8 Months as a Lewman!!

Daddy & Emmy in her first swing!

This month Emmy will have lived longer outside of the womb than inside.  Kind of crazy that she has been in my (and our) lives for 16 months...can't imagine life without her.  She has been one BUSY girl this past month. 

"I will destroy these building blocks!"

The last time I wrote she was just able to flop around on the floor pretending she was crawling.  Now, she's got moves like Jagger.  She is so fast and determined to get where she wants.  Generally she is smuggling some sort of building block with her or a strawberry puff in hand.  She destroys anything in her path.  We will set up books on the carpet (upright) and she has to knock them over.  Cannot stand for them to stay up.  Same with her building block tower that Tye makes...Hurricane Emmy strolls through and knocks 'em down.  She pulls herself up to stand at the ottoman and gracefully pulls herself back down. If she isn't putting EVERYTHING in her mouth than she is studying it very carefully.  She must look at everything in her surroundings.  If ever in doubt, take Emmy outside and she will gaze at all the colors and be calm.  Sometimes, I wish it weren't pitch black at night...those are the times I could use a calming method.

We started "sleep training" Emmy a week ago.  She is now, officially, sleeping in her crib all night.  It might have been the most heart wrenching sound to hear her cry but I needed to start a healthy routine for her.  After all, I spent a lot of time making that room of hers a colorful baby haven! The first night she cried for about an hour and forty five minutes (with me going in periodically) and last night was about 10 minutes.  She goes down for naps very easily but night time she likes to party.  Nothing like her mom!  Hoping the next few weeks she will be begging to go to bed...very probable, right?

One of two teeth!

Sad/Scary Clown

Emmy has two teefers.  The first time we noticed was at Hayden's baseball game...two little white ridges poking out of her bottom gums.  She has started mashing food and eating strawberry puffs that dissolve in her mouth which promotes learning to chew.  She is still eating VERY well.  We're still experimenting with new foods but she's never met a food she doesn't like.Well, there was the broccoli & cheese that she gagged on but we'll try again.   My grandma and I are about to start making her food which will be my way of being able to cook for her!  I would love to make her a little baby apple pie!!   I am weaning her on the nursing - just going off of her ques.  And using rice cereal and/or oatmeal in her bottle for more substance. She is super chatty when she eats too which is hilarious.  She isn't "talking" yet but she seems to say "hey". Mostly it's really deep mouth breathing and groaning and grunting.  She's very lady-like that way. 

 Here's a video of her that really accentuates her vocal ability while watching one of her favorite shows 

The Lewman Family 2012-2013 Season

We have had several events this past month.  Duck season has kicked off beautifully and Emmy has enjoyed wearing all her Duck gear.  I submitted a picture to Portland's cutest baby contest.  It isn't her best picture as far as winning a contest goes but I just love it!  If you get a chance, please click on the link Vote for Emmy! and vote for her!  She will be in competition with another boy from her daycare!  Speaking of daycare, she is about to start a new daycare on Tuesday.  Very nervous for her but feeling like it will work much better for us as a family (location wise).  Will keep you posted on her new friends. 

Little Miss Piggy

Emmy and Gramma Judi went to the Punkin Patch and had a blast!  Emmy somehow was nominated to represent the yellow pig in the pig race...and she won!  She loved all the kids and colors and PIGS!  We plan on taking her in a few weeks to Lakeview Farms pumpkin patch where we go every year.  She will ride her first train and maybe even get lost in the corn maze with her parents...again. 

Emmy giving Hayden a good luck kiss!

