It has been a while

School has started and life has gotten busy again! Emily has learned 2 new tricks this week that I wanted to share before I forget how fun they are. She has learned how to put silverware from the dishwasher into the correct drawer. While this was very cute to begin with, it is turning into a problem as well. Because, not only does she put the clean silverware in the drawer, she also puts dirty silverware in, as well as anything else you ask her to put away, including an empty yogurt container, sippy cup lids, a pan lid, etc. So opening the silverware drawer is always a surprise now!
Her other new trick is to ask for a cracker, show Keeno the cracker, and then run around the house with the cracker so that Keeno will chase her. She enjoys this very much and laughs hysterically the whole time! It's really great fun, until Keeno catches her and takes her cracker.
We go to Dr. J on Thursday to check on speech, it's still not progressing like I would like it to, but we'll see what he says. We'll update after her appt. with any news!

Summer in Review

Our summer is finally winding down and boy has it been a busy one--here's a quick recap, complete with pics-

June-
In June we went to camp (see previous post) then came home for VBS. Unfortunately Em had a fever, so she missed 2 days of VBS.
The following week we sent Chuck on a mission trip to Minnesota and had a week of Mommy and me time.
In July we traveled, traveled, traveled! First we went to Wisconsin to spend a night with Chuck's parents, sister and the kids.
Later that week Em had ear tubes put in--she took them like a trooper and so far no problems!
The next weekend we went to Indiana and spent several days with Nai and Pop, Uncle Mike, Aunt Jennifer, Aunt Martha, Uncle Ethan and lots of other Kingmas. We spent lots of time on the beach and a day in Chicago (our first train ride). It was on this trip Em learned "Go Bucks!"
We came home for just a few days before heading back to Living Springs for family camp.
Our final travel weekend of July took us to Aunt Martha's in Missouri.

All we have left for the summer is a quick trip to Aunt Kathy's and then an overnight to Springfield!

And now....pictures!

Preparing for surgery (a very hungry and tired baby)



Go Bucks!!


Riding the train to Chicago-


Hanging with cousin Camden--


Playing on the beach--LOVED the water!!

18 months

Em celebrated her 18 month birthday this week, with a drs. appt! Luckily it was a well-baby check, so she was feeling good, no sickness here! The dr. checked everything over, and gave her a clean bill of health! We are still concerned about her speech, so he is going to see her back in 2 months and if she's still not talking then he will refer us to therapy. She got 2 shots, and goes back in two weeks for her last shot until she is 4! Yippee!
At 18 months--here's a snapshot of Em-

**Climbing and into everything! Loves to rearrange whatever she can get her hands on, pots/pans, tupperware, dvds, toys, it's all fair game.

**She can do stairs like a pro and has even figured out how to do bump by herself.

**Loves watching Jack's Big Music Show and knows that the remote makes that happen, so will request her show by handing you the remote.

**Eats pretty much anything, is still fed primarily by an adult because she likes to feed Keeno when left to her own.

**Knows lots of body parts, will clap when you say yea, will do touchdown when you say touchdown or Go Bucks.

**Has words for cat, dog, milk, and says mama and dada indiscriminantly.

**Can sign, please, more, milk, love and eat.

**Makes squinties and blinky eyes....you just have to see them, there is no way to describe them!

**Sleeps 12 hours most nights and 2-3 hour nap. Is working on phasing out the bink, which she uses only at night and for naps.

Next up--our summer in review!

A day off and new pics....

Yesterday after having Em all week by myself, since Chuck was on mission trip-2 of the girls from youth group came over and kicked me out of the house for the day. They took care of Em, and made dinner! They tried to clean, but discovered how truly difficult it is to clean with a toddler around. They also took some fabulous pictures.....

Summer Camp

Emily attended her 3rd Marked Leadership camp a few weeks ago (granted the 1st was still in utero) and had a great time! Not only do the campers love her, but they include her in everything they do....as these pictures are evidence of--


Slip and slide with daddy-




Rock climbing--

Worship--

Swimming in the pool--

In a hard spot....

For the first time in a while, I am posting with no pictures or Emily updates, just some thoughts to get off my chest. When we started this blog it was shortly after Emily was born, and was a place to record the events leading up to her existence and her ensuing life. And it has served this purpose well. But part of me is torn, and I just really need to get these thoughts out somewhere. We have 2 good couple friends of ours who are struggling with infertility and going through treatments to get pregnant with baby #1. While none of them have ever said anything to us, or ever would, just because they are wonderful people, I feel an incredible sense of guilt at times, that we have Emily, and that even though we went through treatments to get her, our road was much easier than so many others. I know they all love Emily dearly, but I also know that every time we see them, or every time they come to the blog, they are going to be reminded of their pain. I wish I knew the words to say, or how to comfort them, knowing that at times, we bring them pain that no one should feel. My heart breaks, becuase I have been there, and know their pain, but also know I can't take it away, no matter how much I desire to. I wish I had all the answers, but I don't. If any of you are reading this (you know who you are!) please know that it is one of my deepest desires for you to feel the joy that comes with a child and you are in my prayers every single day! And we will totally understand if you need to at times distance from us because of the struggles occuring in your own lives! Love and prayers to you all!

Busy couple of weeks....

We've had a busy couple of weeks--here's just a quick review--


We spent Memorial Day at Nai and Pop's in Indiana, it was a wonderfully relaxing weekend and got to hang out with lots of family--


Playing with cousin Camden--

My first taste of hot dog at Hot Dog day, definitely didn't like it!

Reading on the couch with papa-

Sleeping on the ride home with Aunt Martha's new puppy Wrigley-

This weekend we drug out the pool that our friends gave us and had a great time in it!