Breaking News!!

Emery used the potty on purpose today! Whoohoo! I say "on purpose" because she got my attention, said "potty" and walked to the bathroom. She tried to take off her diaper, then I put her on the potty and she did both. I'm sure you know what I mean when I say "both". I don't want to offend anyone. She actually used it yesterday, twice, and that's because I can usually tell so I snatched her up and put her on the potty. I was fairly impressed and excited about today. I could be wasting my time but I pretty much have all day and to me, "the sooner the better" as far as potty training goes. I hope this effort pays off. lol. I give you all permission to laugh at me, come 1 year from now and she won't use the potty.
(Sorry no pics but I'm not so sure about that kind of picture posted all over the internet.) Wish me luck!

Fat Lip & Quiet Books

Rob was playing with Emery last night and decided to give her a fat lip. Well, he didn't really decide on it but who in their right mind just throws a big frisbee at a 1 year old's face anyway?! Just kidding Rob, I know it was an accident. She's usually under my supervision when all the bumps and bruises happen. Nice for Rob to join in on the action.
On another note, I've been working on a few "quiet books / folders" for Emery to have at church. What a task, not so much the books, but rather Emery during church. She's getting better but still somewhat too active so I'm trying everything these days. If anyone has any suggestions, PLEASE feel free to share. I'm open to just about anything. lol. I could say something sarcastic now but no need. The folders are courtesy of a friend I had in Utah that made them for her neices and nephews. I've had them filed away since 2001 - waiting to pull them out for our own children. Funny how time flies. I made copies, colored the pictures, and pasted them to folders. Now all I have left to do is laminate and cut out the small pieces. I know she won't be able to do them all correctly, but with time I think she'll start to like them. We'll see.
Hope everyone is having a good week!

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then is not an act, but a habit." Aristotle
(This quote is an eye-opener for me. No need to elaborate, I'll leave it at that.)

Peas & Carrots (Pics for Uncle Jason)

Decided to put up some pictures of Emery eating something healthy (hence the peas & carrots) since Jason seems to think we only give her junk. I started giving her the vegetables first, when she's nice and hungry, that way she's more likely to eat them. Then to top it all off, she can have her hotdog, just like in the last picture. lol. I know, I know. Pretty much defeats the purpose of the vegetables but she sure is using her fork nicely these days when she eats her hotdog.
HAPPY MONDAY!!

"Opportunities are seldom labeled." William Feather

Postcard, Ponytail & (early) Halloween

It's official, Emery's hair fits into a ponytail. Yeah. She doesn't so much like it but that's okay, she'll get used to it. lol.

Emery received a really nice postcard in the mail from Grandpa and Grandma Christensen - it has a picture of a polar bear on it. She can now look at her books and point out the polar bear. THANKS so much for sending it!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! I know, I know. It is a little early but I was organizing Emery's clothes, putting things away in storage and came across the decorations and decided to pull them out. I'll be sick of them come October 31st but at least they had a while out on display. (Ginger, the one of Emery sitting in front of the "Trick or Treat" sign is for you, just for old times sake - FYI - my mom sent this to us our freshman year at BYU. We hung it on our dorm room door. Yeah, it's old and faded but I still think it looks pretty good.)

Hope everyone had a good week!

"Be charitable and indulgent to everyone but thyself." Joseph Joubert

Pink Toes, Story Time & A Frosty

Lots of random pictures to show-off with you. Painted Emery's toenails for the first time. While she will probably never grow up to be a foot model, they are never the less somewhat cute. Rob and I still haven't figured out where she got her crooked toenails from, although we do believe we have a good idea. lol.
Let Emery have a go at it (frosty) with a spoon the other day. As you can tell, still working on those fine motor skills. Although she could not quite master the spoon, she was not having any trouble getting the ice cream into her mouth, a lot like her father in that aspect. (j/k Rob - lol).

Took Emery to story time at the library this morning. To my surprise, she was quiet and still (for the most part). We'll have to make it a weekly tradition. I sat on the side just in case we needed to make a quick exit but it all worked out really well.

THANK YOU Pam for the super cute smocked dress - Emery wore it on Sunday and received several compliments. THANK YOU so much!

"Activity is the only road to knowledge." George Bernard Shaw

"giddy up cowgirl"

Is that how you spell "gitty up"? No, it's "giddy", thank you Heather.
Emery had the ever so wonderful opportunity to ride the ponies at the fair. She liked it...and that's about it. Not too much else to say. The pictures can speak for themselves. Hope everyone is having a good Monday!

















"The more you say, the less people remember." Francios Fenelon

County Fair....YeeHaw!

