Miss Pretty Hair

You might think this blog would be about Scarlet, since most days, she has hair that just won't quit. But, no. It's about someone you'd least expect. Emerson's bus driver. Yes, Emerson's bus driver.

I don't know her actual name. And here's why. Everyone, Emerson included, calls her "Miss Pretty Hair."

And he says it without a passing thought. This morning, after this first dusting of snow, he says, "Miss Pretty Hair is going to love it. She loves snow."

The day it all began with "Miss Pretty Hair."

Hairs and bears...for three!

A couple of years ago, when we were pregnant with Scarlet, we wanted to help Emerson get excited and prepare for the arrival of a new sibling, We went out to lunch, and stopped at Build-a-Bear Workshop for Emerson to make himself, and his soon-to-arrive sibling, a gift. The result, is Scarlet has a cute little bunny in overalls from made with love by her big brother.

With a little more than a month to go until the arrival of Z3PO, we wanted to continue this tradition with Emerson and Scarlet. After haircuts this morning, we had lunch out (a rarity with Scarlet), and headed back to Build-a-Bear.

The kids each got to pick out an animal for themselves, and then chose one for baby-to-be. They each inserted a heart for this baby bear, and were involved in bringing him to life. I'm sure their little sibling will adore it. Now, we all need naps!

Pre-haircut ragamuffins.

First ever haircut for Scarlet Catherine. It took candy to keep her in that chair.

Looking good!

Resulting darlings.

Lunch at Red Robin. Yum.

And so begins the creation. That's her bulldog being filled. She chose a "Let it go" musical insert, and Minnie Mouse outfit.

Emerson's turn. He chose a puppy, a "Take me out to the ballgame" musical insert, and a baseball outfit.

Bringing their younger sibling's bear's hearts to life.

Now, everyone gets a bath. Teamwork.

Emersonisms - October 2014 Edition - PART 2

I always remember a few more after posting, and usually wait until the next "Edition" to post, but being that the next post like this may not happen until after the arrival of Z3PO (affectionate name Jason coined for our next crazy child in utero), figured I'd go ahead and share.

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Are Marilyn and Jared married? No. Do you think they should get married?
Yes. Are Jessica and Matt getting married on August 6 (note: August 6 is Emerson's birthday)? No, they're getting married on August 7.
I can't deal with that. Em, we are celebrating your birthday in Florida while we're all there!
WE'RE CELEBRATING MY BIRTHDAY IN FLORIDA! THAT'S AWESOME! Then I'm OK with that.

There you have it, Aunt Jeeka. Documented approval.

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Em, are you getting excited for the baby? It will be here before Thanksgiving.
Yes, I'm just a little nervous.
What are you nervous about?
I just don't know how I'm going to give it a bottle, watch it while we're outside playing. You know, that stuff.
Well, you don't have to worry about any of that. Mom and Dad are going to take care of the baby. You just have to love it.
Oh, OK. Then yes, I'm really excited.

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Em, so what do you think we should name the baby?

If it's a boy, we should name it Marshall. If it's a girl, we should name it Sarah.

We know a few Sarahs, but not any Marshalls, at least not that I'm aware of. Lovely names, of course, and I appreciate his ideas. We've come a long way from two and a half years ago. Scarlet was nearly "Coach Willie"!

Emersonisms - October 2014 Edition

Poppy spent a few weeks in Florida this month, and we regularly Face Time with him. One Saturday morning, Poppy asked if Emerson would fly down to go swimming with him, and Emerson very quickly responded with, "I'm sorry, I can't make it." As if it were just down the street, and he had a conflict. Sorry, Poppy...maybe next time.
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Mom, have u ever crashed into another car? No, but other cars have crashed into me.

Did they make you almost go off the road? No, but we pulled over to the side of the road after it happened.

Did the police come? Yes, they came and took a report.

What was the policeman's name? I don't remember. 

Did he love you?

