Names

Emma's most recent fascination in her vocabulary is with names. She's just recently learned not only how to say her own name, but she points to herself while saying it. This has started a whole new trend in our house. Several times a day she's pointing at everyone and saying their names: Mommy, Daddy, Sissy and Emma! If there are visitors she will ask us "who that" so she can learn their names too!

It's the simple things in the life of a child that are so sweet, and it's those moments that I hope to never forget!

P.S. She's doing much better with her attitude and saying, "NO!" Whew!

Emma has learned a new word. And she's not just saying it casually, she's saying it with ATTITUDE! The word? No. Somehow, my sweet little Emma girl, has turned into an aggressive 19 month old that is enjoying the use of that word.

In addition to saying "no", she's starting hitting. She understands "nice touches" because when you say that to her, she models that behavior. It's when you do something she doesn't like, or take something away from her, that you experience the opposite.

My (our) job? To stop these behaviors. Now. Before they get too out of hand. But it's difficult, because she's only 19 months. She's not really at an age where she can understand a time-out (or know that she has to sit there for a minute), and while we're not opposed to spanking when necessary, we are opposed to it with a 19 month old. She's too young.

This is definitely uncharted territory for the Garland home. Ava was certainly never like this. At least not at this young of age. I guess it's just another reminder that each child is unique, has their own personality and responds to frustration differently. I think we have some challenging moments coming ahead - I guess we need to buckle up and get ready for the ride!

Summer Fun!

Introducing Emma's new best friend, Violet Mariam Amaro! We're so glad Violet is here...not so sure I'm so glad that in some of these pics my child was encouraged to play in mud puddles! Clearly, I wasn't around. Oh well, they had fun, and as always Carrie Fay was right there with her camera. :)  We love you, baby Violet, welcome home!

18 Months

My sweet baby Emma is 18 months old today. I am convinced that right now, at this stage in her development, she is changing on a daily basis. For a child who was deemed "developmentally behind with regard to her vocabulary" at 12 months, I am confident she will blow them out of the water at her 18 month appointment. Here is a list (not at all conclusive) of what she can say right now (and what I can remember!):

ma-ma. daddy. bubbles. belle. doggy. tree. up. down. vi-ye (Violet). nano (Daniel). doa (Dora). boo (Boots). yeah. wa-wa (water). uh-oh. hi. bye-bye. blankie. nigh-nigh (night night). sissy. please. than oo (thank you). piggy. frog. bunnny. cow. wow. moo. sheep. baa. nose. eye. belly. cheese. uv oo (love you). milky. ball. baby. bite. hug. kiss. car. in. out. wing (swing). lide (slide). all done. book. more. bu (blue).

Pretty impressive, I think, for a child who could only say 3 words 6 months ago. We couldn't be more proud! We love you so much, Emma, and happy 1/2 birthday!

Swimming Lessons

It's definitely that time again, time to go swimming! Last year, at 6 months old, Emma laid the foundation for her swimming lessons to continue this year. And we couldn't have been more excited to get her started. She is now complete with the process - and even though she is not quite 18 months old yet - is highly skilled in the water.

Here's a video of her last day of lessons. You will see her in her pajamas, they're testing to make sure she knows what to do if faced with an emergency. You will also see her just having fun - she loves to swim now!

It's going to be a really fun, and safe, summer swimming with the girls!

Lazy Legs No More...

Emma has been getting better and better at walking every day. The only thing she has yet to master is standing up on her own, without holding on to anything. Once she does that - she'll be taking off even more I'm sure.

Here's a video of her walking all the way down our hallway tonight! She's getting so big!

Lazy Legs

Emma. Sweet baby, Emma. She will be 14 months old very soon, long passing up the 1 year old mark, and yet she has absolutely NO DESIRE to walk. If you try to hold her up and encourage her to walk she becomes limp, unwilling to stand, and drops to her knees. Thus the nickname: Lazy Legs!

She is typically motivated by food (she is a MUCH better eater than her sister), more specifically any form of meat. In fact, Carrie Fay has said, “How is it that the smallest, most adorable Garland is also the most aggressive Carnivore?!” True. So true. However, even when holding the tastiest of treats, she has no desire to walk. She will speed crawl across the floor to get to what you are enticing her with, but refuses to even attempt to walk.

