Totally Random

I don't even know how to "do" this post... It's just two very silly, very random pictures. This first one is from this morning before Emersyn left for daycare. Her hat from yesterday was sitting out and she insisted on wearing it. I believe she even said "Dada cheez" and also told him "me pretty", hence the picture from Chris' phone. This one is also from Chris' phone, so it's not the greatest quality either. But tonight when he was putting Emersyn to bed she discovered a pair of my socks and insisted on wearing them. Well, they happen to be knee high socks on top of just being adult size. Yeah, fricking huge. She was so happy to have "Mama sock" though. Gotta love it!

Power Outage = Extra Emersyn Time

So although we only lost power this weekend for about 24 hours, my work was still without power this morning... Which means I got to hang out with Emersyn today! Although, that also meant that I was home alone with a 2 year old and two boxes... so we called Maw Maw and went to the mall.

Emersyn was very patient in waiting for "muh Maw-Maw" to get to our house. She insisted on sitting on the front step, so I put the pups in a little early and we just waited. Emersyn was SO GOOD at the mall - to include going on the potty and staying dry the whole time - so as a special treat, we rode the train they have there. The pictures are a little blurry since a) they were with my phone and b) we were moving... a lot... But you can still see the amazement. Ah, such simple pleasures.

Bath Time & Shopping

We have such a silly girl. After her bath the other day, Emersyn was just all giggles in her little duck bath towel... I was a bit of a slacker with these pictures since they were on my phone, so they're actually from a few days ago. Which, yes, makes them a little random with this post but my girl is just too cute not to share these! On a much less random note, yesterday before the storms rolled in we went to run a couple errands... and while we were out, we let Emersyn spend some of her birthday money. (Thank you cards will be coming out shortly, by the way.) We hit the Lego Store and Emersyn had a blast getting to shop for herself. She was pretty undecided since she had free reign for the first time! Emersyn even paid (almost) all by herself... She's such a big girl. The rain had started really badly by the time we were ready to leave, so Emersyn and I hung out at the giant fish tank in Bass Pro while Chris got the car. Emersyn was totally amazed and I had to almost drag her away... I guess we'll be able to go fishing soon. As always, all the pictures are at www.theswaderfarmily.shutterfly.com so check 'em out whenever. :)

Video Overload!

I warned you that I had a butt ton of videos to get uploaded... I've been quite the slacker lately, but I have FINALLY got them all uploaded. I am caught up! Yay!

And, you know I have to say it, all the videos have links to them (and their little descriptions) at www.theswaderfarmily.shutterfly.com so you can always go back and watch them again if you want. Since they're set to unlisted at youtube, you won't get a thumbnail preview thingy, but you do have the description so you know what you're about to watch. Happy viewing!!

20Aug11 --- This is how Chris entertains Emersyn if I sleep in... Just kidding. Emersyn loves balloons, balls and kicking. Chris just kind of put them all together for her while also making an easy way for her to get the really big balloon that lost its string. :)


20Aug11 --- This is how Chris entertains the dogs if I sleep in... Just kidding. He did this for Emersyn who loves balloons, balls and kicking. Chris just kind of put them all together for her while also making an easy way for her to get the really big balloon that lost its string. Emersyn played for a bit and the dogs took over...


21Aug11 --- Cameron loves Michael Jackson. One of his favorite things is dancing along with the King of Pop to the dvd... Emersyn sort of danced along too, but it's definitely all about Cameron in this video!


21Aug11 --- Along with the concert dvd of his favoirte singer, Cameron also has the Michael Jackson Wii game. As you can tell, he likes to dance just a bit. Emersyn helps dance too, but Cameron really rocks it.


23Aug11 --- We both love Jeff Dunham, especially Peanut. It was still a surprise to find out that Emersyn thinks (Jeff's) Peanut is hystercial though. In an attempt to entertain her for a couple extra minutes, we ended up watching a clip of the comedian... over and over and over and over....


23Aug11 --- Emersyn is definitely starting that phase of realistic immitation. The most noticable example of this is how she "calls" Pop and Maw Maw on Mommy's phone all the time. It's too funny what a little person our tiny girl is!

25Aug11 --- Oh my silly little fan. Emersyn loves to dance... and by dance, I mean jump around and run circles around the living room. But, silly girl that she is, Emersyn's happiness is kind of contagious!

25Aug11 --- Oh our silly little fan... Emersyn lost her pants (don't ask) but still rocks out her jersey as she plays with Mommy after dinner.

