Sweet potatoes and bottles

We have really progressed in the food department this week!  E finally loves sweet potatoes, AND she is drinking a bottle at home!  We could not be more excited!

When we first tried rice cereal, she hated it.  I think she didn't really care for the texture.  So I decided to try sweet potatoes.  At first, she refused to open her mouth, then she spit them out, then she started shaking her head "no" whenever I tried to feed her.  After three days of trying, she finally swallowed some!  Now, she gets super excited when I put her in her chair at the table and she knows it's time to eat.

As for the bottle, we have been trying to give her one at home for well over a month.  I mentioned in a previous post that we tried five different bottles, and three kinds of nipples.  We also tried feeding her in public, putting the milk in a sippy cup, letting other people try to feed her, hot milk, cold milk, you name it.  Nothing worked.  It always resulted in her screaming and crying so hard she couldn't catch her breath.

Two nights ago, after I fed her the baby food, I decided to attempt to give her a bottle in her chair.  It worked!  She gulped down the whole thing.  I was scared to make eye contact or talk because I didn't want her to stop drinking!  I also fed her one right before bed (which is a huge deal)!

It's such a great feeling knowing that I have a little bit of freedom now.  For so long, I was tied to the house (or had to stay close by) because if Emery got hungry, I had to be the one to feed her.

Oh Emery Jane...it's the little things in life...

Emery Jane's Baby Dedication 11-17-13

Emery Jane was dedicated at our church on Sunday!  Many of our family members were there to celebrate this special day.

We are so thankful for a great church to raise our children in. 

Mommy's Bible and Nanny's pearls:

The verse we decided on for Owen and Emery is:

"I was cast upon You from birth.  From my Mother's womb, you have been my God."  Psalm 22:10

Owen is 3!

To our favorite little boy,

You are our first born.  You are our favorite little boy.  

You are a ray of sunshine.  You are our favorite little boy.

You are a burst of energy.  You are our favorite little boy.

You are a great big brother.  You are our favorite little boy.

Owen, daddy and I are so proud of the person you have become over the past three years.  You are truly a fun little boy to be around.  Your curiosity, empathy, enthusiasm, motivation, and independence shine above all else.  You are a social little guy who will talk to anyone!  We love that about you.  

 Some of your favorite things right now are your big green tractor, your snow shovel, musical instruments, garbage trucks, reading books, coloring, picking out your clothes, playing with your friends, talking about your day at bedtime, and doing everything by yourself!  You also absolutely love being a big brother!

 You currently wear a 3t in shirts, and a 4t in pants.  You wear a size 10/11 shoe.  Thankfully, in the past month or so, you became fully potty trained.  In the morning, you usually wake up between 6:30 - 7:30.  You take a 2/3 hour nap in the afternoon, and go to bed at 8:00.

Here are your current stats:
weight:  40 pounds (96th percentile)
height:  3 feet, 4 inches (95th percentile)
BMI:  17 (83rd percentile)

For the  most part, you are a good eater.  Some of your favorite foods include pepperoni pizza, any kind of meat, cheese sticks, macaroni and cheese, yogurt, applesauce, snap pea crisps, all fruit, and banana peppers!  You also love milk with every meal!  Every now and then you will ask for sweets, but you aren't really a fan of them.  I don't think you have ever eaten a whole cupcake/piece of cake!

Owen, we are so, so blessed to be your parents.  You have taught us to be adventurous, to love unconditionally, to live and learn, and to take one day at a time!  Some days are harder than others, but we remind ourselves that everything is a learning opportunity.  We aren't perfect, and don't expect you to be either!  All we ask is that you put God first in your life, believe in yourself, and try your best.  If you do these things, then we know you will be successful.

We love you.  You are our favorite little boy!