Sleeping Ducky

Yesterday the kids played pretty hard outside. They ran races in the driveway, pedaled their bikes up and down the sidewalk, and made lots of chalk drawings. Because of this, Jacob and Ellie definitely needed baths before dinner. I got everyone washed and sent to their rooms to put on their jammies before heading downstairs for dinner. Ellie was being awfully quiet, so I went to her room to check on her. This is what I found:

Poor thing was so tired, she couldn't even get her jammies on or eat dinner.
We did manage to get a pull-up on her and move her to her bed!

Good News!

The ENT called today to say that Emmaline's blood work came back negative for having the permanent hearing loss gene mutation. This is great news, however, it doesn't explain why she doesn't have normal hearing in both ears. Please keep Emmy in your prayers as we have been struggling to get her hearing aids to fit right. Also pray that God will choose to restore complete hearing in both ears. Thanks!

Happy Birthday Ginger!

Nathan's mom, Ginger, had her birthday on Wed., but we couldn't coordinate everyone's work schedules, so we celebrated last night at Marion's Piazza. It was a good time with lots of delicious pizza and yummy cake from Taste of Elegance. Here are some of the highlights:

Jacob and Grandma look at her new photo album

Ginger really wanted this "Grandmother" figure by Willow Tree

Jacob reminisces about when he could actually fit in a high chair

Ellie enjoys cake with Uncle David

The Thinker

Papaw (Nathan's dad, Kevin) and Emmaline

Compliment of the Day

This morning, I was nursing Emmy on the couch and watching "The Daily Buzz" (not a show I normally watch, but hey, I needed a break from PBS!). Anyway, they mentioned Claudia Schiffer and put one of her modeling pictures on the screen. It was music to my ears when Jacob said, "Hey Mommy, that looks just like you!" Must have been the blonde hair and blue eyes, but I'll take it!

A New Kind of Superhero?

After dinner, Jacob was enjoying a fudgesicle at the table. I returned from doing something in the kitchen, and this was what I found:

When I asked him what he was doing, he said he was "Fudgesicle Man". Apparently, he has invented a new superhero. I'm not sure what his super powers would be, maybe he has the ability to turn stuff into chocolate. That would be a power worth having, especially after a rough day with the kids. Does finding your child covered in chocolate counts towards a rough day?!

5-months old!

Beautiful Girl

Taking after Mommy (she always closes her eyes in pictures!)

Getting some love from my Big Sis

Practicing their serious pose

I know I'm cute, but enough already with the camera!

Babe in a swing

Today, Emmaline had her first experience in her baby swing on the swingset in our backyard. She wasn't quite sure what was going on, but she seemed to enjoy it after a few minutes. I'm sure she'll like it even more once she can sit up better and doesn't have to be sandwiched in between several baby blankets.

Ellie pushes her baby sis

Taking a break to suck her fingers...the poor kid drools like crazy now
and loves to chew on her thumb and fingers.
Looks like we've started the lovely process of teething!

First Time in a High Chair

Emmy always joins us for meals, but is usually in her baby swing or on the floor under her baby gym. Tonight, she enjoyed watching us eat from the comfort of her high chair. Won't be long and she'll actually be eating while she's in there too! Before Emmaline was born, Jacob bought her a toy that attaches to the high chair tray, so he was excited to see her playing with it tonight.

Carriage Hill Farm

The weather was beautiful today, so we decided to take advantage of it and headed to Carriage Hill Farm. The last time I was there was for a field trip for my 2nd grade class and I was pregnant with Jacob (the kiddo will be 5 in November!). Since the kids had never been there, they had lots to see and do. We visited the animals in the barn, tasted old-fashioned lemonade, and just enjoyed being outside. Here are some pics. from our fun day:

Jacob and some sheep

Ellie down by the stream

Emmaline enjoyed the view from her carseat in the stroller

Nathan, the kids, and a bull

Jacob's quote of the day..."Nacho Libre was chased by a bull!"
I think maybe he watches too many movies! =)

Jacob, Jen, Emmaline, and Ellie resting

Tickle Me Emmy!

Here is Emmaline's weekly pic. Jacob and Ellie have a hard time staying out of the pictures when I want one of just Emmy by herself. Today, they thought it was funny to rub her belly and make her laugh. She has the best laugh and smile and I was lucky enough to catch it on camera today. Hope you like it too!

Twice the fun!

I was holding Emmy today and she was so cute sucking her thumb and looking up at me. She must have known she was the center of attention for the moment, so she decided to wow me by sucking both of her thumbs at one time. It doesn't show up very well in the picture, but trust me, she was adorable and so proud of herself.

Buddy Walk

We are participating in the Buddy Walk for the Miami Valley Down Syndrome Association on September 29. If you would like to donate to this great cause or join us on the walk, check out the following link:

http://www.firstgiving.com/emmalinecurley

No more bedrails!

Jacob has had bedrails on his twin bed since he moved into it in July 2004 (the month before Gabrielle was born). It held on for a good while, but seeing how Jacob is really rough on things, it wasn't going to last forever. The bedrails finally bit the dust yesterday. Last night was his first official night without them on and he was so excited to go to bed with his new found "freedom". Luckily, Nathan and I checked on him before we went to bed last night. Here is a pic. of our little man sound asleep before we repositioned him to avoid bodily injury.

Weekly Emmaline Fix!

Here is Emmy's weekly pic. She has always had lots of hair for a baby (especially compared to the first two baldies I gave birth to), and I think that her first haircut will be coming shortly after she learns to sit up. It is so much fun putting barrettes in her hair (mostly so people won't confuse her for a boy when she wears blue or green!). I'm anxiously waiting for the pig-tail stage, which should be in the near future.

Frog and Jacob are friends

It rained a lot last night! When Nathan was leaving work this morning, he rescued a frog sitting in the parking lot that was probably seeking refuge from the sewers. Jacob loved looking at it while it hopped around in the pool in the backyard. Unfortunately, he made his escape when Jacob came in for breakfast and before Gabrielle got to see him. Nathan has a habit of bringing home creatures he finds, so I'm sure we'll have more "friends" coming to visit in the future.

Stickers!

Jacob and Gabrielle love stickers. I got some in the mail today and split them between the kids so they could do whatever they wanted with them. They both had the same idea and here is the end result:

Emmy's First Bottle

Emmaline had her first bottle today. I was part of a focus group for Evenflo yesterday and left Emmy with Nathan, Jacob, and Ellie. I fed her before I left, but thawed about 6 ozs. of breast milk just in case she needed to be fed before I got home. Turns out she didn't need it, and the stuff is too good to waste, so Nathan tried to feed her with a bottle today. She played around with it and took maybe 1/2 an oz., but other than that, she wanted nothing to do with the bottle. Sorta makes me feel good that she only likes milk from her momma, but on the other hand, Nathan and I are going to eventually want to have an evening out without her (she's accompanied us on every date since her birth!). Guess we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

A Family Affair

Happy 4th of July!

Today was busy. Mom, Katie, Emmaline, and I went to see "Evan Almighty" this morning. It was hilarious, so go see it if you get a chance. Then, we came home to get ready for the cook-out we were hosting later in the afternoon. Lots of family came and our friends from church, Joe and Corey, and their kids: Sam, Owen, and Noelle. We had tons to eat and a good time visiting. The kids had lots of fun in the backyard playing in the pools and on the swingset. It was a great day!

Ellie and her buddy, Noelle

Jacob shows off his muscles

The kiddos on the swingset

Emmaline gets her toes

The boys shoot some hoops

Gimme five!

Emmy's weekly picture