Emily at 21 months

I like to look out the window!

Too cold to go outside.

I can see what's on the table!

Pretty little girl!

Hello! Our little Emily is certainly growing up. I am finally transitioning her from her bottle of milk to a sippy cup of milk. She curently drinks water and juice from sippy cups but preferred milk in a baby bottle. I tried different cups and I think I found a winner with the brand called Nuby. She's getting past the baby stage and it's harder on me. I can't believe how much she's changed since the day we took her home with us.

Emily saw a physical therapist last week to determine why she was delayed in walking. We found out she has low muscle tone and needs some inserts to wear in her shoes. We'll see a doctor next week to get more information and a fitting for inserts. Right now she still stands and cruises and pushes chairs in the kitchen. We just need to work with her in more creative ways so she'll build more strength. Here are some recent photos of Emily.

Thoughts for the New Year

So how is 2011 so far? Hope you are enjoying the New Year! I still cannot believe it's January. There are a few things I'm excited about this year. First, Emily will be 2 in April. Second, Jon and I will turn 40 in the Summer. And third, Jon and I will be making a trip to Alaska in the Fall. I hope to have a small birthday party for Emily. I know she loves Sesame Street so maybe her cake will have Elmo on it. Jon and I want to have a get together for our 40th. Maybe we'll have it at a restaurant. I am not dreading the big 4-0 and I'm actually looking forward to celebrating it with our friends and family. We could do an 80s themed party and have a white elephant gift exchange. It will be fun no matter what we do.

New Year 2011

Testing the icing.

Jon and Emily decorate the house.

Putting the pieces together.

Emily wearing a Happy New Year hat!

Hello! Yes, I'm blogging away today. We had a nice, quiet New Year's Eve at home. On New Year's Eve we ordered pizza and wings and had some beer. We talked to our families on the the phone and then put Emily to bed. Jon and I stayed up watching TV and it was great to see all the celebrations. On New Year's Day we took out the gingerbread kit that Jon's sister sent us. It was a lot of fun seeing Emily play with the icing and trying a gum drop. Our New Year's wishes are:

1. Jon getting a permanent job with the Census.


2. Get a new vehicle


3. Get new house


4. Have good health to enjoy it all!
   

I ofcourse have my resolutions:

1. Stick to healthy habits like exercising and eating right.


2. Read more.


3. Take a break everyday to blog.


4. Get manicures and pedicures.


5. Communicate with friends I've lost touch with.
   

Well, that's about it for blogging for now. Happy New Year to you all!!

Barlett End of Year Letter 2010

Happy New Year!! Our best wishes to everyone for the upcoming year. We hope you had a holly jolly Christmas. As I finally sit down to write this note, I realize how fast 2010 has come and gone. Emily continues to grow and enrich our lives. Jon continues to do well as a geographer for the Dallas Regional Census Center. And I am continuing my new job as a mom and domestic goddess!

Earlier this year we experienced lots of snow in DFW. Emily didn't know what to make of it but she was able to see and feel the flakes falling. Jon and I both had to shovel it off the drive way with whatever we could find since we don't own a snow shovel. Emily was baptized on Super Bowl Sunday and our family and friends were with us to celebrate that special day and to watch the game as well.

In the Spring Emily turned a year old and we had a big party for her. Again our family and friends joined us and we had a great time watching Emily ignore all the gifts and play with the bags and ribbons. On Memorial Day weekend we went to Corpus Christi and took Emily to the Texas State Aquarium. She really liked the fish and the dolphin show. Jon and I went to North Padre Island to relax and to fish. Well, Jon caught the fish, I just relaxed. Later in the Spring we took Emily to Llano to visit my inlaws and to play in the river.

In the Summer Jon and I celebrated our birthdays by going out to dinner and a movie. Just can't remember where we went or what we saw! We got Emily an inflatable pool and she loved splashing around in it. And I continued taking her to storytime at the local libraries.

In the Fall we went to Katy to visit my brother and his family. We also celebrated my niece's third birthday and we took a big family portrait. At the end of September, Emily took her first plane ride. Jon had to fly to Corpus Christi for a conference so we joined him. In October we were back in Llano for another visit and in November Jon and I celebrated 9 years together. For Thanksgiving we went back to Llano where the whole family gathered for my father-in-law's 75th birthday.

For Christmas we were in Corpus Christi and had a wonderful time with my parents. Emily got to see some relatives and entertained everyone at church by singing along with Father Paul.

We've had a blessed year as a family. May God bless you with health, happiness and lots of love in 2011!!

More Christmas Photos

Dad singing in the choir.

Time for a drink!

Preparing the turkey.

Mom giving out directions.

Emily in a box!

Christmas 2010

Mom and dad

Emily's holiday.

Jon and dad in the kitchen.

Emily loves her grammy.

Jon putting together a toy.

Happy New Year!! I'm so behind on blogging so I resolve to blog more for you and for my peace of mind this year.

Christmas 2010 was just wonderful. We drove to Corpus Christi to be with my parents and Emily did very well on the long, nine hour drive. Bless her heart! Mom and dad's house always looks festive during the holidays and Emily sure loved exploring everything. Jon and I got some much needed rest since Emily finally cooperated and slept in her pack-n-play! On Christmas Eve morning, dad played with the Veteran's Band at the American Bank Center and Jon and Emily both went to see him. Mom and I did some last minute grocery shopping at HEB. Seems like everyone had the same idea since it was packed! Once everyone got back to the house, Jon and I went to get take out from Jasons Deli for a late lunch. Emily napped and the rest of us watched tv and got everything ready for the evening's family get together. I was so happy to see aunts, uncles and cousins. Even our best friends, Cyndi and Mark, showed up to wish us Merry Christmas along with their "furry kids" Bella and Hanz. Once everyone left we played with Emily and her new toys. Dad's cousin, Josey, showed up later with her husband, Michael. It's always fun to see them. Michael's from Ireland and his accent is pretty strong so I pretty much guess what he's saying sometimes. They brought Emily a present too. After they left dad had to get going to Midnight Mass. The rest of us went to bed.

On Christmas morning we went to church and Emily looked so pretty in her black velvet dress. She entertained all of us by singing along with Father Paul during mass. Dad sang with the choir and we could really hear him since he was one of four people! When we got back to the house (literally across the street) we had a late breakfast and opened our stockings and presents. Emily sure got a lot of neat toys, books and clothes. Mom and dad got us some much needed silver ware for everyday use, a couple of nice folding chairs, and some fun stuff. We got dad lots of Super Bowl stuff and we got mom a gift card from American Airlines so she could fly up anytime she wants. We also got mom and dad more fun things too. I got a black and white purse which I love! Jon got some Longhorn jammies which he really loved. Soon it was time for Emily to nap and for us to cook the turkey and fixings for dinner. The dinner was so good and there were plenty of options for dessert. My uncle Rudy came by to visit and bring us some roast beef and salads. It was a great Christmas day!

Sunday we were back at church in the morning and once again Emily was the star of the show. It was a nice relaxing day of leftovers and playing with toys and getting things ready to pack. We really had a wonderful time being in Corpus Christi!

Monday morning we got everything packed in the car and said goodbye to mom and dad. I don't like leaving because I miss them so much and they miss Emily a lot. The drive home was good but we were all so tired when we got home. But I managed to get to the grocery store for a few things for the week.

The holidays went by too fast as always. I didn't want to let go of my Christmas CDs just yet. In fact, I still put them in for Emily to help her relax and sleep at night.

I hope your Christmas was truly wonderful!