Emma's Big Day at the Beach

Here's a picture of Emma at Bear Lake last Tuesday. It was taken right before she put her sand covered hand in her mouth. She had a lot of fun playing in the water. She is growing so fast. The other day I saw a tiny baby and it was so hard to believe that Emma was ever that small.!

Willow Springs

Below are some new pics. The first two are of Emma in her little outfit made by her Grandma Nielsen and her great-Grandma (Emma) Jensen. Great-Grandma did the stitching around the neck. Emma is all-girl with her lacey outfit and a bow in her hair!

The next pictures are of our hike up to Willow Springs, the source of Cub River. We went up there this morning. It was a beautiful hike! The weather was perfect. Most of the trail was dry. There was one spot where there was water running down the trail and then there was another spot where there was still a little bit of snow. But for the most part it was perfect.

I think Emma is going to get dragged around a lot this summer. We love to explore new territory and Emma is just going to have to keep up with us. She's learning young to love the outdoors!

May....or is it March?

I'm typing one-handed again. Here it is May 1st, and it's snowing. Is anyone concerned about this besides me? The temperature has risen to a scorching forty-four degrees outside but this morning when I got up it was thirty-seven. I remember back in the day, before global warming of course, when it was actually seventy and eighty degrees in May. I guess we still have the whole month ahead of us. It just isn't a very encouraging start.

Emma has been so good to sleep for about six hours every night and then go right back to sleep for a couple more hours after eating except for the past two nights. I don't know what happened but now she's sleeping for about five hours and then she wants to stay awake after that. I hope this doesn't become a habit. Actually, I really shouldn't complain because five hours is pretty good since Emma's only two months old. When I was dating Trevor I only got about five hours of sleep every night. It's amazing how little sleep you can live on when you're in love. If only I still had all that energy!

Well, I guess we're going to go pick up my bike, having faith that someday summer will come. Trevor got a new bike yesterday. I guess we did exactly what the government wanted us to do with our tax return check---WE SPENT IT!!!

Harriet's Happenings

I was sitting here wondering what to do (besides all the housework that needs to be done) and I realized I hadn't written on the blog for a long time. We took Emma for a walk today. The weather was BEAUTIFUL!!! We walked to the library just so Emma could spit up on Grandma Rasmussen. For some strange reason, she loves to spit up on Grandma Rasmussen. A visit isn't complete without a little regurgitation. Then we came home and sat on Dad's new four wheeler so that Emma could get a feel for it. I think she's ready to drive.

Emma's growing so fast, it makes me a little bit sad. Well, not sad really but it makes me want to have another baby! I know, CRAZY!! Everyone says you forget about all the negative aspects of pregnancy, labor, and caring for a newborn----they're right! You forget everything except for how wonderful it was. Something in your brain tricks you into thinking that pregnancy and childbirth are the most wonderful things in the whole world. You start to think you won't be fulfilled until you have another baby....or two....or three....fifteen, here we come! Darn those womanly hormones! They get me every time. Ugh.

Hmm....moving on. We've been taking Emma to the chiropractor for her neck. We went today and she wasn't too happy about it. No smiles for the doctor today! But hopefully it will help.

Well, that's all for now. I've got to figure out something nutritious to eat for dinner. I never know what to make. Maybe I'll whip up a nice bowl of cereal.

Emma

Emma with Grandma and Grandpa Rasmussen

Emma's First Shots!! :(

Emma went to get her first set of shots today. I think she knew where she was headed. As soon as I started to get her dressed, she started to cry and she didn't stop until after we left the health department. They gave her three shots in her hips and some oral drops too. She was crying so she choked on the drops. And that was before she even got the shots. It was so hard to let them give her the shots. I want her to be healthy but it seems so mean to stick inch-long needles in her legs. Poor little girl.

I had to drive around town for a little while before she calmed down and went to sleep. Then we went to the grocery store to get a few things. She woke up on the way home and would cry out every few minutes. I was hurrying to get everything inside so that I could feed her and I ended up dropping a gallon of milk on our CARPET in the front room! So she was fussing in her carseat while I was cleaning up half a gallon of spilled milk and Trevor was sleeping on the couch. He woke up when I spilled the milk but rolled over and went back to sleep. So obviously I didn't need to worry too much about waking him. I finally got Emma fed and gave her some tylenol. She did okay until about four o'clock. Her little leg was hot, red, and swollen. Poor little kid! Every time she moved it she would cry as hard as she could. I'd just get her calmed down after one crying spell and she'd move her leg and we'd start all over again. I put a cold washcloth on it and that worked wonders. Within half an hour the swelling had gone down and the redness disappeared. She was much happier after that too. I gave her some more tylenol and now she's sleeping away. The tylenol makes her drowsy. She has slept so much today, I don't know if she'll sleep tonight but I don't have the heart to try to keep her awake. She's had such a rough day. And tomorrow she has to go to the doctor for her two month checkup. Yea. Poor kid. It's so hard to grow up. I told Trevor, if I could choose between being a kid again and being where I'm at now, I'd stay where I'm at now. Being a kid was fine but I'm glad I'm past that stage!

