Just for the Heck of it

I got a new computer and so I am just checking things out!  Trying to see how easy (or hard) it is to add photos and such!  Well look at that, pretty easy!!  Can you believe she's holding her own bottle?   It was just a fluke, but she's getting so big!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas all!! We've had the most wonderful day so far, just Brad, Emerson and I. She opened her presents this morning (well we did most of the work) and then she konked out. This Christmas stuff is hard work. We started some new traditions this year, we did the Elf on the Shelf, which is a cute story about an elf that sits in your house and keeps an eye on children and reports to Santa every night, making it back to your house by morning and sitting in a new spot, so it's fun for kids to find where the elf is in the morning. We read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas and the Legend of the Candy Cane. We opened one present last night...Christmas pajamas to sleep in and to open up presents in the morning. We had cinnamon rolls this morning because I forgot to take rolls out of the freezer in time to make monkey bread, O'well it didn't ruin the day. We are just going to take it easy and listen to Christmas music and play a few games, and later have tacos (there is a story to that). Enjoy the photo of the most precious little girl with her haul from Santa. I'm off to kick Brad's butt at scrabble.

Emerson Update

Because she's so small the Dr. suggested we start feeding her rice cereal, she doesn't think much of it. But we keep trying.

The cutest little baby in the world with her band aids from her 4 shots she got on the 18th. She weighed 9 lbs 10 oz that day and doesn't even make it into the 5th percentile for her age.

Gatlinburg

Brad and I decided to take a little break and head to Gatlinburg. We rented a great cabin and just hung out for the weekend. Emerson did great on the drive there and back, I did have to sit in back with her for a little bit, she was tired of that silly carseat, so it was that or listen to her scream. I chose to play with her. We visited the Ripley's Aquarium, the Tram, did some shopping, ate at a great pancake house and just relaxed and enjoyed ourselves. Can't wait to do it again, but next time.....the beach!!

Gatlinburg

She did sleep through the tram ride, but she was definitely dressed for the occasion. I had to roll the hat a few times to make it fit.

He didn't want to pose for this photo, but he was a good sport anyway.

The sweet sea turtle (if sea turtles can be sweet) she couldn't take her eyes off of Emerson.

It snowed on us right as we got to the Ripley's Aquarium in Gatlinburg.....and she's awake to see it.

We got the cute little smile out of her. Brad and Emerson sitting in front of the fireplace at our cabin.

Love It, Love It, Love It

This is just too cute.

Her Latest Thing

Emerson's new thing is chewing on her fist. It is so funny, in the car I can hear her spit her pacifier out and then start smacking away on that cute little fist. Makes me smile every time I hear it.

Excited to See Santa

As you can tell, Emerson was thrilled to meet the man in red. Just like any event in her life so far, she has just snoozed right through it. She's just too adorable. We are so thankful to have her in our lives, she brings us so much joy. We are kicking off the holiday season this weekend and want to wish everyone a great one.

The Bright Spot in Our Day

She loves her Daddy

Emerson and her wonderful daddy

Happy Halloween

Emerson's first Halloween was a big hit, she looked adorable dressed as a little pink bunny. Obviously she didn't care what all the fuss was about, but it was nice to see her dressed up with her cousins. John was a puppy, Murphy was a football player, and Maddy was a hippie.

She Smiled...She Really Smiled

Brad and I got our first real smile out of Emerson last night. It wasn't a gas or I'm messing my pants smile either. It was an honest to goodness smile. I tried to recapture the smile today but this is as good as I got.

She's Growing

Emerson Elizabeth is growing like a weed, she's now 7lbs and 9 oz and 20 inches long. She's in the 5th percentile for her age, which cracks us up, they don't have a preemie scale, O'well. She's adorable, and we are lovin' every minute with her.

How Tall is She?

She couldn't manage to stand there on her own, but daddy helped her out.

Pumpkin Patch

This weekend we took Emerson to the Pumpkin Patch, we think she enjoyed it, she slept the WHOLE time. She did wake up long enough to have a bottle and a diaper change, then she was out again. We are looking forward to doing it again next year, when I know she will be MUCH more active.

A Wonderful Time

Little Emerson just had her first out of town guests, and we all had a wonderful time. My sister Jenine made it out for 2 weeks and my Aunt Punki made it out for a couple of days. Jenine was a huge help around the house, I don't think I lifted a finger the whole time. She did laundry, cleaned, did dishes, weeded my flower bed, cleaned off the patio, cleaned the driveway, took care of my plants, helped me decorate the porch for Halloween, and got my guest bedrooms ready for the next round of family and on top of that was a HUGE help with Emerson. She even watched Emerson so that Brad and I could have a "date" night for our anniversary next week. I'm sure she was ready to get home so she could have some rest. That is of course once she got "some" of her belongings in her suitcase :)

My Aunt Punki filled this house with so much joy and laughter, you can't help but enjoy being around her. She is thrilled to be Emerson's surrogate Gramma Punki, and so are we. She filled Jenine and I in on some of our Mom's funny stories, as well as some of hers about growing up. There were some tears reliving old memories, but mostly just fun and laughter.

