Deep Thoughts, by Emma Grace

Do you really think I am going to wear this SKIMPY thing on the pool deck??

Keep talking to me.... I think I can....I think I can (trying to "cooooooooo")

After a while, staring at my mommy's face gets a little boring.

Although, sometimes she has something VERY interesting to say!

Shhhhh..... don't say a word, I think Bubbe is coming....

Who put this bow on my head! Bubbe...Bubbe... I know it was you. Where are you?

It has been a long day, I am tired, and I don't want to sit anymore.

Ahhhhh, all I needed was a nice warm tubby and now I can relax

Uh oh.... I think I have to go to the bathroom

You think I'm cute now daddy?? Just you wait!!!!!!!

Life is so exhausting! As long as my binky is at least touching my lips, I am in dreamland.

Since I tend to cry in my lonely little crib during my naps, Mommy & Daddy let me sleep in their big bed since I am so peaceful- plus they won't leave my side incase I get swallowed up in these big fluffy sheets & pillows. I'm a smart cookie, huh!

Education time first thing in the morning, I love watching Baby Einstein in my swing!

Emma's Naming

Emma's Naming weekend was absolutely amazing. So many family and friends flew in to help celebrate, and it was really one of the best family get togethers ever. I can't wait for the next one.

Here the girls are prepping for the party. Everyone had a job- Aunt Carole & mom were cutting the fruit, Mamare was preparing the pasta salad, Steph & Ava were making the chicken salad, and I was directing :)

...........And the men were snoozing

Felix came home and grilled a nice BBQ dinner for everyone. After we had an ice cream sundae party while Roger worked on Emma's one-of-a-kind "Baby Naming" cake. There is no final picture, but here is the start of what it looked like. In the spaces he drew cute little baby faces. And by the way... as always...the cake was delicious! Steph showed me how to make it since I will now be making if for MY children's birthday celebrations!

Everyone got a good night's sleep and woke up early on Saturday for the naming. Little Emma just loves sleeping in our bed. We had to be at temple by 10am, and had 13 people in the house who needed to get ready at the same time. Believe it or not.... we made it!!!!

Mercado Family!

We gave Emma the hebrew name Gittel Michal. Emma's Naming service was beautiful. Here is what her Felix & I had to say to her:
(Here is what I said):
Emma, we chose to name you after your great-great grandmother Gertrude and your Grandmother Madeline. Both were strong, loving, hardworking, optimistic women and family meant everything to them. As we welcome you into our family & jewish community, we hope for you to find comfort & faith in our tradition. As my Nanny used to say, "Who can be as lucky as me?"

(Here is what Felix said - through a few tears of course!):
- dedicated to Nanny; G-d, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

Emma, your mother & I have made a commitment to each other and to you to raise you in a jewish home. We cherish & love you and are excited for you to experience our close, loving families.

After services, we came home to celebrate.

Felix, Luke, & Emma

My girls- Kristy & Matt, Stephanie, Dawn & Paul

Sweet little Ava. I found her reaching for the dessert table in the corner, so I gave her a cookie & some blueberries while cousin Jaime & Gavin were snuggling on the couch.

Then, Ava was outside just-a-swingin' with her Saba!

The Rubin Family- where it all began!

Friends are like family.......

.......sometimes kids will never grow up! (we have known each other since preschool)

Four Generations!

This is the part I love. All the family together just enjoying each others company. We are so lucky!

Someone found little Molly sitting on a box under the dessert table.

Love At First Sight

Emma's Mamare & Saba (my Mamare & Grandaddy) arrived at midnight on 7/18 and rushed in the house to meet her. Such precious memories!

Newport with Mamare & Saba

We took Mamare & Saba & mom to Newport for a few hours to walk around. We stopped and had some delicious ice cream (which is hard to eat and nurse at the same time!) and then drove by the mansions and toured the oldest Temple in the US!

Creative ways to keep Emma's binky in her mouth

Playtime in our backyard!

Steph asked her friend Kristin to come by to visit with her 3 kids for a playdate. It was so much fun! We blew up a pool for the kids to play and Roger played ball with them in the grass. The girls sat on the deck to catch up.

All the kids had popsicles
Kristin has a 5 month old baby.... maybe he and Emma will be friends!

After playtime, Felix met us at Bertuccis for dinner. They give the kids pizza dough to mold into a shape and then they bake it for them. Gavin made an "E". Poor Gav had a sore eye and an ear infection that day!
Family Foto

Trip to Boston

Aunt Stephanie & Uncle Roger came back from Sesame Place and played with Baby Emma before we headed out on our big trip into the city.

Emma really liked it when Steph would hold her in the sling. She seemed a bit squished when I had her in there.....

This is what she looked like inside the sling when I was holding her- very cozy! But, I have to say I really like the sling, it is very easy to walk around and use both hands (you can even go to the bathroom!) and she feels very secure and happy. Then when she is older you can use it to help hold her on your hip. This is called the Hot Sling and it is just great!

Aunt Jackie & Baby Emma

Uncle Roger and Emma- he was often asked to hold her while the girls were getting ready. He was very good at keeping her comfortable & happy!

We took the train into Boston and went to visit the Public Gardens where we had a picnic and played on the ducklings, then we went to the children's museum, and finally dinner at Border Cafe in cambridge. It was a very long day but we really had a lot of fun!


Quick trip on the Swan Boats
This is Ava sticking her head in over the air machine at the children's museum.

Sista's with Babies!