On December 8, Emma Kate was the gracious hostess of her 1st Christmas Party. She spent all day in the kitchen supervising her mommy in cooking a lot of scrumptious food. Several of friends from church, including Emma Kate’s good friends Robert and Brittain.

Seth, Erin, and Steve around the bar:

Emma Kate, Kate, and Valerie:

The hostess entertaining her guests:

Brittain waiting for her 2nd wind:

Leah teaching Justin and Erin and thing or two:

Naughty or Nice?

Leah stealing the spotlight:

Emma Kate being “checked out” by Robert. Hey, watch where you’re staring!:

Dan, Kate, Alison making all three babies happy (and chubbier):

The whole dysfunctional gang:

Brittain being spoiled by her mommy:

Emma Kate thinks her mom is the most comfortable person ever:

Leah:

Robert is determined to get a photo with all of the ladies:

Erin getting some bonding time with Brittain…awaiting her own baby girl:

Thanks for taking this photo with my mouth full:

Emma Kate after being fed by Alison:

Justin and Robert:

Emma Kate and daddy:

Erin getting loving from Robert (the player):

Girl talk, “Don’t listen, dad!”:

Daddy time:

December 3rd, sleeping around the house:

 

December 7th, sleeping in her bouncer and laughing at silly daddy: 

 

 

My sister Dee scanned some photos that my mom had taken in October of November. Some are priceless!

Bath time used to be a torturous time. I admit that I have only participated in a few of the bath times, but I’ve heard the screams from the bathroom on many occasions when Emma Kate was getting her bath. Usually she cried when she first hit the water. Often she cried while being wiped off. And she ALWAYS cried when she was getting her hair washed.

So you can imagine our surprise and joy the first time she had a bath without crying.It’s amazing how quickly she’s growing up. Last night she slept from 11PM until 8AM! I don’t expect that every night, but it’s so wonderful that there are some nights where she can sleep this much. Her disposition over the last two weeks has changed, also. When you look at her, she will smile and sometimes laugh. Her personality is really starting to show. In case you’re wondering, she’s going to be a talker, a laugher, an entertainer, a sweeheart, and, of course, an angel.

Pre-bath and bath:

Post-bath:

Emma Kate met Mrs. Clause and Santa for the first time on Saturday. She didn’t cry, nor did she smile. But I still think it’s a cute photo.

Grandma Kirkland holding the chubby little girl before going to get her picture made with Santa:

 

Santa:

Grandma and Grandpa Kirkland come up on Wednesday and stayed with us through Saturday to celebrate Thanksgiving. Neither could believe how much Emma Kate had grown in size and personality over the last two weeks. It was truly amazing and is definitely one of the things we are thankful for.

Thanksgiving afternoon, Emma Kate was mighty comfortable sleeping in grandpa’s arms: 

A few sweet photos before going out to eat:

Upon my recommendation, we ditched the traditional Thanksgiving meal for a treat from Maggiano’s. Boy, was it good! We had an antipasti platter with prosciutto, smoked turkey with focaccia stuffing over a bed garlic mashed potatos, lemon and herb salmon over green beans, lasagna, spaghetti with meatballs, two types of salads, pumpkin praline cheesecake, and apple crostada with vanilla bean ice cream. Yummmm. And we had enough leftovers for 3 more meals! The first photo is slightly out of focus. Sorry about that!

The last few weeks have been incredible. Emma Kate has started smiling a lot more and laughing. She’s also started showing that she recognizes Alison & me. Her face lights up when one of us walks in the room, and she giggles when we talk to her on the phone. It’s the most incredible feeling. What a joy!

Emma Kate getting a ride in her Jeep carrier, November 6:

 

Pretty in pink, November 11:

Playing on her play mat, November 15:

70’s outfit, November 17:

It is with great joy that I say that Emma Kate is finally sleeping more! Over the past week, she has started sleeping one six hour stretch during the night. If we could ever shift it so that it starts at midnight and goes to six, it would be perfect. But at this point, we’re just happy that she’s getting into a nighttime sleeping pattern.

She continues to change in her looks every day. I’ll post more (and much overdue) photos soon.

What a blessing she is. I can’t say that enough.