Emerson Rex...he's a POLISH PRINCE!

There is more to the title than you might first think. A couple years ago, Jason's college roommate, Jeff, got married. Jason and Jeff are soulmates in the pride of their Polish backgrounds. Jason was in the wedding, and we hung closely with two other groomsmen and their wives, Mike and Lori and Rick and Laurie. We all had a GRAND time at the wedding and reception. We had so much fun, that on the return trip on the bus, we sat in the back, and continued to "celebrate". The entire wedding party and parents were on the bus. At some point, we started chanting to the groom..."Lenczowski (LEN - CHEZ - KEE), he's a Polish Prince!" The chant turned into top-of-lung yells, and Jason would start the chant, and the 5 of us would answer...

Jason - "Lenczowski!"
All - "He's a Polish Prince!"
Jason - "Lenczowski!"
All - "He's a Polish Prince!"
Jason - "Lenczowski!"
All - "He's a Polish Prince!"

Needless to say, we annoyed the rest of the bus. Jason and I are impressed with the complete randomness we can bring into other people's lives.

Jason is crazy-proud of his heritage, and once even said "Now that we're married, you're Polish too." Hilarious. I then explained life to Jason.

A lovely blend of Irish, German, French, and Polish...below is our little Polish Prince wearing a half-birthday present from Auntie Jessi, and she's right..."1/2 Polish is better than none."

B is for Bathtime!, Big boy clothes, Bowling and a Bitter beer face!

Emerson is a ham! He's a goofy, silly, hilarious little boy! So much personality in one little body! He enjoys the time in his high chair, so much that he just hangs there if I'm doing stuff in the kitchen. He is thoroughly enjoying his new "blend" meals like chicken and apples, chicken noodle dinner, turkey and rice, macaroni and cheese, and fruit blends (especially if they have banana!). Definitely a better eater than his Dad! Jason doesn't eat vegetables or fruit, but has never met a cheeseburger he didn't like. Unlike his Dad, Emerson loves his peas. Although only on Tuesdays. He apparently HATES peas on Thursdays. I don't know what I was thinking! I can't get them on camera just yet, but he has two teeth on the bottom and is working on at least one of the top. I love the two on the bottom...what an adorable little grin!

Emerson LOVES books...and apparently magazines, too! He spent some time looking through Jason's Sporting News the other day. And by "looking through", I actually mean destroying, and trying to eat.

Who is this little boy in my kitchen?!?!?!?! Depending on his clothes, Emerson can look WAY older than he actually is. I can't believe this "baby" is only 6 months old!

Jason and I spent the afternoon on Valentine's Day participating in a charity bowling event with some friends. Good times had by all!

Can you believe it? 28 weeks!

Oh the faces you make! I have successfully captured the "Bitter Beer Face". He started making this face in Florida a couple weeks ago. It's sometimes prompted by food he's finished with or just doesn't want to eat, although sometimes it just appears out of nowhere! I crack up every time!

BIG BOY TUB! Emerson graduated from his blue baby tub into the big boy tub! I still need to get some non-slip something or other to keep him in one place. He LOVES the bath and splashes and chases after toys the entire time. He has some super cool translucent light-up frogs that he can't get enough of!

We had Emerson's 6-month photos with Julie, our favorite photographer, and can't wait to see the gallery! We spent an hour at the Franklin Park Conservatory gathering what I hope are some excellent shots! Stay tuned!

6-month check-up

At Emerson's 6 month check-up last Friday, he lived up to his standard...BIG!

21 lbs. - 96th percentile

28.5" - 94th percentile

All is well. He has a bit of fluid remaining from the ear infection, but it is clearing. I take him back in 6 weeks to be sure. He had to show off for Dr. Behrens and crawl across the mat. He also chattered the entire time and sat up on his own. It's like he knew he was being checked out! He has two teeth on the bottom that have surfaced! He is working on at least one on the top. His appetite has been down a bit with all the teething, but we're starting to introduce some fun (and some not so fun foods). The fruit blends are a hit! The green beans and peas...not so much. He still has his faves of squash, sweet potatoes, and bananas. Everything else is just tolerated.

