Ames

This past weekend we drove up to Ames to say goodbye to some wonderful friends.  We had so much fun catching up with them and others that came to say goodbye as well.  We hope to see them in the next couple of years when we go visit them in Virginia because Andrew's brother lives there as well!
It was a short trip but well worth it... we will miss you guys!

Emmerson 1 month

Emmerson has been a good baby.  She is a good sleeper, always seems to wake up around 2 am and 5 am.  She will then sleep till 8 or 9 and then take good morning and afternoon naps.  So nice because then I usually get one too!  I'm noticing she doesn't eat as much as Ollie did... probably never will :)  We are starting to see some smiles and notice a coo once in a while.  At her week and a half check-up she weighed 8 lbs 9 oz which is 6 oz more than her birth weight.  She is filling out more and more and I'm starting to have to clean between rolls.  Love it!  She is starting to lose some hair and get some baby acne... oh the stages babies must go through :)  Here are some pictures of the first month of her life...

We love you baby girl and are excited to watch you grow!

Chicago

On July 6th we drove up to Chicago to see Dustin and Leah because they flew in to vacation with Dad, Mom, and the boys for the week and we wanted to introduce them to Emmerson!  On Friday we drove up to Kevin and Melissa's, hung out with them for the evening, and then drove downtown on Saturday to hang out with my family.  We met them at the Museum of Science and Industry and had a fun morning and part of the afternoon there....

 After lunch Mom and I drove back to their hotel and Ollie and I took a nap.  When the boys and Leah got back they went shopping and then after I woke up we did some more shopping while my mom watched the kids.  I have such a sweet mom :)  At 8 we finally got in to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner...

After dinner we drove back to Kevin and Melissa's.  We had so much fun seeing Dust and Leah and being in Chicago again.  On Sunday after church we went out to lunch and headed home.  Thanks so much Kevin and Melissa for letting us crash at your place and for being so generous.  We love you!

Family

A couple weeks ago we had Grace Lane from Memory Lane Photography take our family pictures, Oliver's 2 year pictures, and Emmerson's newborn pictures.  She did a great job!

2 years

This sweet little man has been in our lives for 2 years.  It's so crazy how fast time flies yet it feels like we have always known him.  He is at such a fun fun age, we are enjoying him soooo much!  Here are some things he has been repeating and repeating:

"whaaaat?! daddy says it"

"i want more noooooodles. greema (grandma) says it"

"how do? greepa (grandpa) says it"

"sliiime! kate says it"

"chiiiips! anna says it"

He has also been talking about the bird hitting our living room window and how he was scared of the fireworks and cried.  He is so funny. 

He has been sleeping in his big boy bed (the crib we borrowed and put in his new room).  We weren't sure how he would adjust to sleeping in a new room but he seems to be doing well.  Over the summer we will work on making the office his room and moving Emmerson into his nursery.  He has also been going pee on the potty.  He isn't very good about telling us he has to go so we try to remember to ask him often.

He has been a wonderful big brother.  He loves to put her paci in and get me diapers and wet wipes when I need to change her.  He calls her baby girl, it is so sweet!  Here are some things he says..

"what's matter baby girl?"

"you want paci baby girl?

"hi precious" -got that one from his dad

Once in a while when I am tending to Emmerson he will want me to hold him but that is about the extent of his jealousy.
He is really into playing golf and baseball this summer.  He calls his golf club his "hit it" and will hit a ball around forever.  He loves being with Andrew, especially when they go disc golfing.

Playing horseshoes with Daddy.

Playing songs on Daddy's phone.

So excited to go disc golfing!

Playing golf.

At his 2 year appointment he weighed 30 lbs and was 35 in tall.  We are so blessed to be given a healthy boy to love and raise!  We love you Buddy!