The Adventures of Jason and Melissa: Labor Day reflections

Every time I look at this picture I'm reminded that I'm the luckiest guy on the face of this earth. Emma is the sweetest baby and sometimes it takes me by surprise when I realize how much joy she brings into our lives. She pretty much melts my heart on a daily basis and has daddy completely wrapped around her tiny little finger.

Emma's birth announcement.

So, this past weekend we went back to Iowa for a wedding. Melissa's second cousin Liz (Hoy) Pekarek, who also happened to be the bride, told me how she is an avid reader of this blog and has been checking almost daily for new posts. Well, anyone who would rather read my ramblings than plan their own wedding is a blog VIP in my book so, Liz, this one is for you! Despite the apparent distractions, their wedding was beautiful and brought back some fond memories. The reception was at the Pipac Center in Cedar Falls, which was the same place Melissa and I partied after our wedding. Some of you who were there probably remember what a beautiful venue it is, and I'm guessing some of you who were there don't remember much from that night ;) We stayed in Reinbeck for the weekend which afforded another opportunity for Grandma and Grandpa Stull to enjoy Emma (read: spoil her rotten with love and affection). CAM (Crazy Aunt Megan), Uncle Kevin and cousin Ella were also in attendance. Ella made Emma the sweetest book out of colored paper bags. She's a crafty one!

Grandma Roz doing a puppet show for Emma. Ella would later get in on the fun.

A couple of weeks ago my mom came to visit and brought her mother with. My Grandma Marge, who goes by GG rather than Great Grandma (she doesn't want to be reminded that she is old enough to be a great grandmother), got to meet Emma for the first time. They were pals from the get go. Emma snuggled right in and according to GG, "she's a keeper." It was great having them up for a few days during the week while Melissa was still home. They were able to watch Emma while Melissa got out and ran some errands. They also watched her for an evening while Melissa and I went for a dinner date.

GG and Emma

Emma also made a couple of other new friends this past week. The Birkenholz's, Matt, Kelly, and their 4 month old Kya stopped by for a quick visit. Melissa and I graduated from Luther College with Matt and Kelly. Their daughter, Kya, is A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E!! She has the cutest baby big blue eyes I've seen in a long time. Matt and I reconnected in the cities a couple years ago as golfing buddies and we both look forward to raising our daughters out on the course.

Matt and Kelly with Emma

Emma's newest playmate, Kya Birkenholz

Emma isn't quite ready for golf yet (although our neighbor Pat, who is a professional caddie has suggested that I need to get a club in her hands so she can start working on her grip) but she has been working on her hand eye coordination and is finding her voice. Here is a picture and a couple videos of her working on her new skills. Its so much fun to watch her learn and develop. I'm amazed at her weekly, and seemly daily, progress.

Just today Emma started grabbing this toy that was sitting beside her. She has to concentrate so hard to open her hand and reach out to grab it. Its so fun to watch her process everything - she is already a very determined little girl!

Be sure to have your volume turned on to hear Emma talk :)

And finally; FINALLY the nursery is beginning see its finishing touches. The curtains that Melissa ordered 8 weeks before Emma was born have been completed. After 3 months and many frustrated phone calls with a local boutique baby shop in town who we had ordered them through, we finally canceled our order and bought the fabric online. We then handed it over to Melissa's grandma who went to work and had them ready within a couple weeks. They have been hung and look great! It is amazing how much the curtains transform the room and make it feel cozy and warm. We also framed a couple of pictures from Emma's newborn photo session and hung them above her changing table. The last piece of the nursery puzzle rests in the hands of my wood working father. He is working on making an E, two Ms and an A that will hang above Emma's crib. Once we get those I think we'll finally have things the way we want.