Emma's First Christmas and More..

Emma celebrated a lot of milestones this past week - not only her first Christmas - but also her four week birthday - and turned 1 month old on Christmas day. We can't believe that she is already a month old - time flies! She is getting bigger and bigger every day. I can't wait until we go to the doctor's next month so we can find out how much she weighs.

We took some pictures while we were at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Grandma had these mittens hanging from her mantle - and they looked like they'd be a perfect fit for Emma.

Emma at 4 Weeks Old - December 23rd

Emma in a mitten...

and she waves!

Emma's First Christmas - and her 1 month birthday!!

Gabby Looking Thrilled...

Emma has learned that her hands are good for something...these were taken today (Dec. 29th) after a bath - which explains the sad face - Emma still does not enjoy the bath very much!!

Emma also got to meet her Aunt Megan who is home from Austin for the holidays.

Happy 3 Week Birthday Emma!

Believe it or not - today Emma is three weeks old. It's hard to believe that three weeks ago we were in the hospital enjoying our first day with Emma. It seems like a long long time ago to be honest! Emma is doing great - we have tummy time every day during which she lifts her head and turns it from side to side. She is looking bigger and bigger every day. Nighttime is a little bit of a challenge still. Emma does not enjoy sleeping between the hours of 12 am to about 4 am, which means Mommy is up with her trying to encourage her to sleep. But something magical kicks in around 3:30 - 4 am - Emma decides to sleep and is good until about 7ish.

Emma Loves Her Pacifier

We are looking forward to her first Christmas next week. And the Marple Newtown Holiday Party on Monday - Emma will make her first trip to the high school! Today Emma also experienced her first accumulating snow fall. We bundled Emma up and took her outside to enjoy the snowfall.
We also tried on Emma's Christmas Outfit Grandma got for her from Janie and Jack today - and of course - we took some more pictures. A little elf some how sneaked into the photo shoot!

Look How Little Emma Is Compared to Daddy!

Emma's 1st Christmas Tree

Today Bryan, Emma and I went to Varner's Farm in Collegeville to cut down our Christmas tree. I have been cutting down my Christmas tree for years - as the tradition began when I was younger. In those days, we would go from farm to farm - all over south Jersey looking for the perfect tree - sometimes ending up back at the first farm of the day. My brother, sister and I would be tree holders - standing next to candidates - yelling out to the rest of the family to come check out the tree we picked.

Well today we did not have much luck in the tree field. Varner's Farm must have become quite popular - because the tree field was well picked over and we couldn't find a tree we liked enough to cut down. Although Bryan did pose for some pretend cutting a tree down pictures. We ended up riding the horse drawn wagon back to the entrance to find a perfect pre-cut tree. Emma - as usual - slept through the whole thing. We then went to the diner for some brunch.

Emma's First Christmas Tree

Emma Has A Hat Problem

Bye Bye Belly Button Stump!

Today Emma lost her belly button stump - which may not seem like a big deal but I am thrilled about it - no more folding down the diapers and soon no more sponge baths. Emma can't stand the sponge baths - she just cries and cries until I wrap her up in her cuddle towel - given to her by Grandma. I think Emma might actually enjoy bath time once she can sit in some warm water. And of course - we took some pictures to mark the occasion.

Emma Sans Belly Button Stump

Emma After A Bath - in her Cuddle Towel

Emma mid sneeze

Emma Looking Cute

Emma has had quite the second week of life. She experienced her first long distance car ride to Grandma and Grandpa's house in Connecticut. And surprise surprise she slept the entire time both ways - although when Daddy went to get gas on the way home and the car stopped - it got dicey for a few minutes.

Emma also got to meet one of her cousins - Nora and her Aunt Erin. They were back East for the weekend and we were able to have lunch with them. Emma slept most of the time but she did wake up long enough for Aunt Erin to hold her - right around lunch time - Emma found Aunt Erin's arm delicious - sucked on her arm so hard that she gave Aunt Erin a hickey!

We took some more pictures of Emma - Enjoy!

Emma Sleeping
Grandma's Favorite

Cousin Nora - born Sept. 12th

Aunt Erin & Emma
Emma at 2 Weeks Old - Happy Birthday!