I don't believe I answered the last one. Truth is, I don't know. Maybe this policeman I interacted with once, who took a report following a fender bender did actually love me. :P

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We have been super, duper, duper, crazy lucky in having Taylor fill in for us as a nanny during our 3-month child care gap. We had our prior nanny leave unexpectedly with very little notice, and still had three months leading up to my maternity leave. After wooing Taylor, she agreed to fill in for us for the three months, and has been a complete blessing! She spoils Scarlet in the best way home-cooked breakfasts, outings to the park, zoo, library, dress up and games, crafts galore...you name it. Emerson gets regular soccer matches in the front yard, and baseball in the back with Taylor and Scarlet after his school day. And despite my asking multiple times, Taylor is not interested in moving in with us. I even offered to make space for her boyfriend! No go. Nonetheless, the impact she has on my kids is just awesome. And they love her. Even Emerson, who takes a little time to warm up to new people has told us, "She really is the best." We agree, Emerson! We agree!
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And another Emerson-related note, never did I ever have any idea just how much time I'd spend trying to convince my child that cold weather requires one to wear pants. You would think that we're driving toothpicks under his nails every morning we make him wear pants. Which happens to be part of the uniform he wears, and they've made the seasonal switch to winter uniforms, so he must. Pants. Cruelty. Who knew? Can't wait until he needs to wear a coat every day.

Fall Sports

We're in the throes of a busy sports season with both kids. Hilarious that I'm including a 2-year-old, in that "both," right? Scarlet is way too crazy to not jump right in at a young age...with both of her fat little feet.

Emerson is playing both soccer and baseball this fall. This means that most of our weeknights are filled with practices, games, washing dirty uniforms for the next game, and lots and lots of Donatos take and bake pizzas. And...we love it. The added kicker of schedule nonsense, is that Jason is coaching both of Emerson's teams. He has counterparts for both, though, who are good friends, which makes it all manageable. We have our systems, too, to combat the crazy. There are two big baskets in the entry way. One gets all things soccer (uniform, cleats, ball, shin guards, etc) and one gets all things baseball (uniform, cleats, glove, etc.). As soon as we walk back in the door, that's where things go. And once uniforms are cleaned (well, as clean as they get), that's where you can find them. It's the little things.

As the sports season only has a few weeks left, I'm starting to already think about what I'll miss. What I won't miss is chasing a poorly-behaved toddler around the soccer and baseball fields while 7+ months pregnant. That girl needs a leash. In an effort to harness some of her boundless energy, Scarlet is signed up for weekly indoor soccer classes. Scarlet's the youngest one in the 2-year-old class. Which is 45 minutes of organized chaos. But this gives her a chance to be social (read: push other kids) and part of an organized class (read: run around in circles while everyone else stretches).

I know the parents of multiple children will tell me we won't be doubling up on seasonal sports for Emerson after we have another child. And my answer is...I know. We wanted to give Emerson an opportunity to do both sports he loves, and at this age of sporadic practices, and shorter games, it's doable. And for Scarlet...after soccer this fall, we're considering gymnastics. Why not, right? Newborn babies are portable! Bring on the next season of mayhem!

Waiting to see if that fly ball lands. You'd be surprised at this age just how many are caught! Darn those eager base runners and double plays!

Coach Jason, with Jack. Jack is older than Emerson, but also goes to St. Matt. Loads of friendships being built for this little boy.

Ball in the air, Emerson on the move...

At the ready!

Pep talk before one of the games from volunteer Dad and coach helper, Brian. So many cute little butts on the bench.

This kid.

His determination and faces he makes when he runs the bases are the best.

Speed is on this child's side. This will serve him well as he continues refining that swing.

And for an inning here and there, Emerson follows in his Momma's cleat-prints. Making me proud in his catcher's gear.

And then there's this one.

She can connect with the ball really well...now, let's get her to focus! "Oooh, Daddy, look! FILL IN THE BLANK."

There are two little girls on Emerson's baseball team. Of course Scarlet was drawn to their gear.

She has the look down...with the exception of the backwards helmet. But cute goes a long way.

