we love summer.

I don't know if anyone else is sick of the june glooom, but I'm ready for a little summer! It is july and I'm still wearing a sweater to the officer!!! It's nuts! I'm dying for a little sun so I can take my girl to the beach! She loves the ocean and thinks she is part fish, but we would have to wear coats just to get near the sand...boo.
On a lighter note, we are just a few days after our family 4th of july celebration! I happen to love the forth and celebration our Nation's freedom, with family, friends, and good food! OH, and of course, FIREWORKS! I returned from my Orlando trip mid day on Sunday, so it didn't leave much prep time for the day. We ended up going to my mom's for a bbq, then off to the LB Aquarium with the whole family (The 3 of us, sister & madison, grandma, mom, and ed)... it was quite the group, but the girls had a fabulous time looking at the fishies. Emery was so funny...she would look at the fish, then me and back and forth again, as to say, "Mom, do you see what I see?" Then would rejoice, "FISHIES!" It was soo cute! Her outfit was adorable and she loved the fireworks... there were plenty of "ooohhh and ahhhhhs" to go around. What we didn't love was it taking nearly 2 hours to get out of the structure and to get home. DEAR CITY OF LONG BEACH: YOU REALLY SCREWED US ON THAT ONE!
My trip to Orlando was not as relaxing as I had hoped, but it was just as fun. It was wonderful to spend time with some of my favorite DDD sisters and to meet a few new ones... I will never look at chicken the same again, nor will I be able to hear the "Carmen San Diego" song again without a serious chuckle. I'm already looking forward to Tucson in two years!
The rest of our summer is filled with mommy play dates, the OC fair, and a trip in August to a water park for little kids.
Motherhood truly amazes me every day. Emery is working on potty training, talking so much more, getting more sassy and is really starting to act like me... which worries me. haha.
I've included a few recent and fun photos!

Summer has consumed us.

Well, I am fresh off of one of the busiest weekends in a long time! Emery is sleeping through the night now, unless she spends 4 hours screaming her head off. You kinda never know what you're going to get, but it will be one of the two. Needless to say, I'm exhausted...and confused. This past weekend we spend most of our time with cousin Madison. Emery and Madison are two peas in a pod. Madison loves her "baby" soooo much. And Emery loves her, from a distance. Should Madison hug or kiss jsut a little to long, Emery is sure to make sure that she, and the entire house know that she has had enough love. But, at the end of the day, when we sleep over and its time for bed...the girls are sure to be in bed together jumping up and down and desperatly trying to convince us they are old enough for a slumber party. Not quite yet ladies, but soon enough. We promise that there is a lifetime of Madison/Emery sleepovers in your future. I love seeing the two of them together, it truly warms my heart.
I also got to be a 13 year old girl this weekend. My sister and I attended the Backstreet Boys concert. Can I just tell you that it was AHHHHHH-mazing. I dancing like a crazy fool, singing every word to every song. Yes, I was and still am that girl. But, there songs got me through middle school, high school...and most of college. Most songs have a major life event attached to them that makes me smile. I can still remember the very first time I heard one of their songs. I was 12. It was Quit Playing Games with My Heart...and I fell in love. It has been a love affair of 13 years. And I met one of my best friends, Bri because of it. We often tell people we were "penpals" but the truth is we met in a BSB chat room on aol. The rest is a history of Felicity style voice tapes, letters, cards, photos, gifts, then trips to visits, meeting our husbands, weddings, and now babies. She is probably my oldest friend I love her to death!
Our weekend also consisted of swim lessons and the Long Beach Buyou Festival. Emery loved the water, but hated being held that long. She is fiercely independant. She also loved being a dancing queen with Madison at the Buyou Festival. Wow, those girls love to dance. It is so cute to watch.
This week I am off to Florida for FIVE NIGHTS of no crying baby, lots of pool time, and even more time with hundreds of Tri Deltas. I am attending our National Convention and I am sooo excited. Emery is home with Jason for some much needed Daddy time. And I am off for some much more needed me time. I can't wait to share is so much sisterhood, sun, and shopping!

