November 2006

Bath time used to be a torturous time. I admit that I have only participated in a few of the bath times, but I’ve heard the screams from the bathroom on many occasions when Emma Kate was getting her bath. Usually she cried when she first hit the water. Often she cried while being wiped off. And she ALWAYS cried when she was getting her hair washed.

So you can imagine our surprise and joy the first time she had a bath without crying.It’s amazing how quickly she’s growing up. Last night she slept from 11PM until 8AM! I don’t expect that every night, but it’s so wonderful that there are some nights where she can sleep this much. Her disposition over the last two weeks has changed, also. When you look at her, she will smile and sometimes laugh. Her personality is really starting to show. In case you’re wondering, she’s going to be a talker, a laugher, an entertainer, a sweeheart, and, of course, an angel.

Pre-bath and bath:

Post-bath:

Emma Kate met Mrs. Clause and Santa for the first time on Saturday. She didn’t cry, nor did she smile. But I still think it’s a cute photo.

Grandma Kirkland holding the chubby little girl before going to get her picture made with Santa:

 

Santa:

Grandma and Grandpa Kirkland come up on Wednesday and stayed with us through Saturday to celebrate Thanksgiving. Neither could believe how much Emma Kate had grown in size and personality over the last two weeks. It was truly amazing and is definitely one of the things we are thankful for.

Thanksgiving afternoon, Emma Kate was mighty comfortable sleeping in grandpa’s arms: 

A few sweet photos before going out to eat:

Upon my recommendation, we ditched the traditional Thanksgiving meal for a treat from Maggiano’s. Boy, was it good! We had an antipasti platter with prosciutto, smoked turkey with focaccia stuffing over a bed garlic mashed potatos, lemon and herb salmon over green beans, lasagna, spaghetti with meatballs, two types of salads, pumpkin praline cheesecake, and apple crostada with vanilla bean ice cream. Yummmm. And we had enough leftovers for 3 more meals! The first photo is slightly out of focus. Sorry about that!

The last few weeks have been incredible. Emma Kate has started smiling a lot more and laughing. She’s also started showing that she recognizes Alison & me. Her face lights up when one of us walks in the room, and she giggles when we talk to her on the phone. It’s the most incredible feeling. What a joy!

Emma Kate getting a ride in her Jeep carrier, November 6:

 

Pretty in pink, November 11:

Playing on her play mat, November 15:

70’s outfit, November 17:

It is with great joy that I say that Emma Kate is finally sleeping more! Over the past week, she has started sleeping one six hour stretch during the night. If we could ever shift it so that it starts at midnight and goes to six, it would be perfect. But at this point, we’re just happy that she’s getting into a nighttime sleeping pattern.

She continues to change in her looks every day. I’ll post more (and much overdue) photos soon.

What a blessing she is. I can’t say that enough.

Emma Kate’s friend Brittain was baptized on November 5th. (Emma Kate is getting baptized in January!) Dan & Valerie asked me to take photographs during the service.

Dan, Valerie, Brittain, Alison, Emma Kate, and me:

Leah, Justin, Kate, Robert, Valerie, Brittain, Alison, Emma Kate, and me:

Robert and his girls:

Kate & Robert:

The little Parisian girl and her mother:

The guest of honor and her mom:

Chunky cheeks:

Seth pinching those chunky cheeks:

And these are some after we got home from church:

Tobi sticking his nose in a dangerous place:

 

Emma Kate’s bestfriend Brittain had planned to come over Halloween night to hang out and do a photo shoot. But Brittain’s mom had other plans. She decided she’d rather spend the night in the Emergency Room for a possible gall bladder attack. Emma Kate and Brittain talked and decided that even though Halloween was over, they still wanted to have a dress up night. They’re the cutest vegetables in Georgia!

Emma Kate getting dressed:

Two bestfriends have never been cuter!

A rarity… Brittain crying while Emma Kate sitting calmly!

Emma Kate giving love to her Starbucks teddy bears:

Brittain really tired of being a pepper!

Mom undressing EK:

This has nothing to do with Halloween, but the next day Emma Kate wears her Got Milk? outfit: