Cel-e-brate Good Buckets - C'mon!

On Saturday September 27th, my amazing BFF/sister trio of Jen, Melanie & Julie threw a beautiful celebration to usher in baby Bucket.  Please note I am not referring to this as a shower or sprinkle because I was very against the idea of anyone going out of their way for me when I am 100% cognizant of the fact that people just did this for me fairly recently.  They sold me on it by calling it a celebration and promising that it would be small and mainly an excuse for close family/friends to grab some mimosas and desserts.  What pregnant lady is going to argue with dessert?  They also put on the invitation that presents weren't allowed.

Apparently none of my close family or friends reads instructions because there were indeed gifts.  While I am not happy with your lack of obedience, I know that sweet baby Bucket will be so thankful to have some things of her OWN that aren't being hoarded by her older sister, currently the Duchess of "Mynah" (mine).  Also, the hostesses with the mostestes (totally ignoring that on spell check) WAY out-did themselves.  As mentioned previously, it was sold to me as a small gathering with minimal effort.  I was imagining like a bottle of champagne, some red solo cups, OJ and a package of cookies from HEB because that is the kind of classy broad I am.  As you'll see in the pictures below, we had different visions and definitions of "minimal effort."

I had an amazing time and I really can't accurately put into words just how grateful and honored I feel to have the friends and family that I do.  Any time you have a major life event, it's beyond touching to have the people you love the most go out of their way to share in your excitement and to rally around you.  This was in some ways even more meaningful than my showers just because it was absolutely unexpected and completely unnecessary.  It was genuinely just because I have somehow surrounded myself with people who are far better and more selfless than yours truly.

So thank you, thank you, thank you to all who took time out of their busy lives to plan, attend or in any way be a part of this celebration of our dearest Baby B.  Very special thank you to Julie, Jen & Melanie for hosting.  You all truly made my day and rest-assured that I'm far more thankful than I could ever convey.  Sweet Bucket doesn't know just how lucky she is, but I most certainly do.  I love each of you!

These are not the red solo cups I envisioned.

How appetizing does this spread look?!  Again, this table > my vision of a plastic carton of HEB cookies.

Mmmmm.. pregnant people punch (i.e. no booze).

Little known fact- Jen invented the mimosa bar.  We confirmed it with my Mom.

Please note Melanie's use of buckets to hold utensils.

Angel food cake.  Surely this is foreshadowing of little miss' demeanor, right?

I obviously did not check my blood sugar this day.  Shhh, don't tell my doctor.

So.  much.  food.

Sweet guest book and gorgeous flowers.

My co-workers frans are more awesome than yours.  Leah came despite having an almost 1 month old at home!  How awesome does she look?

The best hostesses on the planet - Jen, Jules & Mel.

My Mama who continues to do WAY too much for me.  I really have some big shoes to fill with my sweet babies.

Grandma & Nonnie.  Love these ladies!

Grandma, Aunt Tiff & Cousin Kylie.

Kylie bear.  When did she get so big?!

Rule breakers!!!!

Itty bitty adorable socks for itty bitty adorable feet.  Unless she inherits her Dad's feet.  Then maybe not.

8 x 4 = 32. The Sequel.

On September 22nd I hit the 32 week mark.  (Here's the same post for Emery).  I have heard so many stories recently of babies being born incredibly early and/or their Mamas being holed up in the hospital for such long stretches of time.  I feel very grateful that I am not in their shoes.  I feel confident that my whole family and the general population of maternity ward nurses do as well because I would drive them nuts.

So, let's see.  As far as how I was feeling during this time frame- I still felt the status quo, meaning very tired and very large.  I would say I got crankier earlier with this pregnancy.  Most likely because people continue(d) to call me large on the daily.  I will see if I can devote a post to that later just so that perhaps I save any of you from making a pregnant woman cry in a bathroom and/or make you laugh because you aren't the only one.

As I alluded to in my 28 week post, baby Bucket and I failed our first test together 2 days into week 29.  High five for doing things together?  We bombed our 3 hour glucose test.  I want to say that my scores were 193, 157 and 116.  I was supposed to be in the 120's for 2 out of the 3.  I cried like a baby in the parking lot of Potbelly afterwards.  All around it was a stunning moment for us.  So began a saga of poking myself 4 times a day and learning that EVERYTHING has carbs in it.  Literally everything.

For those unfamiliar with gestational diabetes, the main thing is trying to balance your carbs and protein at each meal and being sure to eat at the same time every day.  The second part any preggo is probably pretty solid at- the first part your girl is NOT good at.  All my great loves in life are made with care and plenty of processed carbohydrates.  So I by about day #4 of GD-dieting I was way over almonds, fish and eggs.  On the bright side, I think I am very lucky relative to some people with GD because I didn't have an incredibly hard time for the most part.  As long as I made smart(ish) choices my readings were good and those that were outside of the range were just barely above.  All joking aside, sweet Bucket, I know it was for a good cause.  Let's try to remember this story when you are refusing vegetables though, mmmk?  I'm not afraid to play this card.

