Pumpkins

We made it to the pumpkin patch! What a fun adventure for a 19 month old! We got a few good photos - but had more fun chasing Emma around the maze of pumpkins. We finally settled on 3 - one big, one medium, and 1 small pumpkin. While here, Emma learned to say "pumpkin" as well. That's how it is these days...she tries to say EVERYTHING! Basically, one of the last words you say in every sentence will be repeated!!! So cute.

We also went to Emma's first Gator Game this weekend! We decided to head up to Gainesville - even though the game was at 7 pm, and stayed through half time. Emma was a trooper and had a great time. She even learned how to sell tickets!!! She got to eat a burrito at Burrito Brothers (and has a shirt to prove it!)! She touched a real alligator too! Oh, and she loved watching Albert and Alberta on the field! What a weekend!

{selling a ticket}

{enjoying a treat!}

Zoo, again!

Emma and I went to the Brevard Zoo this week (it's just a tour of zoo's around here!) We had a blast. We did everything! We saw {almost} all of the animals, we had a picnic, we went to the petting zoo, we played on the playground, and we {she} swam! It was quite a day! Emma has been such a little angel this week. She is missing Daddy - but will get to see him tomorrow! We've had a lot of good girl time...our favorite is cuddling together at night before bed!

She is also talking up a storm. She tries to say EVERYTHING you say...so be careful!!! I couldn't even count how many words she knows now! She's really learning how to communicate her needs/wants to us - it's so cute! I HAVE to get a video of her saying please {"peas"}.... She is loving songs now too...her favorites are: "If you're happy and you know it clap your hands...", "Wheels on the Bus", ABC's, and "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star." So cute!

Oh, one other little bit of news. Emma is starting down the potty-training path! This is not on Mommy or Daddy's urging - but Emma's (shocker, right). I bought her a little pink potty a while ago, and put it in the corner in the bathroom, and suddenly she is super interested in the "poddy." She has gone in it 3 times...but we've had some accidents as well. She now wants her diaper off in the evening and wants to walk {run} around the house naked. I talked to her doctor today, and he said it's early, but as long as it's her timing, it is fine. He said the naked thing is normal, and that is actually helpful to potty train...you just have to clean up a lot of messes along the way :-) Boy, where has time gone! Enjoy!

Zoo

We went to the Sanford Zoo today to explore and see some animals in this nice "fall" weather! (It counts for fall in Florida if it doesn't get in the 90's - right???) Emma had a ball! She actually enjoyed looking at all of the animals and was interested in them!! The elephant and the leopard were favorites! And of course - the choo choo train!

Beach Summer

We have been a beach family this summer! We started off a little disappointing - not going back to Daytona from May until August...but we have really stepped it up since then! Daytona Beach, Palm Beach, South Beach - you name it - we've been there. It's been a blast. Emma loves being outside...so our beach summer has been enjoyed by all!

She is still talking up a storm. No sentences or anything - but just new words by the day. I counted 24 words last week...and I bet she's learned 10 more since then! A few of her recent additions: ice, tea, upstairs, dark, and please! The last one is the absolute cutest!

Enjoy some beach pics from this weekend! Below is a video from my cell phone of Emma chattering - enjoy!!!

New Words

Hello all! We are finally posting pictures from Labor day! We are having camera difficulties - so are down 1 camera lens temporarily. So - needless to say, our picture taking has declined over the last few weeks. But alas - we found a FEW cute pictures from our weekend trip to West Palm Beach & Miami. Had a great time and spent lots of hours on the beach. We collected sea shells & sharks teeth, made sand castles and animals sculptures in the sand. We also swam in the ocean and Emma eventually enjoyed the waves (especially when Dada held her). She also had a ball at the hotel pool & large water slide. Of course, she just plain enjoyed hanging out with her little friends (Austin, Hailey, & Collin)! Emma also got in a quick visit with her Uncle Bryan - which was a lot of fun! We got to eat Cuban sandwiches, shop, swim, and see the sights in Miami!

On another note, Emma had her 18 month check up last week. She did great - although wouldn't perform her talking for her doctor. (Dr. Andrew overheard her saying "Emma" though as she walked in the room). Her new stats are similar to last time: Weight - 23# 11 oz (40%), Height - 31 1/8" (35%), and Head Circumference - 18 3/4" (75%). She is running (notice I didn't say walking), climbing, kicking, talking, drawing....all the things she should be doing at this age. Oh yeah, except for sleeping. Ok she sleeps - but not well. We are having nighttime sleeping bootcamp right now in the McCully house. It's been 3 nights of crying it out to make Emma realize that she doesn't get to wake up in the middle of the night and get in our bed. So far so good...getting a little better each night. We won't even discuss naps :-)

Anyway - Emma is officially talking! Each day she learns 1-2 new words. Today it was "cheese" and "baby." Over labor day she learned "boat," and last week learned "onion" while helping Mama and Grandma Sue cook...and the list goes on and on!

Almost 18 Months!

Well, it's almost here. Emma is almost a year and a half old. We cannot believe how fast time flies! We are starting to catch a glimpse (occasionally) of these things they call tantrums. They are mild thus far - but we can see that this is going to be fun!!! Luckily though, most of the time we have a sweet little angel. Emma gives kisses and hugs on command, waves hi and bye to everyone, and is talking more and more each day. She is also a little monkey - climbing all over everything (and has her fair share of tumbles - not to Mommy's delight). She says the following words: Mom, Mommy (if I'm lucky), Dad, Daddy, Grandad (sounds like dad dad), MeMe, Casey (pronounced Tasey), cat, light, apple, applesauce, out (ALL DAY LONG), hot, up, hi, Emma, and Amen! The last one is new - she says it after we say the blessing - of which Emma initiates! So adorable!

She is still really enjoying the pool - and will swim for hours. She loves to jump in and go underwater...as well as hold on to the side and inch herself along the pool. Her new favorite game is to throw the noodles in the pool for Casey to fetch! She loves her lawn mower and will go up and down the sidewalk "mowing." And her new favorite activity (driving me crazy) is to sit in the drivers seat of my car and pretend to drive. If she finds a key nearby (any key) - she will TRY to put it in the ignition. Lovely. And hot. And every time I get in the car, the windshield wipers and signals are on! Oh well!

Emma has a checkup next week - so we will keep you posted! Other than all of her lovely mosquito bites - she's doing great! Enjoy a short video of her "swimming," and doing the Gator Chomp! GO GATORS!!!

Beach @ 17 Months

Emma turned 17 months old today - and we celebrated by having a beach weekend with friends! We went to Daytona Beach and spent Saturday afternoon & Sunday in the sand. Emma, as usual had a ball playing with her friends. She truly is a beach bum! She also loved the pool - she just laughed and laughed and really tried to swim! We just cannot believe how big and "old" she is getting! She is just such a big girl. Enjoy some pictures!