Hair bow, Mommy!

Emma decided that her baby needed a hair bow.  But, since her baby doesn't have hair, she improvised...  See?

She was so proud of herself that I couldn't get on to her for coloring on her doll.  I guess I'll chalk it up to creativity.  I think my Mama probably is having flash backs as she looks at this to some other creative little girl!  

Five Question Friday

1. What is your favorite part of a Thanksgiving meal?

I love my Grandmother's dressing.  And her pear salad... mine never tastes the same!  Those two things are my favorites, but I love every single bit of it!

2. Are you a host or a guest for Thanksgiving this year?

Both, we had our Thanksgiving early with my Grandmother and I was a guest at her house.  Then Thursday, we hosted Chuck's family at Buckhaven... our little cabin in the woods.  Both were wonderful!

3. When you think of one Thanksgiving tradition, what comes to mind?

The Thanksgiving Day parade is the first thing that comes to mind.  And though it is no longer on Thanksgiving Day... The Egg Bowl... Mississippi State University v. Ole Miss.  It just doesn't seem to have the same excitement since it was moved to the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  Sad :(

4. You have two pieces of pie in front of you and you HAVE to eat one...do you choose pumpkin or pecan?

Definitely pecan.  I am just not a fan of pumpkin pie.  

5. Are you a Black Friday Shopper?

Absolutely NOT!  I've been once, and swore I would never go again.  I just don't like crowds, and I sure don't like digging for an item.  Just not my thing.  I would much rather pay more and experience less stress!

Happy Friday!

So Thankful

Today I am reminded of just how much I have to be thankful for.  Here are a few of those things...

1. I am thankful that I am saved by the grace of Jesus Christ.

2. I am thankful for my sweet husband and every thing he does to make my life wonderful.

3. I am thankful for this sweet face....

... and especially for being chosen to be her Mommy.

4. I am thankful for this precious little hand...

5. I am thankful for this tiny foot...

...especially when it kicks me!

6. I am also thankful for this sweet face...

... and especially for how healthy HE is!

Yea, yea... I know I said we weren't telling until we sent out our Christmas cards, but Chuck absolutely could NOT wait!  It was killing him and I could tell, so I let him spill the beans.  He is beyond excited!  Actually, we both are, as well as our families!  

5. And I am immensely thankful for all of the family I have... even though it means I have to divide my time and don't get to see all of them during each holiday.  I love them and miss them lots!

Happy Thanksgiving!  Many Blessings to each of you! 

