Halfway to Toledo

A month ago, we had an impromptu play date with Jason's parents after meeting for brunch in Upper Sandusky; we found a fun little park to play at for a few hours after eating. Having found this great park, we decided to come back! This past Sunday, Jason and I met his parents and the Jankos for a picnic and playdate. We had a great time! It rained for the first half hour, which ended up being no big deal, we just ate first. The sun came out, and we had lots of fun fishing, playing, swinging. It was a little steamy from the rain, but fun nonetheless.

We always have such a great time when we're in Toledo, and when everyone comes to visit us in Columbus. But this allowed for a quick playdate, with the driving cut in half!

Everyone on the carousel swing...hang on Em!

Jason...trying to not melt.

Emerson on the swings with cousin, Kendall

Cousin Macy, going for a "spin"

Cousin Spencer, waiting patiently for the fish...maybe next time!

Emerson, helping his cousin, Spencer, spot fish

Kendall was so sweet trying to help Emerson with his sippy cup...he had eager helpers for his "dropsies" games

Me with Em...we had so much fun, that Emerson was asleep before we got back on the highway

Here's a quick video of Em at the park...pushing the stroller. He loved this. I have a feeling this is a trend to come...much less of a "rider", and more of a "driver".

Emerson is a walker!

Emerson has been taking anywhere between two and seven steps for about 2 weeks now, but over the weekend, he really turned the corner, and walks almost everywhere he goes now! He sort of acts like he's been capable of doing this for ages, but finally decided to reveal his talent. He's very impressed with himself, and likely due to our reactions, now often claps when he gets where he wants to go. He'll still often speed-crawl, but I would say he's mostly walking now. He'll be eleven months in a week!

Videos to come. They really are hilarious...he toddles around like a drunk baby.

Baby back ribs

We're a little late in celebrating Father's Day...and a little early in celebrating Poppy's birthday (June 30th), so we combined them! Jess, Mia and Poppy, Jason, Emerson and I went to Montgomery Inn last night for dinner. It was a great environment for Em...loud! He ate like a champ, and nearly finished off the kids meal burger, fries, and applesauce, and tasted everyone's BBQ! Such a little piggy! Emerson didn't want to underdress, so he wore his fancy shirt, courtesy of the Lineberger Easter Bunny (Auntie Jess)! And we ALL wore bibs! The food was good, and the company was great (we missed you, Uncle Jared!). My parents get to see Em a good amount, but he changes so much between every visit! He's climbing and crawling like crazy, and very eager to walk. He's up to about 6 steps at a time right now.

Jess, proudly sporting her bib!

Mia and Poppy...ready for their BBQ!

I love this family pic...

This is the "drama laugh"...he was hamming it up the entire time. He'll throw his head back in a fake laugh, or close his eyes and snicker. He's too funny!

"What lovely beads, you have, Auntie Jessi."

(check out that fancy shirt on Em!)

Of course when Em and Poppy went for a walk, they played a game! Em loved peeking over the wall to see us!

Swim team is in his future!

I had Wednesday off this week, so Em and I headed to the pool! If you saw the earlier post about Emerson joining the gym, you know that we have 4 outdoor pools we can go to at Premier at Sawmill. We usually end up in at least three of them during our pool time. Em loves the baby pool with the fountains, but tries to crawl all over, and doesn't understand that it gets deeper! He loves the other baby pool, where he can climb in and out, and loves to play with the other kids (and their toys). Emerson seems to especially love the "big pool"! He'll sit on the side and reach/jump in. He gets lots of notice and comments because he's so comfortable in the water. (And of course, because he's so cute!) He'll put his face in and slurp the water, and will go under with me. The fourth pool is for bigger kids with a slide and waterfalls. We haven't ventured in yet!

There is no doubt in my mind that Em will be on the swim team by age 4. That's when my family likes to start them!

It's been so hot lately, that the pool is perfectly refreshing. Dependent on how today clears up, we'll be back over there! It's all of a three minute drive from our house, how great is that?!?!?

I like to MOVE IT, MOVE IT!

The castle is a HIT! He'll climb up the slide, and gets the concept of sliding down...forwards, backwards, upside down, and face-first. He cracks up while doing so! Emerson LOVES to laugh, and sounds like a little monkey when he gets going. He also drama-laughs...sort of a mock laugh, for the sake of an audience. It's too funny!

"MOM! Do you see me, because I see you!!!"

"This is the BEST!"

Quick video...he's having a blast! He is absolutely fearless...up the slide, down the slide!

Emerson learned that there is a reason Sheffield hovers underneath the high chair. After getting his fill of cheerios and grapes this morning, Emerson began dropping samples to Sheff. And loved the reaction he got! Sheff scrambles around chasing every morsel. Normally, I wouldn't let this continue, but the reaction on Em's face was priceless...and I figured he could share a few.

Emerson is a climber, a crawler, a cruiser, and a tumbler. There is no doubt that his genetic make-up says ALL boy. He currently has a big bruise on his left cheek after tumbling face first into a trunk where we store blankets in the family room. When he does tumble, he recovers quickly.

