Park Time

 We took time off from the regular Saturday "to do" list, and went out to have some family fun.  We went to a pet store, a new park, and a few stores.  The pet store is really a MUST if you have little kids!  Even my 9 month old loved that place!  Madison really made us smile with her happy, excitement over all the animals.  Ethan enjoyed watching the dogs get their hair cut.  He really didn't want to leave.  Thankfully we prepared him for the "goodbyes"  that had to happen.  I try to talk to him before we do something fun.  It really helps!  Many times when he struggles with something ending I will refer back to that "good bye/all done" talk that we had.   Usually he will sadly but obediently respond by saying "good bye" to the store, church, park, etc.  Someday I'm going to miss hearing the kids talk to buildings and objects as if they were alive :)  Every time we leave our house I get to hear a 3 year old and 2 year old say "goodbye house."  Usually Jon and I chime in and say it too :)  

Here are the kids having a super-duper time at the park.  Emily really enjoyed the park also.  She was just one big, happy smile the whole time!  She was fearless on the slide and swing.

9 month old and 2 year old:  only a 4 lb. difference!

Emily is at the age where she does well with picture taking--Yay!

Sitting on a dinosaur all by herself!

Love this!

I think these two look alike.

I admit that seeing all 3 children swinging in a row gave my throat a happy lump!  3 children in 2 and a half years.  Crazy?  Maybe a little :)  OKAY the back to back pregnancies were NOT fun!   But it is so AMAZINGLY fun to have all 3 kids at an age where they enjoy the same things!   So worth it!  My cup runneth over!  LOVE being a mom even on the hard days.

Thanking the Lord for 3 healthy children. 

chunky monkey

Hanging out

She loves to climb!

I like the colors in this picture.  I'm so glad she color coordinated with the dinosaur :o) just teasing!

I loved all of the big, old trees at this park.  See the one in the background?

You can do it!

Scared to walk on the bridge!  To me it looked more scary to sit and scoot across it.

Bring a child to a park.  It puts a smile on their face and your own!

"I'm a big girl now!"

Big boys need big slides :)

The wheel he is standing on twists.  It was fun to watch him get up on it. 

Madison "helps" Emily.

Sweetheart

I asked Ethan for a smile, and this is what I got :)  Lovely!

Children grow up too fast!  Every day there are wonderful moments and memories to be made.  I just don't want them to be over too soon!  Is there a way to push pause every once and a while?

Emily at 9 Months

Dear Emily,
You are close to 9 months old now!  I feel as though I blinked my eyes, and my infant became a chubby little baby girl!  You have two teeth, round blue eyes, a round little face, and a sweet "Emily" smile!  I've been told that you look nothing like my side of the family, and many people say you look just like your Dad.  You definitely have the "Cline" look, but a little of me too!  Your nature is more on the serious side, but I still get plenty of smiles from you!  Tickling you makes me laugh.  You don't always giggle, but instead start a quiet, inner gurgle that turns into a "ha!" at the end of your excitement!  Many times when other people try to get you to smile you stare them down as if to say, "You are weird!"  There is nothing like doing all kinds of ridiculous noises and faces only to get a blank stare from a baby :)  It can be funny!

You look grumpy :)  Too funny!

Right now you are not crawling, but you get up on your chubby hands and knees and rock back and forth.  You also scoot backwards on your tummy.  You keep yourself busy by putting EVERYTHING in your mouth.  I really have to watch out for that!  You absolutely LOVE being entertained by your 3 and 2 year old brother and sister.  Ethan looks out for you and cares for you in a very protective way.  He is good at getting you to giggle also!  Madison gets all excited when you smile and talk to her.  You love it when she is practically on top of you and right in your face :)  You are not easily scared or disturbed by anything.  I credit that to your sister and brother!  You are actually my first baby to not be scared of the vacuum.  When I vacuum the carpet you just sit on the floor and watch the vacuum with a somewhat analytical look.


  

Discovering the grass.

This is "cool" stuff!

Awe!  That is the happy, sweet Emily I love!

Up until a month ago you were a pretty laid back girl.  Now you have discovered that you CAN get attention.  You do an extremely high-pitched screech!  After you do these blood-curdling screeches you give me a huge grin.  Your face looks so satisfied and happy when I look at you.  I guess you know how to get attention, and you are making the most of it!  We do REALLY hope this screeching will be short-lived.  We are working with you on it.  I can hardly believe that noise comes from that sweet face of yours!  Your blue eyes look SO innocent.  At 9 months old you appear laid back, but you still have a very outgoing, aggressive/stubborn streak!  Maybe it's the German coming out in you!  Let's see... I predict that Madison's free-spirit, BIG tease personality will probably drive you crazy; Ethan's dominating, particular ways will not intimidate/faze you; and you will probably butt heads more than once while trying to be the leader of the pack :)  As the youngest in this family you definitely hold your own!  I pray that God will use that determined spirit of yours for His good.  I love you so much, and enjoy discovering who you are every day!  I cherish all of the hugs, kisses, and squeezes I can get out of you as a baby!  I LOVE the rolls on those thighs of yours, and just can't help but kiss your chubby cheeks all day long!  I could just eat you up!!!--figuratively speaking :)  Don't grow up too fast, Emily.  I love my baby!