Jason Andretti and Poppy Petty

Father's Day came (a few...cough...months ago) and went without a blog post. Two reasons. 1.) Life is BUSY! And 2.) we had a special gift for Jason (and my Dad) this year, that I knew warranted a special blog...

A few pics from Father's Day.

Now...back to the real Father's Day celebration! Both Jason and my Dad got a unique gift from their respective children. With too many ties and books, and little need for more "stuff," we got them a "driving experience." The Ohio Motor Speedway offered race car driving lessons, and a chance to drive. So we signed up! And so did Terra for Andrew and her Dad. What better way to spend a Saturday afternoon in July than zooming around a track?!?! They loved it. Below are a few pics.

Jason and Andrew, suiting up.

Tom Jenkins, Jason, Poppy, and Andrew...waiting their turns! They arranged so it was just the four of them on the track together...yikes, right?

Here are a couple of them rolling in. All cars made it back, with no damage! (Although we had purchased the insurance, because if something was going to happen out there, it was going to happen to Jason!)

Post-race with his biggest fans. Have I mentioned that it was 90+ degrees outside, and we were all melting?

Poppy, Scarlet, Emerson...and about 3/4 of Norah.

Waiting for the Dads and Grandpas to turn in their gear.

All Things Red, White, and Blue

I feel like I've been really neglectful in logging and blogging. I'm OK with that, since usually that means I'm too busy enjoying the mayhem we call life to actually archive it. I slowed down a little this week in the evenings to look back through pictures and realized I never blogged about the fourth of July holiday. One of my purposes in blogging is for my kids to one day look back, and enjoy the stories and photos of their seemingly warp-speed childhood. So, it may be 7 weeks after the fact, but here is our week of All Things Red, White, and Blue...through pictures.

Our patriotic fun started with an evening in Buckeye Lake for fireworks. Scarlet and her best buddy Norah Jo...always playin'.

The kiddo crew (bigger next year!) with the Lipp, Shegog, and Zielinski kids.

The 4.5 of us.

Emerson, totally enthralled.

Next morning...to the parade we go! Scarlet had to be woken, and clearly wasn't ready for the paparazzi.

Where are they???

Her favorite mode of transportation. Jason can't even start the mower anymore without her begging for rides.

Watering my unwieldy garden.

Post cookout, we ventured out for ice cream. Nothing more American than ice cream and toppings by the pound!!!

Wrapping up the 4th with a little front yard baseball with Jason's childhood friend, Craig, in the outfield.

The fun doesn't stop on the 4th for us. The next day, we had some family fun at the park. I caught this moment with these two. Oof...my heart.

An annual tradition, we headed back east for Somerset fireworks with all our friends. What's a 4th of July holiday without a blue snow cone?...

...And fingernail painting by your surrogate big sis...?

...And face paint?

I don't totally trust him either Scarlet. Keep your eye on him.

My three loves.

Each year, our 4th of July holiday photos are strikingly similar. Can't wait for another little American bambino in our pictures next year!

Emerson Rex Turns Six

This boy. From the moment we met you, we were smitten. And you had us all to yourself for nearly four years. And somehow, you're now six. Two weeks from today, you'll get on a bus and go to school. You're swinging a bat, and kicking a soccer ball like a pro, which you have the desire, and drive, to be. You have the ability to be very kind, and patient with your little sister. Even when she's a total nut. This is likely because she's the four-years-younger-female-version of you. What a wonderful six years we've had with you.

A few days old, and already a deep thinker.

We could NOT stop loving on you.

That bald little head, and that sweet, sweet face.

Never a shortage of personality.

18 months, and loud as a lion.

Two. Sweet, pensive. For a moment anyway.

Three...never missing your voice.

Almost 4, and busy as ever.

Four and a half...oh those curls.

Almost 5. Dashing.

Five and a half...compliant. Some of the time.

And this. This is what six looks like.

Thanks for choosing us as your parents, Emerson Rex. We love you so.