Sweet Girl

Last week was our favorite children's shop Christmas Open House.  Emma Claire was obsessed with this giant Elf tangled in Christmas lights!  Thanks to Lizards and Lace for the great pic of our sweet girl!

Wordless Wednesday

A little of this, A little of that

Well, obviously we have been a little busy in the Warren household.  We have been back to OKC for my grandmother's funeral, celebrated Halloween with our cute little cow and had a wonderful Thanksgiving with both of our families.  Emma Claire is growing up so much and is learning fast!  Here are some pictures from our last few weeks.

Emma Claire is OBSESSED with cows and well pretty much any other livestock animal.  When she saw this cow in the picture below, she absolutely went nuts, she definitely has her daddy's blood running through her!

 Nana and Emma Claire at the pumpkin patch

 Mommy and Emma Claire

 Nana and Emma Claire as cows at our church party, I was their farmer in my overalls!

 Emma Claire, Nana and Papa

 Emma Claire loves to have her pictures taken and a friend of ours is adopting a baby from China and was doing a picture special, she did an awesome job and check our their blog by going to Bringing Anna Gray Home. 

Our Little Reader

This child LOVES to read!  She is definitely not far from her momma's heart.  I was also at the library growing up and loved to read.  I would sit and read for hours on end.  I love being able to share this same joy with Emma Claire.  Even though we might read the same book over and over again and do it her way, I still cherish these moments.  This is our time to spend together each night before bed time or just because when she walks in my office with a HUGE smile on her face and book in hand.  I always take time to enjoy the book with her. 

Just Because

Matt and Emma Claire, just melt my heart!  

Madison and Emma Claire, I love watching these two interact.  Emma Claire is always in awe of her big cousin and Madison just loves her so much!  They are definitely two special girls!

OKC Trip

Well, I know, bad blogger yet again!  However I'm going to split everything up into separate blogs instead of one large post, easier for me to track.

Back at the first of September, Mom, Emma Claire and I went to OKC to visit family.  We miss them dearly and are so fortunate to be able to go back and visit.  I wish we could go back more often, may be a trip in the Spring should be on our agenda.  

 Emma Claire playing at Great Grandma Allen's

 After many photo attempts, this is the best with Emma Claire and her Great Grandma Allen

 Playing croquet with Aunt Vae and loving it I might add.  I have tried for months to get Emma Claire to play in the grass back home, I guess she just really loves the super think and plush Bermuda grass

 Great Grandma Allen, Emma Claire and Mom

 Emma Claire loves to read and especially have books read to her.  This is one of her favorite things to do and I love it.  I was such a bookworm too, at least she gets some things from me!

 Croquet attempt with Uncle John.  By the end of croquet play, Emma Claire would take a ball in each hand and just walk around the grass, definitely plays by her own rules.

 Mom and Emma Claire enjoying the "cool" Oklahoma weather

 Emma Claire, Caylen and Cole.  She had a blast playing with all of her cousins.

 Uncle Jerry and Emma Claire.  She would only get in his lap for Cheetos and Ice Cream!

 Brian wanting to be best buds with Emma Claire by bribing with Cheetos.  These guys know the way to a gals heart for sure!

On our last day with Aunt Vae.  We are so blessed with wonderful family.  We also spent some time with my Dad's family too and Emma Claire was able to spend time with her other Great Grandma Barnicoat and Uncle Mel and Aunt Debbie.  I forgot my camera, but we equally enjoyed the time with them too.  We are so blessed with wonderful family and a HUGE thanks to Aunt Vae and Uncle John for allowing us to take over their house while we in town!

NICU Reunion/Birthday Party

Sunday, August 28th was the annual NICU party and we had a blast as usual.  This year, they asked me to share our story with our caregivers.  It was so rewarding to be asked to share our story and to talk, since most of y'all know the Lord blessed me with the gift to gab!  All in all, it went off without a hitch, I was nervous and could feel my emotions welling up in side of me, but I really enjoyed being able to share a part of us with our NICU family. 

Emma Claire had the best time with Cherie...She did not want anyone else, it was really cute!  We had a great time seeing babies all grown up who were in the unit with Emma Claire and she loved to greet EVERYONE who came in the door.  She is definitely a little social butterfly!

