Crying it out :(

Emmett just had his 4 month check-up and he weighed in at 15 lbs 7.5 oz and his height is 25 1/4. Dr. Cathy was very happy with his development and health! I talked to her about how Emmett has always been a great sleeper at night. He started sleeping through the night the day before Mother's Day (best Mother's Day gift EVER!). He sleeps for 11 hours now!
However, our little munchkin does not sleep for very long during the day. She said that now that he is 4 months old, I can start letting him cry it out during the day to get him down for naps. Dr. Cathy said to put him down when he is drowsy but awake and start with letting him cry it out for 25 minutes. (Once he is 6 months, she said I can let him cry it out as long as it takes! yikes!) After 25 min, I can then go in and try to soothe him without picking him up. If he is inconsolable then I can pick him up, soothe him in the my arms and then put him down again. We just started today and Emmett got himself to sleep after around 25 minutes. I was about to go in his room, but heard him quiet down and voila! He fell asleep for an hour snoozer! YAY Emmett!
I know that this won't happen every time. But I am so happy that we had a successful nap! Eric and I both have a difficult time with the whole cry it out. It really does break your heart! But the bottom line is that it will help him get more sleep and it will help him learn how to successfully soothe himself, instead of one of us doing it. We know it's the best for him. I've been dreading the 4 month marker because I knew that we'd be sleep training, however I am happy that we have started. I know Emmett needs more sleep during the day. Although, he usually is quite happy and pleasant without sleep somehow, I'm sure he'll be even more cheerful with sleep.

Here is a pic of Emmett today after his 1 hour nap! We can do it, Emmett!

Cutie Patoootie!

Hanging out with Shane and Uncle Adam at the new Crib!

It's official- we are moving to our first home!

Eric and I are so excited to own our first home. We both have our little dreams of certain perks of owning our own place. His is having a spot for a wood shop (which will be our garage) and my little dream garden will be coming next Spring in our backyard. These are both pastimes that make us happy and that we want to share with Emmett as he grows up. Of course the greatest gift is simply having a home that we get to care for and put love into and know that it truly is OURS! We certainly know how to make a living place our own and I just know we will do wonders to this home. We want to be proud of it and the work will get done to make it something special. We've got a lot of work ahead of us, but it's going to be great!

The neighborhood in Arlington Heights has TONS of kids! Next door is a house full of all boys and the other house next to us has 2 girls, one boy and one baby on the way. Emmett is going to have such a great childhood. We can walk to a movie theater in the downtown area. We can't wait to walk with Emmett there on a Sunday afternoon and catch a flick or two (that's usually how we Siegel's roll). There is also a nice big park a block away.

Here are some pictures of Emmett's new bedroom. I've got some master plans for his new nursery. This is "the before" and soon to come this October will be pics of "the after."




Emmett's view from his window (our neighbors sweet play set that hopefully Emmett can use too!)

Lunch with an old friend

Emmett was VERY vocal during my lunch with my old friend, Josh. He was squealing with delight. When he get's excited, he really let's everyone know!

My boy is 4 months old!!!

my nursery

we might be moving to a house in arlington heights! so we had to take pictures of emmett's nursery so that we can remember how we decorated it. we have a house inspection on monday. let's hope it goes well!

chewing on daddy's toy he made me :)

I can roll all the way over now!

emmett can roll on his belly and then back onto his back now! way to go buddy!

Playing in my chair!!

Hello Sunshine!!!

Kyle from California

Emmett's Very First Bath

I promise that this is an older video and that Emmett didn't just recently get his first bath!

Grandma Debi helped take me and Eric through the steps of bathing when Emmett was about 5 weeks old...

A little chat time on the changing table

Emmett has the dance moves!

Monkey Deedle Dude!

These videos are from last month. My mom's friend, Sharon, got Emmett a little monkey that dances and sings. Emmett was in a staring trance!

Older Photos from Custer Street Art Fair in June

Eric had a booth for Tree Hopper Toys at the end of June. It was a great weekend with a lot of good feedback from people. Emmett got to hang out at the booth too! Here some photos I wanted to share!

Meeting Maloney's!

Aunt Kathy and Ann-Marie came to town from Florida this past weekend. It was so great to see them and I am so happy that they got to meet Emmett! Emmett also got to meet my uncle Tom and Aunt Kim and his cousins, Matt, Brian and Kevin and see Aunt Mary Lee and Uncle Mike! Everyone can agree that he is one mellow and happy little guy. Emmett was everywhere over the weekend: Wicker Park (which really is a beautiful park!), Big Star Restaurant (to hear his Uncle Dan DJ some sweet jams), outdoor patio restaurant in Lincoln Square called, Salamarte, a stroll around the square, Grammy's and Grandma Debi's houses and the Botanic Gardens. He really liked being out and about and enjoyed the company of everyone! He showed off how he touches his feet, blows bubbles, babbles, holds his hands together and smiles.

Give me a ring!

Emmett's feet and Lake Michigan meet

Emmett meets my friends, Claudia, Lori and Josh for the first time!

Emmett was talking up a storm the past couple of days while meeting my friends. He was even competing with Claudia's voice, trying to be louder than her! He has made it pretty clear that he likes to be the center of attention. This is supposedly a trait of Taurus birthdays.

It was really great to see Claudia (friend from the boutique I used to work at in Andersonville) who I hadn't seen since my baby shower and to see Lori (from University of Iowa) who I hadn't seen in 3 years! Catching up was a lot of fun and it was nice to have Emmett spend time with 2 ladies that I love dearly.