Took Emery to the county fair last night with two other couples and their kids. She really seemed to enjoy it. She liked the rides a lot more than I thought she would. Some of them were a little faster than I had anticipated but she didn't seem to mind. (Doesn't Rob look happy in the dump truck - lol.) They had some animals and pony rides for the kids, not to mention the healthy fried foods - what's a fair without a funnel cake?? Good stuff.
Hope everyone is having a GREAT weekend!

I thought the picture of Rob, Emery, Eric & Bryant was kind of funny - it's called "Who's my Daddy?" lol. Looks can be deceiving.

"Happiness is having a scratch for every itch." Ogden Nash (just ask Emery, her new thing is, "itch, itch, itch". I think it's an attention-getter but I'll keep scratching as long as she keeps itching. :)

Playgroup & Stickers

Took Emery to her playgroup again today. She did pretty good. Not much tugging at toys (maybe a couple of times) and a lot less hair-pulling involved (one little boy loves to pull her hair). She only screams when he won't let go for a few seconds. lol. Kids are hilarious. Took a picture of her on our way out the door. Feels like the weather is cooling off a bit, hence the jacket.
Hope everyone is having a good week. Happy Friday!!

"Hitch your wagon to a star." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Pigtails & Teardrops

Thought I would include a picture of Emery's new pigtails. I also attached a picture of her pigtails from October of last year. Time is flying by. She doesn't so much like for me to do her hair unless she thinks that we are actually going somewhere. I bribe her by telling her that we are going "outside", which technically we are. She's more likely to hold still and not say, "owwww" the entire time I am doing her hair. I agree, it should only take me about 20 seconds to do it but you would be fairly impressed by her skills to get away from me.
The next two pictures are of Emery after she hit her head on the headboard. I just love the teary-eyed photo. Can't help but smile at those big brown eyes.

Emery and Rob enjoying a little bit of the movie Snow White. Emery laughs at the some-what "scary " parts. Kind of funny. I'm glad she doesn't recognize them as "scary" just yet. The movie/movies hold her attention for a good 20 minutes then she begins to wander.

Hope everyone is having a good week so far!

"Live each day, each hour, in harmony with who you are and what your life represents. It's worthwhile to try."

Came across some old photos...

YEAH!! How exciting - I came across some old(er) pictures that we have downloaded on our other computer. Rob's laptop is about to bite the dust so I made the transfer over to our older computer. I had to figure out the software for it, which in turn led me to pictures I haven't seen in over a year. What a nice surprise. I thought some of you might like a glimpse of the past. These pictures include a picture of my big ole self taking a quick nap the day I went to the hospital to deliver Emery (man am I huge or what...good thing my face is covered, can you say blimp??) , the gang at Stacey's wedding, myself and Rob's Aunt Bonnie (from West Valley, UT) at Hilton Head, and the sunset on Hilton Head. Obviously, not breath-taking photos but you know how it is when you come across old pictures you haven't seen in a while. Makes me laugh. The last two are from tonight - our new table (which Rob decided to get me instead of a new TV - thank you Rob) and one of Emery right before bed (and yes mom, she is still wearing "those same ole pajamas"). lol. Hope everyone had a good Monday!

"Always put those joyous days in our emotional bank, saving them up for the inevitable stormy days in the future."

Postcards & Tennis

Emery recently received a couple of postcards in the mail from Hawaii. The first one was from Molly who was there several weeks ago for a water polo tournament. The second one was from Uncle Jason while there on business last week. THANK YOU guys so much! She enjoys looking at the bright color photos. Maybe one day we'll make it there for a visit. But like I siad before, preferably not until she's older and we can all endure a cross counrty flight. lol.
Thought I would include a (not so good) picture of Rob and Mark enjoying (or something of that nature) a game of tennis. They've been playing pretty regularly. It's pretty intense (for those of you who do not know anything about competition in the Christensen household - lol). (Uncle) Mark will surely be missed when he's gone.
Hope everyone is having a good week - only one more day until the weekend!
"Well done is better than well said." Benjamin Franklin

Labor Day Weekend

So we're back from the beach and back to reality. The weather was wonderful, it was nice to get away. I must admit that Emery tends to act a little different around Grandma and Grandpa. I have no idea why, but she does. Anyone have any reason on this matter?? She thinks she can get away with anything and puts up a fight to do so. It's crazy.

Emery enjoyed the pool, the beach and most of all, the amusement park. We took her two nights in a row. She didn't so much like the balloon ride with Grandma (it was a little too fast, you can see the before and after photos above) but the rest of the rides were right up her alley.

Hope everyone had a good Labor Day Weekend!

"Live joyously." Horace