Emerson Counts to Ten.....ummm sort of.

Christmas 2008

We hope everyone had a safe & happy Holiday Season.

Mommy, Daddy, & Emerson headed up North on Christmas morning to spend time with the Hubbell's. Emerson had fun playing with all of her cousins and spending time with her Grandparents and Aunties & Uncles.

We headed towards home on Saturday morning to spend time with Mommy's side of the family. Thankfully much of the driving fell during her nap times, which helped make things easier. It was a busy few days, but well worth it.

A Visit with Santa

Emerson paid Santa a visit today.

The Best Part of Being a Daddy

Emerson & Mommy spent last Friday through Tuesday in Denver visiting family. Through daily phone calls I was able to catch up on what they had been doing (which included a flu like sickness for little Emerson) and was occasionally able to hear Em say things like "Hi Daddy".
It wasn't until I picked them up from the airport on Tuesday that I realized why being a Dad is such a great responsibility. Mommy had already gathered all of their belongings from the carousel and they were waiting on me to arrive to help transport everything back to the car. As I
got about 15 feet away from them, Emerson noticed me and with a huge smile yelled "I found a Daddy!"
Times like that tend to make you forget about 2AM feedings and nasty diapers.

My First Haircut

Yesterday, Mommy and Daddy took Emerson to get her first haircut. She doesn't have a whole lot of hair to cut in the first place, but we figured getting rid of some of her baby hair would help new hair grow in a little fuller. She did amazingly well!

We also went to the Macy's Holiday Display yesterday afternoon. She loved seeing all of the characters and pretty lights.

Halloween

So we're a week late. Life with a 19 month old is somewhat chaotic.

Here is Emerson in her pumpkin costume

......and here was her take at the end of the night. Once we arrived back home, she individually removed each piece from her bag.

Emerson in print

So, last year around this time, I submitted a picture of Emerson to the Duluth News Tribune for their section called "Grandma's Brag Book". I received an e-mail a few days later thanking me for my picture, but their fall photo section had been filled already.


To our surprise, our submission was published in today's version of the Tribune. So, 12 months later our baby is in print! Seriously, is this even the same kid? She looks nothing like the one below.

Emerson Olivia Hubbell, 7 months, picks out her first pumpkin. Her parents are Trista and Mike Hubbell of Burnsville, Minn. Grandparents are Louis and Sharyn Hubbell of Cloquet and Jim and Sharon Quast of Buffalo, Minn.

http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/76916/

Fall Pictures

We took Emerson out for some fall pictures yesterday. It was a perfect day for her to run through the leaves!

Apple Orchard

Yesterday we took Emerson to Afton Orchard for an afternoon of apple picking. Not many stories to accompany our adventure, so we will just leave you with a picture.

The Potty

For what we're sure will prove to be a total fluke, Emerson went on the big girl potty yesterday for the first time! Now, for you non parents this more than likely means little to nothing to you, but for those of us who fork over $30.00 for a box of Pampers, it gives hope that there is a light at the end of the diaper tunnel.
Here's how it all happened. Coincidentally, while the Vikings were taking a dump of their own against the Titans, Emerson looked at Mommy and said "Potty" and pointed towards the bathroom. She's burned us on this before by saying potty after already going to the bathroom, so we assumed this time wouldn't be any different. To our surprise, the diaper was empty and once we sat her on the seat (and after some theatrical grunting) she did it! She also made some fake pee noises just for effect.
Mommy and Daddy we're extremely proud of her!

Emerson's Favorite Politician

Since her parents pretty much have zero political interests, Emerson's latest infatuation with Al Franken is quite perplexing.

Back to Duluth

We realize it's been a while since we've posted...our apologies.

This weekend we headed north to Duluth to watch Daddy compete in the Northshore Inline Marathon. While in Duluth, we stayed at the Cottage on the Point (http://www.cottageonthepoint.com/), where we've stayed for the past three years.

Emerson enjoyed the house and heading out onto the beach to take in the views of Lake Superior. Saturday night she spent the night with Grandma and Grandpa Hubbell. She had the chance to play with all of her cousins and from what we're told was a good girl on her overnight excursion.

Here are a couple of pictures of Emerson on the beach.

A Weekend in Duluth

I went to Duluth this weekend to celebrate Grandma Hubbell's birthday. Saturday we went on a train ride up the North Shore. I loved looking at Lake Superior. Before the train left, we spent time down by the pier where I dipped my feet into the cold water.

