the cutest and I take in every minute of it. You have never been one that needed rocked or snuggled to go to bed. You would prefer me to just put you in the rock n play or even the mamaroo and you just rock yourself to sleep. I have a love hate relationship with that. It makes things easier on some nights, because Charleston is still a snuggler and still wants one of us to cuddle her to sleep.

This next few weeks watching you turn into a toddler is going to be hard for me, so I may steal a lot more kisses from you. Don't worry you probably wont remember then when you get older!

Mommy loves you sweet girl! 

Letters to Emersyn - 9 Months Old

Dear Emersyn,

The year of your birth is coming to a close and we are ready to start the new year with you! There will be a lot of wonderful things in store for our family in 2018 and everything we do, we do for you and your sister. I have said it before, but it is worth repeating…we are smitten by you.  Sometimes, after you go to sleep, I find myself curled up on the couch scrolling through pictures of you, remembering both the moments when you were teeny tiny and the current moments of the day. Our house is full of such happy sounds and I am so blessed to wake up to such a beautiful and HAPPY family every single day. 

Since learning to crawl, you’ve been getting into all sorts of mischief. You will no longer sit still for more than about 0.00002 of a second, as you just want to crawl off somewhere! 

Two days after you learned how to crawl, you learned how to pull yourself up and stand. Since then you’ve learned how to shimmy your way along furniture and other things. You can also walk if someone holds your hands, but the balance isn’t quite there yet. Still, you look so excited!

We have tried some more foods! You love it all. I haven’t found anything you don’t like yet. You get mad though if we don’t feed you our food, and as much as you get excited for baby food it does not come out fast enough for you. You def eat more then Charleston did at this age, but you are so much smaller. 

Speaking of eating, you have 2 teeth on the bottom and 1 tooth on the top that has broke through and the one next too it is is trying to break through. It should be all the way out by the end of the month. 

We have moved your crib down two levels bc you like to stand and play in your crib. You have no problems with your crib and sleep pretty good in it. We have officially stopped using the rock n play. You still wake up about 4am but we started just giving you your bottle in the crib bc you will fall back to sleep afterwards. And you usually sleep to about 8am now. 

We have done some traveling this month. For Thanksgiving we went to Albany GA to meet papas family! So you got to meet great Grandpa and Great Grandma and all the aunts and uncles from that side of the family. It was the first time Charleston met them too! We had a lot of fun and of course you two were the talk of the day! A week after coming back from GA we went to Disney!! Not your first trip but you understood a little more! You got to meet Minnie and Mickey! You loved Mickeys nose! You were kissing all over it. You even got to see Donald and Goofy! They made you giggle too! You loved it! I’m sure they did too! 

I can not wait to see you on your first Christmas morning! Your at the perfect age too! 

Merry Christmas, sweet girl! We love you more than you will ever know.

Letters to Emersyn - 8 Months Old

Dear Emersyn!

Today you are eight months old! Goodness gracious, EIGHT months! I might as well start planning your 1st birthday. You will soon realize I am a planner and love hosting things. I have given it some honest thought though, I'm keeping with the Kate Spade theme. So your Birthday party with me black, white, gold and a hint of hot pink! Just like your bedroom....your baby shower was the same theme too.

Every day seems to go faster and faster, making us suddenly at eight months. Your continuing to change before my very eyes and you continue to become more fun everyday. This month, you ceased to be my tiny baby girl and became what I refer to you as, "my grown up baby.

This month you started sitting up and you also became mobile. You started crawling and exploring and going after what you want. You no longer lay on the floor playing with toys, but instead seek after whatever you can see and reach. These things tend to be on the dangerous side - the fireplace, electrical outlets, and power cords. The house is already child-proof, but you are continuing to keep us on our toes.

And as if crawling weren't enough, you have also learned to pull yourself up. You stand in your crib. Your pulling up on all the furniture. You even moved between two objects while standing yesterday. Stop that! Stop that behavior that resembles walking. You are my wittle bitty baby!

You are becoming so much more aware of yourself and of your surroundings. You're curiosity gets the best of you, especially when shopping with mommy and grandma - you just look around and take in your surroundings with such wonderment. But it seems like you are happy to go along on any adventure. You love playing with your toes and putting them in your mouth. You only have 2 teeth but you are drooling buckets and leaving puddles. When you see food, you must have it. Your favorites would have to be honey crisp apples and sweet potatoes too. You did get your first taste of some water and aloe. You loved it, just like your sister. Bath time has become so fun with you. You had your first bath in grandmas sink. I think you were a little confused but quickly had fun splashing the water everywhere. Now that you can sit up unassisted your enjoying things a lot more.

