Thanksgiving

Wow, I cannot believe Thanksgiving has come and gone...this year has flown by and now onto Christmas and Emma Claire's first birthday!  We do have so much to be thankful for and we are beyond blessed.  I'm thankful for our families and especially a sweet little girl I hold in my arms daily. 

This year on Thanksgiving we went to Matt's parents house (of course in typical Emily fashion, I got out of the house with everything but the camera) and had a wonderful meal and time with family and friends.  I just love getting together with everyone and enjoying time spent relaxing and moving slow and not having to worry how many places we have to be and rush around.  It was a wonderful time spent together.

Since we were leaving for Ellijay, GA the next morning, we all had to get home to get packed up and ready for the car ride the next day.  Again, I was not very prepared for some reason (completely unlike me) and nothing of Emma Claire's was packed, so Mom and I spent the next couple of hours getting her stuff packed and of course it had to be organized before it was packed. 

We got up on Friday and headed down to Chad and Jenn's house in Alpharetta, GA.  We met up there and then headed up to her Dad's cabin in Ellijay.  It was a curvy drive, but it was worth it as you can see in the pics below.  It is beautiful and the views are breathtaking.  We had a wonderful time and then spent most of the day on Saturday in downtown Ellijay walking around and enjoying the sites. 

Dad and Madison jumping on the trampoline

Chad and Matt having a little target practice on Friday

Dad and Madison

Mom and her Granddaughters

Madison and Chad

Jenn, Chad and Madsion

Mom and Dad (aka Nana and Papa) with their sweet Granddaughters

All of us

What a Blessed and Thankful Family we are!!!

Hope everyone had a wonderful time of Thanksgiving!!

10 Months Old

Emma Claire is getting so big and it's hard to believe she is now over 10 months old since I'm a little late on this post.  She is doing so much...now to start planning her party!

• Weighs around 14 lbs
• 28 1/4 inches long
• Will sit up by herself and is doing so much better on staying in the position for more than just a few minutes
• Can pull herself to a sitting position from slight inclined by herself
• Definitely becoming Miss Independant
• Eating puffs and can sometimes grab them and put them in her mouth (with less and less assistance from Mom and Dad)
• Loves her baby food and is now getting food three times a day along with 5 bottles a day
• Sleeps all night; we still have to wake her up at 6 AM for a bottle and then back down she goes until 8:30~9 AM when she eats breakfast
• Wants to put herself to sleep these days.  We just lay her down and she rubs her eyes with her blankie until she falls asleep
• Loves her Paci
• Wearing Size 2 diapers
• Most of her clothes are 9 to 12 months since she is so long!
• Has found her bow and likes to take them out
•  Will be moving to a convertible carseat after her first birthday, however she will still be backwards....she's is not loving the infant seat too much.  I think she would rather sit up in her carset and not lay back
• Reaches out her arms when she wants to be picked up

Emma Claire is just such a happy baby and a joy to be around.  She can definitely get sassy, but is starting to be so independent.  She has such a loving personality and can be such a snuggle bunny.  I cannot believe how much she has grown up in the last couple of months and I love to see her little personality and traits.  She is definitely her own person!  

I'm sure there is so much more she is doing, but I just cannot think of it right now.  We are just getting back from being out of town for part of the Thanksgiving Holiday (more to come on that trip) and getting re-adjusted to being back home.

Off to work on our Christmas Cards...I better get those ordered pronto!

A Little Love from the Bryant's

Last Saturday, the Bryant's came up for a visit and OF COURSE we had a wonderful time!  The kids are getting so big and we have so much to be thankful for and we are blessed to have them as our extended family.  We have had such a crazy year and it has been so wonderful to have them in our lives and I cannot wait to see the kids grow up together and I know Cohen secretly loves Emma Claire!

We just grilled out steaks and hung around the house.  I love just getting to be lazy and chit chat and not have to be rushed out of a restaurant since that is where we typically meet.  It was nice Calee got to come this visit, since out of all the times they have come up, she has not been able to come with them. 

 I just think this picture of Emma Claire is hilarious.  She is a super happy baby and this face definitely shows it.  It looks like Cohen is already making a move on EC...he's definitely wanting to hold her hand!

A little love from Emma Claire and Cohen!  Don't you just want to pick up these babies and love on them!

First Haircut

I'm working on Emma Claire's 10 month post, in the mean time we have had our first haircut and it looks so much better.  EC was getting two rattails on either side of the back of her head and they were getting 'ratty' to say the least.  So last night while I was getting my hair done, Kim cut and shapped the back of her hair and then trimmed up her bangs a little bit, so they were not down in her eyes. 

Before and After pics...Thanks Kim to a job well done with an infant who does not sit still...She must get that from her momma!!!

Busy Week

Last week so so busy, but at least I only worked four days, so that made it nice.  On Thursday, we met Jessica Allen for lunch.  She was one of Emma Claire's primary nurses at night and we just loved her as we do everyone who took care of her.  I was so glad to finally get to meet up with her since we've been home.  She is one busy lady!  We had a wonderful lunch and Emma Claire just hammed it up for her!  I think she misses seeing J Allen!  Thanks for a wonderful lunch and we cannot wait to do it again!