xoxo,
Crystal

I swear Emery has the busiest social calendar of any 15 month old I have ever met. This past weekend was nuts! Friday, Emery and I went to the beach with my mom group. Saturday was cousin Madison's 2nd birthday party at the art studio and Sunday we went to Disneyland. Whoa.
Emery is a nut for the water. She sees the oceans and runs for it like a crazy little beast! It is too cute! We have been doing a lot of really fun things with my mom group. It is so fun to have a variety of different activities, moms and kids to hang out with at least once a week! Plus, we do "mom only" fun stuff too! Which is even better!
I think I've discovered Emery's secret talent. Painting. Seriously, she saw the paint and the paper was went to work. She painted Jason and I a beautiful picture that I will be framing to put in my house. She loved it so much she decided to paint her hair....blue. Madison's birthday party was at Avery Boo Children's Art Studio in Bixby Knolls (in LB). It was honestly the most fun place ever. They had all kinds of things for the kids to do, in addition to painting. I have every intention of going back. I highly reccomend it. The kids ran around like little monsters playing for 2 hours and were not all that eager to leave. Madison got a ton of fabulous elmo gifts.... that is what is "in" for the kids right now. Elmo. You hand emery a mickey doll, she says elmo...she see a character on TV, she says elmo... well, really it's more of a "Mel-mo" but you get the idea.

Her language has really picked up. She says so many fun things now. Cheese. Shoes. Working on please. Elmo, of course...eyes. mommy (not just mama), daddy, doggie, kitty, done, yes, no... and some others...Right now her favorite is doggie and elmo. It goes in rotation really. She hadn't said eyes for about 2 weeks, then this weekend, she walked right up to me, pointed to my eye and said eye... funny how that works.

In just a couple of weeks I am leaving my girl for FIVE DAYS. I'm going to Orlando to attend the bi-annual convention for Tri Delta. I'm an advisor for my chapter and I am thrilled to be attending with the 3 collegiate women. However, leaving my girl for 5 days truly breaks my heart. Jason will be home with her, but mommy is always better. I've never been away that long.... we'll see who ends up more upset about it all, me or her... Needless to say, I'm taking at least one framed photo of my girl with me. Maybe one of her blankets too...

Summer is really upon us and we have a lot of fun adventures to share. Here's hoping you can keep up!
xoxo

summer is finally here!

I must apologize for not having any new photos of my girl to share with you. We have been so busy lately that either we always forget the camara or I haven't had a chance to upload the pictures yet.
Summer 2010 is already going to shape up to an amazing summer, and it just kicked off. We spent our memorial day busy as ever with dog beach, the swap meet, and a mom group play date. I was able to take some time out for a bridal shower and a girls movie night, while emery had some quality time with her daddy! This weekend another bridal shower, while Jason takes emery to a birthday pool party. Our summer is full with family photos, concerts, mommy group play dates, the Ojai water park with my sister... the river for labor day, and probably a lot more that I am forgetting.
I am so excited that we book our tickets to go to Nashville to visit our very dear friends, the Klahn's! They are expecting a little girl in July, Delaney. We can not wait to meet her! Emery is thrilled to meet her new best friend! Brienn and I have been friends for...gosh, like 13 years. We made it through high school and college together (but 1500 miles apart), got engaged and married within a year of eachother, and how we have little girls together. They are destin for a lifetime friendship together. We are so excited!
In just a few weeks, I'll be leaving emery overnight for the first time! I am going to Tri Delta convention in Orlando, FL on a redeye flight. She is staying the night with my Grandma, mom and sister and Jason will come home the next day. I have to admit that leaving her for 5 days truly breaks my heart. I'm thrilled to be spending so many days with my friends and Tri Delta sisters, but my girl needs me. I'm her mommy. ahhh.
I think this spring has provided me a lot of time to realize how lucky I am. I have the most wonderful husband and daughter. My family is more supportive than I could ever ask for. They watch emery all the time, showering her with love when I need to run errands or just get away. I have friends that are more family than "friend" They love my daugther and listen without judgement to the problems of the day. I get more excited to continue to share my life with those around me. And share Emery with people who love her, and she loves in return.
I lost my grandmother this spring. She was such an amazing and compassionate women. It was a wonderful reminder to thank those around you that provide support and make sure they know you love them. I miss my grandma every day. But, I know that she knew what she meant. We shared a birthday and an amazing connection. I'm so happy that she got to see emery born, crawl, walk and talk. She loved my little girl. Emery meant the world to her....

