cousins

The cousins, Jacob (6), Samantha (3), and Scarlett (3), joined us for Thanksgiving this year (along with Auntie Meems and Uncle Ryan of course). Jake and Cody were practically inseparable, playing cars and Star Wars and running around like wild animals.

Jacob & Cody

Sammy and Scarlett oohed and aahed over Emma, much to her delight. They wanted to hold her, play with her, and of course "check on her" while she slept. When they weren't with Emma, they could be found either trying desperately to annoy the boys, or putting on "litspick and sparkles" in my bathroom.

Scarlett & Emma

Sam & Emma

the girls

post script - My collection of pictures is extremely sad, because my sister Mary (aka Meems) is a photographer, so I left it all up to her. I'll post some good ones when she sends them to me.

Happy Thanksgiving

I have so much to be thankful for this year...

I am thankful for my husband, Jay. I love that he still makes me laugh, and lets me cry. I love that we still enjoy each others company and have things to talk about. I love that after almost 10 years together, through pregnancy, childbirth, and even morning breath, he still looks at me with "that look" and means it. I am reminded each day of why I chose him, and I have yet to regret that choice.

I am thankful for my son, Cody. I love that I am the first person he wants to see when he wakes up in the morning, and the last one he wants to see before bed at night. I love that he randomly calls out, " I love you Mommy" when the mood strikes him. I love that he makes me mud pies at school, and colors me endless pictures at home. I love that he thinks I'm a good Mommy, even when I doubt myself. I love that he gives his love so freely and openly. But mostly, I love that I am a recipient of that love.

I am thankful for my daughter, Emma. I love that she can light up the room with just a smile. I love the way she holds my face in both hands when I rock her to sleep at night. I love that she has brought out the gentle and sensitive sides in both Jay and Cody. I love the look of wonder and amazement that she often wears while looking at seemingly ordinary things. I love experiencing life's small miracles all over again through her eyes. I love that she is at once a blank canvas and a timeless masterpiece. I love that I get to be her mommy.

My grandmother is always saying to me, "Teresa, you've got it all," and on this Thanksgiving I can honestly say that she's absolutely right.

upside-down baby

We've discovered that when Emma is grumpy that she likes to held so that she is slightly downward facing. This seemingly awkward and uncomfortable position not only makes her cease being angry, but it brings about fits of giggles (for which we are suckers). So, if you should come over and see us dangling our tiny daughter precariously, please don't judge us - she likes it!

Hmmm, I wonder where she learns these things?

Mommy and Daddy go to Preschool

Jay and I got a chance to go hang out with Cody at school today for their annual Thanksgiving feast. When we arrived the kids were doing the "Freeze Dance" in the classroom while they waited for things to be ready.

Once things were set up, all of the kids and parents went outside to sit down and eat. I'm pretty sure that the idea was for our children to sit with us, but alas, they all wanted to sit with their friends instead. (Is this the beginning of the end?)

Overall it was a great day. I love being able to watch Cody interact in different environments and to see how he behaves at school and with his friends - he always makes me so proud.

Love You Forever

One of my favorite stories to read to Cody when he was really little was "Love You Forever" by Robert Munsch. It's been a while since he's pulled it off the shelf, but last night, it was his choice for a bedtime story. When we finished reading, my sweet little boy looked at me with much adoration and ...

Cody: " Mommy, when you are really old, you'll still be my mommy right?"
Me: "Yes, Cody, I'll always be your mommy - even when I'm really old."
Cody: "That's good Mommy, because I will still want you to be my mommy when you are very old, because I really love you a lot. You are a good mommy."
Me: (with tears in my eyes) " I really love you a lot too buddy. You are my best guy."

I live for moments like this!!!

Compliment?

Yesterday Cody and I were down on the floor playing trains, when he says, " Mommy, remember when you had Emma in your tummy and you were way too fat to play on the floor with me? I'm glad you're not way too fat any more." I just giggled and thought, um, thanks?

I love carrots!

As you can tell, Emma is thoroughly enjoying her introduction to real food.

Caught!

Today was a rough day, behaviorally, for Cody. I'm not sure if it was because of the change of schedule, being that it is Veteran's Day and school was out, or if it is just a function of him being a 4 year old boy. At one point, after having been sent to his room for yet another time out, he began crying hysterically. When I returned several minutes later to see if he was ready to come out and act appropriately, he looked at me with eyes brimming with tears and said, " I'm sad Mommy."' "Why are you sad Cody?" I asked. His response..."Because I got caught." Not exactly the monumental confession I was hoping for!

On the move - Part 1

Emma rolled over this evening for the first time all by herself. She has been very close for some time but her arm always seemed to get in her way. Of course we have gently "nudged" her into a roll several times, but this was all her!

As you can tell, she was quite pleased with herself.

Mmmm, peas!

Emma tried her first real food today - peas! Unlike her brother at this age, she seemed to really love them.

Emma 2008

Cody 2004

baby signs

I learned about baby signing when Cody was about 5 months old. I had heard about it from a friend and thought it was an interesting idea, certainly worth trying. My hope was that it would provide us with a means to communicate about his needs and would result in less frustration and random acts of crying on both our parts. So, I bought a book and a video, and began teaching Cody some of the more useful signs. He signed his first word at about 8 months - "more." When Emma came along I resolved to begin her baby signing education earlier, in order to hopefully give her the means to express herself before all of the crying and frustration set in. So, I once again got out the book and the video, and began to teach her some signs, Today, while I was feeding her, she signed her first word - "milk." It took me a while to figure out what she was doing, so I kept pulling the bottle out of her mouth, which made her sign frantically until I put it back in. I thought she was sooo clever, so I called Jay and Cody over and proceeded to continue to pull the bottle out of her mouth so that they could see her sign. (Not my best parenting move - but I was just so excited!)

splish splash I was takin' a bath...

My son makes me laugh. Tonight as he was in the bathtub playing, I saw him put the hair washing cup up to his mouth as if he were going to take a drink. So, of course, I yelled, "Cody stop!" He looked at me and said, " Mom, did you think I was going to drink the butt water?" "The bath water, you mean," I replied. "No mom, the butt water. It's touching my butt, and my butt is very dirty. We don't drink butt water. That's disgusting!" I can't argue with that - butt water is definitely disgusting! What a funny kid.

Creature from the Black Lagoon?

No, this is not another Halloween post, and yes, that is my husband. Jay is getting his scuba certification for work, and just got all of his gear. His class starts on Tuesday, so he spent some time in the pool this weekend making sure everything fit and worked correctly. Cody and I thought he looked too ridiculous not to document, so we followed him around giggling and taking pictures.