23 Month Pictures

Just a couple pics to add to the 23 Month Update post below...

4th of July


A picture of the back of her hair, just to document how long it was at this stage. :)

Hanging out with her friends, The Babies. :)

23 Month Memories

Hello All,

Again, Emmy's Mommy here. I've asked Emily if I can record some memories from this, her 23rd month, the month of her brother's birth. (By the way, they are 23 months apart to the HOUR! They missed being exactly 23 months apart by 22 minutes). She said, "Emmy, by yourself," which means she wanted to do it, but I reminded her she doesn't know how to type. So, she agreed to let me do it. ;) So, here we go!
--Yesterday, I had left the lid off of the garbage can in the kitchen and had forgotten about it, completing some other task. I came back and found it cock-eyed on the top of the garbage can. The little lady had kindly put the lid back on the trash can! Aww....what a helpful young lady! :)
--Today, upon receiving mail for herself, I handed her the envelope, and she ran off to work on opening the envelope, as she knew the envelope needed to open to reveal what was inside. Again, when I offered to help, I was told, "Emmy by yourself." I replied, "Ok, then. Have at it!" (Eventually, she needed a little help.) :)
--She is quick to share with her brother and will say, "Here baby." Often, though, she remembers that whatever toy she has shared was originally hers, and will take it back and say (kindly), "Oh, it's Emmy's," with a grin.
-Frequently serenades us in the car with one of her songs she has memorized. Currently, we are enjoying The ABC's, Twinkle Twinkle, Baa Baa Black Sheep, and Connor has been serenaded by Rock a Bye Baby.
--Tries my patience at times with her requests of "Emmy by yourself," and "Emmy's turn." The girl is definitely asserting her independence!
--Enjoys playing basketball with her Daddy! And wrestling on the living room floor!
--One two year molar has poked through, resulting in a 102.5 fever, on July 2nd.
--Is (hopefully) at the end of a minor sleep regression, as she recently has been crying when put down for naps or at night. This has resulted in a slight change of routine, and she now, in addition to the books read to her, is also given books to keep in her bed to read "by yourself," which has really helped!
--Finally, she has moved up to the big(ger) kid class at Kindermusik, where she has been learning about trains. She LOVES talking about and "riding" the "Allee Allee Oh," loves going over "Choo choo tracks," and yelling, "All Aboard!"
--Recently, on the way to church, tried telling us that Church was "fast asleep" but the swimming pool was "awake!" What a smartie!! (she ended up being just fine at church, hehe!)
--Is excited to be turning TWO! in nine days! She has figured out that cupcakes go with "Happy Birthday!" so we will definitely be eating some of those VERY soon! :)

We love you, Emily!! Happy 23 Months!!

No Longer an Only Child!

Dear Everyone,

I MUST write and tell you a little about what's been going on in my life. People, I am no longer an only child. That baby brother people have been talking about for so long has FINALLY showed up, and he is the real deal! He cries, he eats, and he wears diapers that he poops in! Let me tell you a little about what has happened to life as I knew it....

I woke up from my nap on Saturday, June 26th (I had pooped, but that's not really important to the story...hehe)and my MOMMY was there to get me up! Yay! I hadn't seen Mommy since Wednesday night, when she put me to bed and told me she was going to the hospital where the babies are, but she would be ok, and would see me soon. So, she was THERE on Saturday when I woke up, and for some weird reason, she and I ate a snack in my room, which we never do, and read some books together before we came downstairs. That was kinda weird, since we had never done that before, but it was ok, because I was with my Mommy. Then, Mommy told me she had a present for me, and I opened it to discover a "Little Brother" Baby, just for me! We opened him up right away so i could give him hugs. Then Mommy told me there was another baby downstairs, and she asked if I wanted to meet him. I said, "Yeah!" and she and I walked downstairs, while I carried my new baby, to meet this other baby that Mom and Dad call my brother. His name is Connor, but he looked just like this other baby I know named Maggie, so I called Connor "Maggie" all day. I immediately loved him, and I was very happy to meet him.

Since then, I've been pretty happy with this new person that shares Mommy and Daddy with me. I don't really mind, you know, because he's so little. I'm the big sister, so it's my job to love him and share with him. Which I do - I love to give him hugs and to play blocks and puzzles with him. Sometimes Mommy has to feed him, but I'm cool with that, although that really makes ME thirsty and makes ME want a drink. And Mommy keeps reminding me to "Be Gentle," which I try to be, but I really LOVE giving hugs, and sometimes I guess I get too excited about it....

Here are some pictures of my brother and I. I'm looking forward to sharing my house with him and making lots of memories with him! I'm NOT really looking forward to sharing a shower and toilet with him, but I'll deal. Enjoy the pictures of US - the LaBarge Kids! (that comment makes Mommy freak out a little bit...)

Here is my brother, Connor, shortly after he was born. He's handsome, I guess. ;)

Posing with my Big Sister Cookie Bouquet from my Godmama, Kari. YUM!

Looking at my brother for one of the first times. He's pretty little, isn't he?

"Mommy, Maggie is little!" ;)

Exploring Connor's hands. He's so cute!!

"Cheese!"

Here I am, loving on my brother on his one week birthday. I think he's pretty cool.

I like to play blocks with him.

And I don't even leave his side when it's time to watch Sesame Street. I love you Connor!