Emme's Latest and Greatest

Rolling over, 1st and 2nd tooth, scooting, and much more! Emme has had a busy month! It is amazing how much changes in just one month. Emme is growing so fast.

Emme has rolled over a few times before now, but only with much persuasion. Now it is a mode of transportation. She has discovered it is a great way to reach a toy, the remote, or even Mom or Dad's phone. Her biggest fuss is that she still prefers to sit up and she can go from sitting up to rolling...but not from rolling to sitting up. At times this causes her much frustration.

1st tooth! One day, March 27th, I picked Emme up and saw something white in her mouth. A tooth, well today, April 2nd, it has come through. I can't believe how good she has been. I had heard horror stories of teething time. Emme had a running nose for a day or two, but she wasn't fussy, just chewed on everything (oh wait, she always has done that). Now just a couple weeks later number two has come!

Emme moves the most at night, it is so fun to go in her room each morning and see what postion she has gotten into that night. Some mornings she has her hands/arms or legs sticking through the slats of her crib. Often times she is turned a completely opposition direction from which she started. Many morning we find her happily looking for her binki that she has dropped out of the crib.

Her first cold, poor Emme got a nasty cold and cough. It was so sad to see her and not be able to take the pain away. She had a stuffy nose and a cough. Surprisingly for as sick as she was she was pretty happy. She needed a lot of attention and cuddle time for a few days. We were so happy that she got feeling better after a few days.

Emme is a talker, she loves making noises. She laughs a lot, she is especially ticklish on her back. One of the funniest things about her laugh is that after she laughs ends up with the hick-ups. We love her talk to her and get her to laugh. We are working on getting her to say mama and dada...

Emme is a great eater and sleeper! She loves her bannans and any veggie that we have tried. She espeically loves when her Grandma Susie gives her ice-cream! Emme usually eats two meals a day along with her usual bottles. She takes a couple of naps each day and sleeps through the night!

1st Ride of the Season

A beautiful spring day, we had to take advantage. Emme loved playing with Patches, her cow and Besty her butterfly until she was exhausted. She fell asleep as we sped down the parkway. We were so glad that she did so well, I am sure she will go on plenty of bike rides this year!

 All ready for my ride.

 Chewing her upper lip...

 Mom and Emme after the ride

 Dad and Emme

Not sure who worked harder, Emme or Mom?

Forever Ours



Our Forever Family

Our Forever Family

March 3, 2012... A day we will never forget. Today we had the wonderful opportunity to take Emme to the Salt Lake Temple to be sealed to her for time and all enternity. We were joined with family and friends. It was a spectular day, it couldn't have been more perfect.

Although Emme has been ours since we first layed eyes on her in the nursery in August, taking her in our arms across the alter was a final step in making Emme's forever ours.

Emme was perfect, she was so happy. We went to the temple around 9 in the morning and took her to the youth center. After a few other things we were joined with our family and friends and sealed to sweet little Emme. She was perfect during the sealing. She layed on the alter and looked around the room. She made eye contact with her Grandpa K and gave him the biggest smile.

Most of the group at the Temple

Emme looked beautiful dressed in white. She looked so peaceful. There was such a strong spirit in the temple. What a wonderful blessing and to share it with so many that we love was wonderful. We have had such wonderful support. Emme is loved by so many.

Afterwords we were able to give Emme a name and a blessing. I was nervous because Emme hadn't had much of a nap. Luckliy she had many people to hold her and make her happy. She was smiling and happy the entire time. As her Dad gave her a beautiful blessing it was really cute...Emme sneezed! No crying just sneezing. Brandon did a wonderful job and gave Emme a sweet blessing.

To end the beautiful occassion Emme's cousins sang "I Love to See the Temple" as the closing song. It was so amazing to see all those kids sing, and to know that Emme was part of our forever family.

We must not forget the yummy lunch we had after. Grandma K is know for her delicious food, she went above and beyond and made a great lunch. It was not only tasty but great to visit with so many wonderful family and friends.

