First Mother's Day

My first real Mother's Day...what a blessing!  I picked up Miss Em from daycare and received this little beautiful gift she had made.  These mean so much to me, and I keep every single thing she brings home:)

Emma also decided to share her cold with me, so I was not feeling 100% but at least I had an excuse to steal a moment or two on the couch:)  Brent really does an awesome job of appreciating me and making me feel special everyday, and I am grateful.  It was another jam-packed weekend and TONS of fun.  Friday night, I stayed up way too late making these gifts for my students that were graduating.

By way too late.....I mean 11:30pm.  So before you judge, keep in mind that I NEVER sleep past 6:30....EVER.  Emma gets up by then no matter what time she went to bed the night before - guess she is anxious to get the day started!  We also had a pretty sleepless night because Emma coughed the entire night.  So I was feeling pretty AWESOME Saturday morning.  Brent and Emma came with me to Peace's graduation, and I was so thankful they did.  I loved sharing the moment with them, and also getting to hang out with them outside on that gorgeous day.  I decided not to process at graduation and sit with the "common folk."

These lovely ladies graduated...and I am so proud of all of them.

Sadly, I didn't get as many pictures with these lovely ladies as I wanted...and I am hoping they did and will share!

After graduation, Brent and Emma took me to the mall to pick out my Mother's Day gift.  I decided I wanted some arm candy for my gift...something that I would look at everyday and cherish.  I have never really had a "real" watch, except for the awesome wood watch Brent bought me one year for Christmas.  So, I wanted to nice watch that I could wear everyday.  I do love the Michael Kors watches, but it seemed like everyone and their uncle had one of those, so when I saw that my girl Kate made watches, I was all over that...(and sorry for the iphone pic...still needing a camera)

Brent bought me the pearl bracelet after Emma was born, and the gold monogrammed bangle was a gift from my parents the first Christmas I was married.  Now, I have my first Mother's Day gift to complete the arm......

After picking out this beauty, we walked around the mall...another one of my presents.  usually Brent tags along behind, sighing, looking over my shoulder...RUSHING ME.  So, I was super happy to make everyone enjoy shopping, people watching, and strolling along like I do.  We completed the day by getting our seafood on at McCormick and Schmick's.

Emma is a huge fan of Pottery Barn and PBKids.....she loved all the comfiness in the store!

Sunday, Brent took Emma on a long walk/nap before church so I could get some household things done.  This was another present because I love an organized and clean house, and am super annoyed when I can't get these things done.  Then,we headed to church and had a delicious lunch of Jersey Mike's (all I could think of was eating a #2 throughout the whole sermon!)  We sprinkled in a little bit of laundry, cleaning, and playtime, then went to my parents for dinner and drinks:)

This is THE best pomegranate margarita mix EVER.  You can buy it at Southern Season.....it's the perfect compliment to some homemade guacamole, and grilled chicken legs.

I have always wanted  Dash and Albert tote bag, and when we went to Fearrington  last weekend, they had an awesome selection.  My mom, dad, and Aunt Paula picked this one out for me and I love it.....beach trips, here we come!

I had an awesome weekend....again. I am so thankful for my family - I am beyond blessed to have the great relationships I have with them.

You'll need a hero, and a good dog...especially a good dog....on the journey of your life

I have loved this song for awhile....I heard it on my iTunes today while working and immediately was overwhelmed with emotion.  This sing came out not too long after our sweet Daisy passed away, so every time he talks about "a good dog," I tear up.  I think now about all the precious memories we COULD have had if Daisy had been alive to see Emma.  

I see her snuggling up with her, them both following each other around, and so on.  I miss Daisy like crazy, and still feel horrible that her life had to be cut short. 

Our awesome Student Services staff at work brought in Rescue dogs for students to come visit during exams (how cute is that?), and I flocked to this beautiful golden.....and was fighting back tars like crazy.  It's amazing what that pitiful stare from big brown eyes can do to your soul....

So here's to Daisy-boo....my first baby girl.  
Words can't describe how much you were loved, and missed now.  

