To all of Emma's peeps

To all of Emma's fans,

I'll get straight to the point. I wanted you all to know that we've started speech therapy. If you are reading this, there is a high likelihood that you are in this spunky girl's life and I want us all to be on the same page. Although our visits to therapy may be ending nearly as quickly as they started, there is still some work to be done. It may come as no surprise to you when I say that she has struggled with a bit of a stutter. It comes and goes but, as far as I can recall, she has essentially been stuttering in some capacity since she first began stringing together words. We chalked it up to normal language development when she was 2 but then we didn't really notice much of an improvement at age 3. About 5 weeks ago, things got really bad and her stuttering frequency increased ten-fold, to the point where she showed marked frustration that she couldn't say what she wanted to. It didn't help matters that her older sister would yell with great urgency to "Just say it!!" They definitely have a love-hate relationship. 

 Needless to say, I quickly called her doctor's office to seek advice. They directed us to the school district and now here we are, a couple sessions in with a lovely therapist who Emma is convinced is a doctor. The first time we went, I told Emma she had an appointment and she looked at me almost excitedly, and asked if she was going to get shots. She and I have been going to the sessions, just the two of us, and this may sound weird but I am totally cherishing our time together. I don't think anyone ever wants to bring their kid to therapy and I am definitely no exception. It has been a bit of a tough pill for me to swallow, this whole business. But, the silver lining has been getting the opportunity to spend solo time with just my second-born, maybe some of our longest stretches alone together in her entire life. I feel like I've gotten to know her so much better as I watch her interact with the therapist and answer her many questions. She is the sweetest, most hilarious little human and I can hardly stand it! At her first appointment, she was asked to identify and name a bunch of different animals one might spot in a pet shop. The therapist held up a picture of a guinea pig and without a moment's hesitation, Emma yelled "It's a chinchilla!" I nearly died laughing. What kid (or adult even!) can identify a chinchilla? Mine, apparently. At another point, they were conversing about animals that lived on the water and I when she excitedly burst out "And Jesus walks on water!!!" I could have eaten her she was so cute.

Our appointments have been enlightening. Emma stuttered some but quite minimally when she was alone. The GOOD news is that she isn't showing any other physical signs of stress when she stutters. This means it is a fairly mild form and it is quite unlikely she will qualify for further services through the school district. Yesterday, we had big sis join us for the last part of the session and we noticed a marked difference. It was eye-opening to watch her go from speaking smoothly to stuttering when there was someone else in the mix. Her therapist and I will be having a phone conversation to discuss these findings next week but essentially what she saw was a very normal example of two siblings trying to get a word in edgewise which likely is making things challenging for Emma. We have our work cut out for us!

 

For any of you in Emma's life, here are the tips and tricks we are trying to put into practice to help her:

-lead by example and use slow and easy speech

-don't rush her

-allow her to finish all of her sentences and ask her questions

-it's ok to acknowledge "you had a hard time getting those words out, didn't you?" if she is obviously frustrated but otherwise avoid commenting on her stuttering   

-stand up for her and help create space for her to finish when you notice others cutting her off

 

Please and thank you!

 

Lastly, I'll close with this breakfast time snippet. She's ridiculously cute, I'm telling you! 

Emma's Pool, I mean, Zoo Party

 

The weather forecast for this past Saturday was shaping up to be a lovely summer day complete with clouds, cool temperatures and lots of rain. 'Twas just the weather we were wanting for Emma's 3rd birthday party picnic at the Greenlake Wading Pool! The night before, we made a quick switch and changed the party location to the Zoomazium and the food court at the Woodland Park Zoo. Emma donned her birthday finest and didn't seem to mind the rain or the altered party plans in the least.

 All she wanted for her birthday was a Winnie the Pooh cake after all and a little rain wasn't going to stop her from getting a slice.

The kids played their hearts out at the Zoomazium and then I snagged a couple tables in the food court and set up the buffet of premade Costco foods Graham had purchased en route to the party (nothing like waiting until the last minute!) Grandma Crozier made the awesome cake which was the perfect centerpiece at the kids table. How we made it through lunch without a giant handful missing is beyond me.

