Dr. Emma on Dreams

Emma- "Mom, do you want to know what I dreamed about."

Mom-"Sure Emma. Tell me your dream."

Emma- "I dreamed that there was two goldfish and a meatball in the toilet and you kept flushing and flushing and it wouldn't go down because it was stuck. Then I dreamed that there were hearts flying in the sky and it was gettting dark so you said 'say goodbye hearts'. "

Mom-"wow, that's pretty weird."

Emma- "sometimes I have weird dreams, and sometimes I have nice dreams and sometimes I just have crazy dreams."

Mom- "Yeah, sometimes I have weird dreams too."

Emma- "Did you dream about a meatball too!?"

Now it's time to send in your foughts on Dr. Emma, because I do this for you guys: #1 Do you want to see the same pic. on every post or should I start putting one that relates to the topic of the day? #2 Do you just want a quick quote (I know some of you visit many blogs) or do you like the stories? #3 Any other comments, ideas, and suggestions are welcome and appreciated

Dr. Emma's Foughts

Dr. Emma does a lot of "finking." She often sits down on the couch quietly and just finks and gets frustrated if this finking is interrupted. "I'm just finkin," she'll say when asked what she's doing. So here's her thoughts today:
Emma- "What should we do today? Should we fink."
Mom- "That's probably a good idea."
Emma- "Mom, you can fink about mermaids if you want. You want to fink about mermaids? You can fink about Ariel. I'm finkin about Ariel.
Dad- "Hey Mom, can I fink about Ariel?"
Mom- "No."
Emma- "No, you can't fink about mermaids, you fink about German music. Andrew, you fink about lots of babies. Weston will fink about cars."

So, if you want to know what to think about, just ask Dr. Emma, she has all the answers.

Dr. Emma on why we have Easter

I asked Emma to tell me the Easter Story. She gave a fairly accurate account of the major events, telling me he rode on a donkey and the people had leaves and someone got a sword on their ear and then (mysteriously) there was some red stuff, and Jesus said a prayer. I was feeling pretty good that my daughter was getting the true Easter spirit in her own 4-year-old way, and then she got to the end:

"And the lady was sad, because she thought he was dead, but he wasn't dead. They were happy because they went outside and there were eggs. And so it was Easter."

Dr. Emma on tattling on Daddy

Saturday morning Jamie slept in and Emma went into the room to cuddle with him. She came out a few minutes later and complained,

"Mom, I'm trying to snuggle with Jamie, but he won't hold still. He keeps scootchin. Go in there and tell him to be nice to Emma so I can snuggle him. Tell him he's going to fall off the bed."

Andrew's 1/2 Birthday

Well, Andrew is 6 months today! For those of you who didn't send a card, I forgive you :). Things have been so busy the last 8 months I didn't even notice my baby was growing up. I realized I was still putting some newborn clothes on him that he didn't really fit in and went to pull out bigger clothes and was surprised to see how well he fit in his 6 months clothes. Oh, I guess that makes sense, he is 6 months now. He certainly acts 6 months. He's the most active lil' baby running and scootchin all over the place as fast as his older siblings. I'm amazed at his perseverence and cuteness! I can't get enough of him! So glad we're on the Lord's timing and not ours because I'm so lovin' him in our family! After a rather dramatic entry into this world I was amazed at how very healthy and beautiful Andrew was and immediately fell in love and he only gets better with time! Had I known before hand all the events and circumstances that would be happening a year ago I woud have said that a baby would be really bad timing, but it's been surprisingly exactly the heavenly reminder I needed. So, now I'm gushing, let me wrap this up. So in honor of Andrew (and for my mother who says she won't recognize him anymore), I've posted a limited time only Andrew slide. If you would like to see the enlarged pics and/or captions visit my web album:
http://picasaweb.google.com/littlerockqueen/Andrew6Months

Basement Birthday

Weston had his birthday party yesterday. We had our friends the Barkers and the neighbor girls over for a very informal party -not like the big family extravaganzas we used to throw :( . Thirty minutes into the party the neighbor came to pick up her daughter because a storm was coming, then the sirens went off. So we locked our guests in the basement with us for an hour while we listened to the news on the Storm Tracker (thanks mom, good idea). We set up our inflatable couch and portable tv to entertain the kids and had cupcakes and opened presents. Nothing happened outside our house (although Atlanta got damaged) but it was a good reminder to get better prepared for next time.

Weston coulda cared less, he had chocolate and tv (and presents are a great bonus)!

Weston is a big Kobie fan and Kobie is very patient with him.

We did have enough time after to make the kids cars (no games though). By the way, Emma is not short, Kobie's just a tall kid.