My Little Fan ♥

I have a couple videos from today, just of Emersyn being silly, and I'll get those uploaded later... along with the bazillion other videos that I've been slacking on. For now, you just get these silly pictures. Emersyn was just a goofball today! It started early when she saw that I was wearing the same shirt as her - our Ravens' jerseys. She preceded to say "Ay-ins" (Ravens) over and over again, me laughing each time. I guess that started it, but she danced and sang and was just all around silly the whole afternoon! **2011** Two years old, rocking her Ray Lewis jersey, being silly... **2010** One year old, rocking the same Ray Lewis jersey, being silly... At least she's consistant! LOL!! ♥ There's more pictures - of course - at www.theswaderfarmily.shutterfly.com from today and the whole month. Feel free to check them out and leave little comments... We LOVE comments!! :)

Thank You Miss Angela

A friend of mine wasn't able to make it to Emersyn's birthday party, but she still picked up something special for Emersyn. Yesterday Emersyn got to open her new present and I have to say, she completely freaked out... Along with a really cool Elmo Play-Doh set, Angela found this Lego-type Elmo. Well, let's just say that Emersyn wanted to take it to bed with her (last night and tonight) and has kissed it goodnight both times that she was told no. She fricking loves it!! On a side note - today Emersyn was outside on the playground when I got to daycare to pick her up. I let her play for a little bit and was able to snap this picture with my phone... The little boy behind her is Max, who has "grown up" with Emersyn through Childtime. The boy next to Emersyn - that's her boyfriend, Nicky. Yeah, her boyfriend. She'll tell you too, if you ask who her boyfriend is she says Nicky. And she gets this girlish little smile, like the one in this picture! (I thought I had like 10 more years before this started?!?!)

Holy Heart Attack Batman

When the hell does Maryland get earthquakes?!?! Um, apparently, today they do.

As a Marylander, there are certain things you know you're going to experience and that you have to prepare for. There are certain things that you worry about and plan how to protect your family. Hurricanes, tropical depressions, flooding... An earthquake doesn't really fall into that realm when you're here though.

Except that today, we faced that exact terror. Granted, what we got was practically nothing in the grand scheme of things. However, when you've never experienced anything like that before and have never been told what to do, even the slightest earthquake is terrifying.

Chris, Emersyn and I are all fine. Thank God. Daycare was wonderful and (somehow) knew exactly what to do, quickly securing all the kids even though the smaller ones were all in the middle of their naptime. Even the director sounded collected when I called. Obviously they were chaotic and crazy - a daycare hallway isn't supposed to hold the entire center, newborns to school-ages all together without space to be kids - but it was so reassuring to hear how organized the director sounded. They had a plan and it was executed perfectly. Chris was evacuated from his building, along with my mom. They were all calm and pretty much unphased.

I, on the other hand, was completely panicked. I hid it pretty well, aside from refusing to come out of the doorway until I thought I was going to throw up. And even then, I needed a little persuading from one of the guys here. I can only think of one other time in my life when I've been so scared, and that time started and ended with Brinley. Being the dramatic person that I am, I just kept praying that Emersyn was safe; telling Him over and over again that he can't have her too.

I will say that I owe a bit to one of the instructors at work, since he probably kept me from getting hurt... I took a CPR class a couple weeks ago, and although that obviously doesn't really have anything to do with an earthquake, Matt stressed the whole class that the very first thing you do is make sure that you're safe. You can't help someone else if something happens to you in the process. For whatever reason, as I grabbed my bag and started to quickly go to the door so that I could get to Emersyn after watching things start dancing across my desk, that thought came to mind. I instantly dropped my purse and just went in a doorway. Not that it's a life-saving revelation, but just falling down could have hurt me and that one brief thought made sure that I just made myself safe.

As soon as the shaking stopped, I immediately called daycare and then called Chris. Then I got back in my doorway and became a little joke with one of the guys here, but Jeremy's lived on the west coast so his opinion of earthquakes is skewed... (yeah, Jeremy, I said it!)

Anyways, Emersyn was totally unphased by the whole thing. Aside from having her nap interrupted and being very overtired from that, she was just her normal self. Chris was a little sensitive after realizing how hard I took the whole thing, but still pretty normal. I'm still a little shaken by the whole thing (no pun intended!!) and am a little paranoid that more is coming. But for now, I am just thanking God - literally - that we're safe.

We Must Have a Stalker...