 We already had a lot of pavarazzi with neighboring tables drooling over and taking pictures of the cute cake so when it came time to sing, all it took was one rousing "Everybody now!" from Graham and the entire food court burst into song. And bonus! It just so happened a good majority of the table occupants were a part of a middle school choir...

 The birthday girl got to eat a piece of cake AND the honey pot

 And I think it's safe to say Oliver was quite a fan of the cake

 Isla gave Emma a baby doll and she was elated. She loving carried her around the rest of the afternoon. I just adore this capture!

Lani and the kids stuck around briefly for the "after party" where we actually ventured out into the rain to see a couple animals since we were at the zoo after all. The kids were yelling something hysterical here...I wish I could remember what it was! 

 That evening, Grandpa Crozier, who couldn't join us for the birthday party took us all (and a couple of Grandma Crozier's friends) out to Snappy Dragon for a Chinese food dinner. The staff sang "Snappy Birthday" to Emma and presented her with a chocolate-covered fortune cookie which was a hit. We returned home for one more present - a "lap top" computer from us.

 As you can see, no one was interested in it whatsoever.

 No, not interested at all.

Happy Birthday Emma!

 

Dear Emma

A very happy birthday to my precious 3 year old! You, my dear, are beautiful both inside and out. You've got the looks AND the personality to go with it for sure! And that hair!!! You have your daddy to thank for your thick and gorgeous locks that makes grown women drool.

You are our silly girl and I don't think ever a day has passed when you haven't made us laugh. You have had a hard time falling asleep at night lately and I never know how I will find you when I come to check on you before I go to bed. Sometimes you're asleep in the hall, sometimes you're actually in your bed (but never facing the right direction!) and 98.9% of the time you've changed your outfit a time or two. The other night I found you lying backwards on your bed with your feet on your pillow, awake and wearing a tutu at 10 PM!! Though you may be drenched in sweat, you insist on TWO blankets at bedtime and sometimes socks too. Silly girl!   

You are incredibly expressive and have a love of entertaining others combined with a shy and sometimes reserved side that sets you apart. I adore the way you run to animatedly tell us that you are watching a movie (!!!), no matter that we were the ones who turned it on for you. Your love of technology is undeniable. As is your musical gifting. I'm excited to see where these things take you. And you are oh so very tender and give hugs and words of affirmation generously. If only everyone could have an Emma in their life to encourage them! I love this about you.

Once we figure out what motivates you, we will have struck gold. You are STRONG and driven in a way that is so uniquely you. You basically potty trained yourself once you set your mind to it. Our prayer for you is that you would grow to know and love Jesus and follow Him all of your days. That we as your parents would lean into your strength, tenderness and beauty and guide you to use those gifts for God's glory. You rocked my world, Emma, when you joined our family. In a very, very good way. You are a gift to everyone you meet and we love you so much!

 

Happy Birthday,

Mom and Dad

 

 

 

 



Happy Half, Emma!

This sweet character is freshly 2 1/2! The poor girl doesn't have a "real" half birthday since there is no February 30th, so we've opted to celebrate on the last day of the month. This means the girls' half birthdays fall only three days apart. It could be worse but seriously, what were we thinking with our timing?! Apparently we were factoring half birthday celebrations into our family planning. At least they're on different days! 

This was the first year Emma really understood the whole birthday concept. It was adorable hearing her say "You sing Happy Birthday to me?" throughout the day. Isla had preschool so we were home bound for the morning but did manage some fun things like checking the milk box and doing a craft together (coffee filter butterflies). One on one time with this character is hard to come by so she I'm pretty sure she ate it up.

We even made a special smoothie snack that she was pretty thrilled about.

After school, we met Rachel and Oliver and Hadley for a walk/bike ride and picnic at the park. This girl loves nothing more than seeing friends and riding her bike. She kept saying "I'm cited!"