Andrew's Frustration

It's hard being the little guy, but at least no one expects you to be discreet.

Andrew's New Head

I sent this e-mail to my brother:

How's your photo-shopping skills? I love Emma and Weston's faces in my blog header pic. but Andrew just looks weird, not a true representation of the cute babe he is. Is there any way to replace just his head so I can pretend that I finally got a decent pic of all my kids together?Love,Rochelle

And this is what I got in return. What do you think: have we found my new header? Andrew's certainly looking more Cannon-like (but not in a very flattering way).

Dr. Emma on Poop

"I can't poop mom, my bum's too spicy and my poop's tired."

(and she wonders why I don't take her out in public-too many conversations like this)

Dr. Emma on Milk

While I'm nursing Andrew, Emma starts singing a song from Baby MacDonald (to the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell")
"The cows give us milk, the cows give us milk....."

Two Years and Still Going Strong

We'sTons of Fun

Since I didn't get to it yesterday, here's the tribute to the Birthday Boy! He's been my most photogenic child, always smiling and pulling funny antics, so it was hard to narrow this down. But here it is, the highlights of Weston's first two years:

After our hairless 5-pound daughter, it was hard to believe Weston was really our baby. When Emma first saw this picture, she pointed to the cord and laughed, "look at Weston's mac n' cheese."

Yes, Weston is definitely a little boy with all his creative mischief and love of all things messy!

But he's still a lil' angel with his charming smile and big eyes!

Brown eyes (my one genetic contribution)

okay, this is just silly, but it makes me laugh.

Weston has always been a little wary of Emma, and with good cause.

Being a Steed, Weston has owned many a baseball outfit. He looks so chubby here.

Such a sweet babe! Who can resist kissing those round cheeks!

Say cheese! He's really a happy guy!

Look at all that hair! Cannon babies all come out bald and then get curls. This boy is definitely his daddy's son!

Dr. Emma on Our New Prophet

Nana: Emma, do you know who the prophet is?
Emma: (proudly) President Hinkey!
Nana: Not anymore, now it's president Monson.
Emma: (giggling) President Monster?! That's funny Nana!

Welcome to the South

Well, I waited until the last minute to do my shopping for Weston's birthday tommorrow. I was looking online at what the stores had and then calling the stores to see if they had the items in stock (because when you shop the day before you can't wait for shipping). Anyway, most the people didn't have accents but we still had communication issues. This particular salesperson did and this is our conversation:
Me: Yes, what are your cross-streets
Lady: [insert southern drawl]What?
Me: What are your cross-streets?
Lady: Cross-what?
Me: For the store. What are the cross-streets?
Lady: Hold on, lemme get someone.
Lady #2: [insert heavier accent] How can I hep you?
Me: Yes, what are your cross-streets?
Lady#2: scuse me?
Me: What streets is your store on?
Lady #2: umm (sheepish giggle-turns and asks) Wer on Debon an Hospal Drive.
Me: On what?
Lady #2: Febon an Hospal Drive, behin Checkers
Me: Febon?
Lady #2: No, Febon, F-A-I-R-B-U-R-N
Me: Oh, okay, and what was the other one?
Lady #2: Hospal (Oh, Hospital)
Me: Okay, Thank you

Man, and I told Jamie we couldn't move to Germany because I wouldn't be able to talk to people.

Dr. Emma on Mom's Hair

Emma, at four-years-old, has a real opinion about how I wear my hair. She is most insistent that it only looks good "down and curly." If I come out with a ponytail she tells me point blank, "Mom, I don't like your hair like that." This coming from the girl who doesn't even comb her hair every day (okay, that's my fault). When I ask her if she loves me, she checks out my hair before she answers and if it's up she'll say, "I just like you with your hair down." Even if I just got out of bed with frizzy hair sticking up all over the place but it's down she'll say, "Mom, I like your hair like that." Sundays I always wear my hair down and Emma often tells me, "Mom you look pretty with your hair down like that." It's getting harder to keep her happy now that Andrew is so interested in my hair too. Maybe Emma will be a hairdresser one day if she doesn't become a princess, an actor, a singer, or an author.

Weston Tells it Like it is

(Weston's version of Dr. Emma)
When Weston woke up this morning he ran out to look for Daddy. When he realized he was gone he told me, "Daddy's wookin (working), he's makin sakes (snakes)." I laughed picturing Jamie at a dek with a canister of playdough, rolling out snakes. Maybe when he's been on the job long enough they'll promote him to the more complicated mammal department. Though I admit I don't entirely understand what it is Jamie does, somehow I don't think it involves playdough or snakes.

