Emerson is FIVE months!

How time flies! It's hard to believe that Emerson is five months old today!
Getting an early start chatting on the phone.

We enjoyed a relaxing weekend w/ a visit to Oma in Greensboro. We got to spend time w/ Cousins Grace & Caroline and Aunt Marie & Uncle Hayne.

Webb won't hold his sister in his lap, but he will sit next to her and hold her hand. What a hambone!

Emerson had her first taste of rice cereal this week. Webb tried to encourage her to open her mouth for the cereal, but she is not a big fan. Guess we'll try again next week! Otherwise, we've been catching up on sleep that we've missed this past week due to school having started last Monday. We're also watching the status of the hurricanes that seem to be popping up all over the place this weekend! Webb is not happy about the thought of life without electricity!

We went to a birthday party a few weeks ago for our friend, Lukas. Webb thoroughly enjoyed crawling around at Gymboree! We may have to go back to classes this fall!

What a week!

This week was a busy one for us. We returned from a fun, five day trip to Atlanta on Sunday. During our visit, we went to Zoo Atlanta and hung out in the pool w/ all of the Atlanta mini cousins.

Cousin Beth w/ Webb...he's being shy w/ Beth's SIL, Mindy.

Thanks to Beth, Ron, Jack & Ellie for being such great hosts last week!

Whitaker proving you don't have to be sixteen to drive.

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Webb had tubes put in his ears on Tuesday. The difference in his speech was noticable w/in 24 hours. Hopefully, this will "cure" his frequent ear infections as well.

Emerson has been experiencing the fun of the Bumbo (thanks, Kelli). Although, Webb seems to think that he is the rightful owner. (notice the marker on his shirt from daycare - thank goodness it's washable!)

Will is going to be excited when Emerson grows a neck.

Today is Emerson's first day at "school" with Webb. I am going to enjoy my first child-free day of the summer (even though it's the last day to be "off" - Will went back to school today. I'm playing hookey). Granted, Will has allowed me to go shopping w/o children, but I always feel guilty leaving one or both children w/ him for long periods. Entertaining Webb is a two-person job most days.

Emerson was ready to go before everyone else today!

Sporting Aunt Denise's outfit on a rare, cool, rainy day in August in NC.

Jack and Ellie on their first day of pre-school, August 11!

4 months and counting!

Miss Emerson turned 4 months old today! How time flies! She continues to be a super happy baby...laughs and talks and talks some more! We visited the doctor on the 5th. "Little" E's stats are:

16 lbs 1 1/2 oz. (93rd %ile)

25 inches "tall" (75th %ile).

She's pondering how much to bid on the final showcase on The Price is Right...

Emerson has also learned a new trick - flashing anyone who walks by!

Webb LOVES his new table and chair set! He dines there now w/ mommy in one chair and him in the other (that's what's supposed to happen - somehow, he manages to sit in my lap for dinner). He also uses it as an art station.

One other important issue to note: Webb poohed in the big potty again today. He'll sit on the training potty, but won't do anything. As soon as he sits on the big one, he has no problem going #2. He likes to flush (numerous times) and got a little upset when everything went away. We'll take any progress we can get. No rush on the potty training, we just let him make the decision when he wants to go.

We're rolling!

Last Thursday, Emerson rolled over twice, for the first time in her life! :) Not bad for three and a half months! Last night, Emerson got stuck on her shoulder while she was rolling and started to get fussy. Webb went right over and rolled her onto her back. He was soooo proud of himself! He is a great big brother and helper! Next, we're going to begin working on sitting up by herself.

Webb also likes to play on the playmat w/ Emerson. We just need to remind him to keep his feet out of Emerson's face!

Webb had his two year checkup last week. He was:

29 1/2 pounds (74th %ile)

34 3/4 inches (60th %ile)

He really enjoyed his new birthday toys. His Megablocks were a huge hit and are taking over the house. He also received an art easel that came w/ magnetic stencils that he likes to put all over the house as well (not just on the magnetic surfaces)!

Aunt Marie brought cousins Grace & Nina to visit. Aunt Marie went shopping at a HUGE consignment sale and racked up on clothes and toys for the girls. It was an overwhelming experience, but definitely worthwhile! She's already making plans for next year's extravaganza~

Here is the coolest stroller on Earth that Oma gave us as a gift for Emerson's arrival. She's the bomb-diggety! Emerson and Webb love going for a walk even more than before!

Webb's 2nd birthday party!

Amy has done it again! Here is Webb's 2nd birthday cake! It was beautiful and yummy as well! Check out her other creations: http://c-a-k-e.net/default.aspx

A green snake spelled out Webb's name!

Webb LOVED his cake!

Webb and Daddy work on blowing out his candle!

Who's a monkey? Daddy & Webb!

Ms. Kathy shows everyone how to drum w/ many drums! We sounded like a heard of elephants!

Oma keeps the beat while Emerson watches!

Miss Isabel was having a lot of fun!

Charlie really enjoyed playing w/ the parachute...heck, Charlie loved it all!

Ms. Roxanne and Nolan had a great time flipping Maddie Monkey in the air!

Emerson was exhausted by the mock trip to the zoo!+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I have learned that turning two means a lot of new milestones: Webb has now mastered the task of turning doorknobs - no more sleeping in for mommy. He also took his first poop on the big potty yesterday. He passed gas, f--ted (just for you Mrs. Pace), had a bean or whatever you call it, while he was in the bathtub. I asked if he had to poop, he nodded yes and so I stuck him on the toilet. No problem. He even flushed by himself. It's good to know that he is aware of his bodily functions, so maybe we're not too far from being diaper free!

Atlantic Beach Trip, July 2008

We spent last week in Atlantic Beach w/ Will's Dad, Grandpa Bill. Webb had a great time frolicking in the ocean, while Emerson was content to nap on the beach. Here are some of the memories...

Emerson practicing to be a Supreme!

Trying to be incognito after a long night of drinking...Emerson is a little off kilter

Superman Webb pulls the gear back to the condo

It'd been a long day and Webb needed a rest

Want to know what a turtle's butt looks like? Now you know...(the turtles at the aquarium are actually quite fast, unlike their landroving relatives)

The wispy jellyfish...Webb was enthralled

Our own little crab...

Emerson couldn't believe how long the All-Star game was taking to finish!

This is traveling in style!

The annual journey to Fort Macon, which is still unchanged after hundreds of years...(really, just since 1826, but it feels like hundreds of years!)

Typical water department scene: two supervising, one working

Emerson loves wearing her hat when she stays awake long enough!

Bye-bye ocean! We'll see you next year!