 With the rest of the fam - Hayden is really developing his hitting in baseball and showing a real interest in practice!!  His little sister is his biggest fan. His Mom Jenny is getting married on 10-11-12 and he is excited to welcome his step-dad Mike and step-brother Aidan (we know, Aidan & Hayden). Congratulations to the newlyweds!!  Hayden has started 3rd grade and is doing great with homework and sports.  Little does he know there is a surprise waiting for him (he reads this, otherwise I would spill the beans).  Tye has been working hard on our house, playing handyman and landscaper and french maid (just kidding).  I came home the other day and he had SHAMPOOED the carpets throughout the entire house!  I checked his temperature - he seemed to be okay.  Whereas, I have been my crazy, hectic self just loving this season and started planning our Halloween costumes.  Looking forward to a fabulous Fall and many more exciting stories in November...until then GO DUCKS!!!

7 Months as a Lewman!!

Emmy's first Duck game!

I knew this time would come.  The time where she was once an immobile little being to a crawling/walking/talking person!  Emmy has been very busy this month advancing her mobility and personality.  She is not walking or talking yet but she is half crawling and certainly yelling!  It’s beyond frustrating to watch her struggle to get that chubby little leg ahead of the other chubby little leg.  She sits on her knees and rocks back and forth, lifts a leg and then falls to her belly.  Or, she will just hop her way across the floor.  She also has a graceful downward dog yoga position.  Emmy has discovered that if an object that she is trying to reach is on a blanket – instead of trying to crawl she will just pull the blanket to her!  Sounds an awful lot like her Mom :) She is sitting up completely by herself now!!  When she starts to lose her balance she pops down her plump baby wrist and balances herself out.  She sits and claps her hands, touches her toes, lifts up her dress and plays with her building blocks.  I am so impressed with the evolution of life!  She was just a little squirmy bundle a few months ago – now she is like a little girl!  Crazy to watch her change each and every day.  She’s 19 lbs and lives like every day is a hot dog eating competition. She's a healthy girl!

Smiley girl at the Byers house.

We had a lot of activity this month. Hoping that September adds a bit more time to focus on a routine for our little gal.  She is having a difficult time wanting to go to sleep - maybe we're having too much fun!!!   Emmy made QUITE a few new friends as well this month.  Here is a recap of our August.

DeAnthony Thomas 2.0

GO TIMBERS!

Hayden and his soon to be step-brother Aidan headed down to Eugene with Tye & Papa Lew for Duck Fan Day.  They got a TON of signatures and pretty much waited in line for about 4 hours in various lines.  Hayden got to wear some of the gear though! And a few weeks later Emmy and Tye went to their first Timbers Game.  You could even hear Tye gasp when they didn't make a goal (he claims he isn't a soccer fan)!

We had our first official “Brothers Day” for Hayden on August 8^th (8/8 his favorite number).  We celebrated an epic victory in flag football that day for his last game.  Then we stopped at McMenimans for a special dinner and Emmy left her brother’s gift in his room.  He walked passed it twice before we had to tell him the giant gift bag was from her. Eventually, we will have a “Sisters Day” but right now we will let him have this day all to himself for a couple years.  We thought it would be a great way to encourage being a good brother and helping out, which of course he does an amazing job at. 

We love Seattle!! 

Tye and I went to Seattle for a night for his company party.  We had such a blast just being together and enjoying the city and visiting our friend Sam.  The weather was perfect and we had lots of laughs.  Looking forward to a full adult week in Mexico in February for our friends Alex & Hilary’s wedding.   

Hayden & Chris at Pacific City

Photo courtesy of stranger on beach.

 We headed for the beach this Labor day and had an incredible time.  Hayden went surfing for the first time with Uncle Smooth (Chris) and Emmy put her toesies in the sand for the first time.  I almost hyperventilated walking up the dunes with my little partner Henry and Tye finally paddle boarded on the lake. Not to mention the fine display of football that the Oregon Ducks delivered on Saturday.  Emmy was finally able to put on her cheerleader uniform and support her team.  What a perfect way to spend a 3 day weekend with friends at the coast.  Can’t wait for next year already!  Thanks to the Millers for having us again. 

