NYE 2011!

We played with the girls and then watched a movie. I rang in the New Year in my dreams. Chris woke up at 6 a.m. and left for a ski trip to Colorado. I got up early too. I ran 4 miles, did all the laundry, and cleaned the house all before 9 a.m. I even got to shower and read 2 chapters before the girls woke up. We went to church, played and napped and then had a nice dinner with my parents. Black eyed peas and all. Now, that is how you start off a new productive year! My goal/resolution is to have a healthier year. 2011 was a rough one for our family. We spent way too much time in the hospital (and me in the OR). I plan on doing everything that I can control to stay healthy. I had no control over what happened to me after Emma's delivery, but I have a lot of control now! Yoga, running and healthy eating are on the top of my priority list. But first on that list of priorities is goal #1: I am going to enjoy every second with my girls. They are growing so fast and I am once again so thankful that I get to spend so much time with them and that we are fortunate enough that I do not have to work full time. I know I will never get this precious time back. Only working at most 3 days a week during all of 2011 was the BEST decision I made last year. I wouldn't trade the time I gained at home and the memories we made for any full time pay check. And, honestly it has not been that hard financially. We made some good budgeting changes this past year and we plan to continue those in 2012. I have no plan to return to full time work until the girls are both in school. These years at home are so few and go so fast. I hope to never take my time with my girls for granted. I don't want to miss a thing! And my last goal of this year is to become a stronger person spiritually. I LOVE our church and I hope to become even more involved this year and to strengthen my relationship with God. There you have it. My blueprint for 2012.

Dressed up for New Years Eve!
She loves this new outfit from Dustin and Claudya.

Giving Daddy goodbye kisses before she goes to bed.

Fun times during the last week of 2011

Pouty faced zebra.

Zeebee getting a ride in the wagon from the other little zebra.
Three zebras!

Lots of snacking. I am guilty too.

Ryan got to open a few more gifts from her great Aunt Krishia.

Thank you hugs!

Dad paying tribute to the Cowboys by performing a turf angel on the field.

Pea and Aunt K

Watching the carousel.

Riding!

The pro.

Happy Birthday CBI!

Chris tuned 35 and we celebrated with some good friends: the Hackbarts and the Tharps! We ate, drank, laughed and bowled. Good times! Happy birthday babe!

Emma's ALMOST A YEAR! 11 months stats

Weight: I would guess 21 lbs? Not sure, will know at one year check up.
Length: TALL!
Eating: The bottle has completely lost it's luster in Emma's life. She prefers the sippy cup during the day. She will still take a bottle first thing in the morning and at bedtime, but during the day she wants a sippy cup, or a cup with a straw. AND, she wants milk! We started the switch to whole milk last week and Emma is loving it. She eats any and every thing that she can get her hands on. She eats adult portions sometimes! She can crush a whole happy meal (quickly). Don't you dare eat something in front of her, she will grunt and squawk until you share. I think because she never stops moving she must burn a ton of calories because she is still such a thin baby but she consumes so much food! She is a little machine!
Sleeping: She remains a fabulous sleeper, although sometimes she chooses to stay up in her crib and play and talk. We still put her to bed at the same time (between 7 and 7:30) and sometimes we don't hear a peep from her and other nights we can hear her in her room talking and jumping and playing. We never go back in there because she never cries. Eventually it just gets quiet and we don't hear a peep until late the next morning. I love her independence. She still takes two good naps (about two hours each) each day. I also love that.
Size: some 12 and 12-18 month clothing, Size 3 diapers, moving to size 4 when we run out of 3, Size 4.5 shoes
Newest Accomplishments and Traits: taking 3-5 steps on her own, six teeth: two on bottom and four teeth on top, she is able to go up the play scape and down the slide at the park with only close supervision, awesome open mouth kisses on command, waves bye bye to Ryan when Ry says "bye bye sissy", mastered her fake cough that she enjoys doing back and forth with someone, lots of babbling, she likes to be heard and wants to be in the middle of all the action, she is the queen of destruction, she helps when I dress her by putting her arm through the hole or sticking her foot out, has a no fear attitude, my little bruiser, and definitely a mama's girl
Dislikes: diaper changes, when all the food runs out

Look at my FOUR top teeth (and my sweet dimple)!

I won't be a Vampire baby for long!

I give up! I cannot get her to lay flat on the blanket!

Look at her beautiful long legs.

Sissys

SWEET PEA!

Catching a quick cat nap.

Dinner with Daddy

My pea pie making pea pie on her tray.

Peas everywhere!

Emma took FIVE steps!

Yep! She sure did. She has been taking 2-3, but today she took 5! I would not call her "walking" yet, but very close! I love her determination and I know it won't be long before I am running in 2 directions! She can easily get to stand on her own without holding onto anything, and if you have a toy she wants she will go for it. I predict by 12 months she will be done crawling. We are borrowing the wagon we gave the Tharp boys for their first birthday. I think it really helped Ry learn to walk. Emma and Zeebee like to go for strolls.

Penny Shoes

Here they are, Ry's "penny shoes". She LOVES these shoes and wants to wear them everywhere and with everything. Especially her Minnie Mouse nightgown. She can put them on herself (not always on the right foot) and often refuses socks so she has many blisters. We have to threaten band aids to get socks on before school. Sometimes when we go in to her room in the morning she has already gotten up and put on her "penny shoes" and is back in bed laying down. Unfortunately her penny shoes are a size 6. I got her foot measured yesterday and to my surprise she should be in a size 7. So, lack of socks is not the only reason she has blisters. I am keeping my eyes open for a new pair.

Puts them on all by herself!

They usually do not match what she is wearing.

Neither does her hair rubber band.

I have bigger fish to fry.

Christmas with Gran and PawPaw

We celebrated out fourth Christmas with the Clarke side December 26. We had everyone over for brunch. After we ate and opened gifts we enjoyed visiting and watching the kids play.

2011 cooking in my apron (and new Uggs)
2010- VERY pregnant with Emma, cooking in my snug apron

Munch wearing one of her new dresses,

She was anxiously awaiting everyones arrival!

Cutie pie.

We had lots to choose from!

I love having a table full of cute kids!

Ry got some new Princess books.

Emma figuring out a new toy.

Daddy showing her what to do.

Gran and Pawpaw watching the grand kids open gifts.

Stinker!

Gran with her kids