Emma the helper

This little cutie is such trouble lately. She found the stairs and is very effective about climbing over/around any blockades.  I can usually tell when she has done this because she starts laughing like she knows she's doing something she shouldn't.  She also thinks she's big stuff when she gets to sit in Jonas's booster seat like this picture and she is eating like a champ, even though she has nothing to show for it...she flunked her 9 month appt. because she had only gained 3 oz in the last 3 months. 

Emma in brother's seat

My little stair climber (with a sneak peak at the banister project and new carpet)

She helps with the laundry, the dishes, my makeup in the morning, grocery shopping, you name it!

Emma helping with dishes

Don't let this fool you, she gets out of any buckle and has made me had a ton of near heart attacks. She landed herself in the back basket of the cart one time reaching for an item.

She will be 10 mos. on Sunday and, yes, we still swaddle her to go to sleep. It is just part of the habit now for her- as soon as we swaddle she'll calm down and act ready for bed so it's worth it.  She is generally a good sleeper but since she's been a little sick this past week (Lillian kindly shared a cold she got from kindergarten with the rest of us) she's been getting up to nurse 3 times a night. I'm telling you what...I'm much more pleasant when I've had a good night's sleep. Hopefully this ends soon!  Unfortunately she stopped nursing on one side so it's drying up quickly. It makes me a little nervous, but she seems very happy nursing on the other side which is plentiful. I guess we'll see where that takes us.  Even though she's a little houdini and gets out of anywhere that we buckle her, we sure love this baby.  She brings such joy into our family.

9 month swaddler

Emma opening drawers onto herself

Helping mommy with makeup in the morning

Bike Riding

Helping with laundry

The kids and I started up baby signs classes to remind ourselves and teach Emma all the baby signs. She's been a good little student but it has been hard to time it when she's not sleepy and the kids are all home from school.  It's been fun!