Happy Birthday Zoe!

Happy 4th Birthday Zoe!

Zoe turned 4 years-old today! And yes, she's still the "Queen" of the house... she is quick to remind us that she was here before Belle and Emery.

Zoe's in the red sweater!

Over the past weekend...

Passed out during one of her treatments!

My hands were full and it took all I had to

try and hold her head up.

Holding her bottle! As she is always nursing when
she's with me, I forget about the small things that
she is learning with Ms. Shirley!

Chillin' with all her "hand-me-down" toys!

Thank goodness for good friends who are willing
to share their toys with Emery! She LOVES them!

Hanging out with Daddy while Mommy's out for a run!

Playing on her Sound Stage!

Six Months Old!

Happy 6-Month Birthday, Emery!

What a looonng week we've had... Emery had her 6-month well-check and immunizations last week. She's 17.5 lbs and 27 1/4 inches long (75% for weight, 95% for height). Ever since her immunizations, I have had to talk with the doctor and daycare at least twice a day. Emery had her first reaction and spiked a fever... not to mention, she was already trying to fight off a respiratory infection that she had caught during our flight to TX. Although she is all SMILES, her little body just needs some help. The doctor has put her on nebulizer treatments (3 x day), inhaler treatment once a day while at daycare, an antibiotic for the fluid in her ear, and a steroid to help clear up the mucous in her chest... I'm not real crazy about all of the medicine! Dr. Allen advised this morning that she has been wheezing for far too long and that we need to take the next step (meaning the steroid medicine) to help her little body recover and get well again. Yes, we've had LOTS of Mommy-Daughter time, but am ready for her to be back to 100% again! Toys, Toys, Toys... I can't believe Emery is out growing her toys already. She is soooo active! And, thank goodness we have great friends that are willing to share with us. Hand-me-down's are the best! I've gotten my groove on the weekends... back to RUNNING!!! Last Sunday, I ran 7.5 miles! ALL BY MYSELF! This is a HUGE accomplishment... ever since I've ran with my girls, I've had no desire to run on my own. It was nice... some "ME" time! With the Army 10-Miler on Oct 4th, I'm aiming to finish 9 miles this weekend. And the best news of the week, "Welcome home Alyce!" We're sooo glad to have back in VA!!!

Hoping to feel better soon!

Rolling around while Mommy cleans!

Just tubing with her toys!

Loving her Sound Stage!

Three Month Portraits

I never knew photo sessions could be so stressful! These are her 3-month portraits... And yes, this was my first time trying to capture the "perfect" moment! Just thought I would share these with everyone.

Photography by Misti White

During our trip to Texas at the end of July, we were able to capture some great photos of Emery as she had just turned 4-months old. Thank you Misti for all of the special memories!

Go Cowboys!

"Go Cowboys!"

Her onesie says, "Daddy's Girls (He's a Cowboys fan too!)"

Fun Videos!

Superman!

Giggling!

"Wow! Where has the time gone?" Pics

Tearing up a magazine with Gigi!

Ready for Kenny!

Dinner at the Rio, Gigi's favorite!

At Blue Ridge, Gigi brought the bouncy chair!

Great idea, she loved it!

Flying back to TX!

Snuggling with Great Grandmother!

Yummy cereal with pears!

Happy Birthday Great Grandmother!

Going out for a walk!

Exhausted!

Nap time with Pop!

Trying out her scooter!

Not getting any attention at all...

Playing the piano!

She loves her books!

Great Grandmother & Great Granny

The McElroy's

A cold or allergies, not really sure...

Took many naps in her car seat so she could breathe better!

We love you Great Grandmother! What a great visit!

Beginning our journey back to DFW...

A bored & frustrated little girl...

Mommy had to pull out ALL of her tricks during the 5hr drive!

Busy girl taking a nap while I'm making baby food!

Wow! Where has the time gone?

