Overnight getaway and Third trimester

The night of Emeline's birthday party, Aunt Diane and Uncle Miles were kind enough to take Emeline for the night, so Wes and I could have an evening out and a full night of rest. After we cleaned up from the festivities, we dropped of Emeline (who did not mind in the least!) and took of for a night at the DeAnza Hotel in SJ.  Not super far, but a nice change of scenery and close to one of our favorite restaurants, a Spanish tapas place called Picasso's.  We had a delicious dinner, and a full evening of uninterrupted conversation (a true rarity if you know how much Emeline likes to talk).  After dinner we crashed, and awoke to more delicious food for breakfast, and some time to get some work done on the house before Emeline came home after a fun day at the beach.  The getaway was much needed, and I think we both realized how infrequently we get enough time to ourselves to have true mental space.  It was wonderful to have the space, but also sad to realize how rarely we get it, and how it will be even more rare once Emeline's sister arrives.

We also took the oppurtunity to take a few belly shots, since I don't think we've done so since starting the 2nd trimester.  

Now I'm in my 3rd trimester...finally stopped most of the nausea and vomiting, though I still get sick in the mornings if I'm not careful with what I eat.  I guess I missed the "feel good" 2nd trimester all together, but now I've only got about 10-11 weeks of feeling huge and tired before we get to meet our new little girl.  

Emeline's 2nd Birthday Party

We had a very belated little birthday party for Emeline.  It was strawberry themed park playdate, because Emeline loves strawberries!

She wore her strawberry dress...

We had an abundance of strawberries, as well as lots of her other favorite snacks (cheese, grapes, cucumbers, animal crackers, goldfish, and chips and dip).

 

And she blew out her candles on some strawberry shortcake cupcakes.  A mini version of what she had on her actual birthday.

Well, actually, the wind prevented us from lighting the candles, but she enjoyed hearing the birthday song and she tried to blow them out anyway.

There was lots of toddler snacking...

And enjoying of juice boxes...

It was really cool to see all the kids eating and playing together.  It felt so much more like a kid's birthday party than last year.

We even got Emeline's friends H & C to enjoy a cupcake...apparently these twins never like sweets, but these were not too sweet, so they gobbled them up.  Not sure if that will end up being a good thing or not, but I was very glad to have made something they enjoyed!

Emeline had a great time, but was not always the most social.  The park we met at has this giant red swing (for kids with special needs), which she is totally addicted to, as are most kids.  So a good portion of the party was spent in the swing.  Swinging is serious business...

And also lots of fun!

It was a relaxed afternoon in the park with great friends, a fun way to celebrate terrific two!

Easter

A few eggs.

With Mommy and Grandpa...

With Papa and Grandpa... 



Easter goodies... 

 Enjoying something sweet...



Flowers from Cousin Jesse... 

 

 Delicious dinner with family...

 

First Haircut

Emeline's hair has been getting quite long, and it was very uneven since she'd never had a hair cut.  I fought the guilt for a long time that I should be able to cut her hair myself, but finally decided that I really don't have the skills for that, and honestly, I LOVE getting my hair cut in a salon, so why not do something special for her like that.  So as part of her 2nd birthday present, we took her to a little kids haircut place for a treat.  

The place was very colorful and bright, had toys and cartoons, and Emeline cooperated nicely.  We'd been telling he for a few days she was going to get a haircut, and she didn't seem to mind at all.  She had fun watching herself in the mirror and seemed to enjoy the experience.  Here are some photos!

Getting all suited up...

Grandpa and Papa waiting...

 

 

 

 

A cookie for being all done! 

The finished product.  All evened out, a few layers to show off her curls, and a braid with a bow.  

Two!

Emeline is 2!  And what a joy she is.  She is full of life and always teaching us to pay attention to the details of life around us.  During this difficult season of losing my mother, she has been my connection to God's love.

Emeline continues to run, jump, and climb, getting more agile every day.  And despite her very head strong personality, she has learned to stay closer to mommy and daddy.  I am amazed at how much she understands, now following more complicated directions...when she feels like listening of course.  

She is a talker...  It sounds like a stream of consciousness coming from her little mouth, constantly narrating everything happening around her.  Car rides sound like, "Mommy drives..coming house...bye bye friends...more wawa...big truck..." or anything else passing through her mind.  She also loves to give us directions and is developing the penchant for having things just a certain way.  Emeline has also started to sing along more to songs she hears.  Our recent road trip was a fun experience listening to her renditions of driving music we like such as, Fountains of Wayne, as well as some worship songs.  I love hearing from the back seat "alooya..I sing" for "Halleluja, Halleluja, your love makes me sing".  She also had fun trying to sing Happy Birthday for the first time.

Given the tumulutousness of life latley, we didn't have time to have a birthday party for Emeline, but hopefully we can celebrate more with friends and family later.  But she had a blast dancing around in her birthday dress, eating some birthday strawberry short cake, and opening a few gifts.  Without further ado, here are way too many pictures of our Sweet Emeline, and a video of her and her birthday cake.