Emery - Age 2

This girlie keeps me on my toes.  So much so that I havent written much about her over the course of her little life.  In fact, I haven't done much blogging at all.  This blog is more for me than anyone else, though my family and friends do get to enjoy our stories as much as I do.  It's for me to remember - because let's be honest, although it feels like I'll never ever forget what these early years are like, the truth is: I will.   I read back over some of the things I've written about Annie and I seriously can't remember it!

Emery has always been a bit of a firecracker - I feel like I write this about her every time I do a post on her, but it's so true.  She's sassy and she's the one who sees how far she can bend the rules before I break.  She's finally starting to obey a little, like, when I tell her not to run out into the street, she will actually stop.  She still runs away in the store and she still throws fits when she has to do something contrary to what she actually wants to do.  Her favorite words are "no!" and "NEVERRRRR!"  We are still trying to figure out what works for her in the way of discipline.  We absolutely believe in spanking - and though I know a lot of you have differing opinions on this, we don't abuse our children.  We love them, and that's why its important for them to obey.  We are trying to raise women who respect others and think about other people.  All that to say: spanking is not very effective for her.  I could spank her a million times (I dont... so calm down) - and it wouldnt matter.  She would still repeat her actions.  We are getting there, but it has been challenging.

She stresses us out, but she also makes us laugh so. so. so. much.  This kid has sass.  She has character, and she is SO animated.  You never have to wonder what Emery is feeling because she wears it on her face.  We have also taught her a lot about communicating feelings, so she can put words to how she feels.  If she's sad, she's usually having a break down, but she will say, "I sad."  She has also recently discovered how to be evil (NO idea where that came from!!!)  She'll ask me for something and I'll say "no Emery."  My phone, for example.  "No, Emery you can't have my phone right now."  She will reply in a deep, very serious voice, "Gib me my pone.  Im ebil."  and she will tuck her chin, press her eyebrows together, and cut her eyes up at me giving me the meanest look she can produce.  I'll usually give her a "cut that out" glance at which point she will say, "but its just me mama!!"  She is also oddly obsessed with ghosts from halloween.  Ghosts are not a scary thing at our house.  They are silly characters that we see at Halloween time.  She likes wearing a blanket over her head and pretending that she is one.  When I react to her and say, 'Oh yikes its a ghooost!"  She will pop out and say, "Its ok mama, its just me!!"  Our bedding is white, so when I'm laying in bed and have my knees up, to make a peak in the blanket - she shouts, "YIKES SCARY GHOST!!! I SMASH HIM!!!!" at which point she pounces on my knees and says "WHEW! that was close!!"  

She is learning other faces like, how to be scared and surprised.  She does silly crazy things all the time and we laugh so much at her that it definitely trumps her crazy!!  I really do need to get better at writing her stories down because the kid is a HOOT.

She is currently almost 26mos old.  She is obsessed with our neighborhood cat Oreo, she loves watching Paw Patrol.  Her favorite movies are Trolls, Secret life of Pets, and Despicable Me (all minion movies).  She loves fruit and carbohydrates and hates protein and vegetables, though she will eat corn and carrots.

She just sized up to a size 5 in shoes and she's outgrowing 24 mo clothes (though 2Ts are still hanging on.  I also just moved her to a size 6 diaper (girl has some serious thighs!).  Im not sure on her height and weight, but I'll update that when she goes in for her checkup in a couple of weeks!

She definitely gives me a run for my money, but I look at her every single day and think, "Gosh, how blessed am I to be this kid's mama!!!"  She's the cutest little thing and I love her so much I can't even stand it!!!!