Disney Countdown Begins

So we leave for my parents in GA on Saturday. In 1 week we will be in Disney World!!!! I am trying to stay ahead of the packing so that we are not rushed on Saturday am. Many of you know that this will be Emma's third trip to WDW (4th if you count the 1 time in utero). Ask her who she is going to see & she will proudly tell you "MICKEY MOUSE". Oh & meme & papa too :)

Ryan & I are excited to see how much she will take in while there. We have some character breakfasts scheduled but not sure how she will do seeing her favorite mouse & duck upclose? In the past our trips have always been about what I, I mean, what we wanted to do. This trip will be about her, mommy may have to give up her favorites for now. That's ok, because watching her reaction to everything will be more thrilling than Expedition Everest or Mission Space.

I am excited because we are staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge, & I have always wanted to stay there. Disney was offering $100 off per night so it became affordable for us. Emma is sure to love the animals & the pool areas. I will post lots of pics once we get back.

Splash Day

So yesterday we ventured down to New Braunfels & took Emma to Schlitterbahn. It was our Godson Aaron's B-day & we met his family there. Let me tell you the water was COLD on the river fed side of the park! Emma & Daddy wanted no part of playing in that water. Luckily there was a warm pool nearby that Emma showed off her improving swimming skills (with a lifejacket of course). We are working on teaching her not to panic when her head is under & how to "right" herself back up.

We then went to the newer park & attempted to put emma in the swirling wave pool, Daddy held her the entire time going around & she was NOT thrilled with that one. We played in toddler area and eventually ended up in the Lazy River which was more Emma's speed :)

The most amazing part of this day was that
1-Emma did not take her normal midday nap & was smiling until the end
2-She wanted to walk on her own & did not demand for one of us to carry her
3-As we were leaving Ryan asked her if she had fun & she said "Yeah, I had a splash day" (During the summer, Emma had "splash days" at daycare so she is remembering those. I think yesterday's splash day was much bigger)

Changes

So most of you know that I am no longing working full time as a research coordinator. I am nervous and excited to go back to the hospital and spend more time with Emma. In addition to that I am going to use my extra time to focus on getting myself & my family healthier.

Now onto Emma . . . she is turning into quite the little toddler. Everyday she is using new words and saying more sentences. It is amazing to watch and listen. "I don't want it" "(insert name) did it" "(insert dog name) go lay down" "yeah, I did it". She can sing her ABC's, count to 20, knows her shapes and colors, and sing most nursery rhymes.

Some of her favorite things to do are "help" and we are learning that things are taking a lot longer to do. It is challenging when we are in a hurry, but we want to encourage her independence curiosity.