I was supposed to be in Omaha for the next two days, but my trip was cancelled, which is FINE by me! I have a trip to New Orleans and a trip to Chicago scheduled in March, so Jason will have plenty of time for boys' nights then.

Watching the world go by...

A general update on Emerson...

Although he doesn't have the "pincer grasp" just yet...he's working really hard on picking up those puffs! But he doesn't seem to like the taste of them. When he manage to get one in his mouth, he makes the "Florida Face", now known as the "bitter beer face."

Emerson turned 6 months old/26 weeks while we were in Florida. We had a candle and cupcakes (halved!). I took this when we got back.

Last night, Jess and I went to a ballet/jazz fusion event (really cool!), so Jason took Emerson to BW3's and met up with Michael (Emerson's godfather/Jason's cousin and his son Cameron). A boys' night!

Emerson loves to look at things upside down, literally. He'll roll over, grab his toes, and take a different look at things.

Auntie Melissa said it best...the pictures don't have to be from the front to be great pictures. I love this sequence of Emerson sitting at the back door looking out.

His 6 month check up is this afternoon...will have another update after that!

Tuesday evening adventures

Sheffield had a trip to the vet yesterday for a teeth cleaning and to have a small bump over his eye removed. No big deal (other than the fact that it was almost $600!!!). After work, I picked up Emerson and went home to start dinner. Jason went to pick up Sheff. Emerson was working really hard on grabbing some "puffs" in his highchair when in walks Jason and Sheff. Sheff had a cone on to prevent him from pawing at his stitches. Well, Emerson freaked. He adores Sheffield and gets SO excited when Sheffield just walks into the same room. Apparently he has a thing against cones though, because the boy FREAKED! He couldn't even look at him without screaming. No tears or actual crying, just outright screaming at Sheffield. I had to take Emerson into another room. This would have worked, if Sheffield didn't follow me everywhere I went. I kept saying to Emerson, "Just don't look at him"...that didn't work either. We took the cone off.

Naples, FL - 2 of 2 blogs

Remaining pics...

Naples, FL - 1 of 2 blogs

I knew when I began this, that I would have more pictures and stories to write about from this trip. Emerson had so many "firsts"! We left Thursday, and flew to Naples to spend time with my parents. Emerson, Jason, Auntie Jessi and I had a great flight down, and arrived in time for dinner on Thursday. After Dad placed coronas in our hands, he scooped up Emerson and off they went.

Poppy and Mia hearing all about Emerson's first plane ride - he was a perfect baby.

The next morning, after a light breakfast and a trip to the gym (or in Jason's case...fishing in the back yard), we got ready to go to lunch on the water, and then the beach. It was a little cool for the beach, so we planned to walk the beach, and then head to the pool after a nap. We had a great lunch, and Emerson got to try a big boy high chair, and did great! He also tried a lemon, although not the first time. Love that little face! He was fun to watch at the beach. He couldn't take his eyes off of the water. The very chilly water! We dipped toes, but that was it! Brrrrrrr! Thank goodness for heated pools.

Jason, with his prized fish!Emerson, maybe thinking Poppy is a little goofy

Face smashed against the window, watching the world go by
"I love it mom!"
Lunch on the water

Laid back in the big boy high chair taking a bottle

Finally, the beach!

First feel of the sand

First feel of the ocean (gulf)

Jason found the head of a big catfish...ew. After a nap, we hit the pool!

This was a face that Emerson just started making. We've dubbed it...the Florida Face. He pulls in his lips, while also making a fish face. Since he's toothless, it makes the most hilarious little face I've ever seen. I just cracked up every time he did this!

Another trip to the beach...a little bright I guess!

And back to the pool...

After going under the water...he loved it!

Can you find Jason in this picture?

Emerson loved floating... sooooo relaxed.

More to come...