Hayden started 3^rd grade this week and loves his teacher!  Fall baseball just started and Fall Flag Football to soon follow.  I am not QUITE ready for the mini-van but it is starting to look very appealing…especially with the sliding doors! We aren't quite ready to head inside yet either.  We have spent a lot of time this summer riding bikes and putting Emmy in her brand new car (in the voice of Bob Barker)!

Looking forward to slowing things down a bit and getting back in the kitchen to bake and make yummy fall food!  I discovered I am not very familiar with the kitchen in the summer…too busy! Here’s to an Indian summer and some awesome Duck games!!  Hope everyone had a fabulous summer and see you in October!!

6 Months as a Lewman!!

Emmaline Rose

182 days of life for little Miss Emmy.  Amazing that 6 months has passed since that incredible day she was born.  She has developed so much in this last month that I could count a hundred milestones but I will keep it to the most exciting ones!  Here is what Emmaline has accomplished within the last month.

All smiles in bed with Mama & Daddy

Emmy is smiling like a fool!  Every morning after we get ready for our day, I take her in to say goodbye to Daddy and she erupts in laughter and a huge grin. She gives me the biggest smile when I come home from work…as though she’s never seen me before.  It might be my favorite thing of all time. She has this quirky crooked smile that scrunches her nose and squeezes her chubby cheeks and exposes her dimples. You can’t help but to just fall in love. And the laughter.  I could record and listen to it for hours.  She loves being “spooked”.  Peek-aboo and little games where we say something quickly just cracks her up.

  

Bouncy, bouncy, bouncy!!

Emmy adores her new Jumperoo…she laughs and snorts and takes deep breaths while bouncing.  It is hilarious to see her so overwhelmed with excitement. And then of course when I take her to a mirror, she has discovered SHE is the reflection and smiles real bright.  She is such a happy baby and is so good with other people.  She just likes hanging out and being a part of the group!

We have really increased her baby food intake with fruit sauces and vegetables this month.  She sits at the dinner table with us while we all eat dinner…however, I think she is jealous of what we’re eating!  Her new favorite food is fresh blueberries.  We have a little mesh sack (Munchkin Food Feeders ) that safely allows her to eat fruit without worrying about swallowing whole pieces.  She destroys that thing and it’s great because she can hold it by herself.  She’s definitely still eating well…in fact, we went to Skyhigh Sports this last weekend and sat next to a little baby 1 year old boy…who was about half Emmy’s size.  One lady at Hayden’s football camp said “boy, she doesn’t miss a meal, does she?” Now if she were talking to me, I might have had a good cry but since she was talking about my HEALTHY little girl…I didn’t mind.  She weighs 17.13lbs (85%) and 26" (63%) and Dr. Gleason says she is one healthy little girl.  He is very pleased with her growth, especially since she was 3 weeks early.  Yay for chubby babies!

We are on the brink of having a mobile child!  She is rolling all over the place and refuses to stay on her back for any period of time.  She wants to be on her tummy looking up at everyone, chewing on whatever is in sight. I bet she will be sitting up by herself and sprouting some teeth within the next month.

The future's best QB/RB/WR/TE

The month ahead...Tye and I are taking a little adult getaway to Seattle for a night!  Looking forward to a fun time with each other!  Then we have the Lake House with the Millers & friends over Labor Day weekend.  This beautiful house that we were invited to last year (an annual tradition for them) that sits on a lake near Pacific City.  Canoe's, paddling, bonfires, dunes, football (GO DUCKS) and awesome family fun.  This will be Emmy's first beach trip and I cannot wait to get her little piggies in the sand!   Hayden will be finishing up his first season of Flag Football and then headed back to school to start 3rd GRADE!  He's such an amazing kid.  Really showing what a great student and brother he is this summer.  Spending a lot of time doing summer sports camps and playing with Emmy.  I can ask him to  entertain her for a minute and bring her to me and he has no problem.  She must recognize him as an older version of herself because she shows those gums for him too!  

Hope everyone is having a fabulous summer...the weather finally showed up!!  See you in September!

5 Months as a Lewman!!

Morning baby!!

