Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Guestbook
In reading my cousin Scott's blog (hi Scott!) I often find myself very jealous of his guestbook. I see posts from my cousins, aunts and sometimes from my grandparents who don't even have a computer! So, instead of throwing myself a pity party I decided to do something about it.
On the left column (<---- over there) you'll see a link to the Guestbook (at the top) All you have to do is click the link and add a comment! Yay! Fun, right? I will be printing this blog out for Emma when she's older and would love to have her read comments from her beloved family and friends.
I can't continue without sending a shoutout to Aunt T and Andy for faithfully adding comments the old way. I love it and it reminds me that you're all out there reading about us and following along as our little munchkin grows up.
Happy guestbooking!
On the left column (<---- over there) you'll see a link to the Guestbook (at the top) All you have to do is click the link and add a comment! Yay! Fun, right? I will be printing this blog out for Emma when she's older and would love to have her read comments from her beloved family and friends.
I can't continue without sending a shoutout to Aunt T and Andy for faithfully adding comments the old way. I love it and it reminds me that you're all out there reading about us and following along as our little munchkin grows up.
Happy guestbooking!
Monday, June 23, 2008
a busy few weeks
We've had a busy few weeks here in the Simpson house. Not only did we travel to Wheeling, West Virginia to meet up with my best friend Nikki, but Cooper had a birthday, we celebrated Father's Day and we had Emma's 4 month check up.
Our trip to West Virginia was awesome. Emma was great on the way there with hardly a peep (I'm still amazed she's so good in the car). We got there early Friday afternoon, set up camp at the Comfort Inn in Tridelphi, and soon after introduced Emma to her new boyfriend Drew and her "aunt" Nikki and "uncle" Mark.
The first night we ate at a great Italian joint, met the crazy new owners (who I might add were a bit overjoyed to have recently acquired the property) and Miss Nikki loved on Emma as mommy, daddy, Mark and her had some wine and planned our future vacations together.
It's going to get harder as more bambinos join the clan, but our hope is to meet up once a year for a mini vacation. Our next stop... well, we're thinking Chicago, maybe Maine or maybe a week in North Carolin at our favorite beach, Nags Head.
The following day we toured the Victorian downtown (passing a few drunks on the way) and made our way to Oglebay Resort, a HUGE beautiful resort with a golf course, gardens, a zoo, putt putt and much more. We didn't stay ling since it was raining, but meandered through the property before heading back to the hotel.
Dave and I, lovers of old historic architecture, took a small drive along National Road, the nation's first roadway, and out to Wheeling Island. In the late 19th century Wheeling's location on the Ohio River and its active industrial economy (iron, steel, glass and cigar factories mainly) made it known as the "Gateway to the West". It quickly became the richest city per capita in America and it's grand mansions are a test to it's early time of wealth.
Unfortunately, the town can no longer support the sprawling mansions and many of them have been boarded up and gone to waste. It was truly saddening to see thee huge gorgeous homes in disrepair knowing what Dave and I know about home renovation and having a vision for what it was and could be again.
We had a great time and can't wait to see them again. I really wish we lived closer to Mark Nikki and Drew, they're three of my most favorite people the world.
Cooper turned two on June 10th. The day didn't pass without a trip to the dog bakery for a very special treat. This year, a carob cookie shaped like a birthday cake.
Cooper is very good about waiting for daddy to tell him it's okay to eat it. He waits patiently then digs right in. This time was a little hard though, Dave had to hold the cookie since Coop couldn't get his teeth under it.
Emma had her 4 month check up with Dr. Thompson last week. She's right on track weighing in at 13lb 11oz. She's in the 50% for weight and 75% for height (I can't remember what it was though). She had four more shots (not without tears form mom again) and we talked a little more about her reflux, We still don't have it under control so we're testing a few more things and might start trying solids soon.
She's almost sitting up on her own now and getting so much more independent. I'm already missing the little baby days but love that she knows us, smiles at us and has so much personality. She'll steel your heart away, she's such a lover and a very happy baby.
Lastly, we celebrated Dave's first Father's Day this past Sunday. Since we spent the better part of the day driving last week we decided to celebrate again. We went to Top Golf, made crab and shrimp cakes and watched the movie Charlie Wilson's War. I also made Dave a small video of Emma over the last 4 months... I hope you had a good father's day daddy!