A Big Week

I apologize in advance for the poor quality pictures - I desperately need a "real" camera.  As Emma is moving more and more, the iphone just doesn't capture here anymore, and the flash is so delayed.  If anyone has any suggestions on something simple and cheap....let me know!  

I have so much to catch up on...it's only been a week, but it was a BIG week.  First, Emma had a fever and cold Monday last week.  I had to pick her up early from daycare and take her to the doctor...only for them to tell me that nothing was notably wrong and she would just ride it out.  I REALLY hate it when they say that. If my child has a fever of 102.8 then something IS wrong, and I want to know what it is.  Emma is a really good sick baby - she really doesn't fuss much at all and I can't tell a whole lot of difference in her behavior except for her burning hot body and forehead.  Mondays are the worst days for doctor visits - it's always a zoo on those days. Waiting with a squiggly 10 month old is not easy anymore.  Thankfully, we spent most of our time waiting in the exam room and not in the petri dish room.

The only thing that keeps this girl busy is my jewelry. 

I had some things at work the next 2 mornings that I could not get out of...so naturally, I took Emma to work with me.  I officially earned my crazy lady award.  Being a working mom is hard enough, but trying to be a working and a mom AT THE SAME TIME was insane.  Luckily, it was only for 2 mornings, and Brent took her one day on his lunch break.  But honestly, we got through it, and I LOVED showing her off to my students and co-workers:)

A new bear from Mama Sheri!

Making new friends....Sarah is graduating this Saturday and is SOO awesome....In will miss her!

Daddy took Emma for her first Chickfila nuggets!  Of course, she loved them!  If you are ever in Cameron Village, you must go to the Chickfila there...2 stories and super nice!

We stayed home the next few days, as Emma would have a fever in the morning, and then it would go away at night. This was so odd because usually fevers spike at night, but she was happy and acting normal so we just carried on as usual.  I was happy to get to spend the time with her too, even if it meant missing work.  We went to the mall, played outside (when we could...this weather stinks!), and went for walks.

We waited outside for dad to get home each night.

"Mom, are you coming??"

Love me some snuggles!!!

"Oh wait...another picture??? I wasn't ready!"

New obsession - toilet flushing. I walked out of the bathroom to hear her flushing over and over....

zonked out on one of our walks.....

The only fussy day this child has ever had...Friday she woke up crying and unhappy, but without a fever.  This was so rare..she is never in a bad mood in the morning.  We tried to go to Target...and this meltdown occurred.  It was so out of character for her.  Thank God she is not like this all the time....

Friday, my aunt and uncle came to visit my parents, and I was so excited.  They come twice a year because they live in Maine and Florida.  We had such a blast with them...it was a super busy weekend and we were going all the time, but it really was fun.

Uncle Dick and Aunt Paula!

Loving the fountain at Meadowmont!

Hamming it up in Southern Season!

We went out to the Fearrington - a great day trip.  There is a  bird in one of the shops there and Emma was fascinated by it.

We had brunch after church at the Carolina Inn.....Emma had a blast running up and down the long hallways.

Saturday night, I went out to Raleigh to celebrate a dear friend's 30th birthday, and also splurged on a manicure.  It was so nice to get pampered and go out to eat sans kid.  I had been with Emma by myself the whole week (Brent even worked Saturday), so I was really grateful!

Happy 30th Corrie!! 

Sunday, Emma moved up to the next Nursery room - Toddler 1.  She LOVED this room and all the fun toys.  

Snack time!!!

"Stop taking my cheerios or else!!!"

We finished up the weekend with pomegranate Margaritas and homemade guacamole at our house Sunday night.  Despite all the running around, missing work, bad weather, and sickness - last week and weekend were one of the best I've had in a long time!

My little Fashionista

I don't know whether this is a good thing or a bad thing...but Emma loves a closet.

I open hers up and she starts beaming with excitement - "oohh oohh!"

I open mine up, and she darts over with whatever method will get her there fastest.

