Ah, hormones

*We took down the tree on Saturday and as Jon was taking it outside Emily called, "Bye-bye, tree," several times. Needless to say I cried my eyes out. You know tired, hormonal, it's-her-first-Christmas-tree tears. Super.

*On another note, Emily has started answering questions with a "yes" or "no." I'm used to her repeating what I ask her, so I don't always catch on right away. Example: Me: Do you want some noodles? E: Yesh. Me": (expecting to hear, "noonles") Do you want some noodles? E: (Nodding emphatically) Yesh.

New play area

Jon got a new table saw with some of his Christmas money, and the box was turned into a wonderful fort/play area/jail for Emily. I thought she should go ahead and decorate the inside, so we gave her the crayons and she went to town.

We also found some great LED lights on sale, and let her test them out in the box.

I posted the wrong video before

I meant to post this one--it's my favorite from when she was opening presents. I love how she kisses it at the end!

Another stool (sorry, Cindy)

I guess she needed something to sit on while she colored.

Mr. Potato Head

Uncle Paul, Aunt Larisa, Karen & Curtis sent Emily two Mr. Potato Heads, complete with TONS of accessories. Emily played for quite a while, but also decided that the parts looked great on her. She kept trying to get me to put the earrings on, but they're kind of painful--definitely not meant for my ears.

Another favorite toy

"D" batteries in the office...

Present from the Steele Grandparents

She loves these leapfrog magnets--and I love that they entertain her while I'm in the kitchen. They clearly encourage learning and silliness.

Helping with the apple pie

It was obviously much more fun to dance around with the apple peels than any of her new toys...
Yes, Cindy, that's part of your present that she's using as a stool. But she really did carry it around & play with it forever--that's how it got in the kitchen.

My favorite present for Emily

It could be difficult to make out, but Uncle Jim & Aunt Christie (and the cousins) sent Emily this AWESOME USC sweatsuit. She loooooves the pockets--which is why she has random pieces of paper (and tags and toys) sticking out of her. I also love that it's big enough to make it through next football season.

Emily's baby

I bought Emily a baby doll with a gift card that I had hanging out in my wallet. I think it's the only thing we really bought her this year besides crayons and a roll of brown paper from Santa. She LOVES the baby, and apparently I was lucky/brilliant to get one with a pacifier and juice cup, two of Emily's favorite things.

Christmas presents

Here's a picture of our Christmas tree--I don't think I posted one of it completely decorated.
We have many videos of Emily opening presents, but this is my favorite. She asked to sit in her chair--we weren't really trying to strap her down or anything.


It was sad to be away from our families, but we survived. We opened presents (Emily opened slowly because she'd stop to play) and made a turkey dinner. We relaxed and watched movies and lounged around in our PJs all day. And no Julotta! :)

Christmas dress

Emily found saw this dress when we were getting ready for church, and insisted that she put it on (probably because I told her we had to get dressed, and then I called it a dress). I threw on the tights, black shoes, and bow for good measure (blackmail). She even posed for a few pictures.

Just silly

Emily wore this t-shirt to bed after she came home from the baby-sitter's on Friday night (it was a tad big). These are our adventures in her room that morning. She's been eating cereal with a little bit of milk, and she was very excited to use a big bowl...so excited that she brought it in the bedroom with her.

Cold mornings

These past few mornings have been in the 30s, so we have to get bundled up when we go anywhere.

Haas Gear

We finally took a picture for Jeff in the gifts he sent for my birthday--Cal shirts! Emily LOVED the bear on mine, and kept growling at it.

Nog

I'm no longer the only one in my house who loves egg nog. I put some in Emily's cup since she seemed intrigued, and she LOVED it. She didn't even seem to mind the rum.

"I Am Legend"

Jon and I saw it last night, and it was pretty good. He almost lost a finger, but it was a good movie. Will Smith was very impressive.

Sorry, need to clarify--he almost lost a finger because I was squeezing his hand so hard. No tragic accident.

Pockets

Emily has discovered the uses of pockets--including food storage. Although she does still need help (the last word she says on the video) to get things out sometimes.

Kisses--the chocolate kind

Emily found some Hershey's kisses from one of my student gifts, and decided to indulge. She had some foil stuck on her face, which I found hilarious.
She still insists on doing the "George Bush" face when we ask her to smile.

Hats

We got a bag of hand-me-downs for the new baby, and Emily was thrilled with the hat, even if it was too small. She kept insisting that we put it on, then she'd make funny faces.

Big girl

I know these are blurry, but Emily looked so old with a clip in her hair and a denim jacket on.

Showing off #2

I thought it was appropriate to leave the leftover chocolate chip cookie on her face for these videos.
Animals...

Showing off #1

Body parts

Lights

I found her sitting under the tree this morning clicking the lights on and off. When I asked what she was doing, she replied (with glee), "Lights! Lights!" Sort of like she does in this video...

Patty-cake

Emily has started making her bears/dolls play patty-cake.

Bear

Emily was tickling and hugging bear in the car, but I think I only got the tickling part. She always goes for the neck and feet because that's where she's most ticklish.

Dipper

I left our ketchup & mustard out after lunch, along with some fritos (yes, it was a very healthy lunch that included mini corn dogs), and when Emily woke up from her nap, she decided that it would be a great combination.

Another fun bath with Daddy

Do you think she's tired?
My favorite picture...
"Do you like 'Flock of Seagulls?'"
"I can see you do." (Name that movie...)

Noonles (Noodles)

New purse

Kim made me this awesome purse for my birthday, and I'm finally remembered to post it.

Nearly 22 weeks

I had my appointment today, and everything is going well. My doctor said, "You're finally gaining weight," since I jumped from +2 to +9 this past month (I blame Thanksgiving). My next appointment is when they'll do the glucose test (Jan. 2), so I figure I have four more weeks to enjoy sugar and other carbs.

Spelling

I've started spelling words. Emily doesn't really freak out or throw tantrums or anything, but sometimes it's easier to spell out c-h-e-e-s-e than to get her some/convince her she doesn't need it at 6am. Same thing with j-u-i-c-e/m-i-l-k or a b-a-t-h, which she could take at any time of day. She asked for a bath in the gym at our school because it was a bathroom.

Jumper

Emily LOVES playing in the bouncer at church--regardless of who else is in there, or how big they are. She giggles and dances/jumps in place until it's her turn. I'll have to get some video next time.

Room lights

Jon bought Emily some awesome lights for her room (since she is so thrilled with Christmas lights), and she fell asleep staring at them. I wish I could've taken the picture without the flash so that you could see the glow on her face, but it was too dark.

Rocking chair

My parents sent Emily my old rocking chair, and she is having tons of fun. She probably rocked for a good 10 minutes straight when it first arrived.

Earrings

Lights

Curse of the dancing snowman

LOVES the Christmas tree, and lights

First candy cane

We "saw" Santa on base today, but we didn't get anywhere close to sitting near him. We only got close enough to get a candy cane.

Comfy

Taken juuust before a nap.

Tickles & giggles

Bonk

I blame Uncle Paul for teaching her how to head-butt people. Even though it may not be his fault.

Tickling Daddy's feet

Whenever Emily decides to "tickle, tickle, tickle," she either goes for the feet or the neck. Probably because that's where she's most ticklish.

Crafty

Emily has been making some really cute crafts at school. We got to take home the bat this week, and she has a reindeer that I'm guessing will come home sometime after Christmas.