Tracy Aviary

Quinn's work is very busy right now and so they are having to work some Saturdays, but his boss is nice enough to give them an extra day off during the week to make up for it and today was it. So we decided to try out Emma's new stroller by visiting the Tracy Aviary in Salt Lake and enjoy the warmer weather. First off we forgot Emma's jacket, it was too warm to wear in the car and so it was left behind at home. Luckily I had grabbed a blanket but Emma does not like her hands and arms being covered and then she fussed every time the sun was in her eyes. She did drift off to sleep soon after we started walking around which we were very grateful for.

Quinn and I had a great time seeing all the different types of birds. My favorites were the golden eagles and miniature owls. Quinn enjoyed feeding the ducks, geese and peacocks. The peacock even eat right out of his hand. We are anxious to visit again in the summer when all the birds are out and they have their bird show. Some of the birds go inside for the winter. Overall Emma was pretty good and we had a great time and can't wait for spring to officially be here.

Emma and Mom!

The New Stroller!

Quinn and his friend, Mr. Peacock!

A Golden Eagle!

The Bald Eagles!

Finally Asleep!

The Pelicans!

Emma and Daddy feeding the ducks!

A very large condor!

Flamingos!

First Daddy/Daughter Day

Yesterday was my first full day watching Emma while Laura was at work. I think the day was a success: I didn't kill or maim her. In fact, she was a perfect baby -- she slept until 8:30 AM (about 9 hours total for the night), she woke up happy and didn't even get cranky while I struggled to get her dressed. I could just see in her mind her saying "Mom doesn't take this long -- what's your problem?"

I fed her and we watched a great episode of The Cosby Show where Denise is trying to figure out where to go to college and Rudy and Vanessa are just hoping it's far away so she'll move out and they can have their own bedrooms. Classic.

Anywho, after feeding, we played on the floor for awhile. She was in a great mood all morning but soon started showing signs of tiredness. After just a few minutes of holding her...and a well timed pacifier placement...she fell right to sleep. Success! She took a nice long morning nap, then we repeated the process in the afternoon, except this time the Cosby Show episode was one where Cliff was asked to race in a charity fundraiser. He thought he was going to race against an old college nemesis but he was set up instead and ended up losing the relay to a female gold-medal Olympian.

I did put in a DVD that we got for Emma -- it is set to music and has bright, contrasting pictures that infants are supposed to enjoy looking at. To be honest, she was much more interested in the Cosby Show. We've got a three-month-old TV junkie. Yikes.

Since Emma took two really long naps, I had time to make dinner (and by 'make dinner' I mean mix the Tuna Helper together), put away the laundry and do the dishes. I guess watching a child makes your domesticity kick in.

Anyway, I hope I didn't blow it by having such a successful outing on my first attempt. I hope things go this well next week.

Quinn

A New Friend!

Last week Emma and I went to Ogden to have lunch with Grandma Van Bibber and then to visit my friend Melissa and her son Dallin. It was so nice to sit and visit for a few hours and talk with another adult, but of course all we did was talk about babies. Oh well we still had fun. Dallin will be two in June and is getting a new baby sister in May. Melissa and her husband Danny were happy to have Emma over to let Dallin get a chance to get used to a baby having a little of their attention. And boy was he a little jealous at times. Melissa decided to feed and hold Emma and he was right there trying to climb up on her lap. But he was so cute when Danny got on the floor to play with them both. Dallin tried to put Emma's binky back in her mouth.

Well yesterday was my first day back at work. Grandma Van Bibber came down to stay with Emma. It was not that hard to leave because I knew she was in good hands and I want her to develop a relationship with her grandparents. It was nice to get away and use the other part of my brain for awhile but I was very glad to get home and see her smile again. I'm so happy that I only have to work two a week and know that on the other day her and her dad will have fun together.

Emma is now three months old and up until now has still been sleeping in our room next to the bed. I like being able to hear her breathing and she doesn't bother us one bit, but I decided it was time to move her to her crib in her room since she has been sleeping an average of 7-8 hours a night. So last night I got her down at 11:00 pm in her crib and went to bed with my baby moniter expecting her to wake up several times and wonder where she was and why she was all alone but she didn't. I fact she slept for 9 1/2 hours straight. I couldn't believe it. It was so nice to wake up refreshed. What a good baby I have.

Danny, Dallin, and Emma

"Binky"

Dallin

Emma is helping me decorate sugar cookies for Valentines Day!

Emma launch herself over her boppy this time and even though she was not happy, I had to run and get the camera and take a picture before rescueing her.

Emma will hold a rattle if you put it in her hand!

More Firsts

Well Emma has now been to her very first Weber State Basketball game. Grandpa Van Bibber has season tickets and invited us up for a game. So we all got decked out in our purple and had a great time. Weber State is doing great this year, first in their division, I think. Emma had a great time sucking on her tumb which she has just mastered.

Also this past week we were able to finally take Emma on her first walk. On Sunday the weather was finally warm enough to get out, 45 degrees, yeah! She did not like the getting ready part however but as soon as she was in the stroller and moving she went right to sleep. I was so happy to finally get out of the house and have taken her on a walk every day since then, but it is suppossed to snow again later today. Oh well spring will eventually come, right?

Go Wildcats!

Going to town on her thumb.

Ready for our walk.

Playing with Dad.

Quinn got a Nintendo Wii for his birthday!

Instead of lifting her head up and strengthing her neck Emma has learned that by kicking with her legs she can launch herself forward until her head is touching the ground.

The Blessing Day

Well, it has been a busy weekend. Saturday was Quinn's birthday - the old man is now 29! It also happened to be the day of President Hinckley's funeral but we attended my cousin Eric's baptism instead of watching it and then on Sunday we blessed Emma in our ward and had everyone over for lunch afterwards. Quinn did a really nice job on the blessing and it was great to see all our family. We had the lunch at our house and we think we hit the maximum capicity for our house. Every spare inch of space on the the main level was full. Sunday turned out to be snowy for every part of the state but Woods Cross, so a few family members and friends decided not to venture out and we don't blame them. Had they showed up I don't know where we have put them. I guess we will just have wait until it's warm to have any family gatherings at our house. Quinn and I would like to thank everyone for coming, it was a really nice day.

Sunday also turned out to be the Superbowl. This year we decided to stay home and watch the game instead of going to Mom's for a party since we already had a party for Emma. Quinn was very happy to relax and enjoy the game and pleased that the Giants won. I however relaxed on the couch with a good book (Harry Potter #7) and Emma slept. She needed it after being passed around earlier. All in all it was a good day.

This is Emma with Aunt Hannah and Uncle Daniel at the baptism, she is wearing the dress that they brought back from their honeymoon for her for the first time.

Quinn on his birthday with his Dwight Schrute bobble head. He is still waiting for his main gift, a Nintendo Wii, I can't find one anywhere.

The proud parents.

Our darling Emma. The blessing dress she is wearing is the one that my Great-Grandfather bought for me to wear. The dress was also worn by both my sisters and my two cousins. I thought it would be nice because I was the first grand-daughter to wear it and she will be the first great-grand-daughter to wear it.

Daddy made Emma a sign to hold.