Emmett on a date :)

Helpful Thoughtful Grandparents

With each day getting past my due date, I feel less and less physical and it's just getting really difficult picking up Emmett and doing routine things that I ususally can do with him. I am so grateful to our parents who have gotten Emmett out of the house (which he desperately needed!) and out and about to have some fun. On my winter break last year, I had him out doing stuff almost every day and I feel so guilty that I haven't been able to take him to fun places, but I am so happy that he's gotten a chance to with his grandparents. He loves his grandparents so much... it's really sweet.

He went to the library and out to eat with my parents and to Kohls with Eric's parents and Jenni and the boys. Grandpa Neal was basically with Emmett all day yesterday. He took him to the library and to see the park lights nearby.

I signed up Emmett for a couple of classes through our park district starting next month. He needs to get out and socialize and not be cooped in our house all winter. He's taking an art class and a fun gym type of class. Should be good for my little guy.

Christmas Eve at the Maloneys

e and e

Christmas Night with Teagan

A new family tradition

Christmas morning we went to a nearby forest preserve that has elk. Our main motivation was to get me walking to get this labor going. But we really enjoyed ourselves so much that I think it's going to be part of our Christmas every year. We all got hot cocoa, walked on the trail and got to see elk close up (which we called Santa's reindeer!!!). It was such a beautiful and peaceful morning together. The walk did not bring on labor, but it was a really special memory for us all.

Mommy and Emmett Bake Pumpkin Bread!

Cozy Fires and Hot Cocoa have been happenin' a lot lately

Christmas craft time with mommy

Kitchen Set at Grammie Barbara's!

Emmett got a kitchen supplies for his Kitchen set at my mom's house. He is a BIG kitchen fan. His favorite gadget is own little smoothie maker. Since I've been done with work, I've been making smoothies with him every morning and now he's obsessed with making his own "moothies" as he calls them. :)

Staged Christmas

I know it sounds really bad but me and Eric staged our own little Christmas a couple of nights ago because we were worried that we would miss Christmas Eve and Christmas day with Emmett. So we put out the cookies and milk for Santa by our fireplace and Emmett left his own sippy of milk too which was very sweet. I think it was hard for my sweet-tooth little guy to leave the cookies behind, but he did. When he woke up and we went to see what happened, Emmett kind of looked confused.. he was probably wondering what kind of idiot would leave behind part of a cookie!?!!??! No problem there, he finished Santa's cookie for him. We tried explaining everything to him and I think me and Eric need to work on our story a bit, but Emmett can definitely piece together the phrase, "Santa cookie milk." He also spent some time trying to look up our chimney and he looked at one of our Santa decorations up on our mantel. I am really into this kind of stuff, so maybe next year we'll incorporate bells coming from outside or a note from Santa. I already have great ideas for Easter and St. Patty's day too!

It was pretty cute and fun to have a Christmas with him even if it really wasn't Christmas. It will be a funny story to tell him when he's older. Next year will be even more fun with Emmett and his little bro who will be 1!

Waiting for our newest edition to our family to arrive

My last day of work was last Friday and each day that I have had to get things done and spend time with Emmett have been AMAZING. I was pretty stressed out for awhile there and now I'm feeling calm and ready for my boy to arrive. Emmett and I have bonded so much in the last few days. He's been showering me with lots of kisses and hugs and we've laughed so much together, it's just been the best. I am getting really excited to see him as a big brother. He is such a sweetie and I know it's going to be rough at times, but I really think he's going to be a wonderful big bro.

Everyone keeps asking me if I am anxious and if you had asked me last week, I would have given you an immediate, YES! But now that I've had some time to rest and some time to get my ducks in a row, I am feeling great and very prepared. What a special Christmas this will be!!!!!

Emmett"s first train ride on the Metra