Our trip to West Virginia was awesome. Emma was great on the way there with hardly a peep (I'm still amazed she's so good in the car). We got there early Friday afternoon, set up camp at the Comfort Inn in Tridelphi, and soon after introduced Emma to her new boyfriend Drew and her "aunt" Nikki and "uncle" Mark.
The first night we ate at a great Italian joint, met the crazy new owners (who I might add were a bit overjoyed to have recently acquired the property) and Miss Nikki loved on Emma as mommy, daddy, Mark and her had some wine and planned our future vacations together.
It's going to get harder as more bambinos join the clan, but our hope is to meet up once a year for a mini vacation. Our next stop... well, we're thinking Chicago, maybe Maine or maybe a week in North Carolin at our favorite beach, Nags Head.
The following day we toured the Victorian downtown (passing a few drunks on the way) and made our way to Oglebay Resort, a HUGE beautiful resort with a golf course, gardens, a zoo, putt putt and much more. We didn't stay ling since it was raining, but meandered through the property before heading back to the hotel.
Dave and I, lovers of old historic architecture, took a small drive along National Road, the nation's first roadway, and out to Wheeling Island. In the late 19th century Wheeling's location on the Ohio River and its active industrial economy (iron, steel, glass and cigar factories mainly) made it known as the "Gateway to the West". It quickly became the richest city per capita in America and it's grand mansions are a test to it's early time of wealth.
Unfortunately, the town can no longer support the sprawling mansions and many of them have been boarded up and gone to waste. It was truly saddening to see thee huge gorgeous homes in disrepair knowing what Dave and I know about home renovation and having a vision for what it was and could be again.
We had a great time and can't wait to see them again. I really wish we lived closer to Mark Nikki and Drew, they're three of my most favorite people the world.
Cooper turned two on June 10th. The day didn't pass without a trip to the dog bakery for a very special treat. This year, a carob cookie shaped like a birthday cake.
Cooper is very good about waiting for daddy to tell him it's okay to eat it. He waits patiently then digs right in. This time was a little hard though, Dave had to hold the cookie since Coop couldn't get his teeth under it.
Emma had her 4 month check up with Dr. Thompson last week. She's right on track weighing in at 13lb 11oz. She's in the 50% for weight and 75% for height (I can't remember what it was though). She had four more shots (not without tears form mom again) and we talked a little more about her reflux, We still don't have it under control so we're testing a few more things and might start trying solids soon.
She's almost sitting up on her own now and getting so much more independent. I'm already missing the little baby days but love that she knows us, smiles at us and has so much personality. She'll steel your heart away, she's such a lover and a very happy baby.
Lastly, we celebrated Dave's first Father's Day this past Sunday. Since we spent the better part of the day driving last week we decided to celebrate again. We went to Top Golf, made crab and shrimp cakes and watched the movie Charlie Wilson's War. I also made Dave a small video of Emma over the last 4 months... I hope you had a good father's day daddy!
Monday, June 2, 2008
Emma's a doll baby
I forgot to mention in my last post that my childhood neighbor took a professional photo of Emma while we were in Lansing. Bless her heart, she was not feeling very good but still took the most amazing shot of Emma. I cannot stop looking at it, her little face is just so precious! (Click on it to make it larger - and check out those eyes!)
We are so lucky to know so many very talented photographers and are grateful to Nicole for taking Emma's picture for us. You can check out her site at http://www.nicolecottom.com
We are so lucky to know so many very talented photographers and are grateful to Nicole for taking Emma's picture for us. You can check out her site at http://www.nicolecottom.com
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Memorial Weekend
This past weekend we took a trip to Pennsylvania to see Dave's grandfather and to Michigan so Emma could meet all her relatives. I am proud to say that the trip was very relaxing, we had a great time and Emma was so wonderful. I never doubted she's be good on the ong trip, but I was truly amazed when after 14 hours in the car she was still a happy baby.
Our trip started with a 4 hour leg to Indiana, PA. Dave's granddad lives right next door to where we got married in a beautiful brick colonial. He's 94 years old and very weak so this trip was extra special for us and for him. He later told Dave's dad that he thought Emma was the most beautiful baby he has ever seen.
We love granddad and we're so happy to have gotten to introduce him to our little one. She won't remember meeting him, but Dave and I sill surely never forget the look on granddad's face when he saw her for the first time.
We stayed in Indiana for a little over an hour and after peeking over to meet Reverend Allen Campbell and his wife Dotty we got back in the trusty Nissan and hit the road again. We had 7 hours of driving time ahead of us and it was nearing 2:00pm.
