The Emma Report

There’s been a lot of excitment over the last few days: Friends and family visiting, a weekend party, helium balloons, new stuffed animals, educational toys, and a scooter. But overshadowing it all for our now-three-year-old has been Thomas the Tank Engine. She has literally played with it (and the accompanying wooden track) several times each day since we gave it to her on Tuesday night. She’s sat with it, eaten with it, and would probably have taken Thomas to bed with her if we let her. It’s really cool to see her take such interest in a new toy (as opposed to, for example, just playing with the box.)

Unfortunately, over the weekend, Thomas went AWOL, and extensive searches of the family room and other areas have yet to reveal his whereabouts. So, if you see a blue engine puffing by…

It’s hard to believe that Emma is three years old! While we can’t help but recall the trauma of her extremely premature birth and her precarious state three years ago, we also celebrate her many achievements. The simple pleasure of watching Emma enjoy new toys on her birthday brings a smile to our faces.

The new love of Emma’s life is Thomas. The Tank Engine, that is.

I remember that hand when it was about the size of my thumbnail…

We had a small family celebration tonight, and Emma practiced blowing out candles and eating cake. The big party is Saturday (more photos to follow).

Happy birthday Emma!

Emma’s been riding a plastic tricycle for a while, and on our last camping trip it became obvious that she needed a better fit. So, following the time honoured tradition, father and daughter headed off to Canadian Tire. I don’t know where that tradition came from — perhaps good marketing, or perhaps because when I was a kid stores like Walmart, Home Depot, and Rona didn’t exist. There was Canadian Tire, the local lumber store, and K-Mart, and they all sold different stuff. And bicycles were at Canadian Tire.

Unfortunately Canadian Tire’s selection of Emma-sized bikes was non-existent. I expected that leaving the store without a bike would result in a major meltdown, but Emma cheerfully accepted the explanation “Everything too big” and we headed off to Walmart at one of the employee’s suggestion.

While Walmart’s inventory certainly isn’t anything to brag about either, they did have a few tricycles and a small bicycle. After test pedaling several of them, and some tense negotiation, we settled on this one…

A few weekends ago we went camping at Association Island near Henderson Harbor, New York. We had a fantastic time on a waterfront site, although the water (Lake Ontario) was pretty cold. We woke up the first morning to see more than a dozen geese just outside our trailer.

Emma and Big Sister sit down…at the same time!

Rocks anyone?

No beach on your campsite? No problem! A bin from Loblaws half-full of water will keep them entertained for hours!

… and hours!

What? A popsicle moustache?

Yum!

Really, there’s a balance beam here somewhere…I know it!

Hey, dad, can you put one of *those* in my bucket?

Emma and Michaela discuss the finer points of a blade of grass. (If you can’t get them to both look at the camera at the same time, looking at each other works!)

Emma’s one-handed swing is unconventional, but don’t get your toes too close!

Lately there has been a fascination with daddy’s shoes…

Sorry folks, we’ve been busy and neglected to post for a while — photos soon, promise!

Emma’s vocabulary has been expanding rapidly, and she recently determined that she is no longer a baby. Apparently she is a “Big Girl” now. Just ask, she’ll tell you. Repeatedly.

This morning she walked up and proudly announced, “Big Girl Tooted!”

Emma’s message for all you Mom’s out there…

(Emma says click on the link for the mp3 file)

Emma had a follow-up appointment with her ENT doc at CHEO last week.

You know your former micropreemie has seen a lot of doctors when she patiently opens her mouth and turns her head for the docs to have a peek at her throat and ears, then hops down and announces: “All Done. Sticker Please.”