Has it Really Been Over a Month?

I find it incredibly hard to believe that our last blog was Nov. 15. I'll admit myself how truly slacker that is. I just really don't know where the time has gone.

We were able to spend some wonderful time in Virginia with family over Thanksgiving and we had a blast, except of course that Emily and I got sick and ended up staying sick until...well, we are still getting over it. I think we just kept reinfecting each other! I'm sure all of you with children can relate.

So, to save myself and our readers from reading my tedious ramblings of various activities over the last month, I'll hit the highlights. Emily began to play Peek-a-Boo, she is talking up a storm (just like her mommy:)), she says "Dada" all the time, she eats all kinds of new foods (although, Uncle Sean, we are going to hold off on the grapefruit for another month:), her hair is really getting curly, she has conquered the staircase, and...she took steps all by herself! Hooray for Emily!!! She is very independant, loves to play on her own, and LOVES to be cheered on when we try to get her to take steps! The most that she has taken at a time has been 6 steps. I heard some celebrity say in an interview once that his newly walking toddler resembled a drunk midget...so true, so true!

The pictures that follow were taken over the last month. I figure I better get on top of this blogging situation before Auntie Judy starts to send hatemail!:) And, of course, before the big first Christmas and birthday!

Enjoy...love to you all and We wish you a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

She's Standing!!!

Although she has been standing by holding on to something for a long time, a few weeks ago she began standing completely by herself. Derek was finally able to capture it at a friend's b-ball game. It is so cute because she stands there but looks very confused as if she doesn't know what in the world to do next. I'm sure that she will be trying to walk way before we are ready. It is just so fun to see her growing and discovering all the new things that she can accomplish!

 

Hilarious Faces

This is my comic relief all day long. She is such a ham already.


 

Scary, Scary!

She was quite a scary and intimidating site to behold! Next year we are going to have to tone it down a bit. Halloween night was lots of fun. We walked around our neighborhood with friends that have son 2 months younger than Emily. (He was the one grabbin' her little booty in a previous post...photoshop is amazing!) It was totally unplanned, but he was a bumblebee and of course people commented on the cuteness of the bee/flower thing all night long. Emily also got to hang out with her other buddies...the William's Trio. They were so cute, especially little "Caeden Clause." It was a fun night had by all. I wonder if she'll hate us when she is older for dressing her up like this!


 

Emily's 1st Hike

We had such a great day hiking at Stone Door. It was a beautiful day. The temperature was perfect, the leaves were amazing, and the air was so fresh. Emily really enjoyed being outside, especially playing in the leaves. It was a wonderful day for us a family...we can't wait to go again!


 

Bath Fun!

She is definitely a Kramer...she loves baths!! 

Grandpa's Visit

Sweet time with Grandpa.
 

Leggings are Back?????

I NEVER thought that I would ever see leggings come back in style, much less actually put them on my 9 month old daughter! But, somehow she pulls them off and looks so stinkin' cute in them. I think it might have something to do with the fact that she is a baby and it is completely acceptable to have really thick (okay fat) thighs and still wear them without shame. My point: some legs are just NOT made for this fashion statement! What I really love is her tongue in every picture! She is so proud of herself.

More Grandpa fun! 

We cannot figure out how she falls asleep like this! She literally falls asleep sitting over and I have to go into her room and straighten her out. It is so funny. I guess it is a preferred sleep position much like her cousin Dee who used to love sleeping with her cute little booty in the air! 

Bonfire Fun!

We had a blast at a recent bonfire with the youth. Emily took a great picture with her daddy and some of the kids.  

Caleb was Framed!

Poor guy! Caleb had no idea what he was in for when he was dropped off at the Kramer's. All he wanted to do was pound on the big colorful shapes and look where it landed him. Those are the breaks kid!

My Buddy Caleb!

Around the time that we found out that we were expecting Emily, we were so excited to find out that we had multiple friends that would be expecting as well! This is just one of Emily's little friends, Caleb. He is about 2 months younger than Emily, but already taller. (She better get used to that if she takes after her mom in that genetic department.)

Caleb came over to play one day last week and we got such sweet pictures of them together. We also took some video. It was so cute...Emily decided to lean over and kiss Caleb on the cheek, without being prompted. The funny thing is that as soon as we stopped the video, we took the pic where she looks she is trying to push him away. What a typical girl she is!! She already can't make up her mind. Of course Derek took the opportunity to add a little "Paintbrush" to one of the pics for some fun.

It was so fun to see them playing together. I was amazed at how they actually looked like they were communicating. We look forward to lots more of these little play "dates." With Derek as her dad, it will be the only dates she will experience for a long time!

 

This face just spells trouble! 

Little Miss Personality!

You know those days when you wake up and are so tired that you just don't want to get out of bed. Well, after having Emily I have those frequently. I can say with certainty that I wake up more tired now than I ever have in my life. But, I can also say with the same amount of certainty that my God is so good because this is the face of the sweet child that He has, for reasons that I just don't understand, entrusted us with.

I used to hear people talk about how much your life changes when you have children. They would unload lots of the negatives ranging from not having any time with your spouse to exhaustion to frustration over defiance, not to mention the financial responsibility and the weight of knowing another human is completely dependant on YOU!! Why would anyone with any sense of sanity CHOOSE this. These same friends would always follow their groanings with, "but it is totally worth it!"

I never fully understood the fullness of that until Emily came into our world. Every bit of her is totally worth all the trying days. She is incredible. When I wake up and see this face, my exhaustion fades and a new day begins. And, I am reminded again of God's grace and unconditional love that He would choose me to raise this child to serve Him! Where I am uncapable, He is more than able! This day...I am thankful!

More pics from the park...as you can see, she is a bit ticklish!