Emily One Month Old

Emily was one month old on Sunday the 11th. In many ways its hard to believe that she's already one month old but on the other hand I can hardly remember what it was like before she got here. We went for Emily's one month check up yesterday and she is weighing in at 10 lbs, 8 oz and is 22 inches long. I didn't get where she's at on the growth charts but the doctor did say that she's going to be big like her sister so maybe we're making our way up the charts already.

Things have definitely been different the second time around. We aren't as nervous about things as we were with Kate, and it's also been very interesting to try to figure out how to handle the two at the same time. Emily definitely prefers to be held a good bit, which can be challenging at times since we are still really hands on with Kate as well. I remember Kate loving to be in her swing and bouncy seat and Emily is not much of a fan of either. Emily does like her bed though and does pretty good resting there for short periods of time during the day. I don't want to jinx it, but she's also doing great in her bed at night. We regularly get a 5-6 hour stretch between feedings at night and last night she went almost 8 hours, the longest stretch so far. She is starting to be more awake and alert during the day, just checking things out. I have also braved a couple of outings (Target and the grocery store) with both girls and they have both been successful trips. I am able to put Kate in the buggy and carry Emily in a sling. She seems to be a big fan of the sling which is good and Kate thinks that Emily is hiding in the sling so we play peek-a-boo the whole time we are shopping. Good distraction for the big sis. Overall things are still going great! Of course it is challenging at times trying to give both girls all of the attention that they both need but I really couldn't feel any more blessed!

Captured a sleepy smile on her one month birthday. No "real" smiles yet but we know they'll be here soon.

Emily got her first bottle on her one month birthday. It was still breast milk, we're just making sure that she'll take a bottle if and when needed.

I hate that I am just now posting pictures from when my mom and sister were here 2 weeks ago. Nonna (my Mom) was here on Emily's birthday and stayed over 2 weeks to help us out in the beginning. She will never know how truly grateful we were not only for her help but also for that precious time that both girls (as well as me and Nick) got to spend with her! I don't know that I would have survived without her those first couple of weeks. I also have to thank Poppa (my Dad) for sharing Nonna with us for so long! Then my sister, April came down to meet Emily, hang out for the weekend and drive my mom back at the end of her two weeks with us. We were so glad that Aunt April got to meet Emily and Kate was thrilled to have her here! We can't wait for the rest of the Jungs, Boxes, Simmons and the rest of the Johnson clan to meet Emily! We will be making our way up to North Alabama soon enough!

Emily with Aunt April

Kate and Nonna

Everybody before Nonna and April were ready to start their trip home

Both girls with Nonna. Kate was giving Emily a kiss.

Nonna and Emily

22 Months Old & Off to School!

Well it's been a really big month for Miss Kate. As you know she has become a big sister in the last month and adjusted to life sharing her Momma and Daddy with Emily. She has been absolutely perfect with this adjustment. Kate continues to be the sweetest possible big sister! Every morning when she wakes up and when she wakes up from her nap in the afternoon she wants to know where "baby" (she does call her "Emma-me" sometimes but most of the time refers to her as "baby") is and she will go find her to tell her "He-whoa". Kate is really becoming quite the big girl right before our eyes. She is still talking up a storm and now can basically carry on a little conversation (with some jibberish mixed in). Kate still loves TV, especially Mickey with Dora coming in at a pretty close second and now really likes playing on our iPads. She can navigate through apps probably as good as I can.

The other big adjustment this month has been starting "school". We have enrolled Kate in a Mother's Day Out program at the Jefferson United Methodist Church here in Baton Rouge. Nick and I took Kate to the open house last Thursday and from the moment she walked through the door of the classroom she made herself right at home and pretty much forgot all about us. Today was her first day of school and Nick and I dropped her off at her classroom and again she just walked right in, started playing and never looked back. I am so excited for her to have this outlet 3 days a week for just 4 hours each day (9 AM to 1 PM) where she can play with other kids her age. She looked like such a big girl when I picked her up this afternoon, standing there holding her teacher's hand. She is growing up so fast!!

Ready for school. Hard to believe that in September in LA we needed for Kate to wear a jacket this morning. It has been an absolutely gorgeous and refreshing day here today!

Walking in to school with Daddy

On the way to her classroom

She was the first one there this morning so she was surveying the toy situation in her classroom

Playing with one of her teachers, Ms. Mandy

This was taken a couple of weekends ago while Aunt April was here. We have quite the lizard habitat at our house. It is crazy how many there are! Kate had one cornered behind her kitchen outside.

And as a side note, we were able to pretty much finish up Kate's room over the last month as well. Here are a few pictures of the finished product. Be sure to check out the awesome cubby/toybox that Nick and Uncle D built for Kate.

First Game Day of the Season

We are very excited that football season is finally here! Trapped indoors today by all the rain down here we have enjoyed having football things to entertain us. Nick definitely wishes he was in Dallas at the LSU game but has enjoyed spending the day with his little tigers around here. Just thought we would share some pics of the girls in their game day attire. We wish a happy football season to all and particularly a Roll Tide!!! and Geaux Tigers!!! from the Speyrers.

Kate in outfit #1 of the day posting with one of her best buds, Mike the Tiger.

The littlest tiger around here

Kate wasn't much on posing with Emily this morning but I was able to snap a quick pic with Kate checking her out.

Somewhere along the way Kate decided that rain boots would be a great accessory to add to her lovely jersey and jean shorts get up

Daddy and his little tigers. Daddy was sweet to go pick out game day outfits for the girls last weekend. Kate's shirt has a sparkly tiger paw on it and she loves it!

Kate giving Emily a kiss.

One of Kate's favorite things to do with Emily is point out all of her body parts. Here she's saying "Eyes"

And here's a quick video of Kate. Nick has been working with her all week to say "Tigerbait!" and she has definitely said it she just refuses to do so on camera. You'll see what she's not afraid to say on camera though...

She's a Bama girl at heart!