THANKFUL

So, Emma.  She is simply growing up much more quickly than hoped.  Her favorite things include coloring (with washable markers, we aren’t crazy), climbing (anything, including the dog gate), watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (simply known as ‘icky) and playing with her Legos.  She’s developed a bit of a sweet tooth, but we still push vegetables and meats as much as possible.  Emma will put down a slice of Randy’s Pizza, however, and will always take a bunny vitamin when offered (which are really Flintstones, so Barney = bunny).

She’s had a chance to have play dates with neighbors throughout November and she’s really stepping her social game up.  The most awesome sound is her and her friend Logan running around the house screaming with sounds of laughter.  Unfortunately, they both know how to open doors, so we always keep an eye and ear open on the two of them – they really don’t monitor each other very well.  She’s becoming so much more attentive to other people and their needs.  She’ll bring you a Kleenex when you sneeze and showed her friend Eva a big dose of empathy the other night when she was screaming (probably because Emma removed a toy from her hand).  She is smarter than you know and has a good idea of what’s going on, even if she misdirects you with a baby doll or coloring.  Tough combination for such a little girl – smart, sweet, fun and considerate.  All things are relative, because she will become unhappy with the status quo pretty quickly and at random times for no reason.  Because she’s two.  

She loves to rub lotion on her hands after a bath and she enjoys a good hand washing after she uses the potty.  She will prepare the potty with her potty seat and stool, grab a book and then use as much toilet paper as we will let her.  I’m fairly certain she’s only *actually* dropped goodness in the toilet once or twice, but A for effort Emma!  Don’t try to help her with many things you may think she could use help with, because she will let you know “I got it.”  And then if she really did “got it” she’ll let you know that she “did it.”  How about them apples!?  She’s such a big kid!

Sweet Cheeks now has the ability to hold reasonable conversations with you, though they may not go as planned.  Her facial expressions are awesome and rarely fail to capture my complete attention, which is bad when I’m driving.  Her attention span is somewhat short, and she is still not pleased about going to time out when necessary.  She shows us this by picking up her chair and moving it to a more desirable location or climbing the staircase (on the opposite side of the actual stairs).  She bursts into song at any points during the day after she’s had her breakfast.  Her favorites include “Are You Sleeping,” “ABCD…you get the idea,” “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,” “Rock a Bye Baby” and “Row Row Row Your Boat.”  Occasionally our nighttime TV is interrupted by Emma playing drums on her crib and singing “Are You Sleeping?,” which of course she is not.  

She has started putting her baby dolls into timeout and it's likely the most hilarious thing ever.  David caught it once on video - baby doll was "whining."  No kidding.  And then last night, baby doll was "biting, no bite."  Good things to remember when you're around Emma.  Zero tolerance.  She will also tell you that "this is mine, not yours."  Which makes sense because she thinks everything is hers!!!  

She had a wonderful Thanksgiving, during which she heard how the smoke detectors worked and learned how to rock in a rocking chair.  She loved the turkey and had to be cajoled into trying some pumpkin pie.  Successful on that front, obviously.  Emma loved seeing her cousin Max and talked about him for days afterwards.  She was gentle with him and I think we’re all thankful for that.

Our oven took a turn for the worst on Thanksgiving morning and we ended up using the fire extinguisher and purchasing a new element.  The neighbors baked our stuffing.  Did I mention David makes the very very best stuffing I've ever had.  I love it so much that I could eat just it for Thanksgiving.  I almost did.  When I called my Dad, hoping he'd come to the house and help, told everyone at Grandmommy's house that the elephant in the Macy's parade had caught fire.  What I told him was that our element in the oven blew up.  Glad we got that straightened out.

Later that weekend, Emma helped her Daddy pick out a Christmas tree and then helped him put it up by staying asleep in the car.  She loves the lights (of which there are approximately 2500 give or take).  Our tree is absolutely amazing - 9 feet tall with crazy lights and bows that David had made at Michael's.  Gorgeous and I'm so happy to go home each night to see it.  Got it decorated so we'll have lots of days to enjoy the forest in our house.

  

Emma has her Christmas program coming up at school and they have been rehearsing for weeks.  Families are invited and I was told that there would be “awesome snacks.”  So, pretzels and kids and Christmas…  all at one place.  We can’t wait to see our little girl do her thing and I will be bringing a box of kleenex.  She can spot Santa Claus anywhere and prefers to call him "Claus," which I hope is a nickname the big guy doesn't mind.  Can't wait for Christmas with this little girl!!