We don't see the pediatrician till next month, but I am guessing your roughly 15lbs. You were 13lbs in September. You can wear anything from 3 to 6 months clothes. Anything bigger then that is still too big. We have graduated up to size 3 diapers, but you still have lots of room to grow in them. I have a feeling you will be in those for a while, your sister was. We are still struggling with shoes. Unfortunately you have wide feet like your sister, so finding shoes that fit are not easy. We have a few pairs for Charleston that fit you. Your not so sure about them. Your only getting used to having socks on your feet too.

During the week, we stay fairly busy outside the house. We have our mommy and me workouts we go to. I think its your favorite time of the day, you get so many cuddles from everyone and you can now chase all the kids around the studio. I'm sure this is were you are learning all those big kid things like crawling, pulling up and almost walking. You sleep so well afterwards. Usually about 2 hours. When you wake up, I always hear you cooing and babbling away in your crib. Your night sleep schedule has changed a little though, you like to get up between 4 and 5 to get a bottle, but quickly go back to sleep to about 7:30ish when your sister wakes up and runs in to give you hugs and kisses. You love everything about her. She can always make you giggle...its so cute.

Life with you at eight months old couldn't be any better. You are such a happy baby and you and your sister can charm us all day long with those giggles and smiles. The love you have for your sister and even your puppy is amazing. I am looking forward to the Holiday season with you and your sister as we do a bit of traveling.

I love you sweet girl.

Letters to Emersyn - 6 Months Old

My little Emersyn! 

At six months you’re as eager as ever to get moving. You’re frustrated when you can’t reach things and let out a yelp of irritation. You’re happiest on your belly, kicking around and pulling yourself in a circle as you try (and try and try) to navigate your way across the room. Whenever I put you down to play on your back you roll over and often twist yourself around like a baby compass. Your little legs never stop kicking. Even when you’re sleeping you move so much – often waking yourself up. You can get up on all 4 now, but you have not officially started crawling yet. I give it a month and you will be all over the place. Slow down little one, stay still a little longer.

We don't see the pediatrician till Wednesday so for your unofficial numbers.. you weigh roughly 12.5 pounds. Your still wearing 3month clothes and size 2 diapers but I think we're about to move you up to size 3. You do so much better with hair bows then Charleston ever did! Yay, bc we have so many. Lol. We did try a pair of shoes the other day - you were very confused on what was on your feet! But they stayed on for the most part. We will just have to keep working with them. 

And sweet girl, you don’t know it, but you have a sister who watches over you from heaven. Her name is Payton and she would have been 3 years old this month. She didn’t make it though, and that makes Mommy and Daddy very sad. But we are lucky to have such a sweet little guardian angel to take care of you and Charleston. 

Mommy and Daddy are so glad that you found us. I never could’ve imagined that you would be so perfect! I LOVE your head full of Aubrun hair, and you look just like me! Makes your daddy mad both of you girls look like me! I tell people I plan on taking over the world by cloning little mini me's! You girls may look like me, but you do have some of your daddy's traits. You both have his wide feet! Ughhh! Makes it hard for finding shoes that fit. Charleston got Daddy's curls, we will soon find out if you got them as well. But it looks like you will have super fine hair like me. Charleston does too. Your has more red then hers! Which I love. Your grandma Sherri has red hair. I have red highlights, I was hoping one of you girls would have red hair so we will see how things change as you grow. 

We haven't officially started you on solid foods yet but we did give you some sweet potatoes and boy did you love them!!! Avacodos are my first choice of foods to start you on, so we will see what foods you like here soon. 

Don't grow too fast sweet girl. Mommy loves you! 

Letters to Emersyn - 4 Months Old

Dear Emersyn! 

These months are going by way to fast and I still haven't figured out how to slow time down! You have changed so much in just the past month. Your smiling now. Your coo-ing, and oh those baby noises can melt my heart! 

Your four month check up is not till next week, but I unofficially weighed you and you were roughly 11lbs. Last month you were 10lbs. So your gaining good weight. Your newborn clothes are fitting perfect. Most 0-3 month clothes are still too big. Your still eating 5-6oz every 4-5hrs. 

You have had such a busy month traveling too. Your an expert in the car these days. The first of June we went to Ohio. That was a 14 hour drive. You girls did amazing. I was impressed bc even Charleston has not done that ride yet. But both of you got to meet everyone. Great Grandma & Great Grandpa loved seeing you! 

We actually just got back from Orlando. That was an easier ride for you both. Only 6hrs. We spent the week with Grandma and Grandpa but you got to meet Great Grandma and Great Grandpa too. Great Grandma got a hold of you and neither one of you wanted to let go! It was so sweet! You even made your first trip to Magic Kingdom. You loved the rides and seeing all the colors and things! It was so hot so we didn't spend all day at the park. No worries though bc Grandma and Grandpa work at Disney so we will get to go a lot more! Plus we're making a big trip in December with Grandma & Grandpa Pope! 