She then proceeds to the shoes - probably because they are the closest within reach...and instinctively only goes for my Tory Burch flats. Call it good taste...or maybe it's just the bright gold - this girl loves her some Tory.  She's not partial either - she'll take the gold flats, the black ones, or even the sandals...Brent better hope it's just a phase!

"Are these for me??"

"Mmmmm....these are tasty!"

"Thanks, mom! I'll take these to my room now!"

We've got a walker!

It's been super busy at the Talley house - we are winding down the semester at Peace, Brent has been out of town for some work business, and Miss Emma has taken a liking to walking.  Yes, you read that correctly - walking.  Emma is 10 1/2 months and officially walking.  I am always amazed at how fast these milestones come up - one day you're lamenting that she'll never take a step, and then literally overnight, she is running a half marathon...kidding.

DISCLAIMER: ****Please, please, please turn your volume down- or maybe even OFF...as I am screaming  squealing like a little girl with excitement.****

It all started when I got her this scooter right after Easter.  I was so excited about this CHEAP purchase from Kid to Kid.  Don't judge me for buying  a used toy - I saw no point in spending top dollar for a toy she may or may not like - and if she did happen to like it, then would most likely scratch it up the first time we went outside with it.

Ever since, she has been scooting around here and there, but only inside, so with limited space.  She had masted the crab walk and crawling was getting too boring for her. We noticed she was getting more daring with her standing, and started coaxing her to walk to us...she would take on or steps and then lunge towards us - smiling the whole time and looking back at which ever parent was watching to make sure we saw it!  It was the cutest thing.  We did this every night this past week, and she was really starting to take more steps each time.  I knew she would be walking before the weekend - and especially because Brent was out of town (he was also out of town for her first tooth...he has a way with missing the milestones!)  This weekend she really took off - still shaky, and I don't think she knows her power yet, but moving along great.

We have been spending a lot of time outside lately too.  We wait in the driveway for dad to get home most evenings - this is one of her favorite times.  She sees dad's big white truck and her face lights up.  She gets really excited and breathes really heavy...sometimes she gets so excited that she starts crying... probably because she is also exhausted at this point (I am having to keep her awake so that she can see dad when he gets home)

 We also took advantage of the warm weather and thought we'd have a pool day......I saw this baby pool online and HAD to have it for Emma.  It is the cutest thing ever.  She was not as enthused as I thought she'd be with the pool idea...I even warmed up the water and everything.  Hopefully it was a fluke, because this child will have to love water to survive in our family:)

While Brent was gone this weekend, I got to spend some much needed time with my parents - at my "old" home. It was fabulous - I just loved being there with Emma, thinking about all the time I had spent there as a child.  Emma had a blast too.  Despite having 2 cats of our own, Emma was super enamored with Painter - probably because he was terrified of her.  Painter is 18 years old...so I don't blame him. Emma didn't mind pushing her scooter on the gravel, and certainly had no problem on the street.  It was hilarious - she went halfway up the street and I had to turn her around - she then was going downhill..but couldn't slow herself down, so I had to slow the scooter down.  All the while, my dad was mowing the lawn and she'd look over at him as if to say "see...I am mowing too!"

Emma's First Easter

Christmas was not as exciting this year, only because Emma was not really old enough to understand it.  I know that even still, at Easter and only 9 months, she is not grasping the full concept, but Emma had a blast with her Easter basket!  I went back and forth on whether she was going to get one, and ran across an idea on Pinterest for non-candy items for babies and toddlers.  It included things like bubbles, plastic eggs with puffs or yogurt melts, toothbrush, stuffed animals, books, small toys, etc...

When Emma was sick, we ventured to Target one day and I picked up some goodies for her.  I was more excited than her...until Easter morning!

"Whoa.......it's morning already?"

"What's this.....presents!!!???!!!!

"A toothbrush - just what I've always wanted!!"

"These eggs have something inside!!!!"

We went to my parents for Easter dinner and decided to try out our bubbles...Emma LOVED them and I can't wait for some warmer weather to do it again!

Emma is such a joy - from her huge smiles in the morning and beaming pride when she stands up on her own before we all go about our days to the excitement I get to see when I walk into daycare to pick her up.