Happy Valentines Day

We spent a relaxed Valentine's Day at home this year. Chris made me breakfast in bed, and later that evening we enjoyed a candle-lit dinner with the whole family. We ate barbecue grilled chicken, scalloped potatoes and crab-stuffed sole fillets. Emme hung out in her bumbo during dinner, and was entranced by the candles.

Happy Valentines Day!

Love Emme

Bumbo Bonding Time

I walked in the bathroom the other morning to find this. I'm not sure who's loving the bumbo more in this picture! Emme is a busy-body, so she loves to be up and looking around. And Chris loves being able to take her wherever he goes so they can have their chats. (I told you that Chris has already taught her the timestables, didn't I?)

Thanks, Kelli and Jeremy for letting us borrow your bumbo!

Mommy Brain

Can you see what's wrong with this (dusty) picture of my nightstand?

I'll tell you what's wrong! Lack of sleep mommy brain is what's wrong! Chris thought it was hilarious. He thoroughly enjoyed informing me that he didn't think the monitor would charge very well in the phone base.

I started back to work this last week, on Tuesdays and Fridays (hence the lack of sleep). And it hasn't been nearly as traumatic for me as I thought it would. I hate having to leave the little Bambina, because she's still so little and I feel like she needs me. But two of the three days I've worked so far, she's been home with her dad (to help ease the transition). I think it has been really good for both of them. Chris all of a sudden has a new-found confidence in his ability to soothe her and take care of her. And it's been good bonding time.

It's such a blur the night before and the morning of, setting out clothes and diapers and thawing milk, and getting up extra early so I can nurse her once before I leave. Once I get to work and sit down, I think, "Gees, this work stuff is a piece of cake compared to motherhood!" And once I got back and started working, I remembered how much I enjoy what I do. I still miss Emme all day long and call all the time to have Chris hold the phone up to her so I can hear her breathing and cooing. But when I stay busy, the time goes pretty fast. Then I race home and run through the door so I can pick up Emme and snuggle her. She gets a big smile on her face when I come home, and it's the best feeling ever. It's going to be a blessing for our family for me to work two days a week. I just hope I'm not scarring her for life.


Side note: I've been pumping while I'm at work, which has been going fine. I'm the only female on my floor, so I just go in the bathroom and stand at the sink while I do it (which Chris thinks is weird -- "what if someone walks in!?!"). The only problem is having to wash and dry the parts after I pump every time (which is 3 times a day). It's sucking my life away! I googled and found out that not everyone washes them every time. Some people buy extra pump part sets, and some people toss all the parts in a ziploc and throw it in the fridge at work between sessions (which would definitely gross out all the men in my office -- I'd have to disguise the bag). Anyone here have any experience or suggestions on what you did?

Emmeline's Blessing

We blessed Emmeline on Sunday. It was a lovely blessing and a special day for our family. We were so glad to have all the Spencer family and Pace family there to celebrate with us. Afterward we had all of them over to our house, which was exciting. We've never had that many people in our house at once before, and I thought for sure we'd be packed in like sardines but it actually worked out pretty well. I wish I'd gotten a picture with everyone, but the day was so crazy that we totally forgot! Luckily we remembered to snap one of the three of us.

You'll have to excuse the overload of Emme pictures. I think she's adorable so I couldn't choose just one.

I think Emme looks like a little angel who's about to fly away in this picture. So cute!

Later in the afternoon, Emme was getting tired so we finished up taking pictures of her in her cute little dress, and then took it off her to keep it clean. The second we did, she spit up, right as I was snapping this photo, ha ha!


Nora Jane wanted to hold Emme after we got her clothes changed (she's such a little mama!). I can tell they're going to be good friends someday.


Thank you everyone for coming and celebrating with us! We love you all!

Family Pitchas

Right after Christmas we had some family photos taken with the Pace side of the family. Heather Cook (my sister-in-law Brooke's sister) took the photos for us. It was so nice that she was able to come to my parents house to take them, since getting everyone ready with all the little kids was tricky. I think they turned out great!

Our first professional family photo. Aww. Emme's dreaming away.

All the grandkids. Tucker did such a good job holding Emme! What a sweet boy.

The whole family*. Look at Emme sawing logs with her mouth wide open, ha ha! What a cutie.

*Yes, my sweater does appear to be the wrong color in this picture. I was told we were wearing LAVENDER and brown for the photos (did they really mean DARK PURPLE?). Pretty sure I'm the only one wearing anything remotely close to lavender. Sigh.

Snips and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails

Doesn't Emme look like she wants her belly rubbed in this picture? I don't know how she can sleep with one leg lifted off the ground like that!

Hanging With Mom

My happy morning-girl. Doesn't get it from her mom OR her dad!

My shopping buddy.

My snuggle bug. This is how she wants to sleep -- on her mom's lap with her arms all stretched out and relaxed.

Hanging out on mom's bed like a big girl on her boppy!

Happy girl in the sling while we get dinner in the crockpot.