FIVE THINGS....

FIRST---I left off a really funny part of the banana bread disaster and it's too classic not to document. So after the first puff of smoke billowed out of the oven, I called to Brett in a panic because I couldn't see what was going on in there and I didn't want to open it and let all the smoke out because that would set of the smoke alarm and Emri was napping. He came to see what was happening, left the room, then came back with vacuum in hand! He got the attachements out and stood with the hose at the top of the oven waiting for me to open it! ha ha ha! SERIOUSLY?! I was confused...real firemen use huge hoses that spray water....not small hoses that suck air! So, both of us laughing, I open the oven and smoke was still billowing out, and the dang hose wasn't much of a help! But, I'm sure you can picture Brett waving that thing around trying to get it all!! (Where was my camera on that one?!?) Good idea though babe! I love you! FYI---Today when I was vacuuming the whole place smelled up like smoke again! ahhhh!

SECOND---We have a pet. **gasp**--I know, ME?!?!? Well, it was against my will! It's a goldfish...named "Herman" (named by Brett, also given the nickname Hermie). Last night my dad was in town on business. We met him at the (auto) auction where they were putting on a dinner. They had goldfish in little bowls as centerpieces (which totally grossed me out while we ate). The joke all night was that Emri could take one home. I kept saying NO. Then, Brett gave in. I told him he could only bring it home if he fed it and changed the water....I will have NO responsiblities with it!

So, we get home from dinner and Brett ran to the pet store to get some goldfish food....and came home not only with food, but a bigger fish bowl, a fish net, rocks, and two plants for the bowl. WHAT THE?!?!?!? He really wants E to love it! What a cute dad! We'll see how long little Hermie actually lives. Does anybody know the lifespan of a goldfish??

THIRD---Emri is walking!! I'm sorry, this is not an actual walking video...but it's really what Emri did the first time I tried to make her perfom. Well, she did do a little trick, but it wasn't walking! Watch and see (and ignore my snort, ha ha)! Funny girl!

FOURTH---her latest words...."UH-OH" (or "eh-oh" as she says it). It's crazy what they pick up on!

FIFTH--- Melissa, here's the video of the stairs that you asked me to post a while ago! She's pretty speedy now! Most of the time she turns around and starts to back up long before she's even close to the stairs; it cracks me up! Enjoy!

PS....just ignore the white trash stairway that's only half-painted! Don't worry, it's finished now!

OH...i just watched this upload the lighting kinda sucks :(

A DISASTER--PIECE

So, I can honestly say that when it comes to baking I am usually pretty competent....and confident for the most part. I really do love to bake! For those that know me well, you know that my most FAVORITE thing to eat in the whole wide world is BANANA BREAD (or banana cake, or banana cookies)! Well, I've been letting some bananas go brown for a couple weeks now and today was the perfect day to create a masterpiece with them.....but it actually turned into a DISASTER-piece!

I don't really have to explain more than the pictures show, other than I was trying to keep Emri happy in her highchair in the middle of my measurements. Can you say too much baking soda?!?!? That's the only explanation I can come up with!

All of a sudden I could no longer smell the yummy bread, but instead I got a wiff of burning so I opened the oven and a cloud of smoke filled my face....and then I saw this. I really wanted to cry! There it is....my edible gold....dripping all over the place. And now I have a lovely mess to clean up too!

BUMMER!

E's 12 month stats

12 MONTHS!

22 lbs. 2 oz. (66th %)

30.25 inches (82nd %)

Wow, she got skinny and tall(er) in 3 months! ha ha! I guess she's getting rid of that cute baby chub...although there's still some to squish on those thighs and I love it!

She's still all smiles here...not knowing what's next.

This appointment was by far theworst up to this point...not only did she get 4 shots, and the toe prick to check the hemoglobin and for lead poisoning (which she actually didn't mind), but now she's old enough to look at me (while I try to console her) and wonder why I'm letting a stranger hurt her. Poor thing...2 of the shots were given in her arms, and personally, I think those hurt the most. She was not happy about that.

After the trauma. :( She laid so still while I dressed her, clinging to her lovie bear for comfort. I felt so bad! She totally has bruises on her arms and a big knot in her thigh from the shots.

Can you count all 5 bandaids?

