WE HAVE KIDS! I guess one would say, “No shit Sherlock”. But really I seriously find myself saying this to Justin all the time now. I am just amazed at these little humans they are becoming. Not even a year ago, we found ourselves at Avery’s annual Early Intervention Assessment and I remember language being one of the areas that had me feeling slightly concerned as both girls were slightly behind the developmental language milestones. I have conversations with them now! They are able to express their wants and needs, their feelings and thoughts, and the past two days Emerson started asking questions (what you doing, where you going). 

Emerson is sweet and caring, she wears her feelings on her sleeve and gets easily upset if she hurts your feelings or easily embarrassed if she gets in trouble for doing something she shouldn’t. She loves to cuddle especially on the couch while watching cartoons. Emerson does not like to listen…when it comes to getting dressed, changing her diaper, giving back the remote, getting off the table or chair in which she has climbed…she runs away as she thinks it is funny. The mention of a timeout does not phase her. She loves to laugh especially when mommy or daddy do something silly as put something in it’s wrong place. She loves to make up stories, and she is quite the expressive talker, constantly talking with her hands.

Avery is carefree, my little daredevil (although she is afraid to stand in an escalator). She laughs from deep within her soul and constantly expresses her feelings especially when it comes to having fun. She is an instigator and often wants Emerson to do things first especially when it comes to things that she knows she shouldn’t be doing, such as climbing up a lamp. She also likes to push the boundaries, but gets a little more scared on the count of two knowing the count of three could lead to a time out. She loves to tell stories of the past especially the ones that involve doctor’s visits or special one-on-one outings.

We have finally started to venture out again the past few weekends. Two weekends ago we took the girls to Kid Junction for day of indoor fun.  Harper mostly watched but she still had a great time. 

Emerson was actually in the mood to take pictures!

My sister who was visiting from London came along for the ride.

The following weekend we went to visit Granddaddy and Grandma in Virginia Beach. It was Harper’s first time in a hotel and she was awesome. It was our first experience in a hotel…just the five of us in one room and all the girls did great for the record. Avery and Emerson each slept in their pack-n-play which they love and Harper slept in a crib borrowed from the hotel. We had plenty of snuggles in bed.

The temperature reached record highs and we couldn’t resist a quick ride to the beach. Not much tops little toes in the sand.

We made it back from Va Beach in time to celebrate Christmas at home.  As we approach Christmas Eve, I can’t help but to think what a difference a year makes.  This time last year Justin was grocery shopping with mad crowds as I was too nauseous and tired to even get dressed.  While I made Christmas breakfast and Christmas dinner and we celebrated with presents and I put on my best front (as my parents didn’t yet know I was pregnant), deep down I was feeling pretty crappy. Here we are just one year later…Harper is now almost 4 1/2 months old and Avery and Emerson have become kids before my eyes.  WOW, what a difference a year makes!