29 weeks.  Not the most flattering outfit I've ever chosen for myself.  Perhaps this day I deserved some of the commentary.

30 weeks.  I'm not sure what I thought was so funny at 6:30 am.

31 weeks.

32 weeks.  Please note how much earlier I got lazy with blow drying my hair this pregnancy.

In reviewing my official files (please read: photostream), I'm finding that the biggest visual evidence of progress made during this period was that my Dad was kind enough to come over to help Ryan hang chair rail in Emery's new room and move all of her furniture out of Bucket's room.  I'm sure Bucket appreciated the eviction of her little squatter.  Other than that I would say that this time frame was the calm before the storm.  Starting just after I hit 32 weeks I embarked on something I recommend no breathing, let alone pregnant, woman ever doing, but THAT is a story for another post, isn't it?  

How it's possible that another 4 weeks has slipped by (and actually another 4 since this), is really beyond me.  See you kids in a bit when I get us caught up to 36 weeks!

Emery Tracker: Eighteen Months

The Story
On September 6th my sweet baby turned 18 months old.  HOW is this possible?!  Is that what you're asking yourself?  No?  Just me?  I know I sound like a broken record, but that's never stopped me before so I'll say it again - this past 3 months has been another incredibly fun phase of life with Miss Em.

Me?  Pull all the pots out of your cabinet?  No way.  That was Bucket.

The main development during this chunk of time has been her speech.  As you may recall from my 15 month post, I was worried because she wasn't really saying too terribly much.  Right after she hit 15 months she started saying LOTS in a very short time span.  Her words by the time she hit 16 months included: Mama, Dada, ball, Lola, night-night, uh-oh, "no no" (never just one no), cracker (cracka), cookie, water (wawa), wow, go, more, keys, car, shoes (oosh), yes, bag, mine, hat, knock knock, banana (nana), bye-bye and eyes.  My favorite word this whole time is "oosh".  It's about the only word she says that sounds nothing like what the actual item is.  She almost says the word backwards.  I know that all the speech therapists/teachers of the world are cringing right now, but I have to admit when she eventually starts saying "shoes", I'll be a liiiiiiiittle bit sad.  It's just such an adorable sign of her age.  So in the meantime I soak it up and correct her when I can.  Then again- who knows.  Her father still says "on-ree" for ornary.  So perhaps misuse of the English language is genetic.  ;c)

By the end of 18 months she had also added the words Nonnie (Nana), Paw paw, tractor (tracker), bow, sit (ish), snack (nack), up, baby, this and undoubtedly others I'm forgetting.  When we tell her night night and that we love her she usually says "lo lo" which we THINK means I love you, but we are most likely just being overly optimistic.  We are parents, isn't that our job?!

You!  You behind the camera!  Please get my better side...

As much as her vocabulary has improved, her comprehension has improved even more.  She can make the animal noises for lion, bee, horse, cow, dog, snake, duck, monkey and cat.  She can also recognize all those animals but rarely calls them by their names.  Why bother when making the noise is so much more fun?!  She also recognizes giraffes, fish and bears.  She can happily point to her ears, eyes, nose, mouth and belly.  Typically asking where her belly is not only results in her flashing you, but it also results in her lifting up your shirt.  I don't recommend doing this in public locations.  Particularly when very pregnant.

...This is it.  You getting it?

As you may recall from my 15 month post, or any time you've been around her, this kid ate like a line backer at a D-1 college.  That has slowed down a little bit and she's become slightly more discerning as to what she will put in her mouth.  (Read: she just got the memo she's a toddler and that's what they're supposed to do.)  She is most "picky" about meats and veggies.  Some nights she looooooves chicken or turkey and other nights she pushes it to the edge of the high chair and tells us "no no!"  The same goes for veggies.  She used to eat green beans like they were going out of style.  No some nights they wind up on Lola's head.  Things she never turns down, at least for now, are carrots and/or mac n' cheese.  This kid loves herself some carbs.  That comes from your Mama and you are welcome.

Showing Mama where she needed to "ish."

Another big development this month was... wait for it... tantrums.  They're real and they've landed in the Martin household.  You all may have thought that the first 3 months of wild ride were all this bucking bronc had in her, but you would be sorely mistaken.  She can throw a tantrum with the best of them.  Her drama face comes out.  Tears roll down her cheeks.  Sometimes she throws herself on the ground.  Generally she just makes you feel like you are the worst parent on the planet.  They aren't short-lived either.  My girl has some stamina.  I have to hand it to her.  If I didn't know her genetic background, I would assume that she was destined to be a movie star with her skill level.