Catch up and Five Question Friday

My head is really foggy.  I have developed a cold... Lucky me.  And, what's luckier?  I'm pregnant, so medications are limited.  So, I'm stuck just waiting it out.  Blah.This past week has been crazy.  Let's see... Last Sunday, Emma was fine.  Fast Forward a few hours and this is how the rest of the day played out... We were preparing for the annual Sweet Potato Pageant.  She was in a good mood until time to go on stage.  She screamed "I got you, Mama.  I got you, Mama". And clung to me.  She was trembling.  I knew it wasn't stage fright.  I also knew it was fever.  All of this happened in the seconds, literally, before I took her on stage.  Once one stage, I put her down and she screamed, stomped her feet and cried.  Needless to say, we didn't win anything.  Not that I cared or that I needed three strangers telling me whether my beautiful baby is well, beautiful. Anyway, by the time we got home, which was about 30 minutes, she was burning up with fever and lifeless. We gave her Motrin, which didn't break the fever, then Tylenol, which didn't break the fever either, and finally a cool bath.  Still, her fever wouldn't break.  She also had developed a very croupy cough by this point and had labored breathing.  Thank goodness that my sister and sister-in-law are both nurses and a nurse practitioner.  We gave Emma a breathing treatment for the cough, but she was still not good. After all of this, we decided that it was time to head to the ER.  I gathered our stuff and we rushed off.  It was dark by this time.  Emma was strapped in her car seat, with a Barney video playing.  Every time I turned around to look at her, her cheeks got redder and redder.  She literally glowed like a fire ball.  And, I could hear her breathing over the sound of the video.  It was terrible.  There was nothing I could do to help her.By the time we got checked in at the ER, her fever had come down a little, but her cough and breathing still weren't good.  We finally got called back to a room to wait some more.  We were at the hospital that my sister works at, so she knew several of the people that we would be dealing with... That calmed me a little bit. We finally had a nurse come in, and by that time Emma was feeling better.  It is amazing the difference in someone who is sick with fever and sick without fever.  All of her symptoms had improved since her fever started going down.  The doctor made his way in and checked her out thoroughly.  He ordered a white count check and x-rays.  She did good with the finger stick... didn't cry at all!  Actually, the band-aid was more of a source for a melt-down! I didn't give the x-rays much thought at first, but then it hit me... X-rays... I'm pregnant... I couldn't go back there.  Luckily, Jennifer and Jena were with me.  Jenn went with Emma and Jena stayed with me.  I was dying inside knowing that my baby was being poked and prodded without me there to comfort her.  It was miserable.  But, when they came back, Jenn said she didn't cry at all.  What a big girl!Once the doctor had time to look at her white count, which was good, and her x-rays, which weren't too bad, we were given medicine and sent home to take it easy.  Emma fell asleep on the way home and slept all night without the return of fever!  YAY!We made our way back to our house Monday afternoon to relax and re-cooperate for the rest of the week.  And, it pretty took the whole week!
Things have been better for Emma, this week, though.  Thank goodness!  She has had a fun week at school with Thanksgiving parties and activities.  I helped with the Thanksgiving party and all of the kids had a great time!  They were all so cute! 
I'm looking forward to the weekend, even though it is going to be busy.  It's the last home game for the Bulldogs and we are going to cheer them on.  Also, we will enjoy Thanksgiving with my family.  I am definitely looking forward to Grandmother and Mama's cooking!
After all of those fun things, we are going to my 18 week check up on Monday.  I can't wait!  We should be able to find out if this baby is a boy or girl!  I really think it's a biy, but we will see!  Oh, and I have a fun way to announce it to my friends and family... I am going to put it on the Christmas card!  My sister-in-law suggested the idea and I ran with it.  It took a little while to come up with the 'perfect' way to do it, but I finally got it.  I'm so excited!  I will post my Christmas card after it has time to get to everyone!
I think it will really be hard for Chuck to not tell... He can not keep a secret!  For example... ever since we started dating, he has always given me my Christmas gifts early.  He gets excited and can not keep it to himself until Christmas!  It is so funny!  I usually have to tell him "No... I'll wait until Christmas to open it!" 
But anyway... On to Five Question Friday...  Hope that you have a great weekend!
http://fivecrookedhalos.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" title="Five Question Friday">http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt155/fivecrookedhalos/th_w6r0jk.png" img />

1. What Christmas song do you
loathe?

 

 

I really can't think of one that I loathe.  I love them all!  I am so excited that Christmas music is playing on the radio.  Puts me in a great mood!

 

2. Do you and your significant other cuddle at night or
sleep on opposite sides of the bed?

 

Here lately we are on opposite sides of the bed... sound asleep before we even hit the pillow!  We used to cuddle all the time, and really try to make a point to cuddle now.

 

3. Have you ever had surgery?

 

Yep.  Lots of surgeries.  Nothing too major, but none were fun. 

 

4. When do you typically have your holiday shopping
done?

 

Never.  I am such a procrastinator and I am always shopping at the last minute, which means that sometimes stores are out of what I need, so I'm giving pictures of the item and waiting for it to come in after Christmas! 

 

I did do some of my shopping yesterday, though.  Really proud of myself for starting before Thanksgiving this year!

5. If money were not an issue (and you HAD to pick something), what would your ultimate luxury item be?

 

A beautiful house on an exotic beach with a private jet to get me there when ever I wanted! 

Happy Friday!

Conversations with Laila

Emma and I spent the weekend at my parents' house just hanging out and enjoying relaxing.  While we were there, my almost 4 year old niece, Laila, came over.  I just love talking to her!  She says the cutest things!  This is Laila and the conversations this weekend went something like this...

(I am in the bathroom changing shirts and Laila walks in.)

