Happy 6 Months, Emersyn!

How are we already celebrating 1/2 a year with our sweet girl? Time has FLOWN by extremely too fast. I am trying to hold on and capture every second and make the most out of every minute (even during screaming, crying fits!) but they are all going by faster than I can catch them.  It was only yesterday we found out we were going to have a little girl, it seems, and there is no way it has been six whole months since we welcomed her into the world.  I know, it's not slowing down anytime soon....

So, what all has our big girl been up to this month? Well, we had E's 6 month visit at the pediatrician, and she got all good remarks :) E is 19 lbs 15.6 ounces (97%) and 27 inches long (90%).  Little girl is definitely not lacking in the size category! She is developing perfectly as well.  She can sit up without assistance long enough to watch an entire Baby Einstein movie (which is her absolute FAVORITE!), she is scooting and rolling everywhere- still waiting for that first crawl, she has started mimicking sounds and so far has mastered rolling her lips making a spitting sound and smacking, she loves to eat and does it very well, she has started reaching for us when she wants out of a toy or to be picked up, she cries if you walk out of the room, she responds to her name, and just gets sweeter by the day! Emersyn has the sweetest personality, she loves to laugh and smile.  She has started giving "kisses" where she reaches for your face with her mouth wide open and lands a big wet one wherever her mouth hits :) Melts. My. Heart.  A big milestone we just reached this past week is Emersyn is now napping in her crib and sleeping some of the night in there as well! Yay, E! She is doing great, I am the one with the separation anxiety issues :(  

Sleeping in her own room in her crib is not something we have stressed over or pushed. We are definitely NOT "cry it out" parents and you could classify us as more of "attached" parents if you need to give us a label, and I wouldn't have it any other way. It has made life so much less stressful and relaxed, E is doing a great job sleeping on her own now and it was just something that came with age. 

I have learned so much in these past 6 months of being a mom.  One thing that really disappointing me is all of the "parties" of parenting.  Parenting is just another classification system to too many. And discussing your views on parenting can cause a commotion nothing less of a political debate.  Yes, this has caused way too much stress and unnecessary thoughts as a mom, too often I wonder if I am doing the best thing for my child because what I prefer is the least popular of parenting styles and too many ideas flood my mind from people who are not MY baby's mom. Just in case someone reading this is struggling with the same thing, this is my conclusion and it has freed me.  Every baby is different, and what works for one may be detrimental to another, as a mom I know my baby better than anyone else. Yes, most days if a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics observed us, they would probably gasp, and I don't care at all.  I am a complete hippie and germophobe when it comes to being a mom, and I am ok with it.  I do many things now I swore I never would, and I get over it and move on.  Being a mom is too much of a blessing to sit and fret over each and every decision, and I choose to turn my frets into thanksgiving to God for choosing me to be E's mom :)

I have learned so many positive things, too. I have learned and experienced true joy and unconditional love unlike I knew existed.  I have learned that a clean house is not as important as 15 extra minutes of play time in the floor making silly noises and faces to get a giggle.  I am so thankful that I am blessed enough to be a stay at home mom with Emersyn. I never doubted this was my ultimate goal, but I had no idea how amazing it could actually be.  Yes, I spent 5 years earning a degree just in case being a mom wasn't in the cards for me and I use that knowledge every time I introduce a new fruit or vegetable to E and we review the nutritional benefits :) I never imagined or planned my  life around being a mom so soon, but boy am I glad I am not the one in control! I could not imagine a plan any greater.

Emersyn, I LOVE being your mommy.  Here is to the next 6 months being even more enjoyable than the first 6. I wish time could pause or slow down just for a second, but I know there is no such thing, so we will have fun and absorb all the time together that we can.  I will cherish everyday with you, even the days when you won't nap and pitch fits, and be thankful for your cries.  I love you more than I ever thought was possible, and this love only increases daily.  I can't wait to see what all you do this next month, I am sure you will continue to amaze and surprise me. You are such a precious gift, and I hope you always know that your mommy loves you, No. Matter. What :) I love you, Emy-boo!

