Valentine's Day Pictures

Valentine's Day Photo Shoot

 Emery's first Valentine's Day….

 Typically, Connor is the hardest person to get to sit and smile in our photo shoots these days…..

6 Month Birthday

I can't believe Emery is already a half of a year old!  That was truly the quickest 6 months yet!  She is really starting to laugh a lot and is so smiley!  She loves when we clap and always loves to be held!

Emery is going to bed around 6:45 to 7:00 each night and will sleep anywhere between 6:15 and 7:30.  She typically takes an 8 ounce bottle in the morning, will eat solids for lunch, 6 ounce bottle before her nap, 4 ounces after her nap, dinner, and a 6 ounce bottle before bed.  She takes an hour to 1.5 hour nap in the morning and usually a 2 to 2.5 hour nap in the afternoon!  Emery sleeps with about 6 pacifiers in her bed…..1 in her mouth….a couple in each hand….and the others scattered around in case she loses one.  The thought of taking away her pacifiers when she is old enough terrifies me!

Emery officially has her first tooth!  She is sitting up well and rolling from back to belly (as of last Tuesday).  She is moving around some on the floor and it won't be long before she is all over the place.  She is into anything she can get her hands on….she is constantly grabbing anything in her reach!  She enjoys fruits, sweet potatoes and carrots.  

Emery is still not much of a people person, but she has spent a few times in the church nursery and she's done great!  Emery is happiest and most comfortable at home with us!  She loves her siblings, especially Connor.  Out of all of us, he can get her to laugh the most!  She loves watching him and he loves her!  Emery squeals when she laughs and she breathes quick, short breaths when she gets excited!

Emery still has her hernia and they are always quick to tell me what things to look for at her dr. appointments in the event that this could become detrimental to her health.  Like Connor's VSD, I will be happy when we no longer have to think about her hernia!  Any extra spitting up or fussiness, I'm always quick to make sure her hernia didn't twist.  In addition to her hernia, Emery also has eczema.  It is worse on her back and hands…..Her hand will occasionally become swollen from it.  I've spent $65 so far and I feel like we've finally got it under control.  Emery has also dealt with thrush a few times.  After the 3rd time we considered possibly switching her to formula; however, she's not much of a fan of formula, so that didn't work.

Either her 6 month sticker got lost or the company forgot to put it in the package….I looked ALL over for it!  Luckily, I save everything, so I pulled out Elli's from when she was a baby!  Here's our sweet, sweet 6 month old!!

A few more pictures from the day….

Happy half birthday, sweet girl!  You keep us busy!!!!  But you are a constant reminder that His plan is better than our own!  We're so glad you are here with us and that you are our daughter!

American Girl

We took Elli to the American Girl store at Easton for her birthday and let her pick out a doll for her gift!  She was so excited and had been asking for a doll for months before her birthday!  We debated on if she was the right age, but we've been really happy with our decision to let her get one!

 It didn't take her too long to decide which doll!  She decided on a 'look alike' doll and has named her Gracie!

 After we got her doll, we took her out to lunch!  She was so excited that her doll had her own seat!

Elli has taken such good care of Gracie!  She loves her and often takes her with us wherever we go!

Elli is 5 Years Old

Elliana,

You are officially 5 years old and have enjoyed telling everyone that you are now 5!  You are funny, silly, smart and always want to be the center of attention!

We are pretty much out of the nap stage with you these days.  At most, you might take 1 nap a week!  You go to bed around 8:00 or a little after and sleep until about 7:15 or 7:30.  You are a morning person and wake up in the best mood everyday!  

You currently are in gymnastics and soccer and really enjoy both; however, these days you seem to be more interested in softball.  You love throwing and hitting the ball and are always wanting to play.  Hopefully soon we will get you involved with that sport.

You are doing great in school and love going!  You are excited about Kindergarten in the fall and I have no doubt that you will do great there.  You love learning and are always wanting to work on something.  Recently, you've been wanting to work on your math.  You do pretty well and know some basic addition!  You are always making cards and pictures for us. 

You love being a big sister and always have lots of ideas for you and Connor.  You tend to boss him around a bit more than we'd like, but also do a great job 'taking care' of him.  You are still very much a Daddy's girl, but lately you've been hanging around me more….telling me that girls should sit by the girls and boys should sit by the boys.  You'll say, 'Yeah, we should go do that because it's kinda like a girl thing.'  

You are pretty independent and get ready by yourself (for the most part) each morning.  You pick out your clothes and do a pretty good job matching outfits!  You still love dresses that twirl, but many days you tell me 'I want to look like a mom.'  And because I am still having trouble fitting into my pre-pregnancy jeans, that typically means you want to wear leggings and boots (because that's my outfit most days).  You are not a fan of jeans and really haven't ever been….you tell me you look like a boy in jeans (not sure where you got that from)!

Frozen is currently your favorite movie, but you are always open to watching other movies too!  You love T.V. and get so focused whenever it's on!  You still love scary things and get excited when they come on!  

You are getting really into your friends these days!  You used to be shy, but are really becoming outgoing!  It is not unusual for you to find a new friend when we're out and about or at church!  You love being around other kids and having playdates!  You love being around people!!!!

Sis, I can't believe how big you are getting!  You are maturing more and more each day!  You are so much fun and we are so proud of you!!

Frozen Birthday Party

We had Elli's 5th birthday party, a frozen theme, last Saturday.  She was so excited and counted down the days until the party!  Both Nana's and Papa's, aunt, uncles, cousins and 1 set of great-grandparents came to celebrate with us!  

 The youngest guest at the party!  Emery wasn't too excited about everyone being at our house!  She barely made it to 6:45 that night and was exhausted!  She really is the happiest little girl….no one is ever able to see it though :)

 Grandma and Grandpa Brauchler

 The Birthday Girl!!

 The cake and food

 Drinks

 Elli with all her gifts

 Best Friends

 Opening gifts….this was doll bunk beds that Papa Lindvall made her for her new American Girl doll.

 The kids played 'Pin the Nose on Olaf.'

 They also had a 'snowball toss.'  The kids seemed to like this game the best!

 Time to sing 'Happy Birthday.'

 Grandma talking to Miss Emery

 We also decorated snowflake cookies

The kids were able to watch Frozen on the big screen and before bed we made Olafs out of marshmallows, pretzels, and etc.

It was a great day of celebrating our special little 5 year old!  Thank you to everyone who made the trip and for all the gifts!  For those that weren't able to celebrate with us, thank you for the cards, gifts, and birthday wishes!  Elliana felt celebrated!!