Sunday, December 11, 2016

Emma is TEN!

Emma is TEN.  That's right, double digits!  I simply cannot believe that we have been proud parents for a whole decade.  While it's such a bittersweet thing for us as her parents, I assure you she is ecstatic and has been counting down the days!
  
 
Emma is sweet, smart, kind, creative, accommodating, compassionate and pretty.  She is lots of fun and makes our world a better place.  She is the BEST big sister in the world.  She is incredibly sensitive to the feelings of others.  She despises flu shots, cleaning out her closet and memorizing multiplication facts.  She likes sprinkled donuts, glittery nail polish and all things turtle :)

 
She stands 4' 7.5" tall, wears size 12/14 outfits, a women's size 7 shoe.  She has added new molars, wears deodorant and loves to read multiple books at a time!  She enjoyed her turn at anchoring the 'Woodway Today' daily morning show this Fall and starts on the camera crew after the new year. 

 
She is doing well in 4th grade and brings home all As and Bs!  She made the UIL oral reading team and looks forward to competing in January.  She is still enjoying piano and church children's choir.  She played the alto xylophone and had a speaking part in the 4th grade class Christmas program.


She enjoys playing softball and volleyball.  She is very talented at creating short movies and writing stories.  She enjoys our big backyard and could swing or jump on the trampoline for hours!

 
Current favorites:
Color: turquoise
Best friend: Hallie
TV Show: Bunked
Movie: Trolls
Outfit: Cozy sweater with black leggings
Ice cream flavor: Rocky Road
Food: Hamburgers
Candy: gummy bears {red especially!}
Drink: Root beer
What are you good at? softball, writing and making friends
What do you want to be when you grow up? movie director

 

Dear Emma,
 
You are wonderfully ten.  In some ways I can't believe time sped by so fast.  In other ways I feel like I've always been "Emma's mom".  You made me a mom a decade ago and it has been the most rewarding, emotional, fantastic job.  Ever. 
 
I savored the days when you were itty bitty.  I did my very best to soak them in and to remember everything.  Occasionally I miss those days but I also enjoy the young lady you are becoming.  Now we can talk, get pedicures and laugh together about silly things. 
 
You are SO much fun.  You have the cutest personality and you have a very pure and kind heart.  You put others first and you accommodate well in a plethora of life situations.  You have your own style and ideas.  You are oh so creative in ways that I have never been.  Your imagination is extraordinary and I can't wait to see how you use the many gifts you were given to glorify God throughout your life.
 
As you get older you will realize more and more than this is a broken world.  This is NOT our home.  Be a light for Christ, put Him first and follow His ways.  Bring others to Him and love them well.  Cast your burdens on Him.  He created you and has a master plan.  He holds you in the palm of His hand and won't let go.  Trust and obey.  Even when thing don't make an ounce of sense.

Your dad and I are your biggest fans.  We are always on your side.  We continuously pray for you and for your future.
 
My fear is that the next ten years will go by even faster than the last ten.  I promise that I will cherish every fleeting moment.  You are the daughter I've always dreamed of and I look forward to making lots of memories :) I love you.

-Mom

Friday, December 9, 2016

Hudson at 21 months

Little man is 21 months!  He now weighs 23 lbs 11oz, measures just over 28.5" long and has 16 teeth!  Here are some of the cute faces he makes!  :)

 
He likes to go down the mirror aisle at Hobby Lobby.  I used to do this with his big sis about a decade ago!


He enjoys books!  He will sit for a brief moment to hear a story but then attacks the book so that he can turn the pages himself!  He adores his sister and brother and constantly giggles at their every move!


PT is going well.  We are focusing on core strength and ability.  Here he is sitting on a stool while playing with his favorite toy cube.  This position forces him to find his center balance and he is usually able to correct himself when he starts leaning toward one side or the other.  He still spends time in his Bumbo wheelchair and stander but would rather just be held.....!     


He usually bathes every other day and sleeps 11 hours each night - usually waking up twice.  He is ready for a nap around 1:00pm which often lasts a couple of good hours if it's quiet!  He is a great eater and loves to be outdoors.


This wagon has been wonderful!  He explored the zoo in it one day this month.


He is enjoying the holiday season and LOVES Christmas lights!!  After his siblings decorated the tree he spent awhile admiring it.  Of course he immediately pulled several ornaments off :)  It's definitely fun to see Christmas through a little one's eyes again. 

 
He was under the weather for about seven days.  After scary high temps and finally a rash it was determined that he had tonsillitis and roseola.  Because he felt miserable and was down for so long he definitely took a step back in PT practice but is slowly working his way back.  So glad our little man is better.  Stay away germs!!


Thursday, November 24, 2016

Turkey Day 2016

Happy Turkey Day from the Smiths!  :)
 


Friday, November 18, 2016

Bump, set, spike!!

Emma did a wonderful job during her very first season playing volleyball.  She started out as a rookie but quickly learned and contributed greatly to her team!  We really enjoyed watching her blossom.

 
Each girl was given the opportunity to serve during their rotation each game.  Emma's serves were very strong and usually went right over the net! 
 
 
The team did great and celebrated the season by attending a Baylor volleyball game one weekend!
 

Mean Green Machine

Owen enjoyed his first season of flag football!  His team was the "Mean Green Machine" and they did a fantastic job!


Team huddle to discuss top secret strategy ;)


Owen has been around the game since birth and now he is finally getting to be on the field himself :)


Great job team!  We had an undefeated season!

 

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Hudson at 20 months

Hudson is twenty months!  He weighs just over 23 pounds and wears mostly size 18 month outfits.  I suspect he has had a recent growth spurt because of the way he is fitting differently into his stander and high chair.  He is still working on that 15th tooth!  Huddy has been so cooperative with me as we have taken multiple pumpkin photos this season :)  This one was taken at the Magnolia Market silos and is probably my favorite!  Don't worry - he was rewarded with a cupcake!
 
 
He has progressively started traveling greater distances by army crawling.  He starts out in a seated tripod position and within minutes maneuvers onto his tummy, several feet away facing the opposite direction :)  He is becoming more comfortable with getting where he wants to be.
 
He loves to mimic our tongue clicks and sounds.  He intently studies what we do and then does it himself!
 
 
 
 Oh how he loves the outdoors!  Now that the temperatures have {finally!} cooled off a bit we are able to spend some time at the park.  He really enjoys swinging!
  
 
He has now gone down to just one nap per day - usually early afternoon.  He also sleeps pretty well at night - he often wakes up once.
 
 
 His two least favorite things right now are hearing a dog bark and being handed over the door at the church nursery.  Both really upset him and produce big ole tears :(  We have found that if we actually go in, place him on the floor and interest him in playing he is totally fine!  He enjoys seeing other babies his size and squeals in delight!
 

He is still a great eater!  The only thing we have found that he is not fond of is lettuce {it's probably a texture thing}! 
 
 
I hot glued magnetic strips to the back of these wooden items.  He enjoys playing with them while tall enough in his stander and I'm hoping this will encourage some vocabulary and word association. 
 

Saturday, November 12, 2016

Breakfast with Santa

The kiddos and I met Lita, Aunt Natalie and Tessa for Breakfast with Santa at the annual Deck the Halls event.  It seemed a bit early to wear festive holiday clothes and the weather was still warm but we had a wonderful time :)  We even enjoyed pancakes with whipped cream & sprinkles!
 

 
Emma's outfit matched perfectly so of course we had to snap some photos!


 
Sibling photo with Santa!


Our super sweet girl {the others won't pose and smile on command - which is why I have so many of her!}


Merry {early!} Christmas from the Smiths :)