Sickness finally hits

Emily has her first official ear infection. Thursday afternoon, her occasional cough turned into a runny nose that just wouldn't quit, and she finally started in with a fever. We were at my parents' place for a few days while Travis traveled for work, so she had been having trouble getting enough sleep both at naptime and at night. Plus, a new tooth broke through (#13!) which explained her being awake a lot the past few nights. It was a really fun visit home for us, except for the sickness and exhaustion from being up at night. Travis came home last night, and I slept 9 hours straight. I am a new person! It's been especially hard to see Emily be so unhappy, because she is normally so easy-going and happy. I've been spoiled - when she is less than delightful, I find myself consciously calling on patience, which I have less of than usual due to the midnight awakenings! It's a cruel system that mother nature has set up.

It's been amazing to see Emily's vocabulary grow. It seems like during her time in Rockford, I noticed 5 or so words that I hadn't picked up on before. None of her words are all that clear, except for "tractor," I suppose, but with a little bit of context it's really easy to communicate with her. Especially in conjunction with her signing - she really knows how to tell me things. And it's so satisfying for both of us when she does. She has such a great smile. :)

Possibly the cutest thing from our trip to Rockford was when Emily discovered that cows really actually do say "Moo." My dad had sorted a baby calf away from his mom accidentally, so there was a whole lot of hollering coming from the barn the next morning. Grandma took Emily to the window to watch as Grandpa sorted the cows, and it was a lightbulb moment for Emily. She looked at Grandma, and said, "moo!" as if to say, "I get it! wow!" So, I took Emily outside (in 10° weather) while Grandpa did chores that afternoon, and she was much impressed by the mooing cows and the kitties eating supper. And of course, Grandpa's tractor. It was quite the experience for her. Her grandparents are thoroughly charmed by her!

So, it's been a while since I've posted anything, I know, but I'm trying to make this blog about Emily and her growing-up. I realize that in the history of this blog, there was some major venting about my job and other issues, but I'm trying to focus it on her. Having a blog can give a person a false feeling of self-importance (doesn't everybody want to know about me? My blog should be in the newspaper, I'm so interesting!), so I'm trying to focus on the two reasons I am continuing to post: 1) there are lots of people who love Emily but only see her infrequently, and they (you) would love to hear what she's up to, and 2) someday, Emily will love to read this. She may not care until she has a little girl someday, but how cool will that be for her if she does? So, thanks for reading! I know it gets gushy sometimes, but ... I just can't help myself!!!