Mother's Day 2012

Today, as well as this entire week, has been such a blessing and a wonderful celebration of my first Mother's Day. Lance completely outdid himself and celebrated every day. He brought me gifts (new running shoes, chocolate, and an upgrade in our satellite channels so I could watch Fox and Friends in the morning :) ), he took off work a couple of days, helped me paint our living room, and a host of other sweet surprises to help me celebrate being a mom. Of course, I didn't need or expect any of this, it's just a testament to the wonderful husband he is :) just loving on sweet E and BoJackson was plenty enough for me. This Mother's Day was even more special because we had Emersyn's baby dedication at church. Sweet girl wore one of my Feltman Brothers bubbles from when i was her age :)  It was a wonderful day with my precious family, just loving on each other and thanking God for this beautiful blessing of family he has given us!
One year ago, Lance and I had just shared with the world that we were going to be parents. Lance took me out to lunch because I was craving meat and we dreamed about what we would be doing on this day one year later. Neither of us would have imagined what parenthood would truly bring us, or what an amazing blessing it would be. We had no idea how hard, yet how rewarding it would be, and we surely had no idea how much our capacity to love would increase. I have known my whole life I wanted to be a mom. Some people have desires and callings to be many things, mine has always been a mom, and thankfully my desires matched God's plan for my life and sent me Lance who had the same wishes for a family. When we found out we were going to be parents, I was terrified although it is all I ever wanted. The second I s aw Emersyn, I felt complete. My ability to love others multiplied the second I looked in her sweet eyes. I was able to love my parents more because I understood their love for me as parents, I loved Lance more for helping create this beautiful baby,and I even loved complete strangers. I developed a burning desire in my heart to love others more than ever before and to love children. The love I have for Emersyn is unexplainable. I understand now all of the times my parents said, "we are doing this because we love you". I understand why my dad always tried to force my mom to do something for herself, but she would always take it all and use it towards me and Luke. 
Being Emersyn's mom is the greatest title I could ever have and the proudest title, even on days I barely get a shower and smell like spit-up. I love my sweet girl more than I could have ever imagined loving anyone and I am so thankful she was given to Lance and I to raise. Emersyn Ruth,you are an amazing little girl and your mommy will love you forever and ever. You will always be my baby girl. Thank you, Emersyn, for making me a mommy :)

Happy 5 Months, Emersyn (well, 5 1/2 :) ) !

Big girl is sitting up

Precious baby girl

Best friends

They fight over Bo's toys :)

:)

Kissy lips :)

This is what my mornings look like :)

Sweet love fell asleep swinging

Mommy and Gran bought this outfit for her the day we found out we were having a baby girl :)

How is my sweet child making her way into her 6th month of life already?? Emersyn is such a big girl and Lance and I are so blessed to be her parents. E is learning and growing everyday. She LOVES her Baby Einstein movie, and has traded interest in her toys lately for BoJackson's toys! So, extremely gross! Bo and E both love playing together and think it is hilarious. E is quite the chatter box lately and loves to call Bo. I think they have their own way of communicating :) Emersyn is as close to being mobile as possible. She gets on her knees, puts her booty in the air and rocks back and forth. Just today, she has started pushing up on her arms while she's got her rear up, as soon as she figures out those two things go together, she is GONE! She even tried to pull up up on her toy box today- yes PULL UP! She is quite the advanced child :) I blame it on her large frame :) We are counting down the days until our next doctor visit. I am already dreading shots, but looking forward to seeing how big sweet E is! We started solid foods about a week before E's 5 month birthday and she LOVES it! So far, she has had sweet potatoes, avocado, spinach, carrots, peas, and her first fruit- bananas and apples :) Sweet girl loves to eat (is that a surprise?) We are still settling into things here in PA. We have met and developed a beautiful friendship with some great people- such an answered prayer! I have a running buddy, Lance has a basketball buddy, and E just adores their girls! E has made some friends at church, she likes the boys. We had a talk, no boyfriends until she is 30, but I am thankful she is getting interaction with other babies instead of just Bo :) Lance is working diligently at his research and I am teaching an RPM class and staying home with E and Bo :) In 2 weeks, our sweet girl will be halfway through her first year! I'm still trying to figure out where time has gone :) Being your mommy is such a blessing and I love you more each day, sweet E!

The beautiful circle of life

We are finally beginning to settle in our new home in Pennsylvania! There is only one box and I don't see it moving anytime soon, so I am trying to overlook it- it is full of all of our framed pictures and I am just way too indecisive to decide on where I want to put those now. We spent this past weekend painting our master bedroom and the dining room- which is the most gigantic dining room I have ever been in, and didn't realize it until I was about to cry from paint exhaustion! Our new bedroom suite was also delivered and is absolutely beautiful. It is finally becoming OUR home, and we love it! I will start posting pictures once we start completing spaces :) We love our little neighborhood, our neighbors are awesome, I found a gym with fabulous instructors and a ton of Les Mills classes, Lance is settling in to his research at the university, we found a church that we love, and one of the coolest things about PA- no sales tax on groceries! (yes, I feel like an old woman getting excited over such a thing!) Our biggest adventure so far has been trying to get car tags- so far, we have a tag on one car and are waiting on more paperwork for the other- a word to the wise if anyone who reads this blog is planning a move to Pennsylvania in the near future... be prepared for 12 trips and many headaches over car tags. My favorite line from Lance during our last excursion to AAA was "Well, Rick Santorum just lost my vote just because he is from this dumb state!"

