Dallas for Emerson's 1st Birthday!

Yep folks, my nephew Emerson really is that cute. His first birthday was on Sunday, and Richard and I got to go visit Dallas for the occasion! Brace yourself for tons of cute baby pics, I just can't choose between them!

Emerson and his big sister Avery

Emerson is an absolutely adorable mix of a cuddly little snuggle bug and a crazy adventurer ready for anything. Whenever he decides he'd like to switch adults, he simply hurls himself out of the arms of the person holding him in the general direction of his chosen destination. His complete confidence at our ability to catch him was a bit unnerving, but apparently well-founded.

Emerson proved no exception to the Pied-Piper Syndrome that kids seem to experience whenever Richard is around.  Richard was his adult-of-choice for the weekend!

Emerson 'Playing With' (aka tormenting) Lucy the Dog

 

Emerson "Helping" Mommy Unload the Dishwasher

For those of you who remember Algot's Faux-Hawk phase, apparently it's genetic.

Emerson is extremely close to walking, but still refuses to do so. He is completely capable, and will stroll along barely holding onto one of your fingers without difficulty, but as soon as you try to get him to go it on his own, he sits his bum right down. 

The first video below is Richard trying to get him on camera pushing his little trolley (as seen above) around. Emerson can walk easily behind it, but he explains to the camera why he doesn't feel like performing on demand.

 

The second video is Emerson and Alisha's parents house, a good capture of a scene that repeated itself a lot over the weekend...Emerson ALMOST taking that first step, and then refusing at the last minute to commit.

Emerson had a blast opening his first birthday present from Uncle Richard and Aunt Letty.  He seemed to grasp the concept of ripping away the paper quite quickly, but then, of course, wanted to play with the paper rather than get on with opening the box.

And if flipping thru the photos wasn't live action enough for you, here are the videos of Emerson opening his presents!

Thanks to Auntie Ann's shopping advice, the soft rubbery Tonka Trucks were a hit!

Emerson knows how to throw his hands up high above his head whenever anyone asks "How Big is Emerson" he chortles and throws his hands up and out while his family choruses "So big!"

Okay, and if the pictures aren't enough, here are a couple videos of Emerson Dean doing 'So Big'!

It was a flying weekend only trip to Texas, and a grueling 10 hour drive both ways, but I managed to finish an entire book on tape, AND not kill us on the way. I tried to take a brief nap in the car Sunday on the way back, but woke up to the sounds of our tires hitting the grids on the side (Richard calls this 'Driving by Braille'). The conversation went as follows:

Letty (drowsily):  "Are you still alright to drive Hon?"

Richard: "Oh yeah, I'm just having trouble keeping the car in our lane with only one hand on the steering wheel."

Letty (wide-awake): "Ummm, was that meant to be reassuring?"

I drove the rest of the way home.