Emma's Second Birthday Party

This is the MOTHER of all birthday posts!  So, grab a cold beverage and stay awhile.  ; D

Yesterday we celebrated Emma's second birthday.  It is so difficult to believe that she is two.  I think part of the reason why that is so difficult to believe is because for seven months of her two years we were not with her.  So, in some ways, maybe I think of her as being younger than she is.  We are so grateful that she is with us and we adore spending each day with her!

Emma had sooooo much fun at her Backyardigans birthday bash!  It was a crazy whirlwind for her and a bit overwhelming at times too I think, but she seemed to thoroughly enjoy each and every moment of her party!

When she woke up from her nap, I took her birthday tutu out and when she saw it, she said, "OoooooOOOhhhh!!"  She was so excited to put it on!  In this photo, she is waiting by the door for the guests to arrive.

Dancing to her favorite Lori Berkner CDs before the party.

The party cupcake tower.  A baker, I am NOT.  But, cupcakes are pretty easy!

Presents!

Emma trying to figure out how to blow into the party horns.

Emma's cousin Grace had no trouble at all with said party horns.

Black.mail.  Hey dad, I know that you read my blog.  Have I got the goods on you or what???

Party Menu:

Rocky Rococos pizza

Caesar salad

Apples with caramel dipping sauce

Chocolate cupcakes

Icecream cone cupcakes

CAKE and icecream

This is the face that Emma made when we were singing to her...LOL.  I'm not sure if she knew quite what to think.  She was fascinated by the cake.  : )

Mmmmm...

When we purchased this piñata for the party, we did not consider the fact that Emma would be witnessing one of her most beloved Backyardigans characters being clubbed and beaten until candy fell out of her.  : / 

"Oh precious, Ooneekah...I LOVE YOU!!"

We were a bit worried about Emma's reaction...  But, for a Guatemalan girl, what would a proper birthday party be without a piñata?  ; )

*sigh*  Oh dear...  So sorry, "Ooneekah"

After I took that pic, we almost decided NOT to go through with the clubbing of "Ooneekah"...  But then we decided to go through with it.  (Edited to say:  Please say you'll still be my blog friend!)

Izzy gave it a whack (several whacks, actually)

And, Grace gave it several good slugs.

Much to our amazement, Emma thought that piñata clubbing was the coolest thing EVER!  She was begging for a turn.  So, we gave her the baton and...

THWAP!!!!!!

SMACK!!!!!

WHACK!!!!!!! 

Emma LOVED the piñata!  I do not anticipate that any future therapy sessions will be necessary.  ; )

And, in the end, like last year's piñata, this year's piñata would NOT break!  So, we resorted to the "civilized" method and we pulled the strings until the goodies fell out.

Emma received many cool gifts!  (Thank you, everyone!)

Emma likes to look into the camera after you take a picture of her.  : )

Sweet cousins.  : D

This is one of the last pics taken of her last night.  I think that you can see her smile progressively getting larger as the party went on.  She had a WONDERFUL time!

It was able to sleep in just a bit this morning (thanks, Jason) and this is the face that greeted me when I woke up.  "MAMA!!  Get UP!  I have been waiting to show you my NEW stroller and all of the rest of my new toys!"

So...  Today Emma has been doing this.

And a little bit of this.

Oh, and this too.  : D

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, my sweet baby girl.  You are SO PRECIOUS to us!!

God bless,

Tera

Just Popping In

I have had my head in Facebook so I have been neglecting my blog.  Are you on Facebook?  It is pretty cool...however, now that I am all set up...I must. step. away.  LOL.  It is pretty fun...

I'm up to my eyeballs in party preparation.  Emma's party is the day after tomorrow.  Jason is basically working non stop until the party so much of the prep is up to me although I will have him on Sunday morning, I think.  I won't be cooking up a storm but I will be baking tomorrow just a bit (aye carumba...a baker I am NOT).  Anyway, I am SO excited for Emma!  I will p0st pics!  Have a terrific weekend, everyone!

God bless,

Tera

A Fall Family Day at the Zoo

Monday's high temp was in the high 60s.  Yep, the SIXTIES!  It was sunny, crisp and absolutely BEAUTIFUL!

We decided to take Emma to the zoo.  The Minnesota Zoo has a brand new Grizzly bear exhibit and is it ever cool!!

Pics from our day...

Jason took this photo while we walked around at the zoo...and look!  The leaves are changing! 

The only thing that separated us from the grizzlies...a pane or two of glass.  *gulp...double gulp*

The Minnesota Zoo has the coolest family farm exhibit!

Well hello there, Mr. Goat...it's me, EMMA!  Wait one minute and I'll give you a SNACK!

*giggle*  Okay, here you go!!!!!!

*clapping clapping clapping and giggling*  YAAAAAAY!!  That was fun!

Uh oh!  TWO GOATS?  Don't get too greedy, Mr. White Billy Goat...you have a friend who wants a snack too!!  Here you go!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Playing in the fountains.  : )  She really had a wonderful time at the zoo!

Yes, that is an outfit change.  : /  It was a tough reflux day...she lost her lunch for the first time in a public place.  : (  We take Emma out and about all of the time...  It is amazing to me that after well over 100 (known to us) incidences, this was the first ever public incident.  For that, I am grateful!  A wonderful thing and a sign of Emma's resiliency...about ten minutes after the fact, she was running and giggling and playing in the fountains...she is a wonderfully amazing child...a true JOY and GIFT and we love her very, very much. 

One more photo "just because" Emma is so cute!  : )

Emma right away in the morning.  She likes to bring cow and bear to breakfast.  : D

Before I sign out...SIG is CANCER FREE!!!  Yippeeeeeeeeeeee!

God bless,

Tera

The Invitations Have Been Sent...

My baby girl will be TWO in less than one month!  I am having a very difficult time wrapping my mind around that.  I have said it before and I will say it again...when I look at her "baby" pictures, I would love to be able to reach into the photos and scoop up that sweet baby so that I can snuggle her.  *sigh*  I really am cherishing each day with Emma...even the challenging days ("the twos" are HERE...hee hee).

I have been thinking about her party for a while.  It is going to be a simple party with immediate family and PIZZA.  : )  We are celebrating her birthday at the end of September.  On her actual birthday, we will be at the Apple Festival in Bayfield, Wisconsin!

I completed the invitations a while ago but I wanted to wait until they were "in the mail" before I posted one to my blog.  (Click the photo to see a larger version)

Speaking of little Emma...  She could use some prayer.  She has at least four teeth coming in right now.  Babies/toddlers who have reflux can really struggle with teething.  Teething can exacerbate reflux and this has been very true with Emma.  She has maybe had 4 - 5 decent meals in the past three weeks.  : (  This is very disheartening.  For most meals, she will not even swallow one bite.  : (  We have her on a daily Pediasure regime to make sure that she doesn't lose a lot of weight.  We are SO GRATEFUL that she drinks!  Please pray.

It's officially FALL (well, at least it seems like it is to me)!!  MY FAVORITE season!  I could not resist giving my blog a fall/harvest look!  Have a great week.

God bless, Tera