Independant Play? Or An Emma Whirlwind?

Emma has Independent play time each day for about 30-40 minutes, at least once and sometimes a second time. She used to do it in her Pack & Play, but has now graduated to "Room Time". This usually works really well, so that she learns to play without Mommy being RIGHT there and Mommy gets to get chores done that don't need a tag-a-long. Today's play time became quite the adventure...


Check out the drawers open and the doors hanging wide and her clothing baskets looking empty.. Much less all of the toys & books everywhere.

She had the bin/waste basket dumped, the basket of "extras" scattered (wipes, lotions...), towels & wash cloths and bibs out, AND was quite proud of her work! Wouldn't you say? :) She is now learning that the drawers & baskets are a "no".

But, Emma learned how to clean up after play time quite awhile ago and it didn't take us too long to clear away this tornado. She is really great at dumping, but also at "put it back". Hand her an item and tell her to "put it back" and she'll take it to the shelf or basket where it came from.

Aside from that, she does love her hats, purse and necklaces. She'll bring me a hat or the necklaces and want me to put them on her. Quite cute for a 13 month old!!

Marmite Baby!

First off let me begin by saying that I am finally blogging events and happenings from the month that we are just barely still in!! LOL!! Think I am a bit behind?? We downgraded our internet connection and it makes my photo upload time longer and it gets a bit frustrating for someone who is soooo very patient... I mean, impatient. :) Anyway, here is the next one:

Martin LOVES Marmite. It is an English thing. Australians have Veggiemite. Martin insists they are different. (Like we would differentiate between Coke & Pepsi.) It is definitely a love it or HATE it kind of thing!!! (Right Hancock family???) Daddy loves it. Mommy hates it. Emma... well, what do you think?

She was having a cracker snack and Daddy decided to smear a small bit on her cracker to see if she would eat it. She ate it on 2!! Smeared all over her cute face! Startin' out bad habits young? Or adding to her flavor palette?

Martin will just spread it on a piece of toast, bread, crackers... and eat it! UGH! You have no idea how "ugh" it is!! But, to each his own. His family and friends all bring him jars of it when they visit. It is not the easiest thing to find over here and when you do it is not cheap!

A tiny jar, about half this size was $6 at Publix, where I had never seen it before, but they do have a small English section. We're talking about the size of 2 of those mini jam/jelly jars that come in holiday gift baskets. Tiny.

He has been given a Marmite cookbook and we have tried 2 of the recipes from it. And to be quite truthful, they are both delish! Used as a flavouring, it is ok, but simply smeared on toast is awful!! Martin is happy that his half English daughter is liking his favorite snackfood.

Learning to Stack the Nesting Blocks

Here Emma was just messing with the nesting blocks, but soon started to try putting them inside one another. It didn't take her too long to figure it out. I watched her go through the process and clapped when she was done. Then, as with any other new skill... She had to do it over and over.

Here we are working on it the 2nd time around.

All while watching Baby Einstein, too!! Multi tasking at age 1!!

We're getting it...

TAH! DAH!! Done! She did it!

She was quite proud of herself!! But, of course, she had to go for it a third time...

She doesn't look too thrilled with her 3rd accomplishment. I think she was a bit perturbed that it "nested" when she wanted the inside block turned a different way. What a smarty she is getting to be!

Job Interview

Martin has a job interview with a local bank Tuesday afternoon and we covet your prayers. We have been calling upon the Lord and waiting on Him. Maybe, maybe this is what we have been waiting for....
Thank you so much!

P.S. The interview went really well. He actually had 2 of them that day, with the HR dept. and the technology dept. Now it is a waiting & praying game. Please continue to hold us up in your prayers!

Father's Day 2009

Martin's 2nd Father's Day:
I went in to get Emma up and she came toddling in to Daddy with a Symphony candy bar. One of his favorite American chocolate choices. But, she soon started chewing on the corner and got the taste of it in her mouth and didn't want to give it up!!


She was not happy when I made her give it up!! But, it was for Daddy- not Emma.

Martin, thank you for being such a good Daddy for Emma. Willing to play with her, change diapers, clean up her messes and take over bath duty. Thank you for all your help and willingness to occasionally take over and let me have a day off here and there. I love you!

We decorated the dinner table with a golf theme, so Martin wore his Dockers and a polo shirt (golf type clothing). For some reason I did not take any pictures of the table or the guests. Bob & Gina Cantrell ate dinner with us. Mom, Gina, Steph & I each made 2 dishes/desserts and we had a great meal together.

My Daddy, my daughter & me.

Stephanie, Dee Dee & our Daddy. Such a great Dad he has been to us. Thank you, Dad.