Happy Easter!

"Yes, you can take ANOTHER picture ..."

"Are you guys ready yet?"

Getting ready for dinner

Reading with Auntie

"So this is how I see things going - dad start in the kitchen"

"Don't even think about taking my egg"

Having a social break with cousin Nora - discussing the crazy adults

Walking AND reading at the same time

Assessing her basket

Emma and her Illinois' cousins

Getting tired ...

But plenty of room for dessert with Auntie

Reflections ...  Sorry to be so profound out of the proverbial "gates",
but couldn't help it.  Can't wait till she can get in the yard ...
And start mowing of course :)

Still working on the "pose" ...  Need to subsidize college at some point.

"Full on" walking, and the squeaks are there to prove.  Very cute - for a while ...

Yup.  You are witnessing the genesis of a shoe "obsession" - thanks Mom ...

"How cute am I?  Really?"

Every star needs a profile shot.  Emma "look away like
you really don't care".



All dressed up for Saturday night!!!  Time to meet some cousins.



"Just let me grab my bag, and I am ready to go!"

A future wrestler?  She has the pose, just needs to drop the smile.

After countless hours of pondering how to teach the skill of "drinking from a straw" she

finally mastered it.  Only wish we had actually come up with a solution. 

How do I look?

"Stop interrupting me! @$*&@  I am trying to read."

I love a good ending ...

Someday she will hate me for this one.  But can I say
"Emma waz a punk rocker, Emma waz a punk rocker ..."

Updates - finally!

Emma is getting bigger by the day, and has started taking her first steps.  She has been adjusting well to school (aka daycare) - at least better than mom and dad have been.  All in all, she continues to do great, is very happy and has been an absolute joy to be around (most of the time :).

She had her first plane trip last weekend since China when we went back to Rhode Island to visit Auntie Barbara.  Auntie -  Emma is hoping you can see this and the video clip below with her and one of the presents you sent - THANKS again for them.  We love you, miss you and are thinking of you every day.

Getting ready for Sunday lunch at Peggy Kinnane's.

She is playing hide and seek around the corner in the following video.  For some reason this crack her up when we do it.  She is starting to mimic, so I need to start "saying things to myself - first".

Recently back from RI - "Whatchya lookin at?!  You wanna piece of me?"

Emma kissing and hugging her bear from Auntie.  Yes - this is more kisses and hugs than mom and dad have gotten - combined.  Except when I am wearing my old college mascot costume (just kidding - I wasn't THAT guy).

Yup - she is sitting on the kitchen floor - funnest place in the house.

Another peek a boo segment - only this time with the coffee table. 

Striking a pose.

Getting ready for school.  Thanks for picking out my clothes mom before you left!

"Dad - you're not that funny.
Put down the camera and take me to school please."

"How about this?  So what exactly
CAN I touch? 

Hi Auntie Barbara!!!

Hey Auntie - thanks sooooo much for the presents!!!  I absolutely love them and can't wait to meet you.

THANKS Auntie!  Can't wait to see you.



Time for a break ...



Smiling AND wearing her hat!

Token profile shot.  Every star needs one.

Whatchya lookin' at?

Happy Valentines Day!

 Sue's birthday is the 12th, so we celebrated both her birthday and Valentines day this past weekend.  And "you know who" made it ALL extra special.



Emma giving "dada" her present.  If only she could SAY it :)



Thinking about the week ahead.

Having fun with Grandpa Stautz

Laughing at Uncle Tom's jokes.

Mom!  Why do you have the camera?

A little afternoon reading.

No caption needed here ...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Today was Emma's first birthday!  And it was a great day all around.  Except for our loved ones who weren't feeling well.  We had to adjust the numbers for Emma's birthday dinner due to some illnesses throughout the family.  They were missed, but we are sure there will be more celebrations in the near future.

Emma is very close to walking, and loved showing off with her new "cat" friend.

Yes, she has been raised to "read her cards first". 

Time to open presents.

No caption needed ... yet that is a caption - hmmmmm?

Her new bear sounds an awful lot like her cousin Luke.  Thanks
uncle Bob, Aunt Elizabeth, Luke and Jack!

She KNOWS she is not supposed to be touching the candle. 
But it is her birthday.

Mom prepared a nice breakfast, though Emma now
insists on feeding herself.  
feed herself.

Emma in her new outfit dad brought back from France.  Thanks to Michel
for getting me to the mall and back while in Lille.  And of course the much
needed interpreting. 

Dad and Emma (in case you didn't know)

Mom and Emma discussing the rest of the day.

Getting ready to greet her guests at our local Thai restaurant.

A deep conversation with Grandpa on the current state
of affairs in Egypt.  A lot of CNN lately. 

She is trying to claim BOTH birthday cakes - hers and Fernando's.
They share the same birthday.

"Stay away from my cake."

Emma playing with her cousin Norah, who she
finally had a chance to meet today.

Good night everyone!