After finishing up work on Thursday, I was even more excited, one because I was picking up cupcakes from our favorite place, The Cupcake Collection and second I was meeting up with Christin and Stacy for a much needed Girls Night Out!  We had a blast and it was so nice to just hang out and not worry about anything.  We ended up ordering pizza in and just having a good time.  Christin got us matching PJs so of course we just had to take a pic!

The next day we all went to Christmas Village.  This was my first time and it was so much fun!  When we first got there it was a tad overwhelming, but once we started to look around and get out of the overcrowded areas, it was much better.  I was also excited since Barbie was going to be there and we had not seen her in a while, so it was nice to catch up even if it was for only a few minutes!

It was a blast ladies and I cannot wait to do it again!  What crazy circumstances it took to bring us all together, but I would not trade it for anything in this world. 

Prayer Requests

I know there are so many families either we have known for sometime or met through our journey in life.  I think I will start doing a weekly prayer requests post so if you have any please let me know, emilydwarren@gmail.com or comment and I'll add them each week.  

Each one of these families are going through similar circumstances and some are not, but I know there are so many prayer warrior among us and I just ask for y'all to lift up these families in prayer.  A couple of them have blogs, so if you want to follow them you can and I'll attach their blog information.

• The Hayes family has been through so much in the last couple of years and I am in awe of the faith in God this family has.  They have been so beat up with health issues and yet they continue to turn everything over to God.  I am amazed by their faith and what an inspiration to us.  Right now they need prayers for their daughter, Ryan.  She has been struggling with some health problems for sometime and earlier this year, she had her eye removed to allow for fluid and pressure to be alleviated from her brain due to some cysts.  Now, she is facing blindness and her vision is getting worse.  After her scan this week, the pressure on her brain is climbing instead of decreasing.  Her team of doctors are now wanting to be a shunt in to drain the excess fluid from her brain to her stomach, however this does come with complications with surgery.  They have so many unanswered questions about this.  I pray for entire Hayes family.  Her father told me Monday, they are going to get away for Thanksgiving and spend time loving on each other and having a good time away from everything.  They will be meeting with the doctors after the holiday and we just pray for guidance for Ryan and her husband and praying God puts the right surgical team in place for this procedure.  I cannot even imagine, but I know this family has their foundation in Christ and I know God will guide them to make the right decisions.  I know, they will continue to seek Christ in everything no matter the outcome.  What an awesome testimony this family is and I'm so blessed to know them.  Ryan is in her 20s, so what decisions are made are life changing.
• Please keep the family of Suzanne Wichtendahl in your prayers.  My aunt told me about this lady in their church in Yukon, OK.  She suffered from ALS and she was one of Emma Claire's prayer warriors.  She could not speak or type for about the last 6 to 7 months, but she was able to read Emma Claire's blog and keep her in prayer even though she was suffering at the same time.  Please pray for her family as she passed and is now with her heavenly father.  Please pray for comfort and strength for her family
• I know the Bennett's family would continue our prayers.  They received some new from the doctor's this week, that Bennett will probably not be home for Thanksgiving, but we know our God works miracles.  Please pray as he has spent 100+ days in the NICU and his parents have three little ones at home and it's is beginning to take a toll on them driving back and forth to the NICU as well as spending time with their little ones at home.  I cannot imagine the amount of stress Adrienne and Jim are feeling, but we will lift them up in prayer.  You can follow their story at www.our-journey-to-parenthood.blogspot.com
• Please continue to keep the Orr Family in your prayers.  Harper and Caroline are home and doing well, however Jack ended up going to Vandy and had surgery.  Again, I cannot imagine the stress of having two little ones at home and then having to go visit your third child in the hospital and being told it *might* be a while before he is home with his siblings.  God will prevail and he will heal Jack.  Please pray for them and you can follow their blog at www.caringbridge.org\visit\natalieorr
• Our friends the Krebs are needing prayers today too.  Judith is under going gamma knife this morning in Spokane, WA.  Three additional spots were found in the original excision site in the brain.  She had a PET scan last week which showed no other tumors in her body, so they are moving forward with the gamma knife today.  Please pray for strength for her and Michael as well as a quick healing for her.  You can follow her blog at www.sweetpeareflections.blogspot.com

On another note, this is both a praise and prayer request.  I have asked prayer for my friend's sister and husband, Joy and Devon Williams.  Jennifer informed me yesterday they tumor is 80% gone!!!  What wonderful new to hear.  PRASE GOD!! He does hear our prayers and answers them.  Please continue to pray for the tumor to be completely gone.  Vec is also having issues with chemo when he has to take it, so pray for strength and comfort for Vec and Joy and this is taking a toll on both of them as they are having to drive to Jackson in order for him to take this. 

