Little Miss Emmalee

I was just snapping some pictures of our adorable little girl and thought I would do an update post about her before I forgot...So here is the Star of the post...

2 Months Old

3 Months Old

4 Months Old

Nearly 5 Months Old!

It's hard to believe that our baby girl is almost 5 months old...seriously! Where has the time gone to? Her first year is going oh so much faster than Andrew's first year! She is now rolling from back to front and from front to back and is working on traveling across the floor in that manner. So much for the days of laying her on the floor in the middle of a blanket and having her stay right where she is put, oh well! We love our little sweetie and glad that she is in our home!

In Memory Of...

The month of October was a very eventful one, on October 8th my grandmother Donna Watters passed away unexpectedly in her home. She was nearly 80 years old, she was finally able to rejoin my grandfather who passed in May 2003. She and Andrew shared the same birthday and she often joked about how Andrew was her birthday present. She will be deeply missed.

1930-2009

Only a couple weeks after the passing of my grandmother, my dear Uncle Lynn Patterson was involved in a tragic hit and run incident. He was hit by a young man driving on a suspended/revoked license and under the influence of drugs and alcohol. The man hit my Uncle in his attempt to flee the scene because he was scared. The result is that my Uncle suffered a devastating brain injury and died a week later in the hospital. He was such an amazing man and a friend to everyone who knew him. During the holiday season he attended various Christmas parties as the guest of honor, he was Santa Claus. He even visited my house last year. I had hoped that he would visit us again this year...



...but alas it was not to be as he was obviously needed elsewhere. A true giant among men now walks with angels. He will also be deeply missed!

1950-2009

She's 2 Months and He's 16 Months

Well I can't seem to get my computer and my camera to talk to each other so this post is about a week or so late. Unfortunately, there are still no pictures but I am working on it! Emmalee is now 2 months old, I can hardly believe how fast she is growing! Andrew is now 16 1/2 months old and getting into all sorts of mischief. We decided to do Emmalee's 2 month appointment and Andrew's 15/16 month appointment at the same time, it sure made things easier! The results are in and their stats are as follows:

Emmalee at 2 months:
Weight- 11 lbs 3 oz (70%)
Height- 22 inches (50%)
Head Circumference- 15.4 inches (70%)

Andrew at 16 months:
Weight- 27 lbs 5 oz (80%)
Height- 32 inches (80%)
Head Circumference- 19.8 inches (98%)

So two pretty good sized kiddos! Emmalee is starting to smile a lot, it is SO CUTE! Andrew tries to console her when she cries we just need to teach him how to be a tad more gentle with her especially when he is giving her a pacifier--he is getting a lot better. These two kids are so much fun to have and to watch. Fun times ahead, I can tell already :-) Well, when I can get technology to work for me I will post some pics of the kiddos but that's all for now!

She's One Month Old Already!

We can hardly believe that our little girl is already a month old as of yesterday. Andrew is now 15 months old and doing quite well adjusting to his baby sister his favorite thing to do is to try and give her a pacifier which she really doesn't want most of the time. Emmalee is quite alert and aware, she loves being snuggled and absolutely loves being carried around in the Moby wrap. She hates being in her car seat for ANY length of time and frequently serenades us with her displeasure during our outings in the car...good times, especially when Andrew feels like joining in the chorus! Life is good and hectic at the same time, but we love being the parents of two of the most adorable children ever!

Emmalee-One Month Old

Sweet Little Lady

Andrew 15 months old--hanging out in the bouncer
(no jealousy here! :))

Andrew practicing his GQ pose!

Cute Siblings!

What is this world coming to?

I don't think I've ever felt so uncomfortable with the events of this world before. I look up anything on the internet and the vast majority is death, destruction, politics and all their happenings, and much, much more.

In some ways I already feel quite inadequate when it comes to certain things socially. I feel a bit behind because I don't understand some of the ways people treat each other. I am a firm believer that we can all get along just fine if we choose to.

I feel so at odds with much of what is happening around the world, and right here at home. I want less and less to do with anything and anyone at times. Just give me some physics or something to learn and I'll be just fine. At least what I learn is, for the most part, stable and there are no social games being played. Although some of it is a little more time consuming to understand how things work, i.e. quantum physics or something similar... I don't have to worry about misinterpreting something, leading it to some offense and alienating myself or my family from different social groups and people. I just have to worry about any experiments I try out and the immediate and long term effects based on predictions and experimental expectations.

Why does it have to be seem so chaotic? Where can I turn for peace, where is my solace?

Some Random Andrew Sillieness

Where in the world did that little boy go?

We just got back from Temple Square taking some family pictures and it was pretty hot outside. When we arrived home, I took Andrew inside and changed his diaper and clothes. Set him down in his room and he walked into the kitchen with me. I showed him his sippy cup after I'd rinsed it out and got the milk out of the fridge. He stuck out his hand like he wanted it and after I gave it to him, he took it into his room. I went and grabbed a few diapers for Emmalee and put those near her bed. I went back into Andrew's room to put him down for a nap and low and behold, he was sitting in the comfy chair in there with his cup and a book! Evidently, he knows the routine!

