never too late to get one in

It's been a while since I posted anything which for some reason makes me not want to post anything new because there is just too much to cover. 

BUT, I was thinking about a post I did about being a working mom and how I found staying at home unrewarding. I feel differently about that now. As Emmy has grown older, she is so much more fun.  I spend every moment I have playing with her, talking to her and watching her learn new things. It's amazing and it's completely rewarding. I may not get a pat on the back but seeing her smile at me makes it all worth while.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not going to stop working. I still love going to the office everyday and I find my job very rewarding, helping people save money and buy houses can be fun (albeit also very stressful). The sweet ladies at Emmy's daycare are amazing and she loves them. She smiles so big when she sees them and I'm happy to know that she is learning to play well with others, to share and make friends. I miss her incredibly, especially on Mondays after a weekend of cuddling and play time.

First Halloween costume: a poodle like her Rufus
From her Bascom Grandparents

Her 2nd costume from her sweet Aunt Fruity!

A little update on Emmy:

Eating:
She got her first tooth a few weeks ago and now has two little teeth on the bottom! She loves to feed herself and has gotten pretty good at putting the rice puffs in her mouth instead of on the floor. Her favorite snack is a slice of apple, just thick enough not to break when she teethes and sucks on it. She will eat a banana right out of the peel loves her vegetables as much as her fruit. Her typical feeding schedule is 7:30 bottle, 12:00 bottle and food, 3:30 bottle, 5:30 food, 7:00 bottle. I think we are going to switch out a bottle for food soon but she's been content so we haven't needed to change anything now. I wish I knew more about feeding schedules, the other kids at daycare have so much more food packed but I have no idea why they eat so much! (I guess it's possible they spend more time there, Emmy is usually 8:30-4). 

Sleeping:
Emmy is amazing. She is still sleeping 12-13 hours every night. Ever since she was 3 months old, she has slept like a tank. On the weekends she takes 2 or 3 naps for 30 minutes to two hours, depending on the weather and how much is going on that interests her!

General Health:
 She spiked a fever a week ago and has been coughing with a runny nose ever since. The poor thing has been a trooper but after a chat with the pediatrician and another fever tonight, she will have to go to the doctor tomorrow. I have a lot of work today but I'm looking forward to spending the day with her and making sure she gets appropriately taken care of. I'm guessing it's an ear infection but I'll let the doctor do the diagnosing.

A little update on me and Joe:
Um. Nobody told us that babies who are in daycare will pass on some serious jermies! We spent the first two weeks of October in and out of American Family Care, Bronchitis, flu, and a stomach bug later we are happy to be fighting only the snots/seasonal allergies. Due to some changes at my office I got to move into a real office with a big window. (Remember that post about being nice to everyone, no matter how terrible they are? Sometimes, being terrible for a long time at work wears out even your boss.)

I know this doesn't look like much, but to be working for a company I really respect, to have the freedoms I have and get a sunny space to work in - well, that's pretty awesome. 

giggles

6.376 months old to be exact...

I love Emmy more and more everyday. 

I didn't think that was possible but it's true. As her personality comes out, I see so much more of her. She is still so sweet and happy. She has moved into a new room at the daycare, Ms. Francis's room and is doing great with the new play space. She isn't crawling yet but enjoys tummy time while the other babies that can crawl smack her feet and bottom to encourage her development. I think that's healthy so I don't mind. Emmy doesn't mind either, not much bothers this kid (this is a Joe characteristic, not mine). 

Her favorites:
1. The jumparoo (BY FAR) this is her favorite thing to do! We call her (inappropriately) the "crack kid" when she jumps and slings herself around laughing hysterically. It makes me so happy to see her like that. 
2. Rufus & Winston. She discovered them a few weeks ago and laughs out loud when they zoom by. Once her eyes catch them in the room, she lunges her whole body toward them, fearless of the ground beneath her. She got a hold of Rufus's hair one time and made him cry but he still licked her once we unclenched her hands. 
3. Hair/people's faces. Emmy just started really looking at people and feels the need to pinch and pull at their noses, eyes, hair, etc to get to know them better. It's painful but I know this is her way of saying "hello". 
4. Her milk. She can hold her bottle on her own every time now. She knows when to expect it and gets very impatient while we are preparing it. She actually eats a little less than most babies and is still 95%… my little chunk.
5. Talking. She is carrying on full conversations although we don't understand it. She has begun saying "daddy" although not in any particular context (unless I think she is saying "daddy, give me a bath tonight" or "daddy, I want you to change my dirty diaper this time". She started referring to me as "cough, cough" because I have bronchitis and she must think that's my name now. She literally fake coughs then looks at me expectantly. I oblige because that's a respectable assumption.

Dislikes:
1. Real food. All of it. She has taken to not squinting so much at bananas and carrots but pears, apples, butternut squash, avocado, peaches, and medleys all get the appalled look after the first bite. I've decided to let the daycare work this out and what do you know… Ms. Francis said she likes it warm with *a little* rice cereal (not too much, don't add any water). God, thank you for daycare. 
2. When Joe and I exit a room. This is a strange new sensation that I have to admit I kind-a like. She likes us now, I mean, really misses us even. When I pick her up at daycare she lights up, big smiles, arms waiving and I usually scoop her up first thing. Today I turned my back to her for just a moment to get her bag and she started balling. I felt so important and loved! Of course, I picked her up immediately laughing a little. She does it at home now if we leave her in her jumparoo and she gets turned around and can't see us. Other times she goes on playing and talking like she doesn't know anyone else is there. 
3. Her teethies. Yeah, at her 4-month check up the doc said they might come in early. Joe and i made bets they would appear early July, then on our birthdays mid-August. STILL NO TEETH. I dislike them too. 

I'm done betting on her progress. Except, I'm betting she'll be crawling in 2 weeks. I feel good about that one with the competition at daycare and her pets always sitting just out of reach. She's not gonna stand that long.