While there is a part of me that is so ready for this milestone to happen, there is also a part of me that knows that once she starts going she will never stop. Right now, if you sit on the floor, she will crawl right to you. She will get in your lap, and just snuggle. Will this still take place when she becomes more mobile? Or will she just chase her sister around? Either way, it’s going to happen, it’s just a matter of time.

Until then, we will simply cherish our time cuddling on the floor and anticipating what adventures are yet to come for our little Lazy Legs!

Happy Birthday, Emma!

Today's the day my baby girl turns one. Pretty crazy to think how fast the time has flown by, but certain things still remain. When I learned that I was pregnant for the second time, I began to question how much more love I had to give. Would I be able to love a second child just as much as I love our first? Would I be able to spend time with her and care for her, like I know she depends on? The answers, a resounding YES!

This little girl is such a blessing, an answer to prayer, and the piece that our family of three was missing. On a daily basis she brings such joy and warmth to our hearts. It's hard to believe that it's already been a year, but I can without say that this year has been amazing. It's been so incredible to watch her grow, learn and develop into the little girl she is today. We've got countless memories from this past year, and can't wait for the many more to come.
We love you, Emma. Happy 1st Birthday!

*photo taken by Carrie Fay Amaro

The Snatcher

Could it possibly be because she is the younger sibling? Or is it the other kids in her class? Either way, one thing is for sure, my precious baby Emma has turned into quite the toy snatcher! I've seen it in action now, and the teachers have told me, she will go after a toy if she wants it - no matter what she has to do to get it!


The other day I was observing her classroom from the window, when I watched her go in on the prowl. One second she's playing quietly to herself with a rainbow colored ball. The next second, she spotted it; one of her innocent friends was playing with a green turtle. It was like a switch flipped in her brain and she had to have it. She went after that turtle like it was the only toy in the room and it was going to save her life! She crawled right on over, snatched it from her friend leaving him in tears. Then she sat about 6 inches away from him playing with it, all as if she did nothing wrong. She's only 11 months old! How can a baby girl this cute and precious already be leaving boys in tears...? I think I'm in trouble!

Swimming Lessons Complete!

Emma's swim lessons came to an end today. She is now proficient in the skill of rolling from her stomach to her back and up to a float! Love it! Here's a picture with Emma and Ms. Tammy, her swim instructor.

Ms. Tammy and Mr. Carlos (Ava's instructor) have been amazing with the girls. We're so blessed to have found them this year and we can't wait until next year when Emma can do the full swim-float-swim sequence!

Testing Out - Day 3

Here is Emma on day 3 testing out of her swim program. This time she was to swim in Winter clothing. This was the last test she had to pass...tomorrow's lesson is just water play for her!

Testing Out - Day 2

Here is Emma on day 2 of testing out of her swim program. Today she swam in her pajamas. She's doing awesome...

Testing Out - Day 1

This week Emma is testing out of her swim program. Day 1 was her swimming in Summer clothing - and she did amazing. Here is a picture of her in her float, and video of her completing the checklist! I never thought my 7 month old baby would be able to do this...incredible.

Emma Swimming Lessons - Week 4

Emma is in her last week of swimming lessons and doing really great. She graduates next week by swimming one day in her summer clothes, one day in her pajamas and one day in winter clothing. As long as she performs what they call the "checklist" then she is good to go!
Here are a few videos that Michael took of her this week. Hope you enjoy!

Emma's Swim Lessons - Week 2

Yesterday marked the beginning of week 2 for Emma's swim lessons. So far she hasn't been vocal in the water - as far as crying goes - she's only been having fun, smiling and talking. That is…until now. Now, they're making her work, so she's gotten water on her face a few times. She doesn't care for that too much. However, all that to say, yesterday was monumental! She was floating solo! She picked up right away how to self correct if her face went under and she was doing it all on her own. Here's a short video clip of her lesson yesterday, you have to watch close - but Miss Tammy takes her hands off of Emma several times so she can float on her own.

6 Months Old and Swimming

Emma is now 6 months old. Can you believe it? I can't.

Here are her most recent stats:
Weight = 15.7 lbs. (50th percentile)
Height = 26.75 in. (90th percentile - Ava is also tall for her age - they don't get that from me!)
Head = 16.25 in. (25th percentile)

She is doing great in all developmental areas so far! She likes her food more now, especially her pears, and is rolling all over the place to reach her toys. I'm thinking that it won't be too long before she'll be completely mobile, although having to roll to her destinations isn't exactly slowing her down!