Nothing quite speaks picnic like a plate of pasta?? It was all I had....

For dinner we had....more pasta (!!!) along with roasted asparagus and salami. I made one of our new favorites over here, a delicious creamy dish with homemade sausage and fun colored pasta shapes.

She was so excited to open her gift after dinner (pipe cleaners and googly eyes and a play dough fun factory). She is all over this cheese face!

And it was pretty adorable how thrilled she was by the princess kitty card from Grandma and Grandpa W. I could stop grinning watching her.

And if you're thinking her cupcake looks remarkably similar to Isla's earlier in the week, your eyes deceive you. OK, fine. I may have fudged and made one dessert for both of the girls but hey, they were happy. We'll see how long I can get away with such antics. I'm pretty sure Emma was just elated to have another "tuptake" and be sung to (which we did both at dinner and with dessert, per her request).

Happy Half Birthday Emma!

Happy 2nd Birthday Emma!

Dear Emma Bear,

A very happy 2nd birthday to my sweet second born! It is hard for me to believe my baby is already two. You are a bundle of fun and make your Daddy and I giggle every single day. You are talking in the most adorable, enthusiastic two-year-old way and I love hearing you put sentences together. My favorite lately is when we tell you something and you respond with the most adorable "oh!" You like to narrate what you are doing and I just love it. 

You get very excited about things that are hiding ("high-ing" as you like to pronounce it), airplanes overhead, counting, frequenting "Tarbucks" (Starbucks) for a breakfast bagel ("bag-gull") treat, your new helmet and bike and going on walks out to the trash and mailbox. I love how these little things thrill you and it's hard not to feel passionate about them too when I'm around you - it's contagious!

This morning we took a family walk to Starbucks for your birthday breakfast. You got to ride your new bike (your choice). We traveled at a snail's pace but you savored every minute of it. Afterward we went to the zoo because you wanted to "see monkeys." We saw so many different types and you had a heyday. We even saw one going potty which you thought was pretty neat. I kept asking if you wanted to walk or ride in the stroller to which you responded: "RUN!" And off you went. That about sums up your sweet energy in a nutshell. Why walk when you can run? 

You are beginning to show your caring side. Today at the zoo, you'd run ahead but then you'd turn around and check to see if I was coming. You'd say an exuberant "Come Mommy!" and beckon me with your fingers. I could hardly stand it!

You've developed a bit of a sweet tooth and when I asked you what you wanted to do on your birthday, without hesitation you exclaimed "ice cream!" Grandma Crozier made you, your sister and your second cousins a monkey cake for an extended family birthday party and you just couldn't get enough. In fact, we left the party with you screaming "monkey take!" in hopes of getting a second helping. 

For a couple weeks there, we were nervous you'd had a slight personality change. You gave us a real scare with some epic two-year-old-style tantrums that left us speechless. As it turns out, I think you were a few hundred naps and a couple good nights of sleep behind and once we got you rested again, your mood switched. But we certainly are getting some glimpses of the fact that you have an opinion and you're not afraid to make it known!

I think I pair your name with the adjective "sweet" more than any other word because it really is true and there is no better way to say it - you are a sweetheart! You are the sweetest, most endearing little two-year-old and you capture the hearts of those around you in seconds. Your personality remains incredibly unique and I can't wait to see the ways that God will use you. You are a beautiful mystery at times and I'm still trying to figure you out but I think you are going to be a people-person and have a knack for drawing others in. You don't like being the complete center of attention but you sure do love making everyone laugh (which you do so well). You make people comfortable and you make them feel loved - such an incredible gift.

I can't say enough good things about you - you are so special and a perfect complement to our family. Your Daddy and I love you more than you could ever know and we pray that you would continue to live vibrantly and that you would grow up to love Jesus with all your heart. Happy Birthday Sweet Thing!

Love, 

Mom

Dandelions

No matter how hard the day (and today was just "one of those days"), one look at these sweet cheeks and all is forgiven. This girl has an incredible curiosity and I love watching her explore her world!