April Showers...

I'm all about the flowers, and a mellow fire season. But, honestly I wish it would stop snowing. The Bridger-bound men and women about town in their ski finery, grabbing a quick cup of joe before hitting the hill are making me grumpy.

Emma on the other hand seems to have newly discovered snow. She was entranced by the falling flakes this afternoon as they past our dining room window.





She literally watched the snow from her exer-saucer for 10 minutes. It was very special to watch.

So, with that realization I adjusted my attitude and revved myself up for a little late-winter romp around the block. Still I hadn't total bought into this being fun.....it was getting late and was a bit raw and wet.......

But, not Emma. She was in her bunting finest with a can-do attitude.


Then I started to see some things that actually were pretty.



Sid is in Billings at a tournament (those in the know will know what kind) so Emma and I are on our own for the weekend. It was nice to get out of the house just the two of us and to be focused solely on her as she becomes so much more in-tune with her surroundings; even if it is just a walk around our neighborhood at 5pm on a day that should have been in the 5os.



And who can argue with a baby girl, captivated by April snow who has a smile like that?

The Main Event.

On Saturday March 21st, at the Episcopal evening Easter Vigil service, Emma Ryer Williamson was baptized. She was a trooper. She out did her christianing competitor by not crying a bit; even when they doused her with a salon-shampoo level of blessed water. It was a beautiful service. One I had never been to; they start off the service at sunset. The first half of the service is somber and set in the building darkness, no light except candles. The second half is lit and jubilant.

Here are some picture of us and Emma before the service. Emma outstrips us in look and photo-readiness. That is fine by us.



We are missing pictures of Gail and Page, who flew out for the baptism. My parents were unable to attend, but gave Emma a lovely cross for the occasion. The blue dress Emma is wearing was very pretty, worn by my sister Debbie at her baptism, circa 196x and was also adorned by my niece Kathryn in the mid-1980s. The bonnet was a gift from Gail and was made in Memphis from an antique hankerchief. It makes her look timeless we thought, and a little Amish.

Also present were our friends Tanya and Warren who attended the service as witnesses.

March Madness: Part IV

Wow. We are up to Part IV. That is almost as bad as the "one too many Rocky" movies...
But, it has been awhile. We took a lot of photos in March. That, and we don't even have pictures of Emma's baptism yet. We are waiting for Page's high quality photo shots. It is taking a while. According to the master, something is wrong with Sid's eyes. My bet is that they are closed. He will use his photo skills to fix this. He does not "Suck at Photoshop"; either that or he has been watching and learning via the comic and highly skilled Photoshop man-whiner on You Tube.

I digress. Here are some photos of Emma. Is it me, or do these seem to indicate she is getting a very identifiable personality?

Here you go. I posted too many, but they are so funny. I like to laugh. These make me laugh. xoDad is crazy. Yes he is.
Dad is crazy. Don't I know?
"Dad, do you know what you are doing?"
"No, he does not"
"These baths are getting very trying. I like them, but Gahl. Enough with the bubbles!"

"Is anyone listening to me? No more bubbles!!" :-)

March Madness: Part III

March Madness: Part II

Indoor tummy time. While not an immediate fan of tummy time, Emma is starting to get the hang of it.

Rather than her usual out-of-the-block face plant, she will now do what she is doing in this picture. Notice the strong right arm bracing. Isn't she amazing?

Go Emma!

She only starts to get frustrated now after 3-4 minutes of being on her belly rather than the previous average of 30 seconds.

She is getting good!

March Madness: Part I

More cute pictures of Emma sitting on our couch....

Alright. The question. You may ask yourself, "Do we EVER go outside?" From these recent posts, you may be tempted to say "No".

Please don't. It would hurt my feelings. And it isn't true. We DO go outside. Well, Emma and I do. :-)

It is just that we live in MT and it is COLD out here. No fun pulling out the camera when your fingers are freezing. It especially gets harder when it is March, now April and you just want more sunshine, green grass and some budding tulips.

And not more snow. It is snowing now.

Pictures of Emma outside are coming soon. I promise. I WANT pictures of Emma outside, and in nature too. Believe me.

Slightly off Topic

Okay, while I know this blog is supposed to be entirely devoted to Emma, we have to tell you. Sid and I are really proud of this: We painted our dining room.

What? We painted? How bold. How extraordinary! Believe it or not, but next is the living room. Don't rush us......we want to savor this great achievement. No use going too far too fast.
Back to the topic at hand, Emma! See next entry for a return the Sweets.

Heyya

The new trick is to get Emma to laugh, *while* the camera is pointed at her. She'll be laughing and giggling but as soon as you grab the camera to take a shot, she clams up and just stares at it. Here are our latest near laugh-capturing attempts.

Head lifting

Skype Invite

A preview of things to come.

"What is on the computer screen is really interesting."
"What did you say mom?"

The girl giggles

Once.
Twice.
There she goes!

Activities other than Emma?

Today, remarkably was my first day "out"- doing recreational activities other than Emma watching or work. It was a beautiful blue-bird day and it seems I can still remember how to tele.

Sid has been engaged in weekly fly-tying "outings" for awhile now; after 6pm evening fly-crafting gatherings are easier to swing than ski days...I like the artistry in this shot; evidence of the love he has for his work, and tarpon.

After noon grumps

Emma appears to be a morning person: all smiles until around 3pm. Then life becomes a bit less happy. During this period, she seems to prefer to be left to her own devices in her swing with her music; where she will sit content until bed. Often we want her to play with us during this period.
She complies because she loves us, but under duress.

Morning Smiles

This appears to be the honeymoon period. Emma wakes up around 8am. Happy. Smiling at us and the world. If we turn on the mobile, she will do her morning run and happy girations for at least 1/2 hour. I think it is because she loves her sleeping outfit.

Note from the world of G-diapers

We just spent $150 on Mr. Rotorooter because of our attempts to be more green. Seems our plumbing was clogged up with g-diapers. Darn it.

Message: no more g-diapers down the circa 1920s toilet pipe. To the garbage! Which isn't the end of the world but is still a bummer.

Smile

Emma is a bit of a deadpan for the camera. Her expressions, or lack there of, remind me of the Russian Tzar family portraits. Very serious. So, we absolutely have to post the smiling ones when we get them.

The not-so-little nugget: 13lbs, 13oz.

Went to the Dr.s today for her 4 month checkup. (4 months and 8 days to be exact). She weighed in at 13 lbs, 13 oz. and is 23.5 in. long; ranking 20th percentile for weight, but 50th percentile for length! Go Emma.

Water Girl

We used to give Emma baths upstairs. That required too much bending, lifting, etc. Kitchen sink is much easier.

Holding the Baby

Emma in Hanna Andersson

Bring it on.

Emma as Winston

Many, much of the time Emma is BEAUTIFUL. This picture captures her more aged characteristics, those of W. Churchill in Sid's opinion. Must be the chin.