Running with the big kids

Emerson has been receiving physical therapy through ECI since she was 6 months old. She needed it to help with her torticollis which was causing her plagiocephaly. As an infant, Emerson also had a pretty severe case of gastric reflux and could not tolerate her tummy time. So Emerson was slow to develop the muscle strength necessary to sit up, crawl, stand and walk. But in time, and with therapy, she reached all those milestones and now we are happy to report that she has fully caught up and runs, jumps and skips with the best of them! As Christie, her devoted PT put it, "She's too good for me now" when Emerson scored at the 36 month level during her most recent ECI evaluation. We have been blessed to have received Emerson's services through ECI, which is a program supported through Easter Seals. Easter Seals is a great non-profit organization that assists children and families without judgement or request for payment. If you are able, it would mean a great deal to a child in need if you would make a donation to this awesome organization.

One clean giraffe

After a bath and not quite ready to get into pajamas!

Sea World Day 4

We are getting our money's worth with our Sea World passes. This time we went to the Lost Lagoon, which is the water park. There is a section there that is for kids Emerson's size. The wading pool varies in depth from 1/2 foot to 2 feet and has all sorts of sea creatures to play on, some with sprinklers. The pool is staffed with 2 life guards and surrounded by umbrellas and lounge chairs, which is where I camped out while Emerson 'swam' and her father acted as her coach. Of course Emerson had a great time and had to be bribed away with promises of going to go see the dolphins.

We love our Sea World passes. Next time we plan on going to the wave pool!

Such a busy girl

Someone got up too early and needed a nap. We transferred her to the big bed in her room and she slept for 2 hours. She might have slept longer if the phone hadn't rang and woke her up. Even as tired as she was, notice she didn't let go of the iPhone!

Hanging by the pool

Emerson loves all water and water activities. She got a new, deeper backyard pool for the summer and has already put it to good use. She had a great time in the pool and didn't want to get out. We finally made her when her teeth started chattering and she started shivering. And we had to bribe her with a bubble bath....I swear, she is part duck!

Wicked

We went to see "Wicked" this past weekend at the Majestic Theatre. If you are not familiar with the story, it's the life stories of the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch before Dorothy arrives in Oz. If you get the chance to see it, I recommend taking it. This is one play you don't want to miss. Grandma was nice enough to come over and spend the night with Emerson so we could have our night on the town. Angela was gracious enough to accompany us. After the play, we went for a late dinner and some drinks at one of my favorite restaurants, Acenar. They make the best tuna margaritas in town! The only downside was that Emerson was up super early on Sunday morning and in our room by 7am despite her Grandma's best efforts to keep her entertained so we could sleep in a little. No matter, we were happy to see her anyway.

Bouncing Queen

Besides all water activities (Sea World, backyard kiddie pool, bathtub fun), Emerson's other love is to BOUNCE! With her speech therapy, we have been working on action verbs, so BOUNCING is one of her favorite words right now. This girl likes bouncing in her crib in the mornings (everything must be thrown out to maximize bouncing space), bouncing on the couch while watching her beloved Nemo, bouncing on the bed in her room and falling on the pile of pillows with peals of laughter, and bouncing on our bed while we are trying to fold laundry.

A few weekends ago, we were invited to a housewarming party for a co-workers of Rico's and they had a bounce house in the backyard for the kids, not to mention a lovely home. Emerson spent the majority of the party bouncing. She made friends with Rachel, another little girl around her age and the two of them bounced together. And this girl likes an audience. Rico walked away to go speak with other party goers and grab a beer and Emerson stopped bouncing and ran to the little door and peeked out and yelled "Daddy! Where are you going!?!" I guess the speech therapy is paying off :)

Sea World Day 3

Another trip to Sea World, where we visited our old friends the dolphins, aquarium fish and Clydesdale's. But the highlight of this trip was playing at "Shamu's Happy Harbor" splash park. It's perfect for kids Emerson's age. She had the best time and ran around with the biggest smile on her face. We let her run around and play for about an hour in the splash park before heading home, but not before getting our usual frozen lemonade. Emerson had such a good time, we think they should re-name the place "Shamu's Happy Happy Happy Harbor. It was nice for parents to. You could cool off from the hot Texas sun without getting sopping wet. Sea World season passes=fun summer for us!

PS We are planning on going this weekend. Anyone care to join us?

Sea World Day 2

SHAMU!!!!

Emerson mostly enjoyed Shamu, but had a mini-meltdown about 2/3 into the show. It was getting late and the action was slow moving, so I'm not surprised. Angela was telling me that the last Shamu show of the day is like that...I guess the whales are tired? We'll try again when Shamu is more energetic.

Sea World Day 1

We recently got Sea World season passes and made our first visit last weekend. Emerson had never been to Sea World, but she loves all animals and all fish, so we thought she'd love it. It makes sense to us to get the season passes. Emerson is still free because she is under 3, but a single day pass for adults is about $57, plus a minimum of $13 dollars for parking. So one day for us to go would cost ~$130. For a few bucks extra, we can go any day they are open for a full year and parking is included.

Emerson running to get "there". She's not sure where she's going, but she is super excited and had to run ahead. She wasn't disappointed.

DOLPHINS!!!

Viva Show with the white sided dolphins and beluga whales. Momma Beluga had her little baby with her. Baby didn't perform, just stayed close to Momma while she did her job. That's the definition of Working Mom if I ever saw one.

Hey Claire, Crazy Guy is still here!

Anyone want to visit Sea World? Single day tickets are 50% off if we buy them with our season passes :)

Minus One