We have a signer...

We've been signing certain words to Emily for months now.  We could tell that she understood what we were saying b/c she would get really excited when we signed them.  Ex.  I would sign milk (without speaking it) and she would start rocking back and forth and waving her hands in the air.  Yesterday she started signing back to me!!  I signed milk and she signed it right back.  It was amazing and so much fun!!  She signed it several times and then later in the afternoon, while eating cheerios, she signed "more".  She doesn't have perfect form, but she definitely knows what she's signing.  I've heard from other mom's that once their kid picked up one sign, they picked up lots of other signs quickly! 

I would just like to put in a plug for the video "Baby Signing Time."  We are huge fans in our house.  Emily absolutely loves it and while she's watching it she's learning how to communicate with us before she can talk....so we love it! 

I can't wait to see what signs she'll pick up on next!!:) 

Portrait Innovations

This afternoon Bert and I took Emily to get her 10 month pictures taken....the plan was to take her at 9 months. Only a month late, that's not too bad!  We took her to Portrait Innovations in Cary, NC. We've had a great experience there the last three times we've taken her.  There is no sitting fee and you can have as many outfit changes as you want.  Their "special" (which they always have ) is $9.95 for one 10X13, two 8X10's, four 5x7's, four 3x5's, and 32 wallets of your favorite pose.  It's a fabulous deal for people like us on a tight budget.  They take tons of pictures and I will admit that it does take serious determination to not buy more than one pose (which is what they want you to do).  We were able to get away with only spending a little over $10 for so many sweet picutres (same pose) that our families are going to be so excited to get.  For some reason, picture day always makes me a little nervous.  I try to keep her on the best schedule possible so that she'll be happy during picture time, but even with a sweet little baby like Emily you never know what you're going to get!  Emily humored me today...she gave us lots of sweet smiles!:)  

I realize that this is a post about pictures with no pictures.  I would have one for you, but I was reprimanded there for trying to use my camera...while we were still in the waiting area!  We have more wallets than we know what to do with, so if you want one just let me know!

A Walk in the Park

Bert and I love taking walks together....we love catching up and holding hands!  We used to walk almost every night, but a newborn and then the cold weather has kind of put that on hold.  On Sunday it was 70 degrees so we happily headed outside.  We went to Joyner Park, a beautiful park a couple of miles from our apartment.

I do believe Emily's going to love walks like her Mama and Daddy.  She was taking it all in on Sunday.  She had pretty serious expression the whole time, but I think it was because there were kids playing, dogs barking and people everywhere.  She had a lot to keep up with.:)  You can click on the pictures below to make them bigger.

 

We're so thankful for Sunday afternoon's like this.  

And she's off....

Emily's learning something new every.single.day.  It's so fun to watch!  Yesterday she learned to walk behind her push toy by herself.

Stopping for a picture...

And she's off!  She usually pushes the toy forward and then she'll take a few steps to catch up with it.  She hasn't figured out how to walk and push at the same time.

Still a work in process!  In this picture she's asking why I'm not helping to get the toy off of her.:)  

She's trying to play with it while walking at the same time.  She's brave, but her little arms just aren't quite long enough.  

Making sure everything is out of her way.:)  

TODAY she learned to stand up by herself.  This morning I had a dentist appointment and I was gone for less than two hours.  A sweet girl from our small group came over to keep her.  When I got back Emily had learned to stand up on her own!!  

My guess is that we'll have a walker pretty soon....stay tuned.:)  

Baby Sanders

Baby Sanders is on the way and is due August 25th!  We are so so excited for Katherine and Brett!  They are going to be wonderful parents!!  

One night a few weeks ago Katherine and Brett surprised us with a present for Emily.  I opened it and found the bib in the picture below...."I love my COUSIN."  This was their fun way of telling us they are pregnant.  It seems VERY obvious looking back, but I didn't catch on at first (surprise, surprise).  

In my defense, I think I thought the bib was talking about Emily's second cousins that we would be seeing later that weekend.:)  I know....no excuses.  Bert got it immediately and said "Steph, READ the bib."  I had already read it, but I read it again and then jerked my head up at Katherine (who was smiling really big) and started screaming.:)  

We can't wait to meet, and hold, and love on sweet Baby Sanders!!   

Clemson Girls Reunion

It's become a yearly tradition for our Clemson friends to get together over Marin Luther King weekend.  This year (and last year) we went to Jennifer's in-laws' lake place on Lake Keowee.  It's absolutely beautiful and we're only about 10 minutes from downtown Clemson!!  The first night we were there we stayed up until 4am just catching up.  (Bert doesn't understand how that's possible.)  We ate lots of good food, played games, watched movies, and talked and talked.  So thankful that we're still getting together.

We took a trip downtown...

And to campus...

Played Bunko on the dock...

The lake house is only about 30 minutes from my parents house so Emily stayed with them (Bert had to work).  She had a great time (my parents definitely did too)!!  Here are a few pictures that my Mom took....

On the way home Emily and I decided to surprise Bert at work.  He was so surprised and excited to see us.  He missed his girls and we definitely missed him!!

9 Months

Emily turned 9 months last Saturday.  She's pulling up on e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g., crawling faster, "talking" more, and beginning to eat some solid foods.

This year is flying by.  Seriously.  I cannot believe she is almost a year old.  We're loving every minute!