Let it snow

We are getting closer and closer to Christmas! Little by little, I am checking off my list of Christmas preparations: shopping, gift-wrapping, Christmas cards, and photos with Santa. To add to the excitement of the season, we had our first snow! We got about three inches, and it resulted in an early dismissal on Friday and then a 2-hour delay on Monday. It was so nice! It is not very common for snow in December, so all the students and staff were excited when we saw the snowflakes falling down. Once the Kennedys were all safe at home, we enjoyed watching it from the windows and eating take-out Japanese. Emmy was fighting a small cold so we stayed inside most of the weekend, which was just as well for Boomer and me. Neither of us are big on building snowmen or going sledding -- we prefer to stay inside where it is warm! We did venture out on Saturday to go to Star for Carlin's birthday. The roads were safe, and as we traveled southeast, we saw less and less snow on the ground. In fact, Star didn't get any at all! It sure was pretty in Kernersville though. The temperatures this week have been very cold, so we bundle Emmy up whenever we go outside. She likes her new winter coat (thank you, Grammy and Grandpa!) and she also seems to like her new mittens. Surprisingly, she leaves them on her hands! She likes to wave and watch her hands move. 

Just as a precaution, Grammy took Emmy to the doctor on Monday. I had been worried that she had an ear infection since she often touches or pulls on her ears. With the cold-like symptoms and the ear-tugging, it was worth the trip (and co-pay) to have a doctor check her out. He confirmed that it was simply teething. Her ears, nose, and throat all looked good. It seems our little girl just likes playing with her ears. The teething may also give her some discomfort in her ears, so that may be why she pulls on them. Even despite teething, she has remained very pleasant. Here are a few pictures of Emmy cheesing and also with a new hairstyle -- pigtails!

...and an after-pic when the pigtails come out!

Ms. Tia had put Emmy's hair in pigtails when she was at school one day last week, and when I picked her up, I almost didn't recognize her! I tried to recreate the look myself, but with no such luck. I couldn't gather her hair quick enough to put it into the teeny-tiny elastic bands. For now, we will leave the pigtails to Ms. Tia, and Mommy will stick to the bows and hair clips. Emmy likes playing with them and helping pick one out. 

This week also included a visit with Santa. Grammy and Grandpa sprung all three grandchildren out of school early while Mommy and Aunt Megan were working. They went to a neighbor's business who was doing photos with Santa. Then we all met up at Arbor Ridge for their holiday open house. Santa was there, too. He's a busy guy! Emmy wasn't too fond of him...even when Mommy was holding her. Hopefully by next year she will warm up to 'ole Santa!

This past week, Emmy turned 13 months old, and I officially stopped pumping. It has been such a freeing feeling. I'm no longer looking at the clock or segmenting my day in between pump sessions. The last pumping I dropped was the one on the way to work. While it was a great use of the commute time, it has been so nice to drive, full-clothed, and not worry about spilling milk in my cup-holders. I am still nursing in the morning and giving Emmy a bottle at night. I enjoy the time with her, cuddling and being still. Boomer snapped this photo of us one night during bedtime. It is such a special way to end the day!