In other news......Trevor got me an early birthday present. It was very generous of him, seeing as how he really, REALLY wanted it for himself! He gave me an MP3 player. I LOVE it! It's my first MP3 player and it's so handy. He's going to have to get one for himself! And then he'll have to get one for Emma too!!

If Only I Could Feed Her In My Sleep....

Trevor and I went for a drive last night. We were trying to find at least one four-wheeling trail that isn't buried in snow. We didn't have any luck. I'm really glad we had a good winter with a lot of snow. We really need it for our lakes and our crops. But right now I'm SO tired of seeing snow everywhere. Okay, it has pretty much melted off down here but there is still a TON in the mountains. Every time I look at them, I get discouraged! It'll be the end of May AT LEAST before we can really get up anywhere! Actually, that's not true. I underestimate Trevor's determination and recklessness. :) If anyone can get through the snow drifts, he can. He'll read this and say, "We'll be able to ride in the hills before the end of May!" and then he'll say, "I'm not reckless, I'm skilled." And I'll say, "You'll try your hardest to get up there, even if we can't. And you may have a lot of practice driving in snow but it scares the stuffing out of me when your testosterone levels start to spike!" And he'll shake his head at me and tell me that I worry too much and I just need to TRUST HIM! He's probably right to some extent. I do worry too much. But I have a reason to worry now. I have a baby at home and she needs her mommy and daddy---alive. So I'll continue to be the voice of reason that whispers in his ear and he'll continue to get as many thrills and adrenaline rushes as he can.

Anyway, where was I? Oh yeah. So we went for a ride last night in Old Blue. It was a nice ride. Until we encountered snow drifts across the road. We were so close to the end of the road but we didn't quite make it. Trevor wanted to keep going but we didn't want to get stuck. So we turned around and came back. Much to my relief. We had the four wheeler in the back of the truck but I wasn't dressed for four-wheeling. I should know by now that when we go for a ride, I need to come prepared to get out and get dirty. But it was our first ride of the season so I wasn't prepared.

I've really strayed from the title of this post. My mind wanders sometimes. Okay, it runs a marathon everyday! Anyway, back to the point of this post. I was pretty tired last night when we got home. I got Emma to go to sleep at about 12:30. I laid her in her car seat, which was sitting next to me on the bed. Then I laid down and went to sleep. I don't know what happened after that but when I woke up at five, I was holding Emma. So at some point I must have taken her out of her car seat. But I slept through it. Now what I really want to know is, why don't I feed her and change her in my sleep too. Heck, why don't I clean the apartment and cook meals in my sleep too!? Honestly. Then again, maybe I do and I don't know it. Well, I know I don't cook and clean in my sleep! When I wake up the apartment is still dirty and my stomach is growling. But maybe I feed her and I don't know it. No, I know I don't feed her in my sleep too. I don't think I need to go into details on that.

So anyway, Emma must have been a little fussy and I picked her up in my sleep. Or maybe I just picked her up for no reason at all. It's such a weird feeling to not be able to remember doing something. I just can't imagine what happened. Maybe Emma hopped out of her car seat and climbed into my arms. You never know.......

Pictures of the Week

I have updated Emma's Web Album and these are just a few of my favorites.
If you want to see more just go to www.picasaweb.google.com/biggt05/emma

I think the blessing went rather well considering that I was pretty nervous. Emma was really good. Ted also gave a wonderful talk and I wish him well.

I hope that our family pictures turn out good. Well that is my piece for the week.
Maybe I will have some more pictures to update next week too. Bye.

Emma's First Thunderstorm

Emma slept through her first thunderstorm today. I, however, tensed everytime I heard a clap of thunder. It was ridiculously quiet and there was no way it would have awakened her but in my mind I was sure it was going to because she'd never experienced thunder before. Silly Mommy.

It was really nice to hear the thunder though. To me it meant that we were experiencing a SPRING storm as opposed to the winter ones we've been having! I don't mind a nice Spring rain with a little thunder and lightning. (Unless I have to be out in it!)

We have a lot of birthdays to celebrate this month! This whole month should be one big party. It's Amanda's birthday, then Susan's, then Kaden's, then Claudia's, and then mine. We could have a party everyday!