5 Months in and she is growing at an incredible rate!  Miss Emmy is bursting out of her onsies and wearing her 6 month clothing already.  She doesn’t get nearly as fussy when Mama changes her now and we play fun little morning games while getting her dressed.  She must be the happiest morning baby I have ever seen.  She smiles and is now giggling. No one can make her laugh like Daddy though!  Emmy is quite the spectator too – she will watch people and wait for them to smile at her then she releases an enormous smile!  Her activity has increased as well as her awareness.  She grabs on to things with an astonishing grip and learned to use her voice.  She loves screaming at the top of her lungs just because she can.  Cannot wait to hear what that little voice is going to sound like!!

Pears...yum! 

We started introducing pears, applesauce, carrots, squash and sweet potatoes to her menu.  She loves all of them and is taking real bites in-between jamming her fingers in her mouth.  She is definitely teething – completely drenching her shirts and gnawing on anyone’s finger.  She refuses to take teething rings so for now  I will sacrifice my fingers as well as our friends’.  She has also started rice cereal at her daycare which she seems to like more each time.  While she is still nursing and supplementing with formula, she really doesn’t eat that much for a baby her age.  She’s just big boned, that’s all!

Tye teaching Hayden how to fish at Expo Ponds.

We took her on her first vacation down south to Medford.  We stayed with our friends Alex and Hilary who graciously hosted us and took us fishing and further south to Ashland.  We had so much fun and Emmy was a champ – slept most of the car ride down!  We finally made it to the Wildlife Safari – even though it was raining we still got to see a lot of the animals and Emmy got to sit up front with Mama and look out the window.  We saw two Bears fighting, lots of zebras, a rather sickly looking set of camels and one giraffe that we managed to lose.  It was a lot of fun and totally worth the trip (next time a sunny day would be better).  We headed up I5 to visit Aunt Shirley and Uncle Frank, in hopes we might see baby Jaxon (who is just a month older than Emmaline) but were unsuccessful.  We spent time playing with his toys though...

Naked baby alert - my favorite photo of the session!

If any of you know our friend Michael Byers, he is a phenomenal photographer.  Doesn’t do it as a profession but should (hire me as your assistant).  He has taken our engagement photos, wedding photos, and now baby photos!  We set up shop in Emmy’s bedroom and used several different materials for backdrops and she had 4 outfit changes.  She’s a real model!  Too bad that will be the extent of her modeling career!  He was able to capture some AMAZING photo’s.  

Happy 4th of July (outfit #1)!

 We had our annual 4^th of July party and it was so much fun.  We had several friends over with a lot of burnt hot dogs, courtesy of moi, and tons of great food!  Emmy didn’t really care for the fireworks mostly because she was already asleep.  But we had about 3 wardrobe changes that day just so she could wear all her 4^th of July gear.  She’s very patriotic!  Overall it was a very fun filled month and the weather is finally turning around.  Hayden’s first ever football game was a few weeks back and I really think it’s going to be his sport!  As long as his dad stops yelling “tackle him!!!” in flag football…as the coach!  Plus summer has just started and we have a lot of summer fun coming up.  Next month is Emmaline’s 6 months of living anniversary…how amazingly fast the time has flown by.   

Enjoy this months pictures in the slideshow below...and see you in August!

Emmy's first trip to the beach w/ Mama and Auntie Kara.

4 Months as a Lewman!!

Lovely in Lime!

 4 Months – 1/3rd of a year old! Emmaline has had one incredible month.  I will start off with her 4 month check up.  She weighs 14.8 lbs and is 24.5” long.  She is 75% chubbier than babies her age (ha!) and 61% taller than babies her age.  So, she is definitely growing out of clothes both ways…which just gives me more reason to change her more often! She is VERY strong and can now sit up without her head bobbing around.  She is gripping everything, including my hair.  She loves to pull on it and get baby slime all over it.  Her doctor said she is growing just perfectly and he said she is a real talker.  She coos and yelps and blows a lot of bubbles.  She is even ready for real food.  Last night we tried some creamy bananas that I thought were divine but she didn’t quite care for them yet.  All in due time!   The most heart warming milestone this month is smiling/giggling.  I never knew I could feel the way I do when she smiles or giggles.  Every morning she is so happy and loves to look at Mama and Daddy. I imagine it only gets better from here!



