Emma Jewel Newsletter Vol. 21 (8/7/2004)

It's been a long while since the last newsletter.  Much has happened.  We 
just couldn't wait any longer to share some of the highlights over the last
few months.  

Emma is now using her hands alot.  She'll pick up toys within her reach by
herself now.  She especially loves to play with her rattle and a doodle bug
from her doodle bug mobile.

Yesterday, she chewed on Rheno the Rhino's horn (a stuffed animal).  It was
very exciting for all involved.

She is at least 14 pounds now.  I don't know how long.  She is getting so big
so fast.  She is also getting better at holding her head up.  Although, I simply
cannot get her to enjoy spending time on her stomach.  She has a fit.  I think
she is going to skip crawling and go straight to walking.

She rolls from side to side alot.  But, as soon as she rolls on her stomach she
starts having a hissy fit.  :)  That is just not her thing.

We are still having colicky moments.  Every night we have a crying spell before
we go to bed.  But, the crying is very short compared to the days of yore and 
she spends much more of the day in a good mood.  Sometimes I feel so bad for 
Emma when she is colicky.  With the crying she does, it is obviously very 
distressing for her.  And, occasionally, she will get ahold of herself and 
look up at me and smile.  But, then, start back to crying.  Maybe that is a sign
that the crying time will soon be over if she can stop long enough to smile.

The appointment with the dermatologist went well.  He told us the same that the
pediatrician did.  Although, he was more inclined for us to treat the hemanginoma 
with laser for cosmetic reasons.  We again opted not to do anything.  And, as 
of late, I think it has already went down some.  It seems to have long quit 
spreading but had started to raise up more.  But, lately, it appears flatter.  
I don't know if it is going down or if Miss Emma is growing up around it.  :)

Emma is sleeping more and more in her crib.  She'll take a couple naps a day
by herself.  We are so proud.  Again, she is growing up so fast.  After her
first nap alone, I told her that her next step was going off to college.  ;) 

The fall-like days have us outside alot more.  It is actually cool in August.  
One of us put Miss Emma in the papoose, and we go exploring.

Miss Emma's world gets bigger everyday.  We've watched her focus on things 
further and further away as time goes by.  Just a month ago, she actually
noticed the chickens when we went out to feed them.  Yesterday, she was looking
at the tree tops. 

She also seems to be developing a knack for flirting.  Sometimes, she seems
to just be trying to make you smile.  She also has started interactive playing
a bit.  Grandpa Ray made her giggle the other day with a "Gonna Get the Baby" 
game that she and he invented.  I also got a small giggle with a modified
version of the same said game.  

We'll try not to let so much time elapse between updates.  As Miss Emma gets 
more independent, it allows more time for writing.  One day, I'll let her do
her own updates.  ;)

Momma Kay