Hanging out with Miss Audrey (oh yeah, and Stacy...!)

Last week, Emerson and I made the trek out to Kansas to visit Audrey and Stacy. They were very gracious hosts and Audrey let Emerson sit in her Bumbo and play with all of her "baby" toys that she's way too grown up for now that she's a crawling fool! It was so great to see the girls and just hang out- I had a great time Stace! We have got to do it again before we're visiting them when they're roommates on Solah!

I love this one- it looks like Audrey is throwing gang signs...




Audrey loved Emerson's jellies...


We got the girls ready to go shopping in their matching car seats.


Shopping at Town Center Plaza. I'm sure the first shopping trip of many!

A "Mixed Grill" as Margie would say...

She likes too "feed" herself- it drives Ryan crazy because it makes a mess but I think it's adorable. I think the way she feels about it speaks for itself...!



I just happened to have my camera handy when we were doing a little shopping at the Wal last week. Good thing too!


My cousin Debbie Ingram, her husband Ben and their two kids, Brayden and Brynn moved to Independence from Colorado. Brayden and Will are 4 months apart and Brynn and Emerson are 8 days apart so we were really excited to get the kids together. Will and Brayden ran around the back yard and the girls hung out on the couch...





We took Emerson to the park for her to swing. She's a bit small for it but we made due. And she liked it! After having a baby in November, it's nice to get out of the house and venture outside!



Last Saturday I had lunch with Jonathan while Ryan watched Emerson. She was still in her sleep sack thing when I left so I suggested that Ryan put something on her legs. I was envisioning him actually changing her outfit but this was what I came home to- her sleep sack all bunched up, random leggings from a completely different outfit, and Air Jordan socks that have never seen the light of day. God bless him for trying...


Emerson's 6 month pictures are tomorrow so I'll let you know when they're up and running on the gal's website. Here's to a happy baby for pictures!

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!)