Pumpkinland

This weekend my parents drove out to see Emma for a few days. I'm used to seeing them a few times a year, but of course with Emma growing so fast they come more often now. I like when they come because they are really helpful and are always ready to be "put to work", whether that's fixing something around the house or holding Emma while I fold laundry or serving up the take-out chinese while I feed her... In fact, they complain if I don't have lots of things for them to help with! Also, they are resepctful of Emma's schedule, such as it is, and more than happy to work around her awake or nap times. Probably more so even than Glen, who often tries to assert himself and force Emma to adhere to our desires - ha! Sunday we went to this "Pumpkinland" that I discovered about 30 minutes from the house. It's one of those pick-your-own fruit farms - good to know, they have blueberries and strawberries and raspberries! It was fun, but clearly an annual photo op for families. There were piles and piles of pumpkins, every one with a kid stuck in somewhere while the family took pics... They even had a couple of height billboards that said things like "How tall am I this year?" with kids and pumpkins lined up for their shot... A bit commercial, but safe and cute all the same. Pony rides and hay cart rides and festival food (fresh made cider donuts and apple fritters... mmm!) And piles of mums too. We of course could not resist all the pictures either, and we have lots of shots with little Emma frowning in deep concentration as she tries to figure out what the odd orange and green (gourd) shapes are. Also discovered she loves yellow mums - a challenge keeping her from eating her handful!

It was nice too, this weekend, because I think it's the first time Emma really interacted with my dad. He's always a little hesitant, but this time she really started smiling at him and playing with him, and you could see he loved it. Of course she's used to mom, but Dad hasn't been here I think since July, so the first night she was a bit unsure. Someone plunked her down on his lap, and within seconds she was crying and he was rushing to hand her back. Oh no! But by the next day she was sitting in his lap and playing with him and head-butting him (she's not quite coordinated enough to kiss you without some support still) and getting her little fingerprints all over his glasses. Or if I held her and stood next to him, she would reach her over and grab his sleeve or smile and then duck her head and laugh. Much joy to see.

Last night got a little over the top. Glen's parents drove down to bring us their car for the winter (for the au pair - thank God!!!) and stayed the night. You know, when we bought our house, I remember thinking one of the main things I liked was that we would be able to fit the whole family at once. Be careful what you wish for??? Glen's dad alone takes up so much space... Of course, poor Emma had a minor meltdown at lunch and we had just gotten home and were going to nurse her to sleep when Jim and Ellie AND the cleaning lady and her assistant arrived. So much for any peace to get Emma calm, but we got her through a few smaller naps into the evening and then things went a bit smoother. This morning I was smart enough to feed her before trying to descend into the familial maelstrom, so they were all treated to smiles and smiles. This meant we had everyone in the kitchen together watching her and trying to eat breakfast and take pictures, plus the dogs (including my parents' dog, so three of them)... Anyway, everyone has left this morning and peace will hopefully descend again tonight. The best news of all - several nights in a row of sleeping around 9-5. We were so fussy last week, then all of a sudden, like magic... Not even going to try and hope this is a new pattern, just enjoying while it lasts!

Emma kisses

Our baby has learned how to kiss! Well, sortof, in her own Emma way. See, I think we spent too many months kissing her and then looking at her in mock surprise. Since her newborn vision wasn't so clear, what she mostly saw was mommy's face getting really close, and then the big open-mouthed surprise and smile afterward. So now when you go to kiss her, she opens her mouth really wide, sometimes drooling just for extra effect, smiling like crazy. And these last couple of days - she kisses us! As with everything she does, so amazing and cute. As I stand her on my lap, she reaches out her little hands for my face, leans forward, and sticks her wide open mouth against my face somewhere in the vicinity of my mouth. Lips, chin, cheeks - all have now been given slobbery wet wonderful kisses, followed by more wonderful smiles and giggles. God I love this kid! And she does it to Daddy too. Granted, I had to explain to him what it was, since it doesn't exactly look like we expect, but once he got it he was just glowing. She also gave him a hug the other day - really put her arms around both sides of his neck and leaned in. And last night, as we were walking up the stairs, she started laughing at him over my shoulder. I have no idea why, but she was laughing like a little lunatic, so of course both of us were laughing too and beaming with parental pride. Emma laughs. Emma kisses. These are the moments I hope we remember...

Mmm mmm good?

So, these days I don't know whether to laugh or be worried about Emma's communications skills. Giggling we defintely got. A couple of consonants occasionally. But mostly what we hear is a series of "mmm"s in varying levels. She's got her little lips locked up tight, top folded over the bottom, just mmmm-ing away. She's clearly expressing things. Are you happy Emma? Mmmm! Tickles? Mmmm. Playing with Mommy's hair? MMMM! Frustrated. M.M.M.M. Sleepy? mmmmmmmm... I tell her she's the queen of humming and so cute, but she's got to open her little lips to tell her story!