Sit and be fit.  Not just for seniors any more.

And now for the super fun stuff- her funny little personality and quirks.  Ohhhhh baby child-of-mine, you CRACK. ME. UP.  No one can ever accuse this lady of not being an individual.  Most children her age seem verrrrry cuddly.  Mine?  She ain't got no time for that.  At least 3 times per evening this scenario occurs... 

Ryan/Me: Em can I have a kiss?  

Emery: *looks you dead in the eye and shakes her head* No no!  

Ryan and I can count on one hand the number of kisses we have gotten between the two of us.  She is coming around on hugs, but generally as a means of manipulation.  Oh, you want to brush my teeth?  Let me hug you reaaaaal tight and bury my face in your shoulder.  At first these things hurt my little mama heart but now they just make me laugh.  I hope she stays firm on this motto until she's 30.

It isn't just affection as it pertains to her that she speaks out against either.  Some times on the weekend Ryan and I will be laying on the couch holding hands.  As soon as Emery spots it, she runs over, yanks them apart and says "no no!"  You have to stand up for what you believe in, apparently.

Hi fans!

Another interesting/funny part of her personality that seems to be emerging is that she's quite the manager/delegater.  She will take you wherever she wants you, sit her behind down and then point at the ground or chair and let you know it's time for you to "ish" (sit).  If Lola is eating from her bowl, Emery will stand next to her to manage the process.  If she thinks Lola might need some water, she'll tap her head, point to the water and say "Wowa, wawa!"

She also routinely will half do something, pretend she can't do the rest and try to have you do it.  Puzzles are a great example.  She knows exactly where the cat shaped piece goes, and she'll gingerly place it on top of the space but rotated 180 degrees then look at you and point for you to finish putting it away.  The same goes for climbing up on the couch.  She can do it.  I've seen her do it many times.  Usually though she'll fling one leg over the edge, look up at you and start fussing.  Ryan and I definitely recognize the bad habit in these things and rest-assured that we encourage her to do these things herself, but in the meantime it makes us laugh.  Hopefully we get this all worked out for her future spouse.  If not- sorry and good luck.  No return policy!

You just want to kiss me, don't you?  TOO BAD.

What else, what else?  Oh, she's a HUGE Daddy's girl.  HUGE.  Usually from the moment we get in the car to go home she starts asking me about "da da? da daaaa?"   When she hears his car pull in the driveway, her eyes light up.  When he disappears from the room she will run after him.  If he calls on the phone and I put him on speaker she gestures wildly at the phone, jumps up and down and yells "da da!"  It's pretty much the cutest thing ever.  Maybe some day she'll decide that the person who carried her for 9 months is worthy of some attention, but for now I'll just settle for my heart melting on the daily watching a princess & her daddy.

My bebe.

I just scrolled up and realized I've typed a lot.  I should probably go ahead and close out this section as I'm sure the only person who is still reading this is her Nonnie.  I'll just suffice it to say that the amount of growing, learning and entertaining this angel has done in the past 3 months has filled our hearts for years.  I look forward to all the next 3 months bring- including big sisterhood.  :c)

The School Stuff

Starting on June 9th, just after her 15 month birthday, Miss Em and her BFF at school moved into the Young Toddlers class.  I would like to say this was an easy transition but it was not.  Luckily Daddy has drop off duties, so he is the one who bore the brunt of the pain.  She cried every day he dropped her off for about two weeks.  Since then though, she has really loved it.  She loves all the new toys and has grown to love her new teachers as well.  

To the right, to the right.

Her new teachers are quite a bit less talkative than her old ones, so we don't get quite as many funny stories as we used to, but I'll do my best to remember what I can.  You may recall that the school chef is well acquainted with Emery because she often gets seconds.  One day when I was picking her up she pulled me aside and told me that in the hallways Emery acts like she doesn't know her and just hands her bag to her in the morning.  However once they're in her room, Emery won't leave her side.  So apparently she's 18 months going on 15.  Cool.

To the left, to the left.

Most every day when I pick her up, she's busy playing either with the babies (the dolls not real babies- don't report her school) or reading books.  She is always the last kid left (Mama is so sorry boog boog!) so she has her pick of any toys she wants.  Normally she has a few babies sitting in chairs at the table for feeding or she'll take them back to the reading corner to read books with her.  I genuinely hope she enjoys the more interactive variety of baby as much as she does these fictional ones!

SQUIRREL!