Of course in Warren Family fashion, I took no pictures and a HUGE thanks to the foundation for the above pictures.  For the ones of y'all who follow me on FB, check out our pics there too.  We had some wonderful friends who so graciously tagged me in their pics...Thanks Bryant and Meek families!

And She's Off....

This is about 6 weeks overdue, but here is a video of Emma Claire walking away.  I practically have to run to keep up with her!!!

Here Horsey Horsey....OR I should say Mule

As I would think most kids would be terrified of a huge mule or draft horse for that matter, not our little Emma Claire, the bigger the animal the more she wanted to go see and of course touch them.  She would pet them and then shriek with laughter.  

During our trip to the Wilson Co Fair this past Saturday, Emma Claire decided she would not leave without a ride on a miniature donkey and to sit on the spotted mule, Hooch.  

She loved it so much that I told her Pa (Matt's dad) he better get ready to start taking her to shows.  What a little ham!

Here Fishy Fishy

Let me just start by saying, Emma Claire loves, Loves, LOVES the water!  Last night it was so nice outside, we decided we needed some pool time while Daddy mowed the yard.  She loves splashing and does not mind getting her and everything else around her soaked, aka, Mommy!

She even took a dive under a few times and came up laughing.  We are definitely going to have a little swimmer on our hands and this Mommy could not be more proud!  

Enjoy the video....Ignore my voice, I was trying to get her to look towards me

My Little Helper

I was cleaning out drawers in our bathroom last weekend and this is what my little helper decided needed to be done.  I'm pretty sure she pulled out every Kleenex in the box, and y'all know I just had to snap a picture of it! Oh and did I mention, she wanted to EAT them afterwards!

Wordless Wednesday

I just love this sweet little face and girl! 

18 Months

Well, I hope y'all have been missing me! 

I have taken a new position at work, been traveling and now training two colleagues, so life is a bit hectic over here in Cottontown.  Anyways, Emma Claire is now 18 months old, gasp!  She is growing up so much and definitely has her own personality.  

EC had her check up last Friday and she now weighs 20 lbs and 33 inches tall!  She is going to be a tall girl.  We think she will probably be left handed as well.  She loves to use a fork and spoon and is really into self feeding these days which is AWESOME!  

Emma Claire is taking about 10 to 15 steps at a time and then falls down.  We are so close to walking by ourselves, I'm just so amazed by her and everything she does each day.  She is just a joy and so happy 99% of the time.  We now have 6 teeth and she is cutting one molar on top on each side.  It's funny, I never know when she cuts teeth, I just find them by brushing her teeth which I'm not complaining about, so we are thrilled every time we find a new tooth.

Emma Claire is wearing mostly 18 month clothes and size 3 diapers.  I think we could probably move up to size 4, but those are just a little big on her right now, so size 3 it is.  This sassy girl loves her milk and we go through about 2 to 2 1/2 gallons a week.  She only gets milk at meal times and then water or juice during the day, but mostly water.   She puts herself to bed at night too, around 8 PM she gets her cup of milk and then we lay her down around 8:30 and she sleeps to around 8:30 the next morning.  This little stinker loves to sleep and again, no complaints from the Warren Household!

That is about it for Emma Claire, just keeping us busy.  We have some really cool new, but until the press release is out, I don't want to share.  It's funny and exciting and we never now what new things she will do each day, but she is truly a sassy girl and knows what she wants.  Mom keeps telling me, I was this way...I can hardly believe that, but I'm glad she knows what she wants and goes for it.  She is not afraid to try something new or different which I love and I love to see her independence develop as well.  Hope everyone else is doing well and trying to stay cool!  Thanks for checking in on us and I promise to do better, I miss hearing from everyone!

Just Because

Right now I'm on a business trip and missing my little sweetie cakes!  Here is a recent picture of her from vacation bible school and just because seeing a picture of Emma Claire should brighten everyone's day!

Love to all and we hope everyone has a GREAT week!  See, I am trying to do better about posting! Ha

Lately....

Well, I have realized I've been a bad blogger and not staying up to date with our life happenings.  We have been so busy it's been crazy but I think life is starting to slow down a bit for the Warren Family which I'm happy to type finally!

I'll start back with Memorial Day, we had a pretty low key weekend which was nice.  That Friday Emma Claire and I headed down to Murfreesboro to watch Calee in her dance recital.  Emma Claire loved it, she danced and sang in her best voice along with all of the girls on stage.