I know, so far this blog relates in no way to the blog title... I'm gettting there. On April 4th, 17 years ago I lost one of the most influential men in my life- my granddad. I only had him here for 7 short years, but no one has made such an impact. Ever since he left us, whenever I have an important event in my life my dad always says "Do you wonder what granddad would think if he were still here?" Each and every time that brings tears to my eyes because if only he could have been here to see me go off to Auburn, run Boston, graduate college, get married, and have a baby! I can only imagine what he would say and how much he would love Emersyn :) Thankfully, he left a beautiful legacy and implanted himself in so many ways in my dad and his brothers. My dad reminds me so much of him, especially of the grandparent he is to Emersyn. I am so blessed to have had my granddad for the short 7 years that I did, and my dad to carry on his name and greatness my entire life, Not one day has passed in the past 17 years that I have not thought of my granddad and I doubt that will ever change. Since junior high school, I have kept a picture of granddad and me on my nightstand (it is in the unpacked box of pictures still!), and every picture we take of E and my dad I can only help but think "this may be the picture Emersyn keeps on her nightstand when she is married :) Althoough, I sure hope she has her Peeps to be with in person!

As I have spent this day remembering my precious granddad, I have done this while watching my precious little girl amaze me with every little sound and movement she makes. What a precious gift life is! E has grown up so much over the past couple of weeks. She has started rolling over from her back to tummy (she has been rolling from her tummy since 7 weeks). She has started jabbering and laughing at everything, of course BoJackson is her favorite. She calls Bo, and it is the sweetest little sound in the world. She looks right at him and squeals until he comes towards her, and when he does she will just smile and laugh like it is the funniest thing she has ever seen. Bo adores E just as much, and HATES to hear she is upset- he will pace the house and just look at us like "Do you know my baby is crying?!" E has become even more of a daddy's girl, she absolutely adores Lance! Of course, there are still times when no one but mommy can console her little soul :) Her hands are CONSTANTLY in her mouth, as well as anything else she can grab. You can not take your eyes off of this child. Last night, I sat her in the chair with Bo while I got ready to feed her, before I knew it she had leaned over and grabbed one of Bo's back legs and was headed straight to her mough with it. I laughed so hard I hurt, when E saw me laughing, she thought it was hilarious and started laughing as well. Definitely one of those times you wish you had the video camera on and ready to capture that moment :)

I am in complete disbelief that my baby is 4 1/2 months old! She is growing up a little more each day and becoming such a big girl. Her independence breaks my heart some days, but I am so thankful she is a healthy baby :) I can't wait to see what tomorrow holds for our little angel!

Happy 4 Months, Sweet Emersyn

I can NOT believe another month has passed! I have had to take notes so I would remember all of the new, fun things she has done this month. Little girl is growing up so much, and is too much fun! Her little personality is adorable, she is becoming quite the social butterfly and will melt any stranger's heart with her sweet smile. She loves to hear you whistle, and talk like Donald Duck. She is eating like a champ and taking great naps as well. You never know how she is going to sleep, some nights are a solid 8-10 hours, others she may wake up every 2-3 hours.
My favorite thing that has happened in the past month is that Emersyn has discovered BoJackson, and he is by far her favorite thing to play with. She will sit and just laugh at him if he is near, and if he gets close enough she is reaching for him. Unfortunately she doesn't understand "be easy" and when she reaches for him, she grabs as much fur and skin as she can and tries to take it right to her mouth. He doesn't necessarily like this, but since Bo is so "special" he forgets quickly and is ready to play again soon :)
E is so close to rolling from her back to her belly and she gets SO mad when she gets stuck! She is also almost sitting up on her on, she just needs a little more core strength to get more upright :) She loves to jibber jabber and communicate with anyone who will listen. She also tries to talk to Bo when she wants to play :) Yes, it is precious! Throughout all the moving and unpacking we have discovered that E loves to be in her Baby Bjorn! She will ride in it until she passes out. If I ever meet the Baby Bjorn creator, I will kiss them, this has been a lifesaver!
E went for her 4 month check-up and is a whopping 16 pounds 11.7 ounces and 25 1/2 inches long!!! She had an awful time with shots, but is feeling much better now. I am already dreading our 6 month shots.  On the bright side, though, I love love love her new pediatrician. What an answered prayer she is.  
We are so thankful for such a sweet and healthy baby girl! On to month 5, sweet E, and I can't wait to see all of the new and fun things you do next :)

Welcome to Pennsylvania, Haney family!

