This post is really just about one book, and also an excuse to play around with some backlighting. My fabulous cousin Macey, a.k.a. EJ's Auntie Macey (who also really loves books), sent us a little book called Otis.
First of all, it is a super cute book. And it is special because it's from Auntie Macey. But what really melts my heart, is that it's about a tractor and Macey sent it to us because it reminds her of my dad (who is a tractor expert). I will forever have a soft spot in my heart for my daddy and I will love sharing this book with EJ.
As I was feeling all warm and fuzzy from my sweet cousin's gift and thoughts about my dad and what a great grandpa he is... I decided to have a little photoshoot. I'd been wanting to play around with backlighting with some sheer curtains I purchased recently for our monthly photoshoots. I'm also a sucker for some momma-daughter pictures and EJ seemed cooperative. And since my cousin is a photographer, I figured she wouldn't mind a post in her honor that combined both :).
She loves looking at pictures and had just started trying to grab what's on the page.
"Children are a blessing and a gift from the Lord" - Psalm 127:3 CEV
This pretty much sums up our three months as parents. Emerson Jane is such a joy and blessing to us. She wakes up with a smile (and a stretch) and lights up when she sees you. I know in so many ways, this is the easiest parenting will ever be...and we are soaking it up and enjoying every sweet second of it!
At three months Emerson is weighing in at 15 pounds even and is 24.75 inches long! She is a great sleeper at night for the time being and usually sleeps for six and half to eight hours (it's so great!). She does take some time to wake up still, but usually once she sees your face she's all smiles and ready to socialize. She still takes cat naps during the day, but we do usually get at least one good nap in. She also blesses us with being able to fall asleep on her own. If I catch her when she's getting drowsy and do a little soothing, I can lay her down and watch her drift off. I hope she retains that skill!
One day, Emerson just decided that sitting upright and looking around the room is her favorite. She doesn't like a slight recline, she likes to sit up (with help). I first noticed this during a grocery shopping trip. She was in the wrap/carrier (the baby k'tan - love it!) with her head on my chest and she started getting fussy. She usually falls right to sleep in that position so I pulled her head and arms out to see what was up. She immediately started looking all around and was calm... she just wanted to see what all those noises were! And she hasn't stopped looking around since!
She is still working on her fine motor skills, she's great at grabbing what comes along like her dress, a blanket or my hair.. but she's still trying to get those hands to grab smaller things like toys. Her gross motor skills and strength is improving. She rocks tummy time now (she used to hate it) for about 5 minutes and she's standing (with help obviously) for longer and longer every day. She is also really enjoying her voice lately and just talks up a storm! She's a social butterfly and will smile and talk to just about anything with a face (her glow worm, her reflection in the mirror etc). It's the cutest thing ever. She's so tickled to look into your eyes and pour out her heart, and she concentrates so hard at it! Here's an example (she starts talking almost half way through.. sorry I don't know how to edit).
We have also enjoyed her giggles! I was making dinner one night and I thought she was upset, I look over and daddy has her giggling away! She'll giggle for him over the littlest things, while I have to get lucky. ;)
Emerson also loves her baths. She's a water baby! Usually once a week we take a big girl bath together and that's her favorite. She grins as soon as her feet touch the water and loves to kick her feet and stand up.
She is on the last snap of her newborn all-in-one diapers and is growing out of 0-3 month clothes. She's even growing out of some 3 month clothes and into most 3-6 month outfits. It's funny, the older she gets and with each new skill she discovers, the less I'm sad about how fast she's growing and the more I look forward to who she'll become. I'm surprised by that but I just love seeing what tomorrow brings. Sure I look back at those newborn videos and outfits and think about how fast it's going, but truly I enjoy 'today' each day and can't wait to see who she'll be in two weeks, two months and two years.
Oh.. I guess I've forgotten to comment on her hair! So far she's a definite red head! She has her daddy's hair and skin. My mom also had red hair as a kid, so she could be getting it from both sides. Apparently I was born with red hair but it slowly grew in blond and by six months I was pretty blond.. so the jury is still out on the official red head/ginger status. I think it will stay, it's a different red than mine was as a baby and it's getting redder as she gets older.. but we'll see. We love it though and hope it stays :).
We just love our girl to pieces! I could watch her sleep forever, but I love being there to see her face light up when she wakes up too. She's just such a blessing!
And without further ado.. the barrage of pictures! I literally took 750 pictures this time.. oops! First, I was trying to get them to turn out better and I think I've been unhappy because of exposure, so several (hundred) shots were taken in triplicate with exposure bracketing, and then there were several burst shots to get that smile etc.. and extra pictures trying to get some with both of us. But mostly, she was just so darn cute sleeping.. and that's where the bulk of them came from.
Telling stories
My favorite outfit :)
More stories
Trying to get a picture or two together... it was tricky!
As close as we got :)
I love her lashes and cheeks!
And I love her little hands :)
Playing in the shade
It is finally getting cool enough for us to enjoy some time outside!
Bath time! She's going to out grow this tub soon.. I'll miss it!
She LOVES her Peter Rabbit!
"I love Lettuce, french beans, radishes (and being naughty)" - Peter Rabbit
We did it. We continued our tradition of an annual beach trip with our friends plus babies. It was a little different (waiting around for naps to be done) but it was wonderful! We enjoy every second with our friends and even with clouds and rain, the beach is fun.
We did the usual things.. starting with the Ilwaco Saturday Market.
Trying to get a family photo (with their camera.. which is why they aren't looking).
Whitney and Lincoln!
I love Lincoln's face here! And as usual, EJ is much more interested in something else during picture time... in this case the big red building next door.
Mommies and babies. Lincoln is 5 months and EJ is almost 3 months.
We also continued our tradition of going to Adelaide's and picking out a book. We chose We're Going on a Bear Hunt as our first children's book from the beach. I think we'll add to the tradition and try to get a picture of the kid(s) reading on the porch with one of us.
Reading with daddy.
She does make some effort to look at the pictures.
So serious ;)
Then we headed back to the cabin to make dinner.
The guys doing guy things.
Mr. Lincs checking out what his daddy is doing.
He LOVES exploring textures and this deck was too tempting to resist!
Babies playing
Saura's turn to make dinner.. I enjoyed putting my feet up :)
Supporting the Cougs.. they won!
Trying to get some giggles
What!? We're out of chocolate!?
:)
And the traditional end of trip group shot... in the rain. This was the first time at the beach that we didn't have at least one nice day. Oh well, you can't win them all!
