Happy Fifth Month Birthday!!!!

Okay...nothing but pictures taken today on Emma's 5th Month Birthday!!! How time flies!

I tried to capture some in the bouncer and car seat for size reference.

Nothing's Wrong Just Testing You

Okay...okay...alas, I know you are here for the pictures of Emma. Here's a couple of quick pictures of Emma. You will note a few things:

1. She is no longer sleeping completely on her wedge. She prefers to move, aka turn not toss, at night.
2. She is using a big girl binky. We have transitioned her from her beloved green soothie binkies to Avent binkies which will grow with her. Her new favorite is the Pinky Binky she has in her mouth in the picture.
3. Yes, the onesie is one of our favorites. It states "Nothing's Wrong Just Testing You"
4. And yes, she is getting bigger. She's growing too fast.

Wanted: Freezer Space

So...as many of you have read, I express "moo juice" for Emma frequently on a daily basis. This pumped moo juice is then dumped into plastic bags to be frozen to be defrosted to then be dumped in her bottles. We shall call this the "pump and dump" process.

Well, currently I have pumped enough milk to be dumped for 2 weeks. Now, officially this is not enough moo juice to supply Emma's demand, but a beneficial ratio of moo juice to formula.

Therefore, freezer space is devoted to moo juice.

But that's not all. This past Memorial Day weekend, I spent time making Emma baby food. Emma helped in the kitchen (basically, she sat bouncing herself in the bouncer and amusing herself while Mom was busy). So....we made.....

• Butternut squash
• Acorn squash
• Calabaza squash
• Applesauce
• Pears
• Carrots
• Green Beans
• Sweet Potatoes

So here is what the freezer currently looks like.

Her pediatrician wants us to wait until Emma is 6 months old plus 10 weeks (Emma's adjusted age of 6 months) before we begin baby food. Quite honestly, I can't see us holding out that long. She is already taking approximately 30 ounces per day. If we wait as long as her doctor suggests, we will not be starting solid food until October. Any suggestions or ideas are welcome.

1000 Hits...

Okay...not quite as big of ordeal as Biggio's recent record, however, I find it very impressive.

If you look at the number of hits since Emma came home, we have hit the
1000 mark.

Oh, how I regret and wish I would have put the counter up sooner.

Thank you all for making it happen!

Long Awaited...

Well...I know it's been a long time and a lot has happened.

The first pictures you'll see are from May 16th. Darren and I renewed our vows. Emma slept the entire time so there aren't any cute pictures of the three of us. She was, however, up long enough for us to snap a few shots, the best being Emma with her great grandma. I am hoping the two other cameras in attendance will have better pictures.


Mickie presented me with a beautiful bouquet.

And Mom made a wonderful wedding cake that tasted as awesome as it looked.

But I know what the blog readers really want and that is pictures of the Ladybug. So here you go....

I can be cute.
I can be mischievous.

I can be cute.
I can make you laugh with me.
But then I can be serious.
But get cute again.

And again...

It's hard to believe that Emma is 4 months old already. It's hard to believe that I actually celebrated my first Mother's Day. It's hard to believe I have a beautiful, wonderful, absolutely precious daughter of my own. It's hard to believe I have a husband that is so supportive, always there, and always making me feel loved. It's hard to believe my life is as fulfilling as it is.

It's hard to believe all these things...unless you believe in miracles. And I ask, with the proof that I have, how can you not?

Quick Post

Emma had her four-month wellness exam yesterday, so...

Emma Estimates:

• Weight: 11 pounds 3 ounces
• Length: 22 1/2 inches
• Head circumference 40 1/2 cm

I will post more details later...

March for Babies

Here are pictures of our adventure today. The first of course are the cutest. This is Emma in her sun hat.

Emma and I are currently accepting applications/nominations for next year's March of Babies Family Team, to be known a Emma's Entourage. I think we need a whole crew. We will have T-shirts and everything. Let us know if you are interested....

Growing with Grins and Giggles

Tomorrow (if the weather cooperates) Emma will visit the University of Houston for the first time. We are going to attempt to participate in the March for Babies walk. See link on the right...

However, today when Emma woke up, she was all grins and a giggle.

And just for comparison purposes... This was Miss Emma on March 3rd. Take a look on the tiger in the picture on the left to compare size.

Another illustration of Miss Emma's growth. Emma, yesterday, getting ready for Miss Kim's.

Emma coming home from the hospital on March 1st.

Okay...and Mommy's first attempt at a video. Sorry for the dark picture. But listen closely at about 8 seconds. Then the video stream broke. Let's just say I won't make any money making professional videos in the near or distant future.

Okay okay.... a lot has happened...

since I last posted. Let's see if I can condense.

I was given a lovely baby shower or rather Emma was given a lovely baby shower. This was the "makeup" baby shower for the shower scheduled in January when let's just say I was avoidably detained.

Here are a few pictures:

Ladybug in ladybugs!

Emma spent her first few days at the Miss Kim's house (day care). And yes, that means I went back to work. I started off slow only going in Tuesday and Thursday of last week. I think the hardest day was Wednesday. I am a deep end of the pool not one torturous toe at a time person. Wednesday was just a tease. Please don't get me wrong, Monday night was hard. Tuesday morning was harder. But Wednesday was the hardest because I knew what it was going to be like to be away from her yet I had another day to enjoy her and cry because I couldn't be there. However, Emma rewarded me on Tuesday night. She couldn't be consoled by Daddy or Aunt MiMi, only Mommy would do. :)

But it's official now, I am back to work full-time. And Darren takes Emma to the sitter's because I think if it were up to me, I would just turn around and go home with her.

In case you didn't notice, there is a link to the March for Babies walk on the right side of the blog. I have decided to become a volunteer with the March of Dimes organization. To quote the organization:

"The money we raise for March for Babies will support lifesaving research, services, education and advocacy that help babies get a healthy start.

Please help by donating today!

The mission of March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality."

Belated Easter Pictures

How cute am I...

...in my Easter outfit?

Great Uncle Jimmy & Emma

Mommy, Daddy, & Ladybug

Three Generations (Hrcek, Antosh, Clark)

NaNa, PaPa, Mommy, and Emma

NaNa, PaPa, Daddy, Mommy, and Emma

No More Big Brother

Well...we have been sort of quiet on this issue because it seemed too good to be true. But Emma is officially CORDLESS!



That's right...

NO MORE MONITOR!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pictures pictures pictures....

Emma in her Easter dress

Our Baby Girl

Holding Mommy's Finger

Daddy's Palm

Back in Mommy's Arms