saying goodbye

We had to say goodbye to our sweet Walker early this morning.  It's been a very hard day for all of us.  He was part of our family as you will see in these pictures.  We have so many wonderful memories of Walker and Maggie, too.  Maggie passed away just a few months after Emma Jane was born.  She was Walker's best friend.  Having a pet is such a rewarding experience, but letting them go is never easy. 

Paul loved taking the dogs out in the boat.

Christmas 2006

Both dogs greeted Emma Jane when we came home with her for the first time.

Walker had to get a closer look at his newest competition!

Sometimes Walker and Maggie would take turns "guarding" Emma Jane while she slept.

Rare family photo, dogs and all!

Emma Jane's first visit to Columbia.

One of our first nights together after moving to Columbia.

We took Walker on MANY walks at the Riverwalk.

Christmas morning 2009

  Walker thought the bone prop to Emma Jane's cave girl costume was the real deal!

Emma Jane checking out Walker's giant ears!

 Kisses for Walker

Paul's graduation day from USC



One of our Columbia snow days

 Hugs for Walker

 Always regal, he was the "king" of our household!

Giving Walker some attention...he'd gotten less and less with two kiddos in the house!

 Vivi really seemed to like hanging out with our boy!

   Walker liked hanging out with Vivi, too.  Her toes must really taste good!

We'll miss you, Walker! 

little bouncers

Emma Jane and Vivian are definitely two peas in a pod.  These girls like to BoUnCe!  Both have loved the bouncy seat from the very start.  Vivian also tried the exersaucer for the first time this week and loved it, just as Emma Jane did at her age.  Our girls know how to have fun!

Vivian

May 2011

6 months

Emma Jane

November 2008

4 months

bedtime chats

Every night at bedtime is special with both our girls.  I love snuggling Vivi until she nods off to sleep and bedtime is when Emma Jane finally becomes a snuggler at the end of a long snuggle-free day.  Our routine with Emma Jane has been the same since she was a small baby.  Paul bathes her, dresses her in her pjs, and gives her a little quiet (ha!) playtime in her room.  When I come in to take over,  Emma Jane and I read a few books together, say prayers, and snuggle for a few minutes before I leave the room.  Recently our snuggle time has also become chat time.  Emma Jane will say, "Mama, I have somepin I want to talk to you 'bout."  Every night we talk about something different and it leads to a long string of disconnected (or are they?) Emma Jane thoughts.  This is how our conversation went tonight.  Please forgive the lengthy dialogue, but I wanted to record at least one of these conversations while it's still fresh in my mind.  Times like these are just too precious to forget.

EJ:  Mama, why do we have dinner?

Me:  Well, so our bodies can be healthy and strong.  That's why we eat all of our meals and make sure we have servings of fruits and vegetables.

EJ:  But I don't wike vegetables.

Me:  Well, it's important to eat them.

EJ:  But why?

Me:  So you can run fast and jump high and have plenty of energy all day long.

EJ:  Mama, why do we go to school?

(Notice the whys have begun to take over our child!)

Me:  So we can learn new things like how to read, how to write, and how to share with our friends.

EJ:  Mama, I wike your eyebwows.  You have bootiful eyes.  Are your eyes bwown?

Me:  Yes, my eyes are brown just like yours.

EJ:  But my eyes turn green when I cry.  Why do they turn green?

Me:  I'm not sure...

EJ:  Mama, open your mouth and say Ahhhh!

Me:  Why?

EJ:  I need to check to see if your teef are white.  Have you been eating sweeties?

Me:  I guess I better go brush my teeth.  (As much as I love this conversation, I do have to leave at some point and this is the perfect way to exit.)

EJ:  No, mommy, I want you to stay and snuggle for just one, two, free mo minutes.

Me:  Can you lay here quietly with me while we snuggle?

EJ:  No, 'cause I have somepin very impotant we need to talk 'bout.

....and so it continues...every night...and I wouldn't have it any other way!

family and friends

We tried to squeeze in visits with everyone we could while we were in Panama City.  Many of our family and friends met Vivian for the first time.  We even took advantage of some babysitting offers and went out on a few dates!

Hangin' on the beach with Grandma Jane

Very brief Pier Park shopping trip.

Lunch at Margaritaville with Grandma Jane

Gotta have a margarita at Margaritaville!

Aunt Scott came out to the condo a few times.

Vivi was clearly entertained by my mom!

Emma Jane even gave Grandma Di a little laptime.

Great Grandaddy Walker meets Vivian. 

Cousin Diane meets Vivi, too!

Emma Jane got some play time with Garrison.

 Balcony pose before meeting friends for dinner

Dinner with Margaret and Brett

Date night...just the two of us!

Emma Jane spending time with "big girl" Mary!

 

Vivi had fun with Mary, too!

Baby shower for Margaret

Good friends meeting Vivi at the shower

I only wish I had been able to take more pictures of all the family and friends we were able to see while on this trip.  Chasing around Emma Jane and toting around Vivi is a full time job that kept me from taking out the camera.  Some people might thank me for this since I can be a little obnoxious with the picture taking!

adoration

   Vivi adores her big sis. It is so wonderful to see how her eyes light up when Emma Jane enters the room. For the most part, the feeling is mutual for Emma Jane. Unfortunately, now that Vivi is learning to grab things and move around a little more, Emma Jane is beginning to learn what it's like to have to share her things. I have a feeling that this is not going to be easy for her since she has had several meltdowns this weekend regarding Vivian's "use" of her toys. Emma Jane really didn't like it when Vivi starting chewing on Curious George!