Opening Presents

Emma had to wait until her actual birthday to open presents from Mommy, Daddy, and Jacen. Jacen got her a little mailbox with letters, postcards, and stamps. She loves it, and has had lots of fun playing mailman with it. Her big hit of a gift turned out to be a kids digital camera from V-tech that Shawn & I got her. I don't think she has put it down since she got it. She even had to take it out to dinner last night!!

Blowing out the Candles

We got Emma a yummy ice cream cake from Cold Stone Creamery. She picked out the Barbie cake, and it turned out so well! She blew out her candle all by herself this year and had lots of fun eating her cake!

Emma's Family Cookout

On Sunday, we had a family cookout for Emma's birthday. It was the first year we haven't had a party for her, so that was strange. She still had a blast, and Daddy brought home a huge balloon bouquet for her! She was so excited. I can't believe how big she looks in these pics.

My Newest

Well, I finally bit the bullet and got my 2nd tattoo. I don't recommend getting one on the foot because it hurt so much more than the one on my lower back! But, it was worth it!

This tattoo symbolizes the relationship between Emma's birthmom, Emma, and myself. They are three entertwined hearts. The purple one is for Emma's birthmom, the red one for Emma, and the yellow one for me. They are the colors of our birthstones. I wanted to show everyone, especially Emma, the important place that her birthmom has in our lives...without her, we wouldn't have Emma. We love you!!!

Happy Birthday, Baby!

4 years ago, at 10:37 am, Emma Rose Angela entered this world. What an amazing day, and what an amazing ride this has been. No one else in my entire life has filled me with as much joy as she. I can't believe how fast these 4 years have passed us by, as my baby has become a little girl....a beautiful, amazing, funny, sensitive, caring little girl. Oh, how I love you, Emma. You have made Daddy & I so happy.

Happy Birthday, Punky!!!!!!!!

Almost 4

I can't believe my baby girl is almost 4 years old! It seems like only yesterday that she was born. To look at how she's changed throughout the years is amazing to me. And, she just gets more beautiful every day. Every time I think there's no possible way I could love her more, I do.

Princess Proclamation

Here are pics of her getting her princess proclomation. And, just a pic of my beautiful girl! I can't believe how big she looks.

Dancing with the Princesses

Dancing with the Princesses

More Princess Party

Ice Cream with the Princesses

The Graeter's Ice Cream in Grove City had an ice cream party with the Disney Princesses tonight. Thanks to Christina for letting us know about it! It was so neat. The girls got to socialize with the princesses and get a free ice cream. Then, the princesses put on a show. And, at the end, each little girl was crowned Princess for a Day and got a "Princess Proclamation" certificate. Emma had a blast. I have SO many pictures (about 200) from the night, but here are just a few :)

Recovery

Well, Emma's surgery went well yesterday. She recovered well, with no nausea this time. They gave her anti-emetics in the OR, so that helped with the nausea. She was upset about waking up with an IV, but got it out pretty quickly because she was able to hold down fluid. We ended up at urgent care last night because of uncontrolled pain. The ENT was concerned that she was having that much pain, so off we went. Everything checked out okay, so we came home, continued tylenol, and pushed the fluids. Today, she seems to be feeling much better. She is on low activity restrictions for 4 days due to risk of bleeding. This is difficult to enforce with a 3 year old!

So, we missed all of the 4th of July activities today. I think we are going to try to take her to the fireworks tonight.

Oh, and the most important thing of all....

Happy 17th Birthday, Aunt Kristin!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Surgery

Emma is having surgery in the morning. We went and saw her ENT today, and the tubes are going back in and her adenoids are coming out. Please say some prayers for my baby girl tomorrow. It's going to be a longer surgery, and she has to have an IV :(

Shawn's Newest

Well, Shawn got his 5th tattoo yesterday. The rose tattoo is an old one that he got several years ago. The writing is in Italian (as are all of his tattoos) and has meaning for the kids. So, he decided to add their names around it, in their own handwriting. We had a drawing that Jacen did when he was around 5 or 6 and he had written his name on it. So, Shawn decided to use that as Jacen's name. Then, he had Emma write her name on Monday night and used that as well. They did such an amazing job, and replicated their names EXACTLY how they had written them. I got all choked up when I saw it. That sealed the deal for me. I had already decided that I would be getting tattoo #2 and #3. With #3 being Emma's name. I was going to have Emma Rose Angela tattooed on my back in script. But now, I am going to be getting Emma's name, written in her own handwriting on my back. I am hopefully getting that done the week of her birthday. #3 will be revealed at a later date...but I will give you a hint that it is a symbol for Emma, her birthmom, and me.

After!

Our patio is finished! And, in only 2 days! It looks so nice. Now to just patch the grass in the back yard, and get some patio furniture :)