There are so many needs and we just lift up each one of these families in prayer today and every day.  We don't know God's will, but we know whatever the outcome HE will provide what each of the families need.  Please join me in prayer for them.

Laughing

This is not the best quality, but I wanted to share a small clip of how much Emma Claire laughs and she gets to tickled at herself.  Her daddy can get her to laugh anytime of the day and it is so cute.  Hope you enjoy her as much as we do!

Monday Craftiness

I've been wanting to make Emma Claire a bow holder for a while and wanted to obviously do something cute in her room.  I typically make diaper wreaths for my friends having kids to hang on the door at the hospital so I always have left over ribbon and never know what to do with it.  So I put it all to good use today with my new bow holder.  The paint I used is the same paint used in Emma Claire's nursery for accent so the left over paint came in handy as well. 

So anyone who has met me for five minutes, knows I have a LOVE for all things crafty so I was super excited this turned out so well.  

If you want one for your little girl's bows, leave me a comment and I'll make you one for $10 + shipping.  If you have any specific requests, please let me know those as well and I can accommodate those too!

Happy Monday....and a pic of Emma Claire to warm your hearts today!

Christmas Cards...What To Do????

I love this time of year, trying to figure out the best Christmas card and design and what pictures to include.  This Christmas card will best so special since we have had such an eventful year and beyond blessed from January to now and cannot wait to see what the next years hold for our lives.  I have always wanted to do a End of Year letter summing up our year and I think this is the best year to start.  Let me know what y'all think of the cards I have selected as my top favs.  It is so hard to choose just one!  I have seriously thought about ordering a few of each type and sending them out, but I think my OCD about these types of things prevents it.  So many choices and options...WHY do they make this so hard!!!

Christmas Card Letter
Christmas Letter which I am really leaning towards, just because it's something so different than I have ever done in the past, but it's calling my name

Flat Card
 I just love this one since I can include so many different pictures in a collage format and plus I love the colors.  I am OBSESSED with these colors for Christmas!

Swirling Flat Card
Something different and definitely not typical...MAY BE????

Folded Card
Love the simplicity of this one, again, just different but I.Love.It!!!

Let me know what y'all think and I cannot wait to share with everyone what we picked out.  I cannot believe I will actually hold it a secret, but I just love this time of year and picking out a Christmas card is so exciting!

Calling All Prayer Warriors

I know I have asked in the past to pray for the Orr Family but they are really having to make some decisions right now for the care of one of the triplets, Jack.  The other two are home and I know they would covet our prayers right now.  Please lift them up in prayer and leave Natalie and Mike a message on her blog.  You can read the entire story on her blog about the specifics of Jack and what decision lie ahead for them.

Orr Family, please know you are surrounded by many prayer warriors lifting y'all up in prayer.  God's strength and comfort surrounds you as well.

Isaiah 40:31 But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Spook-tacular Weekend

This weekend was no exception and we were busy as usual (man does this ever slow down!)

Friday night Nana and Papa (my parents) wanted to have some Emma Claire time, so she stayed the night with them and we went out to eat with some friends, Jen and Kevin.  We haven't been out with them in forever and it was so nice to catch up with them and just hang out!  Of course, in typical Emily fashion, I didn't have my camera, so no pics but we had a blast and cannot wait to do it again!

On Saturday morning, I had to run some errands and then put the finishing touches on Emma Claire's costume and went and picked her up from mom and dad's house.  It was around lunch time when I got there, so Mom and I went to lunch at one of our fav restaurants, P.F. Changs and it did not disappoint.  We topped it off with drinks from 'Four'bucks (this is the name my uncle gave Starbucks since you never come out without spending at least $4) and then headed back home so mom and dad could get to church and I needed to get home as well.  Since they were not going to be able to see her Saturday night or Sunday, I put her 'costume' on her and snapped a few pics!  She was a little ballerina, however, I could not tie up her ballet shoes how I wanted to, so she was more like a hip hop ballerina and we opted to wear her Chuck Taylor's instead, but she can rock any outfit!

Saturday night, I fixed chili and Nana and Pa (matt's parents) came over and ate dinner and got to see Emma Claire dressed up to pass out candy to our neighbor kids who came out and trick or treated.  I always enjoy seeing them all dressed up and was bummed we could not pass out candy on Sunday, but we already had plans for the night.  

On Sunday, it was church as usual, then we stopped on the square in Franklin, KY to snap a few pics with their beautiful fall display.  Emma Claire was very cooperative and it made it nice to get some pics of her.  We then grabbed some lunch and came home.  I still had to make up an few items to take to church that night for the Hallelujah Party, so Uncle Jake was to the rescue and watched Emma Claire while I got everything together to go back to church that night. 

 Emma Claire and Memaw during cleanup of the church party.  EC was just chilling in her PJs waiting so patiently to go home and go to sleep!

 

Nana (matt's mom) and Emma Claire all dressed up for the church Hallelujah Party!

All in all, we were very busy, but it was a fun time and I would do it again!