Emerson Goes to a Parade

Mommy, Daddy, Grandpa, & Grandma took me to a parade in Winstead. I got to see lots of floats and even got to grab some candy (all for Mommy & Daddy of course). This is a picture of me and my cousin Riley.

My Name In.....Chalk

After playing at the park tonight, Mommy and Daddy helped me write my name in chalk. Isn't it pretty?

Here I am playing at Nicollet Commons Park. I love slashing around in the water!

My Busy Summer

Emerson has been busy this summer enjoying the warm Minnesota weather. We recently visited the Minnesota Zoo to teach her about new and interesting animals. Her favorite by far was the fish exhibit. She could have looked at them all day and been content.

We also exposed her to her first camping experience as we headed to Lake City over the weekend of June 27-29. Mom and Dad both agreed she did very well with being in an unfamiliar environment. She loved playing at the campground park and trying smores for the first time.

Her first real fireworks display happened this year as we headed to the Stone Arch Bridge with some friends. It was cute to watch her ohhh and ahhh at the display.

We also headed to our friends cabin near Leech Lake this past weekend. She enjoyed playing with her friends Emily and Addy and was at times the center of attention, something else she also enjoys.

She also likes going to the park in our neighborhood almost every day. She also agrees with a recent furniture arrangement which allows her to look out the front window and yell "outside!" or "bird!".

A Night at the Park

Tonight I went to Nicollet Commons Park and had a blast splashing around in the water.

Summer Day

We took Emerson to the park this morning to take some pictures. Enjoy!

My Trip to Colorado

Last weekend, Mommy and Daddy took me to Colorado to see my cousins, Carter and Sadie, and Auntie Tanya & Uncle Todd. I flew on a big airplane and was a really good passenger. I slept the entire flight out to Colorado, but on the way home thought it would be more fun to stay awake and play peek with the people behind me.

While in Colorado we went to the Denver Zoo where I saw lots of really neat animals. I called most of them ducks. I also had fun playing with my cousins all weekend. Here are a few pictures of me playing in their back yard.

Happy Mothers Day!

It was a perfect day to celebrate the most important women in our lives....our Mom's. Mike's Mom and Dad came down for a visit this weekend. We went for lunch at the Roasted Pear on Saturday afternoon. Emerson spent a couple of hours with Grandpa & Grandma while Mommy and Daddy went to their rental property to do some cleaning.

Sunday, Daddy got up early and made waffles, scrambled eggs and fresh fruit for breakfast. Later that morning we all went for a long walk. Mommy made lasagna for lunch, then we all went to the Mall for a while. After Grandpa & Grandma headed for home, Mommy, Daddy & Emerson went for another walk just to soak in a little more of the warm sunshine.

Here's Emerson after reeling off about 30 feet of toilet paper from the roll.

It's Spring!

The nice weather this past weekend gave us an opportunity to get outside with our little friend. On Saturday we took a walk around Sunset Lake with Jamie and Sophia and played at the park for a while afterwards. Then we took Emerson to Dairy Queen where her and Daddy shared a vanilla cone. She would shout out the word "more!" before she was finished the previous bite.

What would Sunday be without browsing the weekly ads. Here's Emerson reviewing the ad to her favorite store, and keeping it fast, fun, and friendly. Target folks will know what this means.

Then we headed outside and played in the yard for a while. Emerson had fun chasing the whiffle ball around and watching Mommy and Daddy play catch. Lately she's learned where her nose, ears, eyes, and hair are. Every animal she sees is also a duck (or "duck, duck" as Emerson would put it).

Steppin' Out

Emerson has taken her first steps over the past couple of days. She only gets in about 5 to 6 steps before she realizes what she's doing, then flops onto her bottom! It's pretty cute to see those little legs move, though we feel that once she gets the hang of it she'll choose running over walking.

Here are a couple pictures of her "reading".

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter everybody!!

Love,

Emerson Olivia

I'm One Today!!

Hi everyone! Today is my First Birthday!! Mommy and Daddy threw me a big party yesterday. My Grandparents, Aunties & Uncles, Cousins, and Friends all came to visit me. I also got to smear cake all over my face, which you can see in the pictures. Today I moved into my big girl carseat and at my 12 month check up weighed in at 20lbs and am now 28" long.

I've learned so much over the past 12 months. I can say Mom, Dada, more (which sounds like "mo"), bye-bye, and snack (which comes out as "nack"). I also stick my finger in my nose while I say the word "No". This drives Mommy and Daddy crazy!

I also show my belly on demand, which makes Mommy and Daddy laugh (for now).

Here are some pictures from my birthday party. Hope everyone likes them!