I am just so amazed at his intelligence and how smart he is! He is growing up so fast and he's so HUGE in comparison to Emmalee!

Two Years Ago Today...

...Our Happily Ever After began!

The last two years have been both amazing and eventful, I am excited to see where this journey of life will take us next.
Happy Anniversary Murray!
I love you bunches and bunches!

She's here!!!!

After a short night of sleep and about a half an hour of surgery, Emmalee came into this world at around 7:03am weighing 7lbs 14oz and 19 inches long. WELCOME EMMALEE! Both mommy and baby are doing well and recovering normally! Here are a couple pictures of her, enjoy!

Wow! Pretty lights!

This was Andrew's first official fireworks viewing. He thoroughly enjoyed it except for the part where his mean parents wouldn't let him play with them too!

From a kids point of view

Here is Andrew in action.

A Light at the End of the Tunnel

Well we have an new official "Due Date" for our little girl. It's July 27th! And the date is solid because our doctor felt, and we do to, that if she doesn't make her arrival by the above date that she most likely won't and will need assistance. So we have scheduled a C-Section for the morning of July 27th, it's kind of exciting to know that we know the latest that she can arrive. I have changed the ticker to reflect an accurate count of how many days are left...23 days!...YIKES!!! But I am definately ready to take a break from pregnancy. So families, there you go, our little girl will be here no later than July the 27th! YEAH!

Nostalgia

I was sitting here in the living room today and watching Andrew play with the piggy bank toy that he received for his birthday from his Grandma and Grandpa Harrild. The thought occured to me that not long ago, he was barely able to pick something up, or even to crawl to it. Now he's up and almost walking on his own. Turning on the TV, stereo and anything else with buttons on them. He also was barely able to reach up to the top of our entertainment center we found. He sure is growing up too fast.

We now can see more and more of his personality coming out. It's quite funny feeding him sometimes. We try to give him something he likes, and it's immediatly spit out. This will occur once or twice followed by something he does like. When it is something he does like, he will almost spit it out and then suck it back in his little vacuum. It is quite hilarious!

He sure giggles and laughs and gets all excited when he's walking with his walker. Sometimes he's giggling and laughing so much that he stumbles and almost falls.

Happy First Birthday Little Man

It is officially Andrew's first year of experiencing mortality according to our reckoning. What a quick trip it has been for his parents thus far. I remember the day he was born, and all the effort that went into his delivery. The first look he had was as if he was saying, "What in the world are you doing? I was warm and cozy in there! Now it's cold and I'm getting prodded and so cold!" Then there was when I talked to him for the first time when he was out of the womb. He immediately stopped crying and looked right at me. It seems that he recognized who I was and was very awesome to me.

There have also been many, many, many diaper changes. Many giggles of laughter, more recent than not. He especially giggles and laughs when I chase him across the apartment and pretend to eat his belly and blow raspberries on his neck.

What an amazing journey it has been thus far, I am constantly astounded at how far he has come in only one year. Already he is independent in many things but fortunately for his mother he is still somewhat dependent and always wants to know that we are nearby should he need us. I love his hugs and hope that he will always remember how much his parents love him!

We love you Andrew!!! Happy First Birthday!!!

P.S. Pictures will follow later as we are having a family party on Saturday, so stay tuned!

Miracles Do Happen!

Well, this draws to a close, another joyful and easy going semester of 16 credit hours. I am so sorrowful that it is over, the hours studying for classes is now defunct. What tears of sadness now flood my bloodshot eyes as I ponder the hours I will spend doing other things than studying and doing schoolwork during the summer. Oh, woe is me. What am I to do now that I am undone!?

Meh, who am I kidding?!!?!?!?!? MWAAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH! It's OVER, OVER, OVER, OVER!!!!! All I am waiting for now is a grade from my Conservation Biology class.
Drum roll please!

Course Title Final Grade
Intro to Photography A
Computer Essentials P
Bowling I A
Religious Diversity-US B+
Trigonometry A
Elementary Physics A-


GPA
Current Term: 3.79
Cumulative: 3.69
Overall: 3.69
Overall credits earned: 43

I have no idea how I did so well, considering how little school work it seemed that I did. The only classes I remember much from is Physics, Photography and Trig. With bowling, I bowled two games with a 183 score in a row. The highest I've scored ever!

I owe a big thanks to Georgette for the last week. When I didn't care anymore, you gave me so much assistance in finishing my assignments. There is an even larger thanks that goes to my Father in Heaven and Lord and Savior, Jesus. Without all They have blessed my life with, and the abilities I have been given, I wouldn't have been able to complete this.

I also challenged the computer literacy class that is a required class. You have to pass it with an 80% or better. I received a 79.74%, but I guess they gave it to me!!!! I should now be ready to head up to the U with my letter of completion. Oh happy day, oh happy day!

Never again will I complete a 16 credit hour semester and work full time, unless the Lord Himself comes down and tells me to. My lesson has been learned and I know my limit for school, work and family.

This definitely calls for a root beer float in celebration!