Laila:  Aunt Jes, where's your baby?

Me: In my tummy.

Laila:  Where?

Me:  In my tummy.

Laila: How do you get it out?

Me:  I have to go to the hospital and get it out.

Laila:  But how do you get it out?

Me:  The doctor will get the baby out.

Laila:  But, how does the doctor get it out?

Me: Uh... he just does.

Laila:  But how?

Me:  Magic?!?!

What in the world was I supposed to say?  I don't think that I want to be the one explaining it to her!  I'll let her Mama, who is a nurse practitioner, giver her all the details on that!  Sorry, Jenn, I think I opened up a can of worms!

Later, Laila,  Aunt Jee-Jee (Jena), and I were talking....

Jee-Jee:  Man...

Laila:  I'm not a man.  I'm a girl.

Jee-Jee:  Man...

Laila:  I'M NOT A MAN! I'M A GIRL!

Jee-Jee-:  How do you know?

Laila:  Because, I'm a girl.

Jee-Jee:  But how do you know?

Laila:  Because I'm a girl.  Jesus made me that way.

Jee-Jee:  Oh... Good answer!

Laila:  See my ponytail?  (She turns to show Jee-Jee her ponytail and fluffs it.)  I'm a girl!

Five Question Friday... On Saturday

Seriously, is it really Saturday... NIGHT?  Where did this week go?  Where does all the time go these days?  Anyway, sorry I'm late with FQF.  What's sad is that I didn't realize that it wasn't even Friday anymore!  Gees... I really need to slow down and pay attention.  

So, some not-so-noteworthy news for you... I am about to add some new things to my blog.  Some things that I have had in the works for months, but just haven't had the time to get them up.  Stay tuned for that!

On to important things, though... Five Question Friday! YAY!

1. If you could have any talent and turn it into an occupation, what would it be?

I would definitely be a singer/musician!  I really like to think that I can sing as it is, and well, Emma seems to like hearing me, oh and Chuck once told me that I sang pretty, so maybe there's a future!  I doubt it, but a girl can dream!

2. Would you rather have a house at the beach or a cabin in the woods?

Without a doubt I want a house at the beach!  I have wanted one for as long as I can remember.  Plus, we are putting the finishing touches on our little cabin in the woods, so I really think that I need a beach house now!  :) 

3. Is there any meaning or reasoning for the names you chose for your child/children?

Yes and No.  I had our children's names picked out before I got pregnant... Even before we got married or even started dating.  You see, I have had my children't names picked out since forever.  Emma was supposed to be Jack if she had been a boy or Annie Michael if she were a girl.  I even called her "Jack or Annie" for 16 weeks until we found out that she was a she.  Then, Chuck told me he didn't want to use the name Annie Michael.  I was pretty upset, but survived.  Obviously.  So, I made lists and lists and lists of girl names and Chuck would go through and mark out the one he didn't like.  It was through this process of elimination that we came up with Emma Cate.  Later I discovered that my Great Great Greatmother's name was Emmaline.  That was one of my choices, too, but Chuck would only agree to Emma.  I wanted to name her Emma Tate Alderman, but then I looked at her monogram and it was EAT.  I just couldn't do that to her.  Kids can be cruel enough as it is.  What if she had a chubby phase and I sent her to school with EAT on her shirt!  Wasn't happening.

4. What is your guilty pleasure? (I know we've done this one before, but I'm guessing people's "guilty pleasures" change frequently. At least, mine do!)

Right now, it is reading.  I love it.  It lets me escape reality for a little while.  Not to mention that I'm a dork and just enjoy reading.  I would so much rather read than watch the movie version of something.  

5. Do you live in a house that is deep cleaned or straightened?

Currently, I am living in a house that is one misplaced item short of a disaster.  I cannot seem to get my act together.  I have been editing pictures constantly here lately.  If I'm not taking care of or playing with Emma, I am editing.  Housework has fallen by the wayside, which drives me insane.  Hopefully, though, I am almost caught up with editing and I can get back to my regular schedule.

Happy Friday Weekend!

Minnie Mouse

My sweet Minnie Mouse on Halloween!  