Her doctor wanted us to try to reintroduce some milk-based formula, but within 24 hours we were already noticing a difference in her personality so we stopped. She will just stay on the lacto-free for now...we're not in any rush to change that.

She started swim lessons on Monday, she cries less than Ava did - go figure! Here is a video clip from the lesson. Enjoy!!!

4 Months Old

Well, it's official, Emma is now 4 months old. She goes in for her check up on Friday, the 20th, but today is a mile marker for sure. She's getting so big, changing so much each and every day. She is now able to somewhat sit up in her bumbo chair, after a few minutes when she gets tired we have to readjust her, but she does pretty well!

Her teachers keep saying that she's developing quite the personality - and likes to talk! She lights up with huge smiles when Ava talks to her...:) Last week, we were in the car and Emma was crying and Ava said, "Emma, it's ok, Ava's here!" So cute, and Emma stopped crying right away! :)

She's still not sleeping through the night, but I'm pretty sure that once we're able to start cereal (which we'll find out Friday when we can do that, but I think she's old enough to start) she'll do better.

Can't believe time is flying by so fast...reminds me of the country song, "You're gonna miss this..." I'm definitely going to miss it, because I already do.

2 Weeks Already?

Well, Emma is now two weeks old. Can you believe it? Seems crazy how fast it's going already...

She's doing amazingly well, her Jaundice is gone and her weight is up to 7 lbs. 4 oz.! In the last two weeks she's gone from only sleeping, pooping and eating to having longer periods when she is awake, starting to smile in her sleep and tracking movements with her eyes. It's fascinating how each and every day a new development occurs. We're just blessed that I get to be home with her for a while. Hopefully the next new development will be sleeping through the night...we're still working on that one!!!

We're also very excited to say that Ava is doing great with her. She hasn't shown any signs of being jealous or aggressive at all - two things we we're watching so closely. In fact, she has been the opposite, showing genuine concern for her baby sister. She loves helping with diaper changes, giving Emma baths, finding her paci for her and anything else she can do to help. She's doing great in school, making new friends and learning new words each and every day.

What can we say...our girls are a blessing...and we're loving this new adventure in our lives.

Still Amazed

Even though this isn't our first child, I am still in awe at the process. There is no way, in my opinion, someone can go through this experience and question the existence of God. Every single fingernail, eyelash and toe are uniquely designed - every organ developed at just the right moment to prepare the baby to enter the world.

I've always grown up learning and reading about God's unconditional love for his children. When Ava was born - I began to see this in a whole new light- it became real to me - really real. For the first time in my life, it wasn't just words I was reading or hearing it was something I was now experiencing. Now with Emma, it becomes crystal clear all over again.

The most recent addition to our family entered the world last Monday. Emma Lynn was born at 12:57 p.m. She is completely healthy, weighing in at 6 lbs. 8 oz. (even though Michael will tell you she is 6 lbs. 7.7 oz!) and 20" long. She is perfect and beautiful.

We are so completely excited to welcome her to our family. Ava is doing well adjusting to being the big sister in the house, learning how to be gentle...and helpful. In addition, Michael and I are doing well adjusting to being the parents of a toddler and a newborn (or at least we think we are!).

More updates to come shortly...but for now we introduce to you Emma Lynn Garland!

P.S. Thank you, Carrie Fay, for capturing Emma's first moments on camera! The pictures are amazing...

10 Days and Counting

Just a brief update on the status of Emma. Due to the fact that my blood pressure is doing really well (today it was 109/62), Emma won't likely be coming early due to a medical induction. So, while at my doctor's office today, we picked the date for my elective induction - which my doctor will perform at the 38 week mark. If I don't go into labor on my own before this time, she will allow me to be induced on November 17th! Thank goodness there is an end in sight - this is great news for me!


However, Dr. Branaman did say today that I'm almost 4 centimeters dialated and 75% effaced, so there is a high chance that I could go into labor on my own before then. I'm praying for that option - obviously - but we’ll have to wait to see what happens! It just feels good to know, that in 10 days or less our family will be a family of 4 and I will no longer be pregnant!