driving

Latley Emmy hasn't been real great about going down for a nap (or to bed for that matter).  But a nice drive seems to calm her down and help her get some Zzzzzzz's.  I don't mind the drives.  Here are some of the things I saw today.

Another cold day in the valley...

bath time

I know, 2 posts in one day. 

I just need some advice.

I love bath time for Emmy.  She has so much fun splashing and playing with her toys.  She can be in a fussy mood but as soon as we start the water for bath time, she gets excited. 

Problem:  Now that she's crawling around and pulling herself up on things she wants to crawl and stand in the tub.  She slides all over, slides through my hands when I try to catch her and fights me if I try and make her stay sitting. 

Any suggestions on how to keep a VERY active 9 month old still in the tub?

tuesdays with brooke

 Last October I took a photography class from Brooke Snow and had SO much fun! This gal is so talented, so fun, so full of knowledge and SO encouraging. I just HAD to take the Advanced class this month. Brooke teaches you how to shoot in manual, one concept at a time - helping you learn to take a good SOOC picture that needs little or no editing. She encourages creativity, motivates you to find YOUR "inspiration" and helps you find the 'artist within you' by giving specific homework assignments. I have loved her classes and I have loved all I've learned and the friendships I've made with other students. I'm sad my Tuesday nights with Brooke are over but am so excited to continue to apply what she has taught me.

Last Saturday Brooke arranged for some "models" to come and let us shoot. It was a nerve wracking but fabulous experience. I really learned a lot that afternoon about posing and people interaction. Last night Brooke told us for your photography business to really thrive you need not only need the photography and business skills, but you also need to know how to interact with different personalities. It was so fun photographing all these fun people! What great practice! WARNING: there are quite a few photos (there were just so many good ones...these models were so FUN!)

dancer

Lately Emmy has been learning how to get up on her tip-toes!  It is the cutest thing ever to watch her reach and try to be "so tall."  Although this picture doesn't show it all too well, she is standing with her front foot pointed!  I can't wait to put this little ballerina in dance classes! 

pledge

A friend of mine posted about the Oprah show that recently aired about texting while driving and distracted driving.  I too saw that show and it really made an impact on me.  All these deaths were 100% preventable.  Oprah talked about Utah and how we have the toughest laws about texting/distracted driving.  I was proud to be a Utah resident!   As I watched people tell their stories of loved ones lost and even heard from those who were responsible for such tragedies, I thought about my own life.  I thought about my precious cargo.  I, like my friend , "don't ever want to be a victim of a fatal accident, or the cause of one."

So, I am joining my friend in her pledge:

Don't tempt F8

That text (or call) can W8

Post this on your blog to make your own pledge

guess who's awake

This is what I find 99% of the time when I hear Emmy is awake from a nap.

Now you can see why Brian and I race each other to see who gets to get her when she wakes up!

this is pretty random

Emmy and I frequent Michaels.  I love all the possibilites this craft store holds.  I enjoy walking down the isles and seeing all the projects, the supplies to create whatever you can imagine.  As much as I enjoy the place, it also frustrates me.  Sometimes I feel like I'm the only one in there without a "vision" or some sort of "end project" in mind.  I feel inadequate.  I am reminded of all the projects I've started and not finished and the hobbies I've tried to make my own.  But, no matter how much time I spend in there (or money) I always make sure I leave with a purpose.  I remind myself that I need to keep trying different crafts and projects, and constantly set new goals.   By doing this, I feel like I am "bettering myself" in a round about kind of way.  That one day I'll find my nitch.

Anyway, this is completely random.  And more random is the picture, I know.  These beauties were sitting on the back of a truck when I left Michaels the other day.  Even if my trip in wasn't real successful, these 165lb. St. Bernards made me smile.  They weren't chained up, just content and mellow- waiting for their owners to return to the truck.  I was pretty impressed.  I sat in my car and waited for the owners too.  I asked if I could pet the dogs (a little afraid might get my head bitten off had I petted them without their owners).  They were the sweetest dogs.  They made me happy.

So with new year, comes new goals and new resolutions.  I can think of a lot of things I should resolve to do... but I really want to "find my nitch" this year.  I'm going try and learn 3 new skills in 2010 and excel in them.  I want to give homemade Christmas gifts to friends and family in 2010.

Now, I just have to narrow down all the things I want to learn to 3! (maybe I'll make it more)

just because

I love this little girl so much!  She has brought so much joy into my life!

At 8 months (nearly) she is crawling and pulling herself up on everything.  She is such a character and her little personality is just blossoming!  She claps her hands all the time and we'll say "yeah Emmy" or "yeah Daddy."  She thinks this is so fun!  She's learned how to wave and waves at everyone and everything!  Sometimes she'll crawl to the door and sit and wave at it!  Emmy has learned all sorts of sounds and her most common are, "mumumum" and "dadada."  We love it!  Who knows if she's associating the sound with the name, but we sure like to hear it.  She has also learned to put her lips together, stick her tounge out and blow - making a silly sound.  We do it right back to her and she just smiles or does it more. 

The other day I heard her talking in her bedroom after she had woken up from her nap.  I peaked in and just watched her without her seeing me.  I loved standing there unoticed and seeing what she did.  She just crawled around in her crib, talked to herself, she would lay back down and cuddle her blanket for a bit then look around and just be happy in her own little world.  She is so precious and I know she will have quite the imagination later on.

I can't believe that 2010 will bring with it Emmy's first birthday!  It doesn't seem like she's been with us that long.  Actually, I take it back.  I can't remember life without her! 

I love you EMMY!

our very merry christmas

Both my family and Brian's family have the same tradition on Christmas Eve - new P.J.'s!  On Brian's family there are a lot of grandkids so they get the new jammies. 

In my family, Emmy's the first grand-baby so my mom still got ALL of us a little something! 

(wish this family one was a bit more clear.  oh well)

Thanks for the jammies mom and dad!

My mom spiced things up this Christmas Eve and gave us each a set of these "boppers."  Good times were had with those! 

Christmas morning with Emmy was so much fun.  Both Brian and I were awake before her and we just waited for her to get up. 

She didn't really know what to do with the gifts so we helped her a little.  She liked playing with the boxes, paper and bows!

After our sweet little Christmas at home we went to my family'd for breakfast and opened gifts there, then we went to Brian's parents for lunch and opened gifts there.  It made for a long day but well worth it.  I love spending time with family.  I especially love watching people open their gifts and seeing the excitement in their eyes! 

This was such a special Christmas for us, having Emmy with us.  She really made the day.  I love her with all my heart!  Now that she is crawling - yup, she picked it up a few days before Christmas - there's no stopping her!  She is just the cutest little thing ever!