She was so much fun!  After being sick all week, Emma wasn't really interested in putting on her costume.  But, once kids started to show up at our door, dressed in their costumes, she decided that it would be fun to put her's on.  

I got her dressed up and we walked from house to house around our neighborhood.  Emma would just chatter away saying Trick-or-Treat and asking questions about the kids we saw.  But, when we reached someone's door, she would get quite.  Then, as we walked away, she would start saying Trick-or-Teat, Bye, See You Later, Thank You.  It was too cute!

Not too many houses in our neighborhood participated, but that was okay.  We wound up with plenty of candy!  It was just so priceless to share those moments with her, just walking between houses.  

I LOVE my sweet little girl!

Potty Training

First, let me just say that Halloween was a lot of fun around here.  I will post pictures and blog all about it soon, but first, a more important matter...

Potty Training.

Last week, while she was sick, Emma insisted on taking her clothes off and sitting on her potty...  The one that I hid in the closet a few months ago and she has not seen since.  And, when I say insisted, I mean stomping feet, crying, tearing at her clothes, screaming, INSISTED.  So, I did what any good mother would do... I gave in.  I decided that since she felt so bad that if this one thing would make her happy, then why not.

I stripped her down and let her spend nearly all of her waking hours naked.  She wasn't drinking much, so she wasn't wetting much.  Therefore I didn't have too many accidents to worry about.  She did lots of sitting on her potty, but not actually going.  I put her diaper back on for nap time and of course she went in her sleep.

The next day, she got up that morning and again insisted on taking her clothes of and sitting on her potty.  So, again, I indulged her.  It was either that or a long day of insisting*.


*See definition above.


And, since using the potty is what we are working toward at this stage in life, I figured that indulgence was the right thing.  Especially since my Mama, Emma's Granna, told me that if she wanted to use it, I really shouldn't discourage it.

Anyway... Day 2.  We were watching television and she said uh-oh.  I came running to find that she had started to go in the floor.  I quickly helped her to her potty and she finished going in it.  I cheered and clapped and made a huge deal over it, but she wasn't impressed.  It was like she was no longer interested in the potty.

She went several days not asking about it, nor did she pay it any attention when she saw it.  I decided that I wasn't really ready to potty train her, so I wouldn't push the issue.

Well, yesterday, we were preparing to nap and she just would not go (have I mentioned that she is now in a toddler bed? Yeah, that happened the night before potty day 1).   She wanted her pants off, which she tells me when she wants to go potty.  Hearing my Mama's voice in the back of my head, I took her pants off and she sat on her potty.  She sat there, and sat there, and sat there.  Finally, she got up and ran to her room.  I looked in the potty and lo and behold she had actually gone!  I was jumping up and down with excitement!  I clapped and cheered and danced.  Emma came running back to me and smiled, but then turned and went back to her room.  I followed her and she went straight to her bed.  I cleaned her up, put a diaper on her and she went right to sleep.  She took a long nap and then we were gone for the evening, so we didn't sit on the potty anymore.

Today, she got up, and in her typical fashion, anytime she wet her diaper she cried for me to change her.  Which I did.  Then she took an early, much needed nap.  When she got up, she wanted her diaper off and wanted to sit on her potty.  It was a little late, as she had already gone in her diaper, but I let her sit a while anyway.  While we are at home, I usually let her go either bare bottomed or in training panties.  We hadn't gotten a pair of panties on yet, so she was playing bare bottomed.  She got really still and all of a sudden I smelled it... Poop!  She had pooped in the floor... Two inches from her potty.

I picked her up and sat her on it... too little too late... and cleaned up the mess.  She watched while I cleaned it up and told her that poo-poo goes in the potty, but she didn't quite get it.

I have decided that today will be good day to head on over to the book store and find a book about going to the potty.  I really think that she is close to getting it.  At least I hope she is since she is so insistent on using the potty all the time.  She tells me when she is going in her diaper and then cries to be changed.  So, I do believe that it is time to run with it and see what we can do.  Hopefully, this will be a fairly easy experience!  At the very least, it will definitely be an interesting, and probably entertaining, one!