Grandma K and Grandpa K & Grandma Susie and Papa Steve

Great Grandparents

As I looked around in the Temple and at the church it was so amazing to see all of the love and support that we have. So many people took time out of their busy schedule to join us in such a joyous occassion.

A Simple Testimony

Emme strengthened my testimony tonight. I was at a viewing with Susie, Jen, and Lindsey for a dear friend who lost her son tragically. As we were waiting in line we came across this photo of Jesus Christ.

Emme's eyes went directly to his. She got the biggest smile on her face, as if saying, it has been a long time since I have seen you. She talked and smiled and stared at this picture for nearly 4 minutes. I know that she knows who Jesus is and she was remember just a short 6 months earlier when she left his side.

A lady just behind us in line said, "I'm convinced this is why babies can't talk. They remember too much." I must agree, the way Emme looked at this picture of Christ was so touching. She knows who he is. Emme just 6 months old taught me such an amazing lesson tonight.

Picture Update!

Six Months Old...
                    Getting so big so fast!

The Perfect Valentine's Day

The Perfect Valentine's, February 14, 2012! I couldn’t imagine a better day to make our family official. Although Emme has felt like ours since the moment I picked her up in the nursery the first time making it official has brought added emotions. In the state of Utah an adoption is not final for 6 months to ensure the placement of the child is the best for the child.

During the last six months we have watched Emme grow, talk, sit-up, sleep, and gain her little personality. Our love for her has continued to grow. She provides so much joy! Emme is a fabulous baby, she eats well, sleeps well, plays well, and will go to anyone! She has a calm demeanor but loves to laugh and talk with anyone that will listen.

We didn’t know what to expect today, so we were grateful for our family that was able to come and support us. We are appreciative of our case workers, Jacci and Annalee, and everything they did along the way to support us. I was especially grateful that there was another couple that was
finalizing an adoption today, and they went first!

So this is how it works…basically. Today the judge was, Judge David M. Conners.

Everyone, including us are sworn it. That was a first…besides mock trial in middle school!

The caseworker goes up on the stand, our attorney asks some very contrived questions. Like do you know Brandon and Courtney Bills? Have you reviewed their home study and find it to be correct? Do you have the proper paper work from the birthparents? Etc, Etc.

The judge then asked her if she felt we were fit parents and could provide a loving home for Emme? Yes, and Yes!

After which the Judge then proceeds to ask Brandon and I questions. This is where we were grateful that the other couple went first. We had some time to think about our answers. First he asked me…

“Do you love Emme as if she were your own?” “She is ours.”

“What do you notice about Brandon now that he is a father?” “He is so loving and would do anything to take care of both Emme and myself.”

“Do you agree to take all responsibility of Emme, including the care of her health, financially, and any other needs that she may have?” “Yes”

Then Brandon’s turn…

“How long has Emme lived in your house?” “6 months and 3 days”

“What do you notice about Courtney as a mother?” I always knew she was always loving but I have seen that even more.”

“Can you love Emme as your own?” “Yes since day one.”

He then asked me to introduce our family that was with us. Then he said some legal stuff that makes it all official. Then we were allowed to go take pictures with our family and with the Judge. What an amazing experience. When we walked up to have our picture taken the Judge said, “she looks so happy and at home. I can tell she is loved.” What comforting words to hear from someone that has only seen us for a few minutes. Emme is loved and she is where Heavenly Father wanted her.

We are blessed that her birth mom, Kayla, was willing to make such an amazing sacrifice. We wish the best for Kayla, her family, and her other children. We will continue to love, nurture, and support Emme as she grows.

Blog Goal!

I am not the best at keeping our blog updated. Although I have a new goal for this year...2012...I will attempt to blog at least the first Sunday of the month of any big events from the previous month. We have a busy February as a family, and Emme will be 6 months old, so I should have a few things to post in March. Stay tuned. If I am really good, I might even post as it happens!

Post done for this month! Until next time!