A few months ago, I decided that while I was on maternity leave, primarily the second half when I was cleared to pick up the girls, I would spend some one on one time with the older girls.  They are almost always together and it has become apparent that they do want their alone time sometimes.  Avery especially can be mean to Emerson sometimes and tells her to go away or to stop talking.  Emerson is very sensitive and her feelings get hurt; for the most part she responds by just being quiet.  

Last week Emerson had a doctor’s appointment at a pediatric orthopedist to check out her legs.  It was confirmed that she has tibia torsion in both legs and while it has improved some over the last year it is significant enough that Justin and I with the doctor’s recommendation feel like her wearing a bar and corrective shoes at night and for naps is the best route to go.  At lot of doctors recommend waiting to see if she grows out of it; however, she may not and most doctors agree that if the corrective shoes and bars are used for the right diagnosis than they can’t hurt.  Both Avery and Harper accompanied Emerson, Grandma, and me to last week’s appointment. 

Yesterday Emerson had an appointment with the orthotics specialist to get her measurements.  Since I still can’t pick the girls up, Grandma went with Emerson and me to the appointment while Avery and Harper stayed home with Ana. 

Emerson made herself right at home once we were in the waiting area.  

I didn’t take any pictures of her getting the measurements but it went very well.  She really liked the “man” as did I.  He asked her to walk and run up and down the halls.  At first she was hesitant but then, all she wanted to do was run with the “man.” The “man” aka Vernon showed us what the shoes and bar would look like and Emerson seemed to be excited about her new “shoes” as we explained them to her. 

As we were leaving the appointment, I thought to myself why not start the one on one time today!  Technically it wasn’t one on one since Grandma was there but Emerson didn’t have to share her time with Avery which is one of the goals.  I knew of a shopping center playground along the route home so I decided what the heck with the nap time and we went to play.  The best part of this playground was that it was fenced in!  Emerson enjoyed simply running around…

and the slides (despite the static cling)….

and flying the airplane….

and she even made some friends.

Mommy wanted to capture the moment and tried to get a picture with Emerson; however, she wouldn’t sit still.  (Notice my child escaping). 

After playing on the playground for awhile, I decided why not go all out and presented another surprise to Emerson.  Ice cream for Emerson and milk shakes for Mommy and Grandma.  

I got Emerson a regular size ice cream and thought there was no way she would finish it, but she did and then she wanted some of my milk shake!  

We had a great time!  And it was nice to know that while Emerson did enjoy her alone time, she also asked for Avery a few times and Avery apparently had asked for Emerson a few times herself.