Emmerson’s Journey

For Mommy’s birthday we all went bowling. We have a summer bowling pass that lets us bowl two games a week for free. Free is good!

I liked rolling the ball down the ramp.

Over and over and over. It was good that Mommy and Daddy only helped… the pace was kind of slow.

Breighton and I kept fighting over who was next to go.

I started carrying my own 6 pound ball to the ramp.

So proud I could get it there all by myself!

I got bored and made Daddy walk around with me while BRegihton bowled a few frames. We didn’t keep score… it was too hard to add all those ZEROS (even with the bumpers up!).

So strong!!!

I am having severe separation anxiety from Mama as I mentioned before. Daddy was watching me today while I napped. Breighton and Mama went to gymnastics. When I woke up I called for Mama and Dada showed up. I pouted and refused to get out of bed until Mama came home. Thank goodness Mama was home about 10 minutes later.

I am 100% right in the middle of my terrible twos! Tonight I looked right at Mommy after she took away a fork I was running with and said “MEAN MAMA”. I am really not sleeping well the last few days. I woke up around 5:20 this morning and called for Mommy. I told her I wanted to “hug in my bed” (which means to snuggle until I fall back to sleep). She obliged after a few puppy dog eye looks. I spent the next 1.5 hours poking her in the face, checking to see which finger fit best in each nostril, trying to pry her eyes open and kicking her in the stomach.

I am having horrible separation anxiety this week as well. Mommy went to pull the car into the garage after nap time today and I absolutely went into meltdown mode. Maybe a good nights sleep would fix all of this. But I do know that Mommy is NOT allowed to leave me, even for a second!!!

You would think that my tantrums should be getting less because I can communicate so well now but they are not! I am defiant and challenge everything Mommy and Daddy say. Daddy is researching military schools for me already!!!

I had my follow-up hearing test this week and I finally passed, with flying color nonetheless. I have been excessively defiant this week. If Mommy says “Emmerson, clean up your toys.” I look at her and say “NO MAMA!” and giggle. Then for no reason I go over and tackle Breighton. Daddy then says “Stop and show Breighton gentle hands”. I respond with a belly laugh and “NO DADA!”. I can successfully push everyones buttons in no time at all! GO ME!

This photo is at Breighton’s gymnastics recital today. Mommy told me to sit down in the chair and I just laughed and said “NO MAMA!”.

I can be totally sweet and cuddly and a joy to be with but Mommy said my new teenage attitude has GOT to go!

We had a fun last few days. Our family of four and our friends Miss Lynn and Zachary went to Lake Mary for the huge Scholastic Warehouse Book Sale. I had a fun time looking at Curious George books while Mommy shopped. Daddy pushed around Breighton and then we all met up and merged our books. Afterwards we went to Chick-fil-a for some late lunch. I was having a fun time in the play area and then suddenly was at the door screaming. Daddy let me out and I ran right to Mommy. Mommy gave me some TLC and then checked me over. I had 2 huge bumps on my head. One on my cheek that I indicated to Daddy happened when I fell off the bench in the play area. The other bump mush have been from the handle on the play area and it was on my temple. Both swelled up pretty good. After a little ice on the head and some of Daddy’s milkshake I was fine.

We got to the hotel and headed to the swimming pool. I had a blastin the kiddie pool while Breighton, Zachary, Mommy and Miss Lynn went to the big pool.

I loved playing with these rings. They are part of a Twister game that was apparently left out by mistake.

I was having fun “Elmo jumping” into the pool. ONE- TWO- THREE ELMO!!!! JUMP!

Daddy kept telling me that it wasn’t a good idea and that I needed to stop.

Okay Daddy, one last jump!

I listened well for a few minutes and then went back to jumping.

I managed to slip and to head first into the edge of the pool. After a few minutes I had a HUGE HUGE HUGE lump on my head! Mommy snuggled me and made me feel all better.

I eventually was fine and got through the rest of the evening. I enjoyed out boat trip to Downtown Disney and playing at the Lego store.

I had a rough night in the hotel and kept Mommy up most of the night.

Today we got up late (well I was up early!) and headed to Animal Kingdom to watch the final Atlantis Shuttle launch. We have a great viewing spot that we have been to before. While waiting for the shuttle to go up I was watching the turtles and fish in the lake. I wanted a closed look and managed to get my head stuck between the rails and a cement pillar. What a rough few days on me.

I did manage to find some fun playing in the digging dino bones area. Zachary and Breighton shared space and tolerated my climbing on them.

I did decide that my shoes were the ULTIMATE play toy!

I had a great time but I am ready for my own bed and the comfort of my house.

Tonight we started lessons at the YMCA. Breighton went first and I hung out with Mommy on the steps. I had a fun time splashing and giggling and holding the wall and kicking water at Mommy.

When Breighton was done and it was my turn I immediately burst into tears, screams and near hyperventilating cries! The teacher tried for a good 10-15 minutes to get me calm but I was just not happy and wanted NOTHING to do with it! Mommy decided that I just wasn’t ready at this point and that maybe Mommy will just have to teach me or we will wait until next summer. I love the water and really like being in the pool but on my terms and I have to be in control!

So I guess I am officially an unschooler when it comes to swimming.

Sorry there are no photos of me screaming to show the therapist in years to come but Mommy was in the water with me and we don’t have a personal camera crew!

Today we went to Sweetfields Farm in Brooksville. They have an amazing sunflower maze.

The flowers were not all in bloom yet but those that were were beautiful!

I liked playing the pump pump game.

Once I figured out how to use the pump I was a pro at it! I was sending sucks and frogs floating down my little river.

Checking out Breighton’s technique.

I enjoyed the hayride a lot! Probably because there were lots of animals in the neighboring fields to see! We saw horses and cows and mutant dragonflies.

Finally we went in the maze. I refused to walk, because that is just how I do things! Mommy and Daddy took turns carrying me.

Breighton led the way and only got us lost about 17 times! Just kidding, he was a great guide.

Still going strong.

Loosing a bit of steam. We made it about 1/3 of the way through and bailed out an emergency exit. The sun was so hot and Breighton was wearing out a bit. We really did have fun! I wish we did the entire thing, I wasn’t tired at all!

We did explore the farm a bit and visited with the chickens for a while.

Finally I was willing to walk by myself only because I knew there was something fun to do in that tent over there.

Sure enough we got to plant our own sunflowers!!!

I also made a colored pasta necklace.

This sunflower was saying goodbye to us as we left!

We had a fun time. You should go!

This was the only time the entire day that I got out of Mommy’s arms.

I loved digging in the sand and finding fossils.

Dinosaur World was HOT HOT HOT! And the BUGS! UGH!

Breighton always lets me play with him. Sometimes I am the robber and get caught by the cops. Sometimes I am the skeleton and get caught by the pirates. Sometimes I am a dog and get caught by the dog catcher. Do you see the pattern here? I do! Today Breighton wanted to play pet store… I didn’t get to be the check-out person or the cage cleaner… once again I got caught!!!

So Breighton, when you are reading this years from now… know that I love you so much and would play any of your silly games. Not it is my turn to catch you… just you wait until I can!!!

When all of Breighton’s stuffed animals are piled on Mommy and Daddy’s bed??

Answer is, you can’t!!!!