17 Months & Christmas

We are still a little behind on posting, but we wouldn't miss updating you on Emily's 17th month! Here's some fun facts about our favorite girl this month:

*Emily is really starting to enjoy to color. This really happened while we were on our vacation and she was allowed to color on the tablecloth at dinner every night.

*She has started to use everyone's names more, this month she has included "Pa Pa" and "Gam Ma" to her list of names. We have also gone from "Ma Ma / Da Da" to "Mommy  & Daddy." She's also great at recognizing everyone in pictures, even pictures on the phone.

*Charlie has taken over as Emily's favorite dog again. She is always looking for "Cha Cha" and will call her as soon as she wakes up and says goodbye to her before she goes to sleep at night.

*Emily only wants to read her Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Christmas book at bedtime. She refuses to read anything else. Hopefully, she will move on after the holidays.

*When asked a question this month she always answers with "No", no matter what.

*Emily LOVES Santa. She still loves to say "Hi Santa!" and "Bye Santa" every time she passes our front door.

*She celebrated her second Christmas and enjoyed opening AND playing with gifts this year. Here's a few pictures and video from Christmas morning:

Disney Cruise!

Words cannot describe the amazing time that we had on our vacation. It was definitely the trip of a lifetime that was worth every penny and every moment of planning! Emily was spoiled rotten by everyone on the ship for the entire week, and we were treated like royalty as well. The weather was perfect, the food was wonderful, the entertainment was outstanding...I could go on and on, but I'll let the video and pictures below speak for themselves :-)

Emily enjoying the view

Our servers Ana and Ivett waiting on Emily

Grandpa, Emily, & Grandma

Fun on the deck of the Disney Magic

Napping on Mommy

They could be models, right?

Best place to nap :-)

Hi Mommy!

Sharing a smoothie with Grandpa

Dinner with Mommy

16 Months!

We're a little late in posting Emily's 16 month update, but we had a very busy few weeks, including our amazing vacation that we will update you on soon! Here's what's going on with Emily at 16 months:

*Emily loves to say "Up!" as she asks to get into her highchair or on the sofa.

*She has started to branch out more with her eating, and she has discovered dipping sauces like ketchup, honey mustard, and Polynesian sauce at Chick-fil-a. 

*Emily's vocabulary continues to grow! We are amazed when she repeats words after us or when she points and says something we've never heard before. 

*Emily's routine is back to normal, but we are down to one nap a day, still just for an hour.

*She's starting to be more opinionated. She is very particular about the books she reads at bedtime and what she eats during mealtimes.

*She's gained additional dance moves, not just spinning in circles anymore!

* She knows who Santa is (picture below). He's the giant inflatable thing across the street, and she is fascinated with him! She always says hi to him when we come inside.

Peek-a-boo!

Emily is hilarious lately when she's playing peek-a-boo! Here's a video of her having fun during lunch today:

Word of the day...

Can you guess what it is?

Animal Sounds

Emily loves making animal noises! Her "meow" is my favorite, and Fouad loves when she "roars" like a lion! Check out her new sounds:

Halloween 2011

Emily has had a few different Halloween costumes that she tested out for 2011. First, she wore her kitty cat costume to Boo at the Zoo with Grandma and Grandpa:

Then she attended the Jason's Deli Halloween party with Fouad dressed as a pirate princess. Here's her awesome dance moves at the party:

Finally, Emily celebrated at the MOMS Club Halloween party and did her Trick or Treating in her ghost costume:

Here's a sweet video of Daddy and Emily in our neighboorhood on Halloween. Emily just learned how to say "BOO!"