Kate Update and a Good Wishes Quilt

Kate Emerson is developing by leaps and bounds and so I thought it was time for a little update. I have finally found a baby book with adoption pages that I plan to order and I want to remember everything so I can fill it in later! Several people asked about the book I am buying....here is the link. They are beautiful.

Kate says almost everything we say and puts words together constantly (shoes off, more please, too hot, it's cold, etc). She even comes out with things that we have never taught her. For example, this week she has told me that a few things are purple (and she was right). I have not talked with Kate about colors at all yet. I try to teach my children practical communication before I teach them shapes, colors and numbers. So, I have not made any efforts yet to expose her to that stuff but somehow she is absorbing it. She is counting all the time, starting to say her ABC's and pointing out colors. I am wondering if she is getting this from Sesame Street because she watches it while I shower in the mornings.

The most wonderful new develpoment is that Kate says "thank you" spontaneously now. When people hold the door for us, she says it. Every time I check out at the grocery store, she tell the cashier thank you. Every time we give her something or make her food, she says thank you. We do not even have to remind her. I cannot tell you how that fills my heart with joy. It is one of my goals as a Mom to raise grateful, appreciative and polite children. So, I am absolutely tickled that Kate is doing this so naturally.

Kate really enjoys books now. Her favorites are still My Mama's a Llama (which has fallen apart), Little Miss Spider and Goodnight Moon. However, she has added The Rainbow Fish, The Fur Family, Leo the Late bloomer (one of my favorites) and a few others to her repertoire now. Last week, while I was cooking dinner she got a picture/word book out and sat on the kitchen floor and "read" the book. It has pictures of common items (flower, leaf, girl, boy, apple, banana, dog, potty). She turned each page and said most of the correct words. I am simply amazed that she has only heard English for 10 months and she is doing so well. I want to savor each and every step of her development.

Kate is also attempting to dress herself. She loves to put all of our shoes on and walk around the house. This week she got one of her socks on herself and she was so proud!

Kate is also a climber. She climbs onto all of the chairs and counter stools in our kitchen. It is very dangerous and it is driving me CRAZY! Just this morning she climbed up to sit at the breakfast table. She leaned on the chair and over it fell onto our slate floor with Kate in the chair. I think I had a minor heart attack and thought she broke her wrist. All is well but we cannot turn our backs for one second which makes cooking a challenge!

My little monkey climbs onto the stools and pretends to work at my computer.

100 Good Wishes Quilt

Onto to another topic....I have posted a few times about starting a good wishes quilt for Kate. I even created a quilt blog for her a long time ago. When we were waiting for Kate, I did not really know about them at first and then for many reasons, I was afriad to make one. Once Kate came home, I wondered if it was too late to make a quilt. However, many people have encouraged me to have one made for her. I do not want to look back someday when she is 12 and I wish that I had done one. So, I have decided to compile a 100 good wishes quilt for Kate Emerson and I am really excited.

I am asking those who have a wish for Kate and want to send a quilt square to choose a fabric that is 100% cotton. Please send me a 9X9 washed square of the fabric you choose. I hope to use the quilt on her big girl bed and I have begun looking for new bedding. So I ask that you send fabrics that are white, pink, green, cream or any muted combination of those colors. It is my hope to back the quilt with a white vintage chenille fabric. If you want a peek at her room or to read more about the quilt project, click here.

Along with the square, please send a wish card. This can be an index card or any other notecard that has your advice, wish, verse or words of wisdom for Kate. Please include a small piece of the fabric on that card (2X2 is good) so we can match your fabric to the quilt after it is made. I will assemble all of the wish cards into a scrapbook for Kate. Please keep your wish one-sided so that we can easily read it in the memory book. I will try post the squares as we receive them on the quilt blog.

E-mail me for more information if you wish to participate (through my profile). I look forward to finally working on this project and I thank all of you who have encouraged and inspired me to do this. Some people sent me squares months ago when I mentioned it and I have each of them saved. I look forward to sitting down with Kate Emerson one day in the future and show her all of the good wishes people had for her life. I cannot wait to wrap her up in the love that people send our way.

Tonight, is my 11th annual Oscar Party. For the past 10 years I have hosted a "girls only" party to watch the Oscars. Some years have been elaborate with lovely invitations, gourmet dinners, signature cocktails and lovely prizes. Other years have been very small and we ordered take-out because I was ill. This year is very small, very last minute and very casual. Just a few friends will come over to watch this year and I am making tortilla soup. One thing has remained consistent though----I always wear my pajamas and I always encourage my guests to wear theirs as well. I have even had contests for the cutest PJ's. The best part of the party is commenting on everyone's clothes, jewelry, hair and love life. I learn a whole year's worth of People magazine trivia from my friends in one short evening! Enjoy the red carpet! I know we will.

When we moved from Houston a few years ago my friends presented me with this "Oscar" for the best parties! They gave it to me as a surprise at my last Oscar party there. It sits on my mantle around this time of year. Some famous actors and actresses live in our area. We see one Academy Award winner at our grocery store sometimes. Well, a few years ago a worker in my house saw my Oscar from afar and thought it was real and asked if it was mine. I nodded and said, "yes" and left it at that!

Finally, several people were curious about my new lens. I really like my lens (Nikon 50mm 1.4) a lot but I do want to share a tip.....I am likely going to exchange mine for a different version (which my hubby is a little upset about). Nikon makes a 50mm 1.8 that is one third the price of what my sweet guy bought me. According to the reviews, it is every bit as good. I will never be a good enough photographer to notice the difference between a 1.4 and a 1.8! So, if the company lets me I am going to exchange mine this week. I felt too guilty. One other tip, you need to have a pretty steady hand with this lens. I am kind of shaky, so it is challenging.

Kate does NOT like my new lens and is sick of me taking her picture. She pushes the camera away just like the celebrities do to the paparazzi.

I am warning you Mom...no more pictures!


Then she covers her face....


or gives me the evil eye!



If we distract her enough....

we can get some good ones though.

(Elissa took this last collage)