Emilia's Journal

Dear Emi-

Watching you blow kisses to Daddy and laugh brings a smile to my face every time I see it. I hope you always laugh as much as you do now.

Love, Mom

Emilia-

You have started feeding yourself with the spoon. You start out great, lifting each bite neatly to your mouth, but eventually dig your hands in the bowl for big messy fun!

Dear Emilia,

You are a big eater. You haven’t disliked any food yet. Theresa bought you a book for Christmas about BooBoo the blue gosling who eats almost everything, that would be you.

Just in the last day, you started using your utensils to feed yourself! You were a little bit messy, but dug into your oatmeal with abandon! (You also picked up the bowl and tried to stick your whole head in there.)

The other surprising thing about your feeding yourself, is that you seem to be showing a preference for your left hand! This would be weird, because we can’t think of any relatives that are left-handed, (and as I write this, you are using your right to eat peaches, wait, back to the left, maybe you are ambidextrous?)

We’re hoping that your love of so many different foods continues, because one of your parents was quite a picky eater (not your mom).

Love, Dad

Dear Emi-

It is hard to imagine that just 1 year ago you were just a tiny infant sleeping in our arms throughout the holiday. It is wonderful to see you take it all in, and of course share some of your famous laughs and smiles throughout.

Merry Christmas and We Love You,
Mom and Dad

Dear Emilia-

One day around Christmas we asked you what Santa said and you quickly replied, “Ho, Ho, Ho.” We were amazed that you had picked this up and tried to catch it on video. You were more interested in showing us your new skill of blowing kisses first though.

We never know what you are going to do next.
Love, Mom

Emi-

We have always danced together since you were just a tiny baby. You are starting to come up with some moves of your own. I think your signature move right now is most accurately described as “the bounce.”

I look forward to learning some more moves from you!

Love, Mom

Dear Emi-

I think it is official, you are now walking on your own. Now it is not just a few steps, and you are able to explore whatever peaks your interest. Watch out Yeti! You can no longer move a couple feet to get out of Emi’s reach.

I know we better be prepared because soon walking will be running.

Love, Mom

Emilia-

It is amazing how fast the past year has gone. When I look back at pictures of you as a newborn, I cannot believe that you were ever that small. Your favorite words these days are “Teddy, Dada (you seemed to have forgetten how to say Mama), Bear, Yeti and the sign for more. You have started taking a couple steps too. We threw a little party for you and you loved being the center of attention. What you even loved more were presents. You tore into the packages with gusto and were excited about everything you found inside.

You were especially thrilled by the huge Teddy Bear from your uncle Joey

After the presents we had some cake and since you were a winter baby like your Dad and I, I thought that a snow woman cake would be fitting. You have not had much dessert before now, and I think you liked it.

A messy girl!

We can’t wait to see what the next year brings!

Love, Mom

Dear Em-

It has been so fun to watch your relationship with Yeti change over time. At first you pretty much ignored each other. She was curious about you and would give you a lick or two when we let her. Then came the stage where you found her wildly amusing whenever she was in your line of sight. Soon you were able to crawl after her and then crawl all over her. She often would let out a deep sigh as to say, “I can’t believe I put up with this.” Then came the phase where you were learning to walk and she would blow by you and knock you over or whap you with her tail. Despite this, you still remained friends. She always wants to sleep next to your crib. You look out the window side by side, and you often bend down to give her a kiss or a pat on the head. If she is curled up on the floor, you will back up and sit down in the crook between her paws and use her as a backrest. It is so fun to see how excited you are to great her each morning.

Love, Mom

Dear Emi,

This year we got to introduce you to the holiday centered around friends, family and food. Needless to say, you thought that was pretty great. We started the day with a quick Turkey Trot downtown with your friends Nicholas and Sydney. At dinner we filled your tray with all sorts of new foods, and you ate every one. You also got to see both sets of your grandparents at once, and uncle Joey was more than happy to play peek-a-boo with you.

Peek-a-boo!

“Yay, lots of people to play with me!”

“Good Food!”

We have a lot be be thankful for this year!

Love, Mom