Big Fall Weekend

My mom came into town this past weekend and we had a full weekend of activities planned.

First up was putting Emma in the big girl bath so she could play more easily. She loves to "kick kick kick" and splash around with her duckies.

Friday night Emma's school had Trunk or Treat. It was so cold so she was a bundled up ballerina. She loved to watch all the kids come around and say "trick or treat" and really wasn't afraid of anything. Mom, the tiger, Dad, the cowboy, Mumsy, the bunny, and Grandma Charlene, the Halloween spirit, passed out candy and toys to the kids.

Ms. Ayat- one of Emma's teachers

Saturday we headed to Eckert's in Belleville in order to get our pumpkins for the season. We had a great time with Angela, Matt, Will, Mumsy and Grandma Jan.

Emma turns 9 Months Old!

Emma-
On October 8th you turned 9 months old! I can't believe how fast you are growing up! I wish I could freeze time right now as this has truly been my favorite stage of your development. Your personality is shining and everyday you seem to discover something new.

We went to see your doctor and you have grown 10" since you were born...you are now 27" tall. You have almost gained 11 lbs as you now weigh in at 14 lbs and 7 oz. You are still petite - around the 1 percentile- but you are right on track. You started crawling in the last week or so, clapping your hands and you call everything "dada."

crazy tights

check out my adorable gold shoes...thanks, Miss Annalise

You went to your first Rams game. The Rams played the Redskins and although they lost you experienced your first NFL game! I give the Rams fans a hard time (coming from Kansas City) when it comes to cheering on their team as usually the Dome is not very loud. Emma, you would beg to differ as you started to cry when we first walked in. You then settled down, watched some plays, ate some Puffs and then took a nap. Yes, you went from crying to perfectly content. We have a football fan!

Go Rams!

Cutest fan ever!

Mizzou is celebrating its 100th Homecoming today and to show your Tiger spirit...MIZ! You will be pomping, serenading, chanting at skit night and giving blood in just 18 years!

You have been to two of your friends birthday parties this month. Kannon turned three and Jetta turned one. You were a ballerina and enjoyed playing at the park. You also wished you could have eaten cupcakes with Jetta.

The Tiger and the Ballerina

Happy birthday, Kannon!

Happy birthday, Jetta!

Mommy bought you a jeans jacket. Paired with your black leggings all you need is a Burberry scarf and you are set for London! Santa?? Mumsy??

We love you!
Mommy and Daddy

A Big Personality

For our friends and family that live outside of St. Louis here are some videos of Emma. She is growing up so fast. I can't believe she will be 9 months in one week. Rett and I just watched a video of her first bath that I gave her in the NICU. She was so tiny, so dependent, and now as you will see in these videos she is developing her own personality and getting so big!

She is fascinated by her thumbs. She does this thumb thing on all surfaces- her high chair, her toys, my leg, etc.

As she begins to get more vocal she is also blowing raspberries...she will do this on her own and out of response to someone doing it to her.

I was out of town for work at the end of August and Emma got sick and Rett had to bring her home from school early. However after one dose of Tylenol and a quick nap...she didn't appear sick at all.

A fancy eating trick...

Emma loves to pat her belly, especially when she is just in her diaper on her changing table.

Rett said he would give Emma $20 if she would sleep through the entire night. She had a few nights in a row that she was waking up around 2:00 AM because she couldn't find her Binky as well as caught a tummy virus. Well, she did it! And here is the video of us demanding the "monies" from Daddy. (P.S. Daddy, you still owe her $20!)

Fall is in the Air

What beautiful weather we have had in St. Louis these last few weeks! And we have more than weather to celebrate...on Monday I had my one year mammogram and the results came back clear! Here's to one year and many, many more!

Surprisingly I wasn't as nervous for the mammogram and check-up with my surgeon as I was for my annual woman's health exam as I previously posted about. It is a bit harder to be emotional when you are standing in a robe with your breast squeezed into a pancake on a plate of a machine.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month so please encourage all your loved ones to do monthly self exams and get their mammograms every year without delay. I can truly testify to the importance of early detection.

Emma continues to do very well. She has her 9 month check-up in a couple of weeks and although she is still petite, she is right on track with her development. I keep telling her that she will enjoy being petite when she is older.

Emma's favorite things right now are:

• Babbling to her toys
• Saying "Dada"
• Sitting Up
• Practicing on standing from sitting position
• Playing the piano on the iPad
• Making raspberries with her mouth
• Feeding herself snacks
• Trying new foods (eggs, black beans, string cheese)
• The color yellow, especially her yellow ball
• Playing with her friends at the big table at school
• Smiling for the camera
• Car rides
• Experimenting with tones and volume of her voice
• Soldier crawling on the floor to the hardwood and then slapping the hardwood floor
• Jumping in jumperoo
• Being the center of attention
• Singing to music
• Playing with the makeup mirror while mommy is putting her makeup on
• Giving open mouth kisses
• Pounding Sophie on the highchair tray
• Swimming and splashing in her bathtub

I finally broke in the golf clubs and have been out 2 times in the past week. I love it! It is so peaceful to be outside on a gorgeous afternoon only caring about what tree and sand trap I need to avoid. That country club membership is looking better and better the more I play! Now just need to find Emma a set of toy clubs so she can work on her swing!

We are taking Emma to her first Rams game tomorrow. Uncle Taylor will have to teach her how to catch the football next season.

Here are some photos over the last month.

8 Months Old!

Pretty Ballerina

Loving the camera

Sitting in Papa's Chair

With Papa in his special room

Hope everyone is enjoying their Fall!
Love,
Jenna, Rett and Emma