Victory!

By the way...we did end up finding feet pajamas! CARTERS - the only place I will ever shop again! (and they have a block table which keeps Charlie entertained and not climbing through the clothing racks!

The Failed Hunt for Feet Pajamas

Charlie loves to sleep in feet pajamas, but he has outgrown the ones that we have at home. So, after nap on Friday I decided we should go to the mall - to the one store that I know has feet pajamas up through our size. I loaded Emerson and Charlie in the car and headed to the mall. Of course, taking a toddler to the mall alone is no small feat, but add an infant to the mix and it was a wild ride. I decided that it would be easier to have Emerson strapped to me, because then I would have free hands. So, I put her in the Baby Bjorn and Charlie walked and we made it to Children's Place, only to find that they had NO feet pajamas in a size bigger than 24 months! YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! Don't these people know the effort I had made to come to THEIR store!? So, of course we couldn't just turn around and leave. So, here is what we did do!

Charlie has to check out all of the riding toys outside of Children's Place.

Poor Emerson - the plight of the second child!

I know it well!

Riding the carousel!

We ended our adventure with a cookie and rest while we watched the ice skaters.

Brother and Sister

I put together Emerson's cool mat and Charlie has taken more interest in it than Emerson has. He loves to lay in it and play with the toys. Usually, he gets in there when she is not in there (because I choose not to put her down on the floor when he is anywhere near!), but on this particular day I was feeling brave. Charlie loved it - and Emerson didn't know not to love it! :)

Charlie shows Emerson all of the cool toys!

Cheese!

"Hi baby sister!"

Bath Time!

Aunt Farracy gave Emerson this adorable towel! It is the highlight of my day to get to wrap her up in it. Charlie has had fun watching Emerson take a bath in "his" bathtub. It's all fun and games until she wants to play with his bath toys! :)

So maybe she isn't THAT crazy about bath time!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Charlie helped plan a special family birthday celebration for daddy. We had chocolate cupcakes with pink icing, presents and goody bags. The trip to Michael's to get the items for the goody bags with an experience I will not soon forget! Emerson was strapped to my chest in the Baby Bjorn and Charlie was running through the aisles saying, "need this, need this". I was so relieved when we got out of there for under $30!

Blowing out the candle on his cupcake!

A chocolate cupcake with pink icing, just like Dora has!

Chad had Charlie CRACKING up as he blew up the ballons from the goody bags!

Grandmother and Emerson enjoyed the fun too!

Let me try daddy!

My Son The Domestic Engineer

There are two people in the world that rank as high as mommy and daddy as far as Charlie is concerned. One is Coach Jeff - Charlie's teacher at The Little Gym. The other is our cleaning lady - Aracelli. He adores Aracelli and lives for the days that he gets to "help" her clean. She comes to my house and my mom's house, so it is possible for him to see her twice a week. He talks about her almost every day and when he doesn't get to see her, he will call her on his "cell phone" and leave her a message. It is one of the cutest things that he does!

Aracelli is so patient with him and loves to have his help!

Vacuuming daddy's office

A Day at the Park

Charlie and daddy love to go to the park. Usually it is their "boy" thing to do, but on this special occasion, Charlie invited mommy and Emerson to tag along. Emerson watched carefully from the sidelines and took notes on all the fun things to do there. It was a little cold, so we had to stay bundled.

Whoa daddy!

Meeting Uncle Bo, Aunt Mando and Abby

Uncle Bo, Aunt Mando and Abby came to see us this past week. It was wonderful to have them here and Charlie loved having a playmate! Emerson can't wait to join in all the fun when she is big enough.

My Purpose in Life - to be photo object for Mimi and Mommy!

Displays of Love and Affection

We were overwhelmed by all of the goodies sent to us at the hospital!

Some of the gifts even got to be with Emerson in the NICU. It was so nice to make that sterile bed a little brighter!

Cookies from Mrs. Barra, a cookie bouquet from Aunt Sarah and Uncle Gerald and flowers from Charlie and Papa.

Flowers from Ebby, The Mandery Family and Bo, Mandy and Abby.

A Big balloon from Charlie and tulips from Aunt Lacy!

More flowers from The Sperandio Family and from

Aunt Farracy, Uncle Justin and Jackson.

After a huge mix-up with a cookie bouquet for a boy, the right one finally found us at our house!

Aunt Lacy brought us our first doll, Ricky and Megan gave her a soft snuggly pig and rattle and Rev. Shelby from church brought us a beautiful cross that was in her bed from the first day! Mimi also brought Emerson a bunny that says a bedtime prayer.

My First Week at Home

The past week our family has spent time adjusting to all of the changes to our life. Charlie is adjusting to life as a big brother, and has been frustrated that mommy still can't do everything that she used to do. Mommy is seeking advice from friends on how to handle a two year old with all of these changes! Daddy stayed home with us Monday and Tuesday, and Grandmother and Mimi have been wonderful help as well. Aunt Lacy spent the day with us on Wednesday and Emerson's godfather, Ricky, came to visit and bring us dinner as well this week. Jessi and her mom Luann also paid us a visit and brought food. It has been wonderful being surrounded by so many wonderful friends!

Charlie introducing Emerson to her godfather Ricky!

Proud - and super helpful - Big Brother!

Being a bum with Aunt Lacy!

While Charlie is go-go-go most of the time, but every once in a while he stops by to say hey to Emerson and her "teeny, tiny toes"!

Visiting with Papa!

Emerson's Homecoming

As mentioned in my note in the last post, we were thrilled to bring our baby girl home last Monday after a six day stay in the NICU. Mom and I went for a visit on Monday and were caught off guard when the nurse met us at the door with the news that the NICU doctor had just written the orders to release her. We had a scramble to get Chad and Charlie home from the playground to get the car seat and meet us at the hospital. I didn't even have her going home outfit. Oh well, in the scheme of things, I guess coming home is more important than the coming home OUTFIT! Once we were home Chad's mom, Grandmother, came right over. It was a busy afternoon of settling in, but one that was well worth the wait!

My first ride in the carseat!

I was worn out from all of the activity!

Finally I got to see Grandmother.

She had been sick for a few days and couldn't visit me.

Meeting all of my friends that were waiting for me in my bed!

Hanging out with Mimi and my big brother, Charlie