Amid Plaster Dust...

We're at it again. We've decided to remodel again because what better to do when you find out you're having another baby! Yup, little Simpson number two is on the way and will be making his or her appearance in October. The official due date, as of this week, is October 10th, a day we share with my nephew Nicholas' birthday.

The reactions we've received with this pregnancy are much different than with Emma. Apparently having two children a mere 20 months apart is the most ludicrous thing known to man. Well, we must be clinical because we planned it and we're thrilled to be adding to our bunch so soon. Sure two children in diapers is going to be hard, but my brother and I are 18 months apart and I remember looking up to him so fondly growing up.

Sure we fought and he pulled my hair, but that's what siblings do, right? I remember him chasing me with a weed whacker, but I also remember him taking care of me and doing whatever he could to protect me. My most precious memory is when I awoke after having my wisdom teeth out to my brother at my feet. He was there to protect me and to make sure I was okay. What makes the story even more touching is that he had just gotten his teeth removed too and the first thing he asked for when he woke was me. It's times like those that make having a close sibling so wonderful. We were there for each other growing up and although we had and continue to have our moments, I'm pretty sure we still love each other.

With surgery just a few weeks away for Dave we're frantically trying to put our house together. We've decided that the bathroom was in need of some tile repair so we're in the midst of redoing the one bathroom we have. We also reorganized our tool closet, finished the kitchen counters (which look awesome), and are working feverishly to straighten and organize the office. Not only are we trying to make it more relaxing, but we're making way for my brother Andy who will be joining us for the summer.

We're very excited that Andy is coming to DC with his friend Stacy this summer. They've found an apartment about 7 miles from here, just a short walk to the Metro. Andy will be working with us as Simpatico part time and is looking for another job to supplement his time. We could really use the help and I think it's going to be a great learning experience for him. Plus, as long as I buy the pizza and make sure the Direct TV is working I'm pretty sure I can get a free babysitter! Yay!

Miss Emma is doing great. She takes off running these days on a mission to pull Cooper's tail, eat Cooper's food or pull the weather stripping off the front door. She loves playing in cabinets, reading books and mastering her fine motor skills by stacking cups and carrying 18,000 things in her hands at once. She's quite the little independent child these days too. She's not too fond of being held and loves to get down and run around. Her favorite toys aren't really toys at all, she loves the remote, the phone and containers like egg cartons, bread crumb cans and tupperware.

She's still pretty small, weighing just over 20 lbs. She's wearing 12 month clothes, but her little waist is just too tiny for some of her pants. Her feet on the otherhand are right on pace - she's in a size 4 shoe these days.

Aside from chasing Emma and working very hard our only big news is our new addition. We have an ultrasound scheduled for this Thursday so I'll be sure to post the little one's first pictures.

Love to all.

little girl in puffy snowsuit

As promised, here are the pictures of Emma in the snow Monday. She were very skeptical and wasn't too much of a fan of the cold wet stuff that was under her butt. It might have been the Ralphie-style snow suit too...

We tried to throw snowballs at daddy and got a little smile...


But it didn't last long....

Aunt Su has decided that snow must look like cake frosting, and, as we learned form the last post, cake frosting is really scary. Hmph. Maybe next year.

Emma's First Birthday

We celebrated Emma's first birthday a few weeks ago with two parties, one with Dave's family and one here at home with a few close friends.

Emma's first experience with cake was less than monumental. In fact, cake was the last thing she wanted and made it very clear to all of us to get that thing away from her. The candle and cake looked cool at first and even smiled for the camera, but within seconds you could tell she wanted no part of the celebration.

We tried again after her nap, this time with a smaller less frightening cake, but still, the cake thing didn't fly. So, we gave up and opened presents.

A week later and the day before her actual birthday we had some friends over and tried the cake thing again. Mom got creative, maybe a cake shaped like an ice cream cone would clear her mind of the traumatic cake experience from the week before.

Wrong.
Maybe next year.

Emma wants to say thanks to everyone who celebrated her birthday with her and for all the nice presents. She got books, clothes, puzzles and lots of fun new toys. Also a big thanks to the grandparents and aunts and uncles who sent a donation for her new car seat, her old one was getting a bit too tight and big girls deserve big bright yellow new car seats!


Since the momentous day she's decided that crawling is a thing of the past, cupboard opening is the next best thing to playing with phones and remote controls, Cooper's food is yummier than hers and drinking from a bottle is for babies.

She's now walking about 90% of the time, with periodic falls of course, climbing in cabinets to fetch containers and hidden toys, nabbing Cooper giblets when we're not looking and drinking solely from a sippy cup. Wow what a difference a few weeks makes in the life of a child.


Cooper is doing great as far as his leg is concerned. He's still not doing stairs, but he's getting around much better. Bad news is he still has to wear his lampshade, poor guy has a hot spot above his eye that he won't stop scratching. If he would only get healthy we'd take the plunge and get pet insurance.... dang dog keeps getting sick!!!!

Other big news is that we finally broke down and got a new car. It's a Dodge Durango which we lovingly call Big Red.
It's so nice not to have to cram into the Nissan with a 70lb dog, car seat and luggage for the weekend.... this one even has a DVD player which Emma is already a fan of. She gets in her seat and immediately looks up to it. Long car rides here we come!!!!

Well, it's a snow day here, almost 7 inches outside and I've decided I'm taking the day off. Emma, daddy and I are going to play in the snow after lunch so check back for some "little girl in puffy snowsuit" pictures!

ta ta!