Wow, it's been a fast & furious three weeks! Our baby girl is growing up so fast and I have to admit that I am not ready! Emery has moved beyond plain rice cereal... she loves her pears! I took on the challenge of making her baby food... so far, pears were not a problem. Next, we'll try sweet potatoes, then apples, and then carrots. Thanks to Annabel Karmel's, The Healthy Baby Meal Planner, I've gotten some great ideas! Over the past few weeks, Emery has really began to develop her motor skills... she is reaching, rolling, grabbing, scooting, chewing ALL the time! And, she's a bit wobbly, but she can sit-up on her own for a short time. At the end of August, Gigi came to visit... it's always so nice when family & friends can come to visit and share our special moments with Emery! And, it's especially nice when Gigi or Nana comes to VA, because mommy & daddy have a handy babysitter! Yes, Ross & I went to see Kenny Chesney! It was fun, but I think we're done with concerts for a while... two in a summer is enough for us! Emery has not one, but TWO teeth coming in! I can't believe it... her two bottom, front teeth have broken through and she seems to be coping as well as a 5-month old baby can cope! She is drooling like crazy and chewing on EVERYTHING! I've gotten the Gentle Naturals teething drops, Orajel Night Time, and will pick-up the Hyland's Teething Tabs next time I am out. Trust me... when she has her "moments," I will try anything! For Labor Weekend, we boarded the plane for TX to visit Great-Grandmother Clovis! What a special trip! Clovis is in love with Emery... it's amazing how much joy & happiness Emery brought Clovis! My family (Pop, Nana & Granny) drove out to Tahoka on Sunday to have some quality time with Emery. We had a great time & mommy got a break. It's crazy how all of the toys at home keep her attention and then when you don't have them... get ready to entertain 24/7. Needless to say, mommy was tired! It's always nice to be back in our home state, but this trip in particular was way TOO loooonnngg. Reason being, we landed in DFW, drove out to Lubbock, and back to DFW for our flight to VA. Emery is not the best traveler during the day when she is usually rolling around on the floor versus being restrained in a car seat. But, we made it back to DFW just in time to board the plane. All was going well until the last hour of the flight... Yes, we were "THOSE" parents! Emery cried for the last hour of the flight and finally gave up right as we were landing... Ross & I were a bit stressed, but really there was nothing we could do to make her happy. She just wanted to be home... And, we're finally home & back to our crazy, non-stop life! The crazy, non-stop life is so hard for me! My alarm starts at 5:30am, Emery's at daycare by 7:30am, an hour drive to work, work until 5pm, drive an hour home, spend quality time with Emery on my hip until she is ready for bed sometimes as early as 7:30pm. Not fun, but we do what we have to do. Thank goodness Ms. Shirley gives Emery extra attention during the day! Last week, she stayed an extra 2 hours past her shift just playing and spending quality time with our baby girl... that helps to make me feel a little more at ease with all of the time I am away from her during the day. Ever since we've gotten back, it seems as though fall is right around the corner... and I am NOT ready! The weather has been in the high 70's and much cooler at night... I love the crisp air, but am not prepared to dress Emery appropriately. She needs layers... pants, jacket, onesies... guess, we have to go shopping! The other day... Dianna (my work bff) asked if I had been shopping lately... I said, "Yea, I went out for a few things for Emery." She asked if next time I go could I buy myself a pair of black pants that actually fit me. Truth be told, my black pants just hang on me and I have to wear a belt to make them fit right... I used to be CRAZY about shopping for myself, but now Emery is priority. Gotta shop for her first! Well, I guess I'm getting older... I am now the proud owner of a pair of glasses. Yes, glasses! My right eye had been twitching for about a month and driving me crazy so I decided to go and see the eye doctor since I had not had an eye exam since 1999. I have astigmatism in my left eye. Since I work on excel with spreadsheets on a daily basis, the doctor said I must wear them when working on the computer. My prescription is not that strong... but, I've noticed that everything is a bit crisper! We've had a great, relaxing Saturday that started with a family trip to the grocery store... we typically don't do that, but since our refrigerator was bare, I figured Ross wanted to help control the grocery bill. Yes, sometimes I go a bit overboard. I'm still in training for comparison shopping... I try my best, but Ross is so much better. It comes down to the fact that I'm just not patient enough to check EVERYTHING out... like this morning, I left Ross in the meat section and I went down 3 or 4 aisles and when I went to look for Ross again guess where he was... yep, still in the meat section. Gotta love his smart shopping! While I was at the grocery, I ran into one of the ladies in the neighborhood who is also into running... and of course, the first thing she asks is if I had gotten back into the swing of things. I hastily say no and that my schedule doesn't really have time for it these days... her quick response was "Cynthia, you have to make time." I understand I have to make time, but the extra time will either be taken from sleep or Emery... and I don't want to give up either of the two. Sleep, meaning waking up as early as 4:30 or staying up later at night... or, Emery, meaning throwing her in a stroller for an evening jog when I know she'll fall fast asleep and then she won't sleep as soundly at night... UGH! I truly miss running with my girls, our early mornings, and our funny stories! It was my release. I just need to get my butt moving! Sorry for all of the babbling... but, one last thing, and it's the best news of all, Emery is sleeping through the night again!!! Just had to catch you up on the "Life of The McElroy's!"

p.s. Ross is working on our computer so I'll post our pictures tomorrow!