He'll push anything from one room to the next...the highchair, a bin, a kitchen chair, a stool, the walker. He'll climb onto anything he can get a leg up on...people, ottoman, chair, and most recently, his castle climber. Jason recently got Emerson hooked on popsicles. The kind that come in plastic tubes, in all colors and flavors. Jason usually ends the day with a couple of these, and now Emerson does too. Emerson will stand at the end of the chair, and wait his turn for bites, and is SO pleased after he gets one!

Emerson's Dad...and Grandpas

I am one of the lucky ones. I say this for MANY reasons, but the one I am talking about today is my husband's incredible ability for fatherhood. It's something that comes very naturally to him.

I occasionally travel for work, and some moms ask me if I am worried about Jason being able to handle everything. The ones who ask that, usually don't know Jason very well. Those that know him, know that he is so hands-on, that I can leave town for 2 days, and not worry that Emerson is eating peas, that he has his favorite blanket to sleep with, that there are sufficient binkies in the crib, and that Emerson is 100% cared for. After all, Da-da-da-da-da was one of Em's first words.

I have a son who seems to be his father's spitting image. Although people tend to say he exhibits some of my personality, he definitely favors Jason's looks. It shocks me sometimes when they're sitting side by side, just how much they look alike. I'd have it no other way.

Jason has so many special moments with Emerson, because he makes them special. Most nights, he'll take Em upstairs for a bath and I'll come up a little later to find them laying in bed watching the Yankees game. If I have a late night at work, Jason will pick up Emerson and stop at Lowe's, Target, or any other quick errands, and loves having his boy with him in the cart. From zoo trips, to the grocery, I don't know if I've ever seen a man so happy to be with his son as Jason is with Emerson.

Happy Father's Day, Jason...we love you.

After a laid back morning with donuts and coffee, we headed down to the river for a picnic on the water.

One of the few minutes he would stay on the blanket.

Admiring his baby boy... Had to sneak this one in! Emerson was actually quite happy wearing these! But only for a moment.

And since we couldn't spend father's day with our own Dads, a special thank you to two more wonderful men in Emerson and our lives. Ted has 4 grandchildren who think the world of him, and he loves and cares for each one in a special way. Emerson is rarely out of "Dzia Dzia's" arms when they're together. Happy father's day, Ted...we love you!
And my Dad has proven to be an amazing father and grandfather ("Poppy"). Most notably, in the last few years, as my family has been handed a very unusual hand. My Dad is the one who helps us all keep it together. From offering time-tested advice to his daughters and son, to testing his chef skills, to arranging the Naples trips, my Dad has more than stepped up to the plate. Thanks, Dad...and happy father's day. We love you.

Emerson's playground

This has been a work in progress for a couple months, but we recently completed Emerson’s playground! We have a large area next to the patio that we framed in river stone, and then created a rubber mulch play area. Emerson’s play stuff includes a turtle sandbox, a water table, a slide, a climbing castle, a pool, and a picnic table. He adores them all!

Will the real Emerson Rex, please stand up?...

Will the real Emerson Rex, please stand up?...please stand up...please stand up...

Emerson stands on his own now. He loves walking toys, and will speed around the room with them. He's recently discovered he can stand without any support, and now does it all the time! He will take a few steps holding someone's hand, and took a few (seriously, three) on his own last night. He doesn't like the double-handed walk, with someone hovering over him. He prefers to hold onto one hand, and walk beside someone. He still regularly plops down to crawl where he is going, but we have the feeling that walking is JUST around the corner!

We're triple-booked this weekend, and will be all over the place. There are two baby showers we're not able to make it to since we have 40th birthday stuff for Jason's cousin, two separate golf outings, hair appt (ok, this is just for me), etc. etc. etc. We're very excited for a slumber party tonight with Auntie Mel, Uncle Gary, cousins Spencer, Macy and Kendall!

Standing on his own!

Oops...I guess we put Emerson in with the toys during clean up!

10 months old!

I feel like these "birthday" blogs are getting closer and closer together! There are moments when I can't believe that Emerson could possibly be almost one year old. And there are moments when it feels like Emerson has been around forever. It's hard to think back to what it was like before Emerson came into our family. We know this...our lives wouldn't be complete without him.

Parks and recreation

Emerson had an impromptu breakfast and playdate with Mimmy and Dzia Dzia Saturday morning. We found the perfect halfway point between Columbus and Toledo, with a great park in Upper Sandusky. After breakfast, we played at the park for a couple hours and Emerson kept everyone entertained. We plan to head back there in a couple weeks!

Perfect...everyone smiling.

Cute picture of Em playing in the grass.

This might be my favorite.

Another good one.

And here's where things get interesting!

This kid loves cracking himself up. He bounced right out of the shot on this one.

We had to get back to Columbus Saturday afternoon for deliveries! We got our hot tub delivered, and what Jason didn't know, is that he was also getting his fathers' day gift early...a riding lawn mower was delivered too!!!

Jared and I were encouraging Jason's good work

Jason loved his new toy (OK, Jared...go get in the shot if you have to!)