Grandmother, Mother, Grand-Daughter, Great Grand-Daughter



I had my first Mothers Day with little Emmy and she was so sweet!  She made me a card and gave me a beautiful pink tea rose bush.  Tye and I took the Mothers (Judi, Carol & Helen) to lunch and just relaxed.  It was a very special day to have 4 generations together.  The only way I can describe it is like having another birthday!  You just feel honored and loved.  Hayden and his Mom Jenny painted me a pot with Iris’s and gave me a handmade card inside a water-colored butterfly paper bag with a glass fired candle holder. It was beautiful and I now realize how special those little gifts are.



Emmy in her Bumbo



Emmy rolled over twice this month, once for me and once for my Grandma.  Granted they were both on a bed so we’re not entirely sure if it qualifies as “rolling over”.  She still loves tummy time and still face scoots as far as possible.  We bought her a Bumbo to sit in which helps her sit up and allows Mama to get more housework done!  I might start a little collage of pictures of her sitting in the Bumbo in all the different rooms.  Doing laundry, doing my makeup, doing dishes, making dinner, pulling weeds!  She is happy wherever she goes!  The video below is short but cracks me up when Tye moves her around the house in the Bumbo. Bee-bee-be-beeeep!

We went to the Rose Festival with our pals Michael and Caitlin as Emmy watched Hayden, Michael and I get dizzy on rides.  She loved all the high-fashion people watching!  She is getting a lot of social interaction at daycare with another baby and two 2 year olds. Let's see how she does every Sunday while her parents play softball! Tye and I are on a softball team with friends and although we have pulled some muscles and complained about aching joints…we’re pretty confident about our season! 

Superman!!

The Lewmans are looking forward to the month ahead with BBQ’s, Hayden starting flag football and our first trip to Medford to visit good friends Alex & Hilary -  which will prompt a visit to Wild Safari.  Let’s see how well Miss Emmaline does with 4th of July fireworks!  See you next month :)



3 Months as a Lewman!

Three months! I have a feeling I am going to start off the remainder of these blogs with "I can't believe how big she is getting"...or "I can't believe she is ___ old already!" But seriously, I can't believe how big she is getting and I can't believe she is 3 months old already!!  She has really started to show off her personality this month.  I love that we are really getting to know her now!  Here are all the details this last month.

Tye and I went to Las Vegas for 4 days away from Emmy. She stayed with Gramma Judi and had a wonderful time.  It was challenging for us at first but we relaxed and tried to enjoy ourselves in the sun.  We were up about $1.75 at one point and then lost it all.  We were able to laugh and be kids in sin city.  If we started to miss Emmy we would mimic the funny faces she makes.  And if we started to miss Hayden we would go pick out something to bring back for him. We were definitely ready to come home to our life though!  

Emmy and her favorite balloon.

GG with Emmy

I started back at work part time the following Monday - and honestly, after Vegas it was a breeze!  I would recommend going on a trip before returning to work because it isn't nearly as difficult in comparison.  Then Emmy started going to my Grandma Helen's (GG) in the morning and I would pick her up at noon.  She had some memorable moments at GG's...or maybe GG had some memorable moments with her!  Here is one that I will remember forever when I walked in to pick her up and she was holding on to her balloon!  

Then Emmy started at her daycare and is we are all very happy with the care. Very detailed reports on what she did that day makes it a little less sad to know I am missing out on 50% of her life right now.  Plus, it's adorable seeing her with another baby and how they interact.