We made it to Michigan around 9:45 after stopping three times to feed Emma. It was much easier than I had anticipated. She was happy when we got there and grandma and grandpa Harley were just eating her up. Uncle Andy met her for the first time and Aunt Jenny got in some cuddles to before we hit the sack, exhausted from a long ride.
Saturday we had a small get together with my grandpa Bernie, my grandma and grandpa Kostrzewski and aunt Theresa and Uncle Dave.
here's Emma with Aunt Theresa, great grandma K and great grandpa Doerr:
Great grandma K loved holding miss Emma.
Emma got a kick out of great Grandpa Doerr:
On Sunday we had a huge family cookout so everyone could meet Emma. I think Daddy was more overwhelmed than she was... he's from a family of 11 and when my family gets together it's a small convention!
Here's Emma with Uncle Mike, I think he liked her :)
We also got to meet my cousin Scott's new little girl Avery. What a doll!
Emma and Avery played nice together along with cousin Hope.
We had quite the crowd with almost 30 people. We played softball (well, sorta) and just hung out catching up. Here's great grandma K, aunt T, aunt Jan and Joni
Here's aunt Jenni with her boyfriend Donny:
And Aunt Jen with cousins Kaitlin and Nicholas:
Mom even got some free time :) I hit well, even in a skirt!
Monday we went to Aunt Doreen and Uncle Randy's house to visit with my mom's side. Emma got to meet my cousin Mila and her daughter Zoe.
Here's her with Aunt Doreen, Aunt Sharon and Zoe.
We had a blast and can't wait to visit again. It's likely not going to be until Christmas, but working parents don't get much vacation these days :(
Nana (my mom) may be coming to visit in a few weeks which means more fun for Emma. :)
Well, it's eating time, again! We hope you all had a great Memorial weekend. I for one wish I could do it all again.
Our trip started with a 4 hour leg to Indiana, PA. Dave's granddad lives right next door to where we got married in a beautiful brick colonial. He's 94 years old and very weak so this trip was extra special for us and for him. He later told Dave's dad that he thought Emma was the most beautiful baby he has ever seen.
We love granddad and we're so happy to have gotten to introduce him to our little one. She won't remember meeting him, but Dave and I sill surely never forget the look on granddad's face when he saw her for the first time.We stayed in Indiana for a little over an hour and after peeking over to meet Reverend Allen Campbell and his wife Dotty we got back in the trusty Nissan and hit the road again. We had 7 hours of driving time ahead of us and it was nearing 2:00pm.
We made it to Michigan around 9:45 after stopping three times to feed Emma. It was much easier than I had anticipated. She was happy when we got there and grandma and grandpa Harley were just eating her up. Uncle Andy met her for the first time and Aunt Jenny got in some cuddles to before we hit the sack, exhausted from a long ride.
Saturday we had a small get together with my grandpa Bernie, my grandma and grandpa Kostrzewski and aunt Theresa and Uncle Dave.
here's Emma with Aunt Theresa, great grandma K and great grandpa Doerr:
Great grandma K loved holding miss Emma.
Emma got a kick out of great Grandpa Doerr:
On Sunday we had a huge family cookout so everyone could meet Emma. I think Daddy was more overwhelmed than she was... he's from a family of 11 and when my family gets together it's a small convention!
Here's Emma with Uncle Mike, I think he liked her :)
We also got to meet my cousin Scott's new little girl Avery. What a doll!
Emma and Avery played nice together along with cousin Hope.
We had quite the crowd with almost 30 people. We played softball (well, sorta) and just hung out catching up. Here's great grandma K, aunt T, aunt Jan and Joni
Here's aunt Jenni with her boyfriend Donny:
And Aunt Jen with cousins Kaitlin and Nicholas:
Mom even got some free time :) I hit well, even in a skirt!
Monday we went to Aunt Doreen and Uncle Randy's house to visit with my mom's side. Emma got to meet my cousin Mila and her daughter Zoe.
Here's her with Aunt Doreen, Aunt Sharon and Zoe.
We had a blast and can't wait to visit again. It's likely not going to be until Christmas, but working parents don't get much vacation these days :(Nana (my mom) may be coming to visit in a few weeks which means more fun for Emma. :)
Well, it's eating time, again! We hope you all had a great Memorial weekend. I for one wish I could do it all again.
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