 Grace, Stacey, Calee, me and Emma Claire

 Christin, Cohen, Stacey, me and Emma Claire

Cohen and Emma Claire

That Saturday, we had a photo shoot with one of our primary nurses from the NICU.  The St. Thomas Foundation choose us to do a caregiver/patient connection story on.  When it has been released, I'll share on the blog.  I cannot wait to see the finished product of the story and pictures.  After the photo shoot, Mom and I went to Green Hills for some shopping and then a little lunch at one of our favorite spots, The Picnic!

Sunday was church and then off to Mom and Dad's house for a cookout.  All in all, it was a great time to just kick back and relax which is what we all needed since Mom, Emma Claire and I were heading to Seattle on Wednesday after the holiday weekend.

On Wednesday, we left for Seattle.  I was hoping Emma Claire would be perfect on the flight since it was a 4 1/2 hour non stop from Nashville to Seattle.  She was an angel.  She slept, ate and played the entire flight.  It was so nice to not have to deal with a wild child on a flight so long.  EC is definitely turning into a little world traveler.  

On Thursday, we had a surprise shower for one of my co-worker/friends while I was working out of Seattle Office.  Most of the staff in Seattle was able to make the shower, and we had a blast.  We cannot wait to meet baby Ember (which hopefully sooner than later as Alecia is now only a few days from her due date)

The Seattle Gang

While I was working Mom and Emma Claire just walked around downtown Seattle and then we would go to dinner at night.  The weather was wonderful and it was so nice to just relax in the evenings after work.  

Since we were in Seattle, we had to meet Todd's sister Christie for dinner.  We had a wonderful time and it was so good to get caught up with everyone.

 Happy Birthday Nana!  I love you so much and appreciate everything you do for me and my mommy and daddy.  So glad you could come to Seattle with me and my mommy.  ~ Love Emma Claire

On Saturday (which was also Mom's birthday), we meet Todd on Bainbridge Island for the Farmer's Market and enjoyed some shopping as well.  Mom and I were exhausted after all of the walking on Saturday, so it was nice to take the ferry back to Seattle so we could rest. 

Emma Claire after a little ice cream on Bainbridge Island

Saturday night we stayed at a hotel right by the airport since we had a morning flight back to Nashville.  It was a wonderful trip with a little work and a little play time as well.  

Welcome back home to Nashville!

Wordless Wednesday

Our Trip to the Big Easy

Obviously to say we have been busy is an understatement.  Last week was the user group meeting for the company I work for, Cortex, MMS.  It is completely put on by our software users and we come and participate at the request of them which is pretty cool.  I missed last year due to Emma Claire making her early arrival.  Let me just say we have a pretty awesome group of users and many of them sent cards, hand-made special gifts and just showered us with prayers.  I was so humbled by our users and we appreciated everything they did for us during my time away from Cortex last year. 

Dinner with some of our customers and Cortex employees on Wednesday night

 Well this year, I decided to take Emma Claire with me so they could all meet her firsthand.  So I needed a sitter for Emma Claire and I figured Matt would not want to just hang out in a hotel all day or take her shopping, so Mom so kindly volunteered to go and watch Emma Claire during the day when I was in meetings and then we all went out at night which was great.  It was a great time and I know mom and Emma Claire had a great time hanging out and shopping. 

Mom and Emma Claire at Mardi Gras World for dinner on Thursday night

It was long days and nights and Emma Claire was a trooper.  I was so proud of her and she is such a happy and laid back baby.  Most nights we were out late and she did very well.  I'm so glad Mom was able to come and enjoy New Orleans again as this went down as our third trip there.   Mom was wonderful to take care of her and make sure Emma Claire napped during the day, so the long nights/dinners went as smoothly as possible. 

Taking pictures with some of the props which they use on the floats during Mardi Gras

 Cindy, Emma Claire and Diane having a blast together at Mardi Gras World

 At dinner on Friday night, there was a jazz band which would come around to the tables and they sang a song to Emma Claire which was great.  She absolutely loved to be the center of attention and enjoyed the music!

Giving her sad face of having to leave, don't worry, sweet baby girl, we have another trip planned around the corner and you will get to see a bunch of new faces.  You will have to wait and see where we will be going in 18 days......

PS - I'll have to scan the pictures of my first two trips to New Orleans and even to Mardi Gras world...STAY TUNED!