A fun-filled Memorial Day weekend

This past weekend was Memorial Day weekend. We spent Friday evening and part of Saturday with our friends, Lance and Christina and their son, Ashton, at their lakehouse on Lake Livingston. I have always considered myself a "beach girl"... I love the waves, the salt air, the sand between my toes. But there was something equally peaceful at the lake. There was a calm and vastness to the lake that created a very tranquil atmosphere while we were on the boat. We had a great time swimming, boating, relaxing and just catching up. Emma was born to be on, in and around water. She loves it when we go swimming and took to the lake like a... well... like fish to water (sorry). She would actually start falling asleep as the rocking motion of the boat in the lake lulled her to a wonderful calmness. It is definitely a goal in my life to live near the water. And to buy a boat.

I call this one "cheeks".

Emma's first time on a boat. She loved it. And we love that she loved it.

Christina and Ashton. Christina's an Aggie if you can't tell :) In fact, Ashton's initials are ATM. Coincidence? I think not!

Relaxing in dad's lap.

Some downtime playing with buddy Ashton.

I love this look. She is tired and hot and is probably wondering why I'm pestering her with the camera.

Christina driving the boat for the first time!

Saturday afternoon we headed down to the bay and hung out with Conor's family. It was the official grand re-opening of TCYC since all of the damage from Hurricane Ike. We had a great time and are looking forward to spending more weekends at the bayhouse this summer.

A very serious side of Emma.

Daddy and Emma at the bay.

Emma and her Papacito walking towards the dock.

Past commodores being honored at the Texas Corinthian Yacht Club.

Conor's grandfather, Douglas E. Johnston, the oldest living commodore at age 94.

I love this shot. 3 generations in one picture.

Colors.

This is what a long weekend does to a toddler.

We are officially a walker!

I don't consider myself too much of a worrier, but I was beginning to wonder when Emma was going to start walking on a regular basis. When Emma wasn't walking by her 1st birthday, I started to get a little concerned. I just didn't think she took much of an initiative or had any interest in it. After all, she had mastered the art of super speed crawling... why mess with a good thing? Then she started taking a few steps here and there, falling alot, and then just crawling after most falls. I never pushed it, I knew she'd walk when she was ready. Then last week, all of the sudden, it was like a light went off in her head. Over a matter of a couple of days, she started walking. Like.. really walking. I could not believe how quickly it happened. I was told that new experiences lead to insecurities, and boy, is that true. Being super clingy to mom is an understatement. But all of that is improving, as are her walking skills. Even though these are not her first steps, here are a couple of videos of the little munchkin zooming around. Enjoy!

In the first video, she doesn't start walking until about halfway through, but I love the paper stuck to her foot.

Some more walking...

This video is now one of my favorites. She does this all of the time, copies whatever you're doing. In the evenings she will play with daddy after he gets home from work, and anytime he gets on the floor, she does so too. So cute, I can't stand it.

A few quick iPhone snapshots

I have a really nice digital camera and pocket point and shoot camera, but I find that some of my best pictures come from my iPhone. I guess because my phone is always around and quick to use. I have been meaning to make an iPhone album of all the pictures from Emma's first year. When Emma was first born, Conor was traveling for work and I would send him a picture from my phone every morning as a good morning. I know how much he missed Emma, I don't know how he did it, I could have never left Emma for 4 days a week. Enjoy these pictures of random moments from our days...

This is her tired look after a long day out...

I love the look of concentration... and the open mouth. She loves this huge Lite Brite at the Children's Museum, it was not fun leaving.

One of my favorite pictures... I caught Emma squealing and shaking her legs and rolling around for no reason. Just because. I think we should all do that once in a while. (With or without someone around is up to you...)

This is the "I'm tired, I'm hot and I'm sweaty... why are we on this train????" look.

At Hyatt Lost Pines earlier this month, ready for the pool!

Helping mommy make dinner.

This is what we call a "busybody".

This is now one of her favorite things to do. It's not very energy efficient keeping the door open, but she loves it.

Splish splash...

Yesterday we decided to set up Emma's baby pool on the patio and she took to it like fish to water. This is a very good thing since her father and I would live at the beach if we could. I love the first video... she took everything out of the pool, one by one, and then proceeded to put everything back in, one by one. Ever wonder what is going through the mind of a 1 year old? I sure do, all of the time.

Having some fun with daddy...

A whole year gone by...

How is is that a whole month has gone by since my last blog entry? I'm telling you, I really do have the best intentions. Well, since my last entry, we celebrated Emma's first birthday! We had a small gathering of family and friends at my cousin's house. It was a good time had by all. I still cannot believe that my baby is no longer a baby, she's a toddler. She's been walking short distances for a couple of weeks now, but she's not taking too much of an initiative. I'm not worried, I know she will be little miss Speedy Gonzalez when she's ready. Her 9th tooth has come out and I've realized that I really need to be brushing her teeth more regularly. She kept her lips pursed and shut tight the first time I tried to brush her teeth. It was pretty funny. Here are a few pics from her birthday celebration:

Emma and Grandma

About to blow out the candles!

Family picture... someones's attention was elsewhere.

Emma and her aunt Helenita

Family picture with cousin Evan... who had his attention elsewhere as well.

Emma being silly with Bebe.

What I've learned in the last year as a mother...


1. Patience, patience, and more patience.
2. Watching Sesame Street with Emma brings me so much joy... and so many memories.
3. I really am truly blessed.
4. I never knew I could laugh so much.
5. It IS possible not to gag with a poopy diaper.
6. Everyday that I think I cannot be more amazed, I am.
7. It is impossible for me to imagine life before April 22, 2009.
8. I would give more than my life, if I could, for this child.
9. I never knew I had this much love to give.
10. My mom was right.


What Emma has learned in her first year...

1. To dance.
2. To clap.
3. To crawl.
4. To walk.
5. Plane rides aren't so bad when you have your own seat.
6. Mommy and daddy will always be there for her.
7. The best place when you're not feeling well is daddy's shoulder.
8. Whining does not work with daddy.
9. Whining will most likely work with mommy.
10. She will get endless hugs and kisses whether she likes it or not.

For Mother's Day, Conor surprised me with the best present I could have ever imagined:



We had a lovely Sunday brunch on the patio at the Tasting Room while listening to jazz, then we went to my parents' house for a bit before returning home for an afternoon siesta. (I also had a pedicure on Saturday and did some shopping with my mom on Friday, so I guess you could say I enjoyed my Mother's Day weekend.)

It's "The Look". (at least one of them anyway...)

Getting some love from momma.

I love this picture of Emma and her daddy. I love her little smile.

Kisses from Grandma.

Three generations on Mother's Day.