I have written and erased this blog over and over because I just can't get it right. I am posting it this time despite whatever imperfections I find :) 

This past Tuesday morning our journey began to Pennsylvania. I had lost sleep and stressed for weeks about how we were ever going to travel 900+ miles with an almost 4 month old and nervous puppy. When Tuesday morning finally rolled around, I just had to buckle everyone in and hope for the best. My dad and brother traveled with us and drove our other car so that Lance and I could ride together with E, that was a blessing! We left Corner, AL at 5:30 am and drove all day long. Emersyn did amazingly well, as did Bo (he was under the influence of tranquilizers!) We drove from Alabama, through Tennessee, on to Kentucky (which is beautiful), and got to our first day destination of Huntington, West Virginia. We arrived sooner than we expected and checked in to our hotel for the evening. We had spent 9 hours on the road that day.  

Day #2 (Wednesday morning) we left around 6am headed for Pennsylvania. E did very well the first few hours, then through the end of West Virginia and Maryland, the ridiculous changes in elevation caused her ears to start aching and she was NOT a happy camper. We stopped 2-3 times within a 10 minute span to hold her because that is all she wanted. She eventually cried while I rubbed her ears and fell asleep- my heart was broken. She didn't wake up until we had made it into Pennsylvania, and actually only about 15 miles from our home. We stopped at this town and had lunch, then met our realtor at the house (so I could finally see it!) 

We got off the interstate and turned into our community and I fell in love. Banners lined the brick sidewalks and people were out walking dogs and pushing strollers everywhere! The town is beautiful and full of Victorian homes and businesses, it feels like you have stepped back in time. When we got to our house, it was even more beautiful than the pictures I had seen, I knew it was perfect. We made a final walk through and decided where we would put what furniture and what colors paint we wanted to change. We took Emersyn and BoJackson on a walk and just loved every second. We were supposed to close on our little home the next day, Thursday, but it was starting to look like that may get pushed back a day or two. I crossed my fingers and held on to the little hope that was left that we would close and be in our house by the weekend..... well, it is Sunday and I am writing this blog from a hotel room that we have lived in since Wednesday, but the good news is WE CLOSE TOMORROW!! And we are having a new king size Tempurpedic bed delivered Wednesday morning :) 

I have been completely stressed out and have felt at times like my world has been flipped upside down, but everything is finally coming together and calming down and I really am enjoying it here. Emersyn has made the transition greater than I could have ever imagined, and has grown up so much during this adventure. BoJackson has learned to stay on a leash (which is HUGE if you know him!), and Lance and I are learning to really depend on each other since we don't know another soul here. 

The weather has been beautiful although extremely unseasonably warm, but I have loved runs around campus and trips around town. I have been very impressed with all of the nice folks we have met or spoken to. I have realized there are no babies around here, and everyone lights up when Emersyn enters a room- she draws so much attention to be so small. Because of this, she has become quite the social butterfly, she loves to get attention and will smile and jibber jabber with anyone :)

Lance is very excited about starting work next Monday, until then we have a week to hopefully get the house in some order. My sweet mom is coming to stay with us, so that will help out so much. I can't thank my precious daddy and brother enough for all of their help with the move, Luke spent his spring break driving cross country for no reason other than to get to Pennsylvania and sit in a hotel room :) 

This has already been such an adventure, but I have really enjoyed it. I am excited for all that is in store for our little family over the next couple of years, I know this will be a time we will cherish forever. We are looking forward to all of the new friends we will make and the family traditions we will begin here. Welcome to the Haney family's world, Pennsylvania, we can't wait to see what you have in store!

15/16 weeks

Our sweet girl is growing up extremely too fast.  She is becoming such a big girl. She loves to try and sit up by herself and is so close to rolling over from her back to her belly. She has the sweetest personality with a smile that will melt your heart. She loves to be entertained with funny faces and sounds, she loves to try and communicate back with sweet sounds. 

Emersyn is growing like a weed! She is so long and we estimate she weighs about 15lbs. She has her 4 month doctor's appointment in Pennsylvania on Wednesday, March 21st. We are very excited to meet her new doctor. 

Speaking of Pennsylvania, our journey north starts early tomorrow morning! We have about an 8 hour journey (not including stops for E) planned for tomorrow and are planning to make it to West Virginia. Wednesday morning we will set out again and make it to Pennsylvania by that afternoon/evening. We are praying for safety and happiness for little E during the trip. 

We have been staying in the country with Gran and Peeps since the movers packed up our home this past Friday, and it has been a sweet little vacation :) We all got to visit our precious Maxie's grave which is here in the country. We have got to spend time with some of our sweetest friends and family before our big move. It has been just lovely and I can't wait for our next visit to see all of these sweet people again. 

Today Lance and I celebrated a special day- 2 years ago we said 'I do'. It was a very laid back and relaxed anniversary but perfect in every way. It was so nice to have little Emersyn to celebrate it with :) Happy anniversary, sweetheart, here is to many, many more! 

Here are some new pictures of our little angel, she is too sweet!

E is not a big napper, but so sweet when she does :)

Love this little smile! E went to church in the country and loved seeing such sweet people who love her so much!

E LOVES to go for runs :)