Happy Eight Months!!!

Sweetness is now 8 months old... I'm not sure where time has gone, but it's gone by too fast! You are 2/3 of a year old now, Emmecat. You still have a very strong will and go for whatever you want. When your daddy, sister, or I take something away from you because you don't need it, for example, a small toy, paper, nasty shoe, etc, you throw a fit. You don't stop throwing it until we either give it back to you or remove you from the situation. You are pulling up on any and everything... I totally expect you to let go and start walking any day.... I'm not being a mom that thinks my kid is an exception, it's just that you did start crawling at 5 months....so why wouldn't you walk early too? You are a happy baby, and I'm thankful for that, considering our first few months were a little rough at times. You adore your sister and already want to do everything that she does. I tell her that's not going to change. Your favorite thing to do is clap... You clap all the time.... It's so funny!
I booked our first trip to Disney last week and it just so happens we are going on your first birthday. Everyone says the second child gets the short end of the stick, but you are getting to go to Disney on your birthday... Lucky you! :
You are getting tubes in the morning. You have had a time with ear infections. Ella was 13 months old when she got her first set, you didn't make it that long. I pray that they are going to help you feel much, much better. Ear infections are a terrible thing. They helped Ella tremendously. I'm hoping they'll do the same for you.
We love you more than anything in this world, Emmecat!

Fall Festival

I can't say enough how much I love the girls' new school. Ella is learning so much and amazes me everyday! Emory's teachers are fabulous too! Today they told me she just bulldozes over anyone and anything to get to where she wants to be.... I can totally see that. They had their fall festival today and Cameron went and took some pictures. I wish I could have made it, but I had 21 big kids to take care of today. First quarter officially ends tomorrow. This year is flying by!

Trip to the Country

Ella went to Aliceville for the weekend and had a wonderful time... When I asked her what she did with Pops and Jeje, she responded,"I can't tell you." That can't be good. I missed her tons but know she had fun! It was sooooo easy just having one kiddo... We forgot what that was like! :) Ella came home with this new attire tonight... There are no words.... Sorry for the poor quality, they were taken with my phone.

September

I'm not going to get "Blogger of the Year," that's for sure. I apologize for slacking on blogging. I've never felt more busy....between teaching, girls, daycare, dance, volleyball, dinner, making lunches and bottles, laundry, cleaning, and trying to be the best mommy, wife, and teacher, all I can say is that I (we) are busy. The girls have adjusted beautifully to their new school, I am loving my 4th graders this year, and Cam is as busy as ever with work. It's life, I guess...
Ella has become such a big kid, and it seems like it's happened overnight. She adores her baby sister, and never seems too jealous. Ella would get the "Big Sister of the Year" award if there was one. She does get aggravated when Emory takes something that is hers... She would like for Emory to only play with the baby things, but of course, Em wants what Ella has always, Emory is not passive, at all. She wants what she wants when she wants it.... Doesn't have the heart to stop her, at least for now. Ella is taking dance class and is loving every class. She looks so darn cute in her outfit. Cam wanted to sign her up for soccer, but I figured dance was enough for now.
Emory is wide open....that is all I can say! She has decided that she doesn't care for baby food anymore, and only likes table food that she an feed herself, even if half of it goes on the floor or in her highchair with her. She is pulling up on anything and everything, I think she will be walking by the end of the year for sure! I'm not ready for that. She didn't stay a baby long at all, and it makes me oh so sad... I thought she was going to be a daddy's girl, but lately, she crawls over to me, speedy fast, and tries to crawl up my leg.... She will whine until I pick her up... I don't mind though, I miss them both so much during the day!
Here are a few pics of my loves

Fall Pictures

Football Season

I love love love this time of year....every Saturday, watching football...hanging out with good friends....eating good food....and WINNING! Roll Tide!!!

The Little Cheerleader

Lately

Well, life at the Craker Hacienda is crazier than ever. I went back to work after being off for 6 months. It has been quite the adjustment. Luckily, I have an amazing husband that helps by taking the girls most mornings, and doing little things around the house during the day. Leaving Emory was hard, considering I'd been with her day in and day out since February 18. I also have had a hard time being away from my little sidekick, Ella. I love spending time with her, and she has become such a big kid.
We weighed our options and decided that going back to work was for the best. Ella would've needed to be in some kind of preschool anyway, and I do love my job. I have a great little class this year. Thirteen girls and eight little guys. I love each and every one of them, and I can tell we are going to have a great year together. Last year was crazy...between being pregnant and at a new school, teaching a new grade, I felt like I could never get it together.... But now, I feel great... I'm loving my life! I do miss my girls everyday, but somehow, I feel like I'm a better mom after being with other kids all day, and then coming home to my sweet girls. I love their new school! The teachers are amazing and love my girls so much.
School started on the 15th, and wouldn't you know, Ella woke up with a fever that day. She ran a fever off and on for almost 2 weeks. It was a nightmare, and after lots of tests and bloodwork, we decided it was just a viral infection. Emory is on antibiotics for her 2nd ear infection. I have a feeling that tubes are in our NEAR future.
I finally broke down and got a minivan. It's really the most convenient thing EVER! I said I'd never have one, but after loading and unloading 2 kiddos everyday, I gave up my Tahoe. Maybe it's not as cool, but, wow....I love it! I feel like such a mom now.

All in all, life around the Craker House is grand...

My baby...

She looks so innocent

Little Miss Fake Smile

Emory gives Ella a hard time...Ella is too sweet to stop her