Christmas Day

Christmas Eve

Our Church (Greenwood Forest Baptist in Cary) has two Christmas Eve services.  The first is at 5:00pm and is called the family service.  It is for little children and consists mostly of carols and reading from the Christmas Story.  This year we went a little early in order to get some pictures.  I was amazed at how well Emma did sitting in the pew during most of the service.  At one point we went in the foyer and let her walk around.  But for the most part she ate cheerios, drank her milk and played with the program and hymn book.  It was a great service!

Baby swing

It is amazing how quick babies grow. 

Emma at 5 months

Emma at almost 14 months

Emiy Post

When I graduated from high school a family friend gave me a wonderful book, Emily Post's Etiquette guide.  At the time I was not very interested in the book.  But my friend Ann, who was 32 at the time knew how beneficial this book would be to me.  She told me that I would soon enter the age of weddings, parties and hosting.  She said that this book was very helpful to her and thought every "young lady" should have a copy.  Now as a 17 year old, I heard her words go in one ear and out the other.  But she was right!  I cannot tell you how many times I have flipped through this book when I was planning our wedding, writing thank you notes and hosting dinners.  The 17th edition has been released and I am tempted to get the newer edition.  I am curious how rules have changed with emails, blogs and facebook.  Now that I am close to 32 years old, I see that Ann had great insight as a perfect gift for a graduating senior in high school.

Isn't there anyone who knows the true meaning of Christmas!

I heart Faces ~ Pets

I love this picture of Sandy and Emma.  She is such a good dog (11 years old) and such a great protector!  We love you Sandy!

Rocking Horse

This is one of Emma's Christmas presents.  This was just a plain wooden rocking horse.  I started out by painting the horse white and then decorating it with yarn for hair, eyes, pink polka dots and a soft seat.  I hope Emma enjoys this horse for years to come!

After I painted the horse white

The finished product!

Our Big Date

Yesterday, the senior adults at our Church were hosting a parents day out.  From 10:00am-3:00pm we could drop off Emma and they would watch her free of charge.  Needless to say, we were one of the first people to sign up for such a great service.  We arrived around 10:30 and headed over to Best Buy to wander around before we went to lunch.  One of our favorite places is Greek Fiesta, the food is great and we I can find really healthy items on the menu.  We finished our lunch and had great conversation and then got a call.  Apparently, Emma was fussing and they couldn't get her to calm down.  She wasn't crying, just fussing.  Pretty much she was having an attitude problem and just needed some space.  We told them to give it 15 more minutes and to call us again if she hadn't gotten better. Our plan after lunch was to go to a movie, but 15 minutes to the second they called us back saying she was still fussing.  So we ended our date early and headed to the car.  But to our surprise, we had a flat tire.  Hooray for flat tires in the cold and rain.  So we then called AAA and my Dad.  Dad took me over to the Church, while Jason waited in the Best Buy parking lot.  And as soon as I walked in the Church Emma was walking around waving and giggling like she always does.  The lady at Church said she eventually walked out of the nursery room and Emma calmed down.  I guess we got half a date and it sure was nice to eat lunch together.

Splish Spash

Bath time is one of Emma's favorite activities, she will stay in there even if her fingers have wrinkled, the water has turned cold, or if the water has been drained out.  She cries when bath time is over because she loves it so much!

Dog Bed

So today when I got out of the shower I found Emma in Maggie's dog bed.   I let her play for a little bit because I was about to give her a bath anyway.  I guess it was just comfy cozy. 

She was going back and forth to the TV and then the dog bed. So I just moved the bed over by the cartoons and she was content.

Last week at I heart faces ~ Scenic B&W

Last week I Heart Faces had the photo challenge of Scenic black and white, but I missed the deadline to submit my photograph.  Even though I missed the deadline I wanted to put up the photo on my blog for all the world to see.  I took this photograph the morning after Emma's first birthday party at the lake.  The mist was so pretty and I got a great moment with the boat and ducks flying by.  It was such a peaceful morning after a great day!

I heart Faces ~ Self Portrait

This week I heart Faces' theme is self portrait.  This photograph captures one of the best moments of my life.  It was taken shortly after Emma and I were moved to our room and the room was quiet.  We were alone for the first time and it was great to snuggle together.  I set my camera on the hospital tray table and set the timer, such a sweet moment with my precious little girl.

 

Visit to Santa

This year we made two visits to Santa.  The first trip started out well, Emma enjoyed playing Peek-A-Boo with Santa.  She walked up to him and shook his bells.  We both thought, wow, this is going really well. 

She sat in his lap and took one look at him and started to cry...oh well we'll just try again another day.

A few days later we went back to the mall and I thought I would sit down with Emma and santa first.  I LOVE Santa and have been known to visit him as a grown up.  My excitement for Santa could easily compare to Will Farrell in Elf.  Once Emma seemed comfortable, I gently passed her off to Jolly Saint Nick.

This strategy seemed to work out much better. I didn't get her happy grin, but at least she didn't cry.

Breast Cancer Awareness – Pink Photo Contest

This week at I Heart Faces they are having Breast Cancer Awareness month and the contest is pink. I thought this was a great pink picture of Emma.

Pretty girl!

Yea, Elon College

I gave this sweatshirt to my nephew when I was a freshman at Elon (Spring 1998). My sister was very thoughtful and saved it to pass onto Emma.

Funny Faces

It's the Great Pumpkin Emma Bray

On Monday we headed to the local pumpkin patch.  Emma had a fun time playing with the little pumpkins and the beautiful fall weather.