Employees

How to Properly Place NEW EMPLOYEES

1. Put 400 bricks in a closed room.

2. Put your new hires in the room and close the door.

3. Leave them alone and come back after 6 hours.

4. Then analyze the situation:

a. If they are counting the bricks, put them in the Accounting Department.

b. If they are recounting them, put them in Auditing.

c. If they have messed up the whole place with the bricks, put them in Engineering.

d. If they are arranging the bricks in some strange order, put them in Planning.

e. If they are throwing the bricks at each other, put them in Operations.

f. If they are sleeping, put them in Security.

g. If they have broken the bricks into pieces, put them in Information Technology

h. If they are sitting idle, put them in Human Resources.

i. If they say they have tried different combination's, they are looking for more, yet not a brick has been moved, put them in Sales.

j. If they have already left for the day, put them in Marketing.

k. If they are staring out of the window, put them in Strategic Planning.

l. If they are talking to each other, and not a single brick has been moved, congratulate them and put them in Top Management.

100 Days (and counting)!

Well the little baby ticker on the side says that we only have 100 days until our little baby girl, Emmalee, is due to join us! It's crazy to think that I am almost six months pregnant, time is sure flying. I am hoping that Emmalee does come just a tad bit early (but not too much, of course!). We are just excited to meet her! Yeah for the 100 day countdown!

11 Months Old!!!

We can hardly believe it!!! Our baby boy is a mere four weeks from his first birthday--how does that happen?!! Since last month Andrew has overcome his dislike of grass and promptly crawls away anytime he gets a chance. He has recently discovered the local park and playground and LOVES going headfirst down any slide he can get close to (picture a diver going off a diving board =) No walking yet but he is getting very close, we have a feeling that Andrew might skip walking altogether and go straight to running! He loves to EAT especially fruit and lets us know when we are not shoveling it into his bottomless pit fast enough! He definitely keeps us on our toes--Happy 11 month day Andrew!

It is official!

Today was a great day for me. I went to my orientation for the U and registered for classes. My sexy picture for my UID is also taken, and all I need now are my books and a parking pass and I'm ready to go. I think I will only need one book this year, so that's a serious plus! Calculus I, and it's far less than my Trig book for this semester and MUCH thicker. It will also work for Calc II! So surprising! I also found out about the financial aid and what a relief that was. My tentative schedule is as follows:

Time	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
8:00AM
9:00AM
10:00AM					Programming C Laboratory 10:45AM - 11:35AM WEB 226
11:00AM					Programming C Laboratory 10:45AM - 11:35AM WEB 226
12:00PM
1:00PM	Programming C Lecture 1:25PM - 2:45PM WEB 1250		Programming C Lecture 1:25PM - 2:45PM WEB 1250
2:00PM	Programming C Lecture 1:25PM - 2:45PM WEB 1250	LEAP 1501 - 005 Seminar 2:00PM - 3:20PM WEB 110	Programming C Lecture 1:25PM - 2:45PM WEB 1250	LEAP 1501 - 005 Seminar 2:00PM - 3:20PM WEB 110
3:00PM		LEAP 1501 - 005 Seminar 2:00PM - 3:20PM WEB 110		LEAP 1501 - 005 Seminar 2:00PM - 3:20PM WEB 110
4:00PM
5:00PM
6:00PM		Calc. I Lecture 6:00PM - 8:00PM JFB B-1		Calc. I Lecture 6:00PM - 8:00PM JFB B-1

I also have two online classes scheduled. Middle Eastern Geography and a computer programming lab. The total credit hours are 14.5. I feel so much more relieved with this schedule than this semesters schedule. 16 credits is far too many for me to work full time and spend time with the family. All of this stuff has happened so fast and really stressed me out when I was reminded of the financial aid I might have had to complete.

Acceptance, check.
Financial aid, check.
Orientation, check.
Meet with counselor, check.
Register for classes, check!

The Worlds Most Adorable Son

What? 10 Months Already?

We must be absent minded or just plain unobservant. It seems that 10 months has just slipped by without much notice. One minute Andrew was screaming his lungs out as he was rudely removed from Georgette's abode. The next, he is crawling like it's nobody's business, teething like a mad foolio (5 teeth and another on the way), squawking like a real hawk dive bombing on their prey, and devouring food like the grocery stores will have empty shelves at the rate he consumes food. He sleeps through the night, and when he does, you hear his parents sing "Haliejluah". Andrew is also a master of turning on and off lights now with his stellar clap! With a little flapping of the arms, he can wave hello and goodbye. There is also an abundance of skin slapping as he has learned from his cool daddio how to give people 5. We enjoy having him and seeing his happy smiles. He laughs quite profusely when he is given raspberries on his stomach and neck.

Here's to you, Andrew!

Andrew showing a little displeasure at the feel of grass on his hands. One day he will enjoy it, much to his parents chagrin.

Showcasing his latest bruise as he rediscovers his distaste for green, green grass.

"No pictures please! I am not modest! And I haven't even done my hair! Oh, I'm so embarrased!"

"Not only do I squawk like a hawk, I have eyes like a hawk!"

"Look at me do a one handed pushup!"