Georgia Aquarium

My brother Nate visited us last weekend. He's working in Alpharetta this week so he came out early to spend some time with his favorite sister (sorry you had to find out this way Brooke). He told me he needed to throw the kids around to maintain his favorite uncle status. I'm not sure how successful he was with Weston calling him Cameron all weekend, but Emma was screaming for Nate all day, so not all is lost. We took him to the Georgia Aquarium Saturday. It was very cool!

I'm sure this is very unsanitary, but cute. Weston just wanted to be as close to the action as possible

They had really cool exhibits we enjoyed! This huge tank curved overhead and had a tunnel through the middle

Ooh, look at all the fishies.

Nate got a new camera for Christmas and was learning how to use it. Wiggly kids and strange aquarium lighting is a perfect practice ground. He got some really good pics. I wish you could see those instead

Emma in the tank, well sorta

10 Things I Love About Our House

Well after being here a few weeks I'm finally posting some pictures of our house. Here's some things I'm really liking about this place:

1.My Husband- We're so happy to have our Daddy back!

2.The Basement- It's so nice to have a playroom for the kids. Now Emma can continue playing when Weston takes his nap (instead of getting kicked out of the room with the toys) and we have a bunch of storage space. Yeah!

3.Backyard- We have our own backyard right outside our back door for the kids to run in. And we get to watch robins, blue jays, cardinals, hawks, squirrels, and other wildlife play in our backyard. It's fun watching out the window at our kitchen table.

4.Kitchen- I'm lovin the countertops and lots of cabinets.

5. Baby's Room- His room's just cute, clean, and simple. I get warm fuzzies looking at it. You should come sit in it some time.

6.Family Room- Perfect size: big enough to have room, but not so big that I feel I need more furniture. Love having our beanbag back- Thanks Brent & Shay

7.Dining Area- plenty of room for a high chair and 2 boosters and book shelves, and great new frame my mom got me. And a vaulted ceiling so flying food won't stick to the ceiling.

8.Carport-It's not a garage but it's so good to be able to take the groceries straight from the car to the kitchen without paths or stairs. I also appreciate having a garbage can right by our door to get rid of offensive diapers and having our strollers handy and covered.

9.Kids Bathroom- Not the prettiest room in the house, but it's got lots of storage and countertop space and a bathtub. Jamie and I finally get our bathroom to ourselves! Good thing too, I was getting tired of toys falling on me while I showered and having 5 towels hanging in our bathroom.

10. Neighborhood- We have a clean, quiet little neighborhood with little traffic but we're still close to everything we need. It still trips me out to see woods in the middle of our neighborhood when we go on walks. So many big trees, it's pretty cool. I'm not in Vegas anymore.

This is my web album for anyone who wants to see more pics of the house and such:
http://picasaweb.google.com/littlerockqueen/GeorgiaHome

I've Been Tagged

1. Jobs I have had:
Cold Stoner (as in the creamery), Blockbuster, Nanny, Lamar's Donuts, temp. flower shop, Things Remembered (retail-engraving), 1st grade teacher, mom
2. All the places I have lived: Las Vegas; Chicago; Bellflower, CA (for 3 months); Douglasville, GA
l3. Four movies that I love:
Ever After, M. Night Shyamalan movies, The Importance of Being Earnest, The Incredibles
4. Four favorite foods:
Fettucine Alfredo, anything with caramel and/or peanut butter, Mexican, Triscuits (have you tried their new flavors? yummy)

5. Four weird things about me:
I actually like being home, not in the stay-home-mom sense (although I do enjoy that), but actually physically being home. I don't go crazy being "stuck" at home several days in a row (or maybe I just tell myself that to cope with not having a car)
I have arthritis. Yes, I know I'm only 25, but my hands and wrists don't work very good anymore.
I don't enjoy shopping. I like getting new things, but I hate the shopping experience and avoid it when possible. Maybe it has to do with me being a cheapskate or just lazy.
I like sloppy baby kisses and smelly baby feet
6. Four favorite TV shows:
LOST (only show I really follow), American Idol, House, Pushing Daisies (the 3 episodes I saw were fun)
7. Four places I'd love to go:
Germany
New York
Switzerland again, but with my husband this time
Austria
8. People I tag:
Emily, Allison, and Mandy

Anti-Emma Day

Here's some pics of my boys, because they're just as cute as Emma! They just don't have as many quoteable quotes, especially Andrew, he never has anything to contribute to the conversation (well, none that I can type). Weston has plenty of cute things to say, but the cuteness is lost in writing. But know that they are loved and contribute to the family, just not as much to the blog.

Here's our adoreable baby!

Here's Weston, who thinks he's still a baby.

...and is messier than the baby.