Starting Solids

We started Emerson on solids on mother's day- since she won't take a bottle, it's pretty important that she learn to enjoy her rice cereal and "mixed grains." She doesn't love the rice cereal so much but she does like the mixed grains so thank goodness for that. Jen Cross is watching Emerson tomorrow night so Ryan and I can go to my mom's retirement party so good luck to Jen! Thank you in advance! We'll see how it goes!


She's wondering what dad's eating!


Bring it on mom!

Emerson's Senior Pic...

I set her on the couch one day a couple of weeks ago and came back and this is how she was slumped over. She's ready for her senior pictures!

Oh- and go Chiefs!

Emerson at 6 Months!

Emerson turned 6 months old last Tuesday- on one hand the time has flown by, on the other hand, life before her seems like forever ago! She has changed so quickly and it's been fun to look at these pictures and see how different she looks month to month. I believe Brenna calls it the "Baby Parade." Enjoy!

1 week(ish)


1 Month


2 Months


3 Months


4 Months


5 Months


6 Months


Hope everyone had a relaxing holiday weekend. Ryan's parents came into town to get their Emerson fix- it was great having them here. I'll post soon- have a great 4 day week!

Blessing and Baptism

A month or so ago, we had Emerson blessed at Walnut Gardens and the following weekend we had her baptized at Ryan's Catholic church in Red Oak. They were two great weekends spent with friends and family.

Emerson wore my "name/date" shoes and my blessing gown that I wore when I was blessed. (At the same ceremony as Katy Tyree/Zimmerman, I might add!!!)




Emerson was blessed by Mike Hale and my Uncle, Howard Braby.


"Enough with the pictures, people!"


Relaxing on a beautiful April day.





The next weekend we headed up to Red Oak. My mom, Nat, Jonathan, Amber and Will all came with us for a fun-filled weekend on the farm. Ryan had a good time showing everyone his old stomping grounds. Cole and Sarah came over from Des Moines so it was great having everyone back!
Except Chris... :(

Jonathan and Ryan's mom Geri are Emerson's Godparents. Jonathan spoke in a funny accent all weekend and made us call him "Godfather."






Grandma and Grandpa Wood.


The Woods and Grices.


I swear pictures were taken with Cole and Sarah but our camera had "card full" so we were frantically trying to delete pictures while averting an Emerson meltdown. Love you guys!


The "Grice's" stayed in town at the Super 8, which was perfect because there was an indoor pool. Ryan's sister, Sarah, was inducted into the Red Oak High School Hall of Fame (she earned 16 varsity letters during her high school career. You do the math...) While we were at her induction, Jonathan and Amber took Will swimming. The next day we had some extra time so we decided it would be fun to break in Emerson's bikini. (Thanks Aunt Sarah!) It was seriously the temperature of bath water- Emerson did great and loved the water. Hopefully she'll like the IndepMo water park where the water isn't quite as warm. We'll see...

Nursery Pics

Since I just started the blog and a lot of you haven't been to the house, I thought I'd show all of Emerson's fans out there where she spends her evenings...
Plus- Ryan worked way too hard painting that room (those stripes aren't wallpaper, folks) for it not to be viewed in all its glory. Emerson loves her "gender friendly" nursery!

The "e" above her crib was one of my mother's day gifts. Ryan wittled it out of wood! How appropriate... :)


The nursery chair corner...


This is unfortunately where we spend a lot of time!!!


Books, books, and more books!


Every girl needs her own black and white wall!


E is for Emerson.


I love this shelf- it holds all of her special mementos. Notice Emerson and me next to our BFF's in the frame on the top shelf??? (The Bullcomings!)

Baby's First Royals Game

On Saturday we went to the Royals game with some of Ryan's work friends. The weather could have cooperated more but we still had a good time.

Our little family hanging out before the game.


Emerson tailgaiting in her Royals chair from Matt Mac and
Amber Frisbie. Thanks guys!


Emerson and dad staying warm!


The Cerner group.


Picture perfect! (Her, not me...)


Good thing it was an umbrella giveaway-
there was a 2 hour rain delay...


Go Royals!

Happy Mother's Day!

To my wonderful mother on this day which now has a much different meaning! Thank you for being the kind of mom I hope to be for Emerson. I love you!

Happy first mother's day to Stacy, Kelly, and my cousin Beth. I hope your husbands and baby girls spoil you rotten!

I also wanted to post a poem my Aunt Junia gave me at the baby shower she had for me. It's my favorite "baby poem."

Help Me Remember

Lord, help me remember, when I feel it's a chore,
The time will come when I'll hold her no more,
Asleep on my chest (the crib refused, the blanket, the pacifier, gone unused.)
What better place is there to lay her head,
Then against my heart, my arms, her bed?
For infants grow up and leave us behind
With only memories left to remind us of
midnight walking and predawn rocking
of soft, helpless babies unable to sleep.
So, Lord, make me patient and keep me awake
While I cradle this child, and don't let me take
For granted the moments I spend in the night
With this baby- your gift, my joy, my delight.

By Jan Dunlap


Love you Grandma Margaret!

David Cook MANIA in Blue Springs

So for those of you living under a rock, David Cook of American Idol fame came to Blue Springs on Friday for his home town visit. My wonderful brother got Amber and me tickets to see him at South. It worked out well and we were able to navigate the crowds rather well. (It'll be my secret how we finagled that one...)
I just put Emerson in the Bjorn and she was pretty content for the first hour and a half (I got in line around 2:30 and the gates opened at 3. He didn't get there until 4:30 or so) and then I just walked around with her. In my infinite wisdom, I didn't think of the crowd noise of 10,000 screaming fans and what kind of impact that would have on a 6 month old. I would just get her calmed down and then the crowd would go crazy again. It was exhausting but I'm glad we went- it was pretty cool to see how excited the town is. I took some pictures that you might have to click on to enlarge to see better.

Waiting to go inside the stadium.


David was in a parade which led him to the stadium. Here he is arriving at South. He's sitting next to his younger brother.


The craziness... 10,000+ people.


Where's Waldo?


Performing his 3 songs.


Hanging with Aunt Amber! Emerson's first "concert!"