Just Like Home

Brian sent this photo to me the other day. Here he is enjoying a typical pre-game meal, pasta with red sauce, while watching a DVR'd Notre Dame game. Thank you barilla pasta, wifi, and slingbox. You have made Brian's life in Chekhov much more comfortable.

Splish splash...

...I was taking a bath. Now that Em is pretty good at sitting up, she's graduated from her Puj tub to her duck bath. She loved splashing her feet in the inch deep water. She also tries to bob for the bath toys like bobbing for apples. I try to tell her that it would be a better idea to try and bring them to her face, but she disagrees and keeps getting her face dangerously close to the water. Gotta keep a close eye on this girl...

I feel like the looks Em is giving in both these photos is her attempt to do an impression of the duck? No?

The Green Monster

...and no, I'm not talking about Fenway Park. It's Emily in her new snowsuit! She looks really happy to be in it.

Game Face

Emily was sporting her Bears uniform and had her "game face," on for pictures this morning. I know I should probably "girl" up her look, as she is often confused for a boy when wearing her unisex sports gear, but I don't buy pink jerseys, so why would I humiliate Emily in pink sports gear?

Haggis for dinner!

Ok, not really. But Emily is getting in touch with her Scottish roots and sporting this tam hat. She might be only 8% Scottish at MOST, but there are many diverse cultures this girl can celebrate if she so desires. Plus, if I do say so myself, she looks adorable in it!

Bundled Baby

I was beyond jacked-up to put these boots and jacket/sweater on Emily for our walk this morning. It was 53 degrees - perfect for bundling up our baby. It's stupid little things like this that make my morning so exciting. I wanted to BE Emily this morning, she looked so comfy. Nothing like a crisp fall day and walk in our neighborhood.

Got My Boots

In preparation for the cold Russian days and nights I bought Emily her first pair of Uggs. And I do say "first," because I know there will be more boots in this girls future. It's a blessing and a curse to have such cute stuff available for little girls. Warms my heart, hurts the wallet. Had a little photo shoot of her wearing her new kicks! Took these right before our evening routine started so she's like, "hey there, I'd like to take my bath, eat and go to bed now..."

Remote Control

Emily has this obsession with our cable remote control. She just wants to hold that thing and put it in her mouth. It is probably the dirtiest thing in the house but whatever...so far she hasn't DVR'd anything inappropriate. Though if I see "scheduled recordings" for Barney or The Wiggles or some other horribly annoying show someone is going to lose their remote privileges!

Emily & Stella

Emily and I had a great time visiting with Bethany and her little girl Stella on Saturday. These two girls were born three days apart, so fun to see them together! Both gnawing away...

Chekhov

I thought I'd share some photos that Brian has shared with me of Chekhov. Figured this might help some of you visualize what his life is like over there right now.

I'm not that tech savvy and it's too late at night for me to fix the order that these pictures appear in. But I'll add some descriptions so hopefully you'll get the idea...

This is the apartment building that Brian will be moving into Tuesday.

Sidewalk looking into town from the apartment complex.

Yes! They do carry Pampers in Chekhov, thank goodness. I was not about to go over there without an ample supply of available diapers.

My favorite photo Brian has sent me so far...the meat counter. Eww...gross. Can't say they're big on presentation at this grocery store. This photo has inspired me to become a vegetarian. HA! Fat chance.

The mall. It's called the Carnival. That must be how they spell "carnival" in Russian.

Well, we know from this photo Brian won't starve.

Julius Mienel coffee, yeah, caffeine!

Photo of Brian's hotel room. I must say he's not very neat when living on his own. Tsk, tsk.

Photo of the exterior of the apartment building Brian will be moving into. Will also be home for me and Emily in about another 6 weeks.

5 Months Today

First Date

My darling friend Sam came by this afternoon to spend time with me and Emily. Her nephew lives just a few blocks down the street so we picked him up and brought the kiddos to the park. This was Emily's first date and her first time on the swings. It was a very big afternoon for my little lady.

As her parent, I'm always thinking everything she does for the first time is such a big deal. But then Emily has no reaction. She's like, "Swings? What's the big deal, I got this. This is nice."

Here's Emily checking Carter out, I think she's impressed.

My little chunk. Sporting her Jump Around shirt. She later pooped on it. I think from the way the Badgers played this afternoon that was very fitting. :)

Crazy outfit day...

Somehow Emily went from a normal matching outfit to this look by the end of the day. I also love how she is starting to sit up on her own with just some help from the boppy pillow. Much easier to take photos if I don't have to support her with one hand and hold the camera in the other!

She also started rolling from her stomach to her back this evening. She had done a one-time roll from her back to her stomach the day before Brian left for Russia, but tonight she did the stomach to back roll multiple times, so I'm guessing that will be her new trick this week. While I was able to film the action to send to Brian, it still is moments like this that I really miss him and can't wait to join him in 2 months.

Labor Day Visitor

My sister came in over Labor Day weekend to stay with me and hang out with Emily. Her timing couldn't have been better with Brian gone and me becoming so lonely already! It was so great to have her in town and have someone to pal around with over the long weekend. Emily couldn't get enough of her birthday buddy and the two of them had a blast together. Everything Katie did Emily found hilarious. Besides me and Brian, I'd say she is probably Em's favorite person so far...It may have something to do with the fact that we look so much alike and also act weird in the same manner to entertain Emily. Because for that girl, the weirder the better and the more laughs she'll give you.

Got your nose!

Airplane rides are so fun...

 ...until you get spit-upped on. (Gotta love Em's devious little smile post spit-up).

Love from Katie to Emily.

Morning Stretch

My Angel