We can't wait for both of them to come back. We already miss them.

She's Home

This is the day Emerson came home, she's been home a little over a week. We are lovin' it. Not much gets done around here anymore, too busy staring at her. I swear we must think we are the only people that have ever had a baby. How does the world function, isn't everyone busy staring at their kids all day? I'm sure we'll get over it when she heads off to college. But until then, I better get back to my angel.

Bathing Emerson

The Happy Family

Today's latest photo, we were at the hospital for lunchtime, she's just wiped after she eats, I'm still trying to get some good pics while she's awake.

Emerson Elizabeth Bohan

She's here!! Brad and I welcomed Emerson Elizabeth, August 16th at 1:53 in the morning. Little Emerson weighed in at 3lbs 6oz and 16 inches long. She came 7 weeks early, and has done wonderful. She hasn't needed oxygen or help with any major functions. She's our precious little miracle. Today she got her IV out and is eating as much as she wants whenever she wants, now she just has to gain some weight so that she can come home. Thanks so much for everyone's thoughts and prayers, we are so blessed to have so many people offer so much help and support.

Tagged

I got tagged, thanks Rachel. I'm supposed to write six random things about myself and tag six more people. I will try to write six things, but I'm not tagging anyone. I make the rules to suit myself.
1. I swear a lot. I am trying to work on it, because when the baby is born I don't want her first word to be #$&*. Brad and I have discussed the fact that I won't be able to talk in the car when I'm driving for the first 5 years of her life. Sad but true. I'm not a bit proud of this random tidbit about myself, but the first step is admitting you have a problem.
2. I, like Rachel, like to make lists, not crazy like my husband is about lists (he writes down some of the funniest stuff on his lists, like shave, but to me that is a given, sorry I dimed you out Brad). But I love crossing things off. I get a little happy when I get to throw a list away. But sadly most of the time, I just get sick of looking at the same piece of paper and just transfer a list to a new piece of paper, plus or minus a few things.
3. When I shave my legs I hate shaving my knee cap, I feel I'm gonna slice it right off. (Now that I see that in print, I think I am truly crazy)
4. I'm going to win the lottery, deep down I know I will, who cares if I only buy a ticket a few times a year, one of these days it will be my day. Jackpot.
5. I have this grand idea of getting organized and staying on top of things, notice I said idea, and not plan. Although I'm working on it. My desk is almost clear.
6. I always want a new purse, I'm never quite happy with the one I have. Doesn't matter if it is cheap or expensive, maybe that's all women. Pretty soon I won't have to worry about it for a while, I'll have a diaper bag that I will lug around, but I'll probably feel the same way about that.

Now those are truly random things about myself, That I'm sure your life would have been complete if you never knew them. Well I'm off to organize my list, %$#@ I forgot I have to shave my legs and get a lottery ticket. Where's my purse?

Atlanta

Brad and I went to Atlanta for a mini get away, which ended up being very mini, we came home after 1 day away because the contractions I was having were too close for comfort. I guess when the Dr. says you shouldn't travel, she probably know's what she's talking about. Lesson learned. We did see the CNN center and the Georgia Aquarium, we wanted to visit Coca-Cola and the Zoo, but just didn't want to chance it. I guess the next time we go anywhere, we will be a family of three.

The Nursery

Finally I am getting a pic of the baby's room for everyone, I have had so many people ask. Her room is not completely finished, but we have a good start. The saying above the crib is "A wee bit of heaven drifted down from above, a handful of happiness, a heart full of love." There are a million things that we could say about her already, we are so in love with her. September 25 can't come fast enough.

The 4D Ultrasound

Today we had the 4D ultrasound, and the adorable little angel would not cooperate. She's a thumb sucker and had both hands by her face the whole time. Any glimpses of her face were pure luck, but we found out she's definitely a girl. We can't wait to meet her, and for everyone else to meet her, just a couple months left.

First Time All the Way Around

Brad and I are just starting this blog, it's the first time we have ever done anything like this. It's also our very first time having a baby, so bear with us. We are doing this so we can share our experience with family and friends who live near and far. Since this is our first time, if you have any suggestions, let us have them.
On the baby front, we are 23 wks pregnant and we know we are having a girl. She is moving and grooving, very active. We cannot wait to meet her. Everyone keeps asking if we have names picked out, and no not really. You'll know her name when we do and that will probably be the day she is born.
The pregnancy has been great so far, I have nothing to complain about, except my back and I am seeing a chiropractor for that, and she's fabulous. So far no crazy cravings or anything that makes me sick. We have been very lucky, knock on wood.
We want to keep this short and sweet, so we will fill you in on any news, as time goes on. With that we are signing off.
Brad and Patty