John's Christmas present

John's mom gave him a gift card to Bass Pro Shop and we promptly went shopping on Sunday after church. He had had his eye on a bow case and now he has it! John customized the straps to fit his bow, and now it it safely stored under our bed. He's so happy. :)

more Christmas videos

videos from Christmas

Emma and Boo

The Smillies' dog Bella had puppies just before Thanksgiving, and now, on this visit, were old enough for Emma to be able to play with them without hurting them. :) It was so cute to see her try to play with the little white fur balls - on Christmas Eve they were loose in the kitchen and Emma kept trying to crawl after them and catch them, squeaking back at them the whole time. My mom asked for a video of it, and we took this one on Christmas morning before the presents were opened. Emma is a bit more interested in the video camera than the puppy, though!

Emma's first present of the day. She got to open hers first since she is the youngest, but wasn't quite sure what to do with the wrapping paper. :) It was a little push/ride on car from Josh, and she loves it!

David, Emma and her new car

Emma's First Snow

all dressed and ready to go out

We have had snowfall already this year, but not enough to really play in. Last night and this morning we had more so Emma and I went out in it for a few minutes. It was very cold so we didn't stay out long, but I think she liked it!!!

This started as a rest time with Daddy ...... peek-a-boo!

Emma just learned how to play peek-a-boo with us, and now whenever we tuck her in with a blanket, she starts to lift it over her face and then peeks around to see if we are playing with her. :)

early presents

Emma went to play with the chair as soon as we got home from church last Sunday. Once I got the video camera out, though, she found something else to play with!

her face when John got this one out of the box

this is actually a play table with legs, but we waited a few days to put them on. now we take them off or put them back to change it up a bit for her.

John's mom gave Emma two of her presents early for a few reasons: so that she could enjoy them longer, and so that I could get a some Christmas projects done instead of comforting and entertaining a baby who can still be a bit grumpy from teething. I love holding her, but there have been several days recently when that is all that I seem to get done (although Emma is slowly learning that some behaviours, such as screeching to be picked up, won't fly here).

Both of the new toys make sounds when you touch them, but both are almost as fun to play with when the sounds are off. She loves them!!! It is so cute to see her play with the new toys, but then crawl back to her basket of old toys. She likes them all. :)

Last night was warm (40-ish) and pleasant. Knowing that it was going to be the nicest night in a while, we bundled up after dinner and took a walk through the neighborhood around our apartment. There were several houses with lights, but not a ton. The ones that were lit up, though, were very cheery and festive.
Emma really enjoyed the walk (she was bundled up in her bear coat and warm blankets), but I think she'll enjoy the specialness of Christmas lights more next year. Next year we'll be bundling up two babies!

As we were walking I was thinking about how putting Christmas lights and displays outside is really an act of neighborly love. Most of the time you don't see the lights that you've put up outside; the display is for your neighbors and passers-by. You put in the effort and foot the extra electrical bill while others get enjoyment out of your labor. It really is a kind, festive and loving gesture.

it makes it all better

Emma was having a particularly difficult morning, and nothing I did could cheer her up or calm her down. Then we tried bathtime ...................... and it worked!

exploring the kitchen

Emma tries to be in the kitchen whenever we are, crawling around our feet or holding onto our legs as we attempt to maneuver our way up and down the kitchen. She hasn't opened any doors or drawers, though, until yesterday when she discovered the drawer under the oven.
That is a fun place! The pots that we let her bang on are there, and she can pull the drawer out!
The only problem is, the drawer slides back in whenever she leans down to try to pick up something. And then her arm gets stuck, which makes her frustrated since she doesn't know how to get it out of the drawer ............. I think that this needs to remain as a fun but supervised activity for a while!

getting ready for bath time!

Emma gets so excited when she sees the bathtub filling. If she could figure out how to climb over the edge she would!