Go Utes!!

It's official, the 2008-2009 College Football Season has begun. For those you who really know me are probably very surprised that 1) I know when the season starts or 2) that I even care. But, for the last 5 or so years since Ivan and I have been together, the start of the football season has a significant impact on our lives.

Ivan is OBSESSED with Utah Football. Him and his friends have season tickets and get together to watch every game. It's also Ivan's time to relax and enjoy some good old Jack Daniels. So, from now until the end of November, Emery and I are on our own basically every Saturday.

I am hoping for a very successful season for the Utah Utes. I love to see how excited Ivan gets over a big win. Lets hope for many good game and wins to come.

GOOOOO Utes!!!

Babies, Babies and More Babies

On my Mom's side of the family, we have had 3 weddings and 4 babies born in the last 2 years. Ivan and I started it off with our wedding, then two of my cousins got married last year in May and June. Then, Emery was born in November 2007 and since then, we've added three more babies, one in May 2008 and two just this month. Below are the newest additions to the family. Note, all of the babies are boys except for Emery. Do you think all of her boy cousins will grow up to beat up on Emery? That's all I'm worried about ... I think Emery will be tough and able to hold her own, at least that's what I'm hoping for.

Talon Chinery
August 21, 2008
5 lbs 6 oz
Son to my cousin Tasha in WA

Quinlan Barrett Rothey
August 26, 2008
8 lbs 11 oz
Son to my cousin Amelinda

I am so excited to have one little cousin living in Utah for Emery to play with. Quinlan is almost 10 months younger than Emery, but once has been around for a few months, he and Emery will be able to have lot of play dates, especially since Aarn and Amelinda live just a few miles away. I can't wait to see the little boys grow up and develop their own little personalities.

Tickle Me Elmo

Emery's Grandma and Auntie Silv bought her a Tickle Me Elmo last Christmas. A little early, but we all figured she would grow into it. I'm learning that she definitely takes some time to warm up to the stupid thing. (I'm sorry, am I supposed to actually like a bright red, talking, moving stuffed animal?)

Anyway, I got it out about a week ago and squeezed it's tummy so it would laugh, lay down and then sit itself up again. At first Emery just watched it and didn't know what to think. Then, I brought it closer to Emery and she freaked out. The closer it came to her, the more Emery freaked out and she kept pushing herself further from the Elmo.

Ivan got it out tonight and let it sit on the ottoman by Emery, not turned on. She kind of looked at it for a few minutes. Ivan then turned it on and Emery was ok for a few seconds, until she cried because she was scared. I picked her up and brought the Elmo closer to Emery. It was the funniest thing - she couldn't help but touch it, even through her fears. Every time she bent over to touch the Elmo she whimpered, but she still touched it. Once she touched it, she would turn her head to hide from it.

I think we will keep Elmo in the closet for a while longer (or just send it to Grandma's and Auntie Silv's for good) but it's good to know that Emery will face her fears at the ripe age of 9 1/2 months old.

The best part of the day...

Emery wakes up in the happiest mood every single day. How could you not just love the huge smile, messy hair and slightly swollen eyes first thing in the morning?PS (don't mind the totally mis-matched jammies please)

Emery's First Word

I'm not sure if you can exactly call it a word since she doesn't really realize what she is saying, but she started saying "ma, ma" today. She actually starts out by just moving her mouth with no noise coming out, but eventually, the sounds come out too. I swear, her Auntie Silv can teach her anything and everything she knows so far was taught by Auntie Silv.

In the last couple of weeks Emery has begun to:

• talk :)
• crawl
• pull herself to a standing position
• get into a sitting position from laying down
• clap
• wave bye-bye
• throw tantrums when you take away a toy or set her down from standing

Where or where does the time go? I cannot believe my little baby is growing up so quickly. I now understand why people have so many babies. It is such an amazing experience to see them grow up, try new things and develop their own little personalities.

Emery's 9 Month Pictures

I don't even feel like I need to say anything :)

Our World is Changing Forever!

The first picture is what Emery accomplished by herself Friday afternoon while I was vacuuming the living room. I knew that we were soon in for trouble ...


Today while vacuuming, this is what she did - again, all by herself.


She has been pulling herself up in her pack-n-play for a few weeks now, but here she is pulling herself up onto the couch. I don't know if I'm ready for a baby who is completely mobile all by herself.

She also wants to be standing all of the time. If we are sitting down playing with her, she will reach over and grab one thumb with each hand and pull herself up and hang out standing. She has even gone as far as to grab a toy (a pretty heavy one at that) and stand while holding it with one hand.

Any tips from anyone out there?