xoxo

It seems everyday Emery is learning something new. A new word, a new way to be sassy, a new way to play with her toys. I am so amazed how quickly she is picking things up. It's really fun to be able to communicate with her now. I ask her if she's hungry, she'll actually say yes or no. Same with thirsty, tired, and several other things. I love it! The past month has been filled with so much fun! Mother's Day was wonderful. Celebrating with all of my favorite people and getting to take another 4 generation photo of my Grandma, mom, me and Emery. The last one was just minutes after I gave birth, and needless to say I look TERRIBLE. This one is much better! Emery and I have gone to the farm with my mom group. We took a family mini vaca to Phoenix to see my cousin and celebrate her son's birthday! Jacob is three! And, I got to have a Glen Ivy spa day with some of my best friends. This spring has been so wonderful to our family!
With each passing month I feel more thankful for my amazing husband, daughter, friends and family. It seems so many friends from my life are now getting married and having babies (I swear I know like 15 pregnant women)... I am so happy to be able to share in their happiness, knowing what amazing things are in store for them.
Not sure if I shared before... but, I was recently accepted into a master's program at CSULB, but came to the decision that it just wasn't the right time. I will be granted priority admission for fall 2011. It was a program designed for learning to work with higher education students, something I love. But, being emery's mom is my priority, so this goes on the back burner for now. And, I'm at peace with the decision.
June will be just as busy, we have a birthday party, I have bridal showers, concerts, more mom group events... and at the end of the month I'll be going to Orlando for Tri Delta convention! I am so excited to share in nearly 4 days of sisterhood with hundreds of collegiate and alumnae women.

I'm truly the luckiest woman in the world. I love my life.

xoxo

Spring Catch up.

so, clearly I have been SLACKING on the blogging, as Bri so kindly reminded me. Thanks girl. But, I'm a busy mom, what do you want from me? The past two months have brought so many fabulous adventures for our family. We have been spending time at Disneyland, went to the beach, the park... and most recently, Tanaka Farms in Irvine. See pictures above. We were able to take a tractor ride around the farm and then pick OUR OWN STRAWBERRIES! Right off the plant! It was amazing, we had so much fun! Jennifer, Madison and my Grandma went with us and it was a beautiful day! The kids loved it and so did we. The strawberries were seriously the best I've ever had.
Also, I was accepted into Grad School at CSULB for Student Development in Higher Education. I have decided to unofficialy defer for a year. By then, hopefully we'll be much closer to having Jason home again! He got a PERFECT score on his oral interview and has turned in his background check paperwork for the CHP. Please think positive thoughts on it going very quickly!
Life is amazing! However, I did have a devestating loss almost two weeks ago. My grandma dotzie (my dad's mom) passed away. She was 87 and amazing. She has been sick and in pain for many years and now she is finally pain-free and free from the problems that she experienced in life. It is a blessing for her. She will truly be missed. What amazing woman. And thank you to all of the thoughts and prayers from my amazing friends. I'm a lucky girl.

xoxo,
Crystal

We survived!

Can you believe that we actually survived our first year as parents? I know I certainly can't! Emery turned one on March 9th and we couldn't not be more in love with our little girl! To celebrate this major event, we hosted a tutu party for Emery and her friends. Below, you'll see most of her friends with the girls in their best tutu! It truly was "tutu" fun! We had all of our friends, family and loved ones there. Basically everyone we love, and who loves our little girl! I am so thankful to have such amazing people in our lives! Emery is becoming such a little girl, rather than a baby. She loves to be a helper, especially with laundry, as you can see below. She is willful, snuggly, kind, happy, and just amazing! And major accomplishment for me! I finished her first year scrapbook, on the day of her party! The the end I was so sick of that thing, but I am truly happy that I did it for her. Someday, she'll look back on her first year and appreciate all of my hard work, and paper cuts. From here on out, I will make a photobook online!

In other news, I am one step closer to grad school! I have my group interview on Thursday! If you didn't know, I applied to a Master's program at CSULB, Student Development in Higher Education. I have a lot of great experience working with students and I am very passioante about this program. However, it is nearly impossible to get in. So, I am positively optomistic. Wish me luck on Thurday at 3pm. Jason and I have pretty much just been enjoying our weekends together... Spending time with as many friends and family as possible. He is in the application and testing process for the CHP and has the physical fitness test on Saturday... so wish him luck then.

I do have to say that it must be baby making season. I did the math and I know NINE pregnant people. Please stay away from me, do not cough near me, or try to share a drink. I am not interested in catching that right now. But, I am thrilled for them, as they are all women that have been apart of my life through our childhood, school, or Tri Delta! Motherhood is the most amazing gift!
A special shout out to one dear pregnant friend, Bri! She is my oldest friend and "penpal" and is expecting a little girl, Delaney this summer! I admire her ability to be pregnant in July, in Tennessee.... I would move out of state! Jason and I are so excited to spend time with them this fall on a joint family vacation so Emery can meet her future BFF! The Klahn's are some of our favorite friends and we simply don't get to see them enough!

Have I shared enough? I hope so!

Thank you for so many kind thoughts and words! Jason and I are truly so lucky to have so much love in our life!

xoxo