She had her two month check up with Dr. Gleason and she is right on track with her growth!  Doc thinks these blue eyes might just stick!  She is about 13 lbs now but about 50 lbs in her car seat!  She is very "talky" and is constantly moving her arms and legs.  She resembles Elaine Benes dancing from Seinfeld.  Very jerky and sporadic.  My favorite part is that she is starting to smile on cue.  We will smile at her and a huge smile emerges from her face.  She also LOVES staring at herself in the mirror above her swing.  I can't blame her, I love staring at her too. 

Emmy in her swing!

I had to put this video on because it is so funny that she was actually focusing on the wrestling video game and looked like she was throwing punches! Just one of the boys.

Grandma Lew with Emmy at Hayden's game.

In other news, Tye is doing very well at work, top sales in his company.  He is in the works of starting a new band which is awesome for all of us...finally get to see him play again!  And he is still the coach of Hayden's 6-3 baseball team.  Hayden is playing FANTASTIC this season and is really excelling at fielding.  Emmy has been an avid fan as well appearing at almost all his games in support.  We're very proud of his improvement both on and off the field.  He got raving reviews at his parent/teacher conference and has tested for TAG.  Excited to get the results on that in June.  Tye and I are beginning the exterior work on our house - so nice to have our own home.  Big landscaping plans this summer as well as some paint.  Looking forward to many, many memories with our friends at this house.  Two in particular - Kara and Nathan Rudolph.  They will be fully moved home by the end of this month which just makes me about as happy as possible.  WELCOME HOME RUDOLPHS!

Gramma Judi with Emmaline

The Lewman Clan

Looking forward to my 1st Mother's Day with her...she has made my life whole and cannot wait to keep watching her grow. Until next month...

Maybe Emmaline will be crawling...?

2 Months as a Lewman!

Emmy is 2 months today!  Happy Easter to all :)

I will start off with her stats...she has nearly doubled her weight in her second month of life.  She is 10.7lbs!  Really starting to show off her figure.  Particularly in her leg and chin area.  Her eyes are still a beautiful blue and hair looks like it's a light amber/brown.  She has really started to reveal a very lovable personality and easy temperament, here are some of her likes and dislikes.

Likes/Loves:
EATING
Looking out the window
Tummy time - she can completely lift her head on her own and turn to both sides
Her swing but only for about 15 minutes
Her bouncy - but only if she's looking out the window
Having staring contests with her Gramma Judi
Shower time with Mama
Chewing on her arm/hand/fingers
Playing video games with Daddy
Being held on her side and bounced
Kisses from her brother - she punched him once when he was trying to leave.

Dislikes/Hates:
NOT EATING
Flatulence - not a fan (any of us)
Having her diaper changed
Having her clothes changed
Getting snot plunged from her nose
Sleep - she fights it every day all day
Tight headbands
Laying on her back

She had two holidays this month, St. Patrick's Day and Easter.  She just happens to look good in all colors (biased) but that makes outfit coordination easy for Mama!  I believe I have reached the 1,000 picture mark.  She is very used to flash.  Tye and I have made our predictions on when her first REAL smile will be, first crawl, first steps, first word (he thinks "Dada" and I think "more" because she's getting rather chubby).  We are having so much fun getting to know her and watching her grow (rapidly).  We are taking a trip for ourselves for 4 days in Las Vegas.  I have had some waves of meltdowns already but I know that Mom & Dad need some relaxation before Mom goes back to work in ONE WEEK!  Nervous about that too.  Hopefully, we don't end up getting there and turning right around and coming home.  Will keep you posted next month on how our trip was and how Miss Emmy handled the time away from us.

Emmy welcomed a new friend Grace Margaret Miller on March 20th.  She is very excited to meet her.  She is also expecting another new friend Zoey Michelle Stogsdill any day now.  Then next month Emmy's cousin Cole Daniel Senn...and it doesn't stop there.  Another cousin Senn in June and another friend in August to the Grohs'. Not to mention she has an older cousin Jaxon who was born January 11th.  What a year for babies!