... that's the only way to explain this hysterical article. I mean, how else could someone write with such strong knowledge about a toddler? Especially since this is basically exactly how our morning was today... minus a few specific points like the whole "is my penis still there" part... Really, are all 2 year olds like this?!?! =P

http://jasongood.net/365/2011/08/day-215-approximately-3-minutes-inside-the-head-of-my-2-year-old/
Approximately 3 Minutes Inside The Head of My 2 Year Old
by Jason Good

Each of these “emotions” lasts about 3 seconds.
I wanna play with Daddy’s phone.
I wanna put on Mommy’s shoes.
GET MOMMY’S SHOES OFF MY FEET NOW!
I wanna open and close the thermostat.
I wanna turn on and off the light on the microwave.
Is there anyone here with a phone I haven’t played with yet?
I NEED TO PUSH SOME GODDAMN BUTTONS.
I wanna pick up the cat by it’s head.
I wanna throw all the toothbrushes in the sink.
HOLY SHIT I’M STARVING.
CHEDDAR BUNNIES.
I HATE FRUIT.
I want out of my chair.
I wanna play with the iPad.
I wanna go outside.
No, I wanna turn the heat on.
I wanna take my pants off.
I don’t like the shirt I’m wearing.
I wanna play with Mommy’s phone.
I NEED TO PUSH MORE BUTTONS NOW.
I’m thirsty. No, not for that.
Yes, perfect, juicebox. I’m gonna squeeze this damn thing all over myself.
Where’s Daddy?
Where’s the cat?
Where’s Mommy?
SERIOUSLY WHERE’S MOMMY!?
Oh my God I think Mommy left forever.
Ok, there’s mommy.
I want to play with her phone
Hungry again.
Never mind I just remembered not liking these pants. Get them off.
STOP TAKING OFF MY PANTS!
Wow, I’m starving. I want peas but I don’t know how to tell anyone.
Finally, peas. I like throwing these.
WHY DO I STILL HAVE THESE PANTS ON?
Oh look, a new person. I wonder if they have a phone.
Im tired. IM NOT TIRED!
I wanna go for a walk but I don’t wanna go outside.
No, not inside either!
I need to push some buttons right now.
I hate this diaper.
My eyes itch.
WOW! Is this my toe?
STOP TRYING TO TAKE MY PANTS OFF!
I hate these pants.
This shirt itches.
I’m tired.
Stop asking me if I’m tired.
Where’s that toy that goes beep.
I wanna take a bath in my clothes.
Put on my favorite song.
Where’s the cat?
What is UP with my shirt?
Did I just hear a dog bark?
YOU DID NOT JUST TRY TO TAKE OFF MY SHIRT AGAIN!
I wanna see a dog.
No, not OUTSIDE! I wanna see a dog inside.
Is my penis still there? Good.
I peed.
I’m bored.
Repeat.

For Gabrielle & Gianna

Thank you so much for this fabulous apron! It took a little bit for Emersyn to understand what it was, but now she loves it... ♥

Belly Buttons

Emersyn has given a whole new meaning to "belly button" this afternoon. We don't know why she did it or how she even thought to do it, but... she did it... **As always, all our shenanigans are at http://www.theswaderfarmily.shutterfly.com/ so happy viewing**

Tuesday & Wednesday - A Visual

So... yeeaaaahhhh.... this was Tuesday when we learned that Emersyn can open the hall closet so we now have to use the child safety thing. Wednesday was a little better, but still crazy. Having a 2 year old is what I imagine it's like to be ADHD and bipolar. I said that I think I'm going to end up bipolar by association, and Chris said that it's not "bipolar", it's "todpolar". That pretty much sums it up! This picture pretty much screams "Mommy what I can get into now?!?!" Yeah, she told us she was leaving... she was going shopping. Insert tears here - Emersyn said she was going to get us a baby. We can share, she said. Go ahead, cry. I'll be here when you're ready. I'm coming to the conclusion that God makes kids cute for a reason. If they weren't so dam adorable, you'd probably kill them around the age of two! The cuteness makes all the headaches, todpolar-ness, chaos and everything totally worth it! ♥

More Videos - Lucky You

These videos are from Tuesday, the 16th, when I was busy uploading all the videos from Emersyn's party and playing in the puddle... Of course, since for one brief shinning moment I was caught up, my little two year old had to go and be super adorable again! :) And, naturally since these are uploaded now, I have pictures from today to upload later. That's nothing "special", it's just Emersyn being really cute and playing.

Anyways, here are the latest (and last right now) videos of my darling daughter! It goes without saying, but ALL of the videos are up at www.theswaderfarmily.shutterfly.com so you can see them there along with the pictures. Happy viewing!!

The Tickler strikes again... this time she even dances! Seriously this little fiberoptic nightlight is more of a hit than anyone could have expected. Emersyn loves it and continues to "tickle" everyone (and everything) with it! I especially like when she's tickles the gate. It's a longer clip for us, but the dancing at the end makes it worth the ginormously long upload time! :)

A bonus second clip from our day... After dancing it up before dinner, Emersyn uses the after-dinner-clean-up time to dance some more in the kitchen. :)

On A Sidenote...