On a happier note...Momma Max showed Emri how to put blush on while she visited! Now whenever I'm doing my makeup, Emri wants a brush.....to put blush on her cheeks, forehead, hair, chin, neck, and clothes! Silly!

And....this seems to be a common occurence when dad feeds Emri! ha ha! Huge mess and no bib...but hey, they get the job done!

We don't cry over spilled milk......We suck it up with a straw!!!

At 12 months Emri:

• makes duck, bear, snake, and horse noises. We've been pushing more, but she seems to be stuck on these 4 for now!
• likes to give "5"
• loves to raise her arms ("so big") when you ask how big she is
• shows where her tongue is by sticking it out, and her eyes by squinting.
• loves to dance
• knows how to "kick kick kick" and "splash splash" from swimming lessons
• got to go all the way under water at swimming a few times and always came up looking surprised!
• mimicks us when we sneeze with "ahhhhh-teh!"
• goes up and down our staircase like a champ! She knows she has to turn around at the top of the stairs to go down...sometimes she anticipates the turn and does it 5 feet away from the actual staircase and starts to back up down the hallway!
• takes about 3-4 steps and then figures she can get there a lot faster crawling!
• has 3 teeth. #F cut a couple weeks ago.
• Sleeping has been hit and miss this month, with being sick and getting a new tooth. I sure hope we can get back into her routine soon!
• waves bye-bye
• if we ask to smell her breath she opens her mouth and puts it right over our nose! ha!
• drinks whole milk (a sad transition, but at the same time very welcomed by mom)!
• LOVES to get into anything and everything and has to be watched constantly!
• Won't sit still...so much to do, so little time!

Hello MARCH!

HALLELUJAH! I went to run errands this morning and had to wear sunglasses! Really, I think it's the first time the sun has come out since November! It's sad when you walk outside and 29 degrees feels warm...I almost wondered if I had Emri too bundled! It's a good day!

Enjoy this little snippet of Emri's dance moves! She has this interesting twist to the top half of her body EVERY time we turn this song on! This was after her bday party... (i know it's annoying, but you have to go to the bottom of my blog to mute the playlist music, sorry).

and here's another one...the lighting is better, but she's a little distracted at times.

And go to a THIS cooking blog I contribute to and get the recipe for these little yummies....

They WILL NOT dissapoint! Hope the sun is shining in your neck of the woods too :)

Emri Turned ONE........part II

Emri started feeling better on Sunday so we continued with the birthday celebrations! Here is the really NON-professional cake I made! It was banana (mom's fave)! Emri is really into her rubber duckies at the moment, so we went with that theme....

Emri had her own miniature banana cake to devour, but.....

she wanted nothing to do with it! The only damage done was when I shoved her hand into it, then she acted so disgusted that her fingers were messy! Who's kid is this?!?!??!

That's ok....I'm sure she was fine without the sugar rush! She was very excited to play with her friends and open more gifts than deal with a stinkin' cake!

She got spoiled again and has such thoughtful friends that came to celebrate! Here's Tate and Isaac enjoying some cake and icecream....till I pointed out that the plates were pink, then all of a sudden they were too full to eat any more! BOYS!!!

Caroline and Dannette

Meg and Amanda

Heather, Brandon & Brett

Kara, Landon & Bexley

The Birthday Girl! Thanks everyone who came to support E on her big day....especially since the plans changed at the last minute a couple times due to the sickie birthday girl!

Momma Max, Kolby & E....getting ready to go back to Utah. Emri looks bummed (things just aren't as exciting around here when it's only E and mom all day)! THANK YOU SO SO MUCH for making a special trip out for this sweet babe! We all loved having you here, and miss you already!

I always check on Emri at night before I go to bed. She loves to have her face buried in the corner of her crib or up against the bumpers and it always makes me wonder if she can breathe. I lifted up her bumper just to make sure! I couldn't resist snapping a shot (with a flash even) of this squished little face that I love SO much! This last year has been such a whirlwind! I can't believe it has gone by so fast. I love being her mom! She has brought such a sweet spirit into our home. It's not hard to believe that they are sent straight from heaven.

Brett kept saying he didn't think Emri was his child because she didn't tear into her yummy birthday cake! He gave her a 2nd chance to redeem herself the next day with some "birthday pudding!" ha ha!

As you can see

she really

doesn't mind

being messy

....not one bit!

Love you birthday girl!