20, 21 & 22/52

Welp, I'm way behind so here's a three in one. :)

"A portrait of my Emmett boy, once a week, every week in 2014."

This was just two weeks ago but the weather was so much cooler. We spent our late afternoons and evenings in the back yard, soaking up the last bits of spring before the heat hit us like a ton of bricks. When I took this photo, Emmett was telling me about the very hungry caterpillar and all the "nummy" things he eats. He's starting to understand stories. He picks up a book and when I start to read he surprises me by reciting a few words on a page. Like "eat three plums!" or "sun, pop!" He's so smart, and holds on to knowledge to surprise me with it later. I love his little mind!

"A portrait of my Emmett, once a week, every week in 2014."

This week, we went swimming for the first time at his grandparents this year. He was nervous at first, but after watching his friend Paul (Ray's best friend) swimming, he lost all fear and started jumping off the stairs all by himself. That's when these arm floaties came in. We're swimming most days now, since that's the only thing we can really do outside now that it's so hot, and he's really taking to it. I love watching him learn new things and his fearlessness.

"A portrait of my Emmett, once a week, every week in 2014."

More swimming. I picked him up from his crib after his nap today and surprised him with a trip to the pool. His little smile whenever I mention swimming.. I'd do anything for that smile. He sits on the steps to play in the shallow water, and I just watch his little mind working. Out of nowhere he shouts "be whayel" and jumps off into the water, away from me because he wants to do it by himself. He is still for a few moments, watching the little waves, and then he turns and kicks his feet. "Dolphin kick! Whayel kick! Shark kick!!" he squeals as he tries to squirm his way back to the stairs. It's then that he remembers he needs me. "Up stairs," he says quietly, allowing me to help him. I love that spirit of independence. I want to foster that in him. But oh, how I love it when he needs me.

19/52

"A portrait of my Emmett boy, once a week, every week in 2014."

Our boy is developing quite the personality these days. He's asserting himself, even beginning to dress himself, and his little imagination has started to show. He wears tutus when we visit his little girl friend, and isn't afraid to don a pretty pink tiara either. He loves socks, and is happy to wear them with sandals, even when we can only find one of the pair. He's silly, and funny, and smart. He surprises me every day with new words I had no idea he could say, like penguin and hummingbird and "God bless you" when I sneeze.

The other day I asked him to stand by that white wall so that I could take his picture. Instead, he did this. If he was going to pose, he was going to do it his way. I can respect that! He really is quite a character, and I can't wait to see what silly things he does next. This week, I want to remember his funny personality, and that silly look on his face as he poses for a photo. I love that little kid so much.

18/52

"A portrait of my Emmett boy, once a week, every week in 2014."

This week, Emmett loves socks. He noticed his little sock basket in his room the other day and asks to wear socks with his sandals every morning. (I'm raising a 70 year old man!) He especially loves this green sock, and after a couple days of asking to wear it, I finally let him, even though I could only find the one. It made him so happy. He proudly wore that one sock under that one sandal all afternoon. We rode our bike to the store, and ran around the back yard, and he giggled every time he saw that sock on his foot.

He's the sweetest, silliest little boy, and I love him so much it hurts my little heart. I can't imagine my life without him. This week, I want to remember those sweet, silly little knees. Those chubby, soft hands. And that one foot in that one sock. So perfect.

17/52

"A portrait of my baby boy, once a week, every week in 2014."

While Emmett was sick the last week +, we spent a lot of time finding creative ways to cheer him up. Water was the biggest hit. We took baths, ran through sprinklers, and turned the hose on and off and on and off again as many times as he wanted to keep a smile on his face. Sometimes he wore pants, other times he didn't. ;)

This week, I want to remember my Emmett happy, turning the hose on and smiling when he saw water. It was a rough, sick, croupy week, so the smiles, though rare, were really special.




P.S. Did you know Emmett is related to Abe, through his daddy's side? Honest! ;)

16/52

"A portrait of my Emmett boy, once a week, every week in 2014."

The weather this week hasn't been half bad. It's been under 90 most afternoons, which is something to be excited about around these parts. So Emmett and I have spent our afternoons outside, soaking up all the good weather and shade we can get our hands on. This week, I want to remember my sweet little angel boy, hangin out in his little red tank in the afternoon shade. I can't get enough of him.

15/52

"A portrait of my little, once a week, every week in 2014."

 I love that focused face he makes. When he works on a puzzle, or plays with blocks, or stacks his stacking toys, he gets so serious, so into it. I can see him concentrating hard, see the wheels turning. He spends a lot of time running around the house, pushing cars around saying "broom broom" and asking to watch a whale movie (he loves whales y'all.) But a couple of times a day he'll quiet down and concentrate on a task, and I sneak up quiet as a mouse to catch a glimpse of that sweet, focused little face.

This week, I want to remember him surrounded by toys in his playroom, working hard to stack his cups in the right order so they stay put. Wearing the world's cutest expression. Also, his hair is parted, which is a major dream come true for me!

