tantrum twos

Okay, so we've all heard of the "terrible twos", but I refuse to say that our child is going through a phase that is "terrible" so I will call Emma Jane's newest stage the "tantrum twos". Of course, Emma Jane just entered the wonderful world of two less than a month ago, but the tantrums began right away (if not sooner). I thought I would share some of her more laughable tantrums because some of her fits are just, well, funny.

Today I showed her a thank you letter that I was about to put in the mailbox. I explained to her that we don't always get mail out of our mailbox, but that sometimes we put mail in the box for the mailman to take and send to others. She seemed to understand this new bit of information. Since our mailbox is at the bottom of our very steep driveway, I usually take the lazy way out and put mail in the box as we are leaving to go somewhere in the car. That is just what I did today. As soon as we drove away from the mailbox, Emma Jane had a major meltdown! "Go back, mama! Go get mail!" accompanied by real tears and fist pounding. I tried to explain to her again how this whole mailing system works, but that didn't seem to register. Needless to say, this tantrum lasted for at least 5-10minutes, which is a long one for Emma Jane.

Other routine tantrum phrases:

"I want a snack! I want snack! I want a snack!" (even if she's just eaten a meal)

"Go outside! Go outside ride bike! Go outside now!" (unfortunately it is too hot to spend a lot of time outside right now...but tell that to a two-year-old!)

"Watch Little Mermaid again!!" (her favorite movie)

"Listen Beauty and Beast song again!" (her favorite song, which until just recently she called "Market Beef"...don't ask my why!?!)

Me: Do you need a diaper change?
EJ: No, I still dry.
Me: Are you sure? (since I'm pretty sure she is NOT dry)
EJ: Noooooo diaper change!!!! Nooooo!

Whenever Emma Jane is about to do something she isn't supposed to do, I follow suit with what most moms do by giving her a warning of what will happen if she doesn't listen. Ex: "Don't sit on the edge of that chair. If you do, you might fall." When she disobeys and does something regardless of my warnings, I respond with the typical, "See, I told you." Now Emma Jane uses this same phrase pretty regularly on herself. She tries something that she knows she isn't supposed to do, and when the inevitable consequence occurs, she tells herself, "See, I told you!"


"Emma Jane, please don't roll on top of your ball. You will fall!"
Her look says it all..."Please, mother, I know what I am doing!"



"Wheee! This is fun!" Of course, she then rolls right into something and cries.



This is when she says, "See! I told you!"

hop to bed!

We converted Emma Jane's crib to a toddler bed today. Naptime was the first trial run and it was a great success! She only got out of bed one time just as I left the room. Luckily, we have the video monitor, so I just went right back into her room and told her to get back in bed. She didn't get out again and peacefully took her usual two hour nap. Tonight she was happy to climb back in her "big girl bed" and snuggle up with all her blankies and pillows. She hasn't gotten out of bed at all this time...so far! We are so proud of our big girl!

splash bash

Emma Jane celebrated turning two with her favorite pastime....splashing! Every morning I ask her, "What do you want to do today?" and she almost always shouts, "Go splash!" So we decided a party at Saluda Shoals Splash Playground would be perfect for our little waterbug. She loved it! We rented the picnic pavilion close to the splash pad and added a few fun decorations and games, including a fishing game and bucket of bubbles. All of Emma Jane's guests were adorable in their swimsuits and it was fun to watch them gleefully playing in the water. Paul had to drag Emma Jane away from the splash pad for the birthday festivities. After a quick lunch, (Paul's yummy chicken salad and homemade pimento cheese sandwiches were a hit!) the kids devoured Emma Jane's birthday cupcakes. I think everyone had a great time and I know our birthday girl truly felt special.

parties galore

Emma Jane was lucky to have several birthday parties held in her honor while visiting Panama City. At Grandma Di and Grandpa Ron's house, Emma Jane shared a birthday celebration with her Great-Granddaddy Walker who turned 92. It was pretty special to see a 2-year-old and a 92-year-old blow out birthday cake candles together! The Brown family was also there to party with us.

Grandma Jane and Grandpa Bill also had a birthday party for Emma Jane. She enjoyed Grandma Jane's homemade chocolate cake and, of course, opened presents galore! Aunt Janet and Logan were there to celebrate with us, too.

Last, but not least, Aunt Scott gave Emma Jane a little surprise party, too! Cranston and Barrett were there to help us sing happy birthday to our 2-year-old. She had another yummy homemade cake with icecream and, once again, more presents to open!

Emma Jane is so fortunate to have so many special people in her life who love her so much!

Of course, mommy and daddy also had to have a special party for our girl back in South Carolina on her actual birthday, July 14. She was very excited to get a cozy new beanbag. All of these parties led up to the "planned" party where Emma Jane celebrated with all of her little friends. Stay tuned for pictures from Emma Jane's Splash Bash!

we are family!

Emma Jane and I took another trip to Panama City the week of July 4th. It was a whirlwind of family fun! Emma Jane was able to see ALL TEN of her first cousins on this trip. We started with a quick trip through Jacksonville where we stayed overnight with Aunt Amy, Uncle Mark and cousins Hannah, Jordan, and Parker. They were nice enough to host us unexpectedly after Paul's truck broke down and we were left to travel on our own. Jacksonville is the perfect mid-point stop on this grueling 9 1/2 hour drive. We always love seeing the Dungeys!

On the second day of driving, we stopped in Tallahassee to meet up with Aunt Cindy, Uncle Ryan, and cousin Izzy. They were on their way home after spending a week in Panama City. We met them for a quick lunch since we were traveling on the same interstate. It was great to see Emma Jane and Izzy playing together. They are only 2 months apart and have lots in common!

While in Panama City, we stayed in a huge high-rise condo on the beach with good friend, "Aunt" Scott and her nephew, Cecil. It was the perfect place to relax and meet up with family and friends. Aunt Stacy, Uncle Paul, and cousins Vincent and Daniel stayed in the same condo, so we got to see them frequently, too!

Aunt Susan, Uncle Brad, and cousins Meghan, Auburn, Allison, and Shiloh were also in town. They came out to enjoy the beach with us several times. Emma Jane loved playing with her "big girl" cousins and "Baby Shiloh".

We spent most of our time at the pool or on the beach. Several visits were also made to Grandma Di and Grandpa Ron's and Grandma Jane and Grandpa Bill's. Granddad John and Uncle John Robert even made a trip from Bonifay to see us! Emma Jane was also lucky enough to see ALL of her great-grandparents while in town. We spent time with Great-Grandma and Grandaddy Walker, Great-Grandpa Jimmy and Lucille, and Great-Grandma Nora. Nora was visiting all the way from Wisconsin with Uncle Mervin and his three kids, Raif, Rachel, and Roman.

Poor Emma Jane had a difficult time keeping up with all the faces and names, but she was thrilled to be surrounded by so many people who love her. It was a very memorable trip for us both!


Cousins, cousins, and more cousins!







Condo time with "Aunt" Scott and Cecil




Watching backyard "firewooks" with Grandma Jane, Vincent, and Daniel



Dinner with friends at Schooners




4th of July at the condo









Pool time!







Beach time!