Your personality is really starting to shine through! I love this age. You love watching Charleston play around you. And Charleston is obsessed with helping me with everything for you. She loves holding the bottle and helping me burp you. The bond between you too is growing everyday and it makes my heart skip a beat! Watching you two together is my favorite thing ever. 

I can not wait to see what this next months adventures have in store for you! 

Mommy loves you sweet girl! 

Letters to Emersyn - 3 Months Old

Dear Emersyn,

You turn 3 months old today!! Two things are certain: I have no idea where those three months went and you're changing every day. I hope these letters freeze time just a little bit by giving you a snap shot of what you were like at just 90 days old. We love you more with each passing day.

Your eyes seem to be getting bluer by the day and your dark hair is growing like weeds. You don't really have a favorite toy or anything, but you have found your hands! Your constantly grabbing onto blankets, or even my shirts when your snuggled up close. You started to grab your bottle as well.

You have become more aware of your surroundings. You're getting really good at tracking Charleston as she runs around the room in circles around you. You would prefer to be cuddled in my arms, but Im determined to get you to like tummy time or swing time. Its not that you hate either, you just can't be swaddled up tight. Your moving around a lot more, so not sure how much longer you will be able to use the swaddle blankets. Which might be harder for mommy to work. If I can get you to sit in your swing or lay on the floor long enough for mommy to get some work done, that would be amazing. But none the less, I don't mind cuddling you all day. My work and house cleaning can wait!

You are a very good sleeper. You usually go down about 7:30 and sleep to about 7am. You are still sleeping in the rock n play, but working on moving you to either the pack and play or the crib. You're just not a fan of sleeping on a flat surface. You still nap a good bit during the day, but I find you awake and more alert in between.

Your getting bigger by the day. You are currently in size one diapers and moving your way into 0-3 month clothes. In an unofficial weigh-in using the bathroom scale, you clock in between 10 and 11 pounds. Your eating 6 oz. in the morning and sometimes before bed. During the day you still do 4 oz. Usually every 3-4 hours. I need you to slow down some! I have a feeling your going to be my last baby and that makes me want to keep you small even longer. Maybe one day I can talk your daddy into making you a big sister {but shh, we can work on him later}!

You don't currently have any teeth, but im about 99% sure you have one trying to come through. You drool every now and then. And when I put my finger in your mouth to massage gums you smile as if its the best thing in the world. If your anything like your sister, you are right on track as she had 2 teeth coming in at this time.

You may not have a favorite toy, but you do love baths. Especially getting your hair washed. We took you in the pool for the first time on Memorial day and you loved it. Then you passed out hard.

You do pretty decent on trips around town or even to Aunt Brandy's house. We are gearing up for the biggest road trip you or your sister has been on. Next week we head to Ohio. Which should be an interesting ride up. Your Aunt Brandy and I plus you, Charleston, Hunter, Jonathan and Randy all in one car.. while Grandma Sherri and Uncle TJ in another. With kids, Cleveland usually takes about 12-13 hours. Hunter is used to it, Jonathan has done the drive a few times, the rest of you munchkins have an adventure that awaits you. Hopefully this will get you used to traveling more, bc you girls and I head to Orlando at the end of June. You are going to be cuddled and loved by all kinds of family members. Im sure you will love it.

Im looking forward to the many adventures with you and your sister. Hopefully time slows down enough for me to remember every moment (mommy brain in full effect over here), if not we have these letters to look back on. Until our next monthly update....

Mommy loves you.

Letters to Emersyn - 1 Month Old

Dear Emersyn,

If there is one thing you will learn about life, it's that it's unpredictable. And I will always remember every detail about the day you were born, even though I couldn't predict a single moment of it. On the day you were born.. When I saw Dr. Fisher on Wednesday we decided to schedule another NST on Friday because your movements had slowed down. Little did I know you would be here that evening.

You have grown so much already in your first month and I am amazed every day at how much you change. During your first month of life, It's been a steady stream of changes and getting used to everything. Being a family of four, Watching your BIG sister as she's truly in love with you and wants to help mommy with everything. You are so curious. Not only do you look around in amazement, but you look around in wonderment. I wish I could know wha you are thinking, as your expressions are just priceless.

At one month old you weigh 6lbs. 4oz. Your still in newborn diapers. Most newborn clothes are still too big so we have a few preemie outfits for you. Unlike your sister, you love to be swaddled. And you will take snuggles anyway you can get them. Especially at 3am.

My favorite thing that you do is smile in your sleep. From the day you were born, you smiled in your sleep. Someone once told it means you are talking to the angels and I know this to be true because you have some of the very best guardian angels watching over you. I will tell you all about your Big sister, Payton one day. You also love to clasp your hands together and it looks like you are praying. It is the sweetest thing.

