Camera shy? ... I think not

Favorite Vantage Spot

She likes to look out the window and look for birds, squirrels, bugs, airplanes, and ba-ba.

Lots to Say

This was actually a 7 minute video that was trimmed down. My little chatter box had lots to say! One day we'll know what she's saying. haha!

Momentous Occasion Marker

On this date, June 14, 2011, Emilia pooped in the home toilet for the first time. She apparently did it once at our nanny's place not too long ago, but I wasn't a witness to that one. I don't know if she really understood what was going on so we'll have to see how she does the next time. At this point, the onus is on us to recognize when she's about to go since she doesn't tell us (other than some facial expressions and maybe some grunting).

Pictures withheld to protect the innocent.

2011 Mid-Year Update

It seems to me that time is on super lighting speed. Our baby girl somewhere along the way grew out of being a newborn baby into a new toddler. Right when Ryan and I think we have the parenting thing figured out, she learns something new and stumps us once again. While we highlight some of the fun and tender moments on this blog, we fail to completely capture all the details of the good and the not-so-good along the way. As life goes, there are ups and downs and plenty of challenges. Challenges with learning how to grow as parents with Em because every step of the way is still all new. Challenges with how to balance life with having only a finite amount of time with work, responsibilities, quality time with family, maintaining contact with friends and family, exercise (barely existent), and all the in-between.


Life is much much different now than 2 years ago (pre-Em) and I remember my own perspectives back then as I tried to envision life with a husband and a baby girl. I laugh now because it has been not even close to what I imagined being settled and having a family would be like. Let's just say, climbing Mt. Everest was fun, adventurous, breath-taking... but I can't even bring a fair comparison to any adventures I've experienced with the fun and adventures we have now with Em as we see a little of us in that strong and developing personality of hers. Every day holds something new and unexpected. I see a little Ryan in her as she tries to climb on EVERYTHING... or when she takes the avocados and arranges them in a neat line across the floor. I see a little bit of myself when she adamantly and stubbornly refuses to eat the blended kale porridge mix I make her.. or when she has that spark in her eye which I know means something has caught her curiosity. It is pretty neat to look and find similarities with our personalities and our little girl.


So, long story short.. our life is, and will continue to be non-stop adjustment. As Ryan also blogged a few posts earlier, our home has required just as much of his attention lately. He's been hard at work every chance he gets at maintaining it and trying to make it more kid friendly. The avocado harvest came and went and along with it, more maintenance for Ryan.

Surprisingly, I would have thought my priority on family would take precedence, and subsequently expect that my ability and drive for work would diminish. Not so, in fact, quite the opposite. I have a renewed focus with work, because work now matters even more as it will provide for my children's future. So, when not focused on family, the other portion of my time has been focused on work. I won't go into details, but work has definitely been a challenge trying to get where I want to be career-wise in this downturned economy. It makes me understand and appreciate how hard my parents worked, and also understand that as full-time working parents, we sacrifice being able to spend more time with our kids, to try to give our kids more for their future. It is a fine balance.

So... all in all, Ryan, Emilia, and I have all been keeping busy in our own ways. I guess it's just called Life. =)

The next BIG adjustment is right around the corner with the arrival of Emilia's little brother, our baby boy. Again, I can't imagine how things will be, but we're looking forward to his arrival. Here's our sneak peak at the little guy from a few weeks ago:

Emilia Growth Tracking

Haven't posted one of these in a while so figured 15 mos is a good time to take a look at Emilia's height and weight progress to date. She's currently 29-3/4" tall and weighs 20 lbs. That puts her at about the 25th percentile for height and 10th percentile for weight. Which is kind of surprising because she doesn't seem that tall, and has that huge belly.

Here's her growth chart:


And her weight progression chart:

Ring-A-Ling

I got a phone call yesterday...from 15-month old Emilia! It was really weird. I was out getting the Subaru gassed up, and the phone rang. I said Hello, and after a short silence, a little voice said "Hi". I knew then it was Emilia, and I thought that Connie had called and just gave her the phone. So I "spoke" with her a while until I heard Connie in the distant background saying "Hey, what are you doing with the phone". Apparently, Emilia had gotten into Connie's purse while Connie was in the kitchen. She found the phone, and either hit redial or a speed dial number, and made the call to me. I've never seen her hold the phone up to her ear very long, but this time seemed like she really knew what she was doing. Guess it's time to get her an iPhone ;^O

The Stroller Traverse

Here's Emilia's latest trick. She uses a climbing technique that's called a high step. We didn't teach her that so I guess you're just born with it. It's surprising sometimes how high she can lift that leg. Ah, to be young and flexible...




She gets down using the same method. And is quite proud of herself.

Channeling the Knievel

Thanks Kate & Aaron for passing along a radio flyer bike. It is now Emilia's favorite new toy.


One of the first things she did on this bike was the climbing test. Here's her imitating Evel Knievel.


Edit: Here's how the real Knievel did it. Em, you've got some practicing to do.