I can't help but notice in her puddle jumping video that Emersyn's counting almost sounds German... I know I count to her in English, Spanish and Russion so we expected some confusion in the beginning. I don't know where the German sounds came from though. Do you think you can just inherit that if you're almost 100% German? Maybe there's something in her blood... LOL!! ♥

Gifts, Tickles & Puddles - Oh My!

As promised, here are ALL the videos from Emersyn's party and puddle jumping yesterday... of course because I got these all uploaded, we got two more super cute videos today. I'll try to get those posted tomorrow. For now, enjoy these little moments! :)

Emersyn's Party Clip #1 --- One of the first presents Emersyn opened was a whoopie cushion (thanks Gish family!) and needless to say, she really liked it!! (There's two more videos from her party, so check out those too!)

Emersyn's Party Clip #2 --- At the very end of the party, Emersyn discovered her new Dora guitar (from the Greco family) plays songs. I wasn't fast enough to catch that part, but you can see her trying to get it play again... using her feet, which is how she made it play the first time. Oh and that giant blue ball - another big hit from the Gish family! There's two more videos from her party, so check out those too!)

Emersyn's Party Clip #3 --- Yet another huge hit of a present from the Gish family, this little princess led night light became the tickle toy of choice. Quite popular, I must say. Emersyn had LOADS of laughs "tickling" us and herself. (There's two more videos from her party, so check out those too!)

Puddle Jumping --- 15Aug11 --- It was a beautiful rainy day, so I took my big two year old out to jump in the puddle. If you turn your volume up real loud, you can really hear Emersyn counting before she runs and jumps in the puddle. I love these simple things!!

Rain, Rain, Stay and Play...

I know I promised you some videos and they are coming... but it was a beautiful rainy day today so I took my big two year old out for some puddle jumping! I have a video from today too, but I will definitley get the birthday party ones uploaded first... In the meantime, enjoy a few of the fabulous rainy day pictures we caught today! :)

Party, Party, Party!!!

Oh my... what a wonderful day!!

Today was Emersyn's birthday party and I swear we couldn't have expected it to go any better than it did. I'll admit space was a little tight since it rained the whole party, but it seemed like everyone had a good time. Most importantly, Emersyn had a blast! She was a little shy at first, but she quickly got over that and was her full fledged happy, adorable, lovable self. It was so great.

The cake turned out fantastic. Who needs those fancy bakers? We had Shoppers! Oh yeah, this is a grocery store cake... granted we happen to have a really great bakery at our Shoppers, but the woman there did both of these and at about half of what the other places wanted for just a giant block. Emersyn and Cameron ♥ Emersyn loved both of her cakes... She wasn't too into everyone singing though. Funniest thing ever, you can just make out her face... that's while everyone was singing... and laughing hysterically through the last few lines. All the little ones digging in to some delicious cake. Emersyn's special purple lego cake. Opening presents... Do you see that crown? Yeah, thanks to the Gish family on that one. She fricking loves it... and the giant blue ball... and the fiberoptic light... (I have a video that I'll hopefully get uploaded in the next day or two just for you guys!) Oh the sparkle shoes... They're literally 3 sizes too big, but that didn't stop Emersyn from wearing them for the rest of the day! She spent more time putting them on than actually openning any of the other presents. (I cannot say the same for the tutu's although - HONESTLY - we did try to let her play with those too. That only lasted about a second before she said "all done" and "I off pleeeeaaassse". Sorry Shona. Sorry Mom. Doesn't look like she'll be into them after all.) A Calico Critter's house from Maw Maw and Pop Playing with the vaccum... notice those damn shoes?!?! LOL! After everything was settled down and cleaned up, we let Emersyn open our presents. First was a (Duplo) Lego plane... Surprisingly, the airplane was only one of two lego presents she got. She was very excited about it... and she's still wearing those shoes. The major gift was our Calico Critter's house. She fricking loved it! Between us and my mom, she even had a few furniture sets to put inside. That's all she's played with so far. (The shoes finally came off and are now hidden in a kitchen cabinet until she can wear that size!) There are seriously a ton more pictures from Emersyn's party at http://www.theswaderfarmily.shutterfly.com and I have three (yes, 3!) videos from the party too. Hopefully I'll get those uploaded quickly, but keep an eye out for those.

Last, but definitely not least, we just need to send a HUGE thank you to everyone who made it over. We are so extremely lucky to have such wonderful family and friends that can surround our baby girl during such a special occassion. The birth of a child is such a miracle, especially for us given our new knowledge, and to have so many people there to celebrate that miracle is just beyond words. It's just overwhelming how much love Emersyn is given, and that was really proven today seeing how many people came over. We really are blessed and we can't thank you all enough!!! ♥