You are just like your big sister, Charleston in that you have quite the appetite and when you want to eat, you want to eat now. You have 3/4 oz roughly every 3 hours. You are starting to sleep more and more through the night, and even though I like my sleep too, I find that I stare at you when you sleep. When you finally stir and give out a little squeak, I can not wait to kiss your sweet little cheeks and watch you fall back asleep. Before bed every night we cuddle up in the bed to settle down and having you in my arms and your sister cuddled up beside me is by far my one of my favorite things.

The only thing that overwhelms me is watching just how fast you are growing already. Even though the nights were sleepless in the beginning, it seems as if your first weeks disappeared in a blink of an eye and I am begging for them back. Every day you are completely different. I am so excited to see you grow, yet wishing time would slow down so I could savor these moments longer. Maybe that is why I sometimes just sit and start at you, wishing the clock would stop for just a moment so I can remember every detail of your newborn skin.

The bond between you and your sister is already strong. The way you just stare at her when she's rocking your or holding you is precious. I'm so excited to watch you two grow up and change together. I hope you girls are just as close as your Aunt Brandy and I are.

Get ready, sweet baby.. this life of yours is going to be a wild adventure and I hope its everything you could dream of.

I'll love you always,
Mommy

Pregnancy, The Third Trimester Part 3

As with every stage of pregnancy, it’s a mixed bag of emotions and feelings. I want time to hurry up and slow down all at once. Physically, I want to be done, I’m in a lot of pain most the time. Emotionally, I’m good with being pregnant awhile longer, especially since this is most likely the last time I will be. I'm not 100% sure I'm done, but Richard says no more. 

Even with all the change ahead, I’m feeling pretty at peace with it, which is saying a lot for me since I tend to prefer to know exactly how things are going to play out. I don’t know a lot of much right now, actually. We have so much to do – we’re rearranging 3 rooms in the house, Trying to transition Charleston off the pacifier & start thinking about potty training … life is changing all at once. Charleston has taught me so much about learning to go with the flow and here we already, learning that lesson again as Emersyn is making her way into our world. A lot is going to change in the next couple of months and I have to keep reminding myself that it will all work out one way or another.

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The sickness I felt in the first trimester lingered a few weeks into my 2nd, so I was hopeful that I would continue to feel great a few weeks into my 3rd trimester. I was wrong. At around 26/27 weeks I started getting sharp pains in my back! Stronger then normal. I think she is sitting on my sciatic nerve and it doesn’t feel great. It’s hard to walk sometimes. When putting pressure on my right leg while walking, a sharp shooting pain will almost bring me to my knees. It’s intense! It’s worse some days than others and I’m hopeful that she will move off my nerve and this won’t continue for the rest of my pregnancy- REALLY hopeful. Ha!

Also starting to get pain in my pelvic floor. Carrying around an extra 20 lbs is doing a number on my pelvis. My legs go numb around my hips every night and she loves to keep me up at night doing gymnastics in my uterus. Don’t get me wrong, I am thankful for every little ache and pain. I know how blessed I am to be able to experience pregnancy, so I try to remember that when I’m laying in pain on my couch. It’s weird how much you can love someone who is causing you such discomfort. Ha!

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Charleston is going to be such a great big sister. She loves giving Emersyn kisses every night! She blows raspberries. It's too funny! I think she might be a little confused when the baby is no longer in my tummy but actually here. I'm sure she will catch on quick. 

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Made it through the SECOND TRIMESTER!

Im not going to lie, my second trimester was not any easier then my first. The nausea finally stopped! Which is a huge relief... how does anyone function with all that! whew! Hunger seems to come and go. Some days im hungry and some days Im not. Most days I have no appetite for anything.. but whats new from previous pregnancies. These girls don't like food! Like the other 2, shes likes her sugar and chocolate. I have eaten more sugar this time around. Since having an anterior placenta I don't feel her that often, so I eat a handful of sour gummy bears - and shes all over the place! I've decided if thats how im going to get my kick counts in this pregnancy then i'm not going to complain. I mean we all know my candy addiction is REAL anyways!

I did have a scare the beginning of the trimester, because some of my blood came back abnormal. I was not going to worry about it, bc it always comes back with abnormalities.. but this was with one of the genetic testing. The spina bifida one - the levels came back high. I went and saw a maternal specialist. Something I had to do by myself, and after Payton - this is never an appointment you should do by yourself. Thankfully everything came back out. My levels were one point over the failing point. But the doctors still want to treat me as if im high risk and keeping an eye on everything. So for the remaining of the pregnancy I will see the doctor ever 2 weeks. Every 4 weeks will be a normal check up and every 2 weeks I will have an ultra sound to make sure she is growing on schedule.

I feel like Emersyn looks so much like Payton too. She's is roughly about 2lbs, so a little smaller then the girls at this point. We will see how much she grows... and me... in the next few weeks.