14/52

"A portrait of my Emmett, once a week, every week in 2014."

We spend a lot of time talking about cars. Firetrucks and school busses, blue trucks and green cars. We wake up to "broom broom!"'s through the monitor and it's "night night school bus!" every evening before bed. The boy loves his cars. And airpanes and helihopters and too too trains too. He's a little boy, through and through, and we love it.

This week, I want to remember my Emmett, all boy, crouched on the couch crashing cars. With that bibbit dangling from his mouth, as always.

13/52

"A portrait of my Emmett, once a week, every week in 2014."

It was Sunday, and we were together. We stayed in our pj's because Emmett's were just so cute, we couldn't bring ourselves to change him into regular clothes. We did all of his favorite things. We watched whales on TV, ate oatmeal for breakfast, played with cars and trucks, and shared our watermelon with Bagel. We spent the afternoon outside in the beautiful spring weather. We talked to each other and listened to each other. We made break throughs, and we were content. It was such a beautiful, peaceful, easy day.

This week, I couldn't pick just one. This week there was so much I want to remember, to keep fresh in my mind. This week, I want those little pj's burnt into my memory. They are just so perfect.

12/52

A portrait of my Emmett boy, once a week, every week in 2014."

Emmett loves cars. And trucks, planes, helicopters, motorcycles, and trains. He talks about them all day long. "I see airplane!" he says as he wakes up in the morning. "I hear helihopter!" as I get him dressed. Then it's straight to the playroom to push trucks and trains around the couch making "broom broom" and "choo choo!" noises all day. He's all boy, this one.

So this week, I want to remember him dressed like a little boy, looking like a little boy, pushing his choo choo train around the playroom like a little boy. I love that little boy, so much.

11/52

"A portrait of my Emmett, once a week, every week, in 2014."

 We've been in Georgia with my family all week, so I'm a little late with this post. Little Emmett is having a blast, soaking up all of the attention and affection his aunts and uncles are pouring on him. It's been such a nice break from our normal life, for both of us. But he hasn't been sleeping well. He's too excited, and the time difference is killer, so the first few days were sort of sleepless and messy.

I've been relying on his bath each night as a chance to calm things down, Skype with his daddy, spend a little time, just he and I, getting ready for bed. And that has helped. The last two nights after his bath, he's clean and snuggly and sleepy, and he's slept like a champ. So this week, I want to remember him in his bath, silly and soft with his hair all in messy waves. The cutest boy there ever was.

10/52

"A portrait of my kiddo, once a week, every week in 2014."

Since moving in to our new place, Emmett and I spend most of our time in the back yard. The weather is so nice this time of year, just on the verge of hot, so we enjoy it while we can. Since Emmett was born, Ray and I have wanted a back yard full of grass for him to play in, and now that we have one, Emmett loves it just as much as we thought he would.

This week, I want to remember my Emmett, sitting outside in the grass, wearing the size 6-12 months tank outfit he wore to his first birthday party (I promise, he grows!) and his little hat backwards, eating berries without a care in the world.

Currently. 10

Excited about slash nervous about: Flying to Georgia with Emmett on Friday! We have flown quite a few times together, but this time feels a little bit scarier because he's older and wilder and wants to be free-er. So I'm nervous about the actual flight. Plus you know, the news is buzzing about a plane going missing and that doesn't help my anxiety. (Praying for the families of those who were on that plane, of course. I know that's not all about me!)

I can't wait to see my family. We haven't been home since Thanksgiving and Emmett has changed so much since then. I can't wait to see their faces when they see how big he is and hear his little voice speaking sentences. They love him so much and those relationships are so, so important to me. I get to be there for my sister's and my mom's birthdays too, which is such a treat!

But of course I'm nervous about Emmett's schedule and fitting naps in between my sister's soccer games and St. Patrick's Day parades and play dates galore! Do any of you mama's have tips for maintaining your schedule while traveling? It's always worked out well for us in the past but Emmett is older now and we both rely on those naps. Or should I just let the schedule go for a week and go with the flow? I'm sure that's the answer but... worry!

Watching: Veronica Mars, Season 3! The movie is being released this Friday (!!) so I'm going back through the last season to make sure I remember all the juicy details. I just got to the part where Piz kissed Veronica right as the doors to the elevator opened to reveal Logan... All the drama ever! It's so good/bad.

Okay I just started a new episode. Paul Rudd AND Schmidt from New Girl are in this one and I can't believe I haven't been watching this show on repeat for the last few years. So good.

Listening to: Pharrell Williams- G I R L, as I type this. I'm really into this album. Currently Brand New, the track with Justin Timberlake is playing and I can't stop dancing.

Thinking about: This blog, and how I've been sort of.. slacking on it lately. Between the move, and work, and Emmett, and unpacking.. the blog has sort of fallen by the wayside. Ray is so busy with school and trying to get our house ready to sell, so we haven't had a lot of down time lately. There are so many priorities these days and blogging is low on that list. I do love this little blog though, so I am working on finding/making time for it.