The Stats

• Height:  33.25 inches (89th percentile)
• Weight:  25 lbs 5 oz (83rd percentile)
• Head:  19.25 inches (97th percentile)
• Diaper size:  Still a 4.  We tried a 5 but they definitely seemed way too huge.
• Clothes:  18 month stuff though her jammies got VERY snug towards the end.
• Shoes:  4's and sometimes 5's.
• Beverages:  We really only give her milk and water.  Sometimes when we're feeling snazzy we add a little apple juice in with her water.
• Food likes:  As mentioned above, she's become pretty picky but you can always count on her eating mac n' cheese, carrots or yogurt.
• Food dislikes:  Definitely doesn't like broccoli, much to her mother's dismay.  Other than that, almost anything can be hit or miss with the exception of the items above.
• Words:  Quite a few.  Her first solid word was probably "more" or "Lola."  
• Games:  While not an official game by most people's standard, she thinks running away from you when you are walking to go change her diaper and/or take a bath is the funniest thing on earth.  
• Favorite Toys:  In a hilarious turn of events, Bucket (baby) has become her favorite toy, I think.  She will randomly ask for her sometimes and takes her to night night with her.  She has really fostered a love of books in this time frame also.  She is CONSTANTLY bringing us books to read.  I use the term "read" loosely because mainly she wants to flip the pages at her pace which leaves no time for reading.
• Other Notables:  In the past I've noted that her eyes weren't completely brown.  They still aren't but they move more that way as she gets older.  I'm thinking maybe she'll just be blessed with lighter brown eyes than her Daddy & I.  I've also mentioned she she tends to do things left-handed.  I've noticed recently that she tends to eat left-handed and draw/write right-handed.  So that mystery remains unsolved.  Stay tuned.

Ok.  I think I might be over this.

Affirmative.  Over it.  See you at 21 months!

i(Phone) Spy: Months Sixteen through Eighteen - Emery

Yet another quarter of a year has gone by and despite my best efforts to convince her not to, my tiny pumpkin continues to grow.  As does her personality.  Enjoy the best my iPhone has to offer from this time frame.  Keep in mind when I say "best," sweet teenage Emery who's cursing me for adding some of these, that I strive to capture your personality as much as I do your best sides.  Besides, I'm your Mama and I do what I want.  Now go do your homework!

Dad!  These are not bananas.  Please direct me to the bananas.

Lady.  You think I don't know these are vegetables?  I could sit like this all day.  Show me the yogurt.

Does anything melt your heart as much as a Daddy/Daughter pic?  Not me.

Excuse me.  I don't take pictures of YOU while you're eating biscuits.  Don't distract Nonnie.  She's tearing them up for me.

Even when she's sick and looking forlorn, she's still pretty darn cute.

Rocking that side pony in a way her Mama never could.

HELLO?!  Why are you "ish"ing on the couch?  You know you need to get down on my level.

This picture kind of sums up the 18 month period.  You'll be happy to know she doesn't just save the drama for her Mama.  This one was captured by Daddy.  His offense?  Not letting her hold on to a paintbrush.  He's pretty cruel.

Oatmeal inspires some soul searching in even the youngest little ones.

Mama/Daughter(s) date to get froyo.  This was clearly pre-gestational diabetes.  Ignore the mark on her head.  Sometimes you fall into toy kitchens at school.  Things get wild.

Grocery shopping.  Everything was "mynah."

We are raising ourselves a classy one, ladies and gents.

Uhhhhh... what do you mean it's not Friday?

Playing peek-a-boo with Mama & Daddy.  And be "peek-a-boo" I mean popping out from behind the stairs and yelling "RAWR!"

We are awesome parents.  If you know her Daddy at all you can rest easy knowing those are empty and filled with pool water. 

Paw paw the child-whisperer.  Em doesn't get jealous or possessive of my Mom or I... just Daddy and Paw paw.

Legit the only Martin who is this excited in the morning.

Gah Dad.  I told you the water wasn't warm enough.  I swear if you want anything done right around here, you have to do it yourself.

Are you guys really going to let me play with this big stick?  I see what you're trying to do here and that's cute...

... but I'm probably just going to hit you with it instead.  Yup.  Decision made. 

You can never be too cautious when walking around.  You just don't know when you might run into a boiling pot of hot water you desperately need something out of.

It's so exhausting babysitting you adults all day.  (She definitely kicked Lola out of this bed.)

Flotation device?  Check.  Water shoes?  Check.  Sunglasses?  Check. Ridiculously oversized hat from Egypt?  Check.  Ready to go pick up some dudes at the pool.

Massive break down?  No way.  Don't believe it.  (Offense this day?  I think calling a halt to the how-many-pairs-of-"oosh"(shoes)-can-we-put-on-and-then-immediately-take-off game.  I hope one day she can forgive me.

Just want to squeeze her little cheeks.

I think burnt orange is her color.  Obviously an unbiased remark.

That's enough Mama-razzi.  Can we get back to watching my shows?  Thaaaaanks