Well, Emma just fell asleep and now I have to decide if I want to take a nap or shower. It's a tough decision! I need both. I'm going to try to get Emma to sleep in her bassinet at night so I'm trying to put her in it during the day when she falls asleep. So far she doesn't sleep in it for very long but hopefully she'll get used to it.

Emma slept for seven hours last night! She had a big day yesterday and it tired her out. She has been sleeping a lot today too so I've been lazy and held her all day. Any minute now I'm going to put her down and take a shower. Well, maybe in a little while.....

I'm still waiting anxiously for it to get warm enough to take Emma out for walks. SOON!! It's going to happen soon.

Well, there really isn't anything new going on in our lives. That's why I haven't written much. One of these days something will happen and I'll have something to write about.

We're Still Here!

It has been a while since we've posted here on our blog. The past week has been so crazy. Trevor has been busy with work and school. I've been busy being sick! Poor Emma has been putting up with me this past week. All I've done is feed her and sit on the couch. Every time I stood up I felt weak and dizzy. So we've just sat here and looked at each other. When Grandma Nielsen comes Emma gets upset if she doesn't walk around with her and bounce her. She knows Grandma will do it and Mommy won't. Poor girl. Poor Grandma!

I'm starting to feel better though. Thank goodness! Emma has been really good to sleep for about five hours every night so that has really helped. And Grandma has saved me several times this week too, bringing food, folding my laundry, and of course carrying Emma around when she's fussy! I don't ever want to be that sick again! It was awful. I've gone from wanting four or five kids to hoping and praying I make it through one! I admire anyone who has more than two children. Actually, I admire anyone who has children.

No really, we have our good days and they're a lot of fun. Emma has the cutest smile of any baby I've ever seen. (Of course.) And her personality comes out more and more everyday. I was afraid I had made her used to sleeping in bed with me. The past few days I've let her sleep with me because I felt so crappy, I didn't care where she slept as long as she slept! So last night I put her in her car seat like I was doing before and she slept pretty good in it! YEA! But now we need to get her used to sleeping in her bassinet. So far, we haven't made any progress with it. Trevor tries harder than I do though. He will put her in it during the day. I try but she just wakes right up and that doesn't really work for me when I have to get stuff done around the house. But we'll get it eventually.

Well, it's time to feed her again! She tries to eat every two hours.

Sweet Snowmobiling

Kyle invited me to go Snowmobiling on Saturday. It was the first time I had been snowmobiling in the mountains. It was just as good or better than the dunes. I had a blast. Hope I get to go again sometime.

Our Baby Must be the Sweetest Baby

Emma has taken over our lives and we love it. I was just looking at all our pictures of her in our web album. She has grown a lot! She's really doing well. It's so fun to see her personality develop more everyday. I think she's going to be a big tease like her dad!

I have to confess, she is so fun to dress! Sometimes I just want to try little outfits on her all day long. But she doesn't think it's so fun so I have to control myself. And then after I dress her, I want to show off her little outfit. I put her in her blessing dress the other day. She looks beautiful in it! I can't until next Sunday when everyone can see her in it.

Emma is a little miracle in our lives. She requires a lot of work and some pretty dramatic lifestyle changes but she is definitely worth it!

First Day of Spring!

I have a confession to make. I just barely cleaned out our fridge for the first time since we moved. There was a bowl of cream cheese and jam in the bottom of the fridge that came over during the move. So that tells you how old it was. Yeah, gross. However, there weren't any signs of mold. But here's my confession. I threw it away--bowl included. It was in a glass cereal bowl that we never use and it was ugly so I chucked it. (Don't be mad Trevor, I promise we've never used it--except to store that cream cheese and jam.) I'm so ashamed that it took me so long to clean out my fridge. It has been almost two months since we moved. That is really nasty. I'm not much of a homemaker.

We've just been getting by today. Trevor and I are trying to get over our colds. Emma has been spitting up a lot today. It could be from the cold medicine I took. I won't take any more and we'll see how it goes. I cut Emma's fingernails yesterday. They grow so fast! I have to cut them almost every week!

I'm still waiting anxiously for the weather to get warm enough to take Emma out for walks. It will be nice to be able to get out and get some exercise. (And some sun!) I'm glad we got a lot of snow this winter but I'm definitely ready for Spring!

Trevor's sleeping so the house is quiet. Sometimes the quiet drives me crazy. I guess that's what comes from growing up in a house with eight other people. At night when I get up to feed Emma, I have to turn on the TV or something so that it's not so quiet!

I'm really craving something sweet right now. Like cookies. Hm. Should we make cookies, Emma? We'll see if she'll let me.