Our weekend: Ray was busy working at our house, so Emmett and I took long walks and played outside most of the weekend. We had friends over Saturday afternoon to enjoy our backyard with us. This is the time of year I love living in Arizona. Good weather, and everyone wants to be outside!

Sorry for the terrible pic, friends. I love it. :)

These two are so sweet.

Footsie. ;)

Little learned how to pull his pants down this week. So that's been fun.

Poor Bagel.

They actually do like each other though.

Watching birds and waiting for Daddy to come home.

I hope you had a lovely weekend!

 

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9/52

"A portrait of my son, once a week, every week in 2014."

Emmett has this truck that he loves, but the wheel is broken. It falls off over and over again each day, but he never gives up. He loves that truck, so he fixes the wheel when it's broken (or asks us to help) and squeals with delight when it moves again the way it's supposed to. That's how he is with me too. He loves me, no matter how broken and flawed I am. He loves me fiercely, just as I am. He never gets tired of me or throws me to the wayside when I mess up, which I do so often. He stretches me and teaches me and helps me to be the person I'm meant to be, every day.

So this week, I want to remember him as a little man, fixing his tire with that frog hanging from his mouth. A reminder to always love, no matter what. He is my heart.

8/52

"A portrait of my Emmett, once a week, every week in 2014."

Emmett is bath obsessed. Lately it feels like he spends more time in the bath than out of it, although I know that's a gross exaggeration. When he was sick last week, nothing calmed him down until I put him in the bath. Then he wouldn't get out for almost two hours. Each night as he's finishing dinner he starts squeaking "ba ba ba!" over and over until his dad goes to turn the water on. It's pretty cute. He loves the water, and we love that about him.

This week, I want to remember my little boy, happy and giggling in the bath.

7/52

"A portrait of my angel, once a week, every week in 2014."

All last Summer, we fought over that hat. The sun is brutal here in Arizona, and he had very little hair, so I begged and pleaded with him to wear that hat. He refused. Then one day this week, Ray got him dressed in the morning and showed Emmett that this hat is just like the hats daddy wears. Now, Emmett won't take it off. So this week, I want to remember my perfect little boy, digging in the dirt with that hat on backwards. It's my absolute favorite.

6/52

"A portrait of my Emmett, once a week, every week in 2014."

This roller coaster is his favorite toy. He squeals when he sees it for the first time each day, and never get's tired of it. He climbs those little stairs and smiles as he throws a leg over the car. He cries "wheeeeeee!" as he pushes off, wind in his tiny little hairs, and then runs to start the whole thing over again.

This week, I want to remember my Emmett on his roller coaster. It's one of his favorite places.

5/52

A portrait of my Emmett, once a week, every week in 2014.

Emmett loves oatmeal. He wakes up every morning asking for "meal meal meal!" He sits in his highchair talking frantically about "meal" until you finally give him the bowl. Then it's focused silence until he's eaten every last oat. This week, I want to remember him covered in oatmeal, happy as can be. Also, those ears.

4/52

A photo of my boy, once a week, every week in 2014.

This last week, Emmett has slept. He takes long naps, and sleeps from 7:30 to 7. What. A. Dream. He is happy, and rested, and so are we. Each morning and afternoon when he wakes, he stays in his crib just playing and chatting with his "manimals." He roars to his lion and blows air from pursed lips at his elephants. This week, I wanted to remember my little angel boy in his crib, where he's happy and content to hang out for as long as I'll let him.

3/52

A portrait of my little, once a week, every week in 2014.

He's an angel.

Grow. My Word for 2014

I've chosen the word "grow" for 2014, because growth is on my heart. (I spoke a little bit about the growth I hope to see in our life in this next year in this post.) I want to grow into the woman, wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend that I was made to be. I want to grow in selflessness and love. I want to challenge myself and learn and grow. 

I also want to grow our little family. That's a little bit scary for me to admit because, well, I'm scared. After our miscarriage in September, I don't have the confidence in my body and in my own plans for our future that I once did. I know now that I have no control over what's going to happen, but I trust that God has a plan. I know He put the desire for more children on my heart for a reason, and I know He loves me. So I am going to trust and wait and prepare my heart for whatever may come this year.

Our year started off on a really great note. I recently started a second job, writing from home. It's been a dream so far and I feel so blessed. Our little Emmett is healthy and beautiful and smart, and he's growing up so fast. The sort of growth that I wish I could slow down, just a little bit. ;) Ray and I are happy and in love and at peace. I love that man. He's a gentle, loving husband and father and we're so lucky to have him. 

It's going to be a great year. We will struggle, and there will be hard times, but I'm not afraid of them. We're strong and we've been through a lot already. When we struggle, we grow. So, bring it on, 2014. We're ready for you. 

I read this prayer at the funeral of a friend's father this morning and it struck me deep in my heart. I want this prayer to be my mantra